Ryan and John Take Over Columbus

This year, John and I will be embarking on a journey to the armpit of America- Columbus, Ohio, to check out the Arnold Classic Sports festival. "The Arnold" as it's called, is not only one of the premier bodybuilding shows in the country (2nd only to the Olympia,) but it is also host to the world's largest sporting festival. Featuring 17,000 athletes competing in over 50 sports, the action doesnt stop.

The cool thing about going to the arnold, is the grand production that is put on at the expo- where the supplement companies, who basically keep bodybuilding alive, get together and throw supplements, t-shirts, women, backpacks, girls, females, and fitness chicks at your every day joe shmo bodybuilding fan.
Como se dice, "Boy-ya-yoing!?!"
This picture was formerly in the witness protection program.
My mom keeps this pic on the fridge. really.

The lineup is not as stacked as in years past, we wont see dennis wolf, phil heath, dexter jackson, or jay cutler. But John and I are really amped to see kai greene take on victor martinez. Victor is coming off patellar tendon knee surgery, so it'll definitely be interesting to see who comes out on top. Kai is large and in charge, and working with Charles Glass, so we should see some refinement.
My money's on this guy.

I'll be back with a prediction post and later with pics/vids from the show/expo.

Bodybuilding in Dubai

Be glad you live in America:

Well, during the holy month of Ramadan, you cannot eat or drink during daylight hours. So most of the local Muslims train at night, which means the gyms will stay open till 3 or 4 in the morning so they can train. Ramadan is no joke. If you get caught eating in public during the day, you could get arrested.

These colors dont run- the world!

Interesting article on Middle East Bodybuilders...

Breakfast of champions!

The Holy Quadrinity- Steak, quinoa, broccoli (with mac nut oil/seasalt), kimchi. Not bad for 8am.

How Could You Be So Armless!?!

I'm not the happiest with the size and development of my arms, They are definitely lagging in overall development- but hey, they're a work in progress. Most pros brag about 20+ inch guns. Mine stretch the tape at about 17 1/4 or so.

On Saturday night I had a dream that I had some inoperable bone cancer in my arms, and that they'd have to remove both limbs to save my life. Obviously I was upset, and was trying to think of all the things I could no longer do.
No longer would I hug, easily drive, play basketball, but worst of all, most lifts would be out of the question. I woke up so freaked out, and I think I slept funny making my arms tingle and burn while asleep. It actually took me a few seconds to realize, ok this is just a dream.

I am a lot more grateful for the arms that I have than I was before Saturday.

Muscle Muffins

Mmm, Egg muffins without the heart stopping, artery clogging "Mc" prefix.

After seeing a version of these on T-Nation, I decided to make my own. It's nice because you can't make a batch and it'll last a few days, just microwave and you're ready to go.

Recipe:

You'll need: 9-12 eggs, green onions, red onions, bell peppers, garlic, salt, pepper, 10 slices deli turkey, cheese

1. Preheat oven @375
   
2. Scramble eggs and pour into each cup, leaving about an 1/4 inch for the veggies
3. Chop and brown the sliced turkey for crunchy consistency
   
4. chop up the veggies to your desired consistency, I suggest a fine chop
5. Add all chopped ingredients being careful not to spill
6. Top with cheese
   
7. Bake for 35-40 minutes
   

Kimchi- bodybuilding food?

So after reading a post on T-nation, I saw that my dietary favorite, kimchi, or pickled cabbage, is actually very good for you...

It's nuts because when you buy a new can, you let it ferment and it keeps bubbling over, spilling juices everywhere. Delicious juices. Healthy juices. GET SOME!

According to Korea's national kimchi foundation, it's actually the jesus food, as the above diagram indicates. Cures scars and adjusts your biorhythm? sign me up!

A Six Pack- The 16 Eggs a Day Way

John and I do this for 16 weeks and I'll I get is blog hits from Africa, Asia, and Europe.
This guy does it, and apparently this is newsworthy for some reason...

"I cannot go anywhere in Vegas without people asking me how my abs are doing," he said.

Really guy, really?

"He's just skinny" says Carrie, and I have to agree....

I do this for 16 weeks, and I dont end up on CNN? WTF!?!?!

Worst Calf Cramp Ever...

When I went in for my massage on Sunday, the masseuse really put it down on my legs, especially my calves and IT band, so much so that I had to tell her to pump the brakes.

Yesterday I was doing single leg calf extensions on the sled, and my right leg began to furiously undulate and cramp beneath the skin. I know what these feel like because growing up I'd get them a lot, and would wake up screaming in the middle of the night.

With the old addage "you can find anything on youtube," in tact, you can see what I mean here:

Ouch.

This is why you're fat...

To be sung to the tune of "This is why I'm hot..."

Holy cow

An entire blog dedicated to grossly delicious mutant food pairings, and fried debauchery... Dont look at this if you're hungry, or if even if you're full. It's a good thing this wasn't sent to me when I was on my diet... And you thought the food pr0n post was bad...

http://thisiswhyyourefat.com/

Thanks Cr1key!

1st MASSage...

Let's face it, there's no cool way for a guy to enter a spa... It's kinda like there's no cool way for a girl to pee standing up- there's just rules embedded in our DNA that are unbreakable.

In recognition of my Birthday Week efforts, Carrie wanted to treat me to a 2 for 1 spa deal where we got side by side massages...

Now I figured, Jay Cutler gets deep tissue work done quite often, so I can take a bodybuilder's approach to it, right?

I walk in, and the extremely soft spoken receptionist greets us. I notice the smell of peppermint and lemons. The air is warm, moist and quiet- there's cucumber infused water pitchers everywhere. I'm convinced it is physically impossible to be angry in this lobby.

We're led to our room with 2 beds, pure moods on blast so hard that I think that an Indian Chief with a coyote is about to hop out the closet. We're told to disrobe and make ourselves comfortable by two of the masseuses- who both probably dont weight 200 lbs combined.. We're asked if there are any areas we'd like them to focus on- from the unforgiving deadlifts and rack deadlifts, I know my lower back and traps could use some TLC. She then asks what intensity I'd like, giving the options of light, medium, or "deep." A man of pride, I can't say anything but deep, so away we go...

I lay face down and they return, and I am treated to some scented oils that really relax me.

Then it begins. I dunno if while I'm laying down with my face in the padded massage face cut out they slight 100lb rub master is switched with a lumberjack with really soft hands, but suddenly I'm getting manhandled.

I musta got the ol' bait n switch cuz she was kickin my butt...

I was going in expecting a relaxing experience, but really it turned out to be quite the challenge- I was still about sore from my Friday chest workout, and I swear she could feel where I needed work. Until she hit my quads- she worked them joints so hard I didn't know if I wanted to cry or laugh- I was digging my nails into my side in order try and not giggle. After trying to just bite my lip and bear it, I had to tell her to pump the brakes on the IT bad work though- that stuff was NO JOKE.

Now I'm back home and Im so relaxed, it's unreal. Let's see if it helps loosen me up for leg day tomorrow. I couldn't imagine going the day after squats.