Things are really cooking here in Philly.  Besides the heat waves, I am on the road a lot visiting different parishes and have lots of things in place to execute for our Archeparchial Vocations programs. 

One thing that really struck me is how doubt can creep in and cause my mental gears to seize up.  It hit me during a sermon and caused me to falter.  I did not think much about it until I was at the gym the other day, and for some reason, I doubted myself on an exercise and then, BANG, I could not get any more reps.  No way, no how.  Ruined my day.

Then as I was drafting up a speech on doubt is when it hit me.  It is a little demon that lurks behind and if you are not careful, if you let it creep in, it will cause you to seize up.  It caused me to forget what I was doing, both in the pulpit and in the gym and each time that I was not careful, it hit hard.... ]]> feeds@kickapps.com (TheChaplain) http://naturalstrength.net/topic/725 Tue, 20 Jul 2010 10:14:42 PST http://naturalstrength.net/topic/724/t/New-Book-IRON-NATION-Passion-for-Hard-Training.html http://www.IronNation.com  ]]> feeds@kickapps.com (M BOB WHELAN) http://naturalstrength.net/topic/724 Mon, 19 Jul 2010 19:23:49 PST http://naturalstrength.net/topic/723/t/george.html feeds@kickapps.com (J Duggan) http://naturalstrength.net/topic/723 Mon, 19 Jul 2010 09:05:46 PST http://naturalstrength.net/topic/722/t/15y-o-son-just-starting-out.html      Squats 2x10-15
     Benchpress 2x10-15
     Deadlifts 2x10-15
     Shoulder press ... ]]> feeds@kickapps.com (Natch) http://naturalstrength.net/topic/722 Sun, 11 Jul 2010 22:29:47 PST http://naturalstrength.net/topic/721/t/Lebron.html feeds@kickapps.com (grffn) http://naturalstrength.net/topic/721 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:40:21 PST http://naturalstrength.net/topic/720/t/Oh-by-the-way-.html

Blessings to you all,

The Chaplain

Sorry for the delay - just after I got moved into Philly, I started working on the daunting task (with God's help of course!) of reconstituting our Vocations Program from the ground up.  It has me on the road a lot, visiting our schools and churches, and is quite exciting.  However, I have to hang my head low before you all as the only gyms around here are the fern and chrome variety, and yes, I joined one (I have no space in my current digs for a power rack, bench and weights - this will have to wait for a little while) for $20.00/month with no contract.  Oh my heart aches for the day that I can get a dungeon like Bob's (or get assigned to Washington DC where I can work out at Bob's dungeon, which I SORELY MISS)...but hey, at least they have a squat rack and a hex trap bar for deadlifts along with plenty of free weights for me to work hard at up here.

Funny though, are the looks from the crowd at the gym on... ]]> feeds@kickapps.com (TheChaplain) http://naturalstrength.net/topic/719 Thu, 01 Jul 2010 21:09:41 PST http://naturalstrength.net/topic/718/t/deadlift.html Been at the gym the same time as a couple training lately who have been doing several sets of seated row, single armed rows and lat pull downs before going on to deadlifts. Not very heavy sets but heavy enough and lots of them. On the DL's (trap bar) they're going from 50kg in plates for 10 reps, 100kg for 10, 150kg for 4-5 and I pressume singles as they'd just loaded 200kg on the bar as I left.

Asked them today why they were doing all these before the deadlifts as I thought they'd do the deadlifts first when fresh. Seemed odd to pre-exhaust (?) back etc. before deadlifts, though you'd be risking poor form if tired. They said they always do it that way to make sure their backs etc are full warmed up. Obviously wasn't limitting the weight, though they were lifting fast and dropping them rather than slow controlled lifts and one had pretty rounded back. 

Said if they're doing squats they do them first.

Any thoughts?

Kev

]]> feeds@kickapps.com (longdog) http://naturalstrength.net/topic/718 Sun, 27 Jun 2010 12:08:33 PST http://naturalstrength.net/topic/717/t/Legendary-Centennial.html I was reading an old article, when I realized that this month ( June 17th, to be exact) is the 100 Year Anniversary of the birth of John Grimek.  Arguable the greatest figure in the history of the Iron Game.  Undefeated in bodybuilding, member of the 1936 Olympic Weightlifting Team, he would have excelled in powerlifting had the sport been around in his prime. How many thousands of people did he inspire through the years?  Even today, more than decade after his death, people still speak in terms of the influence he had over the iron game for sixty years.  I remember an article written by Maximum Bob a while back where he wrote of the time when he had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Grimek ( what a great opportunity that must have been!)  I was fortunate enough to meet him at the 1998 AOBS reunion dinner, and even got his autograph ( and I am not an autograph guy.)  What's more, anyone who I've spoken to who met the man always remark on what a great... ]]> feeds@kickapps.com (J Duggan) http://naturalstrength.net/topic/717 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:20:09 PST http://naturalstrength.net/topic/716/t/Hi-Mr-Fat-Guy.html
I'm currently 247lb at 6'0 with a lage frame. The other year I was down at 200lb and people were worrying I looked too thin. Bascially i'm a big bloke anyway but do need to loose a good bit.

Since starting my job I haven't been eating well, though I have been training, and I guess it's telling. One problem is I work with kids who are out of mainstream school for various behavioural reasons. Part of what we do is eat breakfast with them, often dinner and cook with them and eat it too. And there's no doubt that I love my food. And if I get tired and unwell I love it even more, though, you couldn't call what I eat then food!

I'm currently training for rowing on a wednesday night, racing at... ]]> feeds@kickapps.com (longdog) http://naturalstrength.net/topic/716 Sun, 20 Jun 2010 16:26:04 PST http://naturalstrength.net/topic/715/t/world-cup.html feeds@kickapps.com (manning) http://naturalstrength.net/topic/715 Fri, 11 Jun 2010 13:48:19 PST http://naturalstrength.net/topic/714/t/Settling-down-in-Philly.html

I hope everyone has been blessed and doing well.  I have not been on in a while as things have been a whirlwind, doing some parish visits, recovering from a nasty case of strep throat that I caught on a trip to a friend's wedding in Virginia (sorry I could not drop on in as I would have liked Bob, Providence Hospital and the Seminary had to take care of me while I was down), and finally moved my stuff to a residence/office in Philadelphia, where I have been officially assigned as Director of Vocations (My job is to seek out and foster vocations in interested folk who are considering ministry in the Ukrainian Catholic Church).  

Keeping up with the exercise has NOT been easy, but now that I am settled down, unfortunately since I cannot get my own set of plates and a bar and power rack, I am in the search for a good gym where I can work hard (I'll still try to make my way down to WST when I can every so often!).... ]]> feeds@kickapps.com (TheChaplain) http://naturalstrength.net/topic/714 Sun, 06 Jun 2010 17:58:44 PST http://naturalstrength.net/topic/713/t/Memorial-Day.html I know it's a little bit late, but a Happy Memorial Day to all those who have served and defended our country.  To those who have made the Supreme Sacrifice, we owe them a debt we can never adequately repay.  I heard a nice quote from a local radio DJ- he said that "We are the home of the free BECAUSE of the brave." What a nice way of putting it.  Incidentally, I saw an interesting program on the local PBS channel last night, it was about military cemeteries in foreign countries.  Eight countries, mostly in Europe, have cemeteries with our fallen servicemen and women.  What was particularly touching was how the locals honor those who are buried there.  Especially the older people who were alive during WWII.  But the local children are also taught from an early age about the sacrifice that our soldiers made in saving the continent.  Very touching.  The program showed a couple of men from Belgium who learned the Star Spangled Banner... ]]> feeds@kickapps.com (J Duggan) http://naturalstrength.net/topic/713 Tue, 01 Jun 2010 08:50:37 PST http://naturalstrength.net/topic/712/t/yo-bob-im-finally-in.html feeds@kickapps.com (DREW human wall ISRAEL) http://naturalstrength.net/topic/712 Fri, 28 May 2010 20:08:45 PST http://naturalstrength.net/topic/711/t/Dino-Files.html feeds@kickapps.com (grffn) http://naturalstrength.net/topic/711 Tue, 25 May 2010 20:39:09 PST http://naturalstrength.net/topic/710/t/A-new-beginning-.html

I have to say, it certainly is great when one achieves a major goal in life.  Last Sunday, on the 16th, I was ordained as a Priest in the Ukrainian Catholic Church.  I do apologize for not posting sooner, as I was completing final exams and working on last minute preparations for the ordination, but now I look back, after 6 years of formation (funny how it seemed so long, but now those 6 years just FLEW past at mach speed!), and wow . . . what a trip!  Does this mean I stop here and lay on my duff?  Absolutely not!  This means I have to work even harder now and the workload I have is HUGE.  But it is a challenge I look forward to tackling (with a little help from God in my case of course!)

And as far as the Iron Game goes?  You can certainly bet I am going to continue working HARD to achieve my short term and long term goals regard losing bodyfat, increasing strength and... ]]> feeds@kickapps.com (TheChaplain) http://naturalstrength.net/topic/710 Wed, 19 May 2010 17:23:33 PST http://naturalstrength.net/topic/709/t/Cruciate-ligament.html
My knees both can hyper-extend anyway (as can some other joints), but my right tibia will pop forward a bit if I bend imy knee too much and then pop back when I start to straighten it. Any sideways/ twisting movement is painful. Tender and swollen either side of knee cap depending on the day.

I've suspected it was ACL for a while and been trying to avoid any aggravating stuff. Funnily though squats don't seem to make it bad even though I do full ones neither do deads and from what I've read should be good for it.

Found some exercise to do in the meantime to protect and strengthen it but has any one got any other advice?

Thanks... ]]> feeds@kickapps.com (longdog) http://naturalstrength.net/topic/709 Tue, 18 May 2010 16:06:10 PST http://naturalstrength.net/topic/708/t/super-strength.html feeds@kickapps.com (grffn) http://naturalstrength.net/topic/708 Sun, 16 May 2010 21:34:26 PST http://naturalstrength.net/topic/707/t/monumental-collapse.html feeds@kickapps.com (grffn) http://naturalstrength.net/topic/707 Thu, 13 May 2010 16:43:20 PST