1 Year to leave "Do I even lift?" Status.

[eltwentyone]

will give updates onto this thread, spring cutters thread gets so many pages hard to keep track of it. I think need to drop another 10 pounds.

165 here



and about 155 here

[Gibb1991]

will give updates onto this thread, spring cutters thread gets so many pages hard to keep track of it. I think need to drop another 10 pounds.

165 here



and about 155 here

Shoulders are definitely way better than last time you were this weight. You gonna go all the way to 145? Seems low man, go to 150 and maintain for a bit then bulk boy.

[eltwentyone]

Shoulders are definitely way better than last time you were this weight. You gonna go all the way to 145? Seems low man, go to 150 and maintain for a bit then bulk boy.

Ive been maintaining most if not all my lifts, until that starts to decline rapidly, i will keep cutting.

[Gibb1991]

Ive been maintaining most if not all my lifts, until that starts to decline rapidly, i will keep cutting.

Good call.

Wrist was bad today so I was held back a lot, still decent back workout.

Back
Chin ups
BW x 10
BW x 6
+40 lbs x 3
-Wrist hated this so I figured I'de switch it up for once
Pull ups
+20 lbs x 7
+20 lbs x 7
+40 lbs x 2 >>> + 20 lbs x 2
DB Rows
80s x 10/10
90s x 8/8
100s x 2/ 2 >>> 80s x 4/4
Cable Row
15 plates x 10
15 plates x 10
15 plates x 10 >>> 10 plates x 10
Close Grip Neutral Pull Downs
15 plates x 8
16 plates x 8ish
16 plates x 8ish> >> 12 plates x 10

[Gibb1991]

Wrist still bad, but it's my birthday so I needed to get a nice little workout in.

Chest
DB Bench
30s x 25
55s x 10
75s x 8
75s x 8
Hammerstrength flat
1 plate x 20
Hammerstrength incline
55 lbs x 10
55 lbs x 10
45 lbs x 12
Flies
1 set to fail ure
Push Downs
Two sets

Wrist was really bad

[Gibb1991]

Wrist improved, but not good. Light shoulder and back work.

Shoulders/some Back
Lateral raises
15 lbs x 20
DB Press [Each set super setted with 15 reps of either 15 or 20 lb DBs depending on what was available]
35s x 15
50s x 8
50s x 7
60s x 5
Hammerstrength Machine
45 lbs x 12
45 lbs x 10
45 lbs x 10
Pull ups
14.5 - Actually swore here. I was so phucking close and I just couldnt do it.
11
7
Close Neutral Grip Pull Downs
12 plates x 12, 12, 12

[Gibb1991]

Wrist still sore but I'm not puking any more (for now lol) so leg day- was skipping legs because the exertion was taking to much out of me, was sick for a full day after.

Legs
Back Extensions
2x15
Squat
135 x 10
155 x 10
185 x 8
185 x 8
185 x 5
Lunges
30 lb DBs x 3 walk outs
Sumo Dead lift
135 x 5
185 x 6
stiff legged dead lift
135 x 10

[Gibb1991]

[watch]PcuxVDHgGAc[/watch]

Went over to my friend's house and we made these today (MTS whey and everything) was actually really good. Added a banana and nutella into the mix. I strongly recommend MTS whey btw, it actually is really good.

Wrist was better today, not 100% but much better.

Chest/ a little bicep
DB Bench
35s x 15
55s x 15
75s x 9 - PR?
80s x 6
80s x 5
Dips
+25 lbs x 4
-Too hard on the wrist
Incline Barbell
135 x 5
135 x 6
135 x 7 - But lettuce be reality it was more like 5 because of spotting lol >>> 115lbs x 6 >>95 lbs x 5 >>> Bar x 12
Incline Hammerstrength
55 lbs x 12
55 lbs x 6 >>> 45 lbs x 6
Hammerstrength seated flat
70 lbs x 5
Cable cross overs
3 sets till failure
Incline Curls
25 lbs x 10
25 lbs x 7 >>> 15 lbs x 8
25 lbs x 6 >>> 15 lbs x 6
Concentration curl machine
-Couldn't do it, just picked it up and the angle was bad on my wrist.


Felt decent man. Getting the chest weight back up a bit was nice.

[Frumpy]

Sup

Shoulder is still holding me back but I shall persist.

[Gibb1991]

Sup

Shoulder is still holding me back but I shall persist.

Look up Matt Ogus's shoulder rehab videos. He's got a ton of flexibility videos as well that are useful. Hows that cut going?

[MilkBender]

strong chest

I'm about to db press 40lb dumbbells in a few hours :'(

[dagoettsch]

keep it up!

[Gibb1991]

strong chest

I'm about to db press 40lb dumbbells in a few hours :'(

Rofl, what happened man? Your bench was pretty respectable last time I checked up on you. You look much better though so that's what counts. My chest has gotten weaker tbh, mostly from wrist pains and sickness stopping me from lifting.

keep it up!

Thanks brah.

I got my Versa Grips on Monday, have been aching to try them out for real ever since. Today I got my chance and some sick PRs.

Back
Chin ups + 40lbs x 5
-This was to hard on my wrist, back to pull ups for a more neutral grip
Pull ups
+ 30lbs x 6
+ 30 lbs x 6
+ 30 lbs x 4 >>> BW x 4
BW x 6
DB Rows
100 lbs x 7/8
100 lbs x 8/9
100 lbs x 8/ 9 >>> 90 lbs x 5/5
-This was where I noticed the grips helping the most. Was night and day compared to just liquid chalk. Every set was a PR here
Barbell Rows
135 x 15
185 x 5 >>> 135 x 6 - PR
185 x 5 >>> 135 x 6 ish
135 x 10
Cable Rows
20 plates x 8
-Here I found the grips preventing my range of motion so just took them off and lowered the weight a bit
17 plates x 10 ish
17 plates x 10 ish
Barbell Shrugs
135 x 20
185 x 10
205 x 10- PR
225 x 10- PR
-I've always loved barbell shrugs, but I could never hold the bar. Probably could have done a little more weight too
Pull ups
BW x 8
BW x 5
BW x 3

Great back session. Friend and I made bacon and eggs before we lifted and I think the high fat was a lil much for me.

[Gibb1991]

Rest day today. Traps feeling tight as phuck right now, wrist significantly better, hoping it will be 90% + by tomorrow for shoulders.

[Gibb1991]

Wrist is at like 90% as hoped for, took pre workout without feeling sick, was a good day.

Shoulders/ Arms
DB Press
35s x 15 ish
45s x 15
70s x 5
70s x 3 >>> 60s x 3
60s x 8
60s x 6
45s x 10
Hammerstrength Shoulder Press
55 lbs x 9 ?
55 lbs x 6 >>> 45 lbs x 5
45 lbs x 8
Lateral raises
40s x 8 Superset with strict seated 15s x 15
40s x 8 15s x 15
40s x 6 15s x 15
Close Grip Bench
135 x 6
-Was to wasted in the shoulders
DB skull crushers super set DB curls
20s x 12 40s x 7 - PR
20s x 10 40s x 6
20s x 8 40s x 6
Incline Curls Super set Dips
25s x 10 BW x 17
25s x 8 + 20 lbs x 8 >>> BW x 8
25sx 6 >>> 15s x 7 + 20 lbs x 6 >>> BW x 5
Push downs super set machine preacher curls
3 sets till failure


Felt good man.

[MilkBender]

Rofl, what happened man? Your bench was pretty respectable last time I checked up on you. You look much better though so that's what counts. My chest has gotten weaker tbh, mostly from wrist pains and sickness stopping me from lifting.



Great back session. Friend and I made bacon and eggs before we lifted and I think the high fat was a lil much for me.

strong back too. do you have a weight belt? I just put weights in one of those drawstring athletic bags. hopefully it doesn't rip because I stapled that bag together (started falling apart a few months ago). maybe I'll get a belt once I hit 25lbs on chins


I kind of stopped lifting at the end of my cut because of school (was failing 3 classes) bad idea lol. injury before that had me out of the gym too


also I'm ocd about symmetrical muscle contraction because of shoulder imbalance. don't do heavy weight/loose form anymore because it could get worse

[Gibb1991]

strong back too. do you have a weight belt? I just put weights in one of those drawstring athletic bags. hopefully it doesn't rip because I stapled that bag together (started falling apart a few months ago). maybe I'll get a belt once I hit 25lbs on chins


I kind of stopped lifting at the end of my cut because of school (was failing 3 classes) bad idea lol. injury before that had me out of the gym too


also I'm ocd about symmetrical muscle contraction because of shoulder imbalance. don't do heavy weight/loose form anymore because it could get worse

What's up with your shoulders? If it's an actual medical problem then I can respect it. I'm still scared of my lower back failing me some day lol, even though it really hasn't been a problem in a long time.

You fix those classes? Lifting shouldn't be all consuming man, it should just enhance your life. I was in the hospital from 6 am- 3 pm, had 2-4 hours of paper work, and still crushed a quick one hour session at the gym during my consolidation. During the school year I was there 3-4 days a week, studying 2-4 hours a night, 4-8 on the weekends. Gotta find a balance man (my balance was to sacrifice my social life sadly, but I'm not alone in that in my program).

And whatever bro, just continue being back at it and you'll get there, consistency is the most important thing I find. And no, no belt. The gym has ones I could use, but I choose to just stick a dumbell between my legs until I can do at least 45 lb, just don't wanna look like a **** with a belt and less than a 45 lb plate lol. Although I suppose it doesn't matter, now does it?

[Gibb1991]

My friend and I both wanna do back and legs twice a week, but we couldn't compromise on how to do it, so we made up a posterior chain day.

Posterior Chain
Dead lift
135 x 15
185 x 15
225 x 8
275 x 6
300 x 3 - PR
300 x 1 -Super shaky lol
255 x 8
225 x 8
Back Extensions
BW x 18
45 lbs x 15
45 lbs x 15
45 lbs x 6
Leg curls
60 lbs x 8
45 lbs x 10 Super set Single Leg curl - 20 lbs x 10
45 lbs x 10 """" " """ """ "" - 20 lbs x 10
Pull Ups
BW x 12
+ 20 lbs x 6
BW x 8
Shrug Machine
3 plates each x 18
4 plates x 10
4 plates x 10 >>> 3 plates x 8

[eltwentyone]

made protein pancakes, didnt turn out to well because i had the pan too hot, so it cooked fast but the inside was a bit raw. I also made protein cookies, turned out deflated, rubbery. I think i added to much whey not enough flour because it poofed up.

[zela]

You fix those classes? Lifting shouldn't be all consuming man, it should just enhance your life. I was in the hospital from 6 am- 3 pm, had 2-4 hours of paper work, and still crushed a quick one hour session at the gym during my consolidation. During the school year I was there 3-4 days a week, studying 2-4 hours a night, 4-8 on the weekends. Gotta find a balance man (my balance was to sacrifice my social life sadly, but I'm not alone in that in my program).

It can be a lonely road to achieving our goals. I like to think of when I'm 80 and look back I can't imagine how bad the regret would feel not putting myself through the path. Great to catch up on everything with you in here and strong progress pics above Gibbs!

[Gibb1991]

made protein pancakes, didnt turn out to well because i had the pan too hot, so it cooked fast but the inside was a bit raw. I also made protein cookies, turned out deflated, rubbery. I think i added to much whey not enough flour because it poofed up.

Cookies seem hard lol, I keep it simple. Ya, turn the heat down a bit.

And lol at Zela confusing out progress pics. We should just make a joint log in the future.

It can be a lonely road to achieving our goals. I like to think of when I'm 80 and look back I can't imagine how bad the regret would feel not putting myself through the path. Great to catch up on everything with you in here and strong progress pics above Gibbs!

Exactly. I pretty much think about how awesome it will be to be a nurse every single day, so I couldn't imagine not being willing to sacrifice to do well in this program.
Also, that was Elytwentyone's progress pictures, haha. He's my RL friend but I never see him since he's away for school so he just posts in here from time to time.
I actually took a "before" shot just as summer started. I want to bulk until the end of June then do another 1-2 month cut and see where I'm at. Those will be the pic's I'll post. Everyone is telling me I'm looking bigger basically every day so I'm hoping after a cut I'll be part way to my aesthetic goals. Strength goals are coming along decently which is the more important concept to me.
Summer Goals
DB Bench- Current: 80s x 6 [I've had 85, but it was a big struggle, the 80s is more honest] Goal: 90s x 5
DB Shoulder Press- Current: 70s x 5 Goal: 75s x 5 [currently 70s x 5 is a hard max for me, so getting it up to 75 will take a long time]
Squat- Current: 185 x 8 Goal: 225 x 5
Chin up- Current: +40 lbs x 6 Goal: +50 lbs x 8
DB row- Current: 100 lbs x 8/9 Goal: 110 lbs x 10/10
Dead lift- Current: 300 x 3 Goal: 315 x 5

Let me know if you think these are all reasonable. These are the exercises I consider to be my core workouts, and the goals I made based on how I've progressed in the past. If anyone feels they are to low then say that too lol.
Squat will be the hardest, I never seem to progress on it.

[zela]

Cookies seem hard lol, I keep it simple. Ya, turn the heat down a bit.

And lol at Zela confusing out progress pics. We should just make a joint log in the future.


Exactly. I pretty much think about how awesome it will be to be a nurse every single day, so I couldn't imagine not being willing to sacrifice to do well in this program.
Also, that was Elytwentyone's progress pictures, haha. He's my RL friend but I never see him since he's away for school so he just posts in here from time to time.
I actually took a "before" shot just as summer started. I want to bulk until the end of June then do another 1-2 month cut and see where I'm at. Those will be the pic's I'll post. Everyone is telling me I'm looking bigger basically every day so I'm hoping after a cut I'll be part way to my aesthetic goals. Strength goals are coming along decently which is the more important concept to me.
Summer Goals
DB Bench- Current: 80s x 6 [I've had 85, but it was a big struggle, the 80s is more honest] Goal: 90s x 5
DB Shoulder Press- Current: 70s x 5 Goal: 75s x 5 [currently 70s x 5 is a hard max for me, so getting it up to 75 will take a long time]
Squat- Current: 185 x 8 Goal: 225 x 5
Chin up- Current: +40 lbs x 6 Goal: +50 lbs x 8
DB row- Current: 100 lbs x 8/9 Goal: 110 lbs x 10/10
Dead lift- Current: 300 x 3 Goal: 315 x 5

Let me know if you think these are all reasonable. These are the exercises I consider to be my core workouts, and the goals I made based on how I've progressed in the past. If anyone feels they are to low then say that too lol.
Squat will be the hardest, I never seem to progress on it.

Wow sorry I could have sworn it said Gibbs haha... a mind on low calories does some funny things... Sometimes you just have to ditch aesthetics for a summer and work for the following year or two brah. It's a long road and the sooner you realize the sooner you will be happy. I'm basically ditching my cut again early this summer (2nd summer in a row) to focus on putting more mass for next year. Maybe a long bulk with short cuts (2-4 weeks) every 5-6 months would be a better option.

Some of your goals might be a little ambitious but I wouldn't let my opinion discourage you. I say that because I would worry more about form than lifting some weight at the sacrifice of a limb or a joint. Keep pushing yourself for the extra rep and set with the weight you can currently do and the strength will handle itself. Unfortunately some things shouldn't be rushed to guarantee long term health and ability to continue the sport for a long time. I say all this from past experience, especially having had my fair share of lower back set backs.

[eltwentyone]

haha thats good to hear that I can pass off as the great white man. I gotta buy some oats before i make the pancakes. Man i thought baking would be easy haha cookies turned out horrible. Saw the lifts, you still out DL me, I hit 225 squats couple weeks ago because of better flexibility and playing more basketball. I am still stuck at 155 cutting, diet on and off, need to get back on it.

[Gibb1991]

haha thats good to hear that I can pass off as the great white man. I gotta buy some oats before i make the pancakes. Man i thought baking would be easy haha cookies turned out horrible. Saw the lifts, you still out DL me, I hit 225 squats couple weeks ago because of better flexibility and playing more basketball. I am still stuck at 155 cutting, diet on and off, need to get back on it.

I'm confident I'll get the 225 squat, I had it last year but the knee acted up and all. Core is way better. I'm smarter at training. I got this.

Just control your diet more then if your determined to get your weight down. Right now I hover around 160- 162, I'm gonna go for 150 and see how I look when I finally do cut.

[Gibb1991]

Chest/ Arms
DB Bench
30s x 15 ?
50s x 15
65s x 8
80s x 7
80s x 6
80s x 6
65s x 8
Dips
+ 30 lbs x 9
+ 30 lbs x 8
+ 30 lbs x 8
+15 lbs x 10
Incline Barbell
135 x 6 -Very forced reps, those dips took a lot out of me
115 x 8
115 x 7
Incline Hammerstrength
55 lbs x 10
55 lbs x 7
45 lbs x 10
Cable Cross Overs
70 lbs x 6
60 lbs x 8
60 lbs x 8 >>> 40 lbs x 7
DB curls super set DB skull crushers
35 lbs x 12 20 lbs x 7
35 lbs x 8 >>> 30 lbs x 6 20lbs x 8
35 lbs x 6 >>> 30 lbs x 6 20 lbs x 7
Push Downs Superset Cable Curls
100 lbs x 12 80 lbs x 13
100 lbs x 12 ish 100 lbs x 10
120 lbs x 6 100 lbs x 6 >>> 70 lbs x 9
One arm push downs
2 sets till failure

[Gibb1991]

Quick write up for a quick session, but I was very happy with it.

Legs
Back Extensions
2 x 20ish
Squats
135 x 12
185 x 10
185 x 10
185 x 4 (thought I was done)
225 x 3
225 x 3
-My friend was working with 225 so I thought I would try it, phuck yee!
Lunges
30 lbs x 12 steps
40 lbs x 12 steps
40 lbs x 12 steps
Single Leg Curls
20 lbs x 15/15
20 lbs x 15/15
20 lbs x 15/15
Calve raises
3x15 - ??? weight

[Gibb1991]

I was so tired today lol, surprised I even matched my old PRs.

Shoulders/ Triceps
DB Press
35s x 15
50s x 10
70s x 5
70s x 3
65s x 5
50s x 8
Hammerstrength Shoulder Press
45s x 12
45s x 11
45s x 10
Lateral Raises
35s x 12 super set 20 lbs x 12 seated
Repeat
Repeat
Face Pulls
All Max rep sets - 17, 17, 16
Dip Machine
70 lbs each side x 12, 10
Dips
+ 45 lbs x 5 - PR
-I only did this because I didn't want to do high reps, I was so tired lol
Push downs
110 lbs x 12
110 lbs x 12
110 lbs x 12

[Gibb1991]

Huge back session today, felt strong man. These grips are making my rows sky rocket

Back
DB Rows
45s x 12/12
100s x 9/12
100s x 9/ 13
105s x 6/8
105s x 6/7
Chin ups
+40 lbs x 5
+40 lbs x 4
+30 lbs x 6
BW x 10
-Put more of my energy into those rows
Barbell Rows
135 x 10
185 x 5
185 x 6
185 x 3 >>> 155 x 6
155 x 7
Hammerstrength High Row
2 plates x 15/15 ---> Then Both hands x 5
2 plates x 12 (Pause at contraction)
2 plates x 13 (Pause at contraction, three forced reps)
Cable Row
18 plates x 10
18 plates x 7
15 plates x 10
Decline sit ups Super set 45 lb oblique crunches
3 sets till failure

Felt good man. Also just got home and got a call about a job interview on Tuesday, it's for less money than I had hoped for, but more than I make now.

[Gibb1991]

So tired today guys, worked midnights last night. Still wanted a higher rep chest/shoulder session

Chest/Shoulders
DB Bench
35 lbs x 20
50 lbs x 15
65 lbs x 10
65 lbs x 6
65 lbs x 8
Incline Barbell
115 x 9
115 x 9
135 x 4
Decline Barbell
135 x 12
135 x 11
135 x 6
Hammerstrength Flat
45 lbs x 6
45 lbs x 8
45 lbs x 8
Cable Cross Overs
3 sets till failure
Shoulder Press
45 lbs x 7
45 lbs x 7
45 lbs x 5
Lateral Raises
20 lbs x 25
30 lbs x 15
30 lbs x 15
20 lbs x 15

Grueling session, took everything out of me.

[Gibb1991]

Only 6 hours sleep and all I ate was two banana's right before hand lol.

Back/Legs
Dead lift
135 x 15
205 x 7
300 x 3
300 x 2
300x 1
225 x 10
Back Extensions
+45 lbs x 18
+45 lbs x 13 >>> BW x 6
Hamstring Curl
45 lbs x 15
60 lbs x 8
60 lbs x 8
Shrugs
3 plates x 23
4 plates x 15
4 plates x 12
4 plates x 6