Early in the morning, on July 4, I was jolted awake by steaming coffee. I needed the caffeine to begin my intense exercise routine, which I complete six days a week.
I walked to the cafeteria for breakfast, seeking out foods high in protein, like meats or eggs. I gulped down an 8-ounce milk carton for extra protein. Then when the yard opened up at 7:45, I put in my earbuds to encourage myself with blaring music.
I stretched my muscles first. After my body was pliable, I looked to my running partner and shouted, “Let’s go!”
For about 1.3 miles we bolted around the prison recreation yard track, weaving past walkers. We completed the run in under 10 minutes. Huffing and puffing, sweat blotched our clothes. We cooled down, walking the track for another mile. I found an empty picnic table and took a break to eat a delicious protein bar. Then I downed 16 ounces of tap water, and took two amino acid tablets to prepare myself for intense bodyweight exercises.
As soon as I regained my energy, I walked through gravel to the weight piles. My favorite exercise is dips because those give me my broad shoulders and popping pecs. In all six sets I did, I maxed out until I was teetering and couldn’t ascend anymore.
Exhausted from dips, I shifted to skullcrushers, a triceps workout. I knew I was working the back arms when I felt burning and swelling.
Once my upper body was depleted, I walked to a surface for explosive pushups. Because of the prior tricep exercises it felt like I was lifting pounds of bricks. With each pushup, I grimaced and grunted.
My rule has always been the same: max out in every set until I can’t do any more — even if the muscles beg for mercy. I thankfully finished my routine. I’ll abuse the biceps another day. Before I headed back to housing, I took time to chat with friends.
It was then time to minister to my fatigued muscles with more food. My veins were bulging and I prepared a hefty lunch of three 3.5-ounce mackerel fish packs atop puffy white rice seasoned in garlic and oregano. I ate a pleasing snack cake to reward myself.
All afternoon, I continued to grub on high-protein snacks. Peanuts are my favorite; I crunched on them until my jaws were exhausted. I washed the food down with 32 ounces of water and two more amino acids.
My final meal was a spicy soup with a chilorio — a pork dish from the Mexican state of Sinaloa. That seasoned meat had a banging 52 grams of protein. After a warm shower at 4 p.m., I laid down and took a nap.
