David Chiu

Eric Paskel cranked up the intensity several notches today in our Xflowsion class today. Some of the positions and movements were pretty advanced stuff that required extra strength and flexibility to pull off. There were a couple times the room just laughed when he showed what the movement and pose should be. But, as EP says - it’s about showing up and giving your best, not whether or not you’re able to the movement and pose perfectly. It’s incredible how far everyone has progressed. I’m very impressed with Heather when I look over and see her doing some one legged twisted pose and also the strength and endurance to go through numerous down-dogs, to push-ups, to some crazy one-arm, one-legged posed. We are both transforming ourselves physically, mentally and even emotionally through this training. And the results are really starting to show even after just two weeks of training! EP spoke with me afterwards giving me really encouraging words saying that it is really obvious that I’m gaining definition in my arms and upper body. He said that now I really need to just watch my diet closely and lay-off the protein shakes. For a split second I started to get defensive, but he read my mind and said that he knew I was concerned about losing muscle mass, but maybe I need to just slim down and get cut up, then work on building muscle mass again. He also encouraged me to try it his way since I’ve spent years and years trying it my way and still haven’t succeeded. Ouch. That was a blow to my ego, but he’s right.

Now I’m not going to become vegetarian all of a sudden, but I will take his advice and lay off the protein shakes for now. But I do worry that I’m not eating enough calories a day. Actually, I know for a fact I’m not. Even without calculating all the calories per day in my food log, I could say that I’m probably only consuming around 1500cal/day. I should be consuming around 2000cal/day. What’s tricky is trying to consume 2000 clean calories consisting of non-processed protein, carbs and fiber. I guess that’s why you hear of some bodybuilders eating nothing but tuna, brown rice and broccoli for weeks at a time trying to slim down and prepare for a contest. But at this point I think I’d rather be ripped with a little less muscle mass than have more muscle at a higher bodyfat percentage.

Food Log

• ISS MXPro40 Chocolate Protein shake w/ water
• 1 packet of Uncle Sam’s oatmeal w/ Flaxseed
• Broccoli cooked in olive oil with garlic
• 1 can of sardines in olive oil
• 5 sweet potato chips
• 4tbsp Spicy Hummus w/ 4 black bean chips
• veggie burger w/ guacamole and fresh salsa on a sourdough wheat bread