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Sometimes You Have To Train Where You Can …
OK fellas, here’s the scenario. I needed to train, but I couldn’t go to my garage because I needed to help my wife with Junior.
Since I really don’t like missing my training sessions, here’s the compromise that I came up with.
First, I’d only train for no more than 20 minutes. And, I would use my 20# weighted vest, ab wheel, and my body weight to work all the major muscles.
Here’s a list of exercises that I did: pushups, squats, rows, calf raises, and ab rollouts and holds.
It was pretty much a standard session for me with one exception … I did my entire training session in my bathroom!
Hey, I would have much rather been in my garage, but sometimes you gotta do whatcha gotta do.
And, I have the video to prove it 
Yes, I was thinking about Christmas a bit early when I edited this video, as you can tell by the music!
November 13th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
This is really cool, Muata. It constantly inspires me to see how you have evolved over your journey, to a point now where you accept no excuses to skip a workout and are able to find a way to do it, even if it’s in your bathroom. This is also an excellent demonstration of why body weight exercises are a great way to avoid excuses…you don’t need much at all in order to get a complete workout. I will definitely be getting into this stuff, once I get down to a comfortable weight for doing it.
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Muata Reply:
November 17th, 2009 at 7:26 am
Thanks Kevin, and I’m glad that you liked the video; however, you may want to try doing wall pushups or counter pushups without a vest on. Do what you can is all that matters …
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November 13th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Way to get it done. Another insipiring video showing that you can get it done even with adversity. Thanks for the inspiration!
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Muata Reply:
November 17th, 2009 at 7:27 am
No problem Gee and thanks for leaving a comment
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November 15th, 2009 at 9:39 am
You know, Junior could provide you with progressive resistance. And then there’s that whole quality time/setting a good example thing.
I wouldn’t try swinging him like a kettlebell though.
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Muata Reply:
November 17th, 2009 at 7:30 am
Even if he has a pretty strong grip?
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November 15th, 2009 at 9:49 am
That woman in the Ab Circle infomercials actually has a DVD dedicated to the idea of using your baby where you would otherwise use a medicine ball: http://jennifernicolelee.com/JNLSHOP/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=44
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Muata Reply:
November 17th, 2009 at 7:31 am
Raj, thanks so much for this link because I was telling my wife just yesterday about this video. I had seen it somewhere on TV but couldn’t remember the woman’s name. Thanks a lot for the link!
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November 15th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Excellent video, with bodyweight exercises you’ve got no excuse not to exercise. I’ve been on vacation for the last two weeks in Florida. All I took with me was the excellent perfect push up machines. Used them for 30 minutes every other day and got a fantastic workout in the comfort of my hotel room.
Since I started using them my body fat percentage has started dropping fast.
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Muata Reply:
November 17th, 2009 at 7:33 am
Hey, that’s great Keith and I’ve been thinking about picking up a pair of them. Initially, I thought they were a gimmick, like most fitness stuff you see on TV, until Steve Maxwell said that they were worth the money. I’ll have to check them out, thanks and keep up the good work Keith.
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Mark Reply:
November 17th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
@Muata – I’ve definitely got to 2nd that notion as I’ve talked about the perfect pushup before. I started barely getting 10 out nonstop, and after completing the routine twice, I can comfortably hit 20 as nonstop max. Definitely still wanna start some sandbag routines and those ever elusive/expensive kettlebells.
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Muata Reply:
November 18th, 2009 at 7:39 am
Mark, that’s damn good progress! Hey, I would definitely start with using a sandbag since they’re cheaper, and you can make your own. Keep in mind that KBs are great, but the majority, if not all, of the exercises can be done with a sandbag or homemade dumbbell–swings and all!
November 15th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Very motivating Muata! I liked that you were able to do so many exercises in a small area. As my garage gets cluttered I tend to use that as an excuse to lay off of the strength building exercises.
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Muata Reply:
November 17th, 2009 at 7:34 am
No need to lay off my friend. You can get a great training session in in less than 30 mins. You just have to be a little creative
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November 16th, 2009 at 4:16 am
Its been a pleasure reading your blog, and it is very expiring. Your journey sounds alot like mines, and would love to share a little. I have always been a chubby kid. And know what it’s like to be a teased kid.
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November 16th, 2009 at 4:29 am
cont’
Thanks to sports, and growing more into my body, I looked alot better, but still had the bain of my exsistence which is my belly fat. But I was always athletic, and strong. With playing two sports in high school, this helped me maintain a decent wait and body. When I went on to college, I just went with what i always knew. Eat till I couldn’t eat no more. That’s how my mind was trained. I’ve been reading alot of your post, and alot of stuff hit home. I had no self control of my eating, and with the stress of school, and rejection by women, it just got worst. In high school I was about 180 to 200. 6 years later, I was up to 290. For years in college, and after, I wanted to get back in shape, but had no clue how to do it. I tried pills, excersing with no results. I just figured for a while this was what I was gonna be, and had to learn to love myself as is. But with enough became enough, I became like you, a weigh loss hobbyist, and became obsessed/passionate about my weight, and what I needed to do to get the body I want. After months of research and figuring out what I needed to do, I realized that fad diets are not the way for me. They’re expensive, and you feel deprived. I understood that eating smaller portions, healthier portions, and finding some cardio that I enjoyed doing was the way to go. But the main thing I changed was my discipline, and I had a differnt mindset. And with changing that, came a change and I started to lose alot of wait. I’m now at 235 and still going for my first goal weight of 200. I could say alot more, but your blog has been inspiring, even though I’m reading it in my halfway point of my goal, still find it very motivating, and will continue to read in the future.
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Muata Reply:
November 17th, 2009 at 7:39 am
JW thanks for sharing your story because I know a lot of other readers will be able to relate to what you’ve experienced. Yeah, it’s mainly mental and it takes time. I told my wife the other day that I’m still getting used to being the “smaller” Muata. Hell, I was obese my entire adult life, so I have absolutely NO reference point. But, what’s good is that the longer you keep it off, the more you learn about yourself, and what it takes to continue to be successful is EVERY aspect of your life. Thanks for your comment JW …
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JW Reply:
November 17th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Its funny, because before I started reading your blog, I was all about bodyweight excersises. In the beginning, I felt it wasn’t enough, and I was just doing it because a gym membership seems like a luxury that I can’t afford at that point. But after months of doing it, I started to see some changes and was very satisfied with bodyweight workouts. And after reading your blog, I know that bodyweight workouts are just as good, if not better then gym workouts. Plus, as you said, you can do them anywhere, and you have no excuses to not workout when you have a good rotation of bodyweight workouts. Thanks Muata. LOVE YOUR BLOG!
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Muata Reply:
November 17th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Thanks JW …
November 16th, 2009 at 6:18 am
Yep
A Mer I Can
A Cowboy from Texas
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Muata Reply:
November 17th, 2009 at 7:39 am
Thanks partner
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