Artemis00 Embraces the Dragon

[Artemis00]

Artemis00 Embraces the Dragon




“She’s seen the horrors of hell; she’s endured the darkest of times. It made her hard. She now walks with the fearlessness of the wolf. She lives with the bravery of the lion. And acts with the fierceness of the dragon.”

— Naked Truth, Jordan Sarah Weatherhead

[SophieM]

First!!

ETA: Picking back up where we left off

See those are the fails I hate...when I know I have the strength but something else screws it up. It is one thing if it is easy reasons for the fail (tired, stressed, etc.)...but when you shouldn't have failed but did anyway, those bug me.

I get less worried about missing lifts when I know it's not a strength issue, maybe that's a better way to put it. When I actually think I've gotten weaker, I definitely stress about it, which I'm sure makes things worse.

[JohnButz]

Second.

[Artemis00]

Sunday


Chest / Legs

Bench Press
- 1 x 12 - 45.0 lbs
- 1 x 02 - 85.0 lbs
- 1 x 02 - 115.0 lbs
- 1 x 01 - 125.0 lbs
- 1 x 01 - 130.0 lbs
- 1 x 01 - 135.0 lbs
- 1 x 13 - 100.0 lbs
Was "eh" regarding this bench session. Had difficulty with 135 lbs and needed to lift my butt off the bench in order to get the weight up and rack it. Don't know why, but I completely lost focus at the bottom of the lift. It was almost like I forgot what I was doing. Rather than letting this mess with my confidence, I figured it just shows that I can still save the lift even if I'm ready to fail. I did increase the last set by 5 lbs but only did 13 reps. Granted that is a PR...but I really think I had more reps in me, but I just let my head get focused on hitting over 12 reps...should have gone for more

Push Ups
- 1 x 12
Warm up

Push Ups - Feet on Stability Ball
- 1 x 15
- 1 x 26
- 1 x 15
Hand still hurts a bit from last week's clapping push up. So decided to switch things up a bit. These weren't too bad once you got going...but dismounting from the ball was not graceful. LOL

Push Ups
- 1 x 54
At least 54 more than last week

Super Sets

One Arm DB Bench Press
- 1 x 08 - 27.5 lbs
- 1 x 08 - 35.0 lbs
- 1 x 08 - 40.0 lbs
- 1 x 08 - 42.5 lbs
- 1 x 07 - 45.0 lbs
These were tough...did at least manage to get at least one more rep with 45 lbs. Didn't even think I would be able to get past 40

Plie Squats
- 1 x 10 - 80.0 lbs
- 1 x 12 - 80.0 lbs
- 1 x 12 - 80.0 lbs
- 1 x 12 - 80.0 lbs
- 1 x 12 - 80.0 lbs
Managed to go up 5 lbs with these. Hardest part was getting the DB...for some reason, putting it away was much easier.


Super Sets

Bulgarian Split Squats
- 1 x 08 - 0.0 lbs
- 1 x 08 - 10.0 lbs
- 1 x 08 - 12.0 lbs
- 1 x 08 - 18.0 lbs
- 1 x 08 - 22.0 lbs
Read an interesting article regarding these (unfortunately can't find it right now). But it was written by another person similar to me that was frustrated with regular squats and used split squats to replace regular squats. Did these a while ago, but only body weight. This time I decided to try for some weight. Decided to start light with these and just get familiar with the movement along with adding a bit of weight. Part of the issue was going low enough...typically that is gauge by the knee coming in contact with the floor, but my legs are so short with the bench I used that my knee making contact wasn't possible. Used a 1" yoga block that helped a bit. I was using some preloaded barbells for this exercise but found holding it like a zercher squat worked well. Next time I do these, I'll keep with 22 lbs for a few sets and see if I'm ready to go up to 25 lbs or heavier. All I have to say though is that they felt good

Butterfly Machine
- 1 x 15 - 40.0
- 1 x 12 - 43.3
- 1 x 12 - 43.3
- 1 x 12 - 53.3
- 1 x 12 - 53.3
These were okay...at the lighter weight was doing a pulse during contraction


Super Sets

Somersault Squats
- 1 x 10 - 18.0 lbs
- 1 x 08 - 18.0 lbs
- 1 x 08 - 18.0 lbs
- 1 x 08 - 18.0 lbs
- 1 x 08 - 18.0 lbs
These were good...really felt that had I done them earlier in the workout, I could have gotten in more reps

Svend Presses
- 1 x 15 - 10.0 lbs
- 1 x 15 - 10.0 lbs
- 1 x 15 - 10.0 lbs
- 1 x 15 - 10.0 lbs
- 1 x 15 - 10.0 lbs



Total Chin Ups: 30


Notes:
Was a good workout and got a lot in. Was thinking about doing another leg exercise, but was pretty dead by this point and was time to get home plus my head set was running out of juice. Think it may be time to get a new pair...again . Did the entire workout fasted after I way over did it last night. That meant no cupcake preworkout which may be another reason why I had some difficulty with the bench. But I think it went pretty well for the entire workout, actually did a bit more chest work than I normally would.

Definitely interested to see how well the Bulgarian split squats go. Oh yeah, may do more chin ups, but that depends on if I manage to get a second wind with my energy level. Then again, really do need to get something to eat.

[Artemis00]

First!!

ETA: Picking back up where we left off

I get less worried about missing lifts when I know it's not a strength issue, maybe that's a better way to put it. When I actually think I've gotten weaker, I definitely stress about it, which I'm sure makes things worse.

Thanks.

Oh yeah, I could definitely see getting stressed about being weaker. And yeah, stress never helps out when it comes to lifting. I think the worse I felt when it came to benching was when I messed up my shoulder last year attempting 130 lbs. Having to avoid benching and build back the strength sucked. Definitely like to avoid that at all cost which is why I'm not rushing it anymore.

Second.

Thanks

[SophieM]

Was thinking about doing another leg exercise

OMG, Art wanted to do more legs! This needs to be front page news!!!

Oh yeah, I could definitely see getting stressed about being weaker. And yeah, stress never helps out when it comes to lifting. I think the worse I felt when it came to benching was when I messed up my shoulder last year attempting 130 lbs. Having to avoid benching and build back the strength sucked. Definitely like to avoid that at all cost which is why I'm not rushing it anymore.

Seriously thought I got weaker after hitting a 225 lbs deadlift PR a couple(?) years ago. 185 lbs became too heavy leading up to a meet and I was freaking out. Come meet day, I was fine though. Just needed to give myself some time to recover between the PR attempt and heavy lifting. Learned my lesson about PR's during meet prep though LOL.

I'm trying to get my hips stable enough to do Bulgarian split squats, or even regular split squats really. One of my hips will dip. I'm assuming it's because of the weakness the leg length issue caused. Another reason everything is going to be single leg for me for a while.

[JohnButz]

All sorts of strong work on that Sunday session!

[Artemis00]

OMG, Art wanted to do more legs! This needs to be front page news!!!

Seriously thought I got weaker after hitting a 225 lbs deadlift PR a couple(?) years ago. 185 lbs became too heavy leading up to a meet and I was freaking out. Come meet day, I was fine though. Just needed to give myself some time to recover between the PR attempt and heavy lifting. Learned my lesson about PR's during meet prep though LOL.

I'm trying to get my hips stable enough to do Bulgarian split squats, or even regular split squats really. One of my hips will dip. I'm assuming it's because of the weakness the leg length issue caused. Another reason everything is going to be single leg for me for a while.

I wanted to...but it didn't happen. LOL

Well with dead lifts...those buggers are so temperamental. So many things can mess those up...and whereas those same things may only affect your bench by 5-10 lbs...with dead lifts, can affect them by 30-50 lbs.

Curious...How do you mean that your hip will dip?

All sorts of strong work on that Sunday session!

Thanks. I like the weekends...more time to get stuff done (at least until the battery on my headsets run out) .

[NaturalPursuit]

DEFINITELY subbed to this one!

[LaughingStorm]

Embracing the Dragon means that once you hit your pull up goal, it is gonna be all about those Dragon Flags?

Dat Dragon Style . . .

[Artemis00]

DEFINITELY subbed to this one!

Thanks

Embracing the Dragon means that once you hit your pull up goal, it is gonna be all about those Dragon Flags?

Dat Dragon Style . . .

Well I do love my Dragon Flags.

Dragon Style...you figured me out

[SophieM]

When I go in to the squat, my hips don't stay level. One drops lower than the other. I also need to work on ankle flexibility. I have issues LOL

[Artemis00]

When I go in to the squat, my hips don't stay level. One drops lower than the other. I also need to work on ankle flexibility. I have issues LOL

Oh okay. I see what you mean. I managed to fix all my issues with squatting by quitting

[Artemis00]

Monday


Shoulders / Abs / Bodyweight


Handstand Push Ups
- 1 x 04 - 4 blocks
- 1 x 06 - 3 blocks
- 1 x 05 - 3 blocks
- 1 x 05 - 3 blocks
- 1 x 06 - 3 blocks
- 1 x 07 - 3 blocks
Was a bit worried when the first set was bugging my right elbow...but didn't have any issues after that. Lost track of my sets when I got to the fifth one. That set felt really good and I thought I had another set after that. Decided to do another one anyway, took a bit of a longer rest and went for 7 reps. These were definitely a lot better than last week.

One Arm Cable Rows
- 1 x 20 - 15.0
- 1 x 15 - 20.0
- 1 x 12 - 20.0
- 1 x 12 - 20.0
- 1 x 12 - 20.0
These felt good. Was glad I was able to get them in this week

Standing Shrug Machine
- 1 x 12 - 180.0 lbs
- 1 x 12 - 180.0 lbs
- 1 x 12 - 180.0 lbs
- 1 x 12 - 180.0 lbs
- 1 x 12 - 180.0 lbs
Paused the reps.

Hip Thrusts on Smith Machine
- 1 x 10 - 90.0 lbs
- 1 x 10 - 130.0 lbs
- 1 x 10 - 160.0 lbs
- 1 x 10 - 180.0 lbs
- 1 x 10 - 200.0 lbs
Wasn't planning on going heavy with these, but they felt good so I went with it

Chin Ups
- 1 x 20
- 1 x 15
- 1 x 15
- 1 x 15
- 1 x 20
I can't wait for these to be finished

Elbow Lever - On the Mat (Feet Elevated)
- 1 x 01 - 10s
- 1 x 01 - 10s
Energy was depleted so ended my workout here.


Total Chin Ups: 100

Notes:
Finally got to the chiropractor today. Mentioned the issue I had with my left side of my back around the middle trap. Turns out that the muscle isn't tracking properly over the shoulder blade. He worked on that a bit and it felt great afterwards although was a bit tender during my workout.

The hand stand push ups felt great after the first set...was glad to get in more reps than last week especially since I didn't need as much of a rest between sets. Looking forward to get 4 sets of 8 reps...then I'll go for 2 blocks and start all over again.

Really, really, really can't wait to get all these chin ups done for the year. They may actually be contributing a bit to my shoulder problem. Only 554 more to go

[LaughingStorm]

Dragon Style...you figured me out

Just when I think I have you figured out, you throw in something new that keeps me on my toes.

Oh okay. I see what you mean. I managed to fix all my issues with squatting by quitting

Squats make you massive.

That why you're so tiny?

[jwtiger69]

Subbed! Do not worry I am here now. I have been slacking lately on keeping up with everyone and even my own log.

[Artemis00]

Just when I think I have you figured out, you throw in something new that keeps me on my toes.

Good luck with that. I'm always evolving

Squats make you massive.

That why you're so tiny?

Nah, I'm tiny cause of genetics, diet and a childhood illness. Why are you so big?

Subbed! Do not worry I am here now. I have been slacking lately on keeping up with everyone and even my own log.

Thanks for moving to my new log

I think everyone has been thanks to the holidays.

[jwtiger69]

Thanks for moving to my new log

I think everyone has been thanks to the holidays.

Do not worry I am here for you sweetie! I must say I am glad Thanksgiving is over. It was nice but a lot of work. I swear it took me 3 hours just to clean my hardwood floors yesterday. It was bad... Footprints on top of other footprints and that is on top of other crap.

[LaughingStorm]

Nah, I'm tiny cause of genetics, diet and a childhood illness. Why are you so big?

Because a smaller package would be unable to contain this much manly badassery.

[Artemis00]

Do not worry I am here for you sweetie! I must say I am glad Thanksgiving is over. It was nice but a lot of work. I swear it took me 3 hours just to clean my hardwood floors yesterday. It was bad... Footprints on top of other footprints and that is on top of other crap.

Oh good

I feel for you. I remember the days when I used to host get togethers and that was only people staying for a few hours...not the weekend. Wouldn't want to trade places with you...the clean up before is tiring. The clean up after, is exhausting and sometimes irritating. Don't know about you, but it is one thing to have to clean up the general stuff. But when you find that you also have to clean up things like beer bottle caps cause someone is too lazy to put it in the trash...well drives me a bit nuts cause I could never imagine being that way to a host.

Because a smaller package would be unable to contain this much manly badassery.

So are you saying that if I get myself some "Manly Badassery", I can be big too?

[LaughingStorm]

So are you saying that if I get myself some "Manly Badassery", I can be big too?

You'll need a whole lot. As it turns out, I have some to spare.

Want me to put it in you?

[Artemis00]

You'll need a whole lot. As it turns out, I have some to spare.

Want me to put it in you?

If you do, how long will it take for me to get big?

[LaughingStorm]

If you do, how long will it take for me to get big?

That much manly badassery.

You'd need to take it in slowly and it would likely take countless sessions.

Too much at once might break you

[Artemis00]

That much manly badassery.

You'd need to take it in slowly and it would likely take countless sessions.

Too much at once might break you

How much will these sessions cost?

[LaughingStorm]

How much will these sessions cost?

I'm sure we can work out an exchange of services.

[Artemis00]

Tuesday


Legs / Back / Biceps

Bulgarian Split Squats
- 1 x 08 - 22.0 lbs
- 1 x 10 - 22.0 lbs
- 1 x 12 - 22.0 lbs
- 1 x 12 - 22.0 lbs
- 1 x 12 - 22.0 lbs
Was happy I was able to do these given the DOMS, but I'm finding them difficult at this weight with my left leg. Right leg has no issues and can push thru the reps easy. Left leg...I find it much harder to balance, to push thru and I can't seem to find a comfortable position for my right foot on the bench. I'm actually bruising the top of my foot with these. But they do still feel good. Gonna stick with this weight until my left leg catches up a bit and then move onto the goblet squat position with the 25 lb DB.


Super Sets

Chin Ups
- 1 x 15
- 1 x 15
- 1 x 15
- 1 x 15
- 1 x 15

Somersault Squats
- 1 x 07 - 22.0 lbs
- 1 x 07 - 22.0 lbs
- 1 x 07 - 22.0 lbs
- 1 x 07 - 22.0 lbs
- 1 x 07 - 22.0 lbs
Went up in weight with these. Felt pretty decent


Super Sets

Chin Ups
- 1 x 15
- 1 x 15
- 1 x 15
- 1 x 20
- 1 x 15
- 1 x 14

Calf Machine
- 1 x 18 - 180.0 lbs
- 1 x 18 - 180.0 lbs
- 1 x 12 - 180.0 lbs
- 1 x 13 - 180.0 lbs
- 1 x 13 - 180.0 lbs
Damn these burned


Dumbbell Concentration Curls
- 1 x 05 - 27.5 lbs
- 1 x 05 - 30.0 lbs
- 1 x 05 - 30.0 lbs
- 1 x 05 - 32.5 lbs
- 1 x 05 - 32.5 lbs
Went up in weight. Last set was hard cause I didn't leave enough rest.


Total Chin Ups: 169


Notes:
Still had bad DOMS, but not bad enough to keep me from doing more Bulgarian Split Squats. I do like these, but can really see how big of a difference there is between the strength in my left versus my right leg. Complete day and night with this currently weight. Right leg goes like a champ...left leg struggles. A lot of that may be to do with not being able to get a good setup cause of the top of my foot being bruised quite a bit...but hoping that I can figure out a way to get these to be more comfortable cause until then it is really going to be harder to increase the weight.

Also my back/shoulder area was really acting up during the workout. It didn't care for the chin ups and certainly didn't like the somersault squats. Was actually glad when the workout was over so my back could finally relax. Will be foam rolling a bit tonight. Getting closer to my goal...less than 400 more chin ups to go. I just want them done. LOL

[JohnButz]

Are you setting up a similar goal like the chins for 2016? Nice progression on the BSS and curls.

[Artemis00]

Are you setting up a similar goal like the chins for 2016? Nice progression on the BSS and curls.

Thanks

LOL. No, not at all. My goal next year is to focus more on quality rather than quantity so that I can eventually get a muscle up. So I'll be focusing more on improving my control, strength and explosiveness. Not saying my 10K chin ups haven't helped with those things...but I don't want to target as much in the terms of numbers. I may still keep count, but not going to be making the same goal.

[LaughingStorm]

Getting closer to my goal...less than 400 more chin ups to go. I just want them done. LOL [/I]

You'll have those done by the weekend

[Artemis00]

You'll have those done by the weekend

I hope so...but depends on the next few days cause this weekend I'm helping out with Christmas Carnage both Saturday and Sunday. By the time I get home, I don't know if I'll have the energy to bust out pull ups. But I do have the next three days. Just need to knock out 133 each day