Pagangoddess's Training Log: Advancement to an Elder Goddess

[pagangoddess]

Thanks Muddy.

When I'm not in the gym it bothers me that I have nothing laid out. No goals and no direction. But when I get to the gym it's nice not to feel boxed in and can do what I want. If I'm smart I will pay close attention to this experience. It will help when choosing the next program. For example I've noticed that my squat numbers plummet if I don't squat regularly and box squats don't seem to translate to back squat. I can box squat 155 but only 125 on full back squat. Seems odd to me.

So the next couple of months will give me time to play around but after that I will need to get down to business.

[pagangoddess]

Todays workout

Rack pulls (pins were set just below the knee)
8*45
8*65
5*95
5*115
5x5 135

Rev Hypers
3x12 - 75lbs

Face pulls
3x10 - 70lbs

Ab work

I wanted to do conventional deadlifts but the area was shut off and the door was locked. So no chalk, no conventional deadlifting & no GHR. I need to find out what I can do to gain access. Anyway, so I did rack pulls instead.

Update on my brother. The CT scan is finished. They didn't find any cancer anywhere else. They did the PET scan yesterday so we'll know if it's in the lymph nodes soon. But at this point the docs are giving him a prognosis of 80% 5 year survival. Radiation will be done for 30 days (5 days on, 2 days off) and chemo will be done in 2 sessions each lasting 5 days with a 3 week intermission between sessions. They'll be doing regular blood work to keep an eye on the HIV. All in all good news. But we'll take it one day at a time because that chemo will be a bitch.

[dylanamus]

Hey PG, do you back squat ATG? I'd have to see videos of both side by side to get a better idea of what's going on, but technically speaking, box being higher than back squat would suggest something is amiss.

You have a lot of time to ensure you end up on the right program, but don't forget to enjoy the meantime!

I wish your brother all the best in his chemotherapy.

[pagangoddess]

No I'm not squatting ass to grass but I do ensure I'm going below parallel. When I box squat I put the box at the lowest height which puts me just at or slightly below parallel (can't help being short )

One thing I do notice is when I box squat my quads are not in the action. It's almost all glutes & hams. It's opposite when I do full back squats. My quads have been sore all week from squatting on Monday.

Not sure if that means anything but that's my observation.

Thanks Dylan. The chemo won't be easy but it sounds like he's in good hands with his docs and they are optimistic that he will beat this. So I'm going to accept it at face value.

[holvoetn]

Hey PG, do you back squat ATG? I'd have to see videos of both side by side to get a better idea of what's going on, but technically speaking, box being higher than back squat would suggest something is amiss.

My thoughts exactly. This is NOT normal at all.


Best wishes for your brother too from across the pond.

[pagangoddess]

Todays Workout

Squats
8*45
5*65
5*85
5*115
3x3 - 130

SLDL
3x8 - 95

Pull throughs
5x10 - 45

Ab work

Good workout.

[holvoetn]

Good one indeed if you are happy about it

[pagangoddess]

Yes H I walked out feeling good about it. Although I'm itching for more direction & focus. Soon.

[FatGuyNoMore]

SLDL
3x8 - 95

Impressive, most impressive...

[pagangoddess]

Thanks FGNM.

Today's workout
Bench Press
2x10 - 45
1x8 - 65
1x5 - 75
5x5 - 85

I widened my grip a bit on these as it was too narrow the last time I benched. Made this weight a bit harder.

DB rows
3x8 - 25 lbs

10 minutes bag work (punching bag )

narrow grip lat pulldown down
3x8 - 70 lbs

10 more minutes of bag work.

I talked with one of the trainers that does UFC stuff about doing bag work. He gave me a few pointers so I decided to try it this morning. I wish he would have warned me to take it easy the first time (not that it would have helped ). I got a little over zealous & now my right hand is bruised pretty bad. I also ripped the skin off one of my knuckles. I have a feeling I won't be deadlifting on Friday. It hurts pretty bad. I think more squatting will be in order. That won't put pressure on my hand like deadlifting will.

Although I am glad I tried it. I liked it . . . alot.

[holvoetn]

Oookkkaaay ... so you're the agressive type

[pagangoddess]

On to miscellaneous stuff.

More good news on my brother. The cancer is NOT in the lymph nodes. So it is localized & should be treated successfully with chemo & radiation. It will be a rough 30 days but we'll take it one step at a time. Prognosis is still 80%.

I think I'm finding my direction. In fact I know I have. Despite everything going on I definitely need more structure & direction in my workouts. I've decided to go with 5,3,1. I'll be starting it in January I think. I plan on staying with it for a year. I think I'll learn a lot from that program sticking with it that long.

Also I started the AD. I am making a couple of tweaks. I know I respond very well to low carb diets so I'm skipping the 12 day induction. Also given my propensity to gain weight quickly from carbs I've opted for a 1 day carb up rather than the prescribed 2 day. I've been keeping track of the calories in fitday. They've averaged around 1700-1800. I've taken my measurements & bodyfat. Pictures will be next. I'm giving it 3 months then I'll decide whether to keep going on it or not.

[pagangoddess]

Oookkkaaay ... so you're the agressive type

That's a bit of an understatement.

I have 5 brothers & the family joke is that I inherited all the testosterone of the family.

[pangram]

I'm glad there is better news for your brother.

Good luck on the anabolic diet! And your new program - 2 months will be gone soon...

[LiftingNerd]

I talked with one of the trainers that does UFC stuff about doing bag work. He gave me a few pointers so I decided to try it this morning. I wish he would have warned me to take it easy the first time (not that it would have helped ). I got a little over zealous & now my right hand is bruised pretty bad. I also ripped the skin off one of my knuckles. I have a feeling I won't be deadlifting on Friday. It hurts pretty bad.

I also found out the hard way that wearing a pair of gloves would be a good idea. I actually found that certain lifting gloves worked quite well, if you don't need wrist support.