Derrick's ongoing journey
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Derrick
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Thanks Juni! I'm really sorry that I just can't figure out how to get mentally healthy. I continue to grow increasingly irritable and angry. I have not been depressed, just happy, irritable or both. I sleep well when I take my serequel but I have bad nightmares, almost demonic shit. I often sleep talk or scream. It really sucks and it is quite scary sometimes. I might have to stop taking serequel. Then I won't be able to sleep again.
Physically I am doing quite well. My PT and I are finally focusing on heavy lifting. Today I benched 250 pounds for the first time ever. That totally crushes my previous best, 215. I now believe I might be able to reach 300+ within the next two or three months. I was totally stoked about it because I have never been very strong, especially in the bench press.
My weight is actually around 224 lately but my body fat has gone down which may suggest that I really am gaining muscle. Or maybe the scale just sucks.
Nutrition has been easy because I am encouraged to eat quite a bit as long as it isn't junk food.
That's all for now. Take care everyone.
Physically I am doing quite well. My PT and I are finally focusing on heavy lifting. Today I benched 250 pounds for the first time ever. That totally crushes my previous best, 215. I now believe I might be able to reach 300+ within the next two or three months. I was totally stoked about it because I have never been very strong, especially in the bench press.
My weight is actually around 224 lately but my body fat has gone down which may suggest that I really am gaining muscle. Or maybe the scale just sucks.
Nutrition has been easy because I am encouraged to eat quite a bit as long as it isn't junk food.
That's all for now. Take care everyone.
Derrick
New member
My shoulders and chest feel like I lifted 250 pounds the other day. Oh wait, I did. 
All jokes aside, I am SORE! I love it though.
I did 30 minutes of walking at 3.5 mph at a 3.5 degree incline. Just enough to burn some fat and loosen up my muscles. I followed it with some moderate stretching.
I continue to eat a lot of protein and what I consider decent carbs. For the most part I'm avoiding junk food but not completely.
I plan on continuing with this muscle and strength building at least until October 1st, perhaps even until Christmas. I'm not sure yet. Once I decide I've added enough strength and muscle, I'll post some photos. Then I plan on shifting the focus to serious fat loss with a major emphasis on cardio. I may even start training for another triathlon.
All jokes aside, I am SORE! I love it though. I did 30 minutes of walking at 3.5 mph at a 3.5 degree incline. Just enough to burn some fat and loosen up my muscles. I followed it with some moderate stretching.
I continue to eat a lot of protein and what I consider decent carbs. For the most part I'm avoiding junk food but not completely.
I plan on continuing with this muscle and strength building at least until October 1st, perhaps even until Christmas. I'm not sure yet. Once I decide I've added enough strength and muscle, I'll post some photos. Then I plan on shifting the focus to serious fat loss with a major emphasis on cardio. I may even start training for another triathlon.
Derrick
New member
Update:
Friday the 13th I did a full body circuit type workout with my PT at noon. I had to lie on the floor a couple times to catch my breath. I burned 967 calories in one hour.
Then I had a guys weekend of fishing, over drinking and over eating. I did win 20 dollars in a bet though. I swam across the 14 acre lake and back in 12 minutes, 26 seconds.
Today I did a HEAVY lower body workout with my PT at 11am. I was so fatigued my wife had to help me walk into the house afterwards. I have never had my legs completely go out like that. I have a bad feeling I am not going to be able to work this week and that is not good because I have a lot to do at the farm tomorrow and Wednesday.
I finally got my first complement this year. One of the PTs at the gym said he can already tell I'm slimming down. Unfortunately I had to point out that it was just the black outfit and that I have actually gained a few pounds since I started nearly a month ago. LOL I'm sure most of it is muscle this time.
Finally, I am already searching for a "cutting" diet that I can follow when I decide to shift my focus to losing fat. I considered Lyle McDonalds handbook for Rapid Fat Loss but I don't think I can do that diet. Sounds like it would be too mentally tasking for me and that is the last thing I need considering my bipolar challenges. Speaking of which, after meeting with my psychiatrist last Friday, I have once again decided to give medicine a try. So today I started Lithium. My wife and I are praying, literally, this will finally be the medicine that works for me. Hopefully it won't pack on the pounds like all the other ones always have.
Take care,
Derrick
Friday the 13th I did a full body circuit type workout with my PT at noon. I had to lie on the floor a couple times to catch my breath. I burned 967 calories in one hour.
Then I had a guys weekend of fishing, over drinking and over eating. I did win 20 dollars in a bet though. I swam across the 14 acre lake and back in 12 minutes, 26 seconds.
Today I did a HEAVY lower body workout with my PT at 11am. I was so fatigued my wife had to help me walk into the house afterwards. I have never had my legs completely go out like that. I have a bad feeling I am not going to be able to work this week and that is not good because I have a lot to do at the farm tomorrow and Wednesday.
I finally got my first complement this year. One of the PTs at the gym said he can already tell I'm slimming down. Unfortunately I had to point out that it was just the black outfit and that I have actually gained a few pounds since I started nearly a month ago. LOL I'm sure most of it is muscle this time.
Finally, I am already searching for a "cutting" diet that I can follow when I decide to shift my focus to losing fat. I considered Lyle McDonalds handbook for Rapid Fat Loss but I don't think I can do that diet. Sounds like it would be too mentally tasking for me and that is the last thing I need considering my bipolar challenges. Speaking of which, after meeting with my psychiatrist last Friday, I have once again decided to give medicine a try. So today I started Lithium. My wife and I are praying, literally, this will finally be the medicine that works for me. Hopefully it won't pack on the pounds like all the other ones always have.
Take care,
Derrick
chubbygirl
New member
Looking good Derrick! I'm amazed you lifted 250 pounds! You should be proud! And knowing you will get to 300 is super motivating. I really hope that new medicine works for you - I'll be crossing my fingers!
Derrick
New member
Thanks Lisa but I am not even close to "looking good" yet. At least not in my opinion. Maybe after I cut down below 200 again. Then maybe I'll agree with you. Thank you though.
Right now I am lying in bed with a stiff neck loaded up on advil and muscle relaxers. Someday, maybe someday I will be both physically and mentally well. Someday.
Right now I am lying in bed with a stiff neck loaded up on advil and muscle relaxers. Someday, maybe someday I will be both physically and mentally well. Someday.
Derrick
New member
So today is the 5th day of being on Lithium and so far so good. No noticeable negative side effects except maybe a little more sweating and increased risk of dehydration. I can live with that though. If anything it will make me drink adequate amounts of water. 
I had PT today at 11am. As is the case every Friday, we did a total body workout. Another circuit workout. I think I can honestly say it was possibly the most awesome and efficient workout I have ever done. We went through a challenging circuit four times. I was completely fatigued after only the second time through. Somehow I found the strength and determination to make it through another two times. The gym floor had become a battlefield of sweat. LOL
In exactly one hour I burned 967 calories with a 187 max heart rate and 152 average heart rate.
Monday's are HEAVY lifting days. This coming Monday is upper body. I would love to increase my bench press yet again but I am not so sure I will be completely recovered by then. I have been taking a bit too long to recover completely between workouts. We purposely made Friday's total body days because we do not lift heavy when we do total body workouts and we were hoping I would be recovered by Monday so I would have the strength to lift heavy. The heavy days usually require the full four days of rest before I feel recovered for Friday workouts.
I'm counting down the days until September 20th. That is the day I will begin to focus on muscle maintenance and serious fat loss. I'm still not exactly sure what type of program I am going to follow so I need to further educate myself and make a decision based on what I feel will mostly likely work for me.
This morning I was 225.5 and 29% body fat according to Tanita but just the other morning I was 227.0 and 27% body fat. I'll record on Sept 18th, 19th and 20th and average them if there is any fluctuations. Hopefully there will be enough evidence to suggest I gained a solid few pounds of muscle. I think there will be.
Derrick
I had PT today at 11am. As is the case every Friday, we did a total body workout. Another circuit workout. I think I can honestly say it was possibly the most awesome and efficient workout I have ever done. We went through a challenging circuit four times. I was completely fatigued after only the second time through. Somehow I found the strength and determination to make it through another two times. The gym floor had become a battlefield of sweat. LOL
In exactly one hour I burned 967 calories with a 187 max heart rate and 152 average heart rate.
Monday's are HEAVY lifting days. This coming Monday is upper body. I would love to increase my bench press yet again but I am not so sure I will be completely recovered by then. I have been taking a bit too long to recover completely between workouts. We purposely made Friday's total body days because we do not lift heavy when we do total body workouts and we were hoping I would be recovered by Monday so I would have the strength to lift heavy. The heavy days usually require the full four days of rest before I feel recovered for Friday workouts.
I'm counting down the days until September 20th. That is the day I will begin to focus on muscle maintenance and serious fat loss. I'm still not exactly sure what type of program I am going to follow so I need to further educate myself and make a decision based on what I feel will mostly likely work for me.
This morning I was 225.5 and 29% body fat according to Tanita but just the other morning I was 227.0 and 27% body fat. I'll record on Sept 18th, 19th and 20th and average them if there is any fluctuations. Hopefully there will be enough evidence to suggest I gained a solid few pounds of muscle. I think there will be.
Derrick
Derrick
New member
It's going on 4pm and I'm at home waiting for my wife and kids to get back from the mall. My wife just told me my daughter is having a melt down so I anticipate a little bit of chaos once they get home. I'm hoping to be done with dinner before they get home. It's on the stove right now.
Today I had a "me" day as far as health goes. I had therapy at 9am, personal training at 11am and a dentist appointment at 2pm.
I was telling my therapist how I want to make an impact in people's lives but don't know how. Based on what she knows about me she suggested I look into being a Big Brother. I am going to take her advice and look into it.
Personal Training went well even though I was still very sore from Friday. Today was upper body heavy lifting. My PT was saying the other personal trainers were asking him if I was on roids because I have put on a lot of muscle lately. I think he might be BSing me though. Who knows? If anything he's good at encouraging and motivating.
However, I am looking forward to being done with the muscle building phase because I am quite sore all week long and often wake up moaning and groaning at night.
I'm eating pretty darn good but maybe not as much as I should be. I haven't gained much weight. The scale fluctuates between 222.5 and 227.5. I was about 223 when I started this muscle gaining phase and I was hoping to put on maybe 5 pounds of muscle in 7 weeks. I'm not sure if that is realistic or not but right now it appears I haven't even put on 5 pounds. I do have over 2 weeks left so I guess I'll wait and see.
Till next time.
Derrick
Today I had a "me" day as far as health goes. I had therapy at 9am, personal training at 11am and a dentist appointment at 2pm.
I was telling my therapist how I want to make an impact in people's lives but don't know how. Based on what she knows about me she suggested I look into being a Big Brother. I am going to take her advice and look into it.
Personal Training went well even though I was still very sore from Friday. Today was upper body heavy lifting. My PT was saying the other personal trainers were asking him if I was on roids because I have put on a lot of muscle lately. I think he might be BSing me though. Who knows? If anything he's good at encouraging and motivating.
However, I am looking forward to being done with the muscle building phase because I am quite sore all week long and often wake up moaning and groaning at night.
I'm eating pretty darn good but maybe not as much as I should be. I haven't gained much weight. The scale fluctuates between 222.5 and 227.5. I was about 223 when I started this muscle gaining phase and I was hoping to put on maybe 5 pounds of muscle in 7 weeks. I'm not sure if that is realistic or not but right now it appears I haven't even put on 5 pounds. I do have over 2 weeks left so I guess I'll wait and see.
Till next time.
Derrick
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Alta818
New member
Derrick, Derrick, Derrick!!!!! So this is what happens...I leave for just A LITTLE bit, and you START GETTING NAKED ON YOUR PAGE?! LOL!!! !! !!! LOL!! Damn, boyyyy! LOL!
...All jokes aside!!! NICE GUNS, my friend!!! I didn't see your before but I can tell your confidence is getting higher even just by your pic!! Looking good!!! Your amazingness ALWAYS shines through!! No matter WHAT happens on the outside!!!!! Great work!! You are lifting a SHIT load by the way! Impressive!! You are MOLDING those muscles like crazzzy!! Good for you!!! You have this all under CONTROL!! You are on a ROLL!!!! 
...What's up with the goat-t there, Derrick? (however you spell that!) hahah!I don't remember that on you BEFORE!!! LOL!!
...Love the huge lake behind you by the way...and WAIT, is that MY DOLLAR in that picture you are holding?!!!! HHAHAHA!!! ...wait. It is. Hm.
!! !!! LOL!! Damn, boyyyy! LOL!...All jokes aside!!! NICE GUNS, my friend!!! I didn't see your before but I can tell your confidence is getting higher even just by your pic!! Looking good!!! Your amazingness ALWAYS shines through!! No matter WHAT happens on the outside!!!!
! Great work!! You are lifting a SHIT load by the way! Impressive!! You are MOLDING those muscles like crazzzy!! Good for you!!! You have this all under CONTROL!! You are on a ROLL!!!! ...What's up with the goat-t there, Derrick? (however you spell that!) hahah!I don't remember that on you BEFORE!!! LOL!!
...Love the huge lake behind you by the way...and WAIT, is that MY DOLLAR in that picture you are holding?!
!!! HHAHAHA!!! ...wait. It is. Hm.
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Derrick
New member
GREAT to hear from you, Alta!
I was actually a little drunk in the photo.
I wasn't flexing (not that it would have made a difference) and that is actually a 20 dollar bill.
I've had the goat on and off for years. Just depends on my mood I guess. LOL
That lake is about 14 acres and it's on my dad's 550 acre farm that I work on. I just spent the past 3 1/2 days on the tractor doing some fall plantings out there and tearing up my back.
I'll have some more photos soon. Again, great to hear from you chica bonita!
I was actually a little drunk in the photo.
I wasn't flexing (not that it would have made a difference) and that is actually a 20 dollar bill. I've had the goat on and off for years. Just depends on my mood I guess. LOL
That lake is about 14 acres and it's on my dad's 550 acre farm that I work on. I just spent the past 3 1/2 days on the tractor doing some fall plantings out there and tearing up my back.
I'll have some more photos soon. Again, great to hear from you chica bonita!
Derrick
New member
I had PT at 3pm today, later than usual. We did a full body circuit consisting of six exercises. It took about 7 to 9 minutes to do one full time through. I did the circuit 6 times through in less than one hour! It was the hardest I have worked since I tried MMA about one year ago.
Here are the final numbers:
Duration: 1 hour exactly
Calories Burned: 1,158 (A personal record for one hour)
Heart Rate Max: 189
Heart Rate Avg: 168 (Probably the highest AVG rate since the triathlon in May of 2009)
I have exactly four more PT workouts left until I shift my focus on muscle maintenance and rapid fat loss. I am hoping I can bench 275 on my last day of upper body.
That's all for now.
Derrick
Here are the final numbers:
Duration: 1 hour exactly
Calories Burned: 1,158 (A personal record for one hour)
Heart Rate Max: 189
Heart Rate Avg: 168 (Probably the highest AVG rate since the triathlon in May of 2009)
I have exactly four more PT workouts left until I shift my focus on muscle maintenance and rapid fat loss. I am hoping I can bench 275 on my last day of upper body.
That's all for now.
Derrick
Derrick
New member
This morning Tanita said:
223.5
27% BF
I'll see what it says the next few mornings but if this morning is correct that means I have gained over seven pounds of muscle in the past month.
222.5 x 30% BF =
66.75 lbs of fat,
155.75 lbs of muscle
223.5 x 27% BF =
60.345 lbs of fat,
163.155 lbs of muscle
66.75 - 60.345 = 6.405 lbs of fat loss
163.155 - 155.75 = 7.405 lbs of muscle gained
I know there is definitely a margin of error but this is the best technology I currently have that I can use. I am pleased with these results.
I still have two weeks remaining also.
223.5
27% BF
I'll see what it says the next few mornings but if this morning is correct that means I have gained over seven pounds of muscle in the past month.
222.5 x 30% BF =
66.75 lbs of fat,
155.75 lbs of muscle
223.5 x 27% BF =
60.345 lbs of fat,
163.155 lbs of muscle
66.75 - 60.345 = 6.405 lbs of fat loss
163.155 - 155.75 = 7.405 lbs of muscle gained
I know there is definitely a margin of error but this is the best technology I currently have that I can use. I am pleased with these results.
I still have two weeks remaining also.
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Derrick
New member
One other thing. I know I've mentioned this before but my scale reads a solid 5% higher than the under water method I had done a couple years ago. The under water method is supposed to be one of the most precise ways to measure body fat percentage. So I am more realistically around 22% BF right now. In order to be consistent however, I will continue to use my Tanita scale until I reach my goal weight. At that point I will try to get measured under water again.
Have a great weekend!
Derrick
Have a great weekend!
Derrick
Derrick
New member
Had PT at 11am this morning. We were supposed to do legs but I was sore and my lower back was bothering me so we did upper. We lifted heavy again. I nearly got 275 bench press but I got stuck and my PT had to help me the rest of the way. We did three reps just to finish out the set.
Just three more workouts until the strength/muscle gaining phase is over. I'm looking forward to losing fat again but I know how hard it is so I'm a little afraid of failing. At the same time, I'm sort of in the zone right now. I'm ready to kick ass...or fat for that matter.
Just three more workouts until the strength/muscle gaining phase is over. I'm looking forward to losing fat again but I know how hard it is so I'm a little afraid of failing. At the same time, I'm sort of in the zone right now. I'm ready to kick ass...or fat for that matter.
chubbygirl
New member
Great attitude! Love to hear you are in the zone lately!
Just curious what device you use for determining how many calories you burn during your workouts? My sister won some money at the casino and is giving me $500 and I've been researching the Polar watches but just not sure if I'd use it or how technical they are and how much I should spend. I've also been reading about the body buggs. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Keep it up! Looking forward to your fat burning progress too!
Derrick
New member
I use a polar watch with chest strap. It's awesome. I use it every workout except if I swim because it slides off when I do flip turns. I feel naked without it. I really like to know my heart rate because I can push myself a little too hard sometimes for my current fitness condition.
Derrick
New member
Had weigh-in and body fat measurement today before my PT sessions.
This was according to the Tanita BF scale at the Gold's Gym where I work out.
My weight stayed exactly the same but my BF dropped nearly 3%. The math suggests I lost 6.3 pounds of fat and gained 6.3 pounds of muscle.
My Tanita scale at home has been consistently saying even better numbers. I'll be conservative and go with the lesser numbers, being theirs.
I am very happy with these numbers. My goal was to gain 5 to 10 pounds of muscle in 7 weeks and I have already done that. We still have one more week left too.
Today we lifted heavy legs and back. At the highest weight I squatted 315 pounds three times on my own and twice with help. For seated rows I nearly did the whole stack of plates but not quite. It was fun trying though.
I'm feeling good and looking forward to the next few months.
Derrick
This was according to the Tanita BF scale at the Gold's Gym where I work out.
My weight stayed exactly the same but my BF dropped nearly 3%. The math suggests I lost 6.3 pounds of fat and gained 6.3 pounds of muscle.
My Tanita scale at home has been consistently saying even better numbers. I'll be conservative and go with the lesser numbers, being theirs.
I am very happy with these numbers. My goal was to gain 5 to 10 pounds of muscle in 7 weeks and I have already done that. We still have one more week left too.
Today we lifted heavy legs and back. At the highest weight I squatted 315 pounds three times on my own and twice with help. For seated rows I nearly did the whole stack of plates but not quite. It was fun trying though.
I'm feeling good and looking forward to the next few months.
Derrick
Derrick
New member
I thought I'd share some fun body fat math with anyone happening to read this. I hope it provides motivation for someone out there. I know it certainly has motivated me. The funny thing is, I already knew this but I guess I have just been overlooking it, until recently.
First, some brief history. May 2008 I was 251 pounds and somewhere around 35 to 40 percent body fat. By August of 2008 I was down to 229 pounds. I had my body fat tested at a wellness center. They did both underwater and skin calipers. They came up with 25% body fat. By May of 2009 I was down to 193 pounds and approximately 14% body fat. More than likely I lost some muscle as I continued to lose weight. I was hoping to achieve 10% body fat but I just never quite got there. I figured if I could just get to 185 pounds I would be right at 10%. I often thought about trying to gain muscle instead but I was just mentally stuck on getting to 185. It never happened. Instead I gained half my weight back, mostly due to side effects from some medication I was on (read the past year of my journal if you dare). So about 8 weeks ago, hovering around 225, I slowly got back into lifting weights.
I finally focused on gaining muscle instead of losing weight. The results so far are 6 pounds of muscle gained and 6 pounds of fat lost. I've been doing some math and I figure I have somewhere around 165 to 175 pounds of muscle. Which means I would have to get to 185 to 195 pounds while maintaining my muscle to achieve 10% body fat. However, I realize now that I could actually either build more muscle now or build more muscle later and perhaps achieve 10% body fat at an even higher weight. Simply divide how much muscle you have by your projected final weight to see what percentage you end up at. Adjust the final weight accordingly.
So my plan right now is to try to get to 205 first, remeasure and then decide where to go from there. I may go through one more muscle gaining phase just to make sure I have enough muscle so that a final weight of 195 would guarantee a body fat percentage of 10. I have always had trouble getting below the mid 190's so I think that would be the lowest weight I would be able to maintain.
So I guess my point is, don't make the same mistake I did and think you have to achieve a certain scale weight. Perhaps you could look even better at a higher weight so long as, in my case, 90% of it is muscle!
Derrick
P.S. 10% has always been a goal of mine because nearly everyone looks great at that percentage yet it is not so lean as to be unattainable. Plus I like round numbers.
First, some brief history. May 2008 I was 251 pounds and somewhere around 35 to 40 percent body fat. By August of 2008 I was down to 229 pounds. I had my body fat tested at a wellness center. They did both underwater and skin calipers. They came up with 25% body fat. By May of 2009 I was down to 193 pounds and approximately 14% body fat. More than likely I lost some muscle as I continued to lose weight. I was hoping to achieve 10% body fat but I just never quite got there. I figured if I could just get to 185 pounds I would be right at 10%. I often thought about trying to gain muscle instead but I was just mentally stuck on getting to 185. It never happened. Instead I gained half my weight back, mostly due to side effects from some medication I was on (read the past year of my journal if you dare). So about 8 weeks ago, hovering around 225, I slowly got back into lifting weights.
I finally focused on gaining muscle instead of losing weight. The results so far are 6 pounds of muscle gained and 6 pounds of fat lost. I've been doing some math and I figure I have somewhere around 165 to 175 pounds of muscle. Which means I would have to get to 185 to 195 pounds while maintaining my muscle to achieve 10% body fat. However, I realize now that I could actually either build more muscle now or build more muscle later and perhaps achieve 10% body fat at an even higher weight. Simply divide how much muscle you have by your projected final weight to see what percentage you end up at. Adjust the final weight accordingly.
So my plan right now is to try to get to 205 first, remeasure and then decide where to go from there. I may go through one more muscle gaining phase just to make sure I have enough muscle so that a final weight of 195 would guarantee a body fat percentage of 10. I have always had trouble getting below the mid 190's so I think that would be the lowest weight I would be able to maintain.
So I guess my point is, don't make the same mistake I did and think you have to achieve a certain scale weight. Perhaps you could look even better at a higher weight so long as, in my case, 90% of it is muscle!
Derrick
P.S. 10% has always been a goal of mine because nearly everyone looks great at that percentage yet it is not so lean as to be unattainable. Plus I like round numbers.
Derrick
New member
Had PT this morning and lifted heavy as usual. Again I was unable to get 275 on bench press but I did get 225 for 5 reps all by myself so that was cool. I had my wife take some photos of me today at my parents pool since today was most likely the last time I would be in a swimsuit this summer. They are just "during" photos. In a way they are almost "before" photos because I plan on losing weight from here on out. I am right around 224 or slightly less lately. The highest I got this year was perhaps 228 one morning, which is when I usually weigh myself. So I had gone from 251 to 193 back up to 228 and now slowly working my way down while trying to add muscle at the same time. I know I still need to add more muscle but I really need to lose fat. I hope I can do both at the same time. If not, I really don't know which one I should focus on first. I don't know if it is easier to gain muscle while carrying more fat or if it doesn't matter how much fat you have. If the latter is true, I would definitely just focus on losing fat next. I still have about 10 days to make up my mind. I have a minor outpatient surgery this Friday Sept 10th. Then I will need just a few days to recover. I plan on starting my next phase on Friday Sept 17th or Monday Sept 20th.
I'll post a couple pics tomorrow.
Derrick
I'll post a couple pics tomorrow.
Derrick
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