Back in Black

[Echo814]

Got in a workout yesterday and switched back to BGB for now. Got tired of the full body and missed things like rackpulls and inverted rows.

Back and Chest
Rack Pulls
WU: 115x8
WS: 135x5, 135x5, 155x5, 155x5, 160x5, 160x3

Barbell Row
WU: 45x8
WS: 65x10 3 sets

DB Row
20x12 3 sets

Flat BB Bench
WU:45x8
WS: 50x5, 55x5, 60x5, 65x5 65x5, 95x1

Incline DB Bench
20x12 3 sets

Chest Flys
8x12 (got good squeezes at the top)

This workout was strong AF! I haven't done BB bench in forever and after my last set I was like fuk it and tried 95lbs. Went up fairly easy. Today will be quads, hammies and biceps.

[LunaLifts]

Solid stuff! I'm convinced I'm doing something wrong with bench, I've only done it like three times in all my time lifting, and I managed 90lbs the first time, and most recently 95lbs. I don't have the resources to do much chest work, and while I'm disappointed I have't hit triple digits, I don't know how I managed the numbers I have.

[Echo814]

Quads, Biceps with a side of Hammies

Box Squat
WU:45x8
WS: 95x5 5 sets

BSS
WU: BWx8
WS: 8x8 3 sets (my balance sucks the camels ass)

Lying Hamcurls
25x20 3 sets

Bicep Curls
20x5 5 sets

Hammer Curls
8x10 3 sets slow concentric movement

[Echo814]

Solid stuff! I'm convinced I'm doing something wrong with bench, I've only done it like three times in all my time lifting, and I managed 90lbs the first time, and most recently 95lbs. I don't have the resources to do much chest work, and while I'm disappointed I have't hit triple digits, I don't know how I managed the numbers I have.

Oddly enough, bench is the only chest exercise I actually like, other than pec deck when I have access. Years ago, I managed a 125lb 1RM and since I have struggled but I haven't made it a priority like it was with Starting Strength and 5/3/1.

Eventually I want a power tower to do dips on for a different accessory movement. I've been looking into BW stuff to add in, can't hurt to be able to do handstand pushups, dips and various pushups

[Echo814]

Back, Shoulders and Calves

Inverted Row
BWx5 5 sets

Lat Pull down
67.5x8 3 sets

Lying Pullover
20x12 3 sets

Face Pulls
22.5x12 3 sets

OHP
WU: 45x8
WS: 55x5 5 sets

Lateral Raise
8x12 3 sets

Calves
55x12 5 second holds

[Fiction2Fitness]

Nicely done. I really should do calves one of these days again but I always feel meh about them. Face pulls, those are much easier to get me to do though. Good job working them shoulders. :-)

[Echo814]

Heya! Thanks for stopping by! Thanks, I love shoulder work! I want boulder shoulders! Lol

I throw calves in whenever, it's kinda like abs... I have to be in the mood.

[Fiction2Fitness]

Heya! Thanks for stopping by! Thanks, I love shoulder work! I want boulder shoulders! Lol

I throw calves in whenever, it's kinda like abs... I have to be in the mood.

Getting it in for the shoulders indeed. Keep working them then. Abs and calves are similar to me, if it's not in the programs I probably won't do them. lol

[LunaLifts]

Nicely done. I really should do calves one of these days again but I always feel meh about them. Face pulls, those are much easier to get me to do though. Good job working them shoulders. :-)

Same regarding calf work. Haven't done it in forever, I just assume/hope my leg work takes care of them enough. lol

Heya! Thanks for stopping by! Thanks, I love shoulder work! I want boulder shoulders! Lol

I throw calves in whenever, it's kinda like abs... I have to be in the mood.

Yes to shoulders! I gotta get mine together, lots of prehab-y work, because I tend to screw up my right one. Seeing what my OHPs look like may help a bit too, I'm probably uneven.

[gobbles23]

Awesome lifting! Shoulders and back are my favourite body parts to work!

[Echo814]

Some updates. After a horrendous 3 week battle with my damn health insurance company I finally got my medication. The sh!tty thing is it triggered a plan exclusion at first and then called for a pre-certification. My Dr prescribed it 11/01/2017 and it took the pharmacy part of the insurance company until the 20th to figure out the system erroneously denied the medication and it was an error on their part. The entire time I was asking for a price and was told due to the error they couldn't tell, after they fixed it I found out it was $325 after insurance . I ended up going through goodrx.com and getting at Walmart for $107. Another sh!tty thing is my FMLA ended 11/24 the same bloody day I started taking it. Now my job is no longer protected, they can revoke my benefits and they are actively recruiting for my position. I am still not medically cleared to return to work and in this position due to their employer plan. I have already gotten sick, coming off of a crap cold/flu type thing. My immune system must be trashed now. No new hair growth or alleviation of my eyes but the dr said it could take up to a month.

I have gotten a couple workouts in, Hit some rackpulls for 165lbs the other day. Might do some box squats today if I have time, hubby has his company Christmas party and I have to pick him up later.

[Fiction2Fitness]

Ouch. Rough times. The goodrx is a great resource though because it does help often times. Some medicine is so high even when insurance covers hundreds of dollars, there still can be a 100+ copay. I see goodrx on a regular basis at work. Insurance is very much a hassle and we see that issue all of the time too, need some type of paperwork/diagnosis from dr then the insurance will make a decision if they want to cover it or not. And they don't always contact with said decision to the pharmacy. Insurance is one of the more annoying parts of the job in pharmacy, for sure.

Have fun at the party and with whatever lifting you managed.

[Echo814]

Ouch. Rough times. The goodrx is a great resource though because it does help often times. Some medicine is so high even when insurance covers hundreds of dollars, there still can be a 100+ copay. I see goodrx on a regular basis at work. Insurance is very much a hassle and we see that issue all of the time too, need some type of paperwork/diagnosis from dr then the insurance will make a decision if they want to cover it or not. And they don't always contact with said decision to the pharmacy. Insurance is one of the more annoying parts of the job in pharmacy, for sure.

Have fun at the party and with whatever lifting you managed.

The funny thing is this med didn't even need a pre cert. Their system was denying the medicine across the board incorrectly, my poor Dr did the pre cert paperwork for no reason It took like 6 different people over three weeks that I talked to to figure out "oh sh!t, that wasn't supposed to happen." The med is for mostly transplant recipients for anti-rejection purposes, thank god I didn't have a transplant, and needed it ASAP

Sadly hubs Christmas party is for employees only, lots of booze involved so he didn't want to drive. Stayed at home with the kiddo and mad home made pizza, didn't workout because of someones lack of communication on when I needed to pick them up...

[gobbles23]

My guys party is employees only too. Well they can bring their spouses, they just don't lol.

Glad you found your medication for a cheaper price, that's insane! Sucks about the job too, but sounds like they're a bunch of jerks anyway

[LunaLifts]

Sorry about the insurance issues, I've had my gripes, but none that bad yet. Mostly over not covering chit that can be bought OTC (the difference being my doctor is prescribing it, and I can't afford it, *ssoles -_-).

Glad you were able to get that much lower of a price though, that's insane. *Withholds rant over medication prices.*

[Echo814]

Sorry about the insurance issues, I've had my gripes, but none that bad yet. Mostly over not covering chit that can be bought OTC (the difference being my doctor is prescribing it, and I can't afford it, *ssoles -_-).

Glad you were able to get that much lower of a price though, that's insane. *Withholds rant over medication prices.*

Well, now I am officially uninsured because my employer is a piece of sh!t. I'm not officially terminated but they revoked my insurance and if they fill my position I am more than welcome to reapply once I'm medically cleared SO now it's panic mode to find health insurance. Can't afford anything on the federal exchanges or my husbands employer plan because they do not contribute anything to the dependents premiums so that is 100% on us, with my on disability as can not afford over 1/3 of Jims pay to go towards that in either case we are looking at $1300 a month with $14000 deductibles on the federal exchanges and $1200 a month with Jims employer pan with a $5000 family deductible.

Luckily my treating DR does cash at time of service and it will be around what I was paying before, since I never hit my deductible The labs I need I can do for cash as $28 dollars and my meds are cheaper with goodrx than it was with insurance. Hopefully they will not enforce the penalty that was pegged at $954 apiece for us not have insurance after 60 days.

Not much else going on, trying to figure out a way to work with the flare ups with my eyes. So far not many options since the flare ups are random and can go for hours. I entered the $250K challenge again, maybe without working a stressful job and no communing 2 hours a day I will follow through. If I win I could afford trying the medication my DR wants me on but would cost $4000 a month The sad thing, is for my condition, this has the greatest rate of getting hair regrowth, over 95%, and ceasing of symptoms, like my eye issues and nails going to sh!t. I will be contacting the company and request patient assistance or maybe offering for them to do a study on my because they haven' done many on female alopecia universalis suffers and it may help it get approved to become on label for it.

[gobbles23]

Man, I'm so glad I live in Canada. Free healthcare is a blessing. I pay 60 bucks a month and everything is paid for. The way it should be, my god Good luck with figuring it all out, what a money racket Your employer pisses me off

[Echo814]

Man, I'm so glad I live in Canada. Free healthcare is a blessing. I pay 60 bucks a month and everything is paid for. The way it should be, my god Good luck with figuring it all out, what a money racket Your employer pisses me off

While it has always been a mess for some, if you were employed it used to be affordable before the Affordable Care Act was passed. Now providers have to jump through so many government hoops they have jacked up prices, then you have the large number of sick people flooding the market, with subsidized insurance, while people in our situation get jacksh!t but are expected to pay these prices or face a tax penalty. All this bill did was expand medicaid to more people under a certain poverty level, guarantee profits for insurance companies that are complaining they are not making money and fuked over the rest of us. My meds would cost a lot less is if the US government would allow other countries, like Canada, to sell pharmaceuticals in the states. But no! Most of those ass-hats are in the pharmaceutical companies pockets, screw the little guy that can't afford medicine, even with insurance.

Then you have employers that give two sh!ts about someone who as worked for them for three years, a person that got over $500,000 paid to them on 10 claims that were denied in error TWO years ago along with all the other high dollar research I did. Yeah, firing me, hiring a new person to fill my role, training them and ramping them up will cost a lot more than the $1000 in health premiums a month they were contributing

Anywho, I am on day three of the $250K Chanllenge, if you want to see a horror show got look at my progress pics. Only good thing is I see muscle in my back and shoulders, if I can drop about 20-25lbs I think I stand a good chance of winning, but who knows at least I will look and feel better, started at 162lbs weight in a 158.2lbs today. My scales BF has me at like 29% but I think I might be more 35%.

[Echo814]

Another wonderful thing is I was denied individual insurance due to having my immune condition. Well fuk me sideways with a chainsaw So now we are rolling the dice and praying a major medical issue doesn't pop up. Only good news is the individual mandate was repealed, so at least we don't get an almost $3K tax penalty.

On to other shiz, I'm down to 156.4lbs as of this morning, that's 6lbs since last week all hail the powers of water weight I should be on track to be down in the 130s for the end of the 250K challenge. Workouts are going good so I'm happy on that front "We take our victories when we can."

[LunaLifts]

Is it legal for them to do that as an employer? Like trying to semi-fire you for a medical reason? If it's a chronic condition I'd wonder if the ADA would get on their asses.

[Echo814]

Is it legal for them to do that as an employer? Like trying to semi-fire you for a medical reason? If it's a chronic condition I'd wonder if the ADA would get on their asses.

I actually applied for an ADA accommodation for extended unpaid leave and only contributions to my medical insurance. The company denied that due to business need blah, blah blah. I honestly don't think they are thinking this through and understand the law. I'm' filling a complaint with the EEOC for discrimination and if I get a right to sue I will. I have a phone interview 03/02 with the EEOC and will be going from there.

[LunaLifts]

I actually applied for an ADA accommodation for extended unpaid leave and only contributions to my medical insurance. The company denied that due to business need blah, blah blah. I honestly don't think they are thinking this through and understand the law. I'm' filling a complaint with the EEOC for discrimination and if I get a right to sue I will. I have a phone interview 03/02 with the EEOC and will be going from there.

Booyah! You get 'em!

I can't imagine you wouldn't have a case, I'm no criminal justice major, but that doesn't sound remotely ok.

[Echo814]

Booyah! You get 'em!

I can't imagine you wouldn't have a case, I'm no criminal justice major, but that doesn't sound remotely ok.

I tried contacting a lawyer but they wanted a $200 consult fee If I get the right to sue letter though I will probably have lawyers contacting me lol.

In my mid it's cheaper to pay my freaking insurance than even hiring a temp at at least $18 an hour (and that's after the temp agency fee}, that's what I made with them in 2014 before I was hired on permanently. It's like as soon as I wasn't protected by FMLA they were like lets get rid of her .

[Echo814]

Ugh, I was officially let go as of the 9th. My short term disability is under clinical review and they are taking their dear sweet time I did contact Pfizer for patient assistance for the drug that would cost $4000 a month so hopefully they approve it.

Been working out consistently, got 175lbs for 3 reps yesterday on dead lifts. Weights been chilling at 157lbs but I have not been 100% on diet though, good news is I lost 2 inches on my waist and clothes are fitting better. My bras were fitting poorly so I decided to measure myself the correct way and I'm a 34H I was a 32E not to long ago but the girls have totally gotten out of control lol

[Echo814]

Still plugging along. My disability was taken away so now I get the messy job of the appeals process. I can't afford my current prescription since its up to $200 and that makes the difference between eating or paying a utility.

Still working out. Hit deadlifts at 170lbsx5 the other day. Been playing around with front and box squats again. Bench is going good at 80x5 and will hit up 1RM soon.

Liams 5th birthday was yesterday. I'm so proud of him and at the same time say, it's beeen going by way too quick. He goes to kindergarten this fall We went to Lego Land and the aquarium. Lego Land was awesome, if you have one near you totally should go!

[LunaLifts]

I'm so sorry to hear that. That's incredibly unfair. I hope you can get your disability back, and get some insurance help for your prescription.

Nice work with the deadlifts though! Yay on losing inches too. Making some recomp gains.
I wish more women knew how to measure themselves for bras, ill-fitting bras are the worst, and every chick deserves a comfy bra.

I would love to go to Lego Land! I wish it was my 5th birthday! >.< Sounds like a fun day for you both.

[Echo814]

I'm so sorry to hear that. That's incredibly unfair. I hope you can get your disability back, and get some insurance help for your prescription.

Nice work with the deadlifts though! Yay on losing inches too. Making some recomp gains.
I wish more women knew how to measure themselves for bras, ill-fitting bras are the worst, and every chick deserves a comfy bra.

I would love to go to Lego Land! I wish it was my 5th birthday! >.< Sounds like a fun day for you both.

I contacted a law firm that specializes in this, sent them my denial letter and plan summary descriptions from my employer and haven't heard back. I am going to call them back and see if they got everything ok.

So far down to 153.2lbs as of this morning. Took some progress pics and don't see much change, though the lighting is harsh AF and hubby is not very good at taking pics lol. I am so close to the 140's I can taste it! Pants are to the point of needing belts all the time and I am so close to being back in in single digit clothes I'm playing with none back squat options for quads, I feel like I am not working them enough due to limitations with weight on front and box squats, I can deadlift close to 200lbs now but can front squat the bar for like 6 reps LMAO.

Lego Land was a blast! I think Jim may have more fun than Liam. There were rides, activities and a fun play area that had Lego shaped foam pieces instead of balls. The surprising thing was it was fairly affordable, even the snack bar wasn't over priced.

[LunaLifts]

I contacted a law firm that specializes in this, sent them my denial letter and plan summary descriptions from my employer and haven't heard back. I am going to call them back and see if they got everything ok.

Best of luck. I hope they jump on it, because it's clearly wrong.

So far down to 153.2lbs as of this morning. Took some progress pics and don't see much change, though the lighting is harsh AF and hubby is not very good at taking pics lol. I am so close to the 140's I can taste it! Pants are to the point of needing belts all the time and I am so close to being back in in single digit clothes I'm playing with none back squat options for quads, I feel like I am not working them enough due to limitations with weight on front and box squats, I can deadlift close to 200lbs now but can front squat the bar for like 6 reps LMAO.

Yay for the progress. Pictures can be good for seeing those subtle changes, but if the conditions of the photos aren't close enough, it just makes it as unreliable than anything else. I don't have a good camera, so I just try to remember measurements once in awhile. Clothing is a similar method though. You'll be in the 140's in no time!

Nice deadlifting, mine tank a bit when I cut. As for quads, they'll get there. Can you do lunges, sissy squats, B Split Squats, stuff like that? There's a way to do SM squats, it's not like regular squatting, you have to push back more into the machine's bar with your legs in front (so you don't get that awkward bar path like trying to do a back squat). It hard to explain with words, lol.

Lego Land was a blast! I think Jim may have more fun than Liam. There were rides, activities and a fun play area that had Lego shaped foam pieces instead of balls. The surprising thing was it was fairly affordable, even the snack bar wasn't over priced.

Well, LegoLand just hopped on my bucket list. Do people without kids go, or will it be weird? >.<

[Echo814]

Best of luck. I hope they jump on it, because it's clearly wrong.

Yay for the progress. Pictures can be good for seeing those subtle changes, but if the conditions of the photos aren't close enough, it just makes it as unreliable than anything else. I don't have a good camera, so I just try to remember measurements once in awhile. Clothing is a similar method though. You'll be in the 140's in no time!

Nice deadlifting, mine tank a bit when I cut. As for quads, they'll get there. Can you do lunges, sissy squats, B Split Squats, stuff like that? There's a way to do SM squats, it's not like regular squatting, you have to push back more into the machine's bar with your legs in front (so you don't get that awkward bar path like trying to do a back squat). It hard to explain with words, lol.

Well, LegoLand just hopped on my bucket list. Do people without kids go, or will it be weird? >.<

If they don't respond I will attempt the appeal on my own. If I b!tch slapped a former employer for violating labor laws when they wouldn't give me reliable access to the mothers room to pump milk and got awarded unemployment when I quit, I think I should be able to do this on my own

Deadlifts are one of the few lifts I don't struggle with. One Lyle sorted out some of the form issues I had it's become a lot easier to progress. I have crap balance issues to unilateral work is hit or miss. When my medication dosage was upped I felt like I was working out drunk while doing some BSS and lunges. I can't afford my medicine now so I think I might try them again though. I actually did 30 minutes of steady state cardio today I need to get that in more often lol.

Oh, there were people there without kids! It's all ages and they even have annual passes, if it wasn't 40 miles away and my eyes weren't all jacked I would totally get them.

[Echo814]

Cut is going great, down to 151.4lbs I think the 140s will happen by the end of the week. Strength is holding steady, hit up bench at 82x8 for two sets Monday. I think after this cut I will go back to 5/3/1 for a bit, I want my deads over 200lbs and bench two plates at some point.

Got approved for subsidies for the health exchanges, took almost being destitute for it to happen Coverage starts next month, been off meds since last month because $200 or more a month is not affordable right now. Not noticing any difference though so have to talk to my Dr tomorrow about it.

Had my interview with the EEOC on the 5th, they are reviewing my claim and if they feel they violated the law they will ask for a response from my old job. They have to prove that giving me unpaid leave would have been an undue hardship and burden, which with about 30 people in my department and 3500 employes, it will be hard to do.