I think it's about time that I start one of these, so here we go!

Background:
My name is Mike, I'm a 19 year old male living in Oklahoma, and for the past year or so, I've been very interested in lifting and nutrition. I've always been kind of overweight, so out of the blue, I slowly started to get myself to the gym. At first, it was a nervous outing to the YMCA with my parents when they went to go play racquetball, but now I'm spending a lot of my free time researching anything I can get my hands on.

Currently, I am following Lou Schuler and Alwyn Cosgrove's New Rules of Lifting, and I'm in the middle of Fat Loss II. I'm going to monitor all my food and exercise through Fitday from now on, so here's the link:

FitDay.com - Diet and Fitness journal for Xabe

I've only been keeping track for a few days now, but I think that it's important that I do - always better to measure my results, so I can know when I'm doing well.

Before I wrap up my maiden journal post, I do have one question: As you can see according to my log, upper body Russian twists are very, very easy for me. I can't figure out how they are supposted to work my core, so can anyone shed a little light on that for me?

Thanks everyone for maintaining this awesome forum, and here's to hoping that I keep this up for a long long time.

Peace,
Xab

Good luck in everything that you do man, I hope it is succesful for you. Maybe you should substitute your russians if they are too easy.

The Russiam Twist is basically rotational exercise that involves core stability and puts emphasis on the obliques (the side muscles of the core above hip bone)

Here are some information links aling with a variation of the exercise:

Russian Twists


YouTube - Russian Twist Obliques Exercise

And, a more difficult version of the movement:

Incline Russian twist

I don't like regular Russian twists as I don't feel they're that effective. However, I find this variation to be extremely effective (and painful!). Anchor yourself on an incline board (or roman chair). Then do a half sit-up so that your lower back is not in contact with the board. You keep that position during the whole exercise. The execution is simple: rotate your torso form side to side. The arms are fully stretched out in front of you and they don't move — only the trunk is mobile. Try for the longest range of motion possible. You do 8-12 reps per side, or 8-12 full rotations


TESTOSTERONE NATION



Best wishes,


Chillen

Couple of updates. I got sick, and I wanted to go on Wednesday, but couldn't because of a constant headache and general soreness (not the gym kind, the sick kind).

Still loosing weight!

My next hurdle: Lower body Russian twists. While the Uppers are extremely easy, the lowers are pretty much impossible. Anyone know how, exactly, I can keep my legs straight while doing them?

Peace,
Xab

Another damn good lift today.

Progress is great - I'm able to add more weight every time I go, and weight loss is pretty noticeable. I'm down to 258, from 274, all in the space of a little over two months. So, about two pounds a week... that seems about right. I'm glad I'm doing this now when I'm young and stupid, I'll probably have too much sense to push myself so hard when I get older.

I'll update FitDay when I get a minute, for now, gotta do some homework.

Peace,
Xab

It's good to have more Okies on the forum.

Sounds like you have a great plan! GT2003 is from your neck of the woods, uh plains, as well.

Damn, that didn't take long for me to drop...

Two people get fired for stealing, and so I had to cover tons of stuff, so FitDay kinda fell to the wayside. I'm still loosing weight, but I need to make sure I'm updating this enough...

I spent the last week on my usual Caribbean cruise for spring break, and I can honestly say that with the exception of some alcohol, I really only didn't eat clean when it came to the French fries. I don't know if any of you have ever sailed Royal Caribbean before, but HOLY CRAP their fries are amazing.

Anyways... back to updating. =D

Yeah man keep this updated..... I cant really talk though im shocking for updating mine haha

Xab, how are you doing, buddy?

Hope things are well with you!

I hope you are just chilling out in personal greatness and performing extraordinary feats!


Best regards,


Chillen

Now that I have a computer again, I can update!

Well, I finished Fat Loss II quite well, I was really starting to get good at it all. I'm now two exercises in Fat Loss III, and I REALLY want to go today, but I feel exhausted for some reason. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'd rather delay one of my workouts than force myself to go to the gym and have a bad one.

For those of you who have used the New Rules of Lifting, how exactly do you guys manage the second giant set in Fat Loss III? I'm able to get the first one done and all, but Good Lord, the second one is just brutal. I'm hoping it's just a matter of my body adjusting a little bit more.

Edit: Wow Chillen, that was very scary timing =O

Doing better today, I'm not so sick anymore. I will be able to resume workouts on Monday, since I have to work all day Sunday. Nothing like your body whining for exercise, I guess. =/

Also, I'm loosing weight really fast. I initially thought Alwyn Cosgrove hated me for making the plan he did, but I'm starting to question that.