1 year to a new me

Remember the bodybuilding I mentioned?

2009-02-20T14:32:00.000-08:00

Ok, so after this past weekend, and getting my KB certification it became very clear to me...I do not WANT to bodybuild anymore, what I want is a body that I can be proud of, functional, healthy and strong. All of this is possible now, I see the way to get this done, and Kettlebells and bodyweight training is the key.

Shawn, our trainer for the weekend, commented on how rather that train someone with a weak reason ( want to fit into a bikini ), he turns that work to other trainers and instead focuses on people with real goals. Lose some weight for health reasons, train for an event that want to take part in, work towards a better self. THESE are the reasons I want to do this. I love dealing with people, seeing them learn about themselves, and if in any way I can help with this....then that is what my goal is.

I want to be fit, want to feel good from the inside out, and even after the brutal training and punishment that we took for 2 days solid, even though I have been sore beyond what I have ever been, I am SO excited about the future, SO excited about being this sore, SO excited about growing as ME. Being HUGE is fine I suppose, but, as I am sure I mentioned earlier in this blog, I don't want to be in the gym for anyone else but me...its my time, and now I have a tool that I can use to work toward a most amazing goal.

I am now working on http://www.castironfitness.com/ and hope to have it launch possibly in May. I will keep you posted. Tips? Hints? things you would like to see on this web? let me know!

More early next week as I have been off resting my body to begin a brand new regime on monday.

Rob

IT'S DONE

2009-02-15T20:42:00.000-08:00

Its official!! I made it! As of today, February 15th 2009, Rob Townsend is a AKC certified russian kettlebell trainer!! I have the papers to prove it!

OMG it was brutal, a lot of sweat, much pain, will go into more detail on the bodyweight drills, and kettlebell drills later this week but for now, just putting it out there, into the universe, that it is done...and I am proud!!

A BIG shout out goes to Corky at The Playground Fitness Centre for kicking my ass at boot camp for 5 months straight, he told me I needed to do it, and he was right. The last 6 weeks I have spent kettlebell training and am so glad I did, otherwise, I don't know.

Next step you say?? I suppose get http://www.castironfitness.com/ up and running and start training my ass off. I don't think I will train any clients until I bang out some perfect form, drop a couple lbs, and get a little more fit. Hoping for June, after the kids are out of school

Will post again later this week with more info, as for now, I am going for a glass of wine, kick back, enjoy my victory....yes, and sleep!

Rob

Chrissy

2009-01-24T07:06:00.000-08:00

Ok, well with some more communication with Agatsu, I discovered that one of the benchmark routines is called CHRISSY. Yes, and she is a bee-otch. I did the routine on Wednesday and didn't know a human heart could beat that fast. It WAS a success though....I will admit to dropping 20 swings at the end because my grip was so weak, and I didn't want a KB to swing loose and break a mirror panel in the gym...outside, I would have kept going.

Interested? Here is the link to the exersize, and below is the actual description.

Burpees, not a normal sissy one he says..a knees high burpee with a pushup, and 2 hand swings with a kettlebell of your choosing. I used a 15kg one on Wednesday, I may lighten that weight up for now. EVERYONE I told about it wants to give it a go...I am really not sure to this very moment what kept my stomach down...I went and sat in the bathroom...but kept it all down..whew.

Ok, here it is

30 high knee burpees with a pushup (chest hits floor)
20 2 hand swings
25 burpees
25 2 hand swings
20 burpees
30 2 hand swings
15 burpees
35 2 hand swings
10 burpees
40 2 hand swings
5 burpees
45 2 hand swings.

Thats IT! It stops when you get down to 5 burpees. ALL of this is done for time. Just writing it out increased my heartrate!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCsVnvubjYo This is the link for the instruction. Presented by Agatsu ( the company who is doing my cert ) and Shawn Mozen.

Have a bad cold today, so am heading to make some oatmeal...Will check back soon.

Rob

I have homework to do..

2009-01-11T21:09:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I contacted Shawn Mozen about my cert course and what I should be working on ..the following is his reply.....

Hi Rob, the best thing to do is to work on the swing form in particualr getting your hips back and doing a proper squat. Then work the technique for the snatch and clean. If you have solid basics in these areas that will save time and make things easier for you. As far as your fitness level. Get used to performing circuits moving every 30 seconds to a different exercise. The circuits should be about five minutes long. Try between four or five sets like that with one minute rest. The rest is just hard work at the course. Also, a very good idea would be to work on burpees a bit so your legs are in shape take care Shawn

So I have my homework. I will use the next month to do a LOT of squats...and swing kettlebells until I can't breath. I will still do some weights for arms and shoulders but will also grind out the burpees...GOD I HATE BURPEES!! However, this is FAR from an option...so it must be done.

The last line in WANTED....the movie...is..."I am taking my life back....what the %$@# have you done lately" LOVE that line.

Rob

1 week down

2009-01-09T22:08:00.000-08:00

Ok, so the first week is done! 51 to go!

My diet this week I think I fared quite well. I stuck to a 6 meal a day plan, with breakfasts, snack at 10 ( shake ) lunch ( tuna or salmon with raw veggies ) snack ( almonds at 2pm, with more veggies ) then dinner, this week was a mixed bag for that one.

I got all my days in this week except thursday. Up at 5:30 workout until 7-7:15ish. Muscles are QUITE stiff, but that good kind of stiff. Glutes are still complaining today from my leg day on wednesday.

Kettlebell certification is confirmed!! I am very excited to being one step closer to getting my www.castironfitness.com online and working...have a running list of ppl waiting to start training with me and one more asked this past week! Great part, nice seat sale on with Westjet so that will be a help money wise.

Corky has a booked client for 4 weeks, and after that he will show me my hard core workout to follow for the next year...he said today my food is decent, but I should be eating more cooked chicken or fish during the day, asked him about turkey breast and he said that would be fine too, so on sunday I will cook enough for 3 days and cut all my veggies at that time too, then I can pre package it all for work for easy meals. Will do the same thing on Wed night for my Thurs to saturday meals.

As of tonight...I am feeling really good, and can't even hardly explain how excited I am that this is my year. Will post a photo of my CURRENT self at some point this weekend.

Off to watch my movie and then for rest. Worked a LOT of hours this past week but was still able to keep to bed at a respectful time.

Night all

Last camp of Santa Slam

2009-01-02T20:38:00.001-08:00

Well, today was the last Santa Slam class and we had our asses KICKED!! Its ok though, its what is needed to make it all clear that it was a little overdone on new years eve ;) Have not been in that state for quite a while...in fact its been since early August BEFORE I started back to camp.

Its over now though...thats it. I have a year of being serious and not treating my body that poorly so I will only be partaking in a little bit of alchohol on a very rare basis. MAN I couldn't believe the difference it made in my fatigue level today.

Legs and back today, so, come monday I think i am going to start on arms and back. Will post my schedule and routine here as soon as I get it banged out. Gotta get HARD on it so I am as ready as I can be for February.

Back in a couple days
Rob

And so it begins

2009-01-01T15:36:00.000-08:00

Ok, well, here we are! It's 2009 and the year is new a blank slate, waiting to be written to.

Had a fun New Years Eve party at our friends place and met some new people and discovered that in fact the issues we have with our kids...are in fact NORMAL! Whew.

Tomorrow is officially my last day of full time fitcamp at The Playground and starting Tuesday the soreness will begin. I am sure that I will be mocked for stiffness, poked at when I have a sore chest, and asked to speed up when unable to traverse the stairs at any faster than "old man with a cane" speed. BUT THATS GOOD!!!! It is just a reminder that I am doing the right thing, and after all...Pain is just weakness leaving the body!

Have reserved (verbally ) my spot for my Russian Kettlebell certification Feb 14-16th. Just need to call and make sure its NOT going to get cancelled before I book my flight. Westjet has a seat sale for $125 out of Victoria so I hope to get in on that one.

So, will get a photo of myself up before Tuesday and then we can keep an eye on my progress through a picture diary....The first ones should be only moderately embarrassing..but its part of the "be accountable" part of what I am doing...besides, then maybe I will actually see something too, its different when your in the body your working on...its hard to see.

Thats it for now..will check back on Tuesday.

Personal project 2009

2008-12-06T21:44:00.000-08:00

Ok, so, here's the deal. I have made a personal commitment for 2009. That is to be ripped, trim, and have an established kettlebell following ( ie. class members ). I am heading for my Russian Kettlebell Certification in February of 2009, and my bodybuilding training with Corky Fontana of www.playgroundfitness.ca begins as of January 2nd.

Currently I am attending fitcamps 3 days per week, and getting myself cardio ready for the coming year. I think that I have a long way to go, but, with hard work, dedication, and the right plan...anything is possible.

Corky has told me it will take a full year to reach my goal...I am hoping for shorter, but he is my guide...what he tells me to do, shall be done. I have waited a long time for this period in my life, and I cannot allow it to slip from my grasp again.

I will be posting here every week for the next year. If you have pointers, tips, diet advice, photos to share or training tips, PLEASE....share.

I look forward to a year of....??? Join me, and we can work on this together.

Rob