September 9th Update

Posted on September 9, 2018 by maxedoutmuscles

It’s week 3, and I might actually be showing some results this time around.

As I’ll share below, I’ve lost about a half a pound which is under my goal. I’m hoping to lose about 2 lbs a week. However, in the photos I am going to share with you, I feel I am looking considerably thinner this week than I was last week.

That being said, I can tell you I did a couple things different this week that may have contributed to my results for this week’s progress update. First of all, I had absolutely no alcohol. I didn’t drink beer, wine, or liquor and I did absolutely no partying. That cut off between 1,000 and 2,000 calories this weekend easily. Also, I worked out much more consistently. As opposed to going to the gym twice this week, I went five times and did a mixture of Athlean X inferno shred workouts and a 5×5 regimen for heavier lifts on my days off on the inferno program.

With all of that being said, I feel I really did put in the work this week and should be seeing some results. Now, with those results being less than my goal, there are a couple possible reasons for that.

First, I had Denny’s twice this week! That is an easy 1,000 calories extra per each day I went. I had Denny’s last week too, so I still have done better this week in net calories I’m sure. I also, maybe because the body doesn’t want to burn calories or maybe because I was stressed, ate some McDonald’s on my first break at work before lunch each day. That is a tremendous amount of money when you do it every day and it also isn’t good for the waist line.

Finally, there is an off chance that I have also built muscle as I have burned some fat. Athlean X YouTuber Jeff Cavalier seems to think it’s very possible to burn fat and build muscle at the same time. Despite some of my poor dietary choices this week, the pictures I am about to show you have me believing that might be what I’ve done.

I truly think I look slightly leaner in these photos than I did in my August 26th or September 2nd updates. I am noticing a small difference on my lower back where I was holding a lot of stubborn fat. While there is still fat there, it looks smaller to me. Also, my stomach doesn’t seem to protrude so much. I know I am holding the camera at a different angle for that one than the others but it seemed like I couldn’t even show my stomach doing the same angle this time because my arm was too much in the way.

Here I will also begin showing you a screen shot of my RENPHO scale, that is supposed to record my weight and body fat % measurements. I’m not entirely sure the body fat parts are accurate, so I may need to buy a tape measure soon so I can get reliable measurements and better recording to be sure about whether I’m losing fat despite what the scale says.

Weighing in at roughly a half a pound less, my results weren’t major but my pictures seem to show improvement.

How to Eat Healthy, Lose Weight, and Feel Awesome

Posted on September 7, 2018 by maxedoutmuscles

This video was posted by “The Health Nerd,” and he is not a normal fitness YouTuber. He supplies a lot of information and provides sources so, if his word isn’t good enough for you, you can check his source and see that he’s right.

The info he shares typically isn’t controversial either, just common sense.

Common sense…

Yeah, common sense… and I don’t mean that negatively toward him, but I feel most of us at this time know what is right for us and our bodies but we ultimately make the wrong decisions time and time again.

It’s by watching videos like The Health Nerd’s that you can remind yourself things you already knew and get a swift reality check halfway through your week. Starting to feel like you don’t know if you made the right choices? Watch videos like this, he outlines very clearly what you should and shouldn’t be doing if you want to get in the best shape of your life!

Joe Rogan – Why Are People Fat and Lazy

Posted on September 5, 2018 by maxedoutmuscles

Today’s video is just one I liked because Joe’s guest in this podcast was an advocate of the “carnivore” diet.

So, first and foremost, I’m kind of burnt out on the whole “diet” idea. I myself have done paleo before and it worked well, I know someone successful on keto, Joe is on keto, and my brother is a vegan. All that being said, I’m not arguing whether diets work or not. Clearly, at least in the short term, they work well and can also be very useful if you have health problems and have to eat a more restricted diet(as is the case for Mikhaila Peterson, the woman Joe is talking to).

I do, though, feel that for most of us a “diet” isn’t necessary. As I’ve said on other posts, perhaps just make one small change a week. You’d be surprised what you can do, and find an exercise you enjoy and do it consistently.

Here, Joe seems to have the same frame of mind and feels diet or exercise don’t really precede one another…he would say you just have to get out there and get the damn thing done… which, honestly, I feel is so true. Watch below:

9 Habits For Permanent Weight Loss

Posted on September 4, 2018 by maxedoutmuscles

The video I am sharing today was posted by Youtube channel “Gravity Transformations – Fat Loss Experts.”

I definitely got the vibe that the guy presenting information in this video knows what he’s talking about. I think all of his advice was good. What I want to add on to it is this..

Just make changes people. Any small change will do…. If just one small change a week, do it! You can. One small change a week in the right direction and in 12 weeks that will be 12 small changes. Just imagine how much healthier you’ll be if you follow that.

I don’t think you have to follow everything he said to a T but it definitely would help you achieve your goals. Just do your best and I want to leave you with a quote from his video that resonated with me:

“We make time for things that are most important to us.” Think that over if you’re struggling to find time to work out.

A Simple Man – Small Changes Can Make A Big Difference

Posted on September 3, 2018 by maxedoutmuscles

A Simple Man is an up and coming fitness YouTuber. On May 6, 2018 he posted the video below. What I find interesting is that May was about the time I started training again, but I have yet to lose so much as 10 lbs. I’ve had results, yes, that are strength related but I’m not much healthier.

But now I think I’ve learned the secret to long term change, and he outlines it below. Make small changes, don’t go on some crazy diet that you’re going to fail at. Consistency is key folks. One healthy change a week, and adding in a little bit of activity you enjoy as opposed to some sudden and crazy exercise choices. Watch up on how he’s doing it and be sure to check out my weekly progress updates to see me go through the same transitions.

September 2nd Update

Posted on September 2, 2018 by maxedoutmuscles

One week since my first update last Sunday. No progress whatsoever.

I started the week headstrong and motivated. I even cooked Sunday. Nothing EXTREMELY healthy, just some spaghetti with meat sauce…but it’s a step in the right direction. For once, I am eating the majority of my meals home cooked, and much less fast food. So!! WHY NO RESULTS?

Here is why I believe I had no results:

1) While I started the week strong, and I even switched my workout program to Athlean X inferno shred, I did not finish the week strong. I did two inferno shred workouts and then, after my rest day, did not work out the rest of the week. So life can happen, I can be tired, etc. but I have to master consistency.

2) My diet was MUCH better this week. I had that spaghetti for most of the week, and followed up with the cooking trend and made fish tacos on Thursday. However, Friday night I went out and got SMASHED. Ab-so-lute-ly shit faced. My friend was throwing a party and I really wanted to go, so I did and I drank 11 beers and 6 jell-o shots. Following that up, I wanted to soak up the alcohol so I had Denny’s. Then, yesterday, I wanted Pizza so I ordered a small Domino’s pizza to myself to nurse the hangover.

SUMMING IT UP, I could have lost some weight this week and looked better but I did not consistently train and I also ruined my caloric deficit by getting hammered Friday night and overeating this weekend. The key to progress for me will be to continue to start those Mondays off strong but I’ll need to begin to follow through to the end of each week.

Progress pic (or lack thereof) below:

Weighing in at the same 261 lbs as last week, I have succeeded at being mundane and average. No bonus points for me this week. On to week 3, where I MUST commit to doing this right! I apologize as I should have added a picture from the back to show those love handles that I need to work on. I’ll include the third set of pics in the next weekly collage.

August 26th Update

Posted on September 2, 2018 by maxedoutmuscles

Day 1. August 26, 2018.

I begun training again in May and I am almost as strong as I used to be in 2015. I did not follow a proper diet this week and I am only working out twice a week. I will need to improve my diet and exercise frequency.

August 26, 2018

Weight loss Day 1

In this image I am 261 lbs. I am unsure of my body fat %, but it’s probably high. August 26th.

You Need To Go To The Gym Without Being A Douchebag

Posted on May 28, 2018 by maxedoutmuscles

Pardon my french, but please refer to the title.

We all know them, right? The guys who go into the gym and grunt loud enough for everyone to hear while benching 225 for the first time.

(…and by that, I mean the first time today. They do this every day. They also don’t do this with any other work out. They don’t do many other workouts, and they definitely don’t do leg workouts. Only upper body brah.)

This is the same guy who wants to give you unwarranted workout advice every time he sees you. He’s into himself, and he thinks you should be too.

Still with me? If you’re not, picture this:

You walk into the gym. You’re feeling a little guilty because you haven’t gone in a week, and you ate more cake than you should have at a birthday party you attended the day before. You’re also feeling kind of achy from your escapades at the bar the night before. No worries though, you are stepping into the gym and getting your life back together.

You think you’re in for a difficult, but rewarding session as you know you need it and you’re excited at the prospect of getting your life together. You start to walk over to the free weight area because you read some article online saying that compound movements work better for seeing some results. This is when you spot them. There’s a group of three guys. All of them are wearing nothing but Nike, a snap back cap, their gym bags are tossed against the wall, and they each have one of the free weight racks.

“If they’re here together, why can’t they just work in together on one rack?” you think to yourself. However, you avoid confrontation and consider grabbing some dumbbells instead. That’s also a no-go. You start to look over at the dumbbell area. None of the weights are there that you’d like to use. You look back at the matching gym rats with their tribal tattoos, and there are your dumbbells by their feet. You ask if you can use them, and they all act odd about it and say they are actually doing a “superset” but they’ll totally be done in a minute. This isn’t going to happen though, because you quickly notice that they talk for five minutes between every set.

You end up going to the treadmills, you do some cardio and you hear them snickering in the back. It seems that they might be laughing at you. Seems rude, but also seems plausible as they don’t seem to believe in working legs, doing cardio, or having gym etiquette. You get a little frustrated, and you leave.

My thoughts here are, that, this stuff actually happens. How many gym douche bags have we all seen, seriously? I can personally laugh at myself and say that I have in the past had some of these behaviors. I’ve gotten lost in the mirror, taken up free weights, and talked to people for a long period of time between sets. This was a while ago and I feel that being self aware is the first step. I don’t think I’m that annoying anymore, and I think there’s a lot of hope for most bros out there. Just be courteous and kind brothers.

Back!

Posted on March 5, 2018 by maxedoutmuscles

It’s been two years!

I’ve only worked out off and on in this timeframe. I definitely haven’t been blogging a lot. I had the domain maxedoutmuscles.co for a while through bluehost.

Once my domain expired I opted to go .com through WordPress and start the blog back up. I am missing a few posts I made on the bluehost site, but that’s ok. As I said, these things were few and far between.

I would like to introduce myself to anyone new to maxedoutmuscles. My name is Christian Boyles, I am 23 years old. I work at a factory as a supervisor, and in my off time I love to work out. My goal is to ultimately own my own gym, a MaxedOutMuscles fitness center(or maybe named something else), and dedicate my life to fitness.

I will be making an effort to post here at least three times a week. Lots of site changes are going to be made for a better viewing experience. Welcome to my page and feel free to read from any of the hundreds of posts that I have available from 2015.

The Fitness Masochistic Paradox

Posted on December 13, 2015 by maxedoutmuscles

I’m thinking that getting bulky was exceptionally easy for me. However, getting lean is an entirely different story.

It seems that there’s a reason why people are always wanting to give up when they are attempting to lose weight on shows like “The Biggest Loser”. Losing weight takes a lot of discipline! The reason why gaining weight was so easy for me? It took consistency and dedication, but no discipline for me.

I would eat whatever I wanted to gain weight. I’d eat a lot, and gaining weight just depended on me lifting weights at a progressive overload. Of course, I didn’t care as much about the cardio because I was trying to get big! That’s not to say I didn’t do cardio to minimize the fat gains. It just wasn’t top priority, and it was a lot more challenging.

Doing cardio and eating clean? That sounded brutal. I’ve done it before, and I honestly thought it sucked. Oddly enough, that could be because I get addicted to crap foods and not because eating clean is actually horrible.

It does feel like a mission, though, and while bulking required the consistency, cutting is requiring a lot of discipline. I am doing my best to develop the discipline needed to lose weight, and honestly it feels like some weird masochistic effort. That is, I’m inflicting all of this pain on myself in the moment during my training and I’m depriving myself of the crap foods.

..the crap I used to eat provided by FreeImages.Com

So why do I call this masochism? I like doing it! It’s a challenge. I’m putting myself into challenge and I’m going to come out of this a lot stronger than I was when I started..

It’s a paradox because it may be hard now, but it only gets easier as I continue to push myself and succeed at my goals. Before too long, I will be bigger, faster, stronger and as lean as can be! I believe I can achieve my goals through a little pain and hardship now…

and you can too!

My mile times are speeding up, I’m eating fewer calories, and I’m beginning to feel like a healthy individual. Progress is, as always, a matter of consistency and discipline. I’ll keep grinding, and I hope you do too.