Max Muscle lends a hand By Robert Casaus Max Muscle of Rio Rancho has generously offered to take care of my nutrition plan for the remainder of my training. Team Jackson’s member Rocky Ramirez, who works at Max Muscle, and operates the Fight City Fight Shop out of the same vicinity, will head up my diet, and monitor my weight throughout the duration of my training. Midway through week two, I made my way to the locally owned and operated supplemental shop to see where my nutrition levels stood this early in my training. I wasn’t too excited to learn the statistics. But after two years of college and weekly beer pong tournaments, I wasn’t expecting much. I mean, it was obvious just by taking off my shirt and looking in the mirror that I wasn’t in the best of shape. Here are the results: Height: 6’0" Weight: 172 Body Fat Percentage: 12.22% Arms: 13.25 inches (Flexed) Chest: 39" Waist: 36" Thighs: 18.5" Calves: 13.5" Here are the goals: Weight: 158 lbs. Body fat percentage: 7% To accomplish these goals, Rocky entered all of my data into the Max Muscle computer, along with my workout regimen, and current diet. The computer then took all of the data and formulated my new “Fight Diet.” Keep in mind, this can be done for any athlete or any nutritional goal, everything done at Max Muscle is 100% custom. I won’t get into the details of my new diet, but I will say this; it consists of 3000 calories per day, and six small meals. While I appreciate having a nutritionist in my corner, let me say this… This diet sucks! Training enters third week I have finally graduated from the local gym downtown, where my workouts were mainly focused on endurance building and technique. The Jack Candelaria Community Center, which is more commonly referred to as the San Jose Community Center, is most definitely a place where champions are made. Walking into the new gym for the first time is almost too much to handle. The smell, the atmosphere, the fighter presence, and the overall environment for me, became immediately addicting. Coach Calleros gave me the grand tour, and I couldn’t help but feel as if I walked onto the set of “Rocky III.” Every fighter in the gym has what Apollo Creed labeled “the eye of the tiger,” a look that I would, one day, like to discover. I took immediate notice to the pictures on the walls, and the case dedicated to Albuquerque’s own Johnny Tapia. “Every fighter who has his picture on the wall, gave blood sweat and tears, to earn their spot,” Coach told me noticing my intrigue. I couldn’t help but notice that Coach had earned his spot on the wall, alongside my new teammate Jessica “Diamond” Sanchez. “Are you going to be the next representative of Team Calleros to have a spot on the wall,” he asked. Before allowing me to answer he handed me the jump rope, we bowed in and class got started. I really noticed the improvement, after another successful workout. I still acknowledge that my skill level is still far from what is needed even for a debut amateur fight, but I will get there. In a gym where champions are made, I can accept nothing less than a dominating workout every time I step into San Jose. Week Three ended with my first “Team Workout,” Coach and Jessica joined in on this one, alongside a new addition to our team. I felt honored to have the opportunity to workout with two world champions. Unfortunately, I was shown firsthand how much more improvement was needed on my part. Coach and Jessica showed us how it was really done, and right then and there, I moved myself back down on the 10 scale. After finishing last week with a self declared 1 on the scale, I finish week three with a ".5” Damn it! # # #