Steroids

Changing your gym routine is very important else your muscles won't grow. I trained shoulders, obliques and legs this morning. Of course, doing legs right at the end. On another note, I found an article on the New York Times website relating to American Congress urging health authorities to clamp down on dietary supplements that might have illegal elements in them. Apparently certain companies enhance their supplements by adding steroids such as testosterone-boosting ingredients in order to create better results, and thus, better feedback from customers. When these customers see results, they evidently come back for more! I can't be too outspoken about steroids, only that I have heard from enough people that it's fairly common in this industry. Most guys (girls?) that gym professionally, "need" it. I'm not sure whether this need is warranted, but a fair amount of guys also prefer building muscle naturally. Bottom line is that most fitness fanatics, gym enthusiasts and bodybuilders use steroids since natural muscle growth is simply too slow or not good enough for competing in high profile competitions. Nutritionists and dieticians alike don't condone the use of steroids, for obvious reasons - abnormal intake of hormones that stimulate growth in the human body is not considered healthy. At least, not in the long run. I have grown (muscle) naturally and don't plan on taking any supplements soon. I am insistent on proving to myself that building muscle naturally is more sustainable and less damaging to organs/general health, however, it leaves me trailing slightly behind. I struggle to build as quickly as other (bigger) guys, and often lack energy or training power. Although I'm not anti-steroids, since I can understand their benefit(s), I just choose not to use it.

Peace!

Exciting Pictures!

I have to commend photographer Louis D Botha on the outcome of the shoot he did with me. He is not only able to capture raw emotion, but his after-effects and creative work seems to be very exciting (see pic). More samples from the shoot to follow soon!

Taking control

The story which caught my eye in the morning newspaper today referred to our national airline being jubilant about their profit-making success over the past year. Following news, I know that a year ago the management was fired after a R1 billion debt. They were in the red, and although government helped out, now, they're in the black. Amazing story. Not as amazing as realizing that bad management can really make the difference. And don't get me started on corruption! The point I want to make though is about pulling yourself together, and managing your life. It's a tough lesson and some of us only learn this later in life. "With a little help from my friends" might come in handy in this scenario, however, the decision still lies with you. And only you. It's fair to read, listen, take advice, learn from mistakes, but ultimately, take control, manage your life, because let's be honest, no one else cares as much about you, as yourself. People do care for you, and the closest friends and loved ones will always be a great supporting shoulder to lean on, which is important to appreciate and understand, but to find happiness inside yourself, you need to feel that you're managing your life. Hard work, dedication, planning, planning and more planning, educating yourself by reading/researching, and making hard-faced decisions about what you want out of life/not want - that will help you to actually manage your life. A good friend once told me, write down 5 things that you want to have in your life over next 2 years, then, write down 5 things you don't want in your life, over the next 2 years. Then, start getting rid of the things you DON'T want by managing the process of achieving what you DO want!

Now, get reading & writing, LOL.

XX

The curse of postponement...

There is evidently a curse that surrounds postponement. Let me explain. On a regular day, in the middle of the week, on my way to work (enjoying some random driving tunes in my car), slowly easing through traffic, my mind ponders off and for a few minutes I consider my life in different scenarios. (a) Being abroad (somewhere such as America); (b) Being filthy rich as a TV mogul, but alone; and (c) running my own business in the food industry living happily in Cape Town with my wife & kids. LOL. It's weird how we often wonder about how life in the future should be, but we never take any steps to get there...urgh!!! I call this the "curse" of postponement" - when, one day, you will sit on your stoep and regret not making decisions about taking your life in another direction, following your heart, and ensuring that you followed every possible step and turned every stone to look for ways of achieving your goals & dreams. Whether that be to work for a successful business, running your own company, traveling the world, or just being comfortable & living in a decent sized house (with a view) in a sought after neighborhood! Bottom line - putting off plans to do something with your life makes no sense in the long run. You'll only regret it later. Problem is, sometimes, along the way, we meet people, fall in love, and don't wanna move on. Which begs the question: In life, do we move towards people, or towards events? If you're happy being with someone, and settling in the daily run of the mill (in order to stay connected), then perhaps that could be satisfying enough to avoid running after other aspirations in life. I am twiddling my thumbs over decisions, decisions, and more decisions... grrr. Then emotions get in the way, doubt sets in, and I end up with a lack of perspective. *sigh* now it's Friday, and unfortunately, I'm not sure today whether I'm looking forward to the weekend. I'd rather get to a point where I can make clear-cut decisions, and move on. Not that easy. Perhaps over a tumbler of whiskey & ice, I will be able to!!

Have a blessed a weekend. XX.

Chin up...

Yep, it's the Monday morning blues, reality in the face, knuckles in the dust, throat dry and lips cracked-feeling again...haha, not to worry, got a lot to be grateful for! It's just when you feel so strong about something, or someone, emotions seem to spoil everything and creates a distorted imbalance. When in fact, things are perfectly fine, and actually great, we blur our judgement due to the struggles of dealing with our emotions. The mere fact that we have this emotional imbalance is evidence of how strong we feel about something/someone! And, making matters worse, it's often hard to convince people that your 'emotional issues' are actually there because you feel so strong. Bottom line however is that you gotta deal with your emotions first, before expecting the other party to vouch for the fact that you actually care, underneath all the drama. All relationships have arguments, and I honestly believe those that have the most, are just the ones that get blinded by emotional imbalance, when actually those 2 people will find an immense amount of love for each other. We learn, but don't always heed the signs - and there are basic relationship laws- the basics of true love

- accepting the other person for who they are; understanding that you can never change someone; that both should believe in trust & loyalty towards each other; not putting someone on a pedestal, or on the ground, but in the middle where they are human, and not below or above you, so as not to be obsessed or hate. That is where true love lies. It can be so strong that it beats all odds against any failure, that it lifts you up and make you believe in achieving everything you've ever dreamt of. We try too hard to change people - to make them do the things that WE prefer; instead of appreciating (and accepting!) each other's DIFFERENCES. Once you succeed in that, you'll find that the other party will actually accept you as well, AND you will experience honest, real love!

Have a blessed day!

XX

Time for a barbie....

Today wraps the Sanlam SA Fashion week in Johannesburg and the official "Barbie" afterparty is tonight at Melrose Arch. Looking forward to some hot ladies parading around looking every so attractive (and, hopefully, single..haha!). Hope your weekend is off to a bang but please be responsible. A cousin of mine was in a car accident last night (he is totally fine) but sadly it was yet another case of 'drinking-'n-driving' which is very uncool. Just don't drive when you gonna drink & vica versa... although some of us will constantly push the limit, not worry about the dangers of the situation, just do it one more time, until it's too late, and you will regret doing a stupid thing like that. However, just plan it properly, arrange a taxi, or ask a responsible friend to take you home, and damn man, then you can have fun till u drop... it ain't that hard to just think ahead for a change.. haha, Now, all seriousness aside, the weather here in JHB is wicked... blue skies, sunshine, no wind, just brilliant, now, where's my shades... gots to get some steaks out and have that barbecue with mates! Bring on the good times! :) Time for a barbie... and tonight party with the 'real' barbies... go figure!