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Thread: motivateYu's Journey to the Top

  1. #1
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    Default motivateYu's Journey to the Top

    Hey guys, its Yu here. Just wanted to start this to perhaps motivate some more guys to be more active in their lives because health is an important part of everyone's lives.

    Before I left for my surgery, I kind of left off on a sour note with some. I just wanted to say that the posts I made were childish and perhaps a by-product of my frustration from my illness.

    Anyways, I just want to share with you my life and the struggles I've dealt with.

    I have been through something that has handicapped my life for so long, and some call it epic what I have accomplished, but to me it is just another step in life. The reaction I have gotten from people with this story has been warming and motivating. I just hope to be able to at least put a smile on your face, and motivate you to do something you love. This is my life...

    I was born with a genetic disease called "Wilson's disease", I basically can't get rid of the copper in my body. It wasn't until 2007-2008 that I was diagnosed with this extremely rare disease. I was my liver specialists first patient in his entire practice, lucky me... At this point my liver was already damage significantly but my doctor reassured me that it was possible to maintain my health and keep the disease at bay.

    In the next few years my body and health began to whither. No matter how hard my doctor tried, my liver's health continued to go down, it became cirrhotic. This was basically end stage liver disease. During this time is how many of my friends and family have come to know me. Other than my jaundiced appearance, many of you would not know that I was severely ill. I never showed it, I didn't want to worry those I loved.

    With a cirrhotic liver, the likelihood of developing cancer is quite high, and in 2011 this happened. During 2010 fall semester finals, I received this news from my doctor and was also told it was time to start getting me a new liver. I felt so alone at these times, all my family was in Calgary when I was up in Edmonton for school. It was really my fault too because i would tell them i was fine and that i would never quit. There were nights where I cried myself to sleep, but I wake up forcing myself to smile. I smile and joke so my classmates and friends didn't have to worry, it was tough but I stayed strong.
    In January I got my first chemo TACE therapy to destroy my hepato cellular carcinoma. With the following scans I was told it was successful. With a routine follow up scan 1 month later, I got more bad news, once again during finals in march (does anyone else see a pattern here!?!). The news? I was booked for another TACE at the end of march.

    The second time I had to go in, my growth was even a larger than before. This second treatment left me damaged physically, broken. I had chronic pain and now became a prisoner to pain killers. From march to the eventual operation date I would force myself to ween off the morphine and fentanyl. It was difficult, I had chills, cold sweats, loss of appetite, major fatigue, all signs of withdrawal. Only at the few odd times I used a bit of morphine to help ween myself down at a more comfortable rate. I didn't want to let this drug get a hold of me and control my life.

    On May 15th, my fathers birthday was when I got the call that I was finally placed on the transplant recipient list. I don't know who got the better present that day, my father or I? It was this day my brother did the most selfless act of all, he wished to be my donor. It was a touching moment but my brother and I know we would do the same if the situation were reversed. I was so happy I wanted to celebrate with a few close friends. Unfortunately several of them were too busy and didn't have time. It hurt a lot but I knew that I can't let that bring me down, I will stay strong, I will persevere.

    Stephen began doing tests to see if he was a viable match. With each completed test it seemed to be great news but a lot of mystery was involved as updates were few and seldom. We started to get projected time spans for the surgery, early June, mid June, late June, early July, it all sounded like empty words. A test of my will. I got sick of getting excited and swore that ill believe it when the day comes.

    September 2012, the real call came, operation date October 1st. I had only a bit more than one week to prepare. I wanted to see as many friends as I could, as this may be the last time... The amount of people that showed up blew my mind and it instilled in me the strength to carry through. The night before my surgery, no fear, no questions, just a mind filled with simple and joyful thoughts. On operation date, my brother and I lieing in the waiting room, nothing but silence. I'm guessing you guys can figure out that the surgery was a success

    Here I am now, happier than ever. Everyday I wake up with a smile.


    In the past, beyond helped me by entertaining me and by just kill time in my boring, and sedentary days. Now I want to give back to the community. Try to give you guys some motivation to exercise.

    I go to the gym MWF at Edgemont WHC, and it has been only 42-43 days since my surgery! I love the gym now, much more than I used to. If any of you work out there, shoot me a PM, would love to meet more people.

    Some long term goals of mine are to break some personal records I have set in the past:

    Body weight: 120 lbs
    Bench Press: 100 lbs @ 5 reps
    Dead Lift: 275 lbs @ 5 reps
    Squat: 205 lbs @ 5 reps

    Currently:
    Body weight: 110 lbs
    Bench Press: Unknown (don't want to put pressure on abdominal)
    Dead Lift: Unknown *read bench press
    Squat: 20 lbs on bosu ball @ 10 reps


    I know what I have is a long journey to get back where I want to be, but I crave going to the gym now to increase my health and overall to show people that "if a transplant guy can work so hard, maybe you can too!"

    Thanks for reading and I hope to update this at least once a week.

  2. #2
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    Congrats and good luck with everything in the future. Never knew what was going on, but very happy for you that everything is fine now. Inspiring to read your story, I wish you a speedy recovery and hope you can get to your goals fast! Goes to show that one should never take life for granted.

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    Wow, you've been through a lot. A good fitness routine should help keep your mind and body on top of things. I'd definitely consult with your doctor on the types of training and exercises you can do to not stress your body too much as you heal, but maintaining a healthy lifestyle should help you make the most of the rest of your life!

    Good luck; this community is always here for support!

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    Good for you man. Stay strong and keep that motivation working for you!

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    Thanks everyone, the current routine I am on is given to me by my transplant physical therapist.

    The doctors are aware of my efforts in the gym and love my enthusiasm. I too want to spread this kind of mentality in the gym.


    Today was a stat holiday??? Reeery? More like GYM DAY!!

    Wow! was there a lot of people at WHC today, it took me 10 minutes of waiting in the parking lot to get a spot #noQuitting

    It was 9:30AM and I thought I'd be the select few who want to go to the gym at that time, WRONG.

    Every time I work out there, I can't help but stare at the power rack, it's my goal, its my buddy, and I can't wait to rejoice with it one day. People must think I'm in love with that thing because I stare at it for a fair bit each workout to remind me of my goal.

    Also, although my YouTube channel may not be all about fitness, I did make it to at least try to put a smile on people's faces. So if you ever feel down, I hope that my videos can at least cheer some of you guys up.


    http://www.youtube.com/user/motivateYu?feature=mhee

    Just a little preview, don't mind the cracking voice

    I feel like I'm hitting puberty all over ever since that transplant


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    Anyone needing a little confidence? Do something that makes you uncomfortable, force yourself out of your comfort level.

    I certainly tried, and the feeling you get is wonderful after you do it.

    People asked "why?", "why waste your time?", and said things like "have fun...", "he's not going to write back", and more things to try to create clouds of doubt over my head and to make me question myself.

    I certainly ignored it, and did something that probably won't get me anywhere or even a reply.

    I wrote to Raven's linebacker, #52, Ray Lewis.

    I might fail in trying to get a reply back from Ray Lewis when I wrote a letter to him, but it is one of the possibilities that can happen. If I didn't write to him, that is the only possibility.

    After you do something uncomfortable and feel that you succeeded, you get a strong boost in confidence. You just showed yourself you can do something you might not have done if you sat down to think about it. When people sit idle and start to ask questions, it often leads to creating doubt. Screw questions, just do it!


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    Did you say Ray Lewis?

    Here you go



    Also, I agree. What is your greatest fear? Go and conquer it. Fears, like limits, are often just an illusion.

    For me, it was swimming. A year ago I could not even put my head in the water. Now I can swim continuous laps in the pool. I proceeded to do the same with snowboarding, ice hockey and yoga. I can squat and deadlift 2 plates, press 2/3 my body weight and bench my weight 5X.

    It's the journey, not the destination you often hear. Think of how far you've come along.

    You can do it. Go kill it bud!
    Originally posted by rage2
    Shit, there's only 49 users here, I doubt we'll even break 100
    I am user #49

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    haha good on you, Boost!

    I didn't know it was a fear of yours, I do remember you asking questions about a swimming program and such. I'm glad you conquered it.


    Yea, Ray Lewis is my hero. I watched as many videos of him when I was laying in bed on the Unit. Gave me the motivation to pull my ass out of bed even when I was hooked up to 15 different lines going in and out of places you don't want to know. It hurt everyday to get up and move, but it hurt more to know that I can't be home with my family and friends. That was the single driving force in my recovery.


    I agree, it is not the destination.


    Also a favorite of mine from Ray Lewis, "its not what you achieve in life, its the impact you leave behind"

    Everyday when I get the chance to be around friends and family, all I want to do is create moments to impact their lives in a positive way.

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    What an awesome day, 2hrs+ and didn't want to leave.


    My routine is pretty simple.

    Bosu Ball Squats 3x10
    Leg Press 3x10
    Hamstring Curls 3x10
    Seated calf raises 3x10
    Lat Pull downs 3x10
    Bent over tricep 3x10
    Vertical Bench 3x10
    Seated Bench 3x10
    Concentration curls 3x10
    Shoulder Press 3x10
    Lateral Raises 3x10


    I think next week I might step into the rack, or at least start doing deadlifts and squats. My core is feeling better now and tricep pull downs don't seem to put an ass load of pressure like it used to.

    Also fun times getting a kick out of people who see my scar when I change. faces every where.

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    lol people probably think you're some bad ass who got knifed or something! haha

    Keep up the good work.

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    thank you for sharing.

    may good health find you.

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    So the rack did not happen, still limited by 20 lbs on the squat. Man it's rough to see my lower body reduced to this...

    Anyways, no slowing down this boy.

    Just measured my weight, and I am at 115 lbs. My visible ribs are slowly fading away as my chest begins to grow.

    Feels so great to see such quick gains in these 2 months, but I'll be getting a liver biopsy sometime tonight or tomorrow and don't know if that will affect me in terms of going to the gym or not.


    Life doesn't seem to get easier even after all this! lol. Although this is just a walk in the park compared to what I have already been through.

    Keep working hard people.

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    Your story is quite touching and here's to great health!

    Stay strong and keep rocking the free world!

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    Even when life is going great, you can always get side tracked.

    Back in the hospital since Friday because of possible rejection of the liver but everything seems to be panning out well.

    No gym in the foothills unfortunately... Lol

    My urgent biopsy report went to non urgent because I was recovering strong. I guess that's a good thing at least...

    Anyways routine is a lot smaller but I make do

    20x5 free weight deep squats
    30x3 free weight lunges
    Walk a couple of Kms around the unit.

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    So recently, I decided to challenge myself to see how close to the crossfit games I can get to. Mainly to show that cancer and transplantation is just an obstacle in life, and to see what my body's limits are.

    Also all this tough mudder talk and mud hero has got me excited as well. Unfortunately I will not be going to compete in them this year but I am looking forward to challenge myself (don't feel like popping out my liver if i fall in the course lol)


    I don't really know much about crossfit and everything, and I definitely cannot afford to go to a crossfit gym seeing how I am unemployed and also not allowed to work. I decided to look at some WODs and decided to try them out. Of course these are scaled way down.

    WOD: Cindy - Do as many rounds as possible in 20 minutes

    1 round =

    5 Pull-ups
    10 Push Ups
    15 Squats

    this I modified to a suggested beginner routine

    Do as many rounds as possible in 10 minutes

    3 Pull-ups (assisted with 90 lbs)
    6 Push ups (knee push ups)
    9 Squats


    I was only able to pump out 9 rounds in the 10 minutes allowed.

    The 90 lbs might be a bit too much assistance It was a lot harder a week ago, I swear...

    Along with this routine when I finished the 10 minutes I followed up with more exercises

    Cable Lat Pull Downs 3x10 @ 70lbs
    Overhead Tricep Extensions 3x10 @ 10 lbs
    Trice Pull Downs 3x10 @ 30 lbs
    Seated Bench Press 3x10 @ 40lbs
    Leg Press 3xFailure @ 100 lbs (15, 15, 15)
    Shoulder Press 3x10 @ 20 lbs


    Also if people are interested, the crossfit site puts up a WOD (Workout of the Day) everyday on the main page.

    http://www.crossfit.com/

    And people also take these workouts and scale them down for people that are interested. You can find the scaled workouts at this site.

    http://www.crossfitbrandx.com/index..../viewforum/16/

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    December 4th 2012


    AMRAP (As many rounds as possible) for 20 minutes
    1 round = 10x 95lbs thrusters and 10 push ups


    Scaled down:

    10x 20 lbs thrusters
    10x knee push ups


    So I cheated a bit, because I clearly bit off more than I can chew.

    I only did 10 minutes of this, and was only able to complete 5 rounds. My muscles were burning and I clearly was not mentally strong enough.

    I felt guilty, so as soon as I finished my WOD, I went over to the rowing machine and did 1000m row for time.

    1000m row @ 5:25 Once again pretty piss poor IMO, but I think I should take it easy on myself sometimes, I keep forgetting I had surgery 2 months ago...



    Anyways, I am starting my little journey to crossfit, or at the very least, Tough Mudder 2013. I don't have a team yet but would love to make one as I plan to encourage friends and strangers to come to the Beacon Hill Good life at set times (when I figure something out) and train together in the studio when its not in use.



    Of course today is my rest day, and I am trying to upload my video from last night, but my POS laptop is not built for video editing. I've been encoding for 7hours and have 2.5 hours left...I really need to figure out something about these videos, perhaps cut them into clips.


    But anyways, if any of you go exercise at the Beacon Hill location, please drop me a PM, would love to meet some beyond members.

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    Keep at it.


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    Man I am kind of glad I taped my piss poor push ups. Didn't know my form was that bad!

    Anyways I hope the production of these videos get better as I get some help from people since I don't know a lick of editing...

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    Man, anyone got tips on training for marathons?

    I ran a pizzly 2 miles today, and a marathon is around 23 miles!

    Granted if I ran any faster than I already was, my incisions didn't feel too great!

    2 miles in 24:45 minutes

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