Feedback on TM recommendations

[KennyRogers]

Mr. Wolf had given me some advice in mid-april and I wanted to provide some feedback. The thread was titled “Texas Method – Starting to Stall, Need Advice” (http://startingstrength.com/resource...ad.php?t=48050).

So I have a hard time following directions. I was greedy to hit some of my goals before winter’s end and I used the concept of backing off a bit to shrug off some of the fatigue. I didn’t want to reset and delay my goals. I ended up adding an extra rest day between intensity and volume and again another between light and intensity. My theory was to pick up a little more recovery and “slowing down the pace”. Well, it worked. After the first week of this I was blowing through volume day and intensity day.

I have since kept the squat volume increasing by 2.5 lbs a week and recently hit my goal of 350 lbs (2x2 and not a 1RM!) Volume day press is at 135 lbs and bench has also been progressing to 200 lbs on volume day as well. I am currently at a 2x2 220lb bench and my goal was 225lbs this winter. Getting very close.

However….I have been too greedy and trying to get the 500 lb dead lift. I was increasing by 10 lbs and this has proven disastrous. I picked up 495x1 and tried 500 tonight. During warm up, I felt good, but like a jackass I jerked 455 and pulled my lower back a bit. I got 500 about 6 inches off the floor. I ate by weight in beef just drown my frustrations.

I have my destination wedding planned for November and the ol lady doesn’t like me being so adorably fluffy. My plan was to focus on losing some fat come May, however I am stuck in between eating my way stronger and resetting the dead lift and take the proper route (maybe 1 or 2 months) and hit my goal. Should I stick to my original plan, cut some fat, and get back on the horse mid June/July? I am thinking I am going to lose a lot of strength with the diet and I might be better off smashing that goal next winter. What do you guys think?

Thank you ladys and gents.

Nick

[Michael Wolf]

Funny you did what you did - a perfectly reasonable choice for your situation, though I generally don't think things like that are an option since most people can't rotate their training days every week, i.e. with your scheme, it would be:

Week 1: Mon - Volume, Weds - recovery, Sat - Intensity
Week 2: Weds - Volume, Fri- recovery, Monday - Intensity
Week 3: Fri - Volume, Sun - recovery, Thurs - Intensity

And so on. I suppose I just default assumed you needed to stick to a regular weekly schedule, but congrats on coming up with an equally valid option on your own. You may have seen the "Old Man Texas Method" we've discussed here before for trainees of more advanced age, which is essentially an even more drawn out version of your scheme, to account for the reduced recovery capacity from high volume of older trainees. However that still assumes and sticks to a weekly schedule, i.e.

Mon - Volume, Fri - recovery, Mon - Intensity
Fri - Volume, Mon - Recovery - Fri - Intensity

wherein two weeks of traditional TM Programming are done over three actual weeks of training. But your method is equally valid for a trainee who just can't quite keep to the weekly schedule, provided you have the training schedule flexibility to do it.

To answer your question: you can probably trim the fat slowly between now and November, if you are willing to be really on point with your nutrition. Or you can take a period of continuing to eat without concern, to grow, and then take a period closer to the wedding to lose fat for the wedding pics and so on. The downside of that approach, of course, is that your training will likely take a hit during the fat loss period. You'll lose strength. The upside is you can just focus on one thing at a time and don't have to be super strict with managing both diet and training at the same time, which some can do but which stymies others.

[KennyRogers]

Comrade,

I had not heard of the "Old Man" version and I will continue to act like I didn't hear it - cause it's not for me . However, I ran it out and switched to losing some weight. I'll call it for the sake of programming, since I told myself May, I stuck to May. I cut out snacking and I have already shaved off 4 lbs.

Although I will accept the failure of not reaching a 500 deadlift, I still made some fantastic gains and I will get it soon (my new goal might be the wedding). I will take the time to lose a little and try to get back on in two months. I will try to maintain strength (not sure how, but it's one of the reasons I'm logged in) and enjoy the summer and my new job. Speaking of which, no kids, busy job, little sleep; I rotate my schedule pretty much weekly since I always have meetings that run late, beer drinking games, etc.

Thank you again for your advice - it worked well.