Analysis Paralysis

[LadyLore420]

Gratz on the push press. You're ready to smash some jaws and yank some hair now!

[thehobbes]

Great work on the PP PR! Yep I visualize successful lifts during my rests too, it DOES help, srs.

[bigwade800]

I completely agree

visualization is a huge key to being successful. For all that anxiety and pressure you use...over self analysis and letting it create doubt, see you do it. see you do it flawlessly. It's the same process in which you over analyze, I'm over simplifying but, if you spend your energy on seeing what you can do versus allowing you to anticipate failure...imagine the possibilities

[itsagoodday]

A friend of a friend, who was an accomplished bodybuilder and powerlifter, once spent a while discussing visualization with me. He said do it regularly, like if you're someone who stretches or foam rolls or whatever, also use that time to visualize successful lifts.

That having been said, it's not something that I've done well with, personally. What has worked for me is a little different, it's something that I learned back in the days when I trained horses. There was an old saying of "throw your heart over the fence, and the horse will follow." It's that idea that works well for me, I interpret it as a reminder that you have to approach things with conviction. If you're hesitant or doubtful in your actions, it's probably not going to work out the way you want it to.

[LunaLifts]

Liked the new vlog regarding no more negative self talk. Going to hold you to it! I think it'll be a lot better for your lifts too if you can start pushing away the negative thoughts, and keep a more positive mindset altogether. Might help with the motivation issues as well. If you spend more time feeling good, capable, and generally badass, I think you'll be more excited to lift heavy things.

I don't think she is interested in being too public though - her IG is private and I don't want to invade her privacy, you know?

I'd give her a request. Sometimes it's not privacy at all, mine's private and i have no content, because I don't like that all these accounts for spam can just follow me to try to get my attention. Half of them are to see women webcam, and I'd rather be able to ignore them before they follow. Sometimes you just get pervy guys who think they'll watch a woman squat, and send d!ck pics. I've sen other people get a billion comments for "repping" some shady company too, so even if it's not follows, you get spam on your comments instead of genuine people who are interested in your journey.

So yeah, plenty of reasons to go private, maybe she wants real people only. Can't hurt to try.

I can also start paying more attention to the collaborations that they do - I know Meg Squats has done a few, I just never paid attention

Yeah I found a lot recently through collabs. Before I followed practically no one, but now that I have cardio time every day that needs a distraction I can use a handful of subs. It's nice to have different personalities, goals, and seeing what works for different people.

That having been said, it's not something that I've done well with, personally. What has worked for me is a little different, it's something that I learned back in the days when I trained horses. There was an old saying of "throw your heart over the fence, and the horse will follow." It's that idea that works well for me, I interpret it as a reminder that you have to approach things with conviction. If you're hesitant or doubtful in your actions, it's probably not going to work out the way you want it to.

Same, not much of a visualizer, but with certain lifts, deadlifts being a great example at first I go over the most important cues (for me), then I just think "GO!"

[anandagirl]

Gratz on the push press. You're ready to smash some jaws and yank some hair now!

Rawwrr!!!!

Great work on the PP PR! Yep I visualize successful lifts during my rests too, it DOES help, srs.

I'm doing it!

I completely agree

visualization is a huge key to being successful. For all that anxiety and pressure you use...over self analysis and letting it create doubt, see you do it. see you do it flawlessly. It's the same process in which you over analyze, I'm over simplifying but, if you spend your energy on seeing what you can do versus allowing you to anticipate failure...imagine the possibilities

That's what I'm doing during my rests now. Can't hurt and it's FREE!

A friend of a friend, who was an accomplished bodybuilder and powerlifter, once spent a while discussing visualization with me. He said do it regularly, like if you're someone who stretches or foam rolls or whatever, also use that time to visualize successful lifts.

That having been said, it's not something that I've done well with, personally. What has worked for me is a little different, it's something that I learned back in the days when I trained horses. There was an old saying of "throw your heart over the fence, and the horse will follow." It's that idea that works well for me, I interpret it as a reminder that you have to approach things with conviction. If you're hesitant or doubtful in your actions, it's probably not going to work out the way you want it to.

Yup. 100%. Two of the things I have changed/added is 1. Not looking at my workout before I get to the gym. No sense in thinking about it too long in advance and 2. Visualizing. Hope this means more gainz!

Liked the new vlog regarding no more negative self talk. Going to hold you to it! I think it'll be a lot better for your lifts too if you can start pushing away the negative thoughts, and keep a more positive mindset altogether. Might help with the motivation issues as well. If you spend more time feeling good, capable, and generally badass, I think you'll be more excited to lift heavy things.

YAS! Thanks Luna

I'd give her a request. Sometimes it's not privacy at all, mine's private and i have no content, because I don't like that all these accounts for spam can just follow me to try to get my attention. Half of them are to see women webcam, and I'd rather be able to ignore them before they follow. Sometimes you just get pervy guys who think they'll watch a woman squat, and send d!ck pics. I've sen other people get a billion comments for "repping" some shady company too, so even if it's not follows, you get spam on your comments instead of genuine people who are interested in your journey.

True, but I'm guessing her IG is more her kids than her lifting. Maybe this next winter I will get some time to chat with her more, and learn a little more about what's she's doing bodybuilding wise

Yeah I found a lot recently through collabs. Before I followed practically no one, but now that I have cardio time every day that needs a distraction I can use a handful of subs. It's nice to have different personalities, goals, and seeing what works for different people.

Yes, followed a few more people from some MegSquats collabs. BUT I am also losing a lot of time to YouTube now LOL must find balance. I also started watching HopeScope - she does a lot of clothing reviews, I was watching some of her reviews on cheap walmart athletic clothing and some Gymshark knockoffs from Ebay. She's funny and informative

Same, not much of a visualizer, but with certain lifts, deadlifts being a great example at first I go over the most important cues (for me), then I just think "GO!"

Visualizing helps... to pass the time of powerlifter rests LOL It's probably helping with my sets too....

[anandagirl]

Deadlift Day, August 11

Front Squat
PR's:
165x1 7/8/17
145x3 6/23/17

Paused:
130x1 7/27/17
120x3 6/9/17

45x8
65x5
95x3
115x1
125x3 Paused - PR by design

Trap Bar Dead, Raised Handle
PR's:
240x1 6/17/17
230x3 6/23/17

135x5
185x1
205x1
235x3 - PR by design



Deadlifts
[size=-3]PR: 265 7/1/17
6x225x1



Banded Deadlift, Blue Band
3x190x2



Seated Leg Curl
3x110x12

Seated Calf Raise
3x105x15

Leg Raises
3x10

Crunches
5x15

Kinda crazy to be doing deadlift cardio with 2 plates

[anandagirl]

Bench 8/14
PR's:
112x1 6/5/17
105x6 5/16/17

Paused Bench
107x3 6/13/17
117x1 6/19/17

Flat Bench, Medium Grip
45x8
55x5
65x3
75x1

Paused
95x3
105x3
109x3 - Not so paused
109x3 - Better

Decided to do the 109 set again and see if I could actually get the pauses. 109 felt like a grind on the last rep but it did go up.

Touch and Go
90x6
95x6



Dumbbell Bench Press
12's x35
2x20's x 25

Close Grip lat pulldown
3x85x12

Dumbbell Shrug
3x50's x12

Hammer Curls
3x20's x12

Rear Delt Raise
3x15's x12

So, good with bench today. Wasn't perfect, but I did my best. I did do some visualization between the heavy sets, not sure how much that helped, but I will get better with time.

Today was day 4? Of my cut, but the first day I got to try out my new plans. Basically, on rest days I am going to shoot for 1800 calories, 148g protein, 50g fat, and 189g carbs. On upper body days I am going to add a pre-workout meal of about 200 calories, and on lower body day that PWO meal will be about 300 calories. So my calorie intake on workout days will be between 2000 and 2100. It's loosely based on Renaissance Diet. Hoping to cut some fat without losing any performance, and make it manageable. I also bought myself a nice little pill organizer so I will actually be taking all my supplements. Has hell frozen over?

[anandagirl]

Oh and dammit, YouTube is gone again

[penny0527]

I visualize sometimes and it works about 75% of the time. I do a lot of psychic myself up for a lift too.

I bet your trap max is way more than 235x3

[LunaLifts]

Yes, followed a few more people from some MegSquats collabs. BUT I am also losing a lot of time to YouTube now LOL must find balance. I also started watching HopeScope - she does a lot of clothing reviews, I was watching some of her reviews on cheap walmart athletic clothing and some Gymshark knockoffs from Ebay. She's funny and informative

Yeah I think Whitney Simmons had a cheap athletic haul too I haven't gotten around to. I'm slow on the catch up part, because I mostly watch them when I do cardio, and first I catch up on new stuff. I mean, I have more time, but some videos I want to watch, not just listen to so I can't just play them in the other tab.

Today was day 4? Of my cut, but the first day I got to try out my new plans. Basically, on rest days I am going to shoot for 1800 calories, 148g protein, 50g fat, and 189g carbs. On upper body days I am going to add a pre-workout meal of about 200 calories, and on lower body day that PWO meal will be about 300 calories. So my calorie intake on workout days will be between 2000 and 2100. It's loosely based on Renaissance Diet. Hoping to cut some fat without losing any performance, and make it manageable. I also bought myself a nice little pill organizer so I will actually be taking all my supplements. Has hell frozen over?

I like it, cutting but still focusing on performance is a good balance. Good on getting the supps organized too.

[anandagirl]

I visualize sometimes and it works about 75% of the time. I do a lot of psychic myself up for a lift too.

I bet your trap max is way more than 235x3

Probably, but Wade tells me to PR by 5 Don't want to gas myself out before deads LOL

Yeah I think Whitney Simmons had a cheap athletic haul too I haven't gotten around to. I'm slow on the catch up part, because I mostly watch them when I do cardio, and first I catch up on new stuff. I mean, I have more time, but some videos I want to watch, not just listen to so I can't just play them in the other tab.

I like it, cutting but still focusing on performance is a good balance. Good on getting the supps organized too.

100%

[thebigzakbowski]

I try to visualize too. and 66% of the time it works everytime. Seriously though I do much better when I picture the weights flying off my chest

[anandagirl]

I try to visualize too. and 66% of the time it works everytime. Seriously though I do much better when I picture the weights flying off my chest

YES! You need to start visualizing that 405 flying off your chest! Like every day

[thebigzakbowski]

YES! You need to start visualizing that 405 flying off your chest! Like every day

I will get 405, it will feel as easy as 375 too!

[Artemis00]

So, good with bench today. Wasn't perfect, but I did my best. I did do some visualization between the heavy sets, not sure how much that helped, but I will get better with time.

I've found visualization to be super helpful with silks, but never helped with a lift. Actually the less I think about the lift, the better it goes.

[FallenAngel80]

Nice work, Ananda! I find it hard to visualise, but I run through my cues which seems to help. We're all different though, so it's whatever works

[SophieM]

Before i hit my PR's back in 2015, I was visualizing every night before going to bed about hitting them. Did it help? No clue. I did hit them though.

[bigwade800]

my biggest total, I did the same each night. I knew what the weight would look like, my set up and approach was the same in training and in my head. Visualization is a practice. It's not a skill achieved by trying a few times or even a few weeks. It's just like physical training.

[thehobbes]

I try to visualize too. and 66% of the time it works everytime. Seriously though I do much better when I picture the weights flying off my chest

Oooo I like your calves in your avi, bow chica wow wow!

[anandagirl]

I will get 405, it will feel as easy as 375 too!

Das it mane

I've found visualization to be super helpful with silks, but never helped with a lift. Actually the less I think about the lift, the better it goes.

LOL

Nice work, Ananda! I find it hard to visualise, but I run through my cues which seems to help. We're all different though, so it's whatever works

Cheers jo!

Before i hit my PR's back in 2015, I was visualizing every night before going to bed about hitting them. Did it help? No clue. I did hit them though.

Woot!

my biggest total, I did the same each night. I knew what the weight would look like, my set up and approach was the same in training and in my head. Visualization is a practice. It's not a skill achieved by trying a few times or even a few weeks. It's just like physical training.

Yup! I'm getting better at it

Oooo I like your calves in your avi, bow chica wow wow!

I can introduce you

[anandagirl]

Squat Test 8/15
PR: 180x1 8/6/17

Comp Stance Squat
45x8
65x5
95x3
115x1
135x1
155x1
175x1
185x1 - PR
195x1 - PR!
200x1 - PR!

It wasn't pretty but it happened.





Totally slacked on all other accessories except abs. Who am I? Abs?

Crunch
4x10

Reverse crunch
3x10

Bicycle Crunch
2x15

Now I start another cycle. Another cycle to work on form, pushing my knees out, staying tight. Easier done at lighter weight

[Artemis00]

Congrats on those big squat PRs.

[LunaLifts]

Comp Stance Squat
185x1 - PR
195x1 - PR!
200x1 - PR!

GlobDAMN girl! Way to go!

[anandagirl]

Congrats on those big squat PRs.

Even though they are the devil Thanks!

GlobDAMN girl! Way to go!

Thanks lady! I did 185 and wade said "That's a PR?" and I said yes, so then he said to do 195. Then he asked me if I've ever hit 200 and I knew he would have me do it. As he said, "Today's the day"

Not pretty and depth could have been better, but that's quite the milestone for me!

[penny0527]

Congrats on those PR's and look at that depth!

[anandagirl]

Congrats on those PR's and look at that depth!

Thanks but depth was not exceptional However, it is better than the cycle before where I had to continue to repeat weeks and attempts because my depth was way short

[LunaLifts]

Thanks lady! I did 185 and wade said "That's a PR?" and I said yes, so then he said to do 195. Then he asked me if I've ever hit 200 and I knew he would have me do it. As he said, "Today's the day"

Not pretty and depth could have been better, but that's quite the milestone for me!

Excuse me, but is that negative self talk I hear (see?)? You cut that out, you did great, and before you know it, it'll go from a struggled PR to a solid set. New PRs are supposed to be gritty.

[anandagirl]

Excuse me, but is that negative self talk I hear (see?)? You cut that out, you did great, and before you know it, it'll go from a struggled PR to a solid set. New PRs are supposed to be gritty.

Hahahaha! I only promised that in my vlog But I'll try to keep that promise here too

Starting to think more seriously about competing. I was thinking of just choosing a meet this fall, but I'm not ready. Not "I can't lift enough" ready, but monetarily I'm not ready. My goal for the rest of this year is to start collecting the equipment I need to compete: Singlet, USPA approved wrist wraps, knee and elbow sleeves. My belt is approved, so there's that.

So then I will put my attention to a meet in late spring or summer.

In the meantime, I am staying pretty much on track. Funny enough, cutting calories means I eat better. Higher protein, more micros, more fiber. Getting the pill organizer is helping with the supplement taking issue, although I have a hrd time taking my morning supplements. I've been feeling pretty good this week, so what I'm doing must be working. My hip is feeling pretty good too. Doing a little stretching post workout and in the evenings, but not like I was doing before. I am pretty much only visualizing my lifts between sets though. And I can finally say I can squat more than my bodyweight

[Partyrocking]

And I can finally say I can squat more than my bodyweight

Yeah you can!