....................

With this being my 1^st kind of “real” blog, I
feel as though I should prologue it a little with a  bit of personal clarification real quick. This
is not to say that it matters at all. I mean, I am just a guy, running around,
somewhat trying to make a small name for myself, in a sense. I, while not trying
to be self depreciating, am just some random guy, not anything or anyone that
should be put on a pedestal. If at some point I do manage to pull some service
to society that becomes a momentous event or movement, then we’ll cross that
bridge when we get to it. But, at this time, I am simply starting to voice some
of my own personal ventures, values, ideas, insights, observations and
anecdotes.  I can and will always stick
by my Boy Scout, Middle Class, Family Value upbringing, and be totally honest
with everyone.  I have never lied about
anything I have been asked about, or experiences I have lived, or adventures I have
endured. That being said, yes, there are subjects and things that I do remain a
bit ambiguous towards, and avoid.

..

..

This posting that I am sharing with you all today, and at
this time is a topic that I have been avoiding for 10 years now. This topic was
not one that I was ashamed of, proud of, resentful towards, remorseful about or
despairingly depressed from. My ambiguity towards the event and the topic was
partially out of lack of personal involvement, knowledge surrounding the
details, and partially, avoidance to the incessant battery of conversation,
opinions, discussions and arguments surrounding something that I had no control
over.



Prior to and since that day, there have been several events that have reshaped
all of our lives. Prior to and since that day, there have been so many events
that we will always remember, resounding from the adage "Do you remember
where you were when...?"  I am not going to bore you with my personal
story surrounding this adage, for it was not all that interesting.



For years, I changed where I was from, not out of shame, but because I avoided
the resulting conversations, resurfacing the emotions that came. I refused to
let people look at me with a sense of pity, or remorse for something that I
experienced the same way that they all did. A few years ago, I started to admit
my true hometown, and only on occasion does it still incite questions.  Nonetheless, it still does invite the
questions surrounding that Tuesday in history. Not that this wasn’t the 1^st
historic event to encompass our beliefs, emotions, psyche or especially our
sense of safety. My being geographically (in the grand scheme) tied to the
event, somehow has given people a more tangible connection to the event, and
still does to this day apparently.

I will admit that in the years following, with similar, and
some especially more gruesome events taking place all around the country and
world, I wrote editorials expressing my beliefs towards actions attempting to
prevent future outbursts. I felt, that as a kid in the same age group, I had a
bit more of a voice to represent the generation, and the groups that was now
under severe scrutiny by the rest of society.

I have inadvertently kept up on many of the updates, and the
theories that still surround the mystery of what happened. I have had
conversations with people from all over the world when I admit that I am from
there. I still find myself taking a very defensive position, standing up for
the younger generation. I still find myself stating that it was also a fluke,
albeit disgustingly gruesome, but a fluke nonetheless in our community. Former
President George Bush (Sr.) and (at the time) current President Bill Clinton
had both visited Littleton prior to the events, and had stated that the tragedy
at Columbine was totally out of character for the community within. I state
that it was a fluke for the reason that, no it shouldn’t have happened, but it
also was just what our leaders had stated, it wasn’t supposed to happen in a
town like Littleton. Though, how many times has our communities said the same
thing about most of the historical tragedies. Rarely would something quite as
horrific instill a sense of “Oh, I’ve been waiting for that to happen there” or
“Doesn’t really surprise me.” However, I still state that there may not have
been anything to necessarily prevent what had happened, short of a “Big Brother”
type of security system.



Yes, my true hometown, where I grew up and lived, was Littleton, Colorado. Yes,
I graduated with the same class that Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold would have
graduated in, had that event not occurred. However, that being said, No, I did
not go to Columbine High School. To be totally honest, with the makeup of the town,
and the sheltered nature of the community, most of my school, and class, didn’t
even know that Columbine High School was in Littleton.  We of course knew of the school, and many of
the students that graced my halls with me knew people at CHS, but that was a
different school district. That was “the other side of the tracks” literally.
Though, I’m not saying that we were on the good side, nor am I saying they were
on the bad side. What I am saying is that, our boundaries, our stomping
grounds, and our communities were divided by main roadway, if not highways,
that we never needed to cross for any reason. The 7000 kids in the Littleton
Public School District had their territories, their malls, their theaters, their
neighborhoods; there was no reason to be over on that side of town. The same
was true for the kids of Columbine.

My norm, my community entirely resembled and mirrored the
kids of Columbine.  My cafeteria map and hierarchy
was the exact same as all of the other schools in the South Denver Metro
area.  My clique, well mine was all of
them. I was the quiet loner, though welcome with everyone at the school.
Though, that’s not to say that I didn’t receive my fair share of torment. That’s
not to say that I was “cool” or “popular” by any means. I went to my fair share
of parties my senior year. But, my claim to fame amongst the school was really
that I was “The kid on the bike” for most of my high school career.  I wouldn’t necessarily say that I was well
liked, but I was accepted and welcome. Even amongst those that resembled the “Trench
Coat Mafia”.  

You could say that I have always had an open mind towards
everyone that I come in contact with. I will enjoy your company, until you
blatantly refuse to open your mind to others opinions. I can understand that
you will have your values and your ideals, but to be totally closed minded to
something, no matter how petty or relevant, is where I start to clash. You
could say that I have also thrived a bit on always leaving a level of ambiguity,
to use as a mean of opening people’s minds.  When you like someone, without knowing their
specific orientation, position or opinions, you tend to be a bit more accepting
of their stance once it does arise. You will allow yourself to drop your guard,
and have a reasonable discussion towards these ideals.

I will full heartedly admit that I am quite glad that I am
not in Littleton on the 10 year anniversary of the tragedy at Columbine High
School. I will observe a moment of silence for those that were lost. I will
continue to observe a lifetime of respect towards my fellow human race. I will
especially continue on my small quest to continue to broaden the horizons of
those that I come into contact with. I will continue to hope that people will
continue to accept the differences that come with each and every adverse
opinion we all have, even though we are all searching for the same essential thing:
To be Happy, Successful and Loved.

I know that in this, while an expression towards the event
that happened within 4 miles of my front door, involving kids that I were my
age, doesn’t actually admit much of my feelings towards what had happened that
day. I can tell you that I could not have been more impressed by the school
districts, the teachers and the community for how everything was handled. Wednesday
was a mandatory school day. Mandatory. Though, in our classes, if you can call
them that, we simply were able to grapple and discuss what was happening, and
what had happened. The community came together to let us know that we were all
welcome, and that we all had to endure this together.  Unfortunately, it seems to be more often than
not that it’s the times of trouble, tragedy and despair that our community’s
band together to welcome Everyone,
to accept Everyone and to support Everyone.

I apologize if this offended anyone, if this came across as
a “soap box rambling discourse” or as anything to incite any feelings other
than a sense of welcome feelings. I wanted to share with you all something that
does mean a bit to me. I also wanted to pay my respects to the community that
raised me, that unfortunately had to endure the tragedy.  I have avoided talking about this, namely because
I hate the look of pity, and sympathy towards the event, when I had no
connection to it. I did not have to endure much from the event, other than the
onslaught up questions for years to come. Literally, I experienced the event
just as most of you all did, from a TV in my living room.  So, I ask, please, I am not looking for your
sympathy, or your empathy towards the event. I do ask that you spread the feelings
of wanting to welcome all of us together. I do ask that you help in re-instilling
the sense of community amongst our populations. I do ask that you help everyone
to accept the different opinions of each other, ours included.   

My heart goes to all the families that lost their children
to the horror. My heart goes to the family, community and school that lost a
heroic teacher that stood up for his students, still trying to ensure the sense
of safety in the middle of the chaos. My heart goes out to those that were
injured, physically, and emotionally through the event, directly, or
indirectly. My heart goes out to all.

For those of you that have read the interview in the (currently) most recent issue of CyberSocket, I felt that I would post the full interview for those that had any questions.

Danny and the rest of the CyberSocket team have been nothing by friendly, truthful and honest in their publications, and still are. I enjoyed reading the interview, especially because it wasn't as Q&A as the one I had filled out for them. I don't even feel that anything was misquoted or misrepresented in the print. Simply stated, I just figured that, given the amount of fun I had with the interview, and some of the answers, as well as my own desire to use WAY too many words for editors and space, that I would release the interview as I had replied. Of course, this is in Q&A form (tsk tsk), but I feel is still fun nonetheless.

Hope you all enjoy it a bit as well.




....................

How did you get your
start in the industry? ....

Well, you see what had happened, was that one day, when I
finally looked towards the great Mount Phallic, I saw a glimmer, and a radiant,
naked Adonis appeared before me. To me he said, ....

“You, son, have been destined
to thrive amongst the masses, not as a laborer, or as a workman, but as a muse,
an inspiration. You, son, are to fornicate freely, on film for those to witness
your sexual prowess, and especially that with which we adorned between your
legs”  ....

Because, you see, this is how all Porn Performers are
started. The gods shine from above, and shove a camera, not in your face
(unless you have something else at the end of your tongue), but in and around your
genitals. ....

Or so we dreamed and fantasized about since that 1^st
porn we all bore witness to in our curious adolescence. ....

To be honest, I had
always thought about it, especially at the same time that everyone is always
thinking “That would be the BEST job in the world!” We all thought about it, when we were discovering our own
level of sexuality, and we stole those glances, no matter how long, at the porn
that really taught us what the act of sex was. We all thought how cool it would
be to make a living off of doing the forbidden act, publicly-ish. Of course,
over the years, with influence from my surroundings, the taboo subject of porn
not even discussed, much less the idea of becoming involved in the industry,
kept me from pursuing the industry. However, a few years ago, while I was
working for the Boy Scouts of America, I had come to realize that there were
things that I was supposed to do, and things that I wasn’t. I realized that when I did what I had always wanted to
do, for me and not anyone else, I was so much more successful that when I did
what others thought I should be doing, professionally, personally and
emotionally. So, after I left the Boy Scouts, and not to mention, had a bitter
break up, I jumped fully into doing what I wanted to do. I got a job in radio,
namely doing promotions. I taught myself snowboarding. But, as for what you are
all concerned with, I responded to a Craigslist Ad for Male Performers in
Denver. After meeting with the “scout” a couple times, I was given the contact for Jake Cruise and
Next Door Studios. Last March, I filmed my 1^st scenes with Next Door
Studios, up in Northern California. Then, the next week, I shot my 1^st
scenes with Jake Cruise. From there, well, you can see where all I’ve gone from there… Though, I wouldn’t necessarily look at release dates for chronologically my
filming and work experience. ....

 ....

You’ve appeared on Next Door Male, Cocksure Men, and Straight
Eyes for Gay Eyes, and are currently working exclusively for C1R. What are some
of the major differences between working for a studio as opposed to an online
company?....

Actually, I myself
don’t particularly find that many differences. Essentially they
are both just as easy and fun to shoot and work with. I mean, yes, the Studio
company has a script, and a bit more filler content between scenes, sometimes.
Sometimes there’s more production
team working to produce the content on a Studio Site. Online, typically there
is a general idea of what the scene is about, but it’s a matter of improvising the scene itself a bit. I’m easy though, I’m going to show up,
Horny as Hell, have some fun, and try to make it look as good and erotic as
possible. Fortunately, I have some fantastic co-performers and amazing
directors that have been able to help me in doing so.  ....

Other than that,
there’s the fan base that you reach, and how it’s done. I have noticed that Studio Companies typically have
a bit more PR and Marketing of their performers, and the products that come
from that angle. I mean, you can book Blake Riley to come and make an
appearance in Michigan, just as you can order the Johnny Hazzard apparel line,
the Cameron Marshall toy, or a variety of other paraphernalia that markets not
only the performer, but the studio itself too. With the studio, I feel there’s a little more personal and tangible product interaction with
the fan base. With the online, there is an easier and quicker access to the performer’s material. By all means though, I feel that the fans,
across the board, are true and loyal to their favorites, and will track and
voluntarily market their favorite in the chat rooms, blogs and commentary. But,
like I said, essentially, I don’t see a lot of
difference between working with either Online or Studio based companies. ....

 ....

Would you consider
yourself a true bisexual, a laid back straight guy, or someone who doesn’t really adhere to any labels?....

AH HA!!!, the
infamous question that everyone always wants to know.....

This is the question
that always arises on set, in bars, live shows, side chatter, and appearances.
I commend you for bringing it up, and for throwing it out there. I’ve had people ask me this question every day since I first
arrived on set. I’ve avoided answering
this question over and over again amongst fellow models, bar patrons, sets,
awards shows and anywhere. I guess that I cannot hide behind the excuse that I’m new in this industry, seeing as how I’m coming up on my anniversary. However, I’m still very new and still figuring out things every day
about how everything and everyone works. ....

That being said, my
apparent aversion to answer is my absolute answer all at the same time. I could
go on and on as to why, but I feel that is more than “Question #3”. ....

 ....

Describe your first
sexual experience with a guy. What was it like?....

My 1^st full-on,
true sexual experience with a guy was the 1^st scene I had done with
another guy, Tommy D. I was only supposed to be on the receiving end of a
massage/BJ, for the record. I had no idea what I was really doing, but as the
scene progressed, I definitely got more into it, and was able to really
experiment and play around a bit. It was great. Check out the scene, it should
be pretty apparent as to how it was.  ....

 ....

Do you disclose what
you do when you are dating someone? Does it ever cause any complications?....

I apologize for this
being so brief and non elaborate, but Yes and Yes. Again, a topic that is so
much more than “Question #5”....

 ....

There aren’t many guys that have barebacked on camera who have gone on
to jump into mainstream porn, besides you the only other person that comes to
mind is Brent Everett. Given that Chi Chi is an avid condom proponent how were
you able to become an Exclusive?....

I mean this with the
most sincerity, respect, and honor for having be chosen and signed by Chi Chi
LaRue and Channel 1 Releasing, but I have no idea. I could not have been more
honored that Chi Chi was as impressed with my performance and my ease on set
that she wanted me to be in her very prestigious stable of guys. The Natural
Sex Scenes that Jake Cruise produces, yes, are very controversial, and are also
a topic that, while I don’t bring up, I know
will always circulate around me. Before I had signed with Chi Chi, I had
already been starting to think about making the change to Condom performances
anyway, and now that I am part of the Channel 1 Family, that is how I perform.
But, as I said, while I couldn’t fully tell you all
the reasons behind Chi Chi’s desire to bring me
on as one of her Exclusives, I can assure you that we are both ecstatic to be
working with one another. I couldn't be happier working with Chi Chi and
Channel 1, nor could I work or be part of a better family and studio. ....

 ....

Have you experienced
any negative effects from having barebacked in the past?....

The only negative
effects I’ve had from having had and/or performed Natural Sex scenes,
is that everyone always asks me about it, or instantly judges [anyone] that has
performed Natural Sex scenes for it. Can I deny that I was lucky and didn’t/haven’t had any negative
personal effects, no. ....

 ....

But that being said,
there were a lot of precautions going into it. For starters, we were all
tested, through the AIM clinic, for every shoot, ALWAYS. Not only are and were
we tested, but it was usually as close to the shoot as possible. We are always
asked to refrain from random, outside sexual contact, so as to still keep all
of us safer. We see each other’s test results, as
the studio gets them from the Clinic, not each other, instilling a little more
reassurance that the results are more legit. But, I’m not going to deny that this still isn’t the safest possible way of preventing the spread of ANY
STDs. I cannot deny that an AIM test, while invasive, reliable, trusted and
encouraged, still is really only good until you have sex with a new partner, or
put yourself into a situation that could and would comprise the “current” test results. There’s the 30/60/90 day theories out there as well, that the
clinic and many people in the population attest to, stating that regardless, it
won’t show, or be transmitted between that allotted time.
Regardless, that is all here say, to say the least. If I was ever uncomfortable
with a co-performer, for any reason much less how much I wanted to trust their
result, I could simply ask the producer to change the scene out, use a condom
for the scene, or even ask for a current re-test to put myself at ease.  ....

 ....

However, I do have
to wonder, how many people watching the Natural Sex scenes, agreeably, or
disconcertingly, cannot deny that they too have partaken in Natural Sex,
currently, or in the past. Out of those that will admit it openly, or
especially privately, how many people had Natural Sex without knowing anything
of their partners previous sexual life and escapades? How many people knew
that, while they were partaking in Natural Sex, they knew that their partner,
and them were both currently cleared of any Sexually Transmitted Disease, and
knew so by seeing their partners current test. I pursued the Adult
Entertainment Industry to promote a healthy and passionate sexual appetite for
everyone. I would hope and want everyone to be safe in their personal lives,
and taking all the precautions they can to prevent further spread of deadly
viruses and disease that our societies unfortunately have to deal with. I wish
I could say that I simply trust a condom, or I simply trust a test, and the
people that I’m trusting to keep
me safe and clean so I may enjoy life decades from now. But, the simple fact
is, if you really are going to be truly safe, abstinence is the only option for
not putting yourself in harm’s way, no matter how
much you believe in one or the other. There are no 100% guaranteed prevention
tools. ....

 ....

What goes on in your
mind when shooting a scene? ....

Well, here we go, I’m about to give away the secret. My mind is everywhere
during filming a scene. Namely first and foremost (my apologies to all of my
co-performers) I’m remembering a
previous experience with an ex. I’m listening for cues
and direction from the production team. I am listening and paying attention to
my scene partner, making sure I’m not hurting, or
overly stimulating them (sometimes. More often than not, I’m usually REALLY trying to get them off). I’m working to make sure that we can give what everyone wants
to see, and especially, that can see. I have to make sure that I open up for
the camera, and that my partner is doing the same. Of course, there are the “Holy God-balls this feels good!” thoughts that come into play too.....

I will admit that I’ve had scene partners that I’ve been very into. Those are the ones that are harder to
work with. It’s very hard to pay
attention to all of the other details, namely the cameras and lights, when you
really want to play with your scene partner. ....

 ....

Every performer we’ve spoken to always has a different take on onscreen sex as
opposed to personal sex, have you ever had an onscreen experience that you felt
came close to being as hot as a personal experience?....

You know, regardless
of what all I may be thinking about during a scene filming, and how much work
is going into it, when it comes down to it, I got into the industry because I
love sex. I wanted to not only promote that healthy appetite for a great sex
life for everyone everywhere, but I also wanted to have a job where I get to do
what I love. I love sex. I love trying my hardest to make my partner experience
losing themselves completely to that feeling of euphoria you can only achieve
from orgasm and sex. I love stripping down the barriers of conditioned
appropriate behavior, and making people cave into pure, carnal desires. I love
sharing that experience and achieving no higher, blissful feeling. So, yes, I
have had onscreen sex that was incredibly erotic and that was paralleled by my
personal sexual experiences. ....

 ....

 ....

Are you a horny guy
by nature? Are most models, or is this just a misconception people have about
adult performers?....

I have a libido,
stamina and drive that rivals most other obsessions that would send people to
support groups. I would like to think that I have it somewhat in check and
control. I’m not as promiscuous
as most people may believe, especially being in the industry that I’m in. But, I am horny all the time, and very, VERY rarely
would I say that I am not horny at that moment. ....

I cannot speak for
most of my fellow models, but most of the ones I have met, I would definitely
say have a healthy sexual appetite. They thoroughly enjoy sex, and partake as
much as they can. Some, I don’t think they know
the word “no”, others, like me,
are horny all the time, but only act under certain circumstances. I do know a
few performers that, in their personal life, are of the “maybe once a week, or month, if I’m really in the mood”. ....

So, I wouldn’t say that we (my fellow models and I) are any more or less
horned up that then rest of society, we just simply enjoy doing in for you to
enjoy. ....

 ....

People who work in
the industry tend to be more sexually adventurous and laid back, but is there
still something you wouldn’t do either on film or in your own personal life?....

Oh, there are tons
of things that I wouldn’t and couldn’t ever do in my personal life, and especially on film. There
are certain acts and things that just are not my personal preference. I will
never denounce any act, fetish or kink, with the exception of rape, incest and pedophilia.
Everyone has their own turn-ons and fetishes that help them to truly express
themselves and connect on an intimate level with the people they care and love
the most. I just know what I’m comfortable with,
what I enjoy, what I really don’t enjoy, and what I
just personally cannot get into. I have been pushing some of my own comfort and
personal interests to experiment in some of the other sexual adventures that
are out there. But, I do know my limits, and I don’t have a problem saying “No”. ....

 ....

What are some movies
you have recently done? What are some movies we can look forward to you being
in?....

My first 2 Channel 1
Releasing films just came out in the last couple weeks: “Blake Riley Moves In”, and “Fuckin’ Around”. I also filmed a bunch of scenes with Jake Cruise for his
new cocksuremen.com website over the summer. I think just about all of those
have been released now. Of course, my scenes with Next Door Buddies and Male
are out there as well. ....

But, just a few
weeks ago Chi Chi, Doug and a bunch of the Channel 1 guys and I filmed a couple
movies that will be coming out later on this year. So, keep an eye out for “Tread Heavy” with Benjamin
Bradley, and featuring the newest Channel 1 Exclusive Nelson Troy in his debut scene,
and “Jeremy Bilding Heats Up” ....

 ....

What are your plans
for the future?....

I’m looking forward to seeing what all trails and paths I come
to within the industry. I couldn’t be happier with
Channel 1 Releasing and the projects we’ve been working on,
and the ones I keep hearing about for the future. I know with Chi Chi and the
rest of the Channel 1 Family, it’s going to be an
awesome year. They have really been teaching me so much about and within the
industry, and it’s been incredible,
so I know this is going to only really get better from here.....

I can and do say the
same for Jake Cruise and his sites. With the launch of CockSureMen.com, there
have been some awesome ideas, and creative forces to create another little
something for people to come to and watch. The scenes and guys Jake has been
bringing in are great, and I’m looking forward to
seeing the growth and evolution that is happening over there. ....

I'll
even say the same for myself. I love the personal growth, experience, knowledge
and evolution that I am undergoing working with the amazing people I have the
honor of working with. I am so grateful for all of the support that I have
received since I started, and I can’t wait to see where
all else I’m able to go with
everything. ....

Now for the final part in this whole Adventure. Again, I confirm I am not a physical trainer, nor have I ever worked with one in the gym. I am not a doctor, so I cannot tell you how exactly all of this works. There are groups of you that have asked how I reformed myself into a healthy body, and I am telling you what worked for me. But, just as was the case with the diet, for every routine, there is an opposing one as well. For a way of lifting, and working out there is an opposing way of doing things.

I somewhat modeled my routine from the Body For Life Program designed by Bill Phillips. Though, his routine, while quite effective, was almost too much, or at some points, too little for what and how I wanted to accomplish things. As opposed to working out 6 days a week, I made it 5. I also made some other variations.

Supplements are quite the hot tickets now a days, with several stores running off simply selling these products. Also, varying beliefs and ideas on what all you should take, and how to use them, are all out in the open as well. I will admit, I use Hydroxycut Hardcore. However, I do not use it exactly as directed on the bottle. To be totally honest, I feel that I may even be using this supplement as a placebo of sorts. Yes, I do find that I have more energy, and that my muscle tone has increased since I started using it. I also noticed that my appetite is under more control when I am using the supplement. I do notice a subtle change in my energy levels and appetite when I have forgotten my bottle while traveling or when I'm running around town.

In terms of the other supplements, the whey proteins and the creatine and all of those, I have never tried them. I have watched good results, great results, and bad results from all of these. As I have witnessed, while using these additives, they only work they way you want them to, when you are regularly lifting and working out. If not, the exact opposite effect happens. No matter what you're looking to do with these supplements, you will of course bulk up, it's just a matter of what kind of bulk.

I chose not to use any of the other products, because I simply didn't want to have to worry about keeping up with the schedule that may or may not be associated with those products. I also wanted to see what and how my body type would do without the added effects of a muscle promoting inducer such as creatine or extra whey protein other than my regular diet, and natural body composition.

That all being said, when I truly started hitting the gym, I had to make several decisions, the ones that keep everyone from going, or from continually going. I knew that going to a 24 Hour, Bally's or whatever you can think of was going to be incredibly intimidating. I knew that I didn't particularly want to walk in, not really knowing what my "max" anything was, with my body in a shape that personally wasn't that happy with, trying to work out next to people that look like the cover of any fitness, entertainment or generally "pretty" magazine. I knew that I was going to need a few extra incentives and reasons NOT to NOT show up at the gym. I had decided that my best bet was to show up at the local Rec Center, that was at the train station I took to and from school downtown. There was no excuse to walk across the parking lot to the rec center at 1 in the after noon, when I didn't work until 5:30pm. It was harder to walk home, or get a ride home for no reason, then to show up at the rec center, in the middle of the day, when the average age of the patrons was will into their 50s. This lack of intimidation factor tremendously helped in enticing me to actually get in 5 days a week.

As for the design of my workout, I knew there were several variables. I knew that I was 240lbs, and on the high end for my height and age, I should not have been exceeding 185lbs. However, as I said before NO NUMBERS. The hard part with dealing with everything on working out, is that I knew that I would burn a great deal of fat, but i would hopefully add some deal of muscle. I had to overcome jumping on the scale to see my results. The number wasn't what I was going for anyway. I knew what I wanted my body to look like.

I knew that I wanted my body to be symmetrical, and proportionate. I knew that I had good solid legs, with a good deal of tone, and that I wasn't looking to bulk them up. I knew that my arms were quite small, and that there was little to no definition with them. I knew that I had a bit of a stomach, and a sizable, yet not muscular chest. I wanted to balance my body shape out, add definition, flatten my stomach and chest. I did not want abs, and the multiple "packs" associated with them.

From what I had heard and learned, I needed to have less than 7% body fat to have visible abs. That was a number I didn't want to have to obsess about. To have that kind of definition, you have to obsess over a number. To me, that wasn't healthy. Though, I did know that I had to tremendously lower my body fat count regardless for any definition as well as flattening out my stomach and especially chest. But that was all I wanted to have to worry about.

To tone, and build, and drop and everything that I wanted, I knew that I needed to do primarily light weight, high reps. I also knew that to get myself back up to an endurance state, an agile state, and back to my general active state, I would have to start training aerobically especially. So, I started taking the Body For Life program and adjusting so that I could use it appropriately for me.

In the beginning, I went to the gym 5 days a week, ran for 20 minutes on the treadmill, and then lifted afterwords. The same routine 5 days a week. I did see results, rapidly even. Granted, I had changed my diet a little bit, to the one you read about at the same time, and I was a lot more active. After about 6 months, I realized that doing it 5 days, and doing it 3 days had the same results, if not better. giving myself the extra time in between lifting. I still did the cardio workout 5 days, regardless. Once I was more comfortable with my body type, I changed up running 2 days, to swimming. Changing up the routine, and adding that excitement to me in doing so.

For my cardio, and how I had learned and heard, I ran at a pace that I could do for the full duration, and if anyone were to approach me, I could lightly talk with. However, as I always had the radio to listen to, or iPod, or whatever, I could not sing with the music; that would leave me out of breath.

As for my lift, and yes, this is what I did everytime, and still do, I followed this recipe:

X will represent a level of resistance that you feel like you have been working out, and know you are feeling results, but you don't leave fully drained, or sore. You can fulfill the needed reps, but may not be able to perform more than a couple more at that weight.
Also, the weight should be one that you are able to perform the lift without becoming jerky or throwing your body weight around to complete the motion.

Chest: (as taken from a 50cent interview)
12 reps weight X
rest 1 min
12 reps weight X-10lbs (5lbs each side)
rest 1 min
12 reps weight X-20lbs (as in drop 5 more lbs from each side)
rest 1 min
12 reps weight X-30lbs (as in drop another 5 lbs from either side, see the trend)
20 crunches of your chosing
12 reps, equivalent to X-20lbs on a different chest exercise
12 reps, equivalent to X-20lbs on another different chest exercise

Back:
12 reps weight X-10lbs (or 20 if using a 2 handed pull/row machine)
rest 1 min
10 reps weight X-5lbs (or 10 if using a 2 handed pull/row machine) *as in add 5 or 10 lbs respectively
rest 1 min
8 reps weight X
rest 1 min
6 reps weight X+5lbs (or 10 if using the 2 handed pull/row machine) *as in add another 5 or 10lbs
20 crunches of your choosing
12 reps at weight X on same or different lift option
12 reps at weight X on different (another) lift option

Tricep
12 reps weight X-10 lbs (per hand)
rest 1 min
10 reps weight X-5 lbs (per hand) *as in add 5 lbs per hand
rest 1 min
8 reps weight X *as in add another 5 lbs per hand
rest 1 min
6 reps weight X+5 lbs (per hand) *see trend
20 crunches
12 reps at weight X on same or different lift option
12 reps at weight X resistance on different lift option

Shoulder
12 reps weight X-10 lbs (per hand)
rest 1 min
10 reps weight X-5 lbs (per hand) *as in add 5 lbs per hand
rest 1 min
8 reps weight X *as in add another 5 lbs per hand
rest 1 min
6 reps weight X+5 lbs (per hand) *see trend
20 crunches
12 reps at weight X on same or different lift option
12 reps at weight X resistance on different lift option

Bicep
12 reps weight X-10 lbs (per hand)
rest 1 min
10 reps weight X-5 lbs (per hand) *as in add 5 lbs per hand
rest 1 min
8 reps weight X *as in add another 5 lbs per hand
rest 1 min
6 reps weight X+5 lbs (per hand) *see trend
20 crunches
12 reps at weight X on same or different lift option
12 reps at weight X resistance on different lift option

If so desired:
Glutes
12 reps weight X-10 lbs (per hand)
rest 1 min
10 reps weight X-5 lbs (per hand) *as in add 5 lbs per hand
rest 1 min
8 reps weight X *as in add another 5 lbs per hand
rest 1 min
6 reps weight X+5 lbs (per hand) *see trend
20 crunches
12 reps at weight X on same or different lift option
12 reps at weight X resistance on different lift option

I do this lift every Monday Wednesday and Friday. While it looks quite intense, it is actually quite easy. Very little to memorize, just 12,10,8,6, 12 12, and what X is for each muscle group. I did this before going in to bartend or serve tables at night. So, it was entire possible to do, and still cary heavy trays at night for hours on end on my feet.

I add weight to the standard X when I want to bulk more, or when I feel no resistance for a couple days. But, I still keep the resistance to where when all is said and done, I don't feel burnt out or overly sore.

This is my "Secret", this is how I changed into the person and body I knew I am

I have already admitted that I am not a professional, I have no official training, I am not a personal trainer, nor a doctor. That being said, all I am posting with this, is what people have been asking me: "What was my secret to my transformation". The research I have done has primarily been that of word of mouth. I have done very little, if none at all, research for any of the information that I am putting out. The little research I had done, I compiled and played with, to make it work for me, and I am sharing that in these postings.

In part 1, I had somewhat explained the mindset that I put myself in when I started to change myself into the person I knew I really was. I had mentioned that there are NO NUMBERS ALLOWED in any part of the program I put myself through. I mentioned that if you're hungry, eat. If you are craving something, eat it. Granted, all of these are within certain terms and reasons.

When I started to put together my diet I took several things into consideration.
1- For every Diet-A, there is a contradictory Diet-B
2- I have to be realistic about myself, and my schedule
3- I LOVE FOOD

When the Atkins Diet came out on the scene, and became the phenomenon that it was, I was intrigued to check it out. Until I head that you were not really allowed to eat bread, or carbs in general. I was a bit hesitant to see what would happen as a result. I did see great results, and people I knew were talking about what all they were allowed to eat, pretty much as much of, or really all the cheeses and what not that they desired. Sounded intriguing, though, I was still a bit apprehensive though. I love my breads, I love my pastas, there was no way I was going to be able to cut those out for a lifetime.

Then I started hearing about the South Beach Diet, not far off from the Atkins, but not it's anti-diet. You were allowed some carbs, the good ones. But there were cycles, or something of the sort that made me discouraged to really try it out.

To my amazement after these crazes, everyone started to put out diets. They cracked me up all together. From the "Eat Every 2 Hours" Diet, to the "Only eat 1/2 of your plate" Diet. My favorite of all of these, the "Twinkie Diet". Yes, the Hostess "pastry" dessert, that will survive supposed nuclear holocaust, with the shelf life longer than any of us wanted to think about.

So, with all of this circulating, and with the programs I had tried, I started to compile what I had seen work over the years. I especially started looking at the food that we were consuming on a regular basis. This was especially easy seeing as how I worked at a restaurant, and had a kitchen I fed 140 Boy Scouts with every day. The amount of "food" we eat on a regular basis was kind of scary. How we were supposed to eat a lot of these foods, even worse.

Now, yes, the food we eat, is real. Some of it is more than others. Some have so many chemicals added to them, or are so created in a factory or lab that I wonder just how much of it is really food. Take for instance Nacho Cheese. Not the stuff your Mom made you at home, but the stuff you get in the little plastic cup at Taco Bell, or the concession stand anywhere. It comes out of a 10lb can, and looks just as plastic as the packaging they served it to you in. As for the taste, straight out of the can.... it's not much different from the look.

Like I said, I love food. There's no way you're going to actually get me to cut out certain things from my diet. Realistically, you know that there are so many foods that if mentioned, there is no satisfying your craving until you have that dish. That's the biggest problem I found with the diets. You can't really turn down your favorite foods, and you all know your favorite foods are the ones that you really shouldn't indulge in regularly, if really at all.

I felt that, with a lot of the programs and diets out there, that required so much counting, restrictions, and general feelings of temptation, regret, hate towards those allowed to eat that particular dish, and what have you, I needed something that would be so much easier to deal with. Also, looking at certain things I believed in, I knew what was good for me and what wasn't. You know these too.

Atkins is great, however, the stuff you're not supposed to eat on there (as I understand it) are things we've been eating for Thousands of years. We call money "bread" and "dough" because we used to trade that as cash money. Your plants, the veggies and fruits, always been there. We've been eating meats and animals in general for as long as we've been around. Obviously, we are supposed to be eating that. I worry that, long term, cutting out those essentials are going to have some serious repercussions.

So, here's how I eat:

I eat whatever I really want. I try to steer away from fried food, or any food that is loaded with visible grease. That dripping oil and grease, probably not good for you. That doesn't mean I won't use a paper towel to soak up the grease off my pizza though. Just as, I cut around the fat on my steak, and I order my burger medium well.

The visible, almost just fats, mayo, butter, lard, those I try to keep to a minimum, if not eliminate. If the food just looks like it could pass for the plastic version, I try to keep away from that. I eat as little canned food as possible as well. These are the food that I kind of consider "fake". There are so many preservatives and additives to keep them going, in their shape and or shelf life, I feel they lose their genuineness. Homemade is always better than the other anyway. No, I hardly ever eat fast food either. I want real food, and no matter how much I tell myself, I just cant buy that one of our fast food chains is just as good as it's comparable chain restaurant, or as I would make it at home. Plus, there's the grease factor.

Organic or not is not really a factor in my decisions either. As I see it, I am eating organic, as in organic to me.

The scary yet funny thing to me is the whole serving size thing though. Look at any label for something you feel should be one serving. Typically, it's for two servings. Our serving sizes have gotten a great deal larger at restaurants and fast food chains as well. So, for my servings, even when I cook at home, I do only eat half of what's on my plate. I know that I was trained to make my plate look full, and to eat it all. I know that I laughed a bit at one of the diets that were the same way, but, here's my difference:
I only eat half now, then I wait about half an hour. If I don't feel bloated, full, but do feel quite hungry still, then I eat more. I was trained to eat very fast over the years, so my body doesn't register if it's still hungry or not. Giving myself that extra time to figure out if I'm still hungry helps. If I am, my body is also still processing and burning what it needs too. Or, if nothing else, I also just saved myself time later on, by having the leftovers. Salads, veggies and such, I never feel bad about over indulging in though.

Timing:

There are the diets that say not eat until such and such o'clock. There are diets that say to eat 6 times a day, every 2 hours, with nothing larger than your fist. Do what you're comfortable with. I don't typically eat until after I get to the gym, which is usually around early afternoon. I do this because I cramp up if I've eaten within 4 hours of going to the gym. I had heard from someone not to eat 4 hours prior to your workout, but I've also heard to eat as your arriving. If I'm starving before going, I'll eat lite, a banana, a cup of yogurt, something of the sort like that. This works for me. I feel like I'm burning my fat and whatever I had yesterday, before ingesting anything else. This works for me though.

I do try not to eat any solid food after 9pm, a trick and tip I had heard from Ryan Reynolds. This is not because of the myth surrounding your sleep shutdown or anything of the sort. I just simply don't go to bed feeling full and bloated. The likely hood of me not eating, or ingesting some sort of calories after 9 though is almost a guarantee. It's fine, don't worry about it.

Now, with all of this being said, you get a craving, you want chocolate, chips, eggs, anything, but it's relatively particular. Break it down, what is your body telling you it needs: sugar, salt, protein, electrolytes, etc. Yes, it's so easy to reach for the Oreos, or the candy, but rather, have a glass of Chocolate Milk. You get the candy feel, with the good nutrients you really need. Craving satisfied, healthily too. Salts: veggies, the bite size pea pods, or a slice of cheese (not the singles, but sliced from a block of cheese). Quick microwave that egg, or eat some carrots, or some meat. Just, try to keep it to a minimum.

I do find that foods with a good deal of sodium do leave me feeling a bit more bloated, and at times I can even see that I am a bit swollen with salt from it. Your ankles and hands are a great indicator of this. I simply try to keep myself from having that feeling. No bloated feeling.

However, the exception. Sunday is always Funday! Give yourself that cheat day, eat what you know will leave you feeling like you have a food baby. Don't think about the grease factor, the fried factor, the fake factor. Give in to the cravings you really really wanted, and without guilt. At some point, you'll not even really take advantage of this, and other times, you'll make the circuit between everything you know leaves you feeling that way. It's so much more realistic, and makes the rest of the week so much easier to do as well.

Also, I get some funny looks from people that think I'm really healthy when I eat certain foods. I eat them because I want them, and I need them. I know that pizza is typically not the "healthiest" option, so I don't eat it all the time, but I also see it as the food pyramid as well. It's got fruits, grains, veggies, dairy, meats, with in turn gives me vitamins, energy, proteins, fibers and everything else good for me. I feel that when you eat like your restocking the things you need, you're body will pull that from the food, and discard the bad for you.

That's how I eat. That's my diet. And, yes, I feel that eating simply this way, naturally will reduce your Body Mass, or lean you out appropriately. As near as I can tell, this is exactly what we've been doing for the entire course of human history. So, if you're trying to make yourself into a piece of art, you will. Mona Lisa ate this way, as did "David" I'm sure. But, think about it, they didn't have Taco Bell or Carl's Jr. either....

Over the past few months especially, I have had a good handful of requests for my Diet and Work-Out Regimen. So, as further self promotions go, I'm putting up the Cliff's Notes version here, and on my other profiles for all to see, try, and check out.

There is some insight as to how and what I do to keep myself healthy, and if you choose to do so, you as well. At the same time, I'm not telling you that this is how you will and have to do it for your results.

I am separating the Diet from the Work-Out, because they are 2 different entities, in my mind. Yes, you can and will see results by only going with one, or parts, or whatever you may chose. As always: "Results May Vary", and more than likely will.

When I started to put together my "program", I did a small bit of research. I talked with friends and co-workers that were and are personal trainers. I read up on different programs, diets, routines. I watched people at the gyms, rec centers and other various places that people go to be healthy. I had seen several things in doing this:
1- For every program/diet/routine there is an opposing version. i.e.- don't eat carbs, eat carbs; lift this much for this long, don't lift that way for that long.
2- Everybody has different results on the same programs.
3- There are fine lines between Obsessed, Determined, Driven and Dedicated.

These seem like they may be simple and easy things to follow, see and realize, but in reality, people try so many things, that work for them and don't. Some require more than we're able to, or willing to do. Some you have to have the right body composition, genetically, chemically and mentally. You have to find what works and is easiest for you. I tried Body For Life, and it's a great program. Only, it's way too intense in it's daily time-line for me to be successful at it, and not get burnt out. Atkins, I could never follow. My family is Mediterranean, we love bread, pasta, flavor, CARBS. Hell, I'm a swimmer, it's been a tradition, mindset and belief that you eat a healthy Pasta dinner 36 hours before your swim meet. We had regular Spaghetti Dinners with the team to follow this. Atkins would roll in his grave seeing this.

So, in all of this, I made a couple rules, or Guidelines really. You'll see that I bend them a little here and there. If you catch it and are curious, ask me. I'll always support you on this if you want. Clarity is of the utmost importance too.

So, the Rules:

1- NO NUMBERS!
I don't care how much you weigh, how much you want to weigh, how much you want to bench, how many calories are in that, how many grams of whatever are in that. If you follow those numbers, you will only be disappointed, which in turn will lead to your drive dying, you quitting, and your desires failed. Yes, there are a number of numbers you will look at here and there, but their not the ones you want to initially look at and for. Remember, muscle out weighs fat. I used to weigh 175 and wear a size 36 pant. Last time I was on a scale (at the ER when passing a kidney stone in Oct) I was 175, and I'm a size 31 pant. Numbers are bad.

2- If you want to eat it, EAT IT.
Your body is craving it for a reason, there's something that it needs. There are replacements for various foods though as well, the "healthier" options.

3- Never be at the gym for more than 1 1/2 hour.
If you're at the gym for more than 1.5 hours, TOTAL, you better have their number, a job lined up, a reconnected friend or something along those lines. There are small exceptions. But, not for the workout part of it. Why work out for that long, when you don't get to enjoy why your doing that as well.

4- Have fun with it!
If you're not having fun with this, you're going to dread it all. Change it up when you need to. Do the activities that you enjoy. Do drag yourself to the gym on the bad day, the endorphin rush will be so much better than vegging on the couch. You may be tired getting ready for the gym, and dragging your feet, but once there, and by the time you leave, you'll feel so much better, and be so much happier you went, versus the guilt trip you'll give youself for having skipped. Not to mention, you'll feel it as well.

5- Listen to your body.
Eat the cravings, Forest Gump your workout ("so I just started runnin'..."), do a different routine when it physically hurts. Enough is Enough. It'll take a short while for you and your body to really sync up. You'll know that sweet craving is for sugars in general, not the cake you smelled. You'll know the salts are for other things. You'll know when you feel generally blah, and that a simply run, bike, swim, row, board, anything will actually help burn it off. This goes for hangovers too.

You asked for my regimen becuase some of you wanted to regain your healthy self again. I have explained most of my motives over the past couple years. I wanted to be healthy again. I wanted to be able to go hike a 14er tomorrow if asked, just as I wanted to throw down on the dance floor that night in the bar, or kayak to the island, swim again at near the level, if not better, than in High School. I didn't like the fact that I was winded walking up the stairs. I didn't like the fact that I was becoming a much larger, out of shape version of myself. I never really cared about the size factor, but I knew that it wasn't healthy for me.

I never wanted a 6-pack or plus ab set. To have that visible, you have to have less than 7% body fat (or at least visible just sitting there). As I said, NO NUMBERS. I wanted a flatter stomach, where I could see my feet. I wanted the ability to be agile, flexible, mobile in any environment. Squeezing through a crowd on a larger scale, much harder. Throwing my body around on a bicycle, dance floor, tree climbing, whatever, not as easy when your a bit out of shape. Of course there's the sexy factor too, I was always very self consious of my chest, and I wanted it considerably flatter. I wanted definition, but I didn't want a cup size. It's awkward being with a woman and having your breast and hers keeping you from really getting close with one another. These were my motivating factors for getting healthy. I wan't going for modeling. I wan't going to huge bulk. I wanted symetrical, balanced definition. I work to see that in the mirror.

You have to find your motivation like that. Going for bulk size is good for some. Going for lean tone is another. The ability to do anything you could want is a great one. Perhaps you do want sublime definition, ripped muscles, devilishly good looks and what not. You have to find what you want. From there, you'll learn how to build that person. Just make sure that you're being good to yourself about it all.

I am not a trainer. I am not a doctor. I am a guy that figured out what worked for me, and what didn't. But, the more I've thought about getting this out to everyone, the more I've realized, this is really just to give You What You Know You Are. I'll let you know what I've found out. But you have to figure out how to make it work for you.