Iaj2014 (i am a juggernaut challenge 2014)

[slumpbuster]

Daughter was loving it, Wife was a hot mess.

Bet she had a big smile on!

[slumpbuster]

I remember the dumbest crap but my childhood is a fog - remember more things that happened in regards to my brother/sisters childhood than my own.

Time sure does fly. Oddly enough I can still remember elementary school myself lol.

[slumpbuster]

Entry for 06/13/2014

Last Night's Sleep:

• Hours = 6.5
• Quality = 8/10

Workout:

• AM SQUAT STRENGTH PROGRESSION
  Warmup->225 lbs x 3, 275 lbs x 3
  Barbell Back Squat (315 lbs / 5 Sets - 5 Reps (Last Set 7 Reps) *Rest only while Partner Completes set)
  Barbell Half Squat Into Calf Raise (315 lbs / 3 Sets - 8 Reps (Last Set 12 Reps) *100 Rotation Jump Rope between sets)
  Split Stiff Leg Deadlift (115 lbs / 4 Sets - 12 Reps *100 Rotation Jump Rope between sets)
  Laying Band One Leg Curl (51 lbs Resistance / 5 Sets - 10 Reps (Last Set 20 Reps) *100 Rotation Jump Rope between sets)
  Barbell Front Squat (145 lbs / 10 Sets - 10 Reps (Last Set 15 Reps) *Start set at top of minute)

• PM CARDIO/CONDITIONING
  10 Waist High Box Jumps
  Sprints (3 Rounds - 25 yard forward sprint / 25 yard back sprint / 25 yard forward sprint / 25 yard walk) *Walk is Rest
  Kettlebell Circuit *40lbs (Reps 1/2/3/2/1 - Hands on KB Mountain Climbers *Knees to KB / 2 Hand Swing / Hands on KB Burpee *Pushup to KB and Jump with KB / 2 Hand Thruster) *No Rest
  Sprints (4 Rounds - 25 yard forward sprint / 25 yard back sprint / 25 yard forward sprint / 25 yard walk) *Walk is Rest
  Kettlebell Circuit *40lbs (Reps 1/2/3/4/3/2/1 - Hands on KB Mountain Climbers *Knees to KB / 2 Hand Swing / Hands on KB Burpee *Pushup to KB and Jump with KB / 2 Hand Thruster) *No Rest
  Sprints (3 Rounds - 25 yard forward sprint / 25 yard back sprint / 25 yard forward sprint / 25 yard walk) *Walk is Rest
  Kettlebell Circuit *40lbs (Reps 1/2/3/2/1 - Hands on KB Mountain Climbers *Knees to KB / 2 Hand Swing / Hands on KB Burpee *Pushup to KB and Jump with KB / 2 Hand Thruster) *No Rest
  10 Waist High Box Jumps
  1 Mile Run

• 30 DAY AB CHALLENGE - DAY 12
  REST

Nutrition:

1. Meal = 1 Cup Oatmeal, 1 Egg, Skim Milk, 2 tsp Peanut Butter, 1 scoop Chocolate Whey
2. Pre-Workout = 1 scoop Jugg HP, 1 scoop Creatine - mixed with water
3. Workout = 1 scoop Vanilla Whey - mixed with coffee
4. Post-Workout = 1.5 scoop Chocolate Whey, 1 scoop Creatine - mixed with Skim Milk
5. Meal = 1 Cup Oatmeal, 2 Egg, 2 tsp Peanut Butter, 1 scoop Chocolate Whey, Large Cup Coffee
6. Meal = 2 scoop Vanilla Whey - mixed with water
7. Pre-Workout = 1 scoop Pre Fight - mixed with water
8. Meal = Chicken, 1 Cup Broccoli, Cheese, 2 Slices Turkey
9. Meal = Can of Tuna, 1 Cup Broccoli, Cheese, 2 Slices Turkey
10. Meal = 2 scoop Vanilla Whey - mixed with water
11. Meal = Cottage Cheese, 2 tsp Peanut Butter, 1.5 scoop Chocolate Whey
12. Water = 2 Gallon

Supplements:

• Creatine-MP
• Juggernaut HP (Raspberry)
  • Taste = 9/10
  • Strength = 8/10
  • Focus = 8/10
  • Pump = 8/10
• Pre Fight (Lemon Lime)
  • Taste = 9/10
  • Focus = 9/10

Thoughts:
Another late night (for me at least) do to no school so not complete rested when waking up this morning.
Bought Knee Wraps earlier in the week after reading an article basically stating that as you approach 2x your body weight (which is more like 3x your body weight) it is a good idea to use wraps because it won't hurt you to use them. Having already had surgery on one knee, and the fact lately it feels/seems as though I'm falling apart, figured may as well be smart.
After I ordered them I then saw an article where someone (mind you pressing way more than me) was using his knee wraps for elbows when doing presses. Since I have been battling tennis elbow, figure I'll give it a try as well (plus that way it makes me feel like I got a deal on the wraps - 2x the use for 1x cost)
Neck did bother me a little during Front Squats, felt like a pinched nerve.

[slumpbuster]

Entry for 06/14/2014

Last Night's Sleep:

• Hours = 8.2
• Quality = 8/10

Workout:

• AM ARMS/ABS/CALVES *No Rest Between Sets[indent]Superset (3 Sets - 15 Reps):
  • Standng Band Behind Curl (46 lbs Resisitance)
  • Standng Band Kickbacks (38 lbs Resisitance)
  Superset (3 Sets - 15 Reps):
  • High Band Curl (23 lbs Resisitance)
  • Standng Skull Crushers (23 lbs Resisitance)
  Superset (4 Sets - 30 Reps):
  • Standng Dumbbell Feet Pointed Out Calf Raises (52.5 lbs)
  • Band Front Wrist Curl (38 lbs Resisitance)
  Superset (3 Sets - 15 Reps):
  • Laying Band Curl (38 lbs Resisitance)
    Superset (3 Sets - 10 Reps):
    • Standing Band Wide Curl (38 lbs Resisitance)
    • Standng Band Close Grip Press (59 lbs Resisitance)
  • Standng Band Tricep Press Down (46 lbs Resisitance)
  Superset (4 Sets - 30 Reps):
  • Seated Dumbbell Calf Raises (52.5 lbs)
  • Band Reverse Wrist Curl (38 lbs Resisitance)
  Superset (3 Sets - 15 Reps):
  • Kneeling Band Crunch (38 lbs Resisitance)
  • Band Plank Knee To Opposite Elbow (23 lbs Resisitance)
  • Laying Band Reverse Crunch (23 lbs Resisitance)

• PM CARDIO/CONDITIONING
  Walked for Relay

• 30 DAY AB CHALLENGE - DAY 13
  60 Sit Ups
  75 Crunches
  40 Leg Raises
  50 Sec Plank

Nutrition:

1. Pre-Workout = 1 scoop Jugg HP, 1 scoop Creatine - mixed with water
2. Workout = coffee
3. Post-Workout = 1.5 scoop Vanilla Whey, 1 scoop Creatine - mixed with Skim Milk / 1 cup Sugar Free Jello
4. Meal = 1 Cup Oatmeal, 2 Egg, 1 Tbsp Peanut Butter, 1.5 scoop Chocolate Whey, Large Cup Coffee
5. Meal = 2 scoop Vanilla Whey - mixed with water
6. Meal = Chicken and Mushrooms, Rice and Beans
7. Meal = 2 scoop Vanilla Whey - mixed with water
8. Meal = Pasta, Sausage, Chicken, Green Beans
9. Meal = Cottage Cheese, 1 Tbsp Peanut Butter, 1.5 scoop Chocolate Whey / 1 cup Sugar Free Jello
10. Water = 1 Gallon

Supplements:

• Creatine-MP
• Juggernaut HP (Raspberry)
  • Taste = 9/10
  • Strength = 9/10
  • Focus = 9/10
  • Pump = 8/10

Thoughts:
Last Strength session of the Challenge.
Busy Day - daughters and their dance team are dancing for a local "Relay For Life" *American Cancer Society and another graduation party this evening.

[slumpbuster]

BEFORE CHALLENGE (03/17/14)

MEASUREMENTS (All Relaxed):

• Arm 13.5"
• Calf 15.0"
• Chest 41.5"
• Forearm 12.5"
• Hips 37.0"
• Upper Leg 22.5"
• Neck 15.0"
• Waist (@ Belly Button) 33.0"
• Weight 179.5 lbs

PICTURES:

• 

AFTER CHALLENGE (06/15/14)

MEASUREMENTS (All Relaxed):

• Arm 14.0"
• Calf 15.0"
• Chest 43.0"
• Forearm 12.5"
• Hips 37.0"
• Upper Leg 23.0"
• Neck 15.0"
• Waist (@ Belly Button) 32.0"
• Weight 178.7 lbs

PICTURES:

• 

• 

[slumpbuster]

Entry for 06/15/2014

Last Night's Sleep:

• Hours = 8.5
• Quality = 9/10

Workout:

• AM STRENGTH
  YOGA

• PM CARDIO/CONDITIONING
  NONE

• 30 DAY AB CHALLENGE - DAY 14
  65 Sit Ups
  85 Crunches
  42 Leg Raises
  55 Sec Plank

Nutrition:

1. Meal = 1 Cup Oatmeal, 1 Egg, Skim Milk, 2 tsp Peanut Butter, 1 scoop Chocolate Whey
2. Meal = 2 scoop Vanilla Whey - mixed with water
3. Meal = 3 slices of Pepperoni/Green Pepper Pizza Salad
4. Meal = 2 scoop Vanilla Whey - mixed with water
5. Meal = Slice Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake
6. Meal = Cottage Cheese, 1 Tbsp Peanut Butter, 1 scoop Chocolate Whey
7. Water = 2 Gallon

Supplements:

• NONE

Thoughts:
Happy Fathers Day
Figured I'd end it all with some Yoga (done with daughters).
Last Day of the Challenge - what a long strange trip it's been. Well not really long or strange.
Girls wanted Dairy Queen Cake for Father's Day so to celebrate Father's Day and the end of the IAJ Challenge I had a slice (not really for the challenge)
I don't see much of a transformation change - but we are our biggest critics. Will be included same pics and measurements as beginning pics for reference as well as some pathetic attempts at flexing pics (no idea what I am doing).
For the challenge I wasn't too concerned about transformation and was more concerned about making strength gains. I hit the 1,000 lb club as well as some Personal Records. I did most of the challenge with tennis elbow (left elbow) and an injury of sort (truly believe it is carpal tunnel from years of typing) to left wrist.
I enjoyed the challenge and have no regrets. I have two weeks to attempt to lean up a little for the beach (although really no motivation other than what the hell why not type of thing) and then it is back to reaching my goal of beching 315, squating 405, and deadlifting 495 by my 40th birthday.

[Credz]

Happy Late Father's Day man. Definitely some awesome progress!

[slumpbuster]

Thanks - Hard to believe it's over
Still a long ways to go though

Happy Late Father's Day man. Definitely some awesome progress!

[JohnButz]

Wow! Excellent transformation Dustin!

[kconnell]

Congrats on the change and finishing!

Remember final photos and write-up of your experience!

[balls2dawalls]

I see lots of improvements, congrats on finishing the challenge. Great job!!!!

BEFORE CHALLENGE (03/17/14)

MEASUREMENTS (All Relaxed):

• Arm 13.5"
• Calf 15.0"
• Chest 41.5"
• Forearm 12.5"
• Hips 37.0"
• Upper Leg 22.5"
• Neck 15.0"
• Waist (@ Belly Button) 33.0"
• Weight 179.5 lbs

PICTURES:

• 

AFTER CHALLENGE (06/15/14)

MEASUREMENTS (All Relaxed):

• Arm 14.0"
• Calf 15.0"
• Chest 43.0"
• Forearm 12.5"
• Hips 37.0"
• Upper Leg 23.0"
• Neck 15.0"
• Waist (@ Belly Button) 32.0"
• Weight 178.7 lbs

PICTURES:

• 

• 

[slumpbuster]

Final thoughts, preface/recap, experiences, pictures
Preface:
As a young kid I was weight proportionate for my size. One summer before 5th grade that all changed. In those three months I probably put on 20-30 pounds and to make things worse I was short in stature. So this is how I entered middle school and high school. I still played sports, had plenty of friends, and was never one to judge people so it helped weed out girls that were judging me based off my overall shape.
Then college came around and it was a different ballgame, options and competition became fiercer in life and the dating game. This brings me to my first successful weight loss. I decided I was tired of being heavy and seeing girls I knew were good at heart fall for obvious jerks just because of how they looked. I went on a low calorie diet and 60 minutes of cardio a day and over 6 months probably lost about 40-50 pounds. During this whole process I started seeing someone and as our relationship moved along, we became more comfortable and the weight started adding itself back.
For ten years my weight slowly grew until I was much heavier than I ever was before. How could this happen when I worked so hard to lose it in the first place. Looking back now at it is easy to explain, I lost it for the wrong reasons. I lost it to be purely vain and hence selfish and once I accomplished what I wanted and set out to do, the desire was lost and thus the drive and purpose was no longer there to continue. I was also able to now make excuses that I felt were worthy of the reason I let myself go. I just got married, we just bought a house, I’m concentrating on my career, I became a father, I had a second child, etc.
Then I experienced your typical oh crap moment, I ended up in the hospital. Now it wasn’t anything serious but enough to scare me. I have asthma and have always gotten this bronchial seasonal cough because of it. One year right before Christmas it was so bad I broke two ribs and tore the outside mucus lining on my lungs. While I was laying in the hospital all I could think of was how selfish I was being and two things kept running through my mind. I’m a father and now my kids are worried, how long if I continue down my current path will I be around for them and in what capacity? That was it I needed to do something, not for me but for them.

I started, a second time to diet and exercise. I started with a low calorie diet but now I was so out of shape I started exercising lightly and tried to make it fun. For a couple of months I exercise using only Wii Fit. Next I started using the treadmill, first steady cardio only (mainly walking) and as I built up endurance interval training (walking, jogging, sprinting). For about 6 months my goal was simply weight loss and to build up the strength of my lungs, so all I did was cardio. I went from about 235 pounds to 145 pounds (snug 38 inch waist line to a comfortable 28 inch).
I was so bent on losing weight I didn't realize how quickly I lost the weight and how sickly I was beginning to look. One of my co-workers who was into fitness asked me if I was doing any strength training, when I responded no he offered me his P90X videos and I dove right in, they were awesome and they sucked. I thought I was in good shape before I started these videos and was quickly proven wrong. I couldn’t do a single pull up (if you’ve ever done the videos you know how many pull ups you do in a session). I stuck with it and completed the program and felt stronger, healthier, and while it wasn’t important to me this time around I looked better. It taught me that you really need a balance of everything to be in shape: cardio training, strength training, and a balanced healthy diet.
Since then I have constantly been trying to better myself. I have along the way learned that everything works and fails to some degree. I like to tinker to see how things react and adapt, I think most people do. There is so much in this world we can’t control, if you are employed, married, or a parent you get it. Our body is something you can take some what control of. I am constantly tinkering to see what I can accomplish, how hard I can push, how my body and mind will respond. I try to change my workouts every 4-8 weeks and I’ll change/modify my diet as well. There is no perfect workout or diet and everyone will respond differently. The key is to find something you can enjoy (I enjoy lifting) and to find foods/dishes you enjoy that are healthy but also to push yourself. I hate running any distance more than 5K so I thought what better way to challenge myself mentally and physically than to run a marathon. So last October I ran the Chicago Marathon, while I hated everything with the training, the race itself was the most incredible thing I have ever done.

My advice is to commit to changing your life and to do it for the right reasons. You can’t succeed if you don’t commit but be able to be flexible. Most individuals do not have the ability to give 100% all the time in all aspects of their life, understand you will make mistakes, you will at some point eat something you will regret later, you will miss a workout, it happens. The important thing is that you move pass it, you shouldn’t be striving for perfection just to be better and put yourself in a position to succeed. Find healthy foods you enjoy, if you need to have ice cream once a week than do so, etc. I work out in the morning because I know it is the only way to guarantee I do it, there are too many distractions that can arise throughout the day. I eat primarily the same meals throughout the day, this is to keep it simple which means I am more likely to eat healthy. You need to experiment to find what works for you but you need to give it time, nothing happens immediately.
Reasons for initially being interested in the challenge:
I chosen to do this challenge for two reasons. First I want to help support my fellow Juggernauts, it is a great group of people who truly try to help each other. Because of this I didn't see this as a competition but as a support opportunity. Second there are things I would like to focus on. My initial goals for this challenge are two increase my flexibility (I will be working towards a split), balance (I will be working towards a chair handstand from a seated position), I also want to do a Physique Competition in October and will be working toward adding size.
Reasons why in the end I accepted the challenge:
I still wanted to support fellow Juggernauts (which while I think and hope I did on the ******** Group Page, failed miserably on the BB.Com Forum Pages. After spending 8+ hours a day on the computer (4 monitors) the last thing I want to do when I get home is look at another screen (plus it is hard to explain to wife and kids why I’m on the computer after being on it all day at work). Second since I was not going to do a Competition this year I decided to work on some strength goals and perhaps use it also to motivate me a little to get in better “appearance shape” for the beach in July. I decided by the time I turn 40 (2.5 years) I want to be able to be able to do 225 on a Seated Military Press, 315 on Bench Press, 405 on Squat, and 495 on Deadlift. To get there for most of the challenge I concentrated on those lifts with some additional work and for the 2nd half of the competition used a modified version of Jim Wendler 5-3-1 program.
Unexpected Challenges:
Shortly after the challenge started I started to develop Tennis Elbow. I changed/modified some exercises and continued along. Shortly after that I injured my left wrist, not sure how or whether it was a bi-product of the Tennis Elbow. But for a majority of the challenge (and still today) I can’t curl a barbell due to pain. However, with a good wrist wrap and using bands instead of free weights (pull of gravity and ability to change angle of motion/resistance) towards the end of the challenge I was able to start working arms again (but at a much lighter resistance than pre-injury).
Training for strength is something I have not done in a long time (mostly due to trying to lose weight, get back in shape, run a marathon, my training has been more conditioning/endurance training), so a lot of the training during this challenge was new to me. While I was adapting and embracing this new training, I was missing the conditioning aspect of training and still wanted to get “beach ready”. To accomplish this I added jump rope between sets (while partner lifted) and once the weather finally broke started to add some lunch time conditioning (sprints, box jumps, kettlebell circuits, and 1-2 mile runs). I did this at lunch because of time constraints (too gassed in morning to do it after strength *and didn’t want to get up at 4am, when I get home from work I like spending time with my family as well as I never know exactly when I’ll get done with work, I’ve tried doing conditioning before bed before and that doesn’t work because I can’t fall asleep).
Final Thoughts:
Didn’t work on stretching too often and can’t remember the last time I attempted chair handstands because of wrist (original interest in challenge). Wasn’t active on the BB.com forums of other contestants (truly regret) although I hope I made up for it on the Juggernaut ******** Page. Did however hit some PRs as well as the 1,000lb club. As in life worked through some difficulties but while doing so also remembered those difficulties aren’t that bad and no reason to complain or let it hold me back. I was planning on taking Final Cut toward the end of the Challenge to get “beach ready” but instead decided to by 2 – 45lb plates (how I look for the beach doesn’t really concern me but hitting the #s I mentioned above before I’m 40 does). While there are some things I’d do different for the most part I am happy with the challenge and results. I think Juggernaut HP is awesome (in fact it and Pre Fight are more or less the only pre workouts that don’t make me jittery or nauseous). I used Juggernaut HP before lifting and Pre Fight before conditioning and based on how I feel after taking them believe that was the best use for me. I also took Creatine MP and love that it is unflavored. Infinite Labs definitely makes quality products.

While final pics are in a few posts before this I am adding them again to keep everything together.
BEFORE CHALLENGE (03/17/14)
MEASUREMENTS (All Relaxed):

• Arm 13.5"
• Calf 15.0"
• Chest 41.5"
• Forearm 12.5"
• Hips 37.0"
• Upper Leg 22.5"
• Neck 15.0"
• Waist (@ Belly Button) 33.0"
• Weight 179.5 lbs

PICTURES:

• 

AFTER CHALLENGE (06/15/14)
MEASUREMENTS (All Relaxed):

• Arm 14.0"
• Calf 15.0"
• Chest 43.0"
• Forearm 12.5"
• Hips 37.0"
• Upper Leg 23.0"
• Neck 15.0"
• Waist (@ Belly Button) 32.0"
• Weight 178.7 lbs

PICTURES:

• 

ATTEMPT AT FLEXING/POSING

• 

[vol8615]

Great Job man! Congratz on finishing, huge improvement!

[GymGirl38]

Great job Dustin! The definition you gained is amazing and you are looking very symmetrical. You have got to be feeling great! Am super proud of your accomplishments.
~Erin

[kconnell]

Impressive change!

[JohnButz]

Awesome write-up!

[Credz]

Great write up man

[slumpbuster]

Thanks Everyone, truly hard to believe how quick those 90 days went

Wow! Excellent transformation Dustin!

Awesome write-up!

Great write up man

Congrats on the change and finishing!

Impressive change!

I see lots of improvements, congrats on finishing the challenge. Great job!!!!

Great Job man! Congratz on finishing, huge improvement!

[thnakd1]

Great job man! You made some great improvements! And also congrats on completing the challenge... that in itself is a feat!

[slumpbuster]

Thanks

Great job man! You made some great improvements! And also congrats on completing the challenge... that in itself is a feat!

[teamsw]

Joe Palumbo
ifbb pro

* Join my face book fan page, its filled training/dieting/nutritional tips, advice, news, facts and prizes, ...
http://www.********.com/JoeSwatPalumbo

[WillisCrew]

Hey Dustin Congratulations on your Win!! You really did do such a great job.... Your muscle gains are impressive, as well as your leaning down!! You Certainly deserve this, and I knew you'd make it to the top (I just told my husband that the other night, but I had you in the top 3...lol) So I just want to say one more time... WAY TO GO!! You really deserved a win

[JohnButz]

Tribute To The I AM JUGGERNAUT Finishers!




A 90-day commitment to live the IAJ lifestyle. The Challenge of a lifetime. The beginning of a complete lifestyle transformation. The Juggernaut mode/status.
Of the 20 Challengers that qualified, only 5 could place, but all Finishers have triumphed great feats. All Finishers are Winners in our books.
Infinite Labs is honored to be a part of your journey to a healthier lifestyle and a healthier You! So, we want to thank each and every one of you! (In no specific order)*

WillisCrew
jaxsoncty
BuffedStuff
beefcake66
GymGirl38
Lanithroe
LeahBanton
deleonr1
Bombshell7
ezericw
classiccristal
arachnix
lschepis
jpik
thedreadedwrath


For your outstanding work and achievements throughout the challenge. Your tenacity and accomplishments are an inspiration to us at Infinite Labs and the masses that followed your transformation and evolution.

All Finishers, please forward your current shipping information to John Butz, so Infinite Labs can send you a gift as a token of our appreciation to help you continue on your journey to a healthier You. This is just the beginning.
Why get left behind? Join the Juggernauts. It’s time to evolve.