Demon Gets Back on Track - Finding a New Passion

[demonwareltd]

Hey guys!

After about a 6 week hiatus both from the contest prep section AND the gym, I've finally woke up today with a desire to train and get back to work. Yes, I literally didn't step foot in a gym for 6 weeks. Longest break in my 10+ years of training. I just felt so burned out after my last contest that I had literally no desire to train. I wasn't depressed about not being in the gym, I just didn't want it or care, and that is fine.

My goal now is to find a nice balance between being a sloth and being a competitive bodybuilder in the gym 6 days a week for 1-2 hours. I have no desire to step on the stage in the immediate future and really enjoy all the time I've had to do other things in lieu of the gym. That being said, I still want to stay strong and healthy. I will ease back into the weights, embrace the rediculous DOMs that await and see where it leads.

Heading in over my lunch break today and will give an update on how that goes, my training plan, supplementation, diet approach, etc...


On a side note - Demon Fitness has been doing well, hanging between 8-10 clients at all times. More than enough to keep me busy in addition to my full time gig as a software engineer for Cerner.

Until later!

[IK9]

First

[happydude101]

You know I'm in for this. :-)

[demonwareltd]

Thanks for the support guys!

[demonwareltd]

So I did some more thinking on the way to the gym today and it's actually been 2 months since I've been in last - this was evidenced by my incredible lack of strength in the gym

I've decided to loosely follow a 5/3/1 kind of routine, sticking to a basic compound movement and just 2 accessory lifts until my strength ramps back up and DOMs become less. Doing incline bench was amusing, as I felt like I did the first time I ever benched press. My arms were shaking like crazy due to lack of muscular coordination and stabilization. It was both humbling and amusing.

I'm planning on going for a run or doing some treadmill after my son's kindergarten orientation tonight.

DB Bench Press - 40x12, 60x10, 60x10, 60x8, 60x7
Seated Machine Rows - 130x12, 140x10, 145x10, 145x10, 145x10
Barbell Incline Bench - 135x5, 155x5, 175x3, 175x2, 185x2

Not much but I guarantee you tomorrow will be some interesting soreness.

[demonwareltd]

My approach to food will be simple. Focus on getting in enough protein (240 grams or so) and the rest I'm not worrying about. Over the last two months my protein intake was probably close to 120 to 140 since I wasn't consuming any shakes.

I have no goals in terms of body weight/composition but I will try and jump on the scale once or twice a week just to see how things are progressing. The main goal here is to recover strength as quick as possible and then once my strength gains plateau again, will formulate a much more well structured diet and training plan.

[jpfaherty]

In

[demonwareltd]

In

Thanks brosef

[demonwareltd]

Heading back into the gym today after taking off yesterday (chest DOMs were rough, but not impossible to work through). Squatting today to ensure walking will suck for the next few days. My motivation is still not really back and it comes and goes. Protein intake is still down from where I want it to be and that's probably because I don't have a huge appetite right now. Also haven't stepped on the scale since June so will try to remember to do that in the AM when I wake up.

Wish me luck!

[demonwareltd]

Man my legs hurt and it's only been a couple hours since my workout.

Strength was better than expected but my hamstrings are toast. They were cramping hard during squats, simply from lack of use. Felt amazing though to get in and move some weight again.

Squats - 45x10, 135x10, 225x5, 225x5, 275x3, 275x3, 285x3, 295x3, 225x4

Seated Calf Raise - 90x15, 135x15, 135x15, 135x15

Leg Extensions - 100x12, 110x12, 120x12, 130x12

Would like to go in tomorrow for some shoulder work and then hopefully deadlift on Friday. However, I think the leg DOMs are going to make deadlifting effectively fairly difficult for the next few days.

[offroadatv200]

In like flynn

[Vytis]

I'll be following along.

[demonwareltd]

I'm still chugging along, sort of. I did get in on Friday for OHP and some other shoulder work. That along with some chins left me hella sore the entire weekend. Monday I simply slacked off and didn't make it in.

Heading to the gym shortly here on my lunch break for my first deadlift workout. Took awhile for my hamstrings to not hurt following squats but they feel 100% and excited to see how weak I am right now on these.

[demonwareltd]

Went in to the gym today with one goal - DEADLIFT. Felt amazing to perform this movement again, my absolute passion of all exercises. Worked up to some heavy triples and then went for a few singles because I felt so good. Soreness in the hips and back will be crazy later but I welcome it again.

Deadlift - 45x10, 135x10, 225x7, 275x5, 335x3, 385x3, 405x3, 415x1, 435x1, 455x1

[NaturalPursuit]

IN for the new log! 455 deadlift…its getting back up there

[jpfaherty]

One foot in front of the next man. Consistency is key!