John Stone's Picture Gallery and Video Archive

[John Stone]

Friday's workout (delts/calves/traps) is not as high in volume as some of my other workouts, and it doesn't run all that long (35-40 minutes). My Friday workout may be the shortest workout of the week, but I try to make it my most intense workout of the week.

One new photo today. This picture was taken on my final set of seated bent over laterals. My rear delts felt like they'd been sliced open and then set on fire.

[LCJ]

I would say insane is a good description.

[kree-kree]

You look mean (thank goodness we know your a nice guy!)

I do have to say those traps look like they have grown a bit

[Erik Swede]

Hey John

Good to see you making awesome progress on your bulk.

Unless my memory is failing me big time, I vaguely recall you saying you had been thinking of having a professional photosession conducted at the end of a cut to commemorate your physical progress at it´s absolute peak.

So my question is, are you still considering this or maybe you just haven´t given it any more thought?

Anyways thanks for all the years of daily updates, much appreciated in a land far away. Keep up the good work.

/Erik

[George]

It's neat to see you gaining so quickly and consistently on only 3000 calories a day. It makes an interesting contrast with the days when your bulking calories were well into the 4000's.

[John Stone]

Originally Posted by LCJ

I would say insane is a good description.

Originally Posted by kree-kree

I do have to say those traps look like they have grown a bit

That particular angle and exercise (not to mention the pump) is what you are seeing, I'm afraid. It's going to take time, but I'm confident that I'll see some improvement by the end of this bulk.

I gave my traps another good roasting this afternoon.

Originally Posted by Erik Swede

Unless my memory is failing me big time, I vaguely recall you saying you had been thinking of having a professional photosession conducted at the end of a cut to commemorate your physical progress at it´s absolute peak.

So my question is, are you still considering this or maybe you just haven´t given it any more thought?

It's definitely been suggested more than once that I do something like that. If I recall correctly, I think I said that is something I might like to do at some point. I can't say I've given it any thought in over a year, though.

While I don't mind taking snapshots (obviously, heh), the idea of getting ready for a professional photoshoot is a little off-putting to me. I'd have to be REALLY happy with how I look to do it. Who knows, maybe one day...

Originally Posted by Erik Swede

Anyways thanks for all the years of daily updates, much appreciated in a land far away. Keep up the good work.

You're welcome! Thanks very much for visiting and being part of the community.

Originally Posted by George

It's neat to see you gaining so quickly and consistently on only 3000 calories a day. It makes an interesting contrast with the days when your bulking calories were well into the 4000's.

Agreed. I was clearly consuming way too much food on my 2006 bulk, and I put on a lot of fat as a result. I don't want a repeat of that. The subsequent cut took six months and I had to lose a ridiculous 50 pounds to get my body fat down to 6%.

I am a little surprised, however, that right now I'm still gaining while eating the same amount of food as I was six weeks ago when I was 11 pounds lighter.

[J_W]

I understand your 100% commitment to training all too well. After my summer leaving much to be desired in terms of training and nutrition, I am so committed to my training right now that I told my parents I couldn't come visit them until Christmas because I didn't want to miss any workouts (I haven't seen them since mid-July). It's what I need to do right now and thankfully my folks understand.

Your update is also a reminder of how big a role food (especially unhealthy food) and alcohol play in our interactions with others. It's interesting how important those things seem to be even when it's supposedly about spending time with people you like and want to be around. One would think that that would be possible without gorging on food and getting drunk, but I guess not.

[kree-kree]

I completly understand of why you said "no" to the party. I'm such the all or nothing type of girl and I hate to be pulled into a situation that I don't want to get in. Just a couple weeks ago I was having huge carb cravings one day. Knowing that information and how I felt I declined going to the cider mill to prevent myself from caving. I felt bad making my husband go with the kids and the rest of our friends but I knew I had the potential to cave...so I stayed home! Others called me a wuss and I heard mutiple times "I can't believe your going to stay home so you won't eat donuts" It wasn't worth blowing the day on a bunch of donuts and once my friends stopped being pissed they were still my friends so....a good decision made on my part. Sometimes I wished people would just shut up when I say "I can't put myself in that situation and I choose not too"

[John Stone]

Originally Posted by J_W

I understand your 100% commitment to training all too well. After my summer leaving much to be desired in terms of training and nutrition, I am so committed to my training right now that I told my parents I couldn't come visit them until Christmas because I didn't want to miss any workouts (I haven't seen them since mid-July). It's what I need to do right now and thankfully my folks understand.

I'm very lucky in that regard, too. My entire family has always supported me.

I think my bosses are cool with how I am, too. They've always been SO supportive of me, my training and my diet. I've never felt judged at lunch meetings when I've either not eaten or brought my own food. They've all seen me evolve from a fat, smoking, drinking, pothead into what I am today. They all know that my lifestyle change quite literally saved me from myself, so they appreciate my passion for fitness, even if they don't always understand it.

Don't think for a second that I don't realize how fortunate I am. I count my many blessings daily.

Originally Posted by J_W

Your update is also a reminder of how big a role food (especially unhealthy food) and alcohol play in our interactions with others. It's interesting how important those things seem to be even when it's supposedly about spending time with people you like and want to be around. One would think that that would be possible without gorging on food and getting drunk, but I guess not.

You are going to be SO disappointed with me at next year's JSF get-together (you better come!)

Originally Posted by kree-kree

I completly understand of why you said "no" to the party. I'm such the all or nothing type of girl and I hate to be pulled into a situation that I don't want to get in. Just a couple weeks ago I was having huge carb cravings one day. Knowing that information and how I felt I declined going to the cider mill to prevent myself from caving. I felt bad making my husband go with the kids and the rest of our friends but I knew I had the potential to cave...so I stayed home! Others called me a wuss and I heard mutiple times "I can't believe your going to stay home so you won't eat donuts" It wasn't worth blowing the day on a bunch of donuts and once my friends stopped me pissed they were still my friends so....a good decision made on my part. Sometimes I wished people would just shut up when I say "I can't put myself in that situation and I choose not"

I think some people are naturally supportive of others, and some people (usually those who are not happy with themselves) want to see others fail. That's why I feel so fortunate to have such a great support system around me. I'm not going to lie, being surrounded by people who are supportive of my goals has made things easier. Those who have people in their family and circle of friends who are not supportive certainly have some extra difficulties to overcome. I'm told, however, that the satisfaction of reaching one's goal in those cases is that much sweeter.

[stallion16]

Great update today, John. I think a lot of people can relate to the social pressure that comes along with a commitment to fitness. It's interesting that you mentioned how going to sleep late one day really impedes your recovery. I've always believed that sleep was just as important as what you eat and whether or not you workout. Personally, when I lose sleep, everything else suffers...including my ability to pick the right foods to eat. It has an overall negative effect and its one of the things that I really struggle with in college in trying to balance out school, classes, girlfriends, social life...etc...sleep is usually what takes the biggest hit....so I can def. relate to what you're saying about going to sleep late and not recovering

[HevyMetal]

I knew I'd seen you before somewhere, John...

You were Jack Nicholson's double in "The Shining"...right?....


H-e-r-e-s J-o-h-n-n-y! ! !.......

[John Stone]

Originally Posted by stallion16

I can def. relate to what you're saying about going to sleep late and not recovering

Wait until you're 40.

[John Stone]

Originally Posted by HevyMetal

You were Jack Nicholson's double in "The Shining"...right?....

If that were true then I'd probably not be here right now, because I think I would have killed Shelly Duvall for real.

[J_W]

Originally Posted by John Stone

They all know that my lifestyle change quite literally saved me from myself, so they appreciate my passion for fitness, even if they don't always understand it.

My parents are like that too. They've seen how much fitness has improved my mental wellbeing and they've seen what happens when I don't exercise or eat well for whatever reason. It's gotten to the point where my mom has volunteered to pay for my supplements and gym membership because she views it as vital to my continued happiness .

You are going to be SO disappointed with me at next year's JSF get-together (you better come!)

You could never disappoint me . If I can scrape together the money, I'll be there.

[John Stone]

I know I sound like a broken record, but I just had the most incredible workout. Right now I need a shower--badly--so I'll talk more about the workout in tomorrow's update.

I'm starting to feel like I'm approaching my old level of strength and conditioning. It's very satisfying.

One new picture today....

[JoeSchmo]

Originally Posted by John Stone

One new photo today. This picture was taken on my final set of seated bent over laterals. My rear delts felt like they'd been sliced open and then set on fire.

Last time I saw an image like that, Eric Bana was turning green and ripping off clothes! The traps are really looking awesome.....

[HevyMetal]

Looking good sir!!!...Congrats!!

I take it you're not a Shelley Duvall fan?

Obviously her acting style causes you great anguish....

[Big_D]

Originally Posted by John Stone

I know I sound like a broken record, but I just had the most incredible workout. Right now I need a shower--badly--so I'll talk more about the workout in tomorrow's update.

And this is the reason bulking>cutting

[zenpharaohs]

Originally Posted by John Stone

One new photo today. This picture was taken on my final set of seated bent over laterals. My rear delts felt like they'd been sliced open and then set on fire.

Attachment 28931

Do you ever find that the early sets of delt exercises are sometimes are less comfortable than the later sets?

[optheta]

For all you beard Growers out there How the hell do you manage to not scratch your Neck off when you are growing your beard? Freaken i get the craziest Urges to scratch and it does not help either with the pimples when i scratch lol.

I got a deal from 2 friends that if i dont shave for 3months they would give me 150 dollars. But as it stands i cant stand the itchiness that insues from a beard.