Zeke Speaks Dreamer Bulk of Peace

[Permaperm]

What's up everyone! I'm Zeke Speaks and this will be my strength training log. I'm running a variation of SS that I've created through trial and error, and still experiencing newbie gains.

I've been strength training for about 3 months now. The first month I barely rose the weights, in order to work on form.

Starting: (May)

Bench - 115 lbs
Squat - 185
Deads - 155
OHP - 80
Rowes - 135

Bodyweight: 173, approx. 12 % bodyfat (abs not too visible)

Here are my current maxes, as of Monday:
Bench - 185
Squat - 315
Deads - 345
OHP - 120
Rowes - 195

Bodyweight: 210, approx. 17% bodyfat (just lost sight of abs)

My ultimate goal is to get as strong as possible before I go into the Navy later this year.

[Permaperm]

Coming back from a week off, so all weights were reset a few lbs. Surprisingly, after a week off my maxes were still higher than they have been before (I checked Monday).

Wednesday, 8/15

Max set decline sit-ups: 55

Squats:
245x3x5 ATG

I haven't mentioned this, but I high bar squat. I just like the feel of it more.

OHP:
100x3x5

Deadlifts:
255x1x5

Rowes:
155x3x5

Bench:
155x3x5

[dpinsen]

What made you decide to join the navy? The movie battleship? I've seen it about a dozen times on cable.

[Permaperm]

As good as that movie was, I doubt it's very realistic haha

I'm joining for financial security, free education, and a steady job with vertical mobility. I've been to military camps in the past and enjoyed the structure of them.

[Permaperm]

8/17

Max set decline situps - 35

Squat:
255x2x5

Deads:
265x2x5

OHP:
105x2x5

Pendlay Rows:
160x2x5

Bench:
160x2x5

Pullups:
+30x2
+20x2

Dips:
+35x4
+35x2

Decided to start doing weighted dips and pullups today. I had a bit of an issue finding a starting weight, and the number of reps I got tells me I need to go lighter next time.

[Permaperm]

The bad news: I forgot to post Monday. The good news: I qualified as a Navy Linguist at MEPS.

Here's the workout for Monday:

Squats:
265x2x5

Deads:
275x1x1

OHP:
110x2x5

Pendlay Rows:
165x2x5

Bench:
165x2x5

[Permaperm]

8/21 - Wednesday

Squats:
275x2x5

Deads:
295x1x5
I guess I messed up and chose too high of a weight for deadlifts today.. I couldn't remember what I had done on Monday.

OHP:
115x5
115x2

Pendlay Rows:
170x2x5

Bench:
170x2x5

[Permaperm]

8/23 - Friday

Only a half hour to work out today... I did what I could.

Squats:
285x2x5

Deads:
Skipped

OHP:
115x1x3

Pendlay Rows:
175x2x5

Bench:
175x2x5

[Permaperm]

8/26 - Monday

Squats:
295x3
295x1

Deads:
305x1x5

OHP:
115x3
115x4

Pendlay Rows:
180x2x5

Bench:
180x2x3

So I stalled in squats, and bench, and continue to stall in OHP. I think I'll give myself a bit of a rest this week by taking it light Wednesday, and Friday's workout should fare a little better.

[Permaperm]

So I've officially hit a wall!

Gains have been coming pretty hard as is, and now I need to work harder on cardio and calisthenics (according to my recruiter). This means I'll have less energy to focus on strength gains. I've also been recommended to eat at caloric deficit and lost 20-30 lbs, and the caloric deficit has really been showing in my workouts. Surprisingly some areas are still showing slight gains though. Here's Tuesday's workout:

Squat: 315 singles x 2
Deads: 315x2, 315x1
OHP: 125x2, 125x2
Rows: 185x2x5
Bench: 190x2, 185x2

I'm moving towards lifting twice a week. I'm still striving for strength gains and will follow a similar workout pattern as before, so I'll try to keep this updated. My bodyweight right now is around 198-200 lbs. I'll be cutting to 175-185, wherever I feel is my healthy limit.