I have had a very bad time gaining weight due to my “over-the-top” metabolism. My core body temperature and my basal metabolic rate in conjunction with heavy training causes a caloric burn rate that exceeds my food intake. I lie awake at night and I sweat quarts of water that leaves a very clear outline of my body on the sheets. Christine and I have tried to keep up with my caloric burn rate by stuffing me with massive amounts of food (7,000 calories taken in per day). Slowly, my body weight and my Body Fat per cent has crept upward. Today, I weigh 203.5 lbs (I started at 173.2 lbs in June 2014) and my frame is much thicker. Justin Dees (my coach) continues to push me to pack on the weight and muscle until he says “UNCLE”. At that point I begin to prep for the stage in July 2015.
In the past week or so my wife has followed my coach’s admonition to have me eat frequently, eat much, keep the protein high, keep the carbs high and train like a demon. My weight has risen and my coach has noticed…..All this is good and I am that much closer to the goals we have set.
Justin, hit me with a scientific/experiential fact last night during training at his gym in South Jordan, Utah. He said, “When we have gotten you packed with as much muscle as we can put on your frame, we will then ‘Grow you into your Stage Body!” This whole idea of growing into my stage body after pounding in food, supplements, and training like a beast just turned all of my paradigms on competition preparation on it’s ear! I’ve always believed that you got big and then you “cut your body into your Stage Body” which implies losing weight and giving up some muscle. What he went on to say is, “We will simply cut away the fat you’re taking in and the salt and the water slowly over time.” Carbs and proteins are still on the table, if I am interpreting what he said correctly. When I tried to question him further, he stopped me with a bit of conventional wisdom, “Don’t worry about it. You train and pack on the muscle and let me worry about this.”
My coach is outstanding and he has redirected me to focus only on what I have been instructed to worry about today and to accomplish the task before me. It is this sort of guidance, even for an old guy like me, that has kept me going without going stark, raving, mad due to so many things to worry about. Perspective, Perspective, Perspective. Mine and the Coaches Perspective. I only have to carry my portion of the burden and for this I am grateful. Thus, I can “TURN UP MY EFFORT” as I prep for the challenge ahead because I don’t have to give attention to that which I am not responsible for. Whew!!!
Learning to “TURN UP OUR EFFORT” is a lesson for all of us. Learning to unburden ourselves from things that will hinder our effort is just as important. Letting your friends, coaches, family members, and fans pick up the slack when it’s appropriate is required—or we will fail. My take home in all this is: Rarely, does anybody carry all the burden themselves when a major undertaking is launched. All of us need wisdom and a heavy dose of humility to allow the best helpers to under gird us during our quest. In my world, this is a “MAXIM.” I didn’t say I was smart. But, I will always maintain that once a lesson is learned, IT STAYS LEARNED.
I leave this small nugget of truth with you for you to integrate into your quest preparation. THIS IS OUR TIME! We cannot screw it up, lest we fail.
Until next time!
Douglas E. Graham
Six Pack and Senior 