October 19, 2011

It's 4:21 in the morning and I want to write on my progress.

It's been a long time since I wrote on this blog. I admit, I have been slacking in some time. School started 2 months ago and I've been having a hard time.

But right now, I weigh in at 282lb, which is about 70lb off from when I started dieting in January and about 40-50lb since I started going to the gym and working out. My BMI has shrunk from 50 to 41, so I'm really proud of that. I'll post up pictures for my progress soon.

It's the start of August and coming close to the end of summer. I'm still on progress and losing fat every week, but been slacking due to a busy schedule. I hope to re-amp my workout this week.

I have been able to bike 20-22 miles a day and about a 100 miles in a week. I've also played soccer with my church friends and just been killing and get killed...My 40yard run has been shrunk to a 6.2sec from a 7.6sec from when I started.

Close to 3 month since life change.

Just some pictures of myself after three months of training. Seeing the old pics...My belly is disappearing.

Jus

I don't know what week it is....

I haven't been on for a long time...

Well I've lost a total of 40lb since starting to workout 3 month ago.

I've taken an interest in Photography and invested several thousands of dollars so no turning back...

My spiritual journey has grown since I started attending church.

I'm blessed to have a job in JFK for Hudson Group, and I start working Monday.

I'll continue to workout, take photos, and earn money!!!! I'll try to keep writing on blogger.

Mid week of Week 7.

So this is week 7 of my plan. I'm feeling a lot better. I'm not as tired as I was back in the winter after working out everyday.

I wish to drop back into the 290s for the first time in maybe 5-6 years, this week.

Going to the gym in a few minutes to workout with my buddy.

Week 6?

Haven't written on this blog for a while because I've been busy for a time with term papers and midterms...

I've still gone to the gym and worked out as normal and eat just as good as the TSC plan tells to do.

I felt a bit better for today's workout. I went on the bike for 15min at a rate of high 90s RPM. I'm usually at around high 70s the weeks before.

Leg Press was easy until I met the 450lb which was the last set. Damn that was hard, but I pressed on for 5 or 6. Squats were painful, but I've achieved 225lb for the first time since a long time...probably back in my football days which was about 6-7 years ago.

I also did my shoulders today. The normal military press and shoulder raises exercises.

When I hit the scale, I noticed I was at 306lb...It's not much of an upgrade but still lost 10lbs in maybe 2-3 weeks. For some reason I miraculously lose a ton of weight during the weekends.

This week is my last week til SPRING BREAK...but I'm not going anywhere so I'll be having free time to do sprints at the park and decrease my sprint times.

Let's continue on! Let's make it happen!

Day 15

Today was just legs and lower back. I went on the bike for 22mins for 8miles on a couple of different intensity levels.

I'm tracking my steps with the iPod and Nike+ that i have on my ipod and in my Nike Sneakers.

Cold day with a couple of drizzles....

Scaled myself, I'm at 313lb, lost another pound during the weekend. I'll be weighing myself again either friday or Saturday. I wish to break the 310 level...

End of Week 2

So today was the end of my week 2 of the TSC program.

I missed a cardio day on Thursday, but I think I made it up with 2-3hrs of bowling. I finally broke my record of 70...and broke my first 100. It was also my first time getting TWO strikes in a row! I think I have to thank this program as training on my arms and shoulders gave me a better strength and control to roll a 16lb ball.

I do my rest day on Friday because I want to train alongside my friend who is also doing this. I will return to a normal Friday sched within 2-3 weeks once my friend ends his internship.

I decided to skip the scoring of my 300 tests for a few weeks. My friend and I will still do the run, push ups, and try to do pull ups.

Today I did my arms and shoulders. After our session, we went to Marine Park and did our sprints. Most of our sprints were inspired by the NFL combine. We did the 40yd Dash, 20yd shuffle and the T-Test as shown on the TSC youtube channel.

I did the 40yd dash last week and my best time was a 7.66. I started with an 8.47s and shrunk it down to a 7.60s on my last run. Broke my record by 0.06s. Nothing big, but it's improving.

My best time on the 20yd shuffle was 6.25s. and T-Test was a 13.03s.

On Monday, March 14th 2011, I weighed at 318.5 pounds...check today on the scale...314lb! Lost 4.5 to maybe 5 (since i was wearing heavier sneakers and sweat pants) of fat...hopefully.

I bought a few stuff on my wallet, new sneakers to run on field and running sneakers.



The Nike sneakers have the Apple+ so I can drop my iPod pedometer thingamobob in it and track my distance and calories burned and other stuff.


Week three is to begin soon...CAN"T FREAKING WAIT!

Day 8 of TSC

So this officially starts week 2 of my program.

Last week was a hard indoctrination for me. My biceps are in severe soreness right now =(

As for my 300 Test...I didn't do good. Then again I'm in a bad (overweight) fit condition.

18 push ups until failure
0 pull ups
32 min on 3 miles

I'm hoping to get those numbers into a better condition.

I'll be weighing myself at the gym as they have a more proper scale.

So This is week 2 day 1...LET'S DO THIS! Legs are gonna burn!


Photo........again you have been warned

TSC Day 5 (Friday)

I'm coming up to finish week 1. YAY!

Today I went to the gym late by myself to do my arms and shoulders. The gym was crowded which i hate but it was my fault to go late.

I started on a 40lb barbell for my pro curls and I felt my biceps moving and it felt sooooooo good.

As for dumbbell exercises, I used 25lb weights. And used 10lb bench weights for my shoulder raise exercises. It was intense.

Tomorrow will be my first time to do a 300 test. I know I wont do as well as a fit person, but I'll give it my all to go up. Pull ups are gonna be hard for me.

Let's do this!

Day Three of TSC

I went to the gym early today at 10ish. THANK GOD not a lot of people were there.

I did a light warm up on the bike for 5mins then went into a 4th quarter cardio for a bonus activity #1 on the bike. I felt my legs wanting to give in but i kept going! Boy, the last two minutes were tough! I just wanted the seconds to go faster haha! I did 7.44miles in those 20mins.

I did my chest and back fully...Used 15 for the lightest and went up to 25lb. Hardest had to be the dumbbell row. I stuck through it though!

To finish off my day at the gym, i did another 4th quarter cardio on the bike. When you did legs two days prior, and 4th quarter cardio yesterday and again an hour ago....this was a killer! But I kept going and finished at 7.08miles in 20mins.

And now...to eat a turkey and salad in a tortilla bread. Gonna be good.

Day 3 and a lot more to go! Let's Make it HAPPEN!

Official Day 2 of TSC

So I scaled myself and found I lost about a pound since starting officially Week 1. I call that success.

Weighing at 319 pounds.

Day 1 of Week 1 was Legs and did we rip some muscles up...legs hurt so much.

Day 2 (today) of Week 1 was 4th Quarter Cardio. That was a bitch on the bike, but it was a good workout. I was sweating like a pig!

My daily intake of calories is below 1500 calories. Fat, carbs, and protein intake is below the recommended amount but only by maybe at 5g or less.

After testing the diet for a week. It's not hard. I don't feel malnourished or dizzy or any sort of negative effects. 1500 calories is a lot after counting out and planing.

Breakfast is usually a piece of fruit and maybe oatmeal. Snacks are half a serving of almonds during meal 2 and 4. Lunch is usually a turkey sandwich with like 3-4 slices with a salad in (just sandwich everything) or on a bowl (depends on how much time i have between classes). Dinner is a serving of salad and another serving of fruits usually strawberries or apples.

NOT THAT HARD, even from the start!

It's just week 1. Let's see what happens later on. Tomorrow will be chest and back workout...LET'S MAKE THIS HAPPEN!

Quote of the month has to go to Charlie Sheen. As much of how much negative media he's getting, he did say one quote that is truly motivational...

"Can't is the Cancer of Happen" - Charlie Sheen.

I'm gonna try to be like him...not in the sense of pornstar parties with epic amounts of drugs.....................but having Adonis DNA and freaking TIGER BLOOD! Not to mention, he's EPIC WINNING!

Day 1

I went to the gym in zeh morning and worked out with my friend. We did our arms and shoulders today.

Being that it was day 1 and first time we did our arms for a long time, we had light weights on our arsenal. We both used 10-20lb for our arms. Hopefully we'll hit the level up in week 2 when we come back to the arms.

We both did a 15-20min start and cool off on the bike.

For my lunch, I only had a foot long Chicken Sandwich and fresh strawberries, which I had to control myself from eating it all because they were just sooo GOOD! Total calorie consumption should come out to about 1500 or a little less for today. Wait til supper time to eat a small salad with a grilled chicken.

Neck is ACHING!

Can't WAI....Day Zero

Today is Technically Day Zero for me on the Transformation Super Challenge. I wanted to start this past Monday, but this week was clogged with papers and test...Okay I admit I was a bit lazy...BUT I did do a few days on the TSC plan at the gym with my chest and cardio.

Reason to lose weight...Um to be fit and be the best I can be. I want to be fit so I can be the best when I have to go through a training camp or boot camp for my hopeful Law Enforcement career.

I'll be writing on my blog. Whether one person reads this or nobody but me. I'll have a permanent log of my journey.

My friend and I are going to start this once he signs up tomorrow. I will be working out at the Bally's Total Fitness at Kings Highway and Coney Island Ave in Brooklyn. We'll start with our arms and shoulder (which are the friday workout) as he and I were busy today (March 4th, 2011) to do it.

Our workout will look like this. I had to adjust it for our schedule but it still retains the original workout.

-Monday = Legs
-Tuesday = 4th Quarter Cardio
-Wednesday = Chest and Back and Abs
-Thursday = 4th Quarter Cardio
-Friday = Rest or 300 Challenge Test
-Saturday = Arms and Shoulders
-Sunday = Rest or 300 Challenge Test

So for Day 1 (Saturday March 5th, 2011) will be our arms and shoulders. I will also be doing High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) with a couple of the sprints that Chris Krueger and his TSC program had on his youtube channel.

For the nutrition, I'm going to stick to the program 2 (if I can do program 1) to lose the FAT!

I sure as hell won't quit as I paid $500 for a three year membership at Bally's!

After a week or two, I might step up the intensity by doing more Legs and Chest/Back on Tuesday and Thursday. I know this may be going against the program but like I said, I'll see.

Let's do this!

CAN'T WAI...oh wait, Bart Scott just trademarked that....Let's Be a Fit Fast and Strong All-Natural Athlete.



Weight = 320lbs

Height = 5 ft 7 in

BMI = 50.1

Waist = 44in


Warning...Pictures are disturbing...







You have been warned...



Day Zero Pictures.

HSGI Warlord Version 2 in Multicam

I recently purchased the HSGI Warlord Version 2 in Multicam off a member on the forums. This is my first HSGI product that I bought during my airsoft career. HSGI are famous for their Wa/Wee/Woosatch Hybrid Plate Carrier and Chest Rigs. HSGI also makes several other high quality stand alone chest rigs such as the Warlord in their product line up.

I haven't tested the chest rig out on the field, but I will hopefully soon do so at an upcoming airsoft event.

Build Constructions

This is a high quality built than other chest rigs, but suffers in weight due to the material used to make this. HSGI uses 1000 Denier Cordura for the base layer and webbing on the rig. There are heavy duty LenZip zippers. Most of the plastic parts (buckles, triglide, etc) feel like the ITW Nexus products.

They are all strong material that can (or will) last continuous and heavy usage in the war zones without fail.






Features

The rig has six main pouches on the front. Four magazine pouches and two utility pouches. You can fit three AR15 magazines (or two AK47/74 magazines) in each pouch. I believe you can also fit two M14, FAL G36 and G3 magazines in each pouch. Each magazine will be staggered; in case of an AR15, two magazines will be placed higher than the other magazine (as you can see in the pictures).

The magazine pouch is velcro and buckle closure. There are also hook velcro sleeves inside the pouch, so you can slip that on the loop cover for a more silent opening. On my model, the previous owner cut the velcro off. There are PALS webbing on the outside of the first and fourth pouches so you can fit on small pouches for pistol magazines, GPS, flashlights, and etc.




The two utility pouches can fit almost any small or medium. It is only a buckle closure on these pouches. I can fit a 1 quart USGI Canteen inside each utility pouch. There are PALS webbing covered on the pouch so you can attach more pouches.




Each pouch also has a shock cord so you can tighten up your items. There is a long strip of loop velcro for identification pouches above the pouches.

There is an office space underneath the magazines pouches. You can access this space by unbuckling the middle buckle and unzipping the cover. There is a long piece of 550 cord that acts like a suspension for the office. You can probably hold a small notebook or netbook and work.

The office space has small pouches and elastic webbing that can house more small utility items such as pens, small GPS, flashlights, and etc. There is also a large plastic cover on the bottom of the office space to house documents especially maps.

You can reverse the platform so you can have the map cover on the chest and pens on the bottom, but i have it in the ideal location so my team leader and my teammates can look at the map in a huddle.




The shoulder straps are standard X-Harness with velcro underneath so you can attach the HSGI shoulder pads for more comfort when you don't have body armor carrier. HSGI just released a quick releasable H-Harness that can fit on this without modifications. The waist strap is adjustable to fit large people like me.




This is the mutlicam version but unlike most multicam plate carriers and chest rigs, this warlord is not all mutlicam. The base layer is Multicam but PALS webbings and straps are all khaki. The borders of the pouches are also khaki/coyote flavored.


Conclusion

This is a HEAVY duty chest rig. You can run around with in a warzone without having it fail on you or rip like the lower quality rigs. I emphasize heavy as it is heavy without and load. With the magazines and utility items, this will be a hog on your chest.

You can hold 12 AR15 magazines on this rig. You can fit more inside the utility pouches or attach magazine pouches to hold more.

I love how there is the office space so when my team plans our next move, I'll, or someone else using this rig, all the vital items at a quick accessible reach. Everyone on my squad can view the plan making without weird body positions or blocking each other.

This is a costly item (you can find them at above $200 new) but with all the pouches and items it can house and high quality material, it is worth buying this. It is an awesome item for large local or national airsoft or paintball event (not to mention real world police and military item) where orders are given rapidly and quick tactical planning is needed. If you can find these cheap on eBay or on the forums, buy one fast!

Accessories to buy

There are a couple of accessories that you can buy to fit onto this rig.

The first is a Hydration bladder carrier. You can fit a 2 or 3 Litre bladder inside this. The attachment are buckles that at on the shoulder straps and the waist straps. There are PALS webbing on the outside so you can fit on more pouches.

Photo Credit to HSGI.

Like I said before on the review, you can buy the quick release H-Harness and attach it onto the Warlord. It's a simple and quick fix to the X-Harness, which to some consider uncomfortable.

Photo Credit to HSGI.

Photo Credit to HSGI.

There are also the Wa/Wee/Woosatch shoulder pads. These are cheap and very comfortable shoulder pads to have when you are not wearing body armor. It is a simple attachment that sticks to the loop velcro on the shoulder straps. The pads have a thick rubbery bottom to give the comfort when you have a heavy load.




There several rows of PALS webbing on the rear of the chest rig. This is for the HSGI Hercules Plate Carrier Adapter. The rig can be attachment to the adapter and be used as a complete plate carrier. There are PALS webbing on the rear of the plate carrier so you can attach hydro carriers and other pouches.

Photo Credit to HSGI.

Finally there are an assortment of small pouches that houses all sorts of grenade such as smokes, frags, flashbangs, and 40mms. There are pistol pouches to fit pistol mags and flashlights. HSGI makes many that attaches with the MALICE (or similar) clips. Go visit their website or retailers to see their pouch inventories.

Classic Army XM177E2

I just recently got this in the mail from the wonderful world of eBay. It was one of my highly desired airsoft since I started playing and collecting.

This is the first model that Classic Army made before the X-Series were upgraded. Pulling back on the charging handle does nothing but make a cool sound. On the X-Series, pulling back on the charging handle will lock the fake bolt to the rear (well 1/4 to the rear) to all access to the Hop-Up.

It's a direct replica of the infamous XM177E2 carbine that was used by many Special Operation Forces during Vietnam in the late 1960s up to the Gulf War and Somalia before the M4/M4A1 replaced it.

Members of the US Army Special Forces (Green Beret) with Local Vietnamese

US Air Force Security Policeman during Operation Desert Shield

It features many of the M16A1 body such as the Upper and Lower receiver and the pistol grip. It has A1 pistol grip that doesn't feature the finger groove that is on the A2 grips. The Classic Army replica has a 10.5 inch outer barrel with the unique X177E2 muzzle break that measures 4.5 inches. The muzzle break seems to be part of the outer barrel, so there are no -14mm threads for other flash hiders.

You can attach a rail platform on the carry handle for range sights (ie red dot sights or scopes). Or you can attach the better looking older 4x20mm AR Scopes for authentic looks.

The sights on the XM177E2 seems to be just two peep holes. One shorter than the other.

The replica has the thinner plastic hand guards unlike those on the M4A1 replicas. You can fit a 9.6v nunchuck battery, which i use. The carbine that I have has a fake gas block under the upper hand guard. The old CAR-15 five position butt stock, unlike the six position LE stock featured on the M4A1.



A shorten high cap magazine that holds 190 bbs was included in the package. There are spring loaded Mid-caps available by G&P, MAG, and Tokyo Marui.

Due to it being an M16 platform, the gearbox is a version 2. I'm not a big internal expert, actually I don't know anything about internals. I like to keep my internals stock of the manufacturer's gears. The only upgrade I'll be getting is a tightbore inner barrel.

Overall I like the replica. I've desired to get one for about 3 years to do a proper Vietnam LRRP loadout or just to have one in my collection. I haven't tested this AEG out on the field. The older AR platform has gain my interest over the recent months.

Unfortunately there aren't a lot of these Classic Arms replicas being sold new in the box in major airsoft markets. Classic Army has been rather quiet nowadays, so I don't know if they officially discontinued the model or having some sort of problems with productions or being sued by major American and European companies. G&P has released news of their XM177E2 models coming out soon, one that is just the carbine and one with the M203 40mm Grenade Launcher. These are going to be off the shelves like hot cakes.

Hopefully I can keep this a little longer than my other airsoft replicas.

Surefire X200 Pistol Light

I got this Surefire X200 from a friendo from the Army Special Forces who used it on his Glock/Berreta for 2 tours in Afghanistan. It has been battle proven and weapon proven.

This is the predecessor of the X300, I don't know if it's the same design. This is a discontinued model.

My friend decided to use the X200 because he told me that he preferred to have an LED with low output and small area than to have a larger output with a large spread and expose his position or what not.

I can't seem to find specs on this, but I read somewhere on a random firearm forum, it was about 65 Lumen. It is LED bulb.

The light operates off of two (2) CR123 batteries. I only use Surefire CR123 batteries as they are cheap and effective. I don't understand why pharmacies sell Duracell ones at such as ridiculous amount. But I would be GLAD to accept free Duracell and Energizers CR123 to test them ^_^.

You can obviously use this with a real rifle and withstand the weapon shock. I haven't proven this as New York City sucks for firearm laws and I can't test it *one tear rolls down*
Again would love to get a firearm license to test it ^_^ ATF(E), NYPD, Mr. Mayor, I know you're reading this...Approve me of a rifle and handgun license and you will be pleased with my weapon tests.


When on my AEG (Airsoft Electric Gun), I used to have on the top rail in front of the front sight. You might ask "Why do you put it on top, isn't that a weird spot and wouldn't it block your iron sights?" ...Actually it's rather slim line for me. I don't have or want any accessories on the side rails as I fear I may bang it on the wall, door, etc. So I rather have a skinny weapon profile. It's also comfortable after a while once you get enough muscle memory training especially after watching the Magpul Dynamic Rifle DVDs. (Great source of training if you haven't jumped on the band wagon. Even though Airsoft doesn't really replicate real firearms, most of the portion of the training can be applied in some way to airsoft handling.)

Though there was quite a little wobble on the rail. It was secure but loose. I guess that piece that goes into the rail slot isn't wide enough.

There is no momentary on switch, there seems to be a friction lock on the switch on both side. I don't know if mine is really old or if it was the design.

The battery compartment hinges upwards rather than most pistol lights. The door lock is on the bottom of the light.

You can buy a pistol grip switch which apparently comes in two different designs. There is also a rail switch for your rifles. Check Surefire's website or other sites to buy those accessories.

There is blue marker writing on the weapon light. I didn't ask what they were meant to be.

As for the light, there is a very concentrated spot when it is on, unlike other lights like my G2 where the spread was large spread. At far distances, the X200 seems to suck.

You can still find one or two on eBay going for more than $100.

Pros:
-Small Profile. Slimmer than the other pistol lights I used to own. I can effective use iron sights and weapon optics when this is on my top rail.
-LED output. Obviously this is better as it's brighter.
-ALL Metal construction. It can probably withstand my accidentally dropping it on a hard surface. There are some plastic such as the switch and rail grabber.
-Battery/Switch cover is hinged. I love how it just stays on the light. Though, losing the cover on any of your lights will probably be extremely hard unless you drop it when you’re riding on a chopper.

-Very concentrated spot of light. At short distance, there is a spot that just makes it seem like the bullet will land right there.
-Large release button. Most release presses on weapon light are skinny for glove use or even for bare hands. This light got large buttons so you can grasp the release mechanism securely with or without gloves.

Cons:
-Expensive...When it was out, they used to cost $250-$350 if I remember. For the amount of output on the light, you would have gotten a cheaper light for half the price by purchasing the Insight M3/X or Streamlight TLR-1.
-No momentary on switch. Like I said I don't know if its only my design, but I would like the ability to quickly snap light on my target and shut it off. Or have a manual strobe effect.
-Low Output. Though, I like the low output because it won't expose my position...Most people will ask for a higher output to blind and stun the target.
-Out of production...It's a rare item nowadays since the X300 came out.
-Really hard to find a holster to fit one. I can't seem to find a website that sell Safariland holsters or other holsters that can fit an X200. You can try to contact the company to ask for one. Though Bladetech and Raven make custom holsters to fit one, there are still not a lot of internet retailers that sell them as widely available like the Safariland and Blackhawk SERPAs. For Law enforcement officers and people who go to a gun shop, they'll probably not find a Kydex holster that will fit the X200. User can always use a Nylon Holster which to some if not many are perfectly fine.