Bluebirds, Butterflies, and Barbells - A Starting Strength Journal

[liftingson]

[color=#00C0FF]

Also, I have to apologize to those of you that keep journals that I follow as I just haven't had time to do much posting recently. I'm trying not to post while I'm at work anymore which has really helped my productivity (obviously), and then just don't have much time in the evenings due to the whole selling/building a house thing. I'll do what I can to make my rounds more frequently though.

Nice lifting you Freakin OX!

Yeah man, the bb.com at work becomes very time consuming..When I was working, I got on here all the damn time!

[chazzy1864]

Yeah man, the bb.com at work becomes very time consuming..When I was working, I got on here all the damn time!

Concurred. If I'm busy at work, I have to make sure to keep my browser closed, so I don't open up bb.com at all. Wastes soo much damn time.

[johnblythe]

Texas Method - Week 22 Light Day
BW: 226.0 lbs.

Color code:
Estimated 1RM PR (weight + 0.033 x weight x reps)
PR for reps/weight

Squat
45x5
45x5
155x5
225x3
255x2
315x5
315x5

Wasn't nearly as sore doing these today compared to last week.

Press
45x5
45x5
95x5
115x5
115x5
115x5

No issues.

Captains of Crush - Grip Training
Tx1/1/1/1/1
#1x6/6/6
#1.5x5
#1.5x5
#1.5x5
#1.5x1, 10s hold

This was awesome. Grip was feeling really strong today for some reason so I busted out my #1.5's and was able to do just about as much as I was doing with the #1 just a few weeks ago. Gonna try to get up to a 3x8 before switching to the #2.

Vid:

No vid today.

Notes:
So we have been trying to sell our house for 2 or 3 months now, and kept getting feedback from all our showings about the carpet. Today we finally had all the carpet in the house replaced. It smells like a carpet store in here. The reason I bring it up is because getting the carpet replaced means that everything in your house that is resting on carpet needs to be moved somewhere that doesn't have carpet. So I spent all last night moving furniture, and then moved it all back tonight before my workout. My back will be sore tomorrow.

Also, I have to apologize to those of you that keep journals that I follow as I just haven't had time to do much posting recently. I'm trying not to post while I'm at work anymore which has really helped my productivity (obviously), and then just don't have much time in the evenings due to the whole selling/building a house thing. I'll do what I can to make my rounds more frequently though.

strong light workout, mang. i hate working out after doing other stuff like moving furniture, etc. props for getting it done anyway

re: drawing back on bb.com, i know that feel. i changed all my notices but about three to control panel only (your log being one of the exceptions) so i wouldn't get blown up in my inbox and thus distracted (as much) from work.

life > bb.com. at least sometimes

[Sinaku5]

I hear ya on the bodybuilding.com thing...it can take up a lot of time.

The gf just expressed how much time I spend on here the other day actually...

Real life is more important than BB.com - but we're important too so don't forget bout us

[dopamine72]

4 plates for a 5x5 is already in you

500+ is already in you

I knew it

****ing beast squats

I say stay away from maxing and just keep milking this sh*t, this is the most epic run of TM I have ever witnessed, more people should be aware, 22 weeks of nonstop gains without a deload...... holy sh*t!!!

Stay safe, keep doing what you're doing and don't push it too hard. This is absolutely ridiculous.

[PeterGibbons316]

Checking in, still strong as fark I see. Good luck with the house, I dread the day we sell ours and I have to fix things that have had a blind eye turned to them over the years.

Side note/question: You still using the platinum series stuff? I just bought some vanilla and chocolate protogen, and while not quite as good as the cookies and cream, the vanilla is pretty damn awesome. Choco isn't bad either.

Ugh. So I'm at my buddy's house for our monthly poker night and I get a text about a showing tomorrow at 3:30. I got home from poker around 10:30 and just spent nearly 2 hours getting the house back in shape. We had random clutter from closets and other rooms just everywhere. I'm still not done, but I can finish the rest in the morning before I go to work. House looks better than the day we bought it 7 years ago though, hopefully we get an offer this time!

Of the platinum stuff they gave me I still have some Amino Recovery which I rarely take, and that Inciner-8 fat burner which I probably won't use until I stall on my weight loss some time later this year. I bought some more Scream in the blue raspberry flavor and still use that before my intensity days.

I hear ya on the bodybuilding.com thing...it can take up a lot of time.

The gf just expressed how much time I spend on here the other day actually...

Real life is more important than BB.com - but we're important too so don't forget bout us

Thanks man, I could never forget about you guys! Seriously though, you guys keep me going - I wouldn't be half as strong or healthy as I am without the feedback, advice, and motivation I've gotten from all of you.

4 plates for a 5x5 is already in you

500+ is already in you

I knew it

****ing beast squats

I say stay away from maxing and just keep milking this sh*t, this is the most epic run of TM I have ever witnessed, more people should be aware, 22 weeks of nonstop gains without a deload...... holy sh*t!!!

Stay safe, keep doing what you're doing and don't push it too hard. This is absolutely ridiculous.

Thanks a ton, man. I could definitely get 4-plates for a 5x5, but no sense in pushing it. I weighed in at 224.8 again this morning and I'm thinking I will continue til the end of February or about 230 lbs, then max, then completely change gears. I don't think I will have any problems hitting 495-500 roughly 6 weeks from now, but I need to clear this 450 hurdle first! Honestly, I'm pretty excited about my benching as well, I don't think getting back to a 3-plate bench is out of the question either.

[GinjaNinja85]

4 plates for a 5x5 is already in you

500+ is already in you

I knew it

****ing beast squats

I say stay away from maxing and just keep milking this sh*t, this is the most epic run of TM I have ever witnessed, more people should be aware, 22 weeks of nonstop gains without a deload...... holy sh*t!!!

Stay safe, keep doing what you're doing and don't push it too hard. This is absolutely ridiculous.

Reading this really hit home how remarkable your whole lifting career(?) has been so far. I've seen it mentioned before here, but don't you think that if you continue in the same vein, you'll achieve elite level lifts? That must be amazing just to think that sh!t is even a possibility.

Keep working fella, you're killing it.

[dopamine72]

Amen ^

I wouldn't max bro. Whats the point? You already know you've made incredible progress. If there is one thing I have learned in my nearly 5 years of lifting now its that maxing is foolish. Its the biggest risk you can take. Also why have a scheduled plan of when this program is going to end? Why not just enjoy the journey, play it by ear and keep milking this mother ****er like you have been? Whats the rush? Go until you stall. Then reset and start over.

If anything maybe you can rep 405 on squats for 10+ and dead 500 for 10+. Leaving a few in the tank. That is much wiser imo than maxing. Save the maxing for PLing meets.

Just my opinion I won't be butthurt if you max in fact it would be epic. All I know is that you have progressed very fast. And when that happens you need to be extra careful. It takes a much longer time for those joints/tendons/ligaments to get used to that weight than it does for your muscles.

[HunterMC6]

4 plates for a 5x5 is already in you

500+ is already in you

I knew it

****ing beast squats

I say stay away from maxing and just keep milking this sh*t, this is the most epic run of TM I have ever witnessed, more people should be aware, 22 weeks of nonstop gains without a deload...... holy sh*t!!!

Stay safe, keep doing what you're doing and don't push it too hard. This is absolutely ridiculous.

all of this, the progress you have made is unbelievable PG. Haven't seen you suffer hardly any injuries either which is awesome! By the way did you set up that time lapsed camera on your new house project?

[dk240t]

all of this, the progress you have made is unbelievable PG. Haven't seen you suffer hardly any injuries either which is awesome! By the way did you set up that time lapsed camera on your new house project?

Well, he did have the shoulder injury that kept him from doing any pressing for a long long while...but that let him focus on squat and deadlifts pretty well.

[MatTheCur]

Do what it is you need/want to do. It's been a completely epic ride, watching you turn from jogger into a beast.

Milk it, or max it, but do what you feel is right for you.

Always here for the ride!

[12ccopeland]

So fukking strong.

[HunterMC6]

Well, he did have the shoulder injury that kept him from doing any pressing for a long long while...but that let him focus on squat and deadlifts pretty well.

Very true I think I started following PG's log right around the time he started benching again.

[jshaw5]

All that up there. You've made some awesome progress the past few months. You're making it extremely difficult for me to catch you

[PeterGibbons316]

Texas Method - Week 22 Intensity
BW: 223.4

Color code:
Estimated 1RM PR (weight + 0.033 x weight x reps)
PR for reps/weight

Squat
45x5
45x5
155x5
265x3
360x2
450x3 (vid) PR

Finally got it.

Bench Press
45x5
45x5
145x5
185x3
235x2
265x5 (vid)

This was pretty awesome. I was a little scared to put this much weight on the bar since the most I have benched since July is 225. But after hitting that 10 rep set at the end of my volume day, this kind of made sense. Looks to be about the right weight too. Will probably bump to 275 next bench intensity day.

Deadlift
95x10
225x5
315x3
385x1
455x3 (vid)
455x1 DOH (vid)
455x1 DOH (vid)

Felt my lower back rounding on the last rep of my first set, so I will repeat this weight. Did some DOH singles for grip since I know I would have been rounding on the second set anyway.

Pendlay Row
95x5
205x3
235x5 (vid)
235x5
235x5

Pretty heavy, trying to stay as strict as possible.

BB Sit-Ups
45x5
95x6/5/5

Apparently there is a big different between 85 and 95 lbs on these. Went from 10/10/10 to 6/5/5

Vid:



Notes:
Awesome day today. Finally got my 450x3 and a nice bench day as well.

[PeterGibbons316]

Well, he did have the shoulder injury that kept him from doing any pressing for a long long while...but that let him focus on squat and deadlifts pretty well.

^This

I had some weird shoulder issues that kept me from pressing, then when I came back from that my other shoulder started acting up keeping me from benching and pressing for about 3 months. I think twice I took 2-4 weeks off from squats, but that's it - I would have expected to have had more issues than that by now, but I've been very fortunate in that area. And it certainly feels like my shoulder has more or less completely healed up.

Do what it is you need/want to do. It's been a completely epic ride, watching you turn from jogger into a beast.

Milk it, or max it, but do what you feel is right for you.

Always here for the ride!

Thanks!

You're making it extremely difficult for me to catch you

Good! It wouldn't be as rewarding if I made it easy on you. Besides, there will always be someone to chase - for the longest time I was chasing Farley, now it's RipCJ.

[jshaw5]

^^^^^True that. I never really got to catch Farley since he stopped lifting before I got my squat up to where his was.

[PeterGibbons316]

Oh yeah, so my buddy got us some Versa Grips for Christmas......I don't really like them. At least not yet. I suppose they are faster/easier to use than straps, but I don't like the feel of them - makes the bar pretty thick. I used them for my last two deadlift sets today. I think I will need to use them for at least a few more weeks before I completely rule them out.

[Woody-5]

Huge squats! Nailed that triple like a boss!
Strong bench as well- that's climbing fast!

[chazzy1864]

nice triple on deads and BA on the DOH "grip work" with 455.

[ngolsen]

awesome work Jason

[Juggernaut0]

Amazing work across the board man. Love that you hit that 450 triple. Knew you had that.

[dk240t]

Good stuff, man.

No need to rush the Bench PRs on Intensity day...you can probably do 10lbs more without problem, but continuing 5lb jumps might help you prolong the progress longer...

[HoneyBadger300]

Dayum. Your numbers are insane. I'm glad I found your log to follow. Just finished week 3 of TM... one day.

[liftingson]

nice work man!!

[PeterGibbons316]

Thanks a lot friends!

So I'm thinking of competing in a PL meet end of February. It's kind of expensive and I need to get a singlet. Need to read up on the rules to see what equipment I can use and what all the rules are. I'd like to do the drug-free group, but only if I don't have to pay for the test. Need to figure that one out too.

[Sinaku5]

Reading this really hit home how remarkable your whole lifting career(?) has been so far. I've seen it mentioned before here, but don't you think that if you continue in the same vein, you'll achieve elite level lifts? That must be amazing just to think that sh!t is even a possibility.

Keep working fella, you're killing it.

All of this and what everyone else said man.

So I'm thinking of competing in a PL meet end of February. It's kind of expensive and I need to get a singlet. Need to read up on the rules to see what equipment I can use and what all the rules are. I'd like to do the drug-free group, but only if I don't have to pay for the test. Need to figure that one out too.

Peter in a drug free PL meet?...


Do you expect to take anything other than 1st place?

Also real nice work on the Intensity Day - your bench shot up SUPER fast - Nice job.

In regards to the versa grips - my wrists have been hurting a bit lately so I may check em out - just saw them on youtube and someone said that they take a bit of stress off your wrists so I may check it out - keep us posted on what you think of them as time goes on.

[dopamine72]

I was thinking about what I said and maxing does give you a better idea of how much progress you have made and also a better understanding of how well you max. Everyone if different and some people really do excel at maxing and beat those 1rm calcs. Or its the opposite. I know maxing will give you a better idea of where you stand as far as that's concerned.

Do what you want I don't wanna be telling you what to do.

Great work as usual and nice squats/deadlifts.

[PeterGibbons316]

All of this and what everyone else said man.



Peter in a drug free PL meet?...


Do you expect to take anything other than 1st place?

lulz

It would be my first meet, and I've been lifting for less than 2 years. I'm certain there will dudes there much stronger than me.

I was thinking about what I said and maxing does give you a better idea of how much progress you have made and also a better understanding of how well you max. Everyone if different and some people really do excel at maxing and beat those 1rm calcs. Or its the opposite. I know maxing will give you a better idea of where you stand as far as that's concerned.

Do what you want I don't wanna be telling you what to do.

Great work as usual and nice squats/deadlifts.

The advice you gave was solid. I avoid maxing as much as possible, but I do like to test them when I switch programs. It's also nice to have for comparison purposes. I'd like to be able to say "in 28 weeks running the Texas Method I took my squat max from 427.5 to 500 lbs"

[jshaw5]

Damn, I was browsing on my phone last night and missed the workout. Awesome job man.

Thanks a lot friends!

So I'm thinking of competing in a PL meet end of February. It's kind of expensive and I need to get a singlet. Need to read up on the rules to see what equipment I can use and what all the rules are. I'd like to do the drug-free group, but only if I don't have to pay for the test. Need to figure that one out too.

That's awesome, I've been wondering if/when you were ever gonna do a meet. The thought crossed my mind briefly, but I'd rather wait until I get my total a bit higher.