Getting back on track after missing more than a week due to illness.
music selection: “Alone Together” — Fall Out Boy
waist-line: 37.0 inches
So I have made some progress on the waist-line even if my results don’t show in the amount of weight I am lifting. Last week, I had an alumni event. I squeezed into a pair of 38 inch waist jeans I bought last year in a fit of optimism for the first time. They weren’t even tight and uncomfortable although I was aware that my thighs were making contact with the fabric. Seems my quads have responded at least somewhat to the squatting.
I try to remind myself at the gym that getting in shape is a lot like preparing for early retirement. I conquered the latter and it gives me motivation to believe I can achieve the former as well. I hope this weekly feature inspires raptors playing the home game to get in shape but physically and financially. The intent is to show I’m a regular guy. The kind who struggles at the gym and with my weight and that anyone can do this.
I’m still sticking with 195 on the squat as I work on form and range of motion. I’d like to be able to get full range of motion without the belt before I move up. Right now, my back is a limiting factor. I am very cautious about injuring myself, especially my back so I might be at this weight for some time. I cleared 55 for 5×5 on the over head press today. Just barely on the last rep with ugly form and a truly pathetic sound escaping my body but I’m counting it. Today was the first day I felt really good about my deadlift. I did 105 pounds and I’m really pleased with my form. I’ve been very worried about hurting myself on that lift. I warm up without the belt and then use the belt for my working weight. That seems to be the best approach to slowly build my core strength which I also need for my squats.
Friday will be bench press and bent over row. I’m really struggling with the press. I just don’t have the arm strength and am thinking about buying some dumbells for use at home on off days. I could do curls and skull crushers mixed in with some core work (crunches, leg lifts, planking) to build my abs and back. It would be a light days targeting about 35 to 40 minutes instead of close to an hour. Something I can knock out easily before lunch. And not create undue soreness that interferes with my main lifting days. The Stronglifts 5×5 program does not include a cardio program either. My don’t really want to do it but am trying to motivate myself plan is to do some burpees on Saturdays. Maybe add a 100 yard sprint at the park next to the HOA clubhouse. I’d be looking to be done with that workout in about 6-7 minutes (5 minutes is a LOT of burpees!) Any of you exercise veterans have an opinion on those plans?
Devour your prey raptors!
Keep it up bro-tato-chip.
I do push ups, pull ups, situps and run. I’m naturally pretty skinny so I just keep it lean and don’t really bulk up.
Thanks bro-dawg. I’ll be adding you to my blogroll in a few moments. Hopefully, you get some traffic. Show SAHD some love raptors! http://sahdfire.com