Today is my bodybuilding one year anniversary, what better time to start a journal!
I'm sure your first question is: what's all this juggling business? Well, I'm a closet juggler One of my fantasies is to be good enough to actually draw a crowd in public.
If you are wondering what that has to do with bodybuilding, you have to understand my perspective. Throughout my life I have struggled with anxiety and depression. Been on and off meds more than I would like to admit. The good news is: I'm off now and don't see myself going back. Bodybuilding has been key at controlling my depression, but I still deal with the anxiety daily. Lifting helps relieve the anxiety, but on off days I still have problems. This is where juggling comes in, on my off days I practice for at least an hour, which really calms me down for the rest of the day. And, as it turns out, is a nice light cardio.
Of course I know that I don't need to be buff to street perform, but since bodybuilding and juggling are a part of my life (and they affect each other), I'm going to think of them as a "team". Besides, it is always better watching someone perform who is fit.
As for my juggling proficiency, I would have to rate myself as a beginner. I can do six tricks or so, and I'm confident doing the three ball cascade. I fully intend to video myself so you can watch my progression.
In designing a workout routine, I had to keep my anxiety in mind; I tend to really second guess myself, so I needed some way of tracking progress easily. I needed a way to know I was for sure improving, so I could relax and do the work.
Over an extended period of time I came up with a self-adjusting program which so far has been incredible. Keep in mind that it is pretty specific to my body, I'm not saying I have found the workout everyone should be on, I'm saying that it clicks along very well for me.
At the beginning of the program all exercises start out at five sets of five reps, with a testing set after that. If I'm able to do the sixth set all the way to five, I make a note and go up to five sets of six reps for the next workout (still including a tester sixth set). I keep moving up till I get to eight (ten reps on some movements, like calves). Once I can do five sets of eight reps I add more weight. So the next workout I would be back to the five sets of five reps but with more resistance (don't worry it will be clearer once I post a few workouts).
The key for me is that each and every workout I improve in strength or endurance. No guess work anymore, I know the numbers are going up, so I relax. The big dog bonus is that I'm consistently building muscle too
My "split" is light upper body (1 day), light lower (2 day), light cardio (3rd day), heavy upper (4th day), heavy lower (5th day), light cardio (6th day), light cardio (7th day). For the most part, my light days are machine days, and my heavy ones are free-weight days.
I also want you to know that against my ego's orders, I'm going to list all weight amounts I use. If any of them seem low, just remember I'm always pushing to move forward. Over the long haul they will get up there And if any of them seem high, then bless you
Thank you for taking the time to read this, I hope along the way we can all have some fun, and maybe even learn a thing or two
Hitting those sets and reps means I reached my goal for that amount of weight. Next workout I will go up to 510lbs but the sets will be 5 with 5 reps with the added tester set.
Calf Raises: 520lbs 5 sets of 10 reps
Once again hitting my goal for that weight. As before no sixth tester set because this is the ending goal for that weight amount.
Leg Extensions: 140lbs 6 sets of 6 reps
Note here I do 6 sets, the 6th one is my tester set. If I'm able to do 6 reps in the tester I move up to 7 reps next workout. In today's case I was able to finish so I will be moving to 7 reps next time.
Leg Curls: 80lbs 6 sets of 6 reps
Same as above, note that these two exercise have been going up equally for the last month or so, that is why they are the same reps and sets. Could just as easily been 6 sets of 7 or whatever.
Dead-lifts: 70lbs 6 sets of 5 reps
I added deads about two weeks ago, I started the weight low for best possible form. I had some back problems in my teens, so I'm careful. But I have been moving up nicely, and don't see myself having any problems with this movement. I completed all 6 sets so will move to 6 reps next time.
Weighted Crunches: 100lbs 6 sets of 5 reps
Last leg workout I was able to do 90lbs at 5 sets of 10 reps, so what you see above is the next progression. I was able to finish my tester set so will change to 6 sets of 6 reps next workout.
Farmers carry upstairs: 50lbs four times up and down.
This last exercise may not have the best placement since there is some grip work going on. But with my split this is the best place to let it fall. I would have to call this one a little quirky (fun!), but my long term goal is to be able to carry 180lbs (two 90 dbs) up and down some stairs 10 times (will take a pic of them next leg workout). Each workout I add 1 more time up the stairs till I get to 10 times, then I add weight. Was able to do 50lbs four times up and down, so will try for five times up next time. (Note I skip this one if I'm ever dizzy or shaky)
That was it for gym time. By the way I workout in the mornings. I also hiked a little just before nightfall; didn't go that far, but far enough I wanted to list it.
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Layne Norton FTW
Tifflex's and Fiend_73's journey to the stage
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?p=361189401&posted=1#post361189401
R.I.P CandyJunkie
With great power comes great responsibility.
~Spiderman/Stan Lee~
You thougt we might considerl 510lbs calf raises light?!?!?! lol
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Yorkshireman I: Right! I had to get up in the morning, at ten o'clock at night, half an hour before I went to bed, eat a lump of cold poison, work twenty-nine hours a day down mill and pay mill-owner for permission to come to work, and when we got home, our dad would kill us and dance about on our graves, singing Hallelujah!
Welcome IT, glad you took the plunge!
You thougt we might considerl 510lbs calf raises light?!?!?! lol
Bless you
By the way everyone Mike helped me get this started, I was being a chicken, but he was very encouraging.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mom24boys
Welcome to the Journals...a Juggling BBer how cool shhh I used to clown and never learned more than the scarves in the juggling ;P
That is cool! I never did the scarves, but I can see how they are a great tool to start. I'm want to be a pure juggler, so no clown suit But the ham in me does creep into the act from time to time
Quote:
Originally Posted by BergMuscle
Welcome. Looking forward to reading about your progress in both bodybuilding and juggling.
I understand that it is difficult to simultaneously juggle a balling ball, a tennis ball, and a ping-pong ball - I suspect it is because of the different colors.
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IMX - Mossberg is synonymous with poor "Quality Control" and poor "Customer Service".
Welcome,
You will have to post a video of you juggling. And the gals will want you to be topless
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Joel
For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for nature can not be fooled. - Richard P. Feynman
My Journal: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=113158671
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Today was an off day for the weights, so I did light cardio Yes I juggled! I went for about a hour and twenty minutes. I can already see a positive mental change because of this journal, I think that is why I did the extra twenty minutes
I like to always have two new tricks that I'm working on, today I (more or less) perfected one, so will be adding something new to work on for next time. I also did heavy work on my transitions (going from one trick to the next).
I wanted to mention that before this I had about 10 hours of set juggling time. Of course I practiced even before that, but it wasn't regimented. Also keep in mind that I still have what I call "dork time", where I just play around. Kind of like a basketball player shooting a few hoops after dinner, I don't track any of that.
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You can't have rainbows, without a little rain.
Well, hey! Nice to see you journaling. I think juggling is cool and a cute juggler with no short is just the ticket, imo. (nice pic!).
Hey ChocolateGirl!
I'm not sure the first time I juggle in public I will not have my shirt off. Unless I do it at the beach or something. But maybe in my first video, maybe...
Quote:
Originally Posted by IdahoViking
I understand that it is difficult to simultaneously juggle a balling ball, a tennis ball, and a ping-pong ball - I suspect it is because of the different colors.
Lol, yup has to be the color
Quote:
Originally Posted by jtroster
Welcome,
You will have to post a video of you juggling. And the gals will want you to be topless
Hey Joel!
Video yes! I not going to make a huge deal out of it or I will procrastinate forever. I'm just going to call it a skill assessment.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mom24boys
I think thats a written rule in the ladies of bb.com hand book.. men must post pics shirtless
I don't want to break the rules But I'm still a little chicken
Welcome to the journals, Troll. Most people struggle for one thing in life to keep them centered and you have found two. That is great. (living in Hawaii can't be that bad either )
I had to laugh when you mentioned putting your ego aside to post weights that might seem light and in your next post I see a 500lb Leg Press!! Definately nothing to be ashamed of with those. Your attitude about always moving forward is great.
I look forward to reading more. Best of luck to you.
Welcome to journaling fun. Very cool about the juggling!
Thanks Diane! Go Gamecocks! (that is fun to say )
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigBT
Welcome to the journals, Troll. Most people struggle for one thing in life to keep them centered and you have found two. That is great. (living in Hawaii can't be that bad either )
I had to laugh when you mentioned putting your ego aside to post weights that might seem light and in your next post I see a 500lb Leg Press!! Definately nothing to be ashamed of with those. Your attitude about always moving forward is great.
I look forward to reading more. Best of luck to you.
Thank you Brian! I have read your post three times, you are giving me the big head
I really like your use of the word "centered", I don't think I have ever thought of myself that way before. Late last night I was feeling a little antsy, so I did more juggling. I was freestyling, doing it long enough you get in this kind of zone where your body just does the moves and you don't have to think. Centered is a great way to describe that feeling.
Living in Hawaii is a dream, everyday I look around and pray I don't wake up. Even if I didn't live here I would still keep "moving forward" but I'm very happy that I get to do it on Maui Plus the laid back lifestyle really helps me stay calm, you could even say it helps keep me centered
Upper body free weights day! By far my favorite day of the week.
One point I have not covered is that I rest 40 seconds between sets and about 2 minutes between exercises. I recover fast, much like Mariusz Pudzianowski (I wish ). But joking aside, done lots of testing, and 40 seconds works well for me.
Warm up: 4 minutes with 2.35 lb. Exerballs
Yup more juggling I like to stay around 4 mins because much more then that and my lifts start to suffer. By the way "Eye of the Tiger" is just a tad over 4 mins, I use it for my timer, by the end I'm ready to fight!
Dumbbell Arnold Press: 25lb dumbbells 5 sets of 6 reps
On the 6th set I could only do 3, so will not move up on this one. Keep in mind that last week I was able to do 6 sets of 5 reps, so I still count this as progress. Now if I'm unable to complete my tester set next time I will red flag this exercise and reevaluate.
Alternating Dumbbell Curls: 35lb dumbbells 6 sets of 7 reps
Got them all, will be moving up to 6 sets of 8 reps next time.
Dumbbell Upright Row: 25lb dumbbells 5 sets of 8 reps
This was my goal for the 25s, since I was able to do them all, next time will move up to 30lb dumbbells 6 sets of 5 reps.
Wide Grip Front Pulldowns: 90lbs 5 sets of 10 reps
Only machine I use on this day, in time would like to replace it with some pullups. But can't do more then one set at this point.
Got them all so next time will move up to 100lbs 6 sets of 5 reps.
Dumbbell Shrugs: 60lb dumbbells 5 sets of 10 reps
Got them so will be moving up to 60lb dumbbells 6 sets of 5 reps next time.
Cool down: 3 minutes with 2.35 lb. Exerballs
Would like to get this up to around 5 mins, but my arms fell off at the 3 minute mark today
SWEET! Michael I love the video. Awesome job at juggling. That was fun to watch. So you practice an hour a day? Cool. Do you use juggling balls? And it's cool you're posting your workouts too. It's nice to see you journaling.
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How far that little candle throws his beams. So shines a good deed in a weary world. -- William Shakespeare
Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity. -- Horace Mann
Fighting the Fattening of America one person at a time--starting with me.
SWEET! Michael I love the video. Awesome job at juggling. That was fun to watch. So you practice an hour a day? Cool. Do you use juggling balls? And it's cool you're posting your workouts too. It's nice to see you journaling.
Thanks Ricky! And welcome!
I have only been keeping track of how much I juggle for a few weeks, before that I just did it when I felt like it. Sometimes that would mean 15 mins, others over 2 hours. But I didn't have a plan or goals, basically now I'm applying my bodybuilding focus to my juggling.
I have mapped out 3 hours of juggling for each week. Each falling on a weightlifting off day. That way I'm not doing it much on days that I lift, on leg day it gets hard to stand for long, and on upper body day my arms wear out fast.
Yesterday I was spent from my workout, but the video went fast, so I didn't feel it to bad. I did end up going to bed early though, still testing the waters. I very well may add more time each week, just have to see how it goes.
Here is my collection of balls:
The ones in the video are "Squosh Beanbags Balls" (left side of pic), they don't bounce much when dropped, so are great to learn with. The rest range from stage balls to glow in the dark
Thanks to everyone for all the support, my motivation for both juggling and bodybuilding are at an all time high! (I should have done this sooner )
Lots of room for improvement here. About a month ago I shot a video of my form, it was bad, so I took the weight way down. Now with much improvement I'm on my way back up. I have them on a faster track since I have been at this weight before, will go up to 6 sets of 8 reps next time.
Calf Raises: 540lbs 6 sets of 5 reps
Since I reached my goal last time, I went up 20lbs. Got all six sets so going up to 6 reps next time. By the way I use the leg press for these.
Leg Extensions: 140lbs 6 sets of 7 reps
Completed all, going up to 8 reps next time.
Leg Curls: 80lbs 6 sets of 7 reps
Completed, up to 8 reps next time.
Dead-lifts: 70lbs 6 sets of 7 reps
Completed, going to 8 reps next time.
Weighted Crunches: 100lbs 6 sets of 6 reps
Completed, 7 reps next time.
Farmers carry upstairs: 50lbs five times up and down.
Was able to get all five, but it wasn't easy Here is a pic of the stiars I use:
Don't think I will be doing any juggling today, I'm beat
__________________
Layne Norton FTW
Tifflex's and Fiend_73's journey to the stage
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?p=361189401&posted=1#post361189401
R.I.P CandyJunkie
With great power comes great responsibility.
~Spiderman/Stan Lee~
One of my fantasies is to be good enough to actually draw a crowd in public.
And if any of them seem high, then bless you 
But the ham in me does creep into the act from time to time 
Linear Mode
