Great things happen in Paris! We're engaged!

Just wanted to make the public announcement that Keri and I got engaged in Paris on October the 7th. It was the day before our 3 year anniversary and I asked her to marry me. We have had a great 3 years together and have so much in common. We live the same lifestyle with competing and all and both support each other in all that we do. That has always been very important to me. It is not an easy lifestyle. Boring food, having to be unsociable at times and the strict workout regiment can be hard on a relationship but we have learned to work through all of these obstacles together and continue to grow stronger. I am very happy and proud to have her as my fiancee and look forward to spending our life together. I am so proud of her and all that she has accomplished over the past couple of years. This past year she has been placing very well on the national level. Keri placed in the top 5 at the Jr. USA'S and the top 10 at the Jr Nationals after taking the overall at the 2008 N.P.C Metrolina. We look forward to many special years together and hope to both have a successful year competing next year.

I will update you guys soon on my future progress in the gym and maybe some off season pics now that I'm back in the gym and feeling better after both of my shoulder surgeries. I'm almost starting to feel normal in the gym again lol. Until next time.... Train Insane! Pat

Back at it again!

Just wanted to update all of you on whats going on with me now with the shoulder surgeries and all. Well, Its been about 7 weeks since my second shoulder surgery and I'm back in the gym again. I have been training again now for about 13 days. It feels great to be back in there again! I am still having a little pain in my left shoulder which was the last one I had surgery on, but that is to be expected. The inflammation stays in there for about 8-12 weeks after surgery. I found this out on the first shoulder surgery. All in all I have a much better range of motion. I am very excited to get back in there and start my off season journey for next years season. I hope to have a productive one. It will be shorter than normal but I have already gotten my weight back up to around 200 so I am going to shoot for about 210-215 this off season. I have got to get my apatite up though in order to meet these goals. I am struggling in that department lately. Any way... Stay tuned and I will post some pics in about 2-3 weeks as I get back into the gym to let you guys know what I'm looking like. Thanks as always for stopping by and for your support! Until next time, Train Insane!

Surgery is needed on left shoulder now!

Well, I just got the word that I also have a bone spur in my left shoulder also. I will be going through the exact same surgery on my left shoulder now as I went through with my right one. I was bummed to find out surgery is needed but I guess this is the best surgery i could have have as far as recovery time. I hope all goes as smooth as the other shoulder surgery went. I am Looking forward to being able to get back in the gym. I have not lifted with the exceptions of a couple of leg workouts at all now for about 13 weeks. I am about to go crazy! I am scheduled to have my surgery on the 2nd of May and should be back in the gym again a few weeks after. I have been eating pretty clean and all but its hard to stay motivated when you can train. I plan on getting in about 3 good leg workouts before the surgery. I will check back in later to let you guys know how it goes. Thanks for checking in with me and until next time... Train Insane for me! Pat

another injury?

Hello all. Well its been a long time since I have given any kind of update on me and my plans so I thought I would let everyone know what’s up with me. So, I got back into the gym for about 2 weeks after my shoulder surgery and started having pains and issues with my other shoulder. Yes, I’m not kidding. I cannot believe this. I have not had any kind of pain in my left shoulder at all ever and out of the blue just shortly after getting released on the right shoulder bam! I was at the Arnold Classic with my sponsor Prolab and thought I would go grab a quick workout Friday morning before the expo began. I hit al little bit of shoulders chest and arms and had a decent workout considering it was one of my first shoulder workouts since surgery. By the time I had gotten back to the room my other shoulder was hurting so bad and also my sub-scap that I could hardly lift my left arm. I could not understand what was going on. After making it back home from the Arnold I immediately went to my Doctor who did my previous surgery and he put me on prednisone for the swelling and said for us not to jump the gun on having surgery but that there was a great chance that the other side would require the same type of surgery. He said it was very common to have this going on on both sides. I have only had a couple of work outs since coming off of the prednisone and then it flared back up again. I have a follow up appointment on the 1st of April and I guess we will go from there. I am so discouraged with all of this and hate that is is going to prob effect my plans for this year as far as competing and what not. I will have to do what ever is necessary to get back on track though so that I can get back to it. This is my lifestyle and my passion and I will have to take one day at a time until I can get back to normal training. I will replay with any updates after my visit to the doctor and hope things work out sooner than later. Thanks for stopping in and please keep me in your prayers. Until next time. Train Insane fro me! Pat

About 6 weeks after surgery....

Well...
I'm back in the gym again but I'm certainly not 100% by any means. I am trying to deal with the aftermath of pain. I am very limited to what exersises i can do at this point. I am still trying to get my schedule back on track and to get my mind right. Its very hard to feel so limited when I am so anxious to get back to slinging weight. I do not want to cause any further injuries though as my tendons are still trying to recover from the damage that the spurs caused. I know they are trying to heal ans I'm continuing to put stress on them by getting back into the gym but I cant stand to sit around after work doing nothing. Its just not my lifestyle. I have to stay active or I get in a funk. I went for my follow up apt today with my Doc. and he said everything looked good and that the pain I was feeling was normal. I will continue to press on and to try and keep from any further atrophy. I Will continue to try and get my calories up and to keep blood in my muscles. I know all of you can understand my frustrations if you have ever been hurt and the injury totally changes your daily routine. I pray that I will get back to what I love very soon with 100% intensity.
I will be attending the Fit Expo in L.A. on the 15 of February. I am trying to get some of my size back before then. I will be one of the only athletes running the Prolab booth. If your out and about at that event come by and say hi. Until next time.... Train Insane!

Post op report

Ok.. so its exactly one week after my surgery and I am back at work. I had two bone spurs removed and a slight tear repaired in my shoulder. I am working now without a sling and seem to be getting around better every day. I have still alot of brusing and some swelling. I start physical therapy tomorrow and well see hot it goes but I dont think im going to ned to go much as I already know the exersizes they want me to do. I hope to be back at it 100% in 4-5 weeks. The doc seems to think that I will have a 100% recovery and should be able to get back at it for next year. I hate the set back with the progress I was making but its all part of the game. If you want to play.. you have to pay, some times. Until next time... Train Insane! P

My diagnosis from the Doc.

Ok,
So I went for a follow up visit after getting my MRI on Tuesday of last week and I was Diagnosed as having a bone spur that was digging into my shoulder tendon. This is better news than I expected since I was originally told it was prob. a cartilage tear. I still would prefur not to have surgery but unfortunately.. I don't have a choice, if I want to be pain free and want to train 100%. I have taken the last 3 weeks off with the exception of one leg day per week. I will continue to hit my legs and hopefully I can get in to have this spur removed towards the end of December. I am going crazy already not being able to train upper body but the pain is too much. I will keep you all posted and once again I appreciate all of the support from all of my fans and family and friends. Take care all and of course.....Train Insane!!