So I signed up for our hospital's version of the "Biggest Loser" contest where the person who loses the greatest percentage of their bodyweight may win a cash prize.  I've already conceded that if I happen to win any prize, I'd donate it back to charity.

I entered for the sole reason that I need a solid goal.  Since I took a week long break from training last month, my progress has stalled and I have yet to maintain the same consistency as during the first two months of my training program.

This typically happens with fitness programs.  You get so fired up and start going to the gym and getting great results...then you sometimes stall out and then it's back to your old slothful ways. ...

Today is my wife's birthday!  

Happy birthday to my one and only LOVE!  

Will be back to posting updates soon...

This week marks our first break from training after eight straight weeks of heavy/intense weight lifting.  We'll take this week off completely and re-commence with renewed energy, focus, and determination.

Thus far, my strength has just about returned to where it was nearly eight (8!) years ago.  I'm feeling much more energized and rejuvenated and the results are starting to show externally.

My diet/nutrition was more relaxed over the past month, however, I did not go overboard with eating junk.  Starting this week, my eating plan will tighten up somewhat and this will translate into even faster and more significant gains for the next two month phase.

Training Max-OT style is really the most efficient ...

Since my last entry I've completed another solid week of training.  Not surprisingly, I've gained significant strength and lean body mass (without steroids!).  However, I have not lost much fat.  Part of this is because I haven't really cut my calories down.  While I've cleaned up my diet somewhat--eating mostly lean protein, quality carbs and fats--I must begin to pare down my calorie intake so that my fat mass will start to shrink.

No doubt, I feel more energy and I certainly have greater strength.  Just yesterday I pressed 75lbs. dumbbells for six reps on the incline bench dumbbell press!  It's been at least five years since I've felt this strong.

Now, as my eating habits ...

Today marks our wedding anniversary!  Jennifer and I were married in Hawaiian paradise on 08/08/08 and it was so magical and amazing.  I love her more and more every day and I am truly the lucky one.

Our ceremony was held at Star of the Sea church in Honolulu.  The Bishop of Hawaii presided over the ceremony and my dad served as Deacon (he gave a great homily!).

I sang "I'll Be" as my beautiful bride walked up the aisle...at one point we were choking back tears and my voice almost cracked!

The reception was at the Waialae Country Club where I serenaded my new bride, ate an incredible dinner and fantastic cake (decorated with honu!) and then we danced the night ......

I've read that people want to gain pleasure and avoid pain.  Sounds kind of simple and it certainly makes sense.  However, I think that when pain comes around, it's often a great teacher.

For example, when I train legs at the gym, it's probably the toughest workout of the week.  No, make that DEFINITELY the toughest one.  I often feel angst prior to the workout, then quite a bit of discomfort during the workout (i.e. barbell squat or the leg press), and oftentimes soreness for days afterwards.

But then, a funny thing happens.  I see the results of that hard labor.  I feel more energy and vitality.  And I get stronger each week!

Pain has taught me perseverance.  To stick with...

Happy to report that my wife is back from her week-long business trip.  Jennifer has been traveling every week for the past three weeks and I just missed her sooooooooo much! 

I'm a romantic at heart and every day I remind myself how lucky I am to have her in my life.  We've been together since January 21, 2000 and married since 08/08/08 (...will never forget it!).  She's my best friend and she knows me better than I know myself at times it seems.

We met at a local gym in Massachusetts and I like to think that I attracted her with my 'buff bod.'  Actually, I was attracted to her demure nature, quiet strength, and fierce determination.  Those who know her will ...

I like to think of myself as a positive-minded person.  (Now that's a positive statement!) 

My mom and dad would always lovingly remind me to use my talents towards the benefit of others.  Whenever I'd feel frustrated or fed up, I'd hear their voices gently telling me to focus on the good in the situation.  To think about what I could learn from the situation, rather than asking, "why did this crap happen to me?"

To be honest, this got me through many dire dilemmas.  Growing up, I can safely say that having a positive attitude and focusing on the good side of things have helped me maintain an optimistic outlook.  And this has attracted many other positive people in my life. ...

One of the challenges I've faced while pursuing a life goal has been my tendency to "drop off" momentum or "delay" action-taking.  This would result in my losing focus and ultimately failing to achieve that goal in a timely manner.

Down the road, I'd then pick up where I left off and give it another go.  Again, at times I'd stop taking those daily action steps towards the goal and subsequently I'd find another failure or simply be in a "holding pattern" and not make any progress.

A specific and glaring example would be my state of health and fitness.  Right now, I'm in "less than stellar" shape.  This didn't happen overnight of course.  It&#...

Today, I've re-launched my personal website.  I've been dabbling with this site over the past several years and I'm taking the plunge (again!) with updating it with content that I'm hoping will ultimately help others in their pursuit of their dreams.

I've lived forty years (plus two months!) and found that life presents so many opportunities for growth and expansion...even when you feel like you're down, contracted, and insignificant. 

Believe me, I've tasted many defeats and failures over the years...and it's when I've feel like my back was against the wall, like everything was falling down around me, or when I thought I'd never find a way to turn things around--it was during ...