John Stone's Picture Gallery and Video Archive

[punkchip]

She had Rheumatic fever?

Comes from Strep A. Starts with throat pain, becomes rheumatic fever, and years later (10-30 years), the mitral valve is affected, causing the murmur. Now rare in industrialised societies, but there was a 200 000 new cases incidence in the 1940s!

[John Stone]

My throat is feeling MUCH better this morning.

[Happy Monster]

Glad to hear that John.
BTW: Are you not posting the details of your workouts here anymore?

[Nico]

Originally Posted by John Stone

My throat is feeling MUCH better this morning.

It must be weird having lots of people knowing about your daily/hourly health status.

[LCJ]

Originally Posted by punkchip

She had Rheumatic fever?

Comes from Strep A. Starts with throat pain, becomes rheumatic fever, and years later (10-30 years), the mitral valve is affected, causing the murmur. Now rare in industrialised societies, but there was a 200 000 new cases incidence in the 1940s!

That sounds right. It's been many years since I heard the story.

[jwdiho]

Glad you're feeling better. It always sucks to be ill.

[Gila Monster]

Hi John,
I read your daily update today and it was amazing!!! The level of sympathy you expressed towards many people's problem is incredible! That was really heart warming!
Thanks!

[rstar32]

Originally Posted by Gila Monster

Hi John,
I read your daily update today and it was amazing!!! The level of sympathy you expressed towards many people's problem is incredible! That was really heart warming!
Thanks!

Agreed Gila!

John, your update today was truely a beautiful thing. The only thing I've ever been addicted to is caffeine but even that has been hard to kick. I can only imagine what some of you have went through when drugs and alcohol have taken over your lives. It is truely amazing that you were able to quit cold turkey like that but exercise and nutrition are a powerful thing. Once people realize how good it feels to take care of their body and their mind, they can see the light and it sounds like that's what happened to you. I guarantee that your daily update this morning will change a few lives for the better. Those were some seriously inspirational words that you spoke and considering the source and all you've accomplished in such a short time, they should and will be taken to heart by many. Thanks again!

[Kilter]

Originally Posted by gravityhomer

Grunting loud in the privacy of your home, not really a problem.

Grunting loud in a public gym, kind of annoying, but understandable.

Grunting loudly in a public gym with a workout partner who is screaming, "Come on, you can do it, push it, PUSH IT!!" at the same time you're hearing, "UH, UH, UH, AHHH!", Now you're crossing a real line.

Grunting loud while doing it, priceless.

John, how much exercise do you do while with a cold? Do you just rest? I feel that if I don't go to the gym, it gets really hard to go back. I find all kinds of excuses. Now I have the rule of no excuses at all! It's working, but I guess that if you get really sick, there is no way around that.

[specialk]

John

Your daily update addressed the the very heart of my smoking problem/addiction FEAR. I have dedicated myself to living a better life through exercise and nutrition for just over a year. I have been trying to remove the negative effects of both pot smoking/alcohol. I have not been able to go completely cold, and I keep telling myself that after this event or that week I would stop for good. I have continued to smoke and drink and I'm only fooling myself when I spend any of my time stoned or drunk. My excuses are family, work, the way I handle stress. etc.

I am going on a vacation Monday and felt that a week away from my old friend marijuana would do the trick.

After reading you're post today it was like you were speaking directly to me. I will have to face my life sooner or later clean and sober and making my decision public is a huge step for me.

You're post proves to me that it can be done with discipline and self preservation.

I am throwing out the %#%#%# for good just as you had. I will mark this day in my calendar and in a year I will celebrate with you CLEAN.

A great thanks to you for showing me it can be done.

[The Abdominal Snowman]

Originally Posted by specialk

John

Many years ago I founded a Quake clan named the Cereal Killers, and my name was Special K.

To get this back on topic:

John, you are the epitome of the fact that people can grow physically and mentally if they only put their mind to it. You are truly an inspiration, and tens of years from now, many people will remember you, your transformation, and the community you have created. I'm a skinny dude wanting to get bigger and I'm already grateful to know this site, I can't even begin to imagine what you and your community must mean to former fat and sugar addicts that have stumbled on your site and changed their lives forever.

Here's a standing ovation to you:

[John Stone]

Gila Monster, Thank you very much. I still remember all the feelings and the many personal struggles I went through very clearly, so writing about my experiences comes fairly easy to me. I think it helps those who are struggling with addiction to know that their problems are not unique, and--regardless of how bleak things may seem--their problems can be overcome if they want to change.


rstar32, Thank you for the kind words. I agree that exercise and nutrition are very powerful. In January of 2003, I was mainly trying to become less fat. I really didn't have any intention of quitting weed (I didn't think it was possible for me) or putting a halt to my alcohol abuse. I certainly never gave a moment's thought to the internal changes that would eventually come.

A lot of people come to my site and they see a guy who has lost weight and put on some muscle. What those pictures do not show is that there have been two transformations taking place: one external and one internal. Once I started to lose weight and exercise, I realized something amazing: I was beginning to care about myself again. My external transformation was the catalyst that gave me the power and confidence to begin working on the other areas of my life that had fallen to the same level of neglect as my body. That's why I encourage people to just jump in there and allow themselves to get excited about diet and exercise. I know it's hard to get started, but once the changes start to show it's very addicting; taking care of yourself and caring about others is a very good addiction to have!

Some people think I am self-centered to post all these pictures of myself and so forth. I can say with no hesitation that I was infinitely more self-centered when I was a drug user--I really didn't give a crap about anyone except myself. Thankfully that is no longer the case; I sincerely care about other people, and I can honestly say that nothing gives me greater pleasure than knowing that my site and these forums are helping to change lives for the better. I feel truly blessed to have been a part of so many people's lives.


Kilter, I rarely miss workouts unless I'm REALLY sick - running a fever and bedridden. I've had this sore throat thing for a week or so, but it has not prevented me from working out. You have to use common sense and listen to your body. I'm pretty good at separating excuses from legitimate reasons to skip a workout. If anything, I tend to be a little over-zealous.


specialk, That's exactly the kind of post that makes my day. Again, I know how you feel right now. Go on that vacation, but (as you said) make sure you get rid of everything (weed/paraphernalia) before you leave. When you get back and fall into your regular routine, you are going to be hit hard by cravings. Do not give in. Do not tell yourself just once will be OK. Do not hang out with people who are smoking. Call (non-smoking) friends, write, work out, plan workouts, make meal plans, donate time.... do anything that gets you thinking about the wonderful future ahead of you - a future that has no place for drugs. After a few weeks I think you'll be surprised how easy it is, but you have stay focused on the positive things in your life, such as fitness. I'm looking forward to seeing your "1 year clean" post next year.


The Abdominal Snowman, Thank you for the warm applause and message! Whenever I write about addiction, I always receive an extraordinary number of emails; today was no exception. Almost all of the emails are from people who are sick and tired of living their lives as slaves to their addictions. One thing that each of the people who wrote to me have in common is the desire to change. Something else that they all have in common is the POWER to change; they may not all realize that they have this power, but I'm going to do everything I can to wake them up to that fact!

[gravityhomer]

John, I use to think you were just an average guy who decided to change his body. But now I see that you were way farther gone than the average guy and in a lot more serious trouble. This makes what you've done all the more amazing. You would've been a success out jogging 2-3 times a week and off drugs and tobacco just three years after a 10 year habit, but instead you've attained results in fat loss and muscle growth that surpass people who have been doing it their whole lives. what an inspiration.

[John Stone]

Originally Posted by gravityhomer

John, I use to think you were just an average guy who decided to change his body. But now I see that you were way farther gone than the average guy and in a lot more serious trouble. This makes what you've done all the more amazing. You would've been a success out jogging 2-3 times a week and off drugs and tobacco just three years after a 10 year habit, but instead you've attained results in fat loss and muscle growth that surpass people who have been doing it their whole lives. what an inspiration.

Aw, man... thank you!

A lot of people who see my pictures don't know my history with regards to substance abuse. Putting all those things behind me for good was probably the most challenging thing I've ever done. I think my history with drugs is why accusations of steroid use are so bothersome to me. I worked hard to rid my life of drugs, and the last thing I would ever do is fall back into that pit. If I were to start taking drugs just to increase the speed of my muscle growth, I'd be no better off now than I was 3 years ago. For me, it's all about the journey--there is no destination. I'm just enjoying life and trying to improve myself, inside and outside, every single day.

[steeltrap]

Originally Posted by John Stone

For me, it's all about the journey--there is no destination.

John this quote above should automatically be included in everyone's signature. This should be everyone's attitude. Everyone asks me what my goal is when they see I have lost wieght and gotten more fit. I tell them I have no "goal". I just changed my life...for good. Thanks John for the continued inspiration...........

[John Stone]

Originally Posted by steeltrap

John this quote above should automatically be included in everyone's signature. This should be everyone's attitude. Everyone asks me what my goal is when they see I have lost wieght and gotten more fit. I tell them I have no "goal". I just changed my life...for good. Thanks John for the continued inspiration...........

You're welcome!

I want to clarify something: Personally think setting goals--both long-term goals and short-term goals--is vital. Goals give you something to work towards and they allow you to clearly define what you hope to accomplish. Further, writing goals down help make them seem more tangible and "real". Visualizing or imagining how you will look or feel when you reach your goal can be extremely motivating. Of course once a goal is reached, you are rewarded with a tremendous sense of accomplishment.

When I said "it's all about the journey--there is no destination", I simply meant that I enjoy the growth process (internal and external) way too much to get caught up in trying to obtain overnight success. The satisfaction I feel while I'm working towards my goals is very fulfilling.

[Kilter]

So, what you are saying is once you reach a goal, you should set another one, right?

[John Stone]

Originally Posted by Kilter

So, what you are saying is once you reach a goal, you should set another one, right?

Sure: Unless you're perfect (I don't know anyone who is), there's always room for improvement.

[steeltrap]

allow me to clarify also, I have plenty of goals, what most people want to know when they ask me that question is my "Goal Weight", which is when i tell them I have no goal weight, I just want to be fit and healthy...but I have alot of personal goals

-- Biking a 100 Mile bike tour
-- Getting under 12% BF
-- Being fit enough to teach my son to play football

etc
etc

I agree, those kind of goals are not only good, but almost a necessity...

[John Stone]

Tonight was chest and abs. It was time to switch my workout up, so I went back through my logs and decided to go with the same all-dumbbell chest workout I used back in December. I had excellent results during the 3 or 4 weeks that I did that workout. After I finished that, I toasted my abs.

My body fat level is about 11% right now. I'm starting to look pretty cut up, but I've still got some fat on my face, my inner thighs and (of course!) my lower abs. The next 9 pounds are going to make all the difference.

A couple of pictures tonight...

The first one was taken pre-workout. I had the music going (Dry Kill Logic) and I was getting myself mentally prepared as I banged out a few warm-up sets.

The second shot was taken mid-workout. Turtle was looking for squirrels on the fence as I checked myself in the mirror.