Running with the Demon- my long, long journey to the stage.

[curjo]

Leg day today. Went to dunhams first to buy a few things, a weight belt to help stabilize me during squats, a new pair of shorts, and a new pair of shoes for lifting. My running shoes just weren't cutting it for my heavy squats and deads, these have much more lateral stability. Failed on the squats once again even with the belt. I got out 225x8 but failed on 255 and 240. Also with no hack squat machine again I tried my hand at front squats which are tricky so I kept the weight light. Cardio after leg day should be illegal! Hardest cardio I've ever done, hiit included, but I got through it.

Squats
135x12
185x10
225x8
255x1
240x1

Front squat
95x10x3

SLDL
135x10x3

Leg extension
125x15x3

Seated leg curl
120x12x3

Standing calf raise
135x15
185x12
185x12
235x10
235x10

Seated calf raise
90x15
115x12
115x12
125x10
125x10

[demonwareltd]

Leg day today. Went to dunhams first to buy a few things, a weight belt to help stabilize me during squats, a new pair of shorts, and a new pair of shoes for lifting. My running shoes just weren't cutting it for my heavy squats and deads, these have much more lateral stability. Failed on the squats once again even with the belt. I got out 225x8 but failed on 255 and 240. Also with no hack squat machine again I tried my hand at front squats which are tricky so I kept the weight light. Cardio after leg day should be illegal! Hardest cardio I've ever done, hiit included, but I got through it.

Squats
135x12
185x10
225x8
255x1
240x1

Front squat
95x10x3

SLDL
135x10x3

Leg extension
125x15x3

Seated leg curl
120x12x3

Standing calf raise
135x15
185x12
185x12
235x10
235x10

Seated calf raise
90x15
115x12
115x12
125x10
125x10

Maybe next time on squats, don't try to jump up 30 lbs. I think maybe if you went from 225 to 235 you may have had greater success. Very cool to hear you picked up a belt and some new shoes. I used to squat in my running shoes up until this past year. Now I just wear my canvas Converse All-Stars

As far as cardio goes. Yeah, I never do cardio after legs. Too brutal and my legs are usually like jelly after a hard leg workout. If I do cardio on the same day, it is a separate session all together. Props though for pushing and getting it done!

[curjo]

Ya I could have jumped a little less, 235 was my previous high so at the most I think I should have tried 245 but that was also two weeks prior since last week I didn't even get 225. I won't be sleeping in for a long time now so my back should be better. I normally don't do cardio on leg day either but I had missed Saturdays cardio due to my head wanting to explode!

[curjo]

Weight: 251.4 -.06

Down a little bit but I just started creatine this week so I may see an increase the next few weigh ins. Stan changed my macros, they are now 2679 cals 289p, 200c, 91f.

[Ccm644]

Weight: 251.4 -.06

Down a little bit but I just started creatine this week so I may see an increase the next few weigh ins. Stan changed my macros, they are now 2679 cals 289p, 200c, 91f.

I started creatine about a month ago and was shocked at my next weigh in
Nice workout too!!

Keep up the dedication

[tripleh210]

Weight: 251.4 -.06

Down a little bit but I just started creatine this week so I may see an increase the next few weigh ins. Stan changed my macros, they are now 2679 cals 289p, 200c, 91f.

Great progress so far!! The weight is comin down and your lifts are looking solid. Keep it up!

[curjo]

I started creatine about a month ago and was shocked at my next weigh in
Nice workout too!!

Keep up the dedication

Thanks! And ya it's not gonna catch me off guard, I'm expecting it. I just really want to hit the 240's for mental reasons and it seem like its taking forever!!!

Great progress so far!! The weight is comin down and your lifts are looking solid. Keep it up!

Thanks! I'm really happy my lifts are still going up, any time you can have your weight going down as your lifts go up is a good thing!

[offroadatv200]

Looking great buddy!

Keep up the hardwork, 2013 is going to be your year.

[curjo]

Looking great buddy!

Keep up the hardwork, 2013 is going to be your year.

Thanks, haven't heard from you in a while, I was beginning to wonder what happened to you! 2013 will see some big changes that's for sure!

[curjo]

Arm day yesterday. Went well but by the end I was spent. The last few arm sessions I've had I've felt like doing more and for some reason this one was a struggle just to get through. Drove home and did my hiit on my treadmill. 8 intervals of 10.0 speed for 40 seconds a piece and 2 minutes in between. It actually went a lot better than I thought it would. I was spent by the end but I was able to run at 10.0 pretty well.

Seated db curls
40x10x3

Superset with lying db extension
20x10x3

Ez bar curl
85x10x3

Superset with rope extensions
60x12x3

Skull crusher
55x10x3

Wide grip bb curl
70x12
80x10
70x8
70x6

[offroadatv200]

Thanks, haven't heard from you in a while, I was beginning to wonder what happened to you! 2013 will see some big changes that's for sure!

I went MIA for a while, trying to get sick i think!

[tripleh210]

Looking great in your dp! You are getting there for sure! Your lifts are looking solid as well, keep it goin strong!

[TakedaShingen]

Arm day yesterday. Went well but by the end I was spent. The last few arm sessions I've had I've felt like doing more and for some reason this one was a struggle just to get through. Drove home and did my hiit on my treadmill. 8 intervals of 10.0 speed for 40 seconds a piece and 2 minutes in between. It actually went a lot better than I thought it would. I was spent by the end but I was able to run at 10.0 pretty well.

Seated db curls
40x10x3

Superset with lying db extension
20x10x3

Ez bar curl
85x10x3

Superset with rope extensions
60x12x3

Skull crusher
55x10x3

Wide grip bb curl
70x12
80x10
70x8
70x6

That's some strong cardio right there. Those intervals are lookin sharp, and I guarantee you not any Joe off the street is gonna pull that off.

Lookin good bro. That hard work is certainly payin off.

[curjo]

Thanks guys, I'm trying hard, that's all I can do and hope my body responds. Did my second session of hiit for the week last night and I don't think I'll be putting my hiit sessions back to back like that again for a while. My hamstrings feel those sprints this morning. Same 8 sprints at 10.0 for 35-40 seconds, the last one I did the full minute and thought I was gonna die lol.

OHP
100x10x3

Superset with side lateral raises
10x10x3

Bb shrugs
195x10x3

Superset with rear laterals
15x10x3

Upright row
65x10x3

Front lateral raises
15x10x3

[curjo]

Weight: 250.6 -.08 (new low)

Very happy with the weigh in today because I thought I was going to see an increase due to adding creatine this week. This is the lowest I have seen in probably 9 years and is finally lower than 11/17/12 when I left for my trip. If I was able to sleep in tomorrow I could probably see the 240's, but alas I have to be at work tomorrow at 4am. No weekend for me this week, maybe I'll get next Sunday off. Back day today and I'm going for another pr on deads, hopefully hitting 300 for 6. Soon I'm going to have to lessen my weekly increases but I'm hoping to keep it rolling for another few weeks. 2 1/2 more hours of work and I'll be off to the gym.

[Ccm644]

Weight: 250.6 -.08 (new low)

Very happy with the weigh in today because I thought I was going to see an increase due to adding creatine this week. This is the lowest I have seen in probably 9 years and is finally lower than 11/17/12 when I left for my trip. If I was able to sleep in tomorrow I could probably see the 240's, but alas I have to be at work tomorrow at 4am. No weekend for me this week, maybe I'll get next Sunday off. Back day today and I'm going for another pr on deads, hopefully hitting 300 for 6. Soon I'm going to have to lessen my weekly increases but I'm hoping to keep it rolling for another few weeks. 2 1/2 more hours of work and I'll be off to the gym.

Congratulations!!!
Well done you deserve it

Good luck on the PR today

[curjo]

Congratulations!!!
Well done you deserve it

Good luck on the PR today

Thanks Dean, I hit the PR but only for four good reps, the other two had a hitch in them. I got them up but I probably shouldn't have. Next week I'm not going to do so many reps on the lower weights so I don't get too tired.

In other news, Stan is adding a refeed day once a week to my schedule. We're going to put it on Tuesdays, which is leg day. Macros will be 200p 360c and 87f. I'll probably get most of the carbs from oats and brown rice. Unlike most of you, I'm not a big fan of carbs but we'll see how it goes. Whatever Stan says is what I will do.

[demonwareltd]

You are definitely kicking ass and taking names at this point. Many a lesser man would have thrown in the towel, especially with having no weekends off and a family at home.

No doubt that a few months from now u are going to be in an awesome place physically!

[curjo]

You are definitely kicking ass and taking names at this point. Many a lesser man would have thrown in the towel, especially with having no weekends off and a family at home.

No doubt that a few months from now u are going to be in an awesome place physically!

Thanks Stan, it means a lot. I know with your help I'll get to where I want to be. It is hard with work and my family. My wife is the most awesome person in the world and I couldn't do anything I do without her. She fully supports everything I do and takes care of the kids and house with lite help from me. With the long work weeks and training I'm probably only home and awake for 2 hours, it's tough but it's going to be worth it.

Ok enough with that stuff, back day yesterday went well. Was able to pull 300 for four with decent form and then the other 2 reps I muscled up and probably shouldn't have, I was spent by that time. Went home and cooked up 5lbs of chicken while I way he'd the texans game then did 30 min on my stair master before the packer game. Overall a good day. Now after 5 hours of sleep I'm back at work for 8-12 hours. I think I'm going to knock one of my hiit sessions out today so I don't end up having to do them back to back like I did last week.

Lat pull down
120x10x3

Superset with db row
65x10x3

Bent over bb row
80x12
90x10
100x8
115x6

Dead lift
135x12
225x12
255x10
285x8
300x6

Straight arm pulldowns
60x10x3

[curjo]

Well no hiit for me yesterday, ended up staying a full day which is 12 hrs and just wanted to chill and watch some football. Then biggest loser came on and I stayed up and war he'd the whole thing, not good for a guy who has to get up at 2:45. Biggest loser is a guilty pleasure of mine and I love watching it. Anyway I will be off to the gym soon for the day that makes me feel like such a wuss-chest. Then get my lunch ready for the carb stuffing tomorrow lol. First refeed day, we'll see how it goes.

[curjo]

Just got done fighting all the resolutionists at the gym, luckily chest day goes pretty quickly with only 6 exercises and four of them supersetted. There were just a ton of people today taking up all the equipment, I got on the only free treadmill for my warmup and then did my incline work before flat work due to accessibility.
Here's how my refeed is going to look tomorrow, pretty boring compared to most of you guys but I don't mind. Stan specifically told me a box of pop tarts doesn't count as my refeed.

[curjo]

Two meals into my refeed day and I'm ready to hit legs tonight even though I forgot my gym clothes at home and I live 35 minutes from work. Oh well, I may just be one of those guys that works out in their regular clothes today. Chest day was alright, not much else to say.

Incline db press
45'sx10x3

Superset with incline db fly
25'sx10x3

Bb bench press
125x10
115x10x2

Superset with flat db fly
20'sx10x3

Assisted dips
-80x8x3

Machine press dropset to 40 reps x2

[curjo]

Weight: 254.0 +3.4

My carb baby is due any day now lol. stan told me to expect an in rease i. Weight after my refeed so im just trusting that saturday we will see a good number. i also had alot of hot sauce the last few days, calorie free, but quite a bit of sodium ao ill cut that out and see where I land.
Leg day was good yesterday, but I don't know why people train in pants. My legs were so sweaty and the pants were sticking to them making everything uncomfortable. Idk maybe it's just cause I'm not used to it cause every other guy there was wearing pants. Refeed went fine, it was a lot of oatmeal to choke down but I made it happen.
Squatting went better although the weight will be moving up much slower from now on, I'm thinking only 5 lbs a week, I got out my sixth rep but it was an all out war! That what you want though, I was sweating buckets by the time I was done with them. Tried out putting a weight plate under my heels during my hack squats and it feels much better, more clearance for the bar throughout the rep. Had a hard time walking out of the gym by the time I was done, I love that feeling because I know that I put in the work.

Squat
135x6
185x12
205x10
225x8
240x6

Hack squat
135x10
155x10x2

Stiff leg bb deadlift
155x10x3

Leg extension
130x15x3

Seated leg curl
125x12x3

Seated calf raise
90x15,12,12,10,10

Standing calf raise
135x15
185x12x2
205x10x2

[NaturalPursuit]

sweatin buckets means a good workout good job man!

[curjo]

sweatin buckets means a good workout good job man!

Ya leg day and back day really get me sweating, and I'm not normally a sweaty guy.

[curjo]

Not much to report today other than my weight was up again which surprised me. I was ready for the weight spike the day after my refeed but I thought I would be less than yesterday today. Oh well, we'll see has it trends the next few days. Yesterday was an off day from training, did my 30 minutes of miss and cooked another 5lbs of chicken and went to bed. Arms today and maybe my second hiit session for the week, although my quads are feeling it today from my leg workout Tuesday, at least I know I did my job lol!

[curjo]

Yesterday's arm routine went really well, had a crazy pump in my forearms and triceps. By the time the wide grip curls came along I was spent. Went home and did my hiit, another 8 sprints at 10.0 with incline walking in between. On the negative side my weight was up again this morning and I have no clue what could be going on. The only thing we changed was the refeed day but why would my weight still be going up 3 days later? Maybe the creatine that we started the week before is having some effect on that but it's bumming me out. I was less than a pound away from the 240's last Saturday and now I'm a mile away. That number has been teasing me my whole life and I'm really getting sick of it. I've been in the 250's for 3 months now. I know my long term goal is still on track just fine, by its nice to reach some shorter term goals every now and then. Regardless I'm going to keep plugging away and make sure it will eventually happen, I just have to trust the process.

Seated db curls
35'sx10x3

Superset with lying db extension
25'sx10x3

Ez-bar curl
95x10x3

Superset with rope extensions
55x12x3

Skullcrushers
65x10x3(these were tough!!)

Wide grip straight bar curls
60x12
70x10,8,6

[offroadatv200]

Congrat on the new low buddy.

[Ccm644]

Your get there in the 240's your close. But once your there im sure your have such motivation

It may be the creatine, it may be other factors

Keep going!!

[TakedaShingen]

Good job man!
Killin workouts and strength is goin up fast. Milk that for all it's worth : )

And Stan is right... A refeed is not a cheat day. It's a day to get those extra, much needed carbs, and to keep that metabolism from getting too used to your macros. My refeeds constitute of an extra banana, 1/2cup oats, and bowl of Special K w/berries in skim milk. Not exciting, but it does exactly what I need it to. Keep on the grind and focused on the goal. Momentary pleasures are not worth the sacrifice.