I'm doing this for me

[Amicus]

I've been at this since Labor Day, and things are going well, considering where I started. It's about time I created a journal, if for no other reason than to record my progress. If I get some comments, that's cool too.

I've been doing full-body workouts, three times per week. Given my work and school schedule, I believe that to be the best option. Here's what I did today (including the numbers we all care about):

Deadlift: 175x8, 195x8, 210x5, 230x3 (a new PR!)
Cable Row
Bench: 135x8, 145x8, 155x5, 160x1 (a new PR!)
Lat Pull Down
Incline DB Press
Vertical Row
Military Press
Preacher Curls (I was talked into these - they don't take much time anyway)
Calf Raises
Squat: 140x8, 145x8, 155x7, 160x6, 165x6 (a new PR!)

So today was a productive day. Normally I do more leg work, but my ass was killing me after PRs in deadlift and squat. Despite the bench press PR, I was disappointed that I had to rely on the rack pins after only one rep on the last set. And the order of the routine was mixed up because of the uncommon popularity of the power rack. Normally, I'm the only one using it. The people during curls typically find somewhere else to do that stuff, like the deadlift stand. Sorry, but if this is my journal, it's fair if I rant here, right?

My numbers as of today (06 Nov 2007):
Age: 27
Weight: 154
DL: 230x3
Squat: 165x6
Bench: 160x1
Total: 555 (gotta start somewhere)
Performance enhancing drugs: daily multi-vitamin, fish oils

Goals: nothing specific as of yet. I just like lifting and always want to do better, so that's my goal.

Needs improvement: I don't eat enough, and I don't sleep enough.

And that's where I stand. Here's to achieving more! :alcoholic:

[nhlfan]

that's a LOT of lifting to do in a day, dude. Check into some of the other logs to see how much volume most people do.

[Amicus]

I know it's a lot of lifting, and that doesn't really bother me. I spend about 90-100 minutes in the weight room, and that might also be excessive, but I want to get a true full-body workout in. Still, I expect to refine it a bit more as I continue.

Anyway, here's what happened today:

Bench: 140x8, 145x5, 145x4, 140x3, 135x3
Cable Row
DB Incline Press
Lat Pull Down
Military Press
Preacher Curls
Pull-Ups (palms inward, hands 12" apart)
Squat: 145x9, 155x8, 160x7, 165x7
Calf Raises
Leg Curls
Leg Extensions

So the bench results today were unimpressive, to say the least. I performed no deadlifts today, and it broke my heart, but I couldn't. My back was still feeling it from the last time. Aside from the bench, it was a decent day. I got some good leg work in there, which was satisfying.

My weight went down by 1 pound. I'm not going to read too much into that, because I already know I'm not eating enough.

[Amicus]

Tonight made me think my previous numbers for the bench were miscalculated. Perhaps I actually had a pair of 5 lb plates on the bar when I was thinking they were 10s. Probably not, but my bench numbers have disappointed for the second consecutive workout. At least I'm continuing to progress on squat. Weighed in at 154.

I know what I need to do more of: :burger:

Squat: 150x8, 160x7, 165x7, 170x5 (a new PR)
Leg Curls
Calf Raises
Bench: 140x8, 140x8, 140x4, 140x4, 140x3 :mad:
Cable Row
Incline DB Press
Pull Ups
Military Press
Preacher Curls
Deadlift: 185x8, 200x5, 215x4

I think in mid-December, after final exams are done, I'll mix things up with some modifications, but until then, my routine will be more or less the same. Maybe I'll switch to HST. It's something to think about.

[Amicus]

This was yesterday, and I hope I remember all the details. I was limited on time, so I skipped a few things, like extra leg work on top of the squats.

Bench: 140x8, 140x8, 145x7, 150x5
Cable Row
Incline DB Press
Lat Pull Down
Military Press
Deadlift: 185x8, 210x5, 235x2 (PR)
Pull-Ups
Squat: 150x8, 160x8, 170x7, 175x4 (PR)

My new total is 160+235+175 = 570. I'm not sure what it would be if I tried for 1RM on all three.

Where I stand: still having fun, still improving, still not eating enough, still so busy that I shouldn't have time for this in the first place.

[bjohnso]

PRs across the board - welcome to WBB! And yes, you're allowed to rant in your own journal. I do it in mine all the time!

[Amicus]

Yesterday's workout was decent. More of the same.

I'm gonna stop posting after every single workout and update this log only when something relevant happens, like multiple PRs, a changed routine, an injury, or when I just feel like it.

Time to eat. :strong: