Passion: The X-Factor
Everyone knows that to succeed at anything in life you need a very healthy dose of hardwork, and more hardwork. But what most people don’t realise is that hardwork is often not enough, and when they fail to succeed they blame everything and everyone around them. Yet all they needed was a good serving of passion for their goal. You can usually tell from the terminology that they use. Let’s take trying to get healthy as an example. Those who lack the passion go to the gym to “workout”, those who are really passionate hit the weights to “train”.
“Workout” people dread to go to the gym, and can’t wait for it to be over. They find excuses to miss a workout, and get distracted easily during their sessions. Not surprisingly, they also do not get much results and blame their genetics, the program, blah, blah blah.
“Training” people just can’t wait to get to the gym. Personal Records (PRs) are what they try to get most of the time they are in the gym, whether that means more weight on the bar, squeezing one extra rep, doing more in less time, going faster or longer than before. They are often ready to learn and try new things, and aren’t afraid to find and correct their weaknesses. They are the people who often stay motivated to work hard, and are usually the ones who end up getting results.
The example I give might be about exercise, but it’s very much applicable in all other aspects on life, like studies and work.
300
300. Wow, it was just fantastic cinematography and fantastically choreographed violence. And man were those guys ripped! And no matter how much digital retouching that can be done, you still need to have something to retouch to begin with! They worked hard to get in shape, and I mean HARD! Just check out Gym Jones and this article. It’s kind of Crossfit type workout. If you wanna give it a go, check out Crossfit and start there. It’ll make you strong, fast and fantastically well conditioned if you keep on it. Oh and not to mention it will make you look great as well (as long as your diet decent)!
Daylight savings time has come into effect a couple of weeks ago. The days are longer, it’s sunnier, and it’s definitely getting warmer. In short, it’s almost swimwear weather! Are you doing anything to get ready for the beach? If you are not, why not? I mean now you have more sunlight to go out and just play around in the sun man! Be more active! Not only will you start to look better, as a bonus you’ll be healthier!
Are you tough enough?
Anyone want to train for this? This looks really fun!
Just inspirational
This article in the NYTimes is just reallly inspiring! Take a read through the whole article and have a look at the video there as well.
I got my Academic F2 post!! WOOHOO@@!!
I got it! I got my Academic F2 post! And it’s in the Royal Liverpool University Hospital (my alma mater)! In the gastroenterology department!! THANK YOU GOD! I don’t care if I have to live on basic pay for 4 months. I am just happy to be able to get some sort of research done! WEE!!!
Update… after a long while…
It’s been awhile since I managed to update this blog. first it started with an illness, then it was work, and finally it’s just being plain lazy. I am now in my surgical rotation and it has been quite relaxed (except days when I am on call). So what’s changed in the last month or so.
Physically:
1. I am 70kg now. 5 more kilos to my target weight.
2. Now I’m trying to get back some visibility to my abs first, and getting my G-flux up.
3. Trying to get my strength levels up higher.
4. Deadlifted 130kg!
Career:
1. Trying to get a academic post F2 post in Liverpool in August.
2. Figuring out how to get a job after F2.
Mentally:
1. Sleeping loads more these days. Trying to get up earlier again.
2. Studying for my MRCP.
3. Gonna write down a set of goals to achieve.
Today’s Workout
6/1/2007 (68.2kg)
Superset
Reach, roll, lift 2×10
DB ext rotation 2×10 @ 5kg/hand
L-lateral raise 2×12 @ 5kg/hand
Superset
YTWL 2×8 @ 2.5kg/hand
Seated face rope pulls 2×12 @ 20kg
Pushup plus on Swiss Ball 2×15
Superset
Dips (kg/reps): 4 sets BW/10, BW/6+3+1
Chinups: BW/7+3 negatives, BW/3+45/7 (lat pull), BW-40lbs/5+2+2+1, BW-60lbs/10, BW-60lbs/8+2
-Decided to start doing Phase I of CW/AC’s 8 weeks to monster shoulders to correct some of my shoulder inflexibilities (esp the right side). From today, I’ll do Phase I every upper body day during ABBH.
-From today’s experience, I’ll perform Phase I’s exercises AFTER my workouts (I know, I know. It’s meant to be BEFORE all other workouts, but I find that the exercises can be quite intense and affect the main lifts, especially my pulling exercises)
-Will have to start using the graviton machine for assisted chinups. Today was quite a mess, as I thought I could at least do 7-8 chinups for 4-5 sets. Didn’t quite turn out that way
Today’s Workout
21/12/2006 (night shift)
Workout D
Superset
BB Push Press(kg/rep): 52.5/4, 52.5/4, 45/8, 40/12
Wide-grip Pullup: 10/3, 10/3+1, 2.5/6+1, BW/4+55/3+50/5 (pulldown)
Superset
DB Incline Bench Press: 27.5/4, 25/4, 20/9+17.5/3
Cable Seated Row: 55/4, 55/4, 50/12
DB Upper Body Russian Twist: 17.5/6, 15/6
DB Exernal Rotation: 3 sets 5/8
So-so workout. Was a busy shift. Last workout for ST2. Gonna go off on holiday from tomorrow!
Today’s (Well Yesterday’s) Workout
19/12/2006 (No weight)
Deadlift(kg/rep; overhand grip): 100/4, 100/2+1+1(last rep mixed grip), 100/3+1(last rep mixed grip), 75/12
Rack Deadlift (mixed grip): 130/x+120/2, 120/1+1, 120/2
Superset:
Bulgarian split squats (2xDB): 22.5/8, 22.5/10
Back Extension: 2 sets 22.5/10
Hanging leg raise: 15/6, 15/6
Don’t know why it was so hard to do rack deadlifts. The weights felt a whole lot heavier than normal. My CNS must be a little burnt out.
Today’s Workout
17/12/2006 (Night Shift)
Workout B
Superset:
BB Bent-over Row (kg/rep): 72.5/4, 72.5/4, 67.5/8, 62/12
BB Bench Press: 72.5/2+70/1, 70/3+1, 65/4+2+2, 57.5/8+2+1
Superset:
Chin-up (additional weight, kg/rep): 12.5/2+1+10/1, 12.5/2+10/1, BW/7+2+60/3(pulldown)
DB Shoulder Press: 20/3+17.5/1, 17.5/4, 15/10+2
-Felt weak today after my night shift
- my bench press, and pushing movement in general is still sh*t
