"A Journey Into Body Sculpting" (How It Changed Me Physically & Psychologically)

Like some people I've always had these personal challenges I've put on the back burner for years.  On April 20th of this year I learned I'd be partially laid off until the first of August.  I realized then that I finally had the time to conquer those personal challenges I'd set out for myself.  First there was the jog to the tower up on Green Mt in mid May.  I wanted to accomplish that without walking,even one second.  Then there was a one mile swim from one bridge to another in my local river basin I wanted to finish. I did it the third Wednesday in May.  Ever since I was in college I wanted  to see if I could 'body sculpt' to the point where I could get the "six pack."  Now, I've gotten several 'six packs' in my life!  Just the one's that contain beer.

When you are over, say 25, as I am. And you are not genetically wiry, as I am; there is only really one way to get a true body sculpt to the point where you look like someone out of 'Men's Magazine.'  That being anabolic steroids. Or having a photographer photo shop. And there is no way I've ever done or will do that to my body.  There is no way I will ever do that to my personal brand. So, in late May when I finally accepted this challenge for myself I  knew I had to act about perfect to pull it off. I MEAN..............PEERRRFFFEEECCCTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I officially end my challeng/experiment on July 31st.  Here are some of the documented good things that have occurred and some of the terribly negative things that have happened.

V-shred, which I don't recommend totally but in parts, demonstrated a decent way to 'chisel' to the point where a man will see enough definition in his torso to have the vaunted 'six pack.'  I watched their introductory video without having to buy the program ( I can do that since I once was a personal trainer at Gold's Gym, in the mid 2000's) This was my complete schedule from late May until June 27th.

Mondays: Cross fit (40 yard half to 3/4 sprints to stations where kettle bells where used for upper and lower body resistance lifting - 40 minutes to an hour) 20 percent carb vs. 80 percent plants and proteins diet (2 meals a day only).

Tuesdays & Thursdays: (22 minute high impact interval training sessions first thing in the morning)
stretching with yoga or gravity boots for about 10 minutes) diet - no carbs or sugars at all just all plants and proteins (2 meals a day only).

Wednesdays: open water swim sessions in local river for one mile with fins. (20 percent carb vs. 80 percent plants and proteins diet.  2 meals a day only (lunch & dinner)

Fridays:  Full body (chest, arms torso and legs) resistance weight training with free weights and machines for specialized muscle groups. Then 30 minutes of 3/4 to full sprints of 50 yards with walking or jogging back to point of start. (2 meals a day only - 20 percent carbs vs. 80 percent plants and proteins)

Saturday & Sunday (rest and stretch)  one 'cheat meal' on weekends. Walk dog through neighborhood. (2 meals only) zero carbs on total rest day.

In late June I tried the ice packs on those harder to chisel areas around the belly button and flanks.  You must be careful as this can do irreparable damage to the skin.  It worked as my belly lost 1/3 of an inch after one :30 minute session of ice packs.  My flanks lost some but were still viewable.  Also, in late June I bought 'Men's Shredded' fat burning supplements and thought I was going to have a heart attack the last Wednesday of the month after a 1 mile swim.  My blood pressure went up and I felt like the top of my head was going to blow off.  It was due to the irregular breathing you have to perform while swimming. I was relaxed from the swim and oddly enough had soaring blood pressure all at the same time.  It was the strangest 'high' I'd ever had.   It subsided after about two hours.

THE GOOD:

Going through this challenge/experiment caused me to obtain the most rigid diet I've ever tried.  I genetically have a bad 'sweet tooth' and I had to significantly cut down on sugars.  I also went without alcohol for all of the month.  I saw my torso grow more v-shaped and my chest much more defined.  I lost about 7 pounds, slept better, became more flexible, became more confident, had better stamina cardio wise and had a more relaxed state of mind.  By eating less carbs I was able to stay cooler in the heat and humidity of an Alabama summer.  I also saved money as my menu was much more restrictive. Most all pockets of white fat had been melted away.

THE BAD:

When a person works hard for something, whether that be self improvement or for money there is a tendency to become obsessive. The reason being, they want to reward themselves psychologically for all the sacrifice and hard work.  Such was the case all through June.  I began to see myself staring into the mirror about every 20 minutes throughout the day.  I also became vain in how I saw myself and the world around me.  I hardly ever let by an opportunity to show myself off  while not wearing a shirt.  I obtained this unhealthy mindset where I wanted to show my torso any chance I got that was appropriate to the situation.  Every time I jogged I made sure it was at the busiest intersections in town so I could be seen. I also became somewhat stressed as I could not enjoy alcohol which can mellow people out.  I stayed away from friends at local pubs because I knew it would tempt me to enjoy time with friends by drinking.  I also picked up smoking about once a week (cigars and CBD cigs) to replace the alcohol I wanted to mellow me out.  Due to emotional stress from my personal life, plus a rigid diet, plus unhealthy supplements; I developed Irritable Bowel Syndrome in late June.  I felt so bad the last Monday of the month that I thought I had contracted Covid 19.  I almost went for a lab result but recognized some old symptoms from my past bouts with the disorder and began a peppermint and tea regimen mixed in with massage therapy. I also risked damaging my skin by cold burns with homemade ice packs. I did not want to take the time to buy 'em professionally. First thing in the morning was always the best it ever got for me definition wise.  One drop of water, one pill of supplements and that natural bloating would dissipate those angles of sight in those muscles you worked so hard to expose.  You pretty much had to walk right outside the house and start showing yourself off the moment you woke up.

THE OUTCOME:

For someone over 35 who lives in a terrible place when it comes to eating a healthy diet (Alabama means fried foods, sweet tea, alcohol and no exercise) and who is build like an alligator (short limbs and a long torso) I am fairly pleased with the results so far.  Being that I've not cheated with steroids. By week four I started to see my obliques become sunken behind my belly.  My flanks (love handles) became smaller to non existent. By week five, in certain natural lighting, I did see some of what body builders and posers call a 'six pack' (defined rectus abdominus). But, it is not apparent in every type of lighting (meaning I have a little more to do.)  I have told myself I am done on July 31st no matter what I look like then.  I have technically accomplished my goal, yet I feel like I am enslaved by the process and I am not enjoying life as I should. I miss my good foods and drinks, along with a moderate/healthy diet and reasonable workout regimen.  In other words, the way I used to do it. July, will be a month of more intensive dieting. And unfortunately, more obsessive and vain show casing of my torso when I get the chance at local pools or while running through town. All of those June HIIT (High Impact Interval Training) sessions will evolve into painful 20 minute workouts in 55  degree spring fed ponds to maximize even more calorie burn.  Of course, unhealthy supplements will still be for breakfast even though I'm technically skipping breakfast due to a one year intermittent fasting diet. They will eventually run out by late this month.  Thank heavens! Although, I will have my first beer again tonight those will be few and far between until September 1st. All in all I am glad I finally tried this as it will get harder and harder to accomplish as I age.  I am also glad I discovered how toxic it can be for the soul and the mind.  I totally understand why models and body builders get paid good money. If I had to do this to my body, year round,  I'd demand to be compensated well to.  Going away, I will never go back to the way I looked before I started my challenge/experiment.  Then again, I did not look bad before anyway.  But, I will also be physically fit in moderation with a healthy looking 'normal' physique!'  There will be no more vanity in regards to how I perceive I look with my shirt off. By winter I may not have a 'six pack' as much any more but I will be much more appealing to others with who I am in accepting myself for myself.................for better and NOT WORSE!

Sincerely,


'Enslaved & Exhausted Body Builder'

J.C.B.  (July 1st 2020)