Old Man - Keepin' it going

[ljimd]

Second attempt at a journal here. Some quick background. I started lifting back in the 60's and have been at it on and off ever since. Over the years I've done Olympic lifting, Powerlifting but mostly
physique. Competed in all three. Last comp was April 2011 - NGA/NMA Reach for the Ring. I was lucky enough to win the Masters over 50 and over 60. Since then I've been training through some nagging injuries(shoulder, pinched sciatic nerve, and bouts of skin cancer) and hope to compete again eventually.

I'm here to share with a great group that has inspired me to keep going. I've gained a lot of experience and insight over the years, but there never seems to be a day that I've not learned something new or been inspired here. So, the weights moved here won't be huge, but the effort will be. Here's my story............ since last Friday that is.

Fri Bwt 160.8

Legs/Chest/Tri's

Squats
barx6
95x6
115x6
135x6
155x4,4
135x6

Bench - done from chest high safeties with elbows in and dead stop. Working on form and saving my cranky-azzed shoulder. So far, so good.
135x6
165x6
185x4
210x1
225x0 (couldn't get it going)
165x12

Seat bb press
barx6
95x7
120x5
130x4,4

CGBP
140x6,6,6,6

Oly bar krusher
85x6,6,8

w/o fasted. Felt crappy for about 10min, then ok. Other than missing the 225, pretty good day.Headin' to the fishing hole and some cold beer. Hope everyone has a good weekend.


Mon Bwt 161.0

Legs/back/traps/bis

Squat
barx6
100x5
120x5
140x5
160x3,3
140x5

Neutral grip pullups
Bwt x12,8,8 <-------last rep was fugly

Deads
barx6
115x5
135x5
165x5
185x3,3

BB row
120x5,5,5,5

BB shrugs
140x5,5,5,5

BB curl
90x5,5,5,5 <----- some cheaters in here

DB hammers
30x7,7,7

Sciatic was barkin' but not enough to stop me. Hot and muggy, w/o longer than usual, 100 mins. Determined to put on some more mass, especially in my legs - squattin' 2 days every week.

[fittofattofit]

Great to see you still lifting after 50 years and actually competing at 65.
That's inspirational to us young-uns

[ljimd]

Great to see you still lifting after 50 years and actually competing at 65.
That's inspirational to us young-uns

Thanx fit - that's a huge back in that avi.

[ljimd]

Wed Bwt 159.8

Chest/Delts/tris

Bench - dead stop from chest hi safety pin, elbows in
135x6
165x6
185x6
205x3,3
185x6

Seated bb press
115x7
135x4,4
115x6

DB side laterals
25x7,7,7

CGBP
145x6,6,6,6

Oly bar krushers - drop behind head
90x7,6,6

All in all, not a bad w/o. Pain free. Energy ok. The beat goes on.

[HoustonTXMuscle]

Wed Bwt 159.8

Chest/Delts/tris

Bench - dead stop from chest hi safety pin, elbows in
135x6
165x6
185x6
205x3,3
185x6

Seated bb press
115x7
135x4,4
115x6

DB side laterals
25x7,7,7

CGBP
145x6,6,6,6

Oly bar krushers - drop behind head
90x7,6,6

All in all, not a bad w/o. Pain free. Energy ok. The beat goes on.

Finally!!! Been waiting for this Larry so that I can see how much of a slacker I really am. Subbed and following.

[ljimd]

Finally!!! Been waiting for this Larry so that I can see how much of a slacker I really am. Subbed and following.

Slacker, ha ha, I hardly think so buddy. Good to see you, maybe we can share some ideas.


Greenz if I ever get off spread. Jeez.

[HoustonTXMuscle]

....

Greenz if I ever get off spread. Jeez.

What I meant is that I still consider myself somewhat of a novice and aside from an excellent coach, I never really know if I'm failing to push the envelope. I follow a lot more journals than I'm subbed to or reply to, but when one's primary goal is directly opposite or unlike those of a powerlifter <50, direct comparisons border on the absurd. Know what you mean about spread. Got off it this morning only to immediately get back on and there's at least 12 people that I need to rep back.

[ljimd]

I never really know if I'm failing to push the envelope. but when one's
primary goal is directly opposite or unlike those of a powerlifter <50, direct comparisons border on the absurd.

Feel ya here Bob. I think that is the conundrum we older bbers face constantly. Half my time I spend trying to figure out how to squeeze out a couple more ounces of mass(lift heavy, eat more blah blah). Then my rational mind jumps in and says "refine what you have pal, don't tempt the injury monster. Mother nature is only going to give you so much. Your hair is gray for a reason. So deal with it."

I've been a powerlifter and am truly saddened by my numbers now and really try hard not let the big numbers here on the forum get me down. It is what it is. We are what we are. I remember you saying you were disappointed at one of your comps when you had no competition. Well you know what? The percentage of 70 yo bbers in the world is so small as to be insignificant. I would say that would put you in pretty elite group. Take that on stage with you my friend.

[ljimd]

Friday Bwt 159.8

Quads/back/traps/bis

Front squats - narrow stance
95x6
115x5,5,5

Wide neutral grip pullups
bwtx8,8,8

BB cleans from hang
65x6
95x5,5,5

BB rows
125x5,5,5,5

BB curls
90x5,5,5,5

DB hammers
30x7,7,7

All went well today. Love the depth I can get on the front squats. Cals are 1800/2000 day. Scale not moving much. Gonna keep watch on this. Got my eyes on a couple comps next year. Need to set some more goals. We'll see.

Have a nice weekend everyone. Heading for the camper and the lake later this aftn.

[ArchAngel'73]

I'm so in.


If I don't look @ your stats and just look at your pic...I'd guess a 30-40 yr.old bodybuilder. You look awesome and I'm looking forward to following your training.

[ljimd]

I'm so in.


If I don't look @ your stats and just look at your pic...I'd guess a 30-40 yr.old bodybuilder. You look awesome and I'm looking forward to following your training.

I appreciate your kind words. I'll try not show too many head shots so you continue to think I'm in the 30-40 yo range.



<----------- srs grayhair

[ljimd]

Hope all enjoyed their holiday. I know I did. Huge amounts of food and drink were had in
between fishing and all around partying. Anyhow, back to work:

Tues Bwt 163.4

Legs/Delts/Tris

Squats - still taking it easy here, but it's coming along
barx6
100x6
120x6
140x5
165x3,3
140x5

Bench - chest high safety from dead stop and elbows in
135x8
165x6
185x5
210x4,3
185x5

Seated barbell press
115x7
135x5,4
115x7

CGBP
150x6,6,6,6 - last set, tuff - lost form last 2 reps

Oly bar krusher
90x7,6,6


Back on regular feed today. 1800/2000 cals. W/o felt good. 100 mins.

[ljimd]

Thurs Bwt 161.2

Back/traps/bi's

Neutral grip pullups
Bwtx10,10,8,6

Deads
barx6
115x6
135x6
165x5
185x4
205x2,2

BB rows
125x6,6,6,6

BB shrugs
150x5,5,5,5

BB curls
90x6,6,6,6

DB hammers with a twist at the top
30x7,7,7

All went well. I think I'm near my limit with the curls. Form is starting to breakdown.Sciatic barked in the beginning but slowly subsided. Trying to cram down my 2000 cals everyday but missed yesterday (1700).

Update pic on the back.



What the heck - here's a front shot from last week

[lynore]

You and HoustontXMuscle are great! Will be following along.

I'll keep training as long as I possibly can.

And, you're not old.

[ljimd]

You and HoustontXMuscle are great! Will be following along.

I'll keep training as long as I possibly can.

And, you're not old.

Thanx for your kinds words and stopping by. Your avi looks like you know your way around the gym.

[HoustonTXMuscle]

.....

<----------- srs grayhair

Had to laugh at that comment as I got my haircut yesterday and no sooner got home and my wife made me go to Walgren's and buy "Touch of gray." Had sworn that I wasn't going to do my sideburns and temples (which for some reason grow out white and look really strange; alien-like) anymore, but she informed me that we weren't going out anywhere together unless I did.

....
Legs/Delts/Tris...
........Bench - chest high safety from dead stop and elbows in
135x8
165x6
185x5
210x4,3
185x5

Seated barbell press
115x7
135x5,4
115x7

CGBP
150x6,6,6,6 - last set, tuff - lost form last 2 reps

Oly bar krusher
90x7,6,6.................

GJ, Larry. These in particular standout.

....Update pic on the back.



What the heck - here's a front shot from last week

Looking good.

[ljimd]

Had to laugh at that comment as I got my haircut yesterday and no sooner got home and my wife made me go to Walgren's and buy "Touch of gray." Had sworn that I wasn't going to do my sideburns and temples (which for some reason grow out white and look really strange; alien-like) anymore, but she informed me that we weren't going out anywhere together unless I did.



GJ, Larry. These in particular standout.



Looking good.

Thanx Bob. Gave up on the hair.

Almost feel bad posting some of my numbers. These kids are killin' it. We'll just keep on truckin'. Glad you stopped by.

Oh yeah, how'd it go with the coach, if you mind me asking?

[HoustonTXMuscle]

Thanx Bob. Gave up on the hair.

Almost feel bad posting some of my numbers. These kids are killin' it. We'll just keep on truckin'. Glad you stopped by.

Oh yeah, how'd it go with the coach, if you mind me asking?

Larry, know the feeling about how some of 35 to 50 year-olds can shame us. The twist at my gym, however, is that a lot of the teenagers and 20 year-olds don't seem to hesitate asking me questions regarding exercises.

Great session with my coach this afternoon at 5, (only bad aspect was traffic on the Beltway; 1 hour going and 45 minutes coming home) will write it up later. Went in sort of hoping that he'd say that I should perhaps reconsider the show 5 wks from tomorrow...no way, just the opposite. Only thing he was unhappy about was my diet, so once again he's having me ramp it up with a lot more oatmeal and brown rice. Still on spread.

[ljimd]

Mon Bwt 161.8

Gonna be a deload week for me. Got some medical issues that need to be taken care of this week. May or may not influence the training. Been kicking around the idea of adding more volume and TUT. Wanna get more tonnage per exercise without running out of gas. Played with it today on deload. Pumps were great - I miss that.

Quads/chest/delts/tri's

Squats - closed up the stance
115x10,10,10,10

Bench - elbows in - chest high safety pin
135x10,10,10,10

Seated BB press
100x10,10,8,8 <-----burned out last 2 sets

CGBP
120x10,10,10,10

Oly bar krusher
75x10,10,10,10


Nothing new on the diet front other than adding 1/3 cup oatmeal to my 2 eggs in the AM for a few more carbs pre w/o. Still at about 1850/2000 day. Not much movement there. Carbs up to @150 a day.

[fittofattofit]

Thurs Bwt 161.2

Back/traps/bi's

Neutral grip pullups
Bwtx10,10,8,6

Deads
barx6
115x6
135x6
165x5
185x4
205x2,2

BB rows
125x6,6,6,6

BB shrugs
150x5,5,5,5

BB curls
90x6,6,6,6

DB hammers with a twist at the top
30x7,7,7

All went well. I think I'm near my limit with the curls. Form is starting to breakdown.Sciatic barked in the beginning but slowly subsided. Trying to cram down my 2000 cals everyday but missed yesterday (1700).

Update pic on the back.



What the heck - here's a front shot from last week

You're doing great maintaining that physique! Going by that back pic I'd put you in your 30's --- seriously wide and lean.
You're carrying plenty of upper body mass and I would have thought you were heavier than 160ish as well

Great work on the lifting and volume --- at some stage we have to park our egos at the door and realise that our tendons and joints wear out quicker than our muscles. I've changed my lifting totally to TUT for chest and arms, even though I still want to push it for the deads, rows and squats. It's the way you make the weight work for you rather than the numbers that you lift that make the difference
And what's this worry about gray hair.........it's way better than going bald

You and Houston are seriously inspirational

[ljimd]

You're doing great maintaining that physique! Going by that back pic I'd put you in your 30's --- seriously wide and lean.
You're carrying plenty of upper body mass and I would have thought you were heavier than 160ish as well

Great work on the lifting and volume --- at some stage we have to park our egos at the door and realise that our tendons and joints wear out quicker than our muscles. I've changed my lifting totally to TUT for chest and arms, even though I still want to push it for the deads, rows and squats. It's the way you make the weight work for you rather than the numbers that you lift that make the difference
And what's this worry about gray hair.........it's way better than going bald

You and Houston are seriously inspirational

Thanx fit, appreciate you stopping by.



Tues Bwt 162.2

The deload continues. Had to squeeze a w/o in today - busy tomorrow. Threw in a few movements I haven't done for a while. Been doing a lot of thinking of where I want to go from here. Like I said Monday, I'm thinking of more volume and TUT and refining what I've got, tightening up the conditioning. Anyway, here it is.

Back/traps/bi's

Rack chins with deep stretch and hold on top.
Bwtx10,8,7,7

Chest supported bb rows. Went light trying to tighten up the form and feel the muscles move.
65x10,10,10,10

BB pullovers - an oldtime fav of mine love the stretch
65x10,10,10,10

BB shrugs - slight forward bend to accentuate the full ROM
115x10,10,10,10

BB curls - cut off the top 1/3 of ROM here to keep constant tension
55x10,10,10,10

BB spiders
45x8,8,8,8

[ljimd]

A thread out on 035 misc about how you've changed over the years prompted me to dig up some older pics. This is me over a span of 46 years.

1965



1989



2011

[ljimd]

Thurs Bwt 161.4

Finished the deload today. Just some odds and ends.

Calves/Abs/Forearms

BB calf raise
135x12,12,12,12,12

BB Reverse curls
50x10,10,10,10,10

Rope tucks
50x12,12,12,12,12

[lynore]

Thanx for your kinds words and stopping by. Your avi looks like you know your way around the gym.

Thank you. Just keeping at it and training as heavy as possible. I'm definitely the most *mature* woman in the free weight area. Everyone leaves me alone except for the raised eyebrows, though.

[fittofattofit]

A thread out on 035 misc about how you've changed over the years prompted me to dig up some older pics. This is me over a span of 46 years.

1965



1989



2011

Fantastic series of pics to show a lifetime of commitment to training
What was your weight in each pic if you remember?

Are you cutting at the moment?

[ljimd]

Thank you. Just keeping at it and training as heavy as possible. I'm definitely the most *mature* woman in the free weight area. Everyone leaves me alone except for the raised eyebrows, though.

Hat is off to you. It certainly is rare to see more mature ladies near the squat racks.

Fantastic series of pics to show a lifetime of commitment to training
What was your weight in each pic if you remember?

Are you cutting at the moment?

Thanx fit. Strange as it may sound, my weight in all the pics was nearly the same 155# +/- a pound or two. The last two were at comp time. The first, as a lad of 18 after several years of oly lifting.

Guess I'm not (or ever was) destined to be a mass monster. Not that I haven't tried.

Just holding for now at @160/162#, trying to refine my look. Plan to hit the stage again next year after sorting out some medical issues. Couple of unexpected skin cancer surgeries sidelined me last fall and this spring, but back on track now.

Not cutting (hate that word), just increasing volume to hold as much MM as possible and see what happens.

Thanx for stopping by.

[ljimd]

Mon Bwt 162.8

Quads/chest/delts/tri's

Squat - Close stance trying to stay upright and keep all emphasis on quads
barx8
115x10,10,10

BB inclines
115x10,10,10

Incline flys
30x10,10,10

Seat bb press
100x10,10,10

DB side laterals
20x10,10,10

BB triceps krusher - to the back of the head
75x10,10,10

Triceps rope downs
40x10,10,10


Got my eye on a comp Apr 2013. In the next few days I will putting together my strategy. 6 mos plenty of time. Need to stay injury free. Will drop cals @100 this week. Should leave me at @1800 as a base. More to come.

[HoustonTXMuscle]

Guess I'm not (or ever was) destined to be a mass monster. Not that I haven't tried.

Just holding for now at @160/162#, trying to refine my look. Plan to hit the stage again next year after sorting out some medical issues. Couple of unexpected skin cancer surgeries sidelined me last fall and this spring, but back on track now.

Not cutting (hate that word), just increasing volume to hold as much MM as possible and see what happens. ...

Nice series of pictures, Larry. Had to laugh at the 'mass monster' comment as without trying I went thru a phase of being a monster, albeit all fat. Also know what it's like with regard to the skin cancer surgeries, although mine were relatively minor (have had wasp stings that hurt more). GJ on the today's quads/chest/delts/tri w/o.

[ljimd]

Nice series of pictures, Larry. Had to laugh at the 'mass monster' comment as without trying I went thru a phase of being a monster, albeit all fat. Also know what it's like with regard to the skin cancer surgeries, although mine were relatively minor (have had wasp stings that hurt more). GJ on the today's quads/chest/delts/tri w/o.

Thanx Bob.


Tues Bwt 160.8

Will be alternating this w/o with Mondays w/o - four days/wk. Goal is to add wt and sets as I'm able. (shoulder was iffy today- didn't push too hard on back)

Back/traps/bis/calve/abs

Neutral grip pullups
Bwt x 8,8,8

Chest supported bb rows - really tried to squeeze the top and stretch the bottom
75x10,10,10

Shrugs
135x10,10,10

BB curls
60x10,10,10

EZ spiders
48x10,9,8

BB calf raise
135x12,12,15

Rope tucks
50x12,12,15

Zeroed in on the diet last night. found out I'm a little under where I wanted to be 1739 vs 1800. Probably just leave it there for now. Will re-adjust in a couple weeks. Energy ok. Aches so far manageable.

[ljimd]

Thurs Bwt 160.0

Quads/Chest/Delts/Tri's

Front squats - close stance - ATG
Bar x10
95x10,10,10

Incline BB press
115x10,10,10

Incline DB flys
30x10,10,10

Seated BB press
100x10,10,10

DB laterals
20x10,10,10

BB skull krusher - back of the skull
75x10,10,10

Rope press down - Ala Carlman 45% constant tension
40x10,10,10

Energy was down some. Contemplating adding some carbs pre w/o. Right now almost 0.
Upped water intake to 1 gal+.

Small shoulder ache during laterals. Otherwise decent w/o.