Author: Michael Snasdell

I love the fact that people from all walks of life and various countries read my blog. The feedback is appreciated both positive and negative.

HOWEVER....

If you a spineless little shit that wants to post threatening comments about matters you disagree with me on... You are NOT welcome.

This blog is in MY name, about MY life, and contains MY opinions. If you don't like them, feel free to say so, but do NOT feel you have the right to post any kind of threat or wish of harm to me, while hiding behind the name 'anon'.

Sorry to regular readers for putting up with this rant, but I am sickened and disturbed when complete strangers feel the need to make comments like this....

"Maybe Santa will bring you a hot bullet to the head, followed by an IPCC cover up for Christmas, seeing as you clearly don't know the value of life (or your own brain, for that matter)."

You are a threatening, childish, spineless fuckwit, so as I said in my reply... Fuck off and save the world. If you took the time to read other entries you would realise I put a very high value on life.... Or most peoples anyway.

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Ok so this period of 2 weeks towards the end of P90X Round1 is my transition period as I have previously said. And its a steep learning curve.

First up, without checking the scales I can honestly say I am NOT expecting any further losses. This phase has been all about nutrition and supplements, and they appear to be working. Bulking out and firming up. As well as building stamina in muscle groups.

If there is a loss, then great, but I don't expect it. We will find out the final weight next week at the end of the program, til then I'm focusing on the important things.

I have been experimenting with the time of day I work out recently, and today tried yoga first thing. After 20 mins to wake up and get moving I got stuck in. I can honestly say that this is NOT ideal for me at all lol. Damn it was hard work getting tired muscles involved. Needless to say, form suffered a little for it, and stretches were not as good as they could have been. As for the rest, well, the other workouts have been done varying before and after dog walks, and once again there is a noticeable difference to them also.

I want to add this too before I go. I am building my own little army of P90X'er Snaz's Soldiers 🙂 so wanted to say well done, keep going and dig deep ( and get a move on to those who have not yet got their fingers out.) So , Chantal, Carly, Clare, Amit, John, Matt and Chris.... Well done for even considering this program. Anyone else interested in getting going on P90X, just shout. I'm always here to offer what advice I can, some guidance and a whole bunch of motivation and arse kickin.

Come on Snaz's Soldiers!

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Don't ask me why, but todays thought is all about representation. I got wondering about all things great, then ended up with this thought.
Be it you avatar of life, a signature image or something to sum you up in one single image or object, what would you choose to represent you. And more to the point, what would others use to remember you by.

We are surrounded by corporate logos. Seeing a simple outline can plant a thought or desire in our minds in a flash. Be it a curvy M in yellow, or the red and blue ying-yang of Pepsi, we are all led by these images. So why I thought, are we not the same with personal associations. I suppose in a way we are, seeing something from our past can trigger memories of a person, but not everyone.

I am putting the question out there for 2 reasons, I'm curious how people see themselves, and want a good way to put more of you in my mind. I like those trigger moments that remind me of friends and good times. Maybe I am a slightly deeper thinker than some. Maybe this entry makes no sense to you. However others I'm sure will be thinking hard about their own image.

I have been doing a lot of thinking recently about symbolic representation, and for sure my tattoos are proof enough of my commitment to all things symbolic. With the anniversary of mum passing approaching I am in the middle of planning my next image to remind me. For mum it is her lily. Having it in the pond for many years with no luck in it blooming, she didn't give up. And on time, as her own health declined finally it burst into life. A beautiful bloom, and one that made her proud. Such was her pride and passion in her creation, it is only fitting that it be the centre piece for my tribute tattoo.

For me, well I have included an image on mine too. A simple 'i' . The universal sign for information. The point you can trust to turn to when you need info or advice. I am no oracle, but I do know that a large group of people seem to turn to me when the chips are down, or just to blow off steam. Sometimes inspiration, other times just a second opinion, my 'i' is illuminated 24 hours a day, and always willing to have a say. Right or wrong, I will always speak my mind as clearly and honestly as I can.

There are many images throughout our lives that signifies something about us. But what is YOUR defining image?

We have all done it I'm sure, seen or heard something and made a snap judgement on it. Be it personal or something not close to us at all, we make judgements everyday. Some are right, some a little misguided, and every now and then we miss the point by a country mile.

Before I go on I want to say two things about this entry. Firstly, just thinking about the situation and needing to write this is making me shake. With upset and a snippet of anger at the thought of even having to set the record straight. And secondly, I don't do empty or unnecessary apologies, which is why this isn't one.

Its almost 2 years ago now that I lost a very old a dear friend in a motorcycle accident. One of a few friends who have perished this way. I grew up with John and his sister Dawn from a very young age, and after some years apart fate brought us all back together again, and we stayed in touch ever since. Losing John was a wow moment for me, hitting nerves that no other loss had ever thrown up for me, and it is a loss that affected me and has remained with me. I carry a symbol of my love for my fallen brother with me daily, and he is still the key to many a story told.

So why do I mention this now? Well simply because of a mish mash of circumstances that led to an unfortunate and unnecessary situation.

A few days ago there was a big accident on the A2, a few miles from the Blackwall Tunnel where John lost his life. This too was a motorcycle accident. It has become a habit for me to share any serious local traffic situations with my friends on Facebook, as I do it as part of my job anyway, and like to make sure people don't get caught up in it.
Comments were posted on it, and some mentioned delays getting home etc, I'm sure we have all done that at some point.

My sister also posted a comment suggesting it sounded serious as it was closed for a long time. My simple reply to this was "bike, high speed road....... enough said".... To the un suspicious eye it would read just as it says... Fast road, fast moving traffic, higher chance of serious injury or fatality.
However, to some it read that I was suggesting that because it was a bike, and a fast road, that clearly the biker was to blame. Not quite sure how you twist it to get that. But some how it happened.

Comments were made, suggestions and accusations touted, and blame thoroughly cast upon me. I did try to make my point that I was just commenting on the dynamics of the situation, but apparently after knowing someone for 23 years, I'm not as transparent as I thought I was. 2 girls I have known for such a long time now, and been through thick and thin with now feel that I disrespected John by saying what I said, and am now just trying to make amends for my wrong doing.

Well I can only say this much. Anita, Nicola, I love you both like sisters, and have been honoured with the trust you both once installed in me. Sharing your darkest emotions with me, and trusting me with your thoughts. The only thing I can use the word sorry for is to describe how I feel about losing that trust, and how I feel about your decisions to just make such a snap judgement and cut me off. These are your decisions and ones I respect either way.

In the meantime, thank you to those who do truly know and trust me, and to those who know that I love John with all my heart, always have and always will. No matter the daft things he did, he was taken from us all, most of all his sons WAY too soon, and its is a tragedy that we all live with daily.

I have said my peace, and hope one day you understand that I have nothing but respect for John. And having lost 3 close friends in under 3 years to motorcycle accidents of all kinds, I am one of the last people who will ever just tar all with the same brush and immediately cast blame and doubt on one party.

And finally to John, I'm so sorry to have used your name in such an entry, for what seems quite petty. I would never wish to cause you harm or disrespect. X

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My my, it seems my little adventure with P90X has really started to have a knock on effect. With a number of friends joining the program, and 4 of them starting to follow the course from Monday coming, may I first say, good on you, and best of luck sticking to it. I am right here every step of the way should you need anything.

Today I got to start using my resistance bands, and OMG what a difference they make. Crazy to feel so much energy going into moving such thin seemingly weak bands. But they work, are much smoother to use in some movements than free weights. However there are of course times when there is nothing better than really pushing a muscle to the limit the old fashioned way. Yes yes, of course I mean bicep curls, Cohen curls, and triceps of course. Nothing like a little vanity is there?

Anyway, I digress. P90X is where its at, and motivating and inspiring others to use it to take care of themselves is the mission I'm on right now. Between Jaces Warriors, and Twitter, the interest seems to grow daily. Add Facebook to that list and the interest gets even bigger.

I want to make sure I am clear about something, before the ridicule starts. P90X is a program, a guide, and something to push you in the right direction. The big notice before you enter is "WILLPOWER REQUIRED". There is no magic involved, no voodoo as Ivan likes to call it, and no miracles. Its like making a cake. You are the ingredients, all the instructions are there, and the equipment is there.... All you have to do is follow the instructions properly, and the outcome will be a lovely cake.
Probably a bad example, as I could murder a cake right now lol, but you catch my flow I'm sure.

So if you are one of the people I have mentioned, or are reading this and wondering if P90X is right for you. Ask yourself this, are YOU right for P90X?

Tell you what. Here are a few FAQ's.

Q. Are the workouts hard?
A. Yes, quite simply. Effort is required, but unlike a lot of programs, you can slide the difficulty slider up as you progress. Start gentle and modified, and as you improve, increase the intensity.

Q. Is it hard to commit to?
A. No. If you start the program hungry for results, then your hunger will be satisfied for sure. Results come fast, and continuous, and re-motivate you. Want it bad enough, and commitment will come easy.

Q. Will I get all big and bulky.
A. P90X can be used to lose weight, tone, or build lean muscle. Adapting your activity throughout the 90 days. Higher reps, lower weights to tone, and digging deeper and going heavier for bulk. Diet will also be key.

Q. Is this guy taking it too far and getting obsessed about P90X?
A. Ok, maybe a touch, but its a healthy one, and that's not a pun. I have been on the program for 10 weeks now, and each week my energy level rises, my activity level goes further off the chart, and my motivation to continue grows.

Right, so that's me. If you are inspired, interested or about to get onto the program and have any questions, fire away 🙂

Next week I start week 11, another week closer to the end of week 13 and the end of cycle 1 of P90X. But it doesn't end there, oh no. After a few days off (maybe) I'm gonna start all over again. I'm addicted, I'm motivated, and I'm driven to achieve what I have never had before. Fitness, state of mind, and physical youth.

Come on, why are you still reading this, its time to live a little, its time to love the life you have..... Bring It people!

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Very simple entry, short and sweet really.

Today is a year to the date that one of my dearest friends passed away.

Graeme Breen, you still do, and forever will be held in such a special place in my heart.

Gone but never forgotten, rest in peace my brother. Love you x

Got to hate them. I'm flying now with my training, and all the while encouraging more and more to join the P90Xpress, but there comes a time when even a perfect flow gets interrupted. Play this time has been spoiled by weather. Very heavy rain has stopped the morning and now the evening dog walks, and my body is now overflowing with energy.

The solution is to do another session of P90X, the plan is to join the other half with Plyo tonight. That's the plan anyway, I might yet get told to piss off lol.

Meanwhile, damn I have been hitting the last few sessions hard. More considered intake, with the addition of protein and creatine too, it all adds up. Today for example with back and biceps, I was seriously on fire. Digging deep, pushing to the limit and beyond. I'm in the phase where your body reminds you just how alive you really are, and what you can actually achieve if you commit.

This is a place I hope I can remain for the next few weeks, to the finish line of round 1.

After that I think its time for round 2. I have some new found friends and motivators in the form of Jace's Warriors. A P90X coach and a Facebook group, with far reaching influences. New found drive, and the ability to help encourage and motivate others. What a great opportunity. So thank you to Jace and the gang for this chance.

The plan is to jump right in the middle of a group P90Xpress, joining their group challenge at around week4. Hopefully this time with all the equipment, bands and dumbells I can really rock the P90X world hard.

So as I lay in the bath and unwind for a few mins, I contemplate the road ahead, the weigh in tomorrow, and what the finish line will look and feel like. One thing I know for sure, as I cross the line I will enter NikeTown and re-equip myself with new shoes, etc. Hey, I deserve them.

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And from power comes strength. Recent days have seen me face a sudden downturn in mood and mental state, suddenly I found myself plummeting towards the ground at a thousand miles an hour. Simple annoyance became huge grievances, and a tiny downturn became the up-ending of my world.

When such times arrive I have learned that it is time to dig deep, right into the core of your soul and find the energy to overcome the negativity. After a couple of days of fighting and digging I hit gold, and bounced back like an insane bungee, powering back to my former self and beyond. As I pushed back towards positivity I used the recently experienced negativity to fuel my fight back, and remembered how little I want to feel like that.

A reminder of how crap being down can feel is always enough to start the fight back for me, but at times like this, with such heightened emotions and mental state, the speed that the mood changes can be very sudden. I like to keep check on myself from time to time, observing certain aspects of my life, behaviours, and attitude towards issues, looking for signs that things are not right.

The biggest challenge we face with being down, depressed, unmotivated or unhappy is that we don't realise its happening until we are rock bottom. Running self checks has become an important part of my life nowdays, having experiences so many lows, especially in recent years. Depression is my enemy now, and not welcome in my life in any form. An evil place to be, somewhere so many people visit in their lives, and a place misunderstood by so many. Trapped, ashamed, and defeated are the common emotions we feel when there.

Give yourself a self check today, are you the real you, are you coping? True friends will usually be the first to indicate something is wrong.

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