Vanilla Gorilla

[1369phil]

I saw this name as a user for someone on another forum and liked it a lot - it think it represents my whiteness and hairyness quite well - although I'm as bald as a coot, hair seems to be compensating elsewhere as i drift dangerously into middle age - your first white nose hair is a moment that many younger lifters have yet to fully appreciate.

Enough about me, let's talk about me .

I'm 37 - 38 in 2010 weigh a fat-ish 250lbs (115kg - 18 stones) stand 6 feet one. I've been lifting since I was a young teenager and have managed to learn very little.

I work shifts, that vary wildly, in a stressful, sometimes physical job - I have a wife and 3 lovely kids the youngest of whom is 21 months.

My best lifts in competition are a 440lb squat a 286lb bench and a 484 deadlift. This was armed only with a belt and a really old set of wrist wraps. I compete in the British IPF affiliate in raw competition. My total is about 100lbs off where it needs to be to qualify for the nationals - either that or lose 50lbs bodyweight !

The only lift I didnt equal my best in the competition was the bench where I've paused 330lbs before.

I think I got to 340lbs for my 5 x 5 sets as my previous best on the squats, I stalled at the 350 mark or thereabouts.

I've powercleaned 220lbs for a triple, push pressed the same weight for a single and pressed from standing 198lbs.

A review of my progress in 2009 led me to the realisation that the Texas method was by far my most successful routine and in 2009 I followed every routine known to man (Sheiko,Westside, 531 etc)

So I'm back trying out Texas just North of London, England.

Weights will be in kilos - I'll adjust for a while and add poundages, but that novelty will wear off at some point.

Two days ago (29/12/09) I did a very tentative return to Texas-ness after a previous tweak of the lower back - it went something like

Squat
Warm Ups then 120kg (264lbs) 5 x 5

Bench
Warm Ups then 100kg (220) 5 x 5

Good Mornings
One warm up with bar then 40 (88) 3 x 10 (sets x reps)

One Arm Rows
45 (100) x 20 (each side)

Then some Ab Roller - 3 sets of 5


Today (31/12/09) went like this:

Front Squat
Warm Ups then 100 (220) 3 x 3

Standing Press
Warm Ups then 70 (154) 3 x 3

Chin Ups
3 sets of 5 with bodyweight - then a set of 5 with a mini-band (around my shoulders, attached to a dumbell on the floor)

These were alternated between sets of presses

Dips
Same mini band set up x 10 reps

Then three sets of 5 leg raises


Neither sessions were terribly difficult - I intend to up the weights and intensity as time goes by.

Thanks for reading.


Phil

[Mr.City]

Always a pleasure to have another older gentleman on the site. Welcome.

[1369phil]

04/01/10

Squat

60 x 5
80 x 5
100 x 5
120 x 3
140 x 1
160 x 1
180 x 1
190 x 1 (10kg off my PR - slow and tough but it didnt kill me - 418lbs)

Bench

Bar x 12
60 x 5
80 x 3
100 x 3
120 x 1
140 x 1 (touch and go - 10kg off my best - 308lbs)

Deads

60 x 5 (power cleans)
100 x 3 (high pulls)
140 x 3
160 x 1
180 x 5 (was going to be my work set, but it felt easy)
200 x 1
220 x 1 (equal PR - 484lbs)



Tried some 60kg snatches for a double (super easy), some side bends and one set of arm stuff for 15+ reps

All in all, quite pleased, near my best on everything and I've not been training as much as I should - looking forward to moving my PRs upwards in the next few months.

[1369phil]

Today's efforts went ok (06/01/10)

Power Cleans
Bar x 5
60 x 5
80 x 3
100 (220lbs)x 3 (2 sets) - this equals my best ever (a single set of 100 x 3) so I'm pleased with this

Squats
60 x 5
100 x 5
140 (308lbs) x 5 (5 sets) with a belt

Standing Press
Bar x 5
40 x 6
70 (154lbs) x 5 (5 sets) no belt

Hanging Leg Raises
2 sets of 5 or 6

[1369phil]

Not too bad today - not feeling super-strong but progressing slowly

08/01/10

Front Squats

Bar x 10
60 x 5
80 x 3
90 x 2
105 x 3 (3 sets)

Bench Press

Bar x 20
60 x 5
80 x 3 (3 sets)


Chins

x 5
5 x 5
10 x 4
10 x 3

Dips

10 x 12

Rear Lateral Raise

10 x 10

Ab Roller

3 sets of 6