A Journey to Remember - Update

It’s official, I am graduating from university…FINALLY! It’s been such a long road, but it was worth it. Lately I have been putting off blogging because I have been actively looking for a job that is within my field. I have applied within the city, outside the city, nationwide and overseas. One thing for sure is I am applying at various gym facilities so that I am able to kick start my long term goal of becoming a fitness trainer.

I have been thinking about my training and diet recently, and I see other guys and girls lifting, pushing, pulling and working up a sweat and getting what they want - physically - and I compare myself to them and seeing how hard I train. I can honestly say that I put effort into my training, but I I need to push harder as well as I don’t put as much effort into my diet. I know I have to bulk up however, I want to do it the right way. Some suggest dirty bulking, which is pretty much eating anything from fast food to buffets to home cooked meals. What I would like to do is more so bulk up and enjoy food. Needless to say, I have to make sure that I’m eating properly and making sure that I actually bulk up at the same time build up strength.

Training has been pretty good, if you asked me. With exams done, I’m able to schedule twice-a-day workouts; once in the morning and once in the evening, if I’m not scheduled to work in the evenings. This week I started working out twice a day and I have to say it's tough especially waking up early and working out. But once I’m at the gym I get pumped to start working out. Now, I have done some research to make sure that I don’t burnout from working out twice a day. An article from bodybuilding.com advised to workout twice a day for two weeks then workout once a day the follow week, which is understandable. Reading the article was helpful because I would've worked out twice a day everyday to a point that I could possibly burnout. I think it's important to let your body recover from intense workouts in order for your muscles repair from the wear and tares.

Reflecting upon training, dieting as well as my life has made me realize that nothing can’t be achieved.  There may be some obstacles that may come their way but, the obstacles can always be conquered and be one step closer to your goal. For myself, being able to graduate from a university is a short term goal. I still have goals where I can use what I’ve learned in university and apply it in the work force. Also with bodybuilding regardless it being leisure, I am still continuing to build and prep for the competition and becoming a fitness trainer in the near future. There are many options and opportunities to grow for each person. One thing for sure is do it for the right reasons by making the right choices that come your way.

A Journey to Remember - The Past Couple of Weeks

Recently I have been pre-occupied with school. Being in my last year of University, studying has been one of my top priorities on my to do list. However, I know that I should have balanced my time properly rather than just focus most of my time studying, but with me graduating - hopefully - this year it’s better to have focused my time on school work. I did put in some time training within the past couple of weeks in-between studying as a break. Personally, it is important to take some time for yourself especially when you feel pressured, stressed or overwhelmed with what you are doing.


I am still working hard and pushing myself to become a bodybuilder and compete in MABBA Men’s Physique in October. Unfortunately I had to make a tough decision of dropping my coach due to personal reasons. I was fortunate enough to be able to have a coach to guide me if I had any questions or concerns about eating and/or training and I’m sure once things turn back around I would sign up with my coach again; possibly closer to competition time. During the couple of months of training I have seen a slight difference in definition. If compare myself from 2010 to now, you can see a big difference. If you would like to see that picture and read the blog please click here.

The workouts that I have been doing throughout this journey of mine have been tough as well as it has been pushing me to do better than performed previously. A workout that I constantly struggle with is doing pull-ups. Now just to make things clear, I am not talking about the pull-up diapers for toddlers or for the adults, I am talking about pull-ups or formally called chin-ups. Before starting my journey I use to hate doing pull-ups. I felt heavy (which I was) and I wasn’t able to pull myself up. Now I enjoy doing them, not only because I have to, but rather I want to be able to succeed in doing chin-ups consistently in a row. Probably last week or a few weeks ago I was able to do 10 pull-ups consistently without a break in-between or assistance (yes I use the assisted pull-up station). Having that sense of accomplishment and fulfilling doing chin-ups/pull-ups was gratifying to be able to do them.

(from 2010-top left; to present-bottom right)

Another workout that I continually struggle with is the bench press. For those who aren’t familiar with what a bench press is, it’s a workout that involves a flat bench (or incline/decline bench) with a barbell, which weighs at approximately around 40-45lbs. The point of the bench press is that it targets your chest by gripping the bar just at or further than shoulder width apart and lowering the bar towards your chest then pushing it up back to the starting position then repeating for a certain amount of reps. Starting out I bench pressed 40lbs, consisting of two 10lbs weight plates on each side of the bar. Afterwards I increased the weight each time by 5lbs. Currently I am able to do 100lbs, which consists a 45lbs and 5lbs weight plates on each side plus the bar. However, on my last set I failed to finish the set almost hurting myself. I was a bit embarrassed and felt like I want to give, but I didn’t. I still went to workout the following day starting with an incline bench press.

Although from trying to workout for years and not be able to loss weight to where I am currently is a big accomplishment for myself. I thought I wouldn’t be able to lose weight and become fit. I thought I would be unhealthy thinking that I am average or ‘fit’ when in reality I’m not. I still have a lot of gaining and training to do before being able to compete for the MABBA Men’s physique competition, but I know that I won’t stop in getting to where I want to be just like how you shouldn’t stop to where you want to be and what you want to become. It will take a lot of work, patience and time because nothing comes easy. If you want it, go for it because it may be the only opportunity for you to start achieving your goals.

A Journey to Remember - Week 3

Week 3 went well. Despite having papers, a final and the lack of sleep during the week I would have to say it went alright. What I do want to blog about is about resting because I still have a fair bit of trouble making sure I have the right amount of sleep, especially now that I’m bodybuilding.

During the week it was some what difficult to have the right amount of rest. Although I did have papers and a final exam I should have made sure that I had enough sleep in order to properly function. I guess you can say that I have trouble making sure I rest up because of school. I know I should not make school an excuse to not sleep 6-8 hours an evening and unfortunately it happens. All the homework, assignments and studying for tests or finals. Regardless making sure you rest is highly recommended especially if you want to stay fit or just be healthy in general.

What I had found about resting and making sure I got 6-8 hours of sleep was that it provided more energy to get me through the day. It also made me feel well rested even after a long day of school, work, studying, working out, more studying and so on. It is very important that you get the right amount of sleep so you can feel well rested and have more energy for the next day. However, what I did not do was not sleep the recommended hours. I lacked sleep most days during the week where I found myself only sleeping 5 hours a night. It was bad. For myself, I found that when I have less sleep I become extremely tired, restless and lazy. I feel like I would want to stay in bed and sleep some more; I would not want to go to class or not do homework, etc. It was just plain out bad.

What I also found was I looked tired constantly. Mind you I still look tired now because I did not have much sleep. I ended having bags under my eyes, I haven’t shaved (looking like a caveman) and sometimes my eyes are dry and red. These results are not what I want for myself. I would rather sleep 6-8 hours so that I don’t look tired, I don’t get the bags under my eyes; not lazy or restless and just have healthy eyes. Having the lack of sleep also affected my workouts during the week. I remember during one of my push days I was bench pressing two plate (one on each side) of 35lbs and I wasn’t able to push through. What is even more embarrassing is that it was only a warm-up set. Although, I was still surprised that I was able to put in 5 days of gym time and got my workout sessions in, however I wasn’t able to push myself to my fullest extent. Nonetheless what counts is that I put in the time and was patient even if it was not the best workout.

I think what myself and everyone in general is to be able to put in time with whatever they need to do, whether it be more sleep, time with friends and family, work, school, studying, etc. make time to get some well deserved rest. What I do at times is I power nap if I wasn’t able to get 6-8 hours the night before. I know most aren’t able to power nap because of working during the day, however after work try taking a power nap for 10-15 minutes and you’ll feel a bit rejuvenated.


Being week 4 now what I’m going to be doing is that I need to sleep more than what I had done during last week. I need to have 6-8 hours of rest so that I’m able to workout better, be healthier as well as not look as tired as I am now. I encourage everyone to try getting some rest and well deserved sleep that you need so that you can feel rejuvenated and feel well rested and look fresh :)
By the way, I will be posting some progress pictures soon since it is going to be a month since I started this journey. I’m quite excited and nervous because I hardly took shirtless pictures before. So this would be a big step for me in showing my month progress.

A Journey to Remember - Week 2

The second week of my journey wasn’t the ideal workout week I would expect it to be. Mind you I was able to still workout and keep track of my macros however, things got in the way; mostly school.

As I’m going through this journey, I am completing my Bachelor of Arts degree in English. A lot have been asking what I am going to be doing with my degree once I graduate and my answer is to be teaching as an ESL instructor. Typically I would like to teach overseas because I have been hearing a lot of great opportunities as well as awesome experiences that friends, or friends of friends have told me. Now with me embarking on my journey in becoming a bodybuilder I would not let go of this goal. As I have mentioned in a previous blog that I would continue on with becoming a bodybuilder and compete in the MABBA (Manitoba Amateur Bodybuilding Associate) Fall Classics in October. I would also make it a career out of it as well. Being both a bodybuilder as well as an ESL instructor would benefit me in both situations. Being a bodybuilder would not only maintain my fitness and completing my goal of competing, it would show the motivation and the dedication I put into working hard in maintaining a healthy life. With ESL, I would be able to help individuals with their english reading, writing and speaking skills in order for those individuals to become successful with the english language. Both would benefit from one another in a way where I would continue to be a motivator to others in either fitness or the English language as well as set up goals for those individuals who want to make a difference in their lives, whether it is learning ESL or having a healthier lifestyle. I would make sure that I would balance both careers along with my personal life as well.

Enough of my goals and busy life what did I do during week 2. Week 2, like I’ve said, wasn’t the best week I had. I did workout and kept track of my macros, but it could have been much better. I didn’t push myself to my fullest during my workout however, I was still able to workout 4 out of the 7 days, which is still good. Also with keeping track of my macros I tried to maintain myself food consumption, but there were some days that I went over my fats, carbs, or protein. Regardless of missing a day or going over the macros, I am still continuing to push myself more each time to make sure that I bulk lean properly according to Brian’s plan that he gave me. So I encourage you, keep going, don’t stop, and believe in yourself with whatever you’re doing. Each one of us are able to reach for the goals that we set. All we have to do is continue to work for it, be motivated and find your reason why you set these goals and how you’re going to achieve them.

We can do it!!

A Journey to Remember - Day 3

Day three was progress day. Although I just started a couple of days ago (literally the past Monday) I feel like I made some progress when I started. As you may know that I started training to become a physique bodybuilder and compete at the MABBA Fall Classic’s. If I were to compare myself from last week until now I would have to say I made a slight difference in just a couple of days. You may be thinking, how can there be a difference when you literally started

THREE DAYS AGO?!

Well that’s a very good question because I asked myself the exact same question. For a couple of months now I have been consistently working out and making healthier choices to stay fit, and eat right. I’ve jogged, rollerbladed and weight lifted; cut artificial sugars, desserts, candies, and ate a lot of fruits, vegetables, and various proteins. So I was fairly familiar on what I had to do when I began training. Despite knowing what to do there is always room for improvement on top of what I had already know. I honestly thought to myself that I knew what to do when I was working out and making sure I was making the correct food choices yet I surprised myself in when starting training.

When I started the prep plan the past Monday I never knew how to monitor my macro intake. I always counted my calories just like everyone else would. Checking the nutritional facts on the product and seeing how many calories there were. Brian, my coach, told me not to count my calories but my macros. It was definitely an adjustment to what I was use to and I am continuing to learn how to count my macros. Fortunately, I have an app that is able to keep track of my macros (and calories if I wanted to count them) to make sure I meet my daily macro goals. I use the app called MyFitnessPal. The app is super convenient that I’m able to decide whether the food I’m about to eat or think about eating fits in my macros (wow I never thought I would actually say that, “fit in my macros”). I have used the app for a while even before training. I did look at the macros to see if I was doing well, but for the most part I checked out my calories more than macros.

I thought I knew what to do when it came to working out. I guess you can say that I was being conceited thinking I knew what to do however, I don’t and did not. I’ll admit that I need a lot of improvement on my workouts and pushing myself to “go hard or go home”. Nonetheless everything counts. Even if I don’t push myself as hard one day then I’ll go hard another time because slow progress it better than no progress at all. Since I started training I tried my best to push myself to go hard. I would not go hard to a point where I’m compromising my form, I would go hard where I know I am capable of lifting the weight as well as not compromising my form or push myself to lift heavy weights with good form. Again the quote comes to mind, “train like there is always a competition”which I do train as if there is always a competition and that competition is with myself. I find this quote motivating, for myself, because let’s face it we are our own worse critic, and we make tonnes of excuses to put something off. However, for myself, I will continue to push hard each training day and make my macro goals as if “there is always a competition”.

I think, regardless of me just having started my training and showing a slight difference in my physique shows that every little bit counts. I was actually messaging a good friend of mine, Kylie, who lives out in Toronto and was telling me about how she did not put in a really good workout. I told her to not think that it wasn’t a really good workout because every bit counts, which is true. No matter how heavy, or how much time you put into something a little bit comes a long way. It is encouraging to see people who are motivating and passionate about what they’re doing, not just in working out, but also work, school or life in general. I do hope that more people can be encouraged and inspired to continue to push through even if it is one small step at a time.

(If you're looking for progress pics I won't be putting them up just yet until there is a significant difference. I do apologize for not posting a few. I will post some next progress day so please keep coming back for updates on my journey.)

A Journey to Remember - Day 1 & 2

As of right now it has been two days since I started working out and familiarizing my prep plan that my coach - Brain Duaqui - has given me. I have to say that I never realized how little I ate during the past few months. It definitely has been pushing my body to not only consume more food but also to use the food that I consume into fuel to workout better.

The day I received my prep plan from Brian I was pretty pumped. I read everything over a couple of times just to make sure that I understood everything that I had to do leading to the competition. Two quotes that struck me when I was reading the plan was, “There is no such thing as dirty foods” and “Train like there is always a competition” (Duaqui). These two quotes really stuck with me because I always thought that in order to be built, fit, and….BE BUILT you had to eat correctly as well as workout moderately. But to understand that “there is no such thing as dirty foods” blows my mind. Of course you would have food in moderation and be food cautious about what you’re having however, you are not restricted to just eating greens, chicken breast, tuna, salmon, etc. you are able to have other options that are able to benefit you and your body. As well as with the other quote, “train like there is always a competition” gives me the motivation to train everyday as if there is a competition. I wouldn’t go into the gym and compete with a guy that is squatting 4 plates of 55lbs on each side, no, I’m only competing with myself from what I did previous. For example, if I did 45lbs plates on each side of the bar one day then I would challenge myself to add more weight. Both quotes I will be holding to continually motivate myself in pushing through.

On my first official day I was pretty excited but nervous at the same time. I felt as if I was relearning everything - eating and exercising - all over again. Luckily I have a few workout buddies like Yu and others, as well as Brian my coach who are able to help me out if have any questions or problems with training and/or what food to consume. What kind of caught me off guard was the amount of food that I had to consume. I was mentally prepared to lift a lot of weight but I was not prepared to eat the amount of food that I have to consume. I became so use to not eating so much from when I was slimming down over the summer and now I have to eat pretty much double the amount of carbs and proteins than what I use to eat.
As far as working out on the first day it was a pretty new workout program that I was doing. The program that  Brian gave me was different than what I was use to. Usually I would focus on a group of muscles for example, I would focus on chest with triceps or I would do abs and shoulders. The program was comprised of power push and pulls and hypertrophy push and pulls. I am not going into much detail about it but I am sure a lot of people recognize this form of working out. When I started  I noticed that my body was not use to the program. I kind of felt like I was working out for the first time all over again, but instead of giving up like I have done in the past, I kept going.

On my second day I noticed that my body was kind of recognizing what I needed to do. It was interesting because from only one day my body was recognizing things that I had to do such as prep food and workout. I’m still having a bit of trouble when it comes to food consumption though. Most know about counting macronutrients or macros. I am still fairly new to the concept because I always counted my calories rather than my macros. Now that I have to actually count my macros I have to make sure that I meet the goal amounts. Working out however, is enjoyable. I always get pumped up when I get to the gym or even before I go to the gym; it’s as if I get a boost of energy before hand and actually workout. Once I am at the gym I’m in the zone. When I am at the gym I am focused on what I need to do and what I need to work on, I don’t waste time, which really bugs me when I see a number of people just sitting there for 5 minutes or more. Don’t get me wrong you need rest, but don’t comprise your workout. Rest for 1-2 minutes then go back at it, unless you have some occurring pain. Regardless of that I enjoy working out.

As of right now I am still currently getting use to the program that Brian provided me. The workouts are difficult only because I’m pushing and pulling weights that I have not tried attempting before. I am glad that I can have people around me to help spot just in case I cannot handle the weight. So far, I’m enjoying the program and I know I need to work harder more and more as days pass and I progress because typically I want to have a body like Ryan Reynolds but in order to achieve that I have to “train as if there’s always a competition”, a competition with myself to do and be better than before.

A Journey to Remember

Every journey always has a beginning. Whether the beginning starts off good, bad or even mediocre it’s still consists as a starting point. For myself, I decided to start a journey that will really push my body to do things I have not done before as well as provide a stepping stone to a goal I want to continually achieve.

Through the past years I always had no problems with my body. I thought to myself that if I was healthy and being active from time to time I would be fine in the future. I would eat anything and everything if I was not full, had room in my stomach or if I was just plain hungry. My family did not really say much because obviously they thought I was fine the way I was, which was true I was fine the way I was until I notice how big I was in pictures and videos. I continued to see the results and affects of eating large amounts of food from parties, restaurants, outings, and more to a point that I needed to make a change for myself. After realizing my body weight and size I started to actually workout.

Working out was not the greatest experience, especially when I was close to 200lbs. I started out doing the ‘normal’ routines (sit-ups, pushups, more sit-ups, more pushups). After a while I became lazy doing the routines or I would ‘forget’ to do them and end up not doing them at all. I was definitely a work in progress. I eventually stopped doing the ‘normal’ routines and stopped working out, until I saw a program that caught my interest - INSANITY. That program was probably one of the best programs I have ever done. I’ve completed a month and I saw a slight difference from what I was before. I would be drench in sweat at the end of each workout session even though it wasn’t a significant amount of weight lost but it was a start. I continued doing the workout sessions from the Insanity program but digressed a bit at a time to a point where I stopped doing the program falling back a step.

Even though I was falling back a step or more I was still determined to continue to working out and to slim down and get fit. In the summer of 2014 I decided to take up rollerblading. Obviously living in Winnipeg rollerblading would not be the best type of cardio throughout the year only because Winnipeg has two months of summer,  and the rest of the year would be winter (not literally but it feels like it is). However, throughout the summer I would rollerblade whenever I was able to and weather permitting. That year I decided to be ambitious and rollerblade from the University of Manitoba, which is south of the city, all the way home, which is northwest of the city. All I took with me was a small bag for my water bottle, money for a one way bus ride ($2.50), my shoes and of course my cell phone. I carried my rollerblades when I was on the bus. Once I got to the university I prepped myself then started to head home. It took me an hour and 35 minutes from the university to home travelling a total of 20km. Having accomplished rollerblading from the university to home was fulfilling. The achievement of having travelled 20km provided a desire to continue working out and to workout hard.

The following year I went to the YMCA facility to workout there. I took up swimming as part of my cardio as well as jogging/running. During my middle-school and high-school years I enjoyed running, specifically sprinting the 50m and 100m dash. However, after graduating I wasn’t able to maintain that momentum of constantly running. Nevertheless I was able to pick it up again at the gym but wanted to see if I could do long distance running instead. I started out doing 30 minute runs on the treadmill then started doing some short runs around my neighbourhood. Eventually I started running farther into other neighbourhoods that are 5-10 minutes drive away from home. The farthest I’ve gone was 8 or 9km, which was pretty far and another achievement I had accomplished. It may not be the farthest for some but it was far for me. By the end of the summer my family and friends started to noticed that I had lost a lot of weight. I didn’t feel like I did because all I saw was a “fat man” trying to lose weight. I realized that I had lost weight when I was wearing my clothes. All of my clothes were becoming loose and baggy to a point that I actually needed to buy new clothes in order to fit. I currently now wear smalls and have a 30-31inch waist coming from wearing mediums/larges and having a 33-34 inch waist.



My journey in living a healthier lifestyle was a struggle and it continues to be a struggle only because of the amount of food that are easily available for me to consume. However, I disciplined myself to making the right food choices as well as treating myself from time to time. I initially cut out all artificial sugars from my diet. Meaning I restricted myself from eating cookies, cakes, drinking sodas, candy, chocolates, etc.; this was difficult because I’m a big fan of sweets. During that time I consumed more fruits and vegetables in order to satisfy my craving for sweets as well as drinking a lot of water. Plus I had whey isolate (protein) that also satisfied my craving for sweets.


After struggling to workout, making incorrect food choices to continuing to workout and eat right I’ve made the choice of entering the Manitoba Amateur Bodybuilding Association (MABBA) Fall Classics Competition. In other words I’m entering and prepping to be in a bodybuilding competition in mens physique. I have made this decision not purely because I want to be fit and look hot but more to be an inspiration to others out there (friends, family, coworkers, etc.)  who struggle or are struggling to make a difference in their lives (although it is a plus to be fit and look hot :P). Personally it is a difficult process mentally, emotionally and of course physically. The initial start is always the most difficult, but once you continue to push through and dedicate yourself in making a change you will see results and changes that you will be able to call achievements. There is a post at the gym I workout in that says, “Slow progress is better than no progress”. I believe in this because I lived through it. The times where I started and fell back and started up again were still steps to achieving a healthier lifestyle. So I encourage you, if you are wanting to workout and live a healthier lifestyle make that first step, make some goals and achieve them. It won’t be easy but it will be worth it in the long run.

I hope that you enjoyed reading my blog. I will be sharing my journey leading up to competition day and showing my progress along the way. As well I will be blogging my food, my workouts, and overall thoughts as my body changes. Check frequently for updates and future blogs. I hope to post a blog everyday or at least every second day.

Thank you for reading my blog and joining me on my continuing journey which I will remember.

(Left: In the Philippines close to 200lbs. Right: me currently)