For Benny -- Wednesday 09.20.06

Another great one knocked out.

Dead Lift:
8 x 135 lbs.
5 x 155 lbs.
5 x 175 lbs.
5 x 200 lbs.
3 x 3 x 175 lbs.

Standing Curl w/ EZ Bar:
10 x 30 lbs.
5 x 40 lbs.
5 x 50 lbs.
5 x 60 lbs.
3 x 2 x 90 lbs.

Drag Curl:
3 x 3 x 60 lbs.

Hammer Curl:
3 x 3 x 35 lbs.

Push Downs:
3 x 3 x 120 lbs.

Machine Dips:
5 x 3 x 100 lbs.

Plate See-Saw Under-Hand:
5 x 3 x 10 lbs.

Plate See-Saw Over-Hand:
5 x 3 x 10 lbs.

Plate Hand-to-Hand Toss:
30 x 25 lbs.

Cardio:
Body For Life 20 min. Cardio

Monday

A great workout! It felt good. I felt strong.

Bench Press:
10 x 95 lbs.
5 x 95 lbs.
5 x 115 lbs.
5 x 125 lbs.
3 x 3 x 175 lbs.

Close Grip Bench Press
3 x 3 x 115 lbs.

dumbbell Butterfly
3 x 3 x 40 lbs.

Barbell Wrist Curl
3 x 95 lbs.
5 x 95 lbs.
5 x 95 lbs.

Cardio
Body For Life 20 min. Cardio

It Takes a Village to Raise a Child...or a Stronger Benny

So I've been nail bending and working on my grip strength. I can bend a 40 penny nail in 10 seconds. But thru all of this my hands ache (index knuckle and the back of my hand). I think it might be tendinitis. But I'm not sure. It could just be general exercise pain like when I bench real hard at a workout. I don't want to do any permanent damage but I want to keep training my grip and strength.

"Should I be concerned?

What can I do to sooth the pain.

Should I soothe the pain.

Am I just whining?"

Those are the questions I'm asking myself. I would ask someone here but everyone I know is just a "health club" lifters. You know pretty people making prettier bodies. I'm working on finding some local folks that are serious about real strength to buddy up to for these kind of thought tangents.

So here's what I done did. I emailed 3 real strong guys. Guys that have been at my level and surpassed me like all get out. Dennis Rogers - Steve McGranahan - Bud Jeffries. I asked them my questions and hopefully they'll respond with some great advice. So hopefully this village will help in the raising of "Big Popa" Master of Strength (double Ha!). Also I'd value any of this community's input.

Here's my quote from the trailer for Jet Li's movie Fearless. (Now you see one of the reasons Lennie is my favorite bro-in-law)

Mastering others is strength
Mastering yourself makes you fearless.
-Lao Tzu-

-Strength and Honor-

Small Steps

So today I'm getting some pics printed off. You know stuph to inspire me. Also I'm going to figure out how and where to display them and my "shrapnel" (souvenirs from the stuph I break and bend).

I'm not working out today. I did cardio and weights yesterday. It kicked my butt hard. So I will start off slow and ease my way back into 5-6 days a week rather that burn out before I really get started.

Also we need to figure out a way to log our exercise and our progress. Something that's simple and the same for both me and you.

-Strength and Honor-

About Benny...

"If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don't;
If you'd like to win, but think you can't,
It's almost certain you won't..."

My father and 2 of my grandfathers died from heart attacks. I'm over weight and unhealthy (I'm 37 years old, 6' tall, 287lbs., and 32% body fat.) and I know that I'm next if I don't get my ass in gear. I need to change the way I move and the way I eat. But eating and exercising to be healthy is boring. So I will change my lifestyle to get healthy and possess "real" strength. I want to break cinder blocks, bend steel, bench 500 lbs, drive nails with my bare hands, and bend horse shoes. Something has kept me from making any significant lifestyle changes and attaining my goals.

I AM NOT beaten!
I WILL dare to dream big, set crazy goals, and make it fun!
I AM winning this battle!

MY GOALS:
1. Within 6 weeks I will be at 22% body fat.
2. Within 6 weeks I will bend a 60 d nail with my hands.
3. Within 6 weeks I will role a skillet up like a burrito.
4. Within 6 weeks I will legitimately rip a 1" phonebook with my hands.
5. Within 6 weeks I will bench 260 lbs.
6. Within 6 weeks I will deadlift 300lbs.
7. Within 6 weeks I will squat 300lbs.

Please pray for me. Ask others to pray for me. Encourage me. Send me quotes pics, stories, anything to encourage me. I have to win this battle! My wife needs me. My kids need me, and my ministry needs me. If I die, I am of no use to God or anybody.