NTLtP's No Time Like the Present

[NTLtP]

So, I wanted to start a public journal to invite constructive critisism and log my progress. I'm a 41 Y/O male, 6' 1/2",180lbs and I just saw a new term that strikes home... "skinny fat". My jouney began 5 weeks ago with an old dusty bench and BB set. 1 month ago I cleaned up my diet significantly by eliminating 95% of my junkfood intake and I continue to make good dietary progress ( I started using "fitday" just yesterday and I think it will be an invaluable tool).
Feeling quite committed, I (actually we, my wife and i are in this together) purchased a ParaBody rack with cable attachment, a sweet multi-angle bench, DBs, a new oly BB set and an eliptical. To date, things are going very well. Every W/o brings higher reps/weight and I'm easing into using the eliptical (30 min/day on non strength training days). I'm also seeing some positive signs in the mirror, but have a long way to go.
... more to come


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[NTLtP]

... just finished a 30 min session on the eliptical and had a PB of 6.75 miles, maintaining 155-165 bpm. Actually, with so much room for improvement, every session has bettered the last; a parallel to my lifting. Onward !

[ChocoChick]

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you are off to a good start. :)

[Greg H]

Great job man! Nothing like progress and a good attitude to keep you going!

[joed]

Welcome to the club. Look forward to following your progress.

[NTLtP]

Thanks for tuning in guys and gals!
I'll keep adding pertinent info as it occurs to me, such as...

Water consumption = 1 gal per day +/- (usually +)

BFI = 19 based on the Navy chart method (21-22 on my Tanita scale). 90% of which appears to be in love handles and belly.

Caloric intake = trying to stay close to 40/40/20 @ 2600 - 2800. I could probably use some input here... Does this sound about right?

Supps = Pro-rated whey (costco), cellmax CEE, daily vitamin and fish oil caps

Workout = 2day split, twice weekly. Mon/Thur = Chest, shoulders, tri - Tue/Fri = Back, bi, legs. abs are done periodically, non scheduled, 2-3 times weekly.



My Thoughts? Over the years, as I'd look over at my weight bench with crap and dust collecting on it, I'd promise myself to start working out SOMEDAY, but I thought it would be drudgery... a chore. Now that I am working out, I find it hard to lay off on my "off" days.

[powerman2000]

My Thoughts? Over the years, as I'd look over at my weight bench with crap and dust collecting on it, I'd promise myself to start working out SOMEDAY, but I thought it would be drudgery... a chore. Now that I am working out, I find it hard to lay off on my "off" days.
That is a real key to success. If what you are doing is a chore rather than enjoyable we tend to give that up very quickly.

Here's to your continued enjoyment. :)

[NTLtP]

So, I started my W/O today feeling good.

Bench Press= + 10lbs over last thursday while only dropping 1 rep per set. Stoked...

Mil Press = Same weight as last, but added 2 reps to my opening set. Felt strong (in a relative sense :) ) , but as I went to log my reps between sets I began to notice a tweaked/muscle pull type feeling between my shoulder blades, along my spine... So, I ditched for today, took a hot shower and went for the flexall. I'm seriously hoping that this is short lived. From here on out, I'm committing to a more thorough pre-W/O stretch routine. Bad form may have been an issue. I don't really know the cause, but will err on the side of caution. D*mn... live and learn.


D

[NTLtP]

Oh, and Powerman, thanks for looking in...

[NTLtP]

Started chiropractic care... what a relief! It seems that I pused a rib out of position, probably due to sloppy form. I'm left with a week to a week and a half without doing squats or any overhead lifting, but I have the ok to do lunges along with a bit of isolation work for arms/legs. AWESOME news! Onward


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[NTLtP]

The chiropractor visits have paid off in spades...I've been there 4 days straight. Wednesday I had a moderate workout consisting of curls, tri kickbacks and leg extensions and lat raises.
Today was a little closer to a real workout with B-presses (flat and incline), reverse flys, bent BB rows and even some dead lifts.
I'm glad I was able to keep a little forward momentum and I REALLY look forward to being on my regular schedule next week. ONWARD!

Damn i feel good
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[NTLtP]

...put together lat/row attachment, did a quick mile on the elliptical and had a pretty good session. I'm experimenting a little with the newest gear and as a result I'm reviewing my routine. Kept W/O to 45 min which is my target.

Bench press, flat 6-6-6 (+ 5 lbs)
Bench press, incline 6-6-7 (+ 2 reps)
Cable Tri-extensions 8-8-8 ( new)
DB lat raises 10-10-10 (+ 5 lbs)
Seated Mil press 10-10-10 (went lighter to assess back issue... felt great)
Shrugs 12-12-12

Onward,
d


*rec'd first unsolicited comment from a buddy who I haven't seen since I started along this road.

[NTLtP]

Today i shortened my rest between sets to 30 sec and tried to stay under 2 min between exercises. I like it! 45 min total, but added 4 total sets over last W/O

BB curls 5 x 8 (dropping 5 lbs per set) trial
DB preachers 10-8-6 rapid fire/ left, right,left to completion.
Dead lifts 3 x 8
Cable rows 4 x 10 (dropping 5 lbs per set)
Lat pulldowns 4 x 8 (dropping 5 lbs per set)
Leg ext 12-12-10 (+ 5 each set) still getting dialed in


feeling younger every day and recovering faster than I ever would have expected!

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[jtroster]

Any reason you are not doing the deadlifts first? Most folks do compound exercises before isolation.

[NTLtP]

Any reason you are not doing the deadlifts first?

No, just a newb lapse... thank you for pointing that out.


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