Zen's training log

[zen92]

First of all; I'm all new to this forum (even though I've been lurking around in various threads the last week) - so I'd like to introduce myself. I'm a 16 year old fella from Norway. The days go by while im either at the gym, at school, in front of my pc, or with my friends. Im about 178cm tall, and I weigh about 64kg as of today.

About 4 months ago I bought a season pass at the local gym, and in the past weeks I've been gaining more and more interest in this particular training program.

I heard about it about when i bought the season pass, but for a rookie like me it looked kind of complicated, also because I didn't know with how much kg's to start with on the various exercises. Last week I decided to read the eBook - and found out that I would start with only the barbell, working my way up. So after being semi-active at the gym I took my act together, and today was my first day with Stronglifts 5x5. I plan to continue for as long as it keeps me interested.

The hardest part of muscle/weight gain for me won't be the exercises, but the eating. As of today I eat very little on a daily basis, but the last days I've been stacking up on cans of tuna so I can consume the amount of protein and fat reccomended. If you have any tips on eating - they're gladly welcome.

At first I thought it looked kind of easy, even though I wasn't exhausted after this session, I most certainly felt it in my arms.

09/02/09 - Routine A
Squat 5x5 - 20kg
Bench press 5x5 - 20kg
Inverted row 3xF - 10, 7, 5
Push-ups 3xF - 30, 16, 12
Reverse Crunch 3x12

Today's routine went very well, bench press and squats was as expected pretty easy. The other exercises was just perfect when measured in "exhaustness". I'm looking forward to wednesday to do the next part of the routine - as well as adding kg's.

[BLUEBLAH]

Hi Zen! The weight will soon stack up. My tip on gaining weight would be drink MILK!

[zen92]

Yeah, as a matter of fact, I'm drinking milk as we speak

[zen92]

Wow! Even though it wasn't the most exhausting day at the gym today, I got to say, first part of the 5x5 was a very comfortable routine, and right now I'm feeling very good and tired, so I'm going to head to bed, watch an ep. of The Mentalist, and go to sleep. Good night guys and gals!

[guru]

Hi zen,

Good decision, to start SL. Keep logging your progress. In no time the weights will be heavy & you will really feel it everywhere.

Seriously though, it's a good age to start & you have landed at the right place. While the weights are light, focus on right technique. Go through the e-book time & again. Buy Starting Strength by Mark Rippetoe. It's a damn good investment.

Wish you happy lifting.

- Guru

[zen92]

thanks for your reply, guru

yeah ive been eating tuna and drinking milk almost non-stop since around this time last week - going to step on the weights tomorrow to see if there is any gain.

tomorrow its time for routine B - really looking forward to start adding kg's at squats, even though i fear i'm going to look a bit silly with those 1.25kg plates. Oh well.

I'll check back and report when i'm done at the gym tomorrow

Cheers, zen.

[zen92]

Todays routine went great;

11/02/09 - Routine B
5x5 Squat 22,5kg
5x5 OHP 20kg
1x5 Deadlift 40kg
3xF Chins 5, 4, 3
3x30sec Prone Bridges

Looking forward to friday!

[zen92]

Oh yeah, about my weight - i just realized today my gym doesnt have anything to measure it on.
Nor do i have anything at home. I guess ill have to get something.

Also - is it possible to edit posts here?

[zen92]

13/02/09 - Routine A
Squat 5x5 - 25kg
Still easy

Bench press 5x5 - 22,5kg
Still easy
Inverted row 3xF - 9, 8, 7
Went very well. Managed more reps in total compared to last time.

Push-ups 3xF - 35, 18, 12
Also went very well. Managed to bump my total amount of reps here aswell.

Reverse Crunch 3x12
Kind of tough, but not a problem

All in all im ery pleased with todays round

[zen92]

Routines of this week:


16/02/09 - Routine B
Squat 5x5 - 27,5kg
Overhead Press - 22,5kg
Deadlift - 42,5kg
Chins - 5, 4, 2
Prone Bridge 3x30sec
Nothing big. Chins sucked.

18/02/09 - Routine A
Squat 5x5 - 30kg
Bench press 5x5 - 25kg
Inverted row 3xF - 10, 7, 7
Push-ups 3xF - 30, 18, 16
Reverse Crunch 3x12
Went OK. Annoyed that I couldn't make 35+ push-ups on the first one.

16/02/09 - Routine B
Squat 5x5 - 35kg
Overhead Press - 25kg
Deadlift - 42,5kg
Pull-ups - 4, 2, 2
Prone Bridge 3x30sec
I think I have miscounted the plates sometime somewhere, because today I did 35kg in squats, and im quite sure i did 32.5kg last time. Or i forgot to post a session. Oh well.
Apart from that everything went well. Starting to feel the overhead press.

I also bought a can of protein-powder for making shakes. Got tired of eating tuna, heh.