lovestolift training log

[lovestolift]

10/2/2009
Workout A
Squat- 140/5,5,5
Bench Press- 140/5,5,5
Deadlift- 235/5

I felt the leg pain during the warm ups and squats, but it wasn't too bad if I kept my knees shoved out. It did hurt on the last couple of reps on the last set, and I was coming up unevenly. Hope it's not making it's return. I'm starting to feel like I can't catch a fucking break here. It's extremely frustrating.

The bench felt good. No problems other than being very tired and having little energy. I'm certain that it's from the low carb induction (more in a minute).

The Deadlift felt too fucking heavy. I just had too little energy for it. I had to have my partner check my back position because I couldn't tell if I had it rounded or not. He said it was fine, and I've yelled at him about his back enough, so I trust his judgment on this. My head wasn't in. At this point I actually looked at the machines fondly and thought how ignorance really is bliss...

Today is by far the worst day of the induction period. I can't complain though, I'm just really tired and slightly unwell. I've gotten off easy on this. I am looking forward to tomorrow though. I'm going to eat everything in sight. I've got pancake mix, fruit, chocolate milk and muffin mix waiting. I think that will take care of breakfast.

[nburge]

I feel your pain on the squats, I can't seem to break 100kgs and whilst some days my form is great, others it's a pile of shit. Don't know why. All the other exercises I seem to have nailed the form on (although you can improve on everything if you try) but the squats just come back and beat me up whenever the weight gets heavy. Keep at it!

Diet sounds brutal - I tried something along those lines before and it made me feel crap. Hope the pigging out helps!

[lovestolift]

@nburge- The pigging out was interesting. I discovered that carbs are completely unsatisfying. I always felt hungry. I am glad to be back to the fat and protein.

10/05/2009
Workout B
Squat- 145/5,5,5
Press- 90/5,5,5
Power Clean- 65/3,3,3,3,3

The squat is still annoying me. I feel the pain on that leg, but I think I'll just have to work with it there. My left arm was sore today, I had to widen my grip to get comfortable. Felt a little looser in the upper back, but the arm was tolerable.

The press felt much better than last time. I am back in the groove on that lift. Love it.

The power clean was good. I was hitting the cues a lot better. I widen my grip slightly on the last set and that made racking easier. I'll stick with that grip from now on.

I also hit the gym's heavy bag for a bit afterward. I miss having one of my own, so I may use it when time and energy permits.

[lovestolift]

10/7/2009
Workout A
Squat- 150/5,5,5
Bench Press- 145/5,5,5
Deadlift- 245/5

Picture me smacking my forehead. I think I found the leg pain culprit. The overly wide stance did it. I narrowed my stance today, and I barely felt the pain. I think that in an effort to shove my knees out, I just started taking a wider stance. Son-of-a-bitch, how didn't I think of this? I've coached my workout partner to near-textbook-quality squats, but I couldn't figure out that my stance was too wide? I'll see if it is also better next time.

The bench was fine. I have some weird bone ache going on in my arms right now (similar to that on Monday, but in both arms). Not sure how that came about. It's not going to impede my lifts, it just makes them very uncomfortable. Odd thing is that it didn't hurt at all yesterday, but it hurt as soon as I woke today.

The deadlift felt easier than last time, though it was ten pounds heavier. I think I did 6 reps, because I lost count. I didn't want to do less, I'd rather do an extra to ensure I got all my reps.

[kidsoftheblackhole]

The deadlift felt easier than last time, though it was ten pounds heavier. I think I did 6 reps, because I lost count. I didn't want to do less, I'd rather do an extra to ensure I got all my reps.

have the exact same approach. but i do hate losing count.

are those numbers in lbs?

[lovestolift]

are those numbers in lbs?

Unfortunately, yes.

[lovestolift]

10/09/2009
Workout B
Squat- 155/5,5,5
Press- 95/5,5,5
Power Clean- 70/3,3,3,3,3

Squat felt good, narrow stance helps eliminate the pain.

Press was also good, though the annoying ache is still there in my left arm. It doesn't affect the lift though. In fact it only feels okay when I am lifting.

PC was good as well. I stacked some plates and pulled from the floor, rather than lowering the bar to the position. Much better mechanics.

Very good workout, no real problems. I do hate loading my spine right after I wake up though... It was the only time my partner and I could work out today due to our opposite shifts.

[lovestolift]

10/12/2009
Workout A
Squat- 160/5,5,5
Bench Press- 150/5,5,5
Deadlift- 255/5

Squat was okay, a bit of leg pain and I came up a little slowly. I need to warm up more, I've been lax in that area.

Bench was okay but I struggle with the last rep on the last set. I hate to do it but I think I'm going to go to 2.5 lb increments. I want to avoid stalling.

Deadlift was good as well. I will go back to 5 pound increments next time.

[lovestolift]

10/16/2009
Workout B
Squat- 165/5,5,5
Press- 97.5/5,5,5
Power Clean- 75/3,3,3,3,3

Squats felt very good, no pain in the leg today. I warmed up with overhead squats using just the bar. I will continue to play around with these as a warm up. They feel so awkward that they make back squats seem easy. I missed Wednesday's workout but I did some overhead squats at home that day, so I wasn't a complete sloth.

Press felt great. I decided to start micro-loading before I needed it so that I can push the weight up consistently (hopefully).

Power Cleans were all over the place, some good, some bad. I need to show my training partner the Starting Strength DVD so he'll know what to look for, and can then help correct me.

[pagangoddess]

OH Squats are awkward at first. The first time I tried them I almost fell on my ass. But once you get used to the movement it's not so bad.

Glad to hear the leg pain is gone.

[lovestolift]

Glad to hear the leg pain is gone.

Let's not jinx it. The OHS' are fun. I think I want to use them in the future as a variation; I don't care much for front squats so they may be a good sub. Although I may need a better gym for those. They don't like dumping bars from overhead at my gym.

[pagangoddess]

Glad to hear the leg pain is gone.

Let's not jinx it.

I'm not trying to jinx it although I do find it ironic that 2 atheists are being superstitious.

[dylanamus]

"Hang on, these are in kilos!" was what just went through my mind haha I mean I knew you were on the raw total leaderboard, but that's some impressive lifting, mate.

With a press like that, you should be able to overhead squat good reps well upwards of 100kg! This is where this lift is really helps out the back squat, well and any other Olympic lifts really... With your strength, you should be able to bail on a doomed rep and fail safe deloading the bar power clean style without any dramas.

Speaking of which, your power cleans are soarng up quickly. Technique will probably start coming together a lot more quickly as the weight becomes less like a feather for you.