Day 140: Post M2...A Six-Pack In Phuket!

G'day from sunny Phuket,

Check this out!

Is that a six-pack I see? That elusive shadow line across my last row of abs suddenly appeared today.

This is so weird because today was the first day I have worked out since I finished M2 (4 days ago).

I'm totally baffled because I literally flexed all day on M2 Judgement Day to get a sixer to show up in my front picture...without success.

However, I'm not getting too carried away. I realize the power of lighting angles can make things appear more visible.

Either way, I am real happy because now I really do feel like I earned this trip in accordance with the criteria I set out in my M2 Goal statement (No six-pack = No Phuket). Needless to say I had a blast this morning at the Hotel gym. Check it out below.

The gym is quite small (all equipment is contained within this picture) but there are literally 24 different exercises you can do on that machine.

Today also marks the first day of what I will call Post M2 Training. This period will run for 20 days until April 16, 2007 with the purpose of priming my body for Mission 3.

My focus is to gain strength through heavy training with long rest periods between sets (the opposite style routine compared to the last 139 days).

I will also start consuming a surplus of calories through food for the first time since I started Mission 1. After having been on a caloric deficit for so long (in order to lose fat) I am glad to finally start eating meals other than tuna salad!

This is also the smart play because your body will adapt to the same stimulii (training and nutrition) over a period of time. This adaption will stall your progress and frustrate you through unbreakable plateaus.

Before I sign off today I'll give a pic of the beautiful resort I am staying at. The Deevana Resort is situated in Patong Beach in Phuket which is 40 minutes from the airport.

I have only been here for a day but I'm already in love with this place, yes the Day 140 pics really is the view from my balcony!

I'll give a full report in the coming days.

Peace,
AJ

Day 137: Mission 2 - The Aftermath

G'day,

Well, that was quite an experience! I slept like a baby last night...I tossed and turned all night!

What started out as a crazy idea at 3.00 AM one morning to put my pre-paid Phuket trip on the line in a public vote I saw become reality in front of my eyes.

Thank you everyone who participated and for your kind words of support in the Inner Circle forums and comments on my blog.

The vote was quite close with a total of 94 responses, 61% voting Yes and 39% voting No as to whether my mid-section qualified as a six-pack.

To tell you the truth I am not too worried about the high No vote because deep down I know that the most important picture (front) didn't show a defined six-pack.

The side picture and the picture of me sitting down did show a six-pack I believe, so in the end it really came down to what picture people would decide to vote on.

Obviously, in the end a majority of people thought my mid-section was a six-pack.

At the end of the day I am still very happy because at the age of 33 I am in the best shape of my life and the healthiest I have ever been. This is a far cry from 3 years ago when I was obese and on my way to an early grave.

I have learnt a lot during the last 10 days since I decided to go through with the poll. Ten days out I knew it would go down to the wire, both the vote and getting a six-pack. This feeling of pressure is what pushed me to achieve the result I did so I'm glad I went through with it.

Even though I didn't take any supplements, use water retention or sodium intake techniques, I have a new-found respect for what professional bodybuilders go through to get in shape for a contest. Not just the training and diet discipline but the feeling of being judged on your physique and mind games that go along with it.

The only thing I would have changed would have been be to have the poll during the same time zone as me as I really value my sleep!

Anyway, as you can see I'm off to Phuket tomorrow and I really look forward to chilling out for a while. When I'm there I will think about Mission 3 and how I will structure my goals, diet, training and accountability.

One thing for sure is that I will finally go on a caloric surplus and focus on building muscle. Of course, I still have a dream of getting a shredded six-pack so I'll have to factor this into my plan.

This time tomorrow I'll be in Bangkok. Until then...

Eat Clean,
Shred Hard,
Think BIG!

Peace,
AJ

Day 136: Mission 2 - The Verdict

G'day,

What a night! By the time I finally got to sleep I was woken up by an earthquake (literally).

Thank you to everyone who voted and for the kind words of support I received on my blog and in the Inner Circle forums.

The verdict is YES I will be going to Phuket. Below is a screenshot of the survey results at 9PM US Central Time.








This was definitely the weirdest experience of my life and I'll have a lot to write about in the future, but right now I gotta go and pack.

Peace,
AJ

Day 136: Voting Is Open Now!

G'day,

Well, it all comes down to this!

For the next 12 hours between 9 AM and 9 PM (US Central Time) you can decide if my midsection qualifies as a six-pack or not.

On the line is my $1500 pre-booked holiday to Phuket. If the Yes votes are greater than the No votes I will be on my way to Phuket on March 26, 2007. If the No votes are greater I will be back at my Osaka gym on March 26, 2007.

As you can see I'm waiting for your vote!

Please vote only once so the votes are not skewed. I will not vote so the results will be totally independent.

The vote box is in the right-hand navigation bar.

Peace,
AJ

Day 136 Video: Is This A Six-Pack?

G'day,

This is a video I made today (March 24, 2007) just to amuse myself!

Day 136: M2 Judgement Day Final Pictures

G'day,

Well here are my final M2 pictures.

During the last 4 days I did everything I could to try and reveal a six-pack.

I ran 40 km's at 16 km/h intervals, did 40 laps of the pool, did 4 hours of Tae-Bo & ab training and 4 hours of high intensity cycling.

Needless to say I am completely hammered!

Before I show them I just want to say a big thank you to a few people.

First of all, my family. I love you guys, you are the driving force behind everything I am trying to accomplish.

I also want to thank Tom Venuto, Nick Nilsson and David Grisaffi for their awesome information and inspiration. I have used their books and resources exclusively for the last 136 days. Thanks guys.

I also would like to thank all the members of Burn The Fat Inner Circle for their kind words and encouragement, and my Myspace, FaceBook and BodySpace friends.

And last but definitely not least I want to thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and make comments. You'll never know how much I appreciate you for doing that.

Well, here are the pics.

Cheers,
Adam Waters

Day 128 Video: M2 Judgement Day - My $1500 Phuket Trip On The Line!

Day 128 Video: M2 Judgement Day

Here's the Deal. Your votes will decide whether my midsection qualifies as a six-pack on M2 Judgement Day: March 24, 2007. I will only go to Phuket if the YES votes are greater than the No votes. I am totally pumped to make this six-pack appear!

Day 127: M2 Judgement Day - You Decide If I Go To Phuket!

G'day,

This is it! There is no turning back now.

I am now laying US$1,500 in pre-booked air tickets and hotel accomodation to Phuket on the line.

There are only 2 possible outcomes:

1) If you determine that my midsection qualifies as a six-pack by voting YES on Judgement Day March 24, 2007 I will be off to Phuket on March 26, 2007.

OR

2) If you determine that my midsection does not qualify as a six-pack by voting NO on Judgement Day March 24, 2007 I will be at my Osaka gym on March 26, 2007 still shredding for my six-pack.

I have had this final 10 day (shred phase) accountability plan since Day 7 of Mission 2. The reason I am doing this is to hold myself 100% accountable to my goal of a six-pack by March 24, 2007.

On March 24, 2007 between 9:00 AM and 9:00 PM (US Central Time) I will reveal my midesction and place a survey box in the right hand navigation bar where you can vote YES or NO as to whether it qualifies as a six-pack.

IMPORTANT: I am doing this on the honour system. Please vote only once. I will NOT vote so the results will be totally independent.

Okay, time for me to get some sleep, I'm gonna need it. These next 9 days will be the most intense of my life.

Peace,
AJ

P.S. Thanks Diane for me giving me the spark to create this accountability plan!

P.S.S. In the meantime you can vote on whether you think I will get that six-pack by March 24, 2007 by placing a vote in the M2 Pre-Judgement survey box to your right.

Eat Clean,
Shred Hard,
Think BIG!

Day 100 Milestone Pictures: Life is a Journey...

G’day,

I’ll make this short and sweet. There is a lot pain, embarrassment, shame, sacrifice, discipline AND joy in this picture slide.

Life really is a journey…I realize now that there is no destination. There will never be a point where I stop because the moment I do, I will stagnate and go backwards.

Trust me, I have learnt my lesson, I will NEVER Go Back!

Onwards to Day 200!

Eat Clean,
Shred Hard,
Think Big!

Peace,
AJ

Day 91: M2 Day 1 - Let's Get It On!

Day 91
M2: Mission 2, Day 1
Status: Round 1, Phase 1, Day 1
Goal: 5% Bodyfat with increase in muscularity
Vision: Kickin' it in Phuket with a totally shredded six-pack. Check it to your left!
Time: 46 Days: Feb/7/07 to Mar/24/07
Tools: BFFM; Metabolic Surge; Best Ab Exercises



G'day,

Just imagine...a totally shredded rock-hard six-pack while chillin' on the beach in Phuket with a cocktail (non-alocoholic) in one hand and iPod in the other.

This is the vision that will carry me through the next 46 days of gut-wrenching cardio, hardcore weight-training and diet discipline.

For the time being my initial visualization picture remains as I have yet to reach that level of muscularity. You can see it above.

I gotta go now.

Here are my M2 Day 1 pics for February 7, 2007.

Peace, AJ