Day 89 Pics: The Aftermath...
Day 89
Rest & Recovery Period
Status: Fat Loss Mission Accomplished
G'day,
Here are Day 89 pics for February 5, 2007.
Wow! That feels better. I have taken the last 5 days off from training and my body has repaid me, in more ways than one!
First and foremost I feel rested and re-energized for my second mission.
I'll fill you in tomorrow in more detail, but I have a very cool idea about how to integrate this mission with a specific date that means a lot to me.
The last 24 days of my fat loss mission really pushed my body, mind and soul to the absolute limit.
I fasted from junk food the whole time and undertook the most intense weight training & cardio workouts of my life. By the time I reached my birthday on February 1st, 2007 I was 'destroyed'.
Actually, just taking the birthday picture was a big effort that night.
I may look happy, but I was at 'breaking point' that night. I was also functioning on an average of 4 hours sleep a night, which didn't help.
Don't get me wrong, I was overjoyed at the progress I had made over the 12 weeks/84 days/2016 hours. All the sacrifice, the discipline, the intense workouts, the strict diet AND the sheer emotion of overcoming 6 years of failure had finally caught up with me.
Anyway, if you look closely at my Day 89 picture (today) you can also see that my body has changed a little in the last 5 days.
The definition in my abs has subsided a little. This is what 5 days rest (and a birthday cake) will do to you! Knowing this will happen upfront is much better than getting worried about it.
Trust me, I have learned my lesson from 6 years ago. On that occasion I did not take a rest for 10 months. I was too scared to change up my routine, plus I didn't even know that you should take a rest. I thought resting was for 'weak' people. 
Well, as you know full well I paid the 'ultimate' price for my ignorance. For a refresh just take a look at this picture at what eventually happened to me over a 3 year period.
Take a close look. You can see the pain and depression written all over my face in the last picture. This is what lack of knowledge, apathy, guilt and tiredness will do to you if you don't know how the game is played up front. Let this be a warning for you if you are going through this process for the first time.
Ok, that's enough free advice! I am preparing myself for another onslaught starting on Wednesday February 7, 2007. Yes, it will be time to hit the 'GO' button yet again. I am jumping out of my skin raring to go.
I have big dreams and big plans for my second mission. However, I will follow a different format this time around. I'll let you know what it is tomorrow.
The most important thing I have realized over the last 12 weeks is that your JOURNEY IS YOUR DESTINATION.
Do you get that? There will never be a time in your life where you will sit back and 'smell the roses.' As soon as you stand still you stagnate.
With bodybuilding there is no such thing as maintanance.
You are either moving forward or backwards.
Your body is made of 70% water, every single second there are millions of chemical reactions taking place.
Do you get it? You are a 'fluid being'.
Nothing in nature stands still.
The same applies to you.
Peace,
AJ
