JSL Fitness

I'm still trying!

2008-07-17T10:36:00.003-04:00

Okay okay, it's been a long ass time since I posted to this...but I've actually started making progress on my fitness lately, where I had hit a plateau for quite some time and didn't have the time to work out due to having two jobs. I've been doing a new workout routine put together for me by my friend Jason, eating a massive amount of protein and I'm actually seeing some changes in my body for the first time in years!

That's my workout. It's very basic, but seems to be effective and, best of all, doesn't keep me in the gym for more than an hour.

Thoughts?

The Death of the Six Pack

2006-12-05T21:00:00.000-05:00

Okay okay, so it's been a looong time since I posted to this blog. School started up again and it just hasn't been on the top of my list, but I'm trying to commit to writing more since I'm stopping my video blog for a while. Anyway, I have noticed something lately that I wanted to throw out there. As a gay man I'm always checking guys out. What I have noticed lately, both this past summer in the city and even on television is that I'm seeing less and less guys with those picturesque ripped abs we've come to expect from the covers of such publications as Men's Fitness. Here's a great example:

This picture is of Matthew Fox of "Party of Five" and "Lost" fame. I saw him on Saturday Night Live this weekend. In one sketch he had no shirt and I thought his little furry belly was so freaking cute. The fact of the matter is, I've always been more attracted to guys with what I perceive to be "normal" bodies than guys with abs you could scrub clothes on. I think a little tum tum shows that a guy can be healthy and balanced and not have to be a diva about how he looks. Little bellies can be extremely sexy.

That does not mean, however, that I find the following attractive:

As you can see, there is a fine line between sexily saftig and precarioiusly plump. I prefer the former. So for all y'all who are trying to crunch, run, eliptical and otherwise burn those last 4-5 vanity pounds away, I say leave 'em and have some damn egg nog. You'll be happier in the long run.

Middle of the Road

2006-09-10T15:21:00.000-04:00

It's been a while since I posted to this blog, so I thought it was time for an update. I'm back at work now and I'm tying to fit working out back into my daily routine. During the last three weeks of summer I did well, working out 3-4 days a week. I didn't experience a great deal of weight loss per se, but I can tell the difference in my muscle tone and endurance, so I'm satisfied for now. It isn't one of my goals to have washboard abs. Instead, I think it's more important to have a workout plan that you can integrate into your life to stay healthy, rather than doing it for simply cosmetic reasons. I'm happy with how I look but I'm excited to keep working out and watching how my body changes. Thanks to those of you who have checked back and read my posts. I'm still here!

Diet Day 4

2006-07-05T09:10:00.000-04:00

I took a day off yesterday for the holiday. I didn't binge or anything, but I did have a little ice cream and a muffin. Today I'm back on the wagon. The only problem is, I'm having a small skin surgery this morning that will hinder me from heavy-duty working out for the next two weeks while it heals. My tum tum is starting to look a little smaller, even if it's just my imagination.

174ish

2006-07-03T17:11:00.000-04:00

Woo hoo! I know that it's probably water weight, but I always enjoy the first few pounds that seem to slip off so easily when you start a diet. I hopped on the scale today and it read just over 174. Today was arms, I worked my upper back with the pull-down machine, dumbell chest presses, shoulder presses, biceps on the bicep machine and triceps with a dumbell. Then I did 25 minutes on the eliptical machine. I felt really tired going into the gym today, but I feel better now. I can't wait to be rid of this annoying spare tire!

I am a fitness disaster...

2006-07-02T12:33:00.000-04:00

So far this blog has proven to be quite ineffective at helping me get into shape. In fact, I've gained weight since I started it! And I don't mean that I've bulked up, no no. My belly has gotten bigger. Four pounds bigger, to be exact. I put on that weight between my two very long drives to and from Ohio and all of the Indian food, ice cream, goodies and alcohol I had while I was there. I finally got back to the gym today and hopped on the scale: 176! That's the heaviest I've been in over a year. It is now my goal to not only lose the four pounds I put on in the past two weeks but also two more. I WILL lose six pounds in the two weeks I have before I go to Florida. Men can healthily and realistically lose 2-3 pounds a week with a healthy diet and a reasonable amount of exercise, so that's my goal. I will be keeping track of my progress every couple of days on here. Wish me luck!

Day 1: (176) I started today with a breakfast of fresh fruit (kiwi, strawberries and banana) and whole wheat toast. I should have had the toast plain, but I had a little peanut butter on one piece and marmalade and a little butter on the other. I can't give up everything or I'll be miserable! I went to the gym and did legs (leg extensions, calf raises, leg curls and that machine that works your inner thighs) and abs (floor crunches, crunches with a stability ball and leg raises). I also ran/walked three miles at a pretty brisk pace, burning over 400 calories in the process. For my lunch I'm having Ruby Reds nutrition juice and a serving of Designer Whey protein. For a snack later I'll have a handful of nuts and raisins. For dinner, I'm making stuffed peppers with lean ground turkey instead of beef. That should be tasty!

Ruby Reds

2006-05-07T14:10:00.000-04:00

This is not a paid plug, but it's something I wanted to share with any readers I have just as a point of information. I've been drinking Ruby Reds juice for several weeks now at the urging of my boyfriend. I had never heard of this product before, so I thought I might disseminate some information about it. Basically, it's a powdered juice mix that is full of vitamins and good-for-you stuff from fruits and vegetables. It isn't a workout supplement, it isn't a weight-loss supplement, it isn't for energy specifically and it doesn't promise miracle results of any kind. What I have found, though, is that my immune system seems stronger, my digestive system more regular, I have more energy and overall better health since I've been drinking it. Both my boyfriend and his sister swear by it and I'm starting to see what they mean. So, if you're interested in doing something healthy to offset some other bad eating habits you may have, I can recommend this product.

On the fitness side of things, I have to admit I've been slacking. I'm a teacher and as we get towards the end of the year it is becoming increasingly more difficult for me to stick to a regular workout plan. I feel healthy and I hit the gym when I can, but I know I could go more. I wanted to use this blog to track my progress, but the results haven't been quite as dramatic as I'd intended. Do check back occasionally, though, as things are bound to improve. Summer is coming and I would like to be beach-ready, so I think it's time to kick myself in the ass a little harder. Are you getting in shape? Let me know what is working for you at joelstuartliving@mac.com.

Fitness, Interrupted

2006-04-30T10:32:00.000-04:00

I was bad this week. I had a friend in from out of town this weekend and I was really stressed out at work with a lot of stuff to do, so I only made it to the gym once, and the time I did go was not as productive as I wanted. The problem is that the place is always so damn crowded, so you're waiting around for what you want to use, and if you move for a second someone jumps in and you have to wait again. It makes it really difficult to go from one exercise to the next. Needless to say, I don't have any nice progress pictures to share with you. In a way, though, it is something good to write about in a fitness blog. This is reality! The key to getting in shape is small, gradual changes that you make over time. I have never had success with diets or short-term plans. I am in good shape and I'm fairly happy with the way I look, but I'm trying to challenge myself to go that extra mile and get a little cut. If I don't succeed I won't throw myself into traffic, but I want to know that I tried.

The moral of the story is don't beat yourself up if you don't have a great week every week. That is the fastest road to defeat. Know that each day, each week is another chance to do a good job. Believe me, I want to be able to share my progress and inspire anyone else who reads this, so it is frustrating when I let myself down, but life will go on. Hang in there, dear readers!

Not much difference, but...

2006-04-23T12:43:00.000-04:00

I know, this is hardly a dramatic "after" kind of photo, but after having realized what I need to be working on in terms of shaping my belly, I've only had a week to really do anything about it. I had a workout with my boyfriend's sister, who is a personal trainer, on Saturday morning and she kicked my butt. I was doing all kinds of crunches using this machine that forces you to control your motion. I guess it's called a cruncher board or something like that, but it helps your form and targets your abs better. I also did some incline crunches with a medicine ball, at one point even throwing it back and forth with Martin. I know if I keep this up I will see results! So please stay tuned, It's going to be interesting to watch my progress. If you are working on yourself I'd be happy to post your pics. Maybe we can support each other and all have nice abs by summer!

Who Knew?

2006-04-19T21:13:00.000-04:00

I learned yesterday from a qualified source (someone who used to have a flabby belly and now does not) what I've been doing wrong all of these years trying to combat my weich (German for soft) abdomen. I was operating under the idea that one should focus on building lean muscle all over the body, while combining cardio and a reasonable diet to gradually melt off any excess fat. While I have gotten slimmer at times of extremely strict dieting, I have never carved away the squish like I'd like to. My boyfriend clued me in to what has worked for him, which is a palates-oriented approach. One of the main staples of palates is strengthening the core, meaning your back, obliques and abs. This strength, in turn, adds stability and power to the rest of the body. The idea is that, to achieve a lean but healthy body, you work your midsection primarily and your limbs secondarily. Have you seen guys at the gym who have a huge chest and enormous arms but a big, nasty gut? That's because no matter how much muscle they build elsewhere, unless they (and I) build the muscles in my core, I will maintain that softness that has haunted me since puberty.

In summary: I need to work my abs, back and obliques harder and more consistently in order to tone the area and get rid of the softness. My boyfriend's sister is a personal trainer and also subscribes to this philosophy. I'm going to try to have a session with her in the next couple of weeks to put together a good plan for myself. In the meantime, I worked my abs pretty hard today, using a combination of resistance machines, crunches from all angles, leg lifts, and flutter kicks. I'll probably be sore tomorrow.

The Will to Do

2006-04-15T17:57:00.000-04:00

Probably the most difficult thing about committing to an exercise program is how easy it is to justify cheating when you want to. I did make it to the gym four times this week (hurrah!) but I know my eating habits could have been better. It's that whole "just one little thing" mentality that kills me. Just one spoonfuls of ice cream, followed by another, then a piece of chocolate, a handful of raisins, some crackers with peanut butter, and before I realize it I've put away a meal's worth of calories by grazing on what's in my cupboards. I guess I shouldn't worry about putting on weight. I think since I've been exercising over the past several months I have pretty much stayed within two pounds the entire time, but I know those snacks go right to my midsection and keep it on life support a bit longer.

My boyfriend and I had a mini vacation for two days in New York City and it seemed we had barely enough time to see sights and do things between stuffing ourselves with yummy food. My boyfriend is small-framed and, generally, a fitness and health nut. I know that most of the time we aren't together he is eating sticks and dirt or nothing, but when he is with me he seems to put away everything and anything he wants without feeling guilty about it. Of course, as a former Catholic, I feel guilty about basically anything pleasurable: eating, spending money, and sex come to mind first.

The good news is that I feel stronger than I have in a long time. My arms and chest are developing, and while I don't want to have a bodybuilder physique, I wouldn't mind people seeing me and guessing correctly that I work out. My legs and calves are also looking nicer, at least to me. When I was a kid I had these fat tree trunk legs that seemed to be the same diameter all the way down. At one point it was uncomfortable to stand with my feet together because of the fat. Those days, thankfully, are long behind me but I still have a ways to go before I'm where I'd like to be.

2006-04-14T06:06:00.000-04:00

I made it to the gym three times already this week! On Sunday I did legs and abs, Tuesday was running and on Wednesday I tackled my upper body: arms, chest, back. The good news is that after my workout on Wednesday I actually felt like I had challenged myself, and to be honest I'm still a little sore! I even had a professional massage yesterday! (which I highly recommend if you've never had it) I decided to start up again on the Body for Life plan, or at least as reasonable a facsimile thereof that I can muster with my lifestyle. I think the most important part is that I'm going to be more aware of what I eat, my protein intake, junk food, etc. Plus, it forces me to keep better track of my workouts so I can have some idea of my progress over the weeks. Speaking of junk food, my boyfriend and I indulged (to say the least) while we were in NYC the past two days, so I'm going to back to healthy food for the next several days. My body can really tell the difference, believe me.

2006-04-12T01:24:00.000-04:00

Designer Whey

I did schlep my jiggly belly to the gym today to sweat it out on a treadmill for about thirty minutes. I felt tons better afterwards, but I know it didn't make up for a whole day of munching on junky food and sitting on my caboose in bed. I've decided to up the ante on this workout thing. I mentioned Body for Life in a previous post and I've decided to start it up again for myself. I know this system works, and although I bitched about how it doesn't conform perfectly to my lifestyle, I know I just have to suck it up and do it.

For the uninitiated, there are basically two components to BFL: the eating and the exercising. The eating is basically making sure you eat 5-6 small, protein and complex carbohydrate rich meals per day, avoiding refined sugars, starches and fats. The exercise plan is a 6-day cycle which has you alternate cardiovascular exercises and weight lifting. I won't go into more detail because it is someone else's idea, but you get the gist of it. The program does require a bunch of dedication, but has a "day off" built in during which you are not expected to exercise and you may go as far off the healthy eating plan as you like.

To help me consume the protein I should be, I bought a big container of Designer Whey protein powder. It tastes pretty good and, accoding to the meathead that recommended it, will give me the extra calories and protein I need to build more muscle. Not to mention it makes a neat meal replacement. Body For Life is designed to be done in 12-week cycles, so I'm starting my first week officially this week. I've already got some catching up to do. Wish me luck!

2006-04-11T07:47:00.000-04:00

I didn't make it to the gym yesterday. I had every intention of going, but after plugging away at all this web junk I didn't realize how late it had gotten and I wanted to go to the mall. I really am going today, though.

I wanted to take a second to talk abot my fitness history so you have an idea of where I'm coming from. I was a chubby kid and teenager, had a major growth spurt that stretched me out quite a bit and my whole family started working out together while I was in high school. I continued working out, although never as dedicated as I should have been, in college. During my sophomore year, I made a friend, Caryl, who got me started on the Body for Life plan. To date, that is the only formal workout and diet plan I've ever tried. I know it works if you do what it says and stick to it. The problem is, for many people it's too much of a lifestyle adjustment. Working out six days a week and eating five meals a day is hard to work into one's life. Presently I'm looking for something structured, but not quite as demanding as BFL. One healthy thing my boyfriend has me doing is called Ruby Reds which is a juice one drinks as a dietary/vitamin supplement. I've been drinking the stuff for three days now. It doesn't taste bad. I haven't noticed any major changes but I'll keep you posted. If you have any workout plans to suggest, please do so!

2006-04-10T14:57:00.000-04:00

Welcome! You have reached JSL Fitness, part of the Joel Stuart Living family of websites. In my first blog, I started tackling my love life, dating, and making friends in a new city. A few weeks ago I started JSL Financial to help me start getting my financial life in order, make goals for the future and use the positive input and support from online readers to motivate me. In coming up with this new venture, I tried to think of what else is of interest to me and other people like me. Well, other than love and money, the next thing I came up with was my body. No, the picture to the right is not me, nor is it what I hope to look like; I have no such illusions. It's just a bit of eye candy to catch any of my readers who are attracted to the male form.

My goal with this site, like the financial blog, is simply to track my own progress in this area of my life. I have found that by blogging or vlogging about my life I stay motivated to keep working on those areas that need it, and goodness knows I'm not perfect. If you'd like to throw in some advice, encouragement, or tips, please feel free to do so. I will be posting occasional videos, and once I start doing that you'll be able to subscribe to them.

I don't think of myself as one of those gay men who is obsessed with his body, but there are some areas I would like to improve upon. First off, I wish to lose some of the fat around my stomach and obliques (lovehandles). Like I said, I'm not going for a six pack, I just want a waist that is narrower than my shoulders. I'm also trying to add some muscle tone and definition to my chest, arms and legs. Now, if you saw me on the street, you might think I have a good body, but I'm one of those skinny people with fat parts that are easy to hide. I'm 6'1'' and 170 pounds. By all medical accounts I'm extremely healthy and at an ideal weight, so weight loss isn't one of my goals. I see it more as "weight redistribution." I think the best way to chart my progress is by posting actual pics of myself along the way, so here's where we're starting from...

See what I mean? I'm not a fat guy, I just have fat parts. Okay, off to the gym!