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Michael Thomas
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« on: March 01, 2009, 06:30:45 PM » |
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Hello everyone! My name is Michael Thomas. I am the owner of this forum. I am a fitness coach and online consultant. I am a WNBF pro and a former Mr. USA. I have been involved in fitness for 20 years. My passion is strength training and physical transformation through str training and nutritional approaches. I do believe natural bodybuilding and fitness is the fountain of youth. I write about these topics on my blog at www.buildmusclelosefat.org and will be writing a lot here. My mission for the site is to create a community of friends that can support each other in pursuit of goals. Enjoy this site and feel free to participate. Create topics and reply. We can all learn from each other. Truly Michael Thomas |
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starkman78
Newbie
Posts: 18
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« Reply #1 on: March 04, 2009, 01:11:41 AM » |
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Wow, when you said this was a new forum, you weren't kidding! I didn't realize that I was at ground zero, and since there are just a couple of other members, I'll go ahead and break the ice.
My name is Stephanie. I have been married just over three years and have a 14-month old son. I am currently in the Army and was sent to Iraq when my son was only a few months old. As much as my heart was broken, I decided to use the time here productively. I worked hard at graduate school, and I was determined to shed the baby fat and get super healthy so that I would set a good example as a parent. The gym here at FOB Falcon was sponsoring a local Body For Life challenge which I entered and won, dropping 20 pounds and reducing my body fat from 24% to 13%. The gym here is rather crude and and I had no choice but to gain mastery over old fashioned iron. I had aerobicized myself thin in the past, but I had always been intimidated by the weight room. It was a great accomplishment to conquer that fear and the results were intoxicating; I fell in love with weight training and physique development and decided that I was up for the challenge of Figure.
I am thrilled to be leaving Iraq tomorrow. I will admit that this isn't going to be my cleanest week. Because I have trained heavy for quite awhile now, I am giving my body some rest while I am in transit. I am also allowing myself to enjoy the best chai lattes and blueberry muffins in the world because there are no Green Beans Coffee shops outside of the middle east, thus I will NEVER have these things again. No worries; once I am home I will finally have unlimited access to all of the clean eats that I need, as well as modern fitness amenities (long live the luxurious Ozark Fitness Center!), and the ability to wear real workout clothes and run with my ipod. Come Monday morning it is no holds barred, and I will be ready for that stage by Fall 2009.
It is very exciting to finally be leaving the Army and getting on with a whole new chapter in my life. I hope everyone else is looking forward to hopping aboard for an exciting journey!
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Forget yourself and let others remember; success is much sweeter that way.
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Michael Thomas
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« Reply #2 on: March 04, 2009, 06:59:03 AM » |
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Thanks so much for joining Stephanie. I also have a 20 month old and I can't imagine having to do what you have done. Thank you so much for your service to our country.
I workout sometimes at Ozark Fitness Center. They have a ton of great equipment thats for sure. You will do really well in a competition and I look forward to following your progress.
Blueberry muffins sound great.
Welcome aboard. Yes, we are new I just launched this thing Saturday.
Have a Great Trip Home,
Michael
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Ali
Jr. Member
Posts: 59
~Just me~
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« Reply #3 on: March 04, 2009, 09:01:07 PM » |
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Dittos to Stephanie...thank you for all you do for our country!
My name is Alison, a friend named me Ali~
I am 46 and have a 22 yr old in VA, her husband is in the Navy. I also have a 10 yr old daughter who is going on 25. I work as a banker and manage a loan department. My youngest is in gymnastics. While I watch her each week, I remember how limber I used to be. Then it made me curious and I started to look online for me....I stumbled onto James Rivers gyms website....then looked at the trainers...Michael had a link and what I liked the most, was the training visual. Then I sent Michael an email and he invited me to join and here I am! Now..I just need to *do it*.
Ali
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Michael Thomas
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« Reply #4 on: March 05, 2009, 05:29:04 AM » |
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Ali
Thanks for rejoining with the prob. Last weekend. I didn't know you found me through jra. That's great I enjoy training there.
Hey do you have any ideas on new sections within this forum.
Like maybe a category for Joke of the day, or anything that might be neat to discuss.
Talk soon
MT
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Ali
Jr. Member
Posts: 59
~Just me~
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« Reply #5 on: March 05, 2009, 06:14:02 PM » |
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Hi Michael..
I hope you made it in one piece to Houston. The shots, they really helped my Dad..he is very active and relieved him instantly that no surgery is needed yet. I don't know who is his doctor besides a St. John's one...anyway, I would check it out especially because they do the *test* lil shot first and you should have a good idea with that~
Ok..the threads...I did think about that and a joke for the day? One question...what if you (me) who has a problem with remembering the punchline??? Ah..but for those that do, that could be fun.
Seriously though...I have hesitated to post because I don't want to *get in the way* of serious body builders, etc. How about a Beginners Thread where all my dumb questions can be buried there?? Or a Bury Your Fav Vice Here - you know, to lose the quilt??..ha Mine is....Diet Pepsi. I really have to get off that stuff (ok, one confession of a few vices)
And one term so far that I didn't get was........plate. I am 99% sure you used that in a blog~
Ali
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Ali
Jr. Member
Posts: 59
~Just me~
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« Reply #6 on: March 05, 2009, 08:48:04 PM » |
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Ok...I read your media blog about Sarah Palin (love her and her family!) and I too, am a political junkie (vice #2)...how about an off topic thread...like how to live through a depression (ok..that is a downer but sadly it is getting scary out there). My job is turning into some therapy sessions with people in tears about all the *what ifs*..... We could do a fun one about the Good Ole Times....(ok, these are probably more my old times..grrr)...like, how a family of five survived with one bathroom and we didn't have a shower head until the early 70's...now that would be roughing it these days~ And please I don't want to re-wash my *foil*...  Or what if you had a party line on your blackberry....ha ha ha..(if you don't know what a partyline is...don't tell me!!!)....ok, I need to go to bed, everyone is offline and I am jazzed up with Diet Pepsi...  |
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Michael Thomas
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« Reply #7 on: March 06, 2009, 10:24:26 AM » |
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Yes I got here ok. I like those ideas on forum topics. I will work on those a little later when I can get to my laptop.
Please please never feel like you should make room for serious bbers. I really want this to be for all populations. We can all learn and discuss topics.
I think I will add a beginner area or general population board and a motivational story or success story board.
Thanks for your participation and Ill talk at you all soon.
Michael
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starkman78
Newbie
Posts: 18
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« Reply #8 on: March 20, 2009, 07:22:54 PM » |
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OK, I'm a little late ( I only get internet a couple of times a week) but I felt strongly about Ali's suggestion. I agree with your reply that this is a place for everyone. Everyone started out as a beginner and I think that the best way to blast past that stage is to feel welcomed and supported by the "real" bodybuilders. Let's all do it together!
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Forget yourself and let others remember; success is much sweeter that way.
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Michael Thomas
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« Reply #9 on: March 21, 2009, 08:30:57 AM » |
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Stephanie, I thought you were back in town? We just scheduled our show this year. See the above board. If you have any question let me know. We should have a great turnout with the students being on campus and more participation by the community.
Part of what I do is encourage general population folks that strength training and building your body is for everyone. Not just "bodybuilders"
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Ali
Jr. Member
Posts: 59
~Just me~
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« Reply #10 on: March 21, 2009, 10:51:04 AM » |
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Remember me?
Stephanie...what did I say that you felt strongly about...if it is the beginners (like me), it is an inspiration to read what you, Michael and others do to get in shape. Then what Michael said recently, it is also intimidating too (going to the gym). Not in a bad way...just the mental part of it, like why can't I be like that...wow, that sounds negative~ I know, just do it and stop the excuses.....that is the problem for most general population. I personally think, I need to get in shape BEFORE hitting the gym (see..it is such a mental thing)...and I am not that overweight, it is the being weak, like....let's start with 1 pound...ugh.
Ok..off to clean and move furniture...that is my weight training today.
I had the need to post since it has been awhile.
Have a great day everyone.
Ali
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Michael Thomas
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« Reply #11 on: March 21, 2009, 11:16:13 AM » |
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Good to hear from you Ali. Keep moving forward. That house work is against my religion.  . Or that is what my wife says. She calls me pigpen. My sons I think are just like me. MT |
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