I wrote this blog on a plane leaving Orlando.  This was long overdue to be published.

Here it is:

As I sit in this airplane I am contemplating some things I have picked up from the recent  seminar here in Orlando.  It’s always these fitness seminars that hit me pretty good.  I guess if you’re learning something then it’s worthwhile.  But I’m not here to discuss seminar topics, okay maybe a couple later down the road.  I want to talk to you about some events that happened before I left.  Plus, it’s been awhile since I’ve written a blog.  I haven’t even titled the blog yet.  It will come.  When it hits me, I’ll emphasize that at “that moment”, and it will be named!  What I do want to talk about is : why events, or life changing situations occur the way they do.  Why me? Why you? Why has this happened to me? Is this fair? Why am I this way? Will I ever get to change?  I want to also emphasize that I am a naturally caring person but there are even limits in caring in that at one point you are just a vampire sucking away at my energy and life source.  Wait Belton, I don’t get it.  Neither do I! Yet you ask me, challenge me, and seek an answer.  I don’t pretend to know everything, but I do know what answer I will give you based off of my experiences.  And you know what’s cool? My experiences are right and true to me and only me.  I only have them to rely on.  So I believe it, and it is up to you to take learning moments from it just as I do from these seminars.  Otherwise, don’t waste my time.

Quote :”What’s the point, I should have been dead.  Probably better that way…”

Ah!  There’s my title!  “I’d rather be dead!”  Nice dark ring to it eh? No not really. And you know why? Because there is a story to it.  Listen up kids.

I was training a friend and client named Mary.  Mary and I have accomplished alot together, and so sessions are fun as I kick her ass, get her results, and we get to catch up on life AFTER we smack talk each other.  It was a beautiful day and so I took her outside to the grassy area underneath the power lines.  LOL! Of course that was a safe idea being underneath all that electricity.  (I know right?…btw I hate it when people say that stupid line).  When I think about it, I was probably trying to create a Marvel Superhero in Mary to represent Element 5 Fitness.  Kinda like an Electro girl!  Anyways, as we were busy training and growing a third arm due to exposing ourselves to gamma radiation and what not, this creepy guy hobbled over to where we were and literally stood there and stared.  He stood there for like 30 minutes just stared! I mean Mary is a looker and all (of course it was from her wonderful training at Element 5 Fitness) and so I didn’t blame him for staring, or maybe it was my devilish good looks glinting from the sun that decided to peek out in it’s normal once a month grandiose presentation.  It was actually very hard to ignore him.  Mary and I decided that something wasn’t right with him and we decided not to write him off as a creep but rather a mentally/physically challenged person.  Upon close observation as our walking lunges closed in on the distance between us and him, we did notice that he was “not all there”.  He finally decided to approach us.  He started a slow process from peeling himself off the pole that he was leaning against, which really was his support system from his disabilities and literally hobbled over to us like a zombie.

Mind you I am trained in Zombie tactical combat so I was ready to retaliate but I was a little freaked out.  But as he got closer something was familiar about his gait.  It looked all too familiar from my years of experience as a trainer, rehab work, and most of all my father who suffered from a stroke and is paralyzed on one side of his body.  This man had suffered some sort of paralysis on the right side of his body.  Seeing that walk brought some hurtful anger as I remembered watching my Dad go through therapy, me taking him through some of those exercises, and me holding him as we walked together towards the altar during my wedding day since he was my best man.  I say hurtful anger and brought those two words together for a reason. Anyways, the guy comes up to me and asks me how I would train someone like him in self defense considering he had limited movement on the one side of his body.  I kindly told him that I was training someone who is paying for my time and that I promised to answer his question if he stopped by the gym.  I was slightly perplexed because I felt his question was really a smokescreen to some other topic or question.  Truth be told, I watched him hobble off across the street towards Jack in the Box and secretly hoped that he was just a head case and that he wouldn’t bother me so that I can leave the gym in time.   Yes I know…..very selfish.  But I wasn’t vibing him and I felt that something was off about it all.

Mary and I finished up and I did not see the guy around.  I was elated thinking I didn’t have to deal with him.  We returned to the gym and put away the equipment and I say good-bye to Mary.  I thought to myself “Yes! Almost out of here!”  But no sooner as my internal celebration began I turned around towards the gym entrance and the guy was hobbling in.

Let me get to the point of this story.  Go back to the QUOTE “What’s the point, I should have been dead.  Probably better that way…”

So the gentleman and I sit down and I’m having this conversation with this guy.  I sit there listening to this 26 year old (I was shocked he was that young!!) talk about how he ended up paralyzed on his right side of his body.  He told me about how he was a young guy riding his bike leisurely when another person who was driving towards him was texting on their phone did not see him.  The person ALMOST hit him but he took evasive action and swerved off to only end up in a deep ditch.  Something must have happened in the process of falling into the ditch when he hit his head that caused a stroke.  As he was telling me this story, I knew he didn’t want exercises, or talk about self-defense tactics.  I also thought of my Father.  Here I am thinking I had hurtful angry feelings (as I had said earlier); but that was nothing compared to what this guy was going through.  He threw some very very tough questions at me and put me in a very uncomfortable position.  He asked me this:

-       “Why did this have to happen to me?”

-       “This isn’t fair!  I’m only 26.  What’s the point in living anyways?”

-       “I can’t find a job, a girlfriend, or live a fulfilling life with my situation”

So, place yourself in my shoes.  You are listening to this and you are caught in a rock and a hard place.  I mean c’mon, what do you say at this point?  I took a chance.  I told him this:

Listen buddy, Life isn’t fair.  Yes you are right that it sucks and it is what it is.  But Nothing in life in MY OPINION is an accident.  Everything happens for a reason.  I’m not trying to sound mean but what happened to you is for a reason…including the very fact that you are sitting in front of me right now.  That person decided to drive their car that day.  That person decided to text and not keep their eyes on the road.  You decided to ride your bike that day.  It is what it is.  We cannot dwell on the what-ifs and what could have been avoided, etc, etc.  It is what it is.  Que sera sera, deal with it, it’s the past.  You talk about not living and ask if it is worth it.  You my friend are being selfish to those who care about you by thinking about those things.  Get that out of your head.  I also FIRMLY believe that we are given only what we can handle and nothing more than that.  You are strong for having to deal with what you are dealing with.  But the question now is what are you going to do about it?  Many people are maximizing their opportunities, having jobs, pursuing relationships, being involved with hobbies and activities.  But to do nothing and accept defeat is unacceptable.  Your negative mindset is a poison to yourself.  Get over it.  You want to learn self defense to protect yourself?  You want to learn exercises to improve your mobility?  You wonder if there is something that can improve your current physical state?  Don’t worry about defending yourself from others.  Defend yourself from YOURSELF.  Block that negativity.  Is there a miracle exercise or exercises you can do to improve your state?  How about just move, stay active keep that brain stimulated.  The body is a magnificent thing.  We think we know everything about the body and yet science is confounded as to what the mind and body can do.  The human spirit is strong and so you must use that to your advantage.  Let go of the past and stop wasting time.  Because of all the variables in life that you CAN control….You cannot control time.

He left pondering.  He didn’t live here.  He was visiting family.  When he left, I gave him my card and said that I am available to him for anything and to keep in touch.  HE said “I’ll try”.  I said NO you don’t try.  YOU DO!.

I truly hope somewhere in Eastern Washington this man has found an answer.  I spoke from the heart and there was much much more I had wanted to say.  I think I made an impact and I think he got it?  I hope he did.  As I walked out of the gym and recapped what I had said to this man I thought one last thing before putting all this to a blog….

I was talking to you…I was talking to my Dad…I was looking at the man in the mirror.  I’m talking to the people who come to Element 5 Fitness, bootcamps, Underground Strength Training, MMA, etc…who give us a goal and excuses along with it.  I’m still talking about YOU!

What’s your excuse?  I heard his…

Your Fitness Coach,

Belton

Here’s our video submissions for the Kirkland Winter Fitness Challenge hosted by the Central Park Tennis Club. Team 1 comprised of three of our employees, and Team 2 comprised of two of our female boot camp clients and Belton Lubas (co-owner). Unfortunately, Belton had a last minute injury and his results are unofficial (and unfortunately were not video recorded).

TEAM 1 Total Points = 6,203

Linden
Pushups = (24) 816, Shuttle = (21) 798, Rower = (680m) 730
Total = 2,344

Kelly
Pushups = (13) 442, Shuttle = (20) 760, Rower = (665m) 715
Total = 1,917

Drew
Pushups = (22) 506, Shuttle = (21) 735, Rower = 701m
Total = 1,942

TEAM 2 Total Points = 4,328

Kristin
Pushups = (18) 612, Shuttle = (21) 798, Rower = (672m) 722
Total = 2,132

Theresa
Pushups = (20) 680, Shuttle = (21) 798, Rower = (668m) 718
Total = 2,196

Diabetes, Needles, and Heart Attacks

First off, apologies for the lateness of this blog.  I write this currently with a dislocated Rib, put back in place, and I sit in pain.  But, I WILL OVERCOME!!  Anyways, as many of you have read on the first blog, my “why” has been stated and gives a deep reason for me to refer to if I even THINK of trying to quit.  But on the last blog I left off speaking about my life growing up and going back as far as 30 years.  If you understood this part of my life, maybe it will paint the bigger picture.  Read on fellow Fitness Warrior!

I WAS A FAT KID

I grew up in a household that saw heart attacks, Diabetes, Insulin shots every morning, decaying health, and a lifestyle not conducive to longevity.  It was this Island culture of laid back-ness, island lifestyle and diet, and family environment that created the mindset that my inevitable path was to inherit bad health due to the genes and the cards that I was dealt with.  Because of this, it has pushed me towards seeking a health profession degree in college so that I can make a difference.   But, time catches up on people.  I didn’t make an impact to those I love and because of that I lost both my father’s parents, my father had his first heart attack at age 49, an Angioplasty, and then finally a stroke that left the right side of his body paralyzed.  You would think that studying Physical Therapy in College, seeing the medical financial burden placed on my family, and the deaths and decaying health of family members would be enough to prompt me to get my act together.  After all, I was a fat kid growing up, and Cardiovascular Heart Disease runs in my family.

PISSED OFF, COMMITMENT, EXECUTION, and my BIG “WHY”!

So we are back to Orlando.  During the last presentor mentioned, I decided to walk out and call my wife.  I was mad!  I was pissed off.  I thought of my Baby, my Wife, my family, my business, clients, those that look to me for fitness education, thought of those famous words by Zach Even-Esh “LEAD FROM THE FRONT!!!”.

Talking to my wife, I said “Babe when I come home, we are taking a garbage bag through our refridgerator, cupboards, and making some serious drastic changes.  Now mind you we weren’t “that bad”.  But with my family history, mediocre is deadly.  I was sobbing on the phone as I told Amanda “I’ll be damned if Abrielle has to go through what I went through and see family members suffer.  That is NOT the world she needs to see or be exposed to!”  The thought of Abrielle not having a chance to know her grandfather (my Dad), watch the insulin shots, maybe even possibly experience her OWN Father go through a Heart Attack.  Nope, the time is NOW!  Your turn to get pissed off!

The Solution

An awesome strength coach said this “Everything Works, Nothing Works Forever”.  Keep that in mind because this (my protocol) worked for me and so don’t go berserk and start following a plan without some thought into it and then when your results don’t happen start looking for something or someone to blame.  Because you can always starve yourself, not eat, lose water weight, try another fad diet, blah blah blah.  Hey get some advice, guidance, or at least consult with me.   So let me get to the point.  Here’s my exact plan that I started Oct. 24th and by Nov. 19th I was down 25 lbs.

-  Mag Pulse Fast

THe link above leads directly to the site and some great info.  BUt let me sum it up directly from their site.

The MAG-10 Pulse Fast

“It’s really exciting… we’re seeing potent thermogenic effects combined with enhanced anabolic activity in muscle — all from a single strategy.

Fasting over a 36-hour period, while pulsing with doses of MAG-10, enhances insulin sensitivity in both muscle and fat cells. Due to the fasting state, the loaded MAG-10 formula hits the bloodstream super fast and sends what amounts to an anabolic shockwave right into the muscle. At the same time, fat cells are signaled to release their contents for fuel.

As the body responds to this pulse-fast strategy, muscle cells become increasingly sensitive to the anabolic formula of MAG-10, fat cells shrink, and the systemic urge to eat is reduced.

In essence, we’re reprogramming the body to function as an easy gainer — the physique begins to automatically morph into that muscular-lean look of a bodybuilder.”

So I pulsed two times a week with a three day separation time between the pulse.  I ONLY pulsed for 2 weeks straight then dropped to my last pulse on the third week.

Besides the Day of the Pulse itself I then went to a……….

-  THE VELOCITY DIET

Straight from the link above:

“Those who haven’t read much about the Velocity Diet often assume it’s just a “crazy starvation diet.” It’s a commonly held misconception. The truth is, the V-Diet:

• Provides five feedings per day. You’re eating a few hundred calories every three hours or so. That’s hardly “starving.”
• Provides more calories than most popular and widely accepted clinical diet plans, not to mention the canned-drink plans advertised on TV.
• Provides more than a gram of protein per pound of lean-body weight.
• Provides more healthy fats, especially omega-3s, than the average non-dieter consumes.
• Provides substantially more fiber per day than the average non-dieter consumes.”

This diet followed on the days I DIDN”T PULSE FAST.  So, I had this on the off days.  I exercised, modified some things, but for the most part followed the theory/template.

Lastly, I read the book from Robb Wolf called “The Paleo Solution” and that was my transition diet OFF the Pulse and Velocity.  I also bought Loren Cogdain’s books regarding Paleo Diet Nutrition.  Granted I ate like CRAP on the main holidays (i.e. Thanksgiving and Xmas, New Years, sometimes a day or after).  But, as you will read there is a huge carry over effect from these Pulses.

WHERE AM I NOW?

Today, from my Original weight of 206 I am 176 lbs.  I held off the supposed “weight gain” that occurs from losing weight fast.  Bah!  Some people scoffed when I told them I gained 10lbs in three days during Thanksgiving and lost ALL 10 lbs that I gained that following Monday!  One day later!!  So what’s in the FUTURE?

Well, I am looking at Intermittent Fasting, reading up some more on some other protocols, fine tuning the process, and then focusing on dropping into the 160s and stepping in the ring to fight.  I have also helped some others get started in the the program I have combined.  I did not create this mind you.  I read, researched and combined some great combos.  I modified a little here and there.  I got help from my business partner Rommel Acda.  As for those I have helped?  So far, one of my ladies has lost 10 pounds in less than 3 weeks (She DID NOT DO THE FAST, OR VELOCITY..Paleo Nutrition only yes!).  Another has gotten rid of that stubborn post-baby pooch and is fitting into clothes she hasn’t been in (PALEO only)!  One other JUST started the Mag pulse and velocity and lost 6lbs in ONE WEEK!  Two others are starting in February.  There’s about 3 others I can think of with awesome results.  SO far…hmm…that’s 100% success rate on all that has followed what I have helped laid out for them.  They are also attending Element 5 Fitness Bootcamps and getting their exercises done.

Here’s the deal guys….You can read this, run with it, succeed or fail.  Either way, the key to it all is having a very deep rooted base reason for wanting to do this.  BEcause when you are faced with temptations, and rough times as you go through this journey….you NEED to refer back to that reason.  I had my baby girl and my wife to look at EVERYDAY.  I imagined dying and not being around for them.  It hurt that bad.  If you cannot find that reason, don’t even bother.  The deeper the reason, the greater the results, the better execution, the stronger accountability.  Your lame ass shallow reason will produce lame ass results. Or not.

If you want help, feel free to email me…BUT leave a comment stating your reason FIRST or if it is too private then state that you already have one and then we can chat after you email me.  You must leave a comment!  After you do that, I will have known you read my blog, then email me at belton@element5fitness.com.

Everything works, but Nothing works forever…

Peace

Belton

Happy Holidays From Element 5 Fitness from Rommel Acda on Vimeo.

Element 5 Fitness is giving back to the Kirkland community and surrounding Eastside communities during this Thanksgiving!

Just bring a can of food and you can workout at Kirkland’s leading fitness boot camp from November 25-28 for free. Belton Lubas and Rommel Acda, owners of Strong and Sexy Bootcamps, calls them “Turkey-Busting Workouts” because they burn off those monstrous calories we all consume on Thanksgiving.

“We’re planning on making this an annual tradition here,” says Acda, “because Thanksgiving is such a wonderful family and friends holiday, and a time to show our appreciation for all we have, especially our health.”

Strong and Sexy Bootcamps is open to all Kirkland residents and their family and friends on November 25th thru 28th with a class 6am Wednesday thru Friday and 9am on Saturday. Evening time is 6pm on Wednesday night. The cost of admission is just one can of food (preferably vegetables), otherwise it’s completely free to everyone who wants a great workout with fun people.

“All that we ask is that folks register in advance by emailing info@element5fitness.com with the subject line: Turkey-Busting Workouts, so we can be sure we have enough equipment on hand to accommodate everyone,” says Lubas. “Boot camp is perfect for all folks regardless of age or fitness level – we make everyone feel welcome and customize the workouts so everybody gets what they need.”

Strong and Sexy Bootcamps’ Turkey-Busting Workouts will be held at the Element 5 Fitness Training Center located at 11626 Slate Ave NE Suites 4&5 Kirkland, Wa 98034; The training center is located behind Napa Auto Parts on Slater Ave.

“We anticipate a great turnout because folks enjoy working out with family, friends and friendly people; and lastly because we’re supporting a great cause through The Hopelink Foundation. It’s a great way for us to give thanks for our health, our families, friends and good fortune, and help others who are less fortunate at the same time,” explains Acda.