First I want to apologize to you all for being a day late. It was Canadian Thanksgiving yesterday and I did indulge myself just a little so I guess it made me a little lazy....but I would never leave you all hangin so here is this weeks instalment.
Last week was an amazing week all around for me. Training, career, rehab, all facets were a go and all I had to do was enjoy the ride. As most of you know by now I am rehabbing a quad tear that happened a few months ago now and things have really been coming along. Alvin Brown has been doing the deepest tissue work I have ever gotten on my physique. I gotta be honest I really dread going to see him every week because the pain he inflicts is so bad I leave like I was just in a bar fight. The positive side of that is the effects in the gym.
Last week I was able to bring back some of my old school strength because when you aren't hampered by injury you can really kill it in the gym. I am back to curling 80lb DB's and I was doing 405lb Incline Presses for a clean 8reps. The biggest achievement of the week had to come on leg day. Not only are my Leg Press and Hack Squat numbers up (12plates a side and 5plates a side, not crazy but getting better every week) but to top it off I was able to squat for the first time since July. Mind you it wasn't a free squat, it was a smith machine squat but regardless I was able to get up to three plates for a solid 12 reps. I think I could have gotten to 18-20 if I was completely healthy but I'm minding my rehab and checking my ego.
Career wise things have really been great. MD posted a new leg workout video we did back in September and it was received with overwhelming support from the MD fans! Someone also took a progress pic from my FB and posted it over at MD which was also received very well. To hear some BBing fans put me in the first tier category in BBing and rank me amongst the best in the world really makes me proud. Now I just have to produce come March.
Not only in my own career are things going well but like most of you know I do online physique coaching. I receive weekly updates from my clients and all of them are really making progress. The offseason athletes are getting bigger and better and the competitive athletes are getting shredded and all is clicking like it should! Nothing makes me feel better than getting an email from a client that is miserable about the diet but is so happy with the way they look, they don't care.
My discipline went out the window last week. I got in a few extra cheat meals knowing I have a guest spot coming up and I am about to shut it down and go completely clean with the food. For some reason and I don't know why lately my crutch has been ribs! Why? I have no idea. I started eating them one day about a month ago and since I have been having them for my cheat once a week and last week cuz I got stupid I had them twice. I mean I guess it could be worse, I guess I could be pounding back ice cream and cake which is complete garbage. Ribs are bad because of the high fat content and the sodium but at least they have quite a bit of protein so its not totally useless. I guess this is what I mean when I tell my clients to find something BBing friendly to cheat with.
On a more personal note, I thought I would share this with you all. Throughout my career people have always asked me, "why are going to all this trouble bodybuilding for such a small gain and no glamour?". I try and explain to them its something in me but there is no way they will ever understand. I think majority of people give up on their dreams somewhere around the age of twelve because someone told them whatever they were thinking was a joke. I can personally admit to that because my original dream in life was to be a race care driver and eventually test drive exotic cars.
Yes, as you all know that didn't happen and now seems comical as I probably can't fit into most of those cars...lol. I was fortunate in life to find another dream as I got into my 20's and yes like race car driving everyone around me said "that's stupid", "its too much work for no money", "you'll never make it, just have some drinks with us", "that's not even a real sport". I have heard it all but at the end of the day its MY dream and that's all that matters.
The point most people don't get is the all of the satisfaction doesn't come from being one of the best bodybuilders in the world. The real satisfaction comes from being able to say I did things my way and I made it work. I didn't have to give in to peer pressure or peoples ignorance, I am my own boss and am drawing out my own journey. No one can say anything to me about my choices because they are all mine and I live with conviction.
Having a dream and reaching for it is the most honorable thing a person can do, no matter what anyone thinks of it. Sure giving in, taking the safe route, sitting behind a desk is also admirable. You can make a great living and you will be accepted into society as the norm but is that all you want. Do you just want to be accepted or do you want people to say "you know what, he did things his way and he's living his dream!". Is money and fame all that matters or is there more to life and more to you?
Don't be scared to go for what you want in life. There are going to be people everywhere waiting to tell you what they think...that its stupid and impossible but the voice in your heart is the only one that matters. When you do something do it with all your heart and accept your decisions as your own. No excuses, no regrets...
Sacrifice Without Regret,
Fouad 'Hoss' Abiad
www.thefouadabiad.com (should be live this week!)
