Ice Cold 8180's Workout Log

[Ice Cold 8180]

Today is an off day from the gym and once again as I've been listening to my body, it is much needed.. I've been drinking Purple Wrath all day loading up an Amino's and I should be back at the iron tomorrow training chest and back.. I rest day before training those big muscles is very necessary.. Looking forward to a good night's rest this evening and war tomorrow!

[Ice Cold 8180]

Today (Dec 4th) is a day that I always hold dear to my heart.. It's my late Grandfather's birthday.. He was an amazing man and he taught me so much about life.. He was the most successful man that I have ever met.. Not to mention one of the most loving and kindest.. I got to appreciate his company for 22 years of my life and not a moment goes by that I wish I could get some of that time back..
He always told me to give 110% no matter what the odds, because you never know what the outcome will be, unless you give up, then you know that you let yourself down along with everyone else that believed in you.. Because of him, I refuse to give up.. I don't care if the odd are stacked against me, I will fight til the bitter end... The tattoo on my back is the symbol of eternity and it represents the fact that he is still living through me and every time I feel like I'm wearing down and that I might not be able to continue, I know that he's with me and I'll be damned if I'm gonna let him down!!
I'm sure you could imagine what tonights workout was like as a result.. I hit the iron harder than I have hit it in a while and I wouldn't have changed a thing! I have a big heart and a lot to prove as I've been underestimated most of my life.. Odds? All I can say about the odds is that they are made to be defied! The old man was smart.. Now it's time to prove to the world that he was right!! Love you Grandpa and I miss you tons!

[Ice Cold 8180]

Tonights workout was insane! Quads, Calves and Abs.. I went in with a tidal wave of motivation and left it all in the gym.. I almost passed out on the leg press to the tune of 18 plates! Followed by alternate leg press with 10 plates and single leg extensions... I could barely walk after that and still rallied back for calves and abs... I hobbled out of the building a crippled, sweaty mess... Oh yeah and I wouldn't have changed a thing... #wheels

[Ice Cold 8180]

Back to the grind tonight with Traps and Delts.. Which is good considering the legs are completely trashed from yesterday... Strength was on point as I was able to blast through my shrug exercises.. Ended up maxing out the hammer strength shrug machine for 3 sets of 15, followed by 3 sets of 15 with the 130lb dumbbells.. Delt work consisted of dumbbell presses 65's for 12 70's for 10, 75's for 2 sets of 8... Upright rows with 150lbs for 3 sets of 10 and then super sets with dumbbell extensions and reverse peck deck... I then finished off with pull ups to failure...
The highlight of my evening was when a little boy around the age 8 or so, saw me walk by to get a drink and said "Wow Mom, look at that guy's muscles"!! It's little things like that I appreciate... Any time I have a chance to be a positive influence on someone, I'll chalk it up as a win!

[Ice Cold 8180]

Today was a rest day for me... Last night when I got home I felt more beat up than I have in a long time... I had a big feeling of fulfillment.. This feeling took me down memory lane about 12 years back when my basketball coach ran our team into the ground after running suicides.. I remember getting home, sitting on my couch, not wanting to move an inch, at the same time knowing that I had earned that feeling.. Last night I earned that soreness, tiredness and utter exhaustion... It's so funny what we appreciate in life..

[Ice Cold 8180]

Back at it this morning for Bi's and Tri's... I'm learning to appreciate early saturday lifts... the gym is surprisingly packed and 90% of the people in the building are pretty regular, dedicated, in shape people.. That makes things really motivating for me.. In the back of my mind I'm thinking that these are all the people that were "above" going out the night before and partying... There is a certain sense of respect and camaraderie among the people that are in the gym at this time... I love it! It without a doubt fueled my workout today...
All in all my strength was still on point and I had very little pain in my joints.. If I can continue to harness this motivation and keep everything in tact for the next 17 weeks, there is going to be one tall, big, ripped guy on that stage.. He's hungry and he wants to WIN!!

[Ice Cold 8180]

Called it early Saturday night and got a great start to the day today as I trained Hamstrings, Calves and Abs... Great dead lift sets as everything felt good.. 225 for 12, 275 for 10, 315 for 8 and 365 for 6.. After I set the tone with that, I did some super sets on various leg curl machines.. Standing Calf drop set and some isolated supersets on the seated calf as well as the donkey calf.. Ab training was also great as I have implemented some different workout that I will most likely have to demonstrate in a video as they are kinda strange.. All in all, I am toast.. I even did a bit of posing when it was all done.. It's always hard considering I'm not contest ready, but I want to continue to be familiar with the motions.. Time to EAT!!

[Ice Cold 8180]

After a great day off, I got my well rested body back to the grind today for Chest and Back.. Hit the ground running and was able to move some good weight around.. 290 for reps on the hammer strength incline followed by a TON of flies! I had such a great chest pump this evening, you could have set your water bottle on my chest and it wouldn't have moved.. lol... I maxed out the lat pull down for 10 solid reps, a new PR! Strength, pump, energy motivation is all on point!! My mind is in the right place and it's time to start getting it done!
I was approached by a guy this evening, he is 63 years old and he told me that he has been watching me get bigger and better over the years.. He said that my gradual transformation has inspired him to work harder.. I kindly thanked him for the complement and told him that kind works from folks like him are priceless to me... and that my hats off to him for still hitting the iron had at that age, I hope that when I'm 63 that I'm still smashing the weights... It's not a hobby, it's a lifestyle!

[Ice Cold 8180]

LEGS!!! I absolutely beat the hell out of my quads and calves this evening and it hurt!! but the pain was irreplaceable!! I went into the gym tonight and tore the place apart! Lunges with two plates on each side, front box squats, heavy leg press and alternate leg extensions... My color in my face was GONE! All the blood must have been in my legs, right where I wanted it!! I almost threw up and passed out all in a span of 90 minutes.. I walked out of that place with a feeling unlike any other.. This just keeps getting better and better! It's always a pleasure when you have the ability to impress yourself every now and then.. I left this evening thinking "damn, I'm getting good at this $hit"...

[Ice Cold 8180]

Traps and Delts today.. Life it good! Lifting heavy weight for good solid reps, with very little pain.. The Controlled Labs Blue Growth is helping me sleep like a baby at night and the Blue Up is keeping me strong as an ox in the gym... I guess you could say that I've got the "blues" and I'm liking this! Shrugs with 405 for reps, single arm shrugs with 205, cable shrug burnouts and then on to the delts.. I smashed them! 225 on the press, followed by some heavy upright rows and then the always fun "dirty thirty"... I can't lie, seeing my boy Steve Cook on the cover of Muscle and Fitness Magazine inspired the hell out of me but at the same time gave me a new found motivation... One day, it's gonna be me on the cover of that magazine and I'll keep busting my ass until that day comes... #DreamBig

[Ice Cold 8180]

Back at it today after a great day off and an awesome Christmas party last night!
I attacked the arms and as I was a bit sluggish after a late evening, I decided to cut my rest time in between sets down just a bit... It certainly took its toll on my body but in all the right ways.. I have found that this tactic is very useful on arm days but when training some of the bigger muscles that resting and regrouping in between sets is almost crucial.. My workout was great, I am nursing just a bit of pain in my left elbow but nothing serious..
I will be working on my diet plan and trainer over the weekend for those of you that have messaged me... Thanks for your patience.. This is something that I want to be done right so in the end you will receive the maximum benefit.. The sky is the limit my friends!

[Ice Cold 8180]

Today I trained Hamstrings, Calves and Abs... Great Sunday workout as the gym wasn't super packed and I was able to really focus on my weak areas.. I utilized the hex bar for dead lifts as I feel it helps me isolate my hamstrings and it's easier on my back... I was able to hit 405 for reps today, it's been a while but it felt really good.. That set the tone for the rest of my workout.. I was able to throw some supersets in there and I really turned up the intensity on my abs.. windshield wipers, hanging let raises, rope crunches and upright leg raises.. abs are fried! they say abs are made in the kitchen.. yes.. but if you want them to look like the grill of a Mack Truck, you best be slamming them in the gym too!!

[Ice Cold 8180]

Back to the grind for that warm up if you'll call it that.. lol.. It was indeed a little better than I expected it to be.. Started out on the hack squat and worked my way up to 6 plates... I then moved on to alternate leg extensions and alternate leg press.. I think that will be just enough to give me the "welcome back" soreness that I was looking for.. I then ran a tri-set on my calves for 15 to 20 reps.. Again not too much and not too little.. Today was the first that that I have eaten anything but soup as well.. I'm simply slowly trying to get back into the swing of things.. I feel that tomorrow will be better after a good meal this evening and a good solid breakfast tomorrow morning.. Gotta crawl before you can walk...

[Ice Cold 8180]

Got into the gym pretty early today for what turned into a killer back workout with Angelina Masino! I would train with her again anytime! Don't let her good looks deceive you, when it's time to lift, the gloves come off and she mixes in with the best of them! That being said, I'll be looking forward to seeing her scoop up her IFBB Pro Card this year!
Started things off with hammer strength rows, didn't quite max it out, but I got up to 4 plates and a 25 on each side for 6 good solid reps.. Moving along to the seated cable row, I was able to max it out at 300 for 10 reps, then maxed out the Lat pull down for 6 good reps.. All in all it was a great workout! Did I push it harder than I should have? Yes! Did I have one of the best up and coming figure competitors in the country training with me? Yes! Was I going to bust my ass every step of the way today? You bet your sweet ASS!!

[Ice Cold 8180]

While I just focused on back yesterday, I went back in today for a good chest workout. I utilized a lot of machines as my chest isn't my strongest area and coming off the cold I knew my strength wouldn't be 100%... I did my best to prepare for the lack of strength, but once I got in the mix, I did get quite frustrated.. I know that's just my pride getting in the way of my logic, nonetheless, I worked with what I had and powered through it..
In this game, not always having workouts that are out of this world can happen.. I guess I'm spoiled as usually my workouts are on point.. If they aren't, I feel that I can rally back mentally and end up crushing it.. I have to accept the fact that my body is still healing up.. If anything I should be pretty grateful as just a few days ago, I couldn't get out of bed.. We'll stay consistent, motivated, hungry, willing, prepared and most of all focused!