Two small milestones for me

[GreenAdam]

A few minor milestones that I hit yesterday - may not be a big deal to most, but I'll take any small indicator of progress that I can get.

Let me preface this by saying that the weight training I did earlier in life (high school and early college) involved the normal "young guy" mistakes - concentrating 95% of my effort on upper body and almost completely ignoring lower body. "Squats? What the heck are SQUATS? I don't have time for that crap!". I'm doing things the right way now, but muscle memory is a powerful thing and my lower body lags my upper body quite badly to this day.

First of all, my squatting surpassed my bench pressing for the first time in my life. I did 205 for 8 reps (all three sets) in squats last night and I'm currently at 205 for about 6 reps in the bench. Might not be much, but I'll take it. If you guys saw my chicken legs, you'd be freakin' AMAZED that I can squat even that much. I weigh about 165 right now and only about 3 pounds of that is below the waist.

Second, my ability to do stiff leg deads finally surpassed my ability to grip the bar. I've never had to even consider wrist straps before, but now my hams/lower back are stronger than my gripping ability.

It's funny how these little things give you the fire to keep going.

[warped]

Way to go man!

I am on the other side of the coin, I can't grip for $hit! I did shoulder shrugs for the first time under the max-OT plan yesterday and had a hell of a time holding the friggin bar!

Remeber all the little gains add up to a few huge ones in time!

[NuclearArms]

Progress, no matter what anyone else may think about it, is what makes all our efforts worthwhile. Although there are competitions and meets and records, the bottomline is the challenge we make to our own bodies and mind. Good job in meeting that challenge and striving for more.

[Original Poster]

Way to Go GreenAdam !

Nice job on the squats - keep it up.

oh.......yeah.......use those straps for SLDL.........they are a must.

-- Chi

[Lynne]

Wow! Congratulations. I'm sure you'll build up those legs in no time You're already sooo strong.

[Macattack]

YEP got too keep that fire burning don't let it turn to embers good work....

[kimsquit]

way to go!

keep up the good work!

[Minotaur]

Very excellent! The idea is to lift heavy for you, and to push yourself to exceed. Sounds like you're doing it.

[tarman]

keep up the work....it''ll continue to pay dividends

[supadave]

Good job greenadam. Minor milestones are what keep us going.