A Monkey with a Gun

[Jorge Sanchez]

As of November 17, 2007

Ok, I'm going to try this journal thing again, since I failed at it the first time.

I've been back in the gym for about 4 months after a (non-lifting related) lower body injury which kept me out of the gym for about 7 months. Basically, I've had to start from scratch.

I've been doing Starr's 5x5 since the beginning of September.

Stats:
21 years old
6'1''
208lbs

Current best lifts (lifts when starting 5x5):
Squat: 240x5 (185x5)
Deadlift: 260x5 (200x5)
Bench: 225x5 (175x5)

Those aren't necessarily 5RMs. I've been taking it slowly - especially on the lower body lifts - since I'm coming back from injury.

Progress has been good. I've put on about 20lbs of body weight and at least 50lbs on each of the big three since the beginning of September. The only problem is that I get stretch marks very easily - I had them under control around my armpits with cocoa butter, but I've been starting to get some on my back, where I can't reach. I get my gf to put some on whenever I remember to ask her.

[McIrish]

Jorge, small steps, man. I'd say stick with maintenance calories for the rest of summer - no need to put on a little flub while the ladies are going to see you in the least amt. of clothes right now. That being said, get back to the gym!! Everyone has a period where they feel wracked by the blahs - just lift heavy, get sore, go home and house a protein shake... next week will look up, I'm tellin ya.

[Jorge Sanchez]

November 17

Full Squat:
115x5
145x5
175x5
205x5
240x3
175x8

Bench:
110x5
135x5
165x5
190x5
225x3
165x8

Bent-over Row:
75x5
95x5
110x5
135x5
150x3
110x8

Dips suppersetted with chinups (slow negatives)
Dips:
35x8x3
Chins:
35x2
35x1x2

EZ Bar Curls suppersetted with Skull Crushers:
Curls:
85x8x3
Skull Crushers:
85x8x3

[mickyjune26]

It's good to see you back here. great job on starting another journal. You're not starting over. You have more wisdom, experience, and perspective than last time. Good luck in your efforts!

[Sidior]

Following your progress should be fun man. Keep this ****er more updated this time!

[Jorge Sanchez]

November 20:

Squat:
120x5
150x5
180x5
210x5
240x5

Bench:
115x5
140x5
170x5
195x5
225x5

Bent over rows:
75x5
95x5
115x5
135x5
150x5

Weighted Hypers: x2
Weighted Situps: x4

Notes: I'm having a bit of trouble getting this leg drive down and I lost some of my rigidity on the last rep of 225, but I still managed to get it up.

[Jorge Sanchez]

It's good to see you back here. great job on starting another journal. You're not starting over. You have more wisdom, experience, and perspective than last time. Good luck in your efforts!

Thanks for the well wishes. I'm definitely in a better place than when I first started lifting.

Following your progress should be fun man. Keep this ****er more updated this time!

I'm going to try. It'll be good to be able to look back to see where I was at once I get back from Europe.

[mickyjune26]

nice increases on squat. Getting back into things real nicely here.

[Sidior]

Im sure you will get the leg drive down, just stay tight! Another strong workout man.

[VikingWarlord]

Best journal title ever.

[Jorge Sanchez]

November 22, 2007

Squat:
125x5
155x5
185x5
185x5

Hang clean and press:
90x5
105x5
125x5
140x5

Deadlift:
168x5
205x5
235x5
270x5

Situps:
3x12

Pull ups:
20

Notes: I felt really run down today. I didn't get much sleep last night, I didn't eat nearly enough yesterday and I was dehydrated. Deadlifts felt good, though.

[PizDoff]

Your journal title brings to mind row upon row of monkeys on typewriters.

[Jorge Sanchez]

Squat:
120x5
150x5
180x5
210x5
245x3
180x8
**145+purple bands (for ****s and giggles)

Bench:
115x5
140x5
170x5
195x5
230x3
170x8

Bent over rows:
75x5
95x5
115x5
135x5
155x3
115x8

Dips supersetted with pullups (slow negatives):
Dips:
45x6x2
45x5
Pullups:
45x1x3

EZ Bar curl suppersetted with CGBP:
Curl:
85x8
90x8
95x8
CGBP:
135x8
155x8x2

Notes: This was a great workout. All of my top sets felt really light, especially the squats - the weight was just flying up.

**Some guy in the squat rack beside me was using bands so I asked him if I could give them a shot, since I'd never tried them before. Sidior explained the choke, double choke, etc. to me, but I can't really remember. He wrapped them around the bottom of the squat rack a couple of times. I almost got thrown back when I unracked the weight, but I got used to it pretty quickly.

[mickyjune26]

strength coming back real nicely. How long you sticking to 5x5?

[Jorge Sanchez]

I'm going to stick with it as long as my gains keep coming. I'm going backpacking through Europe for three months in the beginning of January, so I'll probably stick to it until I leave. When I'm gone I won't be working out.

[mickyjune26]

no way dude. just carry big logs through Europe. You could set some sort of record for longest distance traveled carrying 200+ pounds, lol. But seriously, the trip sounds pretty awesome.

[Sidior]

Bands eh...I like it.

[Jorge Sanchez]

November 27 - it's my birfday!!

Squats:
120x5
150x5
185x5
215x5
245x5

Bench:
115x5
145x5
175x5
200x5
230x5

Bent over rows:
80x5
100x5
117x5
135x5
155x5

Weighted hypers: x2
Weighted situps: x4

Notes: Felt real good today. I had good leg drive on the bench and had no problem staying tight. I probably could've put up another rep or two. Now it's time for a big dinner and some cake .

[Jorge Sanchez]

no way dude. just carry big logs through Europe. You could set some sort of record for longest distance traveled carrying 200+ pounds, lol. But seriously, the trip sounds pretty awesome.

I figure my backpack is going to weigh anywhere from 30-40lbs, so I plan to do some pull-ups, push ups, split leg squats, etc. with that. Hopefully I'll be able to maintain something that resembles strength. I'm not too worried though, I'm just going to have a good time and hit the gym when I get back. I should be able to get back into it pretty quickly

Bands eh...I like it.

They were a lot of fun, actually. When I get back I might start incorporating them into my routine.

[Jorge Sanchez]

November 29th

Squats:
125x5
160x5
190x5
190x5

Hang clean and press:
90x5
105x5
125x5
140x5

Deadlift:
175x5
205x5
240x5
280x5

Pull-ups:20
Sit ups:x3

Notes: Not much to report. Dealifts felt really good today, I could've gone much higher. I'm hoping to hit 315x5 before Christmas.

[Sidior]

Another great workout. I also didn't notice it was your birthday a few days ago, so happy belated!

[Coke]

The 3pps deads will be yours soon enough...nice session man.

[Jorge Sanchez]

Squat:
120x5
150x5
185x5
215x5
250x3
185x8

Bench:
115x5
145x5
175x5
200x5
235x3
175x8

Bent over rows:
85x5
100x5
115x5
135x5
160x3
115x8

Dips supersetted with pullups (slow negatives):
Dips:
45x6x3
Pullups:
45x1x3

EZ Bar curl suppersetted with skull crushers:
Curl:
95x8x3
Skull crushers:
95x8x3

Notes: I was supposed to hit the gym yesterday but I got offered free tickets to a hockey game in the afternoon and then taken out to dinner so yesterday was a write off. I also got really drunk and didn't sleep well. I was really dehydrated, tired and underfed today, and my arm hurt because I just got a flu shot, but I managed to drag myself to the gym because I didn't want to miss two days in a row. I wanted to quit before I even left my house.

[Jorge Sanchez]

Another great workout. I also didn't notice it was your birthday a few days ago, so happy belated!

The 3pps deads will be yours soon enough...nice session man.

Thanks guys!!

[borracho]

nice steady increases!