StressMonkey

[Bando]

Since you don't like my video choices SM, I made you a vid to celebrate International Chest Day. 100 lb DB'S for 9, a 2011 PB for me.

You'll have to look closely to see "SM" on the weights

[MontyMagpie]

'80s

Simple Minds

Big Country


RIP Stuart Adamson (11 April 1958 – 16 December 2001) gone but not forgotten.

[StressMonkey]

Since you don't like my video choices SM, I made you a vid to celebrate International Chest Day. 100 lb DB'S for 9, a 2011 PB for me.

You'll have to look closely to see "SM" on the weights

Noice! It looked like you didn't have any problem with them!

[swooshie]

Since you don't like my video choices SM, I made you a vid to celebrate International Chest Day. 100 lb DB'S for 9, a 2011 PB for me.

You'll have to look closely to see "SM" on the weights

Gosh, and all this time I thought "International Chest Day" was celebrating something totally different

[DocHoss]

Since you don't like my video choices SM, I made you a vid to celebrate International Chest Day. 100 lb DB'S for 9, a 2011 PB for me.

You'll have to look closely to see "SM" on the weights

Wow. I don't think I'll ever manage that even in wildest dreams. I can't even get one of those off the floor! But I'll keep trying.

Nice tribute to SM!

[cowboybiker]

BUMP

[StressMonkey]

BUMP

There is a LOT of truth in this.

[hochspeyer]

Okay, this isn't 80's, it's 1978 but the song is great! The singer is John Stewart (not the Comedy Central dude), along with a few members of Fleetwood Mac. This came out just after Rumours.

[DocHoss]

BUMP
]

I'm the designated "spider catcher and take it outside-er" My experience, though, is that the tub is so slick that spiders can't get out. I'm such a softie; one of my best gym days was when I saw a nice big tarantula while biking the scenic route to get there. That said, those huge cane spiders in Hawai'i were the bane of my childhood. They still give me the heebie-jeebies.

[StressMonkey]

I can't even get one of those off the floor!

When I would go heavy (certainly nowhere near that heavy) I would put the dumbbells on the bench and then do a shimmy of them onto my knees.

The Brando method is to just pick them up.

[GuyJin]

Hey, a Marlon reference^^^^^!

Happy holidays, SM!!

(Nice vid, Bando).

[Bando]

When I would go heavy (certainly nowhere near that heavy) I would put the dumbbells on the bench and then do a shimmy of them onto my knees.

The Brando method is to just pick them up.

You just need to obtain a beer gut to use as a counterbalance

[DocHoss]

When I would go heavy (certainly nowhere near that heavy) I would put the dumbbells on the bench and then do a shimmy of them onto my knees.

The Brando method is to just pick them up.

I'll be doing chest on Friday and will do DB presses if I don't forget (I'm at the age where I'm having trouble with CRS - Can't Remember Sh....stuff). I may try to shimmy like StressMonkey (or is that the SM Shimmy?)

[hochspeyer]

In case I forget, Merry Christmas StressMonkey.

[DocHoss]

StressMonkey - I wanted a great 80s video for you, but the pressure is too much for my first video post, so I will simply wish you a happy and healthy Christmas and put in a couple of Christmas songs instead. I promise some 80's music next time!

We always went to the beach on Christmas when I was a kid. Edit: forgot to say that the Little Drummer Boy is one of my favorites for its gentle simplicity and sincerity.




And just waiting for a sip of that sweet Mojave rain....

[StressMonkey]

In case I forget, Merry Christmas StressMonkey.

Thanks Hoch! Same to you.

StressMonkey - I wanted a great 80s video for you, but the pressure is too much for my first video post, so I will simply wish you a happy and healthy Christmas and put in a couple of Christmas songs instead. I promise some 80's music next time!

We always went to the beach on Christmas when I was a kid. Edit: forgot to say that the Little Drummer Boy is one of my favorites for its gentle simplicity and sincerity.

Thanks, same to you.

Strong WTF on those videos.

[DocHoss]

Strong WTF on those videos.

Oops, there goes any hope I have of convincing people I'm actually half normal! I hope that's WTF in a [i]good[/] sense. I will readily admit the videos are a bit....odd. But I like the music, which is what I really wanted to post. So how about some genuine 80s: Joan Jett does the Little Drummer Boy (static video, so just enjoy the carol).




p.s. I remembered to do DB presses today and while I can't do it yet, I can actually envision doing 60s in the not-too-distant future. Go ahead, everyone, laugh at me!

[Bando]

p.s. I remembered to do DB presses today and while I can't do it yet, I can actually envision doing 60s in the not-too-distant future. Go ahead, everyone, laugh at me!

I think I started with 45's, though I had been benching plastic 25's on a bar in my basement for a few months. Going from 50's to 70's took a year. The gym I was using only went up to 70's so I had to to the hardcore gym after that. 70's to 85's took another year of my life. I was then stuck on 90's for about a year

those are the weights I remember the most, so freaking heavy.

95's -100's happened in about 6 months, then the 105's when I'm at my heaviest and strongest (like now) got them for 5 last week!

So..I'm not gonna laugh at you, but I can coach you through these progressions.

If I can do it, you sure as hell can.

[DocHoss]

I think I started with 45's, though I had been benching plastic 25's on a bar in my basement for a few months. Going from 50's to 70's took a year. The gym I was using only went up to 70's so I had to to the hardcore gym after that. 70's to 85's took another year of my life. I was then stuck on 90's for about a year

those are the weights I remember the most, so freaking heavy.

95's -100's happened in about 6 months, then the 105's when I'm at my heaviest and strongest (like now) got them for 5 last week!

So..I'm not gonna laugh at you, but I can coach you through these progressions.

If I can do it, you sure as hell can.

Thanks Bando! That is very encouraging - I really appreciate it. I'm OK with 50s, but my shoulder balked at 55s. If my shoulder doesn't get worse, I bet I can get to 60s in the near future. My gym goes up to 100s - I can only dream of those. So far. Thank you for the support; makes me feel like I'm not all alone in this.

[hochspeyer]

Happy Christmas to StressMonkey and everyone! The eponymous 80's Christmas video. Blessing and peace on Earth.



Its unfortunate that, despite all of their efforts, Africa is still wracked with war and starving.

[Bando]

My gym goes up to 100s - I can only dream of those. So far. Thank you for the support; makes me feel like I'm not all alone in this.

One day you'll be annoyed that it only goes up to 100's

[StressMonkey]

Thanks Bando! That is very encouraging - I really appreciate it. I'm OK with 50s, but my shoulder balked at 55s. If my shoulder doesn't get worse, I bet I can get to 60s in the near future. My gym goes up to 100s - I can only dream of those. So far. Thank you for the support; makes me feel like I'm not all alone in this.

I was flat out scared the first time my trainer wanted me to try benching with the 60's. It just seemed to be way too much weight for my skinny arms to be pushing up. I failed miserably. My attitude didn't help, but in my defense I was *so* new to lifting and still completely uncomfortable and self-conscious in the gym. When he eventually got me benching with them it was such a great feeling. At the beginning of this year I wouldn't even start my first (non-warmup) set with 60's. Sigh. Hopefully this year I'll get back there.

Happy Christmas to StressMonkey and everyone! The eponymous 80's Christmas video. Blessing and peace on Earth.

Negged for not posting We are the world instead.

One day you'll be annoyed that it only goes up to 100's

Lol. I took a tour of a gym where they only went up to 70. Well, we can stop the tour right now.

[Whatanejit]

Merry Christmas SM

I hope 2012 brings you a bill of clear health and we get to see your ever changing avis increase in frequency and size!

[StressMonkey]

Merry Christmas SM

I hope 2012 brings you a bill of clear health and we get to see your ever changing avis increase in frequency and size!

Thanks Dee. I lol'ed!

[DocHoss]

One day you'll be annoyed that it only goes up to 100's

I'm not holding my breath on that (bad form)! Seriously, I dream of the day I outgrow my gym and have to move on to somewhere more hard core. That would be such sweet triumph.

I was flat out scared the first time my trainer wanted me to try benching with the 60's. It just seemed to be way too much weight for my skinny arms to be pushing up. I failed miserably. My attitude didn't help, but in my defense I was *so* new to lifting and still completely uncomfortable and self-conscious in the gym. When he eventually got me benching with them it was such a great feeling. At the beginning of this year I wouldn't even start my first (non-warmup) set with 60's. Sigh. Hopefully this year I'll get back there.

Lol. I took a tour of a gym where they only went up to 70. Well, we can stop the tour right now.

You WILL get back to where you were, and probably faster than you think! You know we're all behind you. Where are you at now? Back over 60, right? How high did you go earlier in the year? When I'm having trouble pushing up the weight, I will think WWSMD (what would StressMonkey do?)

Heck, even I would pass on a gym that only goes up to 70. I can't bench 'em, but my DB rows are better than that.

So-o-o-o.... are you DONE?!?

[StressMonkey]

Yep, I'm done. My reward for finishing has been a wicked cold, but I'm finally feeling human again.

I know I can get back to where I was, the question will I be "allowed" to or will other unforseen health circumstances stop me again? I've given up trying to predict what will happen on this journey of mine. Hopefully 2012 will be a great year. I certainly could use one.

[swooshie]

Yep, I'm done. My reward for finishing has been a wicked cold, but I'm finally feeling human again.

I know I can get back to where I was, the question will I be "allowed" to or will other unforseen health circumstances stop me again? I've given up trying to predict what will happen on this journey of mine. Hopefully 2012 will be a great year. I certainly could use one.

Let's all raise a glass to SM this New Year's Eve.

So happy to hear that you're done

[latebloomingmom]

D*mn skippy straight!
Your strength that you carry on the inside staggers me and I am humbled
by your endurance, your strength of will,
and your attitude.
I wish only good things for you in the new year to come!

[mharrislove]

Just saw this thread and popped in to wish you strength on your journey. I am 4 years cancer free after a few surgeries and 7 months of treatment. Best of health to you, mental, spiritual and physical.

^^^This.

Just posting to offer support.


My issues were nothing like what you're experiencing. But I had a golf ball sized tumor removed from my neck in 2000 (I still have a nice 5 inch scar as a badge of honor). I didn't get my 230 lb lard ass in gear until years after that. But I did pull it together and eventually got back on stage.

Anyway, keep fighting hard and feel to shoot me a PM whenever you like.


(PS: Kraftwerk, FTMFW!)

[DocHoss]

Yep, I'm done. My reward for finishing has been a wicked cold, but I'm finally feeling human again.

I know I can get back to where I was, the question will I be "allowed" to or will other unforseen health circumstances stop me again? I've given up trying to predict what will happen on this journey of mine. Hopefully 2012 will be a great year. I certainly could use one.

Yay! Bummer about the cold (you did get your flu shot, didn't you?), but it will pass. Now it's time to party like it's 1999 (man, that seemed so exciting back in the 80s)




With the thought that today would be international chest day, I decided to get up at 5 (gosh, it's dark, but it's only time I could fit it in today) and worked chest rather than back. I started with DB presses and did well with the 55s, so I looked at the 60s and said, WWSMD?. Would he shriek and run out of the gym? Heck no! He'd slam those M*****F*****s up, so by golly that's what I did. OK, maybe not exactly slammed, but I did get them up. Only five reps, but next time will be more. Thank you to StressMonkey and Bando for giving me the courage to believe I could.