1/23/23 Journaling – Shoveling Snow Is GPP

started the day shoveling
it’s now winter

oddly parched and downed water after what was only a few minutes outside

first round of shoveling done, I slept back in, only after having done a few strict pushups

…..

woke up wishing I had steak already prepared, knowing I’m low on milk, and that a bunch of shoveling is needed, nor am I going to want to drive to the store

…..

sore?
yeah

we’ll figure some minimal lifting out, do so after the shoveling is done

realized I had caffeine yesterday, I really don’t handle caffeine well – that’s the thirst, soreness, etc – caffeine – a hell of a drug

…..

•avocado toast
•cranberry juice

…..

an hour of shoveling snow – I kinda get the stereotypical “weights? i’ve got your weights right here” sentiment

…..

1st Lift :

Press
8×165

okay, didn’t wuss out of lifting today despite all the snow – I was at home, that’s perfect logistics

…half hour later…

2nd Lift :

Side Press
10 each side w/75lb db

just to get a bit more than one set in
it’d be real nice to be able to load this movement up, it’s possibly the #1 press overall

(sand in contractor clean up bags tied to handle – would work even better with a kettlebell)

…..

real minimal lifts as the snow was seemingly never ending, and I was unclear as to my work schedule

…..

shoveling snow is gpp

almost 30 years old = almost 20 years of shoveling snow

my childhood best friend, who I haven’t heard from in about eight years, haven’t seen since the summer after graduation – he’d have been happier with life, not on antidepressants if he’d had outdoor time instead of just being one with the video games

that’s the SoCal suburban ennui

physical work, even when it breaks one down, is still healthier for a man than sedentary work

outdoor work is healthier than indoor work

the kitchen, as hot as it was, getting rashes stewing in your own sweat, the bad attitudes throughout restaurant staff, the fluorescent lights, the soybean oil thick in the air…that was hell

made worse by the manager’s bean counting about labor costs – all the while your soul dying to get outside

it amazes me that there were a bunch of staff there for over 5 years, a couple over 20

15 months of line cooking was 15 months too long, though I’d be willing to go back to a kitchen to simplify my life, walking to work, etc – just live real minimal for a time while knowing that I’m not going to make the mistake of getting out of shape allowing a miserable job to keep me from doing as I must with weights, wind, etc

…..

•chicken noodle casserole
•cranberry juice

will cook and eat steak a bit later

…..

evening nap

…..

•steak
•cranberry juice

cooked to a delicious medium rare –
there is nothing so enjoyable to eat as a nice juicy steak – the vegetarians and vegans miss out

…..

5, 15, 15 on pushups throughout the day, probably another set or two before bed

…..

•cranberry juice

…..

25 more

…..

stomach hurts – the chicken noodle casserole, maybe the noodles, probably the green beans – last time I ate green beans they bugged my stomach as well

french cut sits better than full grean beans generally

for how to treat them – see oats from the other day, follow the gut

…..

A Thought :

“I’m going to train today. I have to train today.”

That’s my mentality.

I realize I could start filming, though I’m still inclined to wait til I get stuff I want on camera to do so ;

•press 5+ x 225lbs
•20+ pullups

Heck, if I’m over 220lbs for it, this summer running a ≤6:00 mile, I think I’ll film the mile, it’d be sweat to get that, and 20+ pullups on the same video.

The 300+ lb clean and press? Get it, then start dropping bw to get it as light as possible. That thought struck me early today.

195-205lbs at 6′ is VERY FIT, and very strong with a 300lb c&p alongside it.

There’s value in NOT PROGRAMMING – I’ve gotten a decent bit better at pressing just doing lots of pressing over the past 15 months.

It’s not the equipment, it’s the effort.

You should only buy equipment or rent (ie gym dues) equipment that you’re going to put your heart and soul into.

~$115 for a 32kg kettlebell, bro I’d said “buy no equipment” within the last few weeks…having made that purchase, I’m going to have to earn it on the back end via effort – can’t let that bell just sit, gonna have to mini session it daily – work bottoms up presses weak side, smash front squats, and alongside their volume develope a swing, maybe even snatching, habit.

You understand?

If you don’t have the drive to train, we want you smashing bodyweight volume – you’re the gym.

You are!
Where you are right now.

A bunch of pushups, a bunch of bw squats or lunges, and flexing your back and biceps – pour the soul into it – it’ll get results.

Then when your mind is right you can start putting dollars into the process, at the start or upon a reset(s) put everything into it with what you have where you are.

When it arrives, I’ll probably have that kettlebell for the rest of my life, and you know what – I expect to earn it by using it to complement all the necessary squatting that I’d been ignoring with logistics as excuse.

Just go 5x(5r+5l) front squatting it at some point daily, and swing it 25x each hand, maybe bookended one hand, squats, other hand – treat this as a daily minimum in addition to some pushups, lift however as well.

Dude, home based training works better for lift & run than treadmills in a gym ever will.

If the block is about ¾ mile, well run that shit twice with weights bookended and middle.

Sprint and lifts mixed is even easier – grass and asphalt right there.

Maybe go rocky on this…I had fun in the past mixing 40yd dashes with 10×10 curls, snow boot up, jog/run the deep snow, lift, repeat.

Fuck being out of shape.

…..

I will read comments under youtube videos, not actually watching them.

Found this gem (paraphrased) :

“When all a person wants to do is train, he’s gonna end up built like the king of the jungle.”

…..

Passed the pushups spot, 40 more – mostly complete range of motion.

Really went to the kitchen for ;

•pb,b, & j toast
•milk
•cranberry juice
•wafer dessert thing

5th feeding as logged, four food, one just a glass of juice – four meals seems pretty ideal to me right now, the frequent feedings mostly happening as I’m working what is a seasonal job at the moving company having wmmany days off and often short shifts.

I need to figure out work, ideally moving would just be twice weekly gpp, while a full time job is against what I want to be doing with lifting.

How do I solve that?
Gym owner or independent personal trainer.

Find the space to really do this youtube thing.

……

35, 15, 5 just before midnight

That was a amp up mini session – I feel alive from it. The feeling why I do lots of mini sessions.

…..

Persistence & Tenacity

1/22/23 Journaling – (A Light) “Deadlift Every Day”

Though it’s not how I’m starting the day, I’m looking forward to the light fat grips deadlift later today.

It appears that light volume deadlifts are becoming a daily thing for me – I’m loving them, and they’re truly a “health lift” leaving you feeling great.

…..

•egg salad on toast

…..

Woke up not feeling strongly any compulsion to shave for watching a movie last night.

At around midnight, it could’ve been on either side, I thought to myself “if I’m against watching television (every form), would I be against watching a play” – an interesting train of thought to go down, one I’d not though of before.

I have a handful of fond memories of going to plays with my father when I was around 6 years old – getting churros or something from a street vendor outside the venue of a christmas play downtown during the intermission

My conclusion right now is that watching a play would be acceptable, that though still spectation it’s doing something in real life, probably with your people or in support of your people while every form of television is best minimized, and that television really does feel a gateway drug to porn to me.

…..

A few winters back I got very strong with horse stance, this winter’s experiment seem to be the light deadlifts…yet I already know from past experience = it’s working

…..

•two donuts
•iced coffee

CAFFEINED UP! (completely unnecessarily)
…..

•16oz milk
•slice of banana bread

…..

the caffeine…to lift or to nap…

…..

The Following Is The More Awesome Option ;

and ALWAYS take the more awesome option!

had to ice chipper the particle board, and whacked each rubber tile 15x against the tree to clear them, did so equally from left and right – wood chop simulation – a fun new stimulus as discovered yesterday

1st Lift :

Fat Grips Deadlift
48x165lbs in 5:00

mythical strength is right – you have 5:00 –
I did not hit 50+ in 5:00 though, went a little heavier and for a longer time period than initially intended, however that’s fine – I like varying the stimulus a little from day to day – this manner makes a brief time input highly effective

I’ve fallen into a permutation of “deadlift every day”

…half hour later…

2nd Lift :

Press
15×165 sloppy, short of/barely at chin
1:00 rest
6×165 STRICT w/pauses at top & bottom
rest 1:00
4×165 STRICT w/pauses at top & bottom

naught a clean to be found in this session, I only pulled to shoulder via no foot movement heaves

it’s real nice to have weights at home to allow this type of split training period as a regular thing

as time goes on, as conditioning improves condense this

no need to go to the local powerlifting gym – I’m enjoying lifting outside

lifted this time to fun summer country music mostly from a few summers back which brought me back to feeling great a few summers back while listening and lifting and being outgoing

threw in a few bw squats with high squeeze at the end, really daydreaming of the kettlebell to use here

…..

I expect improvement in body composition as performance on the density work, on isabel, on pullups/pullups related work goes up

…..

That Wes Watson mantra “life happens for me” is a more positive interpretation (language matters) of “everything happens for a reason”.

“Life happens FOR me” is making it so that everything happens in your favor whereas the more nonspecific “happens for a reason” isn’t telling you why, while FOR ME clearly states the reason, for you, to help you, to your advantage.

…..

•small steak sandwich w/fries
•bowl of cereal
•slice of pizza

steak sandwich may be up again later this week, I’ve got steak, I’ve got fajita veggies, american cheese

…..

Pushups :
40 total today, I’m more into strict than woody woodpecker right now – triceps obviously worked with the earlier presses

…..

If I’m getting into volume deadlifts, the reps increasing per set and per density period as I get better…

It makes sense to squat high reps again.

The kettlebell is scheduled to arrive in a few days, that opens up light front squats with no logistical consideration so, but…

Maybe I’ll start back squatting again.
I never did get to 50xbw, having stopped at 50×195 weighing 225 at the end of high school.

…..

We’re going back to the “life happens for me” note.

In preschool, southern california, late 90s, I believe there were some christian scientists, maybe an offshoot, in the class – their parents very laissez faire about their kids playing near train tracks had many other mothers aghast…

I once ticked off the pastor of a church my aunt went to by interpreting a video he played for us of a priest? (it was church of england in the video) as arguing for reincarnation on earth, me seeing no reason that heaven and hell couldn’t be HERE as another “life” (who’s to say what our definitions are in relation to God’s definitions).

I was finding it interesting reading about christian science and noticing I’d had thoughts in line with their beliefs years ago.

There is no originality in humanity.
We’ve existed long enough that every thought is a repeat of a prior thought.

Faith healing is an interesting subject to ponder.

State can change to the positive with as simple as a deep breath, a change in posture, a smile on your face, the opposites of a blank mind or a thought.

Why must we react a certain way to things?
I’m sure you’ve heard this “the prisoner who is free in his mind”.

There’s a lot of leeway in this world, reality is how we choose to act/react to it.

I’m laying here in bed, typing on this cellphone, hearing the noises around me, deep breaths, a smile on the crease of my lips, thinking about existence, everything, checked in – this section I’m flowing, was tired, now awake with euphoria, deep breath, a smile

I have a different perspective.

Always have. Was always outgroup. Always different. You see it. Listen.

Belief. Action/Reaction. Thought.

Reality is ;

The most powerful knowledge is God created all, and he made life happen for me.

…..

If I was to never make any more “gains” lifting weights, I’d continue to lift anyway – I love the act itself, I enjoy the process. It’s a joyous act I choose to participate in often.

You can think yourself ____. See Stranger In A Strange Land by Robert Heinlein

…..

•chicken quesadillas
•bowl of cereal
•milk

In the bathroom mirror before this late meal, I noticed I look a little less fat…frequent deadlift metcons (essentially), and more frequent feedings.

…..

15 more – 55 on the day, the pushups really mixing well with the day’s presses

…..

Persistence & Tenacity

1/21/23 Journaling – Hitting Trees With Rubber Patio Tiles :

had dreamt of ultra marathons of all things – running hard miles and many kettlebell swings

🙂

fell back asleep then dreaming of a trip to a hellish grocery store – the highlight of which was 47¢ single serve truly high quality whey protein, with a silly brand name, and rich piana’s zombie as infomercial guy for the company

woke up hungry both times – that’s a good thing

…..

quick wake up/feel good shower – every shower this year I’ve ended with the water as cold as it can come out

…..

•chicken quesadillas
•big bowl of cereal
•milk

it strikes me as a funny imagining one trying to count macros and calories on mexican food – good luck, would make a funny comedy skit measuring out everything precisely

“this much cheese, this much chicken, two tortillas, exactly ___g fat, protein, carbs – oh wait, how much was dark meat, how much white meat”

……

I’m looking forward to experiencing that kettlebell, yet I’ll still have no heavier than 32kg/70lb kettlebell reference point.

Thinking about heavy bell work, somewhere out there someone must’ve cleaned the 203lb monster kettlebell.

That’d be a wicked off center front squat, and strikes me as doable, not much different than squatting with a person over one shoulder, which strikes me as the most useful squat.

That is something firemen, military, and wrestlers can use in real life.

…..

“went to the gym”, didn’t lift yet, just clean up

ice chipper across the particle board and patio tiles, then salt on the particle board, wait a little then scrape it all off – particle board clear ✓ – footing is good

patio tiles though…the ice had formed overnight around the dimensions of a 45lb plate touching, odd I thought as I didn’t leave the bar there – just lifted it as the snow formed around it last night – that snow turned to ice in that shape

I didn’t throw down salt onto the tiles, but used the ice chipper to wedge them out of the ground already having chipped across them to little effect…to the tree, and “chopped wood” hitting the rubber patio tiles against the tree, then left the mostly clean tiles in the sun

that’s a new stimulus – while I no longer have a tractor tire to hit with a sledgehammer, I’ve got rubber patio tiles I can hit against the tree

rotational power/strength WHACK

they’re about $7 each at the hardware store, it may look funny, but with it you’ve got non tree chopping tree chopping…sustainable

while the environmentalists love it, the tree is thinking “what did I ever do to you”, but kept it’s big mouth shut

it kept it’s big mouth shut…lest I have it pick me up so as to easily set up a rope climbing station

…..

Lift :

Fat Grips Deadlifts
33x135lbs in 2:00
rest 3:00
31x135lbs in 2:00
Press
11×165

as I type everyday, what a great glute and lat pump – I get so much from this style of training with this movement – this pump, the glutes locking every step, my back feeling solid, has me feeling on top of the world

knowing how I responded to light smith machine deadlifts it’ll be interesting to see long term how much top end strength this builds – I know of a 600lb deadlift by a bodybuilder or two from pump work

just keep progressing in weight while remaining high volume with the pump

the press is catching up to PRs despite adding in more and more volume before the pressing

I need to get to 300+ lbs being as easy to heave to the shoulders as the mid 100s.

……

•six eggs
•1c oats

oats in bowl, stir in all the spices, crack the eggs in, stir together, fry – been making eggs & oats like this for years, probably over a decade

it comes out some consistency of bread, but nicely spiced, and more nutritious

I expect I’ll do a third meal, the first over most likely – been rather hungry most of the day today, no real desire for junk food, the only thing I really want being a sub of some sort, maybe meatball, maybe steak.

…..

•mexican food, beef dish

an unexpected invitation from my parents to go out to eat with them

was invited to, and watched a movie with my father right after

•dessert w/milk (during movie)

two hours long (the original pink panther) the first thing I’ve watched in almost a month since porn

….

Thoughts On Watching Shit :

My feelings are mixed about having watched a movie.

I think what instead could’ve been done with those two hours, as before/during/immediately after I was thinking “do I have to shave for this” coming to the conclusion “no, it’s not porn – but don’t make habit of television either”

Kinda have to laugh about that, considering I’m not going through that train of thought related to all the image searches for pictures to use with posts here.

I had little interest in the movie as it played.
When I got up to get dessert I didn’t have my dad pause the film, I just missed ninety seconds or whatever.

I’ve went years with zero watching anything, 2023 isn’t zero now, but the precedence of not shaving for one thing was set in 2018 during a small family gathering for a red sox game – where I totally saw how most people end up becoming sports addicts, as well as lots of donald duck cartoons as stress release while taking care 8f grandma that fall, then in both 2019 and 2020 where I watched some stuff, mostly movies, occasionally an old tv show, and probably youtube.

I don’t recall watching anything in 2021.
Didn’t in fact.

2022? Well I watched porn a bit most months, television/movies for like the first half the year – and I recall really feeling like I’d accomplished nothing after a couple hours on youtube watching strongman stuff, I had a phase near the end of last year of watching crossfit and strongman stuff.

as pluses of watching pink panther ; it provided a real good bust a gut laugh during the chase scene near the end, and saw me spending some time with my dad

though I’ve long had a hard time considering watching television as time spent together

In life it’s best to minimize what you watch, and maximize what you do.

Action over spectation.

…..

real gassy, probably the oats – 1c was probably too much, it would’ve been better on the gastrointestinal system to have stopped at ½c

nothing can wreck the stomach like oats, though usually raw doesn’t affect me like that

generally raw mixed into eggs then fried sits fine

oats were where I learned the lesson to trust yourself, trust your gut quite literally, and not follow normal advice for my health – oats are not light on my stomach as so many say they are

…..

Persistence & Tenacity

1/20/23 Journaling –

started the day shoveling snow

in a hoodie and track pants though

…..

Having bought groceries already I’ve got plenty of meat on hand – ground beef, steak, rotisserie chicken…

I completely forgot all desserts I’d possibly want – having neither frosted animal cookies nor donuts on hand.

We’re all little sugar addicts, and somehow can’t just eat the ground beef alone…

Was the ramen with it an act of weakness?

And while I was thankful for and enjoyed the pizza at work on tuesday – there’s for the most part been zero draw to having any at home.

That’s with the knowledge that the best bulking food is a good meat lover’s pizza.

While I’ll have to shovel again today, I’m feeling a bunch of workout volume, probably throw the forearm forklift around a tree for a bunch of, I’m feeling trx style, rows.

A bunch of little shoveling and workout mini sessions and a bunch of feedings strikes me as an enjoyable day.

……

My kettlebell is shipping.

With how I intend to use it I’m feeling a bit antsy, hoping it’ll show on the short end of the expected delivery time frame.

…..

Even though I’m far less slave/addict to my cellphone than most, I’ve noticed while reading the bible that my attention span is far shorter than it’d been when I was a student in the formal education setting.

I read for hours growing up.

And does a few minutes of duolingo really count?

It’s worth doing educational things for lengths of time.

The funny thing about the above is I can sit quietly and almost motionless for hours – it ain’t a thing to me.

Relatedly; the crew I’ve been with most shifts drives in a hilariously quiet cab – to the point when I’m with the other crew they’re going “J, you’re awfully quiet”.

While the driver will turn on the radio, it’s almost naught a word spoken between we three during truck time.

…..

•ground beef w/ramen mix (from last night)
•chicken quesadillas
•banana bread
•milk
•four hershey chocolates

…..

heard a goose honking, couldn’t see it – laughed to myself thinking “it’s flabbergasted, thinking – didn’t go far enough south for the winter after all”

threw a few snowballs at a tree – that’s play, something we did as kids, not enough of as adults

“went to the gym” ie shoveled out where I lift

waited awhile, then…

Lift :

Strap Isometrics + A Couple “Ring” Pullups :

a little bit of isometrics before and after lifting, and discovering that I can do ring pullups with the straps – could gtg that easily enough, step outside, throw strap over branch, low reps…eventually REALLY strong

Fat Grips Deadlift :

41x135lbs in 2:30
31x135lbs in 2:30

probably 3:00 between density periods/sets

it’s obvious that I have lats and glutes from this – great pumps – I respond real well to this type of stimulus

progression standard is roughly 50 reps in 2:00, then bump 20-30lbs bar weight – I figure 50×205 in 2:00 is plenty of real world ability, not that I intend to stop there

i’m really digging the light thick handles deadlifts

this the first time I didn’t press in awhile – wasn’t looking to shoulder the bar in sketchy winter footing, main reason I didn’t do isabel a little harder today

the footing will be good enough soon

…..

“If I ever go back to a gym.”

Do I have a heavy lifting and strongman itch?

I’d still like to bench 405+, 455lbs sounds nice frankly.

And the labor job really has me caring about real world strength with odd objects and having a high level of work capacity and conditioning.

More and more it seems I have to open my own gym…

Enough power cages, platforms, all the strongman equipment, and plenty of wrestling mat square footage.

I’d like to bring in some high level grappling instruction, and run the lifting side myself.

You could train people out of the local powerlifting gym or move and train people out of anywhere – parks can even work.

…..

followed along to this

felt complimentary to all the time outside in the snow today

i’m looking forward to turkish get ups with that kettlebell laying in the snow

…..

scourby kjv in headphones for about forty five minutes

…..

How exactly am I going to use that kettlebell once it arrives?

•lots of swings – since new to having access

•lots of front squats – as I see value in adding lots of squatting to what I currently do, and for whatever reason loaded squats feel better to me than bw squats –

Video :
•flip & catch
•bottoms up press weak side
•bottoms up turkish get up, eventually laying and standing

It’d be interesting if for a month or so I was to for all my lifting just use my mismatched pair of bells, 75lb db & 32kg kb for swings, front squats, see saw presses, etc.

OR

I’ve had a 20lb kettlebell since early in high school, something my mom got me since “I was getting into getting into shape” – Mom, this long ago gift with the other bell…

I’ve a wonderful awful idea ;

To blend mythical strength’s take on dan john’s “tabata front squats”, a 20lber and 70lber making for ~95lb barbell, and quite possibly doing two sets this a day.

It’s only 4:00 or 8:00 minutes, and the set up is silly quick.

I bought the 32kg kettlebell (I keep wanting to write 70lb lol) for work capacity and conditioning – it’d be cool to just devote a brief period to that.

And for the silly quick set up.

I can use a bell in situations the barbell isn’t happening.

Barbell lifting can come back later.
I expect the kb work will mentally get me more into barbell work again.

I’ve been mostly ignoring squats for 15+ months now. A bunch of one or mismathed kettlebell front squats, and I expect come warmer weather I’ll be more into high rep back squats again.

There is a way I can make my living from all this. I love lifting. I can teach it.

…..

Gym culture, all the certifications, etc it often strikes me as a bunch of people who’ve never done manual labor.

The labor world is “get it done”, the gym world too often is “perfection or nothing…so nothing”.

I don’t much want to be physical indoors.

I actually like carrying boxes, delivering houses, it’s as a laborer not enough money.

Even in my 20s, my blending of the labor, gym, and lifting worlds has shown me the value of brute force (labor & lifting), getting the job done (labor), and from the gym world actually doing stuff for your health like getting a good pump, training the whole body – I’ve learned from both, getting to blend both.

Getting A Good Pump Is Healthy :

With my proportions my lower back gets tight, sore fairly quickly.

At 6′ my limbs are the length of some 5’8″ guy at best, pretty short legs, and REALLY SHORT arms, my wingspan is only kinda short as my broad shoulders make up for the super short arms.

Muscular glute size, more ass as it were, takes stress off the lower back – the best thing I can do for physical longevity as a mover is get good glute pumps on a regular basis.

I’ve got a small, dense, powerful ass – the best hypertrophy stimulus for me is metabolic stress, I need to do a bunch of reps and cause my glutes to lock up – that’s how they grow, that’s how they function in place of my lower back.

…..

•chicken quesadillas
•milk
•three hershey chocolates
•pb&j
•bowl of cereal

the rotisserie chicken came in clutch today, that with mexican mix cheese, and these “spicy” (mild/moderate really) tortillas from trader joe’s for the bulk of my food

…..

I realize how much more energy I have delivering houses than I had working as a line cook.

How many days a week did I lift while cooking?
While immediately as a mover I’m racking up the mini sessions, constantly wanting to get more work capacity, move faster, etc.

I’m still butting heads with “nothing to do – nowhere to go” (slow boil debating moving away from new england cause of this – to start new in a new region), just doing loads of mini sessions at home, and slightly cleaning up how I eat.

It’s harder on the body to stand in your little ft² of commercial kitchen hell – stewing in your own juices in perpetual 95° next to the oven, than it is to have the (yes seriously) joy of carrying stuff in and out in and out of the truck/house.

The worst part of delivering houses recently was the 5½ hours total of truck time the other day – it’s tedious to sit there that long in a smoking area when you don’t smoke.

a little more tolerable this way

I count this as a blessing ; as a mover I do not have massive thigh, and even worse, right armpit chafe.

That was terrible.

I’ve had small amounts of thigh chafe as a mover in the summer, but the sweat/heat factor is easy on the body in the winter.

The cold does not bother me.

They’re looking at me as if I’m nuts for working in shorts and a long sleeve shirt, skull cap as needed, in this rather warm 30 something ° winter.

…..

Today was again strict lower rep pushups.
This is what I’m looking right now – the stimulus feels particularly good, and is something I intend to mix with my kettlebell when it arrives.

…..

Persistence & Tenacity

1/19/23 Journaling –

•cheese stick (before work)

I definitely don’t want to be fully fasted with this job right now – energy is way better with little bits of stuff

…..

Before Work Pushups :

real minimal, I’m talking 2×5 minimal – last night I felt “I don’t have to do pushups every day”, still did them, and this morning I was thinking about how it’d be fine to just do strict high activation reps in low volume – to change it up

…..

Work :

pretty easy, mostly stuff to the first floor, it cracks me up how much cab griping there is when the customer is like “actually can you move that to the other bedroom”, and ESPECIALLY when they want us to unpack

guys, they’re paying for a service, we’re getting paid to do it – our job, and while unpacking is tedious – it’s easy money, you’re literally just unpacking

and when we take all the empty boxes and trash tape and brown wrap – it ends up adding a bunch of shop time clearing out the trucks and actually getting the stuff into the dumpster

my mentality is different than that of these dudes – many don’t want to be there, at present, while I know this isn’t a lifetime job, I’m happy to be working

I noticed my energy was really good today –
the fish sticks dinner may be worth having as a regular one

…..

•16oz coffee milk

kinda a preworkout, kinda – the time frame was a bit off

…..

•fish sticks (¼ box) w/4 slices american cheese
•½ salami sandwich
•16oz milk
•16oz cranberry juice

At the end of each work week I end up eating the leftover work food – it doesn’t really get eaten most shifts.

…..

Lift :

Power Snatch
3×1 w/165lbs
Sn OH Walk
155lbs for 60yd (3x20yd stretch w/turns)
155lbs for 50yd (2½x20yd stretch w/turns)
155lbs for 50yd (2½x20yd stretch w/turns)
Fat Grips Deadlift
155
165
185
195
205
215
225
4×205
4×195
7×185
33×135 in 2:00
Press
17×135

the oh walk is a NICE touch, you really have to have a stable upper body and sure footedness

all the snatch work, particularly the time under tension of the walks prefatigues the rest of the movements

a neighborhood dog got AMPED as he and his owner walked by me walking with the bar overhead – he always reacts to me lifting this way

…..

& relatedly – I’m excitedly waiting to get the “your order has shipped” email telling me my kettlebell is on the way

I can already hit bottoms up presses with my strong side with that weight, how to do it weak side?

I figure get it to position with one hand, then use the free hand as a method of self spotting – trying to stabilize the bell in position for as long as possible, catching it with the free hand as necessary, and once you can clean it, stabilize it, then start pressing it.

It’s gonna be cool to be able to bottoms up pressa 32kg kettlebell with either hand.

…..

Video Idea :

“The Gorilla Minute” – :60 of gorilla cleans with my 75lb dumbbell and 32kg kettlebell

also see-saw pressing with both

it’s entirely okay that it’s an uneven weight and different implements

and I’m pretty sure I can turkish get up either – these implements travel, and open up some video opportunities

also – neck harness – get to where the kb is training weight

…..

Some of the stuff in labor jobs, the way you manhandle it, it’s never going to be replicated in the gym.

Moving crates around inside a box or trailer is one thing – getting empty crates by hand from box to trailer is a whole different crew sized ball game.

Then you push (occasionally pull) those crates in every manner.

You’d have to drag sleds at weird angles and do isometrics against immovable objects at the same in many variants.

…..

I just had a kid, white, probably 16 while walking by me still being outside after lifting say something to me, I replied “hell yeah man” then his buddy, same description, said something like “this fool/foo blah blah blah”, half turned, and seemingly flashed gang signs.

Did I just get banged on here in new england?

By a white high schooler?

In a 97% white, borderline redneck area?

Couldn’t tell for sure if they were drunk/high, they seemed tipsy, while either way they were teenagers acting dumb feeding off each other’s energy.

Funny to hear mexican gang banger come out of them. Where in pop culture did they pick that up?

At least with myself I can claim “half my childhood was in SoCal”.

…..

Dinner/PostWorkout Meal
•1¼lbs ground beef
•two packs ramen
•grits – enough to soak up extra water
•american cheese – four slices per big bowl
•12oz root beer
•12oz milk

For whatever reason I was viewing it as a challenge to eat the whole thing.

I realized the absurdity of force feeding right now, stopping after having my fill at almost two big bowls, having eaten about 75% of the mixture which only did not have vegetables because I didn’t want to use the bag of mixed veggies containing both corn (basically pure sugar to me) and green beans (not the consistency I wanted).

By figuring out how to rice broccoli, cauliflower, and mushrooms I could make this far healthier – the aforementioned vegetables instead of the ramen.

I don’t really give a damn about any dietary details right now other than “is my job performance adequate”, and “is my work capacity improving”.

Lifting and moving are feeding into each other nicely at present.

My abilities are improving.

…..

•24oz orange juice con pulpo

…..

35 pushups TOTAL on the day, all strict, 2×5 in the am, 2×5 maybe ten minutes before showering, a set of 15 immediately before showering

…..

Persistence & Tenacity

1/18/23 Journaling –

Wow, those dreams were on topics existential!

Largely the analysation of my ego and it’s relation to lifting weights – day to day physical energy, job performance, my appearance in the mirror.

…..

Headstand :
:75

I don’t know how long it’d been since I’ve done one – in the past they gave me very useful neck strength, and too have taken away soreness.

The movement is as well something of a prep for handstands and overhead lifting…

I feel far less stiff from that one hold.

…..

•8oz cranberry juice

…..

Either isabel a bit faster, overhead walks, or
the audible of 50/20 (or another density protocol) fat grips deadlifts

We’ll see in a moment. It depends on the footing.

…..

1st Lift :

Isabel WOD
singles – e:14o:14 – just under 7:00

I wasn’t ready for this, I was digging to complete this – I did squat down twice, bent hands on knees two or three times as well, I don’t like doing these.

Stand tall during your workouts.

she’s far more impressed when you stand tall

My turnover “barbell cycling” needs work for speed, whereas what was killing me was all the time under tension – I hold the barbell for probably :10 each interval, singles for 30 reps, not reps ever this way – again not fast this way.

However this gets me huffing and puffing, as time goes I’ll jog up more intervals between reps, EVENTUALLY picking up real speed.

The volume is enough for lactic acid in my legs, maybe some in my traps – the pick up pace forces you to finish reps pulled slightly out of ideal path.

I like this. It’s going to force me to dig each session.

Feels kinda like a wrestling match against a barbell.

Ground to overhead for reps & time/density is a way to stand stationary and alone, and yet transform.

Lifted To :

rock yo hips – crime mob

knowing the song was near the end helped me know that I was past half, then near the end of the 30 reps

……

2nd Lift :

(an hour later)

Fat Grips Deadlift
39x155lbs in 2:30
Press
2×205

great glute pumps with light density deadlifts

right now I’m enjoying the brief density fat grip deadlifts – it unlike isabel isn’t a thing – I do it without any mental stress, and note ; there was resting in that 2:30, easily enough to have broken 50 reps without walking over to my phone and checking the remaining time

I prefer the thicker grip, to the point I debate the purchase of fat grips extreme for hands or an axle for full body – you can’t do to shoulder movements with the fat grips…good luck lowering without crashing the bar down – axle for that, fat grips for deadlifts without an axle available

the clean was moderately ugly, some version of 5/3/1 for c&p is an idea

all the work before the press kinda limits it, but that’s okay

…..

I realize that moreso than anything I need conditioning and cardio.

I have plenty of size, and top end strength actually needs cardio and conditioning to get there.

…..

•12 mini donuts
•milk (out the jug)

…..

got SOAKED helping throw out a waterlogged mattress

…..

Actually got groceries again – a rotisserie chicken, and the cranberry juice I’d forgotten earlier in the day.

BOMBED the cart as a scooter back to the cart corall.

…..

$8 gets you fish sticks and a gallon of milk, just shy of 200g protein, and 4000 calories.

It’s not so hard to eat for $50/week.

…..

Rotisserie chicken is still $5 for a bird, pretty affordable.

…..

I’m plenty strong, what I need is conditioning.

While lifting lately is mostly the isabel wod or density fat grips deadlifts, the press my only lower rep movement – lifting being aimed towards conditioning…

I shouldn’t be skipping any opportunities to walk/run bleachers.

I should be doing some form of running, probably walk/run play (fartlek) down and back in a field or cemetery as a regular thing.

There is not reason I couldn’t run a 21:00 5k (well three mile), a ≤6:00 mile, and 20+ pullups THIS YEAR.

…..

A concept2 rower is $1045, and I think I’m willing to pay for that, actually moreso than $60ish a month to essentially rent access to it and powerlifting equipment.

It’d be cool to earn my conditioning toy via labor as well – figure out how I could chop wood for money.

…..

•fish sticks (¾ box)
•breakfast toaster strudel
•chocolate covered pb pretzels
•milk

easily 4500 calories on the day, and that with a bunch of hiccups on the whens of when I’d eat

frankly I’d intended to eat more today, and something I knew already, and experienced again today with isabel – right now I run better with more energy in, more energy out – and want that anaerobic stimulus regularly – high g flux – it’s better that way

…..

Stopped being wishy washy.

I’d been thinking for a while now that purchasing a kettlebell and some form of a step would allow for more frequency, more work capacity, and with my mover’s sea legs.

I ordered a 32kg kettlebell.
Didn’t want to wait any longer for heavier to come back in stock.

Why kg vs lb?

Availability. I don’t give a damn about 32kg vs 70lb – it’s a fraction of a lb difference, and pennies a difference in cost.

Funny, even when it arrives I’ll still have never had access to heavier than this bell.

This purchase is a test, an experiment, a dry run…

We’ll see if I need a heavier bell after racking up thousands of swings with this.

Get my money’s worth of this one first.

One kb allows me to easily do hip work on the days I don’t deadlift, and unlike a barbell it’ll travel to the pullup bar and dip bars, anywhere in fact, easily.

I did not buy an 18″ plyo box.
Simply I didn’t see myself using the shit out of it as I will with the kb.

Saved that money for another day.

…..

Knowing a kettlebell is on the way immediately I’m pondering the 10,000 swing challenge.

“Bro, you’re working as a mover.”
“Bro, your conditioning isn’t nearly that high.”
“Bro, you have no desire to mix the swing with lifts as written.”
“Bro, you’re not going to stick to anyone else’s written schedule.”
“Bro, mythical strength did his version in a week.”

I’m excited to have a tool for a massive increase in work capacity.

GOTTA GET YOUR MONEY’S WORTH

…..

Coast to coast is around 40 hours via car or train.

4-6 hours driving a day gets you to the opposite coast within a week and a half.

Realize that, and the world isn’t so small.

…..

Persistence & Tenacity

1/17/23 Journaling –

Work :

In the shop while waiting for everyone to show up myself and the manager’s son spoke of lifting and the gym.

I’ve known him since I was 19 from…the gym floor.

No longer at the same gym, and having crossed paths with him at multiple moving companies off and on over the years, we’re generally the only two who lift, and lifting/gym is a subject we’ll talk about.

I’d been wondering when the two of us would speak on the note, as he’s usually now doing quotes not out on trucks delivering houses.

Thinking of it both last night and a few nights ago, as I drove into work today I thought to myself “I’ll treat it like a game – I won’t bring up the gym, but will see how long it takes til he does”.

Then immediately after getting there he did.

The job itself was a full shift, 8½h, but 5½h of it was truck time – nothing particularly heavy, and anything moderately heavy went in easy access points.

The customer fed us, which is rare for military moves to do so.

And while this is better than the kitchen was, I do not like being around all the smoking.

Especially when it’s 5½ hours of cigarettes in the cab.

…..

•two slices pepperoni
•one slice cheese
•20oz coke

The customer ordered, and the delivery came at just about the point I was going to get into my lunchbox.

This was all I ate til after work.

…..

About The Pizza :

Noticed that the pepperoni had a garnish/spices a top it which with shake parmesan formed a crust like texture on top of the soft melted cheese.

The cheese pizza too had an artisanal quality to it – most of the cheese was melted, but there were these spots, a small circle here and there of mozzarella with the consistency you’d find in mozzarella sticks.

I’ve no idea if domino’s has changed their recipe since I had it last or if this restaurant wasn’t following spec in a good way.

…..

Upon arriving home ;

•salami sandwich
•frosted animal crackers
•cheese stick
•milk

…..

(after dark & after eating)

Lift:

Overhead Squat
10 x bar

10 overhead squats my “I still lifted today” thing – real minimal as I’d let it get dark – there’s tomorrow for more meaningful – I intend isabel another tic faster on the interval timer

isabel – do her a little harder tomorrow

…..

whether I’m being called fat or whether I’m being called muscular – I just own it

cracks me up to hear both from people in brief periods of time

…..

WIND!

walks every day, eventually twice a day is a good idea

bleachers – can be simply walking them – don’t skip weekends

not a bad idea to have something shouldered or in a bear hug for them either

the good part about having to carry stuff upstairs for work is that it’s good training – I am not lollygagging, I want my work pace to be FAST

pace is improving

…..

•swig of cranberry juice
•milk
•chocolate covered pb pretzels
•two packs ramen w/four slices american cheese

…..

I admit to myself that I basically eat as if I was a normal fat american.

I really did myself a favor bulking at 17 years old.

The question is :

•the rest of my life burly
•force feed for strongman, look for 300lbs body weight
•to change body type, get lean – this is the ego involved one, a new thing, and would show a smaller number on the scale (which is even funnier factoring in I haven’t stepped on one since late 2019)

I’ve always been disciplined about training frequently, but never have about eating clean or particularly structured.

…..

Salt and dirty food can be your friend when you’re cramping.

Today didn’t seem hard enough at work for my calves to cramp. Maybe I underestimated the initial three hours of heated cab.

I had worked in shorts today. Though unseasonably warm, nearly 50, shorts is the right call down to probably 25ish for me.

Like I did today, the backpack has a pair of pants in it to change into if it’s too cold in shorts.

…..

•8oz cranberry juice

…..

Persistence & Tenacity

1/16/23 Journaling –

What I’d been calling “flow” is more aptly titled “journaling”.

…..

Work :

short, worked about 2¾ for 3½h (4h?) pay, the only challenging item the base of the bed going upstairs (due to dimensions), the reclining couch on the ground floor not really an issue

at the shop I saved a strap being tossed out from the garbage – one of those infomercial ones, “forearm forklifts”, just one, not a pair as sold

that’s all there was, and that’s enough…

“fuck that, those are mine”
“the shovel?” he asks
“nah – this strap”

he’s looking at me funny, doesn’t know that this, intended as I’ve seen done online for isometric training, is a toy for me…I’m giddy

today at work I got a toy!

I’m going to incorporate it into my lift too

….

Pullups
3×4

so much for no pullups while running the total gym pullup experiment lol

…..

•meatball sub
•quart coffee milk

meatball sub – quite possibly my favorite food

and this being out of pocket mover’s food, not customer provided

at ~$8 it’s worth buying out, as it’d cost me about double in ingredients to make about two or three for myself – this way it’s “here you are”, while not taking up freezer space with meatballs you’re never gonna finish, nor having a bunch of the rolls go stale/moldy in the cabinet

man, I smell like coworkers’ (plural of them, plural of each of theirs) cigarettes – I hate that smell

still moving vs kitchen…

MOVING
much better for the soul
I’ll take moving any day

…..

These are both old anecdotes – years apart actually, one around my 21st the other around my 27th birthday :

I once had a girl, just shy of 20, a 5’10”, pretty, freckled brunette (nearly a redhead) proudly tell me she was 160lbs, that in the year and a half since high school she’d went from 240 to 160, first starting to jog, then adding in calisthenics, by then time we chatted about the gym waiting around at a job interview she had some FAST mile, 800m, 400m, and two mile times, and BIG squat numbers in the 10 rep range.

She just kept adding work as she could, and upping the intensity of the work from jogs to sprints & hard runs, from no strength training to calisthenics to hard leg sessions.

The girl went hard.

Turned herself into quite the athlete deciding that she was out of school, no longer was going to eat cause of having been picked on (and out of school no longer around the bullies), and did this around a hard full time job and living in a rather strict household.

I once had a girl, just shy of 19, about 5’8″ proudly tell me she was 130lbs, that during the end of her senior year and all this freshman year of college she’d decided enough was enough, and got healthy.

This girl telling me the same story in the opposite direction.

She had been anorexic, started strength training to gain weight and be healthy…
AND WAS

Two college girls I met through the gym in some capacity who looked good, but more importantly were healthy, which they hadn’t been even a year and a half earlier.

Spoke these anecdotes the other day, kinda had them on my mind, and came across body transformation stuff on reddit.

Which brings me to ;
The personal trainer isn’t there to get someone good at the gym…they’re there to get people, other people, healthy.

To speed up THAT process.

I remember typing one day, seeing both a man in his 60s, retired navy, who had initially spoke to me about calisthenics finding it odd that I at 6′ 250+ seemed in his eyes to only do pullups and burpees when he read me as “powerlifter”, and of a college girl, short and fat, RACKING UP burpees, high reps, pushing the pace, sweat puddle forming, not stopping to change the song GOING HARD.

That memory motivates me!
Seeing both a retiree and a fat college girl SMASHING burpees at the same time (though not together).

…..

FREEZING RAIN – HELL YES!

•quart coffee milk

Strap Isometrics :
bunch of positions/play (with new toy)

•tug of war
•deadlift
•one arm press
•pullover
•pulldown
•more

Lift :

Power Clean & Press (Every Rep Style)
2×2 w/185lbs
Fat Grips Deadlift
3×3 w/185lbs

…..

The pulldowns, particularly the one arm pulldowns with the straps – I can feel the cramping.

This is going to be a strength builder, what a thing to mix with total gym pullups to build pullups without really doing any!

…..

Having done an isometric tug of war, I realize this stuff could be done with others as a group.

Buddy carries are actually kinda fun, and I recall in the inuit/eskimo olympics there’s an event where, like a yoke, you walk carrying a few people.

Movement can be fun, it needn’t all be the gym.

…..

listened to another half hour of the Scourby reading of the KJV Bible, been doing that more and more lately

a solid thing to have playing in the background

…..

work was so easy, and tomorrow is mostly truck time so we train – a few sessions throughout the day

and note : the shoveling was so light – it doesn’t count as exercise, just fresh air

the total gym pullups felt really good last night, and we’re running them as an experiment in pullup ability without really doing pullups…alongside isometrics with my new toy

…..

•frosted animal crackers
•milk

…..

Total Gym Pullups :
x26

we’ve aways to go to 10×30

yeah, I REALLY like this movement right now

it’s giving great euphoric pumps
I try to slow and feel the negative in my lats, while this is #1 for biceps in my eyes

….

•split pea soup
•milk

…..

Training is going really well, I intend as the ground gets hard again (sure footed) to train power cleans heavier, make a push for the 300lb clean and press which mostly needs more power clean in the tank.

…..

saw this pic with this quote below it today, combined them with photoshop – it strikes me

…..

•three cheese sticks
•frosted animal crackers
•milk (in chilled glass)

…..

thinking as I eat the above “how calories are more important than protein for size”, all the reps and the increasing work volume lead me to believe my body wants a lot of food right now

…..

to keep logging food or not
as is I’m expecting to lean out as I increase activity

…..

Persistence & Tenacity

January 2023 Flow – 1/15/23 – More Aptly Named Journals :

These are more aptly named journals than flows lol

…..

Why are you asking how much progress is reasonably to be expected?

Give yourself something unrealistic “bigger than pudzianowski” (I’m about the same height, got a cleft chin, blue eyes, and spelled it right), and get fucking going.

though mma pudzianowski at 265lbs IS realistic & victory pose

…..

I’d rather eat and out train high calories.

I’m laying here about to go to sleep thinking “heavy cream and corn pops” (not in the house), thinking too about what I’ll eat upon waking.

…..

•two cheese sticks

…..

Of all the people from the restaurant to cross paths with…today I crossed paths with one of the flamboyant homosexuals.

He looked stressed, and was dressed like he was headed to work…in the kitchen, not takeout where he’d worked part time when I was there.

Well with three cooks gone in two weeks, that about three weeks back now… educated guess? The many chiefs (not enough indians) are probably putting ANYONE into the kitchen.

…..

I’m extremely happy to have left that job.
It was an incredibly negative environment.

The lesson, which I knew all along, that I can take away from my, just over, year there is this : don’t stick out things worth quitting, and don’t go against your gut instinct – I had the instinctive feeling “this place is toxic – leave immediately” within the first four to eight weeks there yet stayed another year past that.

TRUST in yourself and your abilities.
You DESERVE the best, but only when you ACT and BELIEVE it.

…..

•two donuts
•16oz milk

…..

Seeing grandma was an odd mix of depressing and nice – her mind is going, but unlike my mom’s step mom she’s cheerful, not angry.

……

Lift :

Press
15×155
Power Snatch
5×1 w/155
& Sn OH Walk 20yd down & back on last rep

…..

•slice of pizza
•glass of milk
•reeses
•tortilla chips

…..

Total Gym Pullups
10×7

Crazy bicep pump from this. Got some into my upper back.

It’d be interesting to build this to, say, 10×30 without doing real pullups just to see what the progression of volume on a light, high activation exercise does for my real pullups.

Weighted pullups I know work for my pullups, as is I don’t have access to one or much access to the other.

What carryover will happen from light to regular?
I expect good things.

…..

It looks like no bleachers this weekend…

Dude, forgive yourself if something isn’t done 100% of the time you want to do so.

It was a choice. Could’ve. Chose not to.

…..

•split pea soup
•peanuts
•buttered sourdough toast
•milk

…..

•½ salami sandwich

…..

I skipped running bleachers this weekend.
I forgive myself.

…..

The pushups tonight had VERY HIGH tricep activation.

The press and the pushups feed into each other.

I’m liking the strict reps right now, and instead of the kitchen should take them outside for explosive reps – claps, height, etc.

…..

Persistence & Tenacity

January 2023 Flow – 1/14/23 – The Glutes, Metabolic Stress, & Strength :

•½ sandwich
•tortilla chips
•few candies

The workout keeps getting pushed later and later.

…..

•coffee milk (preworkout lol)

&

1st Lift :

Power Clean & Press (Every Rep Style)
5×185
3×185
2×205
Press
2×205
5×185
4×185
2×205
5×185
Fat Grips Deadlift DOH
32x155lbs in 2:30
Power Snatch
1×155

Yesterday’s idea to amrap a 165lb pc became seeing how far I could go on the 185lb every rep style c&p.

My baked in level of strength on c&p in both every rep and press for reps styles is really approaching my lifetime PRs – this pleases me.

This = I’m much stronger with upper body press + full body pull.

Frankly I envision 10x205lbs ground to overhead every rep in the next month or six weeks, and working to 10×10 at 165 or 185lbs too is on my mind.

…..

The Glutes, Metabolic Stress, & Strength :

With all the timed fat grips deadlifts the past few days I’ve noticed, noted, learned, and relearned some things :

•the glutes getting pumped is the #1 thing for me lower body building strength

•double overhand, light (~30-40% 1rm), and volume while pushing the pace on deadlifts gets me there

•otherwise ANYWAY that I get a solid glute pump, this can vary from period of time to another

•considering the above a kettlebell swing would fit the requirements – so 50 or 53lber? 70lber? 40kg or 90lber? 100lber? Aside Later :

…..

A metal plyo step would be a heavier duty option than a step stool.

…..

I realize I’d feel better with frequent training for a time.

So I’m not going to restrict food at all – simply follow instinct while looking for progressively more and more working out.

…..

The Later Aside :

I keep putting off purchasing a kettlebell.

Thresh this out :
I can nearly double bell bottoms up press 53s, always can bottoms up press a 70lber strong side, and have never touched over a 70lber.

40kg or 90lber?

Maybe go all in on the 100lber and just swing it bunches, while attempting bottoms up presses using the free hand to help with balance.

…..

Sandbag Aside :

It’d be ~$30 to rebuild my sandbag.
Another 200-300lbs of sand, and pack of contractor clean up bags.

I know shouldering it 50/20, and carrying it in every conceivable manner, plus bear hug good mornings would all serve me well.

It’d also be easily travelable, something I could easily bring with me to meet up and get that former coworker strong should he actually be committed to getting in shape with my help.

Sandbags can be used anywhere.

…..

2nd Lift :

Overhead Squat
30 x bar

really pumped through them, great upper back pump, and out of breath

Side Press
10 x 75lb db each side

the movement always feels stronger, way more easy to rep, on my weak side

Grip + Row Play
w/75pb db, letting go at bottom, catching opposite hand, rowing

forearms surprisingly sore, noticed it carrying the empty barbell in one hand

this movement combination is what I think off as work capacity – the two, ohs and side press take nothing out of me, can be supersetted, and done density, and both build a useful rugged upper back strength

….

Food & The Senses – We Have Sight, Smell, Taste For A Reason :

I look at the steak, having purchased it about a week ago I know most would immediately toss it.

I don’t like wasting food, any.
However, I’m going to use, what I consider, common sense, and run the food through a three part test.

1. Sight
2. Smell
3. Taste

I’ve eaten and drank food “out of date” and it’s variants before, the answer to “is it still good” often is yes, though for a grocery store or restaurant it isn’t.

So I run the test. Today, $6 of steak went into the trash – it looked off to me, and I made the call on step one.

Often I’ve run milk that another (say the bartender) is about to toss through the test, sampling it, passing it, and drinking it freely that day til gone.

You just have to be smart about these things.

Also – I am full of energy, after cooking and eating I expect a third lift, more side presses.

…..

No Steak Dinner Tonight :

Well with steak out the dinner window, and the pan warmed I looked about ; “well I’ve leftover mexican restaurant food, nor have I eaten eggs today”, so it all went into the pan, mexican food and a meaningful amount of protein via eggs.

•mexican leftovers
•six eggs
•milk
•chips & chocolates

…..

I realize in about 1¼ years line cooking I never went 24 hours without food.

The ~41 hours fasting this week was nice to do, proving to myself that one need not have such a needy relationship with food.

It strikes those who look that to be needy about food is a feminine quality.

My last time in the grocery store the topic of food craving came up as conversation while in the checkout line.

While I can easily forget the craving and not end up eating the object in question the cashier was adamant that cravings stay on her mind til she eats whatever it is.

Women think far more about the next meal and what sounds good for it than men do.

However it’s rather comical the weight trainer, most ridiculously in bodybuilder form, being just as, if not moreso, needy about food than women who truly need the food consumption to have the healthy fat deposits that genetically they require to healthily nurture children.

I’m going to enjoy my meal now.

…..

I’d been thinking of Dan John describing hypertrophy as too easy when switching back and forth from one arm to the other with one arm pressing, so & in cahoots with massive energy before/during the preceding meal…

3rd Lift :

Fat Grips Side Presses :
50* reps total each side x 75lb

the difference in writing this coming down to this time it wasn’t straight sets – I set my mind to 50 each side, and got it in as many as it took, again weak side is stronger in this movement than strong side – less sets necessary to hit rep goal weak set vs strong side

GREAT STIMULUS!

(*actually 60, did a 10 rep set each side after hitting rep goal, strong side a real gut it out set…still hilarious to be stronger in one arm presses with my weak side for what it’s worth)

…..

There’s power in not masturbating.

As my beard grows longer, my inner strength growing via the discipline of not wasting seed…

You notice more of the opposite sex noticing you.

You notice in her looks the attractive traits, not the unattractive ones.

You catch her eye color, in every little interaction.

You’re more outgoing – talkative, willing to speak your mind, putting yourself out there, etc.

More disciplined about everything, waking up, showing up on time, eating, cooking, cleaning, training multiple sessions daily, etc.

…..

Nightly Pushups :

They felt so easy after all the overhead lifting today.

Take note. Hint. Hint. There’s something to that. Etc.

Overhead work makes horizontal pressing far easier.

…..

Based on how the side press feels, and how I look in the mirror holding victory pose – it hits the lats strongly.

I’d suggest a side press habit, lots of volume, with the heaviest dumbbell you can manage.

All I own is a 75lber.

…..

•two cheese sticks
•milk

…..

Persistence & Tenacity