SK's Texas Method and Weight Loss Log

[strideknight]

So, I've been meaning to start a log on here for a while. I'm 30, been lifting intermittently for just over two years now, and have been using just my Texas Method spreadsheet for a few months. Finished up LP in February-ish, and about halfway through the third six week cycle now. Also, I only workout every third day, it works better for my scheduling purposes.

Current maxes: Squat 5x405, Dead 5x425, Press 2x200, PC 3x195, Bench 1x270

As for the weight loss portion, I am a fat fuck that started at 395 lbs, dropped to about 320, but I've put 20 back on over the last month of vacation, being sick, and travelling. Mostly just watching what I eat and following Jordan's advice - Going almost full ketard, 250g protein, ~110g fat, <75g carb on rest days, with a refeed on Volume day and halfway between volume days. At some point I'll post progress pics as well as form vids. Also, prowler and hill sprints ftw.

13/09/12 - TM Cycle 3a Volume day 2
Squat: 2x5x45, 5x140, 3x225, 2x280, 5x355, 3x355, 4x355, 4x355, 2x355, 3x355
Press: 2x5x45, 5x95, 3x115, 2x140, 5x167.5, 5x4x167.5 w/push press 4th rep last two sets
Dead: 5x170, 3x255, 2x360 (mixed grip), 5x425 strapped

Notes
Today was a shitfest. Glycogen storage levels have clearly detrained in the last three weeks of irregular training. First reps were all easy but not enough in the tank to finish off the sets. Got stuck in the hole on the second and fifth squat sets and had to dump it. Did an extra sets to compensate. Form was better despite being more tired, thanks SS seminar. The layback on the OHP still taking some getting
used to. Also, dropped a plate on my toe unloading the deadlift, fucking hurts but can move it okay.

Today's Weight: 341

[strideknight]

13/09/18
Squat: 5x115, 3x165, 2x220, 2x5x280
Bench: 5x95, 3x135, 2x175, 3x5x192.5
Back Ex's, Chins 3x4 @ 115 assist, Dips 3x8 @ 100 assist

Notes
Messed up my big toe pretty badly dropping that plate on it, couldn't prowler at all because anything requiring bending and stabilization with my toe was out. Purple and nasty looking. Lifting went fine, uneventful and easy.

[strideknight]

13/09/20 - TM Cycle 3a PR Day 2
Squat: 5x155, 3x235, 2x315, (5) 3x395
Press: 5x115, 3x145, 2x175, (1) 0x210, 2x195
Clean: 5x135, 3x165, (5x3) 2x3x190, 3x3x185

Notes
Not surprised I didn't hit the PRs, still building up strength. Learned an important lesson about knurling and ponytails today tho - when I dumped the squat the new bars are so sharp it caught my hair and pulled out a chunk, didn't hurt but fuck I'm already going bald damnit. Topknot from now on. Also, not sure about Cleans and these Romaleos, needs more testing.

[strideknight]

13/09/23 - TM Cycle 3b Volume day 1
Squat: 5x140, 3x210, 2x280, 5x5x355
Bench: 5x115, 3x155, 2x195, 5x5x220
Dead: 2x5x170, 3x255, 2x365 mixed, (5) 4x430 strapped

Notes
Clearly much better squats than last week, normal grueling for a volume day. Felt like it was my grip failing on the 5th deadlift rep, the straps slipping out of my hand almost. Used the EliteFTS straps this time, will switch to IronMind next week and give those a go. Still getting used to the lifting shoes as well, squats felt much more comfortable in them, but back to flat shoes for the deadlift.

[Brian Jones]

Hey man - -looking forward to following your progress here. I am on a cut myself right now. How tall are you?

[strideknight]

Hey man - -looking forward to following your progress here. I am on a cut myself right now. How tall are you?

5"11 ish, I slouch alot so who knows really. Thanks, I've actually flipped through your log a few times myself, I need to post more and lurk less hehe. You're doing awesome btw, cuts are never fun but ones where you make strength gains too are always better

[strideknight]

13/09/27 TM 3b Light 1
Squat: 5x115, 3x175, 2x225, 2x5x285
Press: 5x95, 3x115, 2x140, 3x5x165
PCs @ 2x5x135 & 3x165, Rows @ 2x5x225 sub'd for Back Ex & assistance work
Grip Work

Notes
Easy day, calf still sore of course, but that's like always. Did PC's and Rows instead of assistance today to switch it up a bit. Grip work was Captains of Crush grippers and high rack pulls.

[strideknight]

13/09/30 TM 3b PR 1
Squat: 5x155, 3x235, 2x135, (5) 2x395 2x395 1x395
Bench: 5x135, 3x185, 2x240, (2) 0x270
PC: 2x5x135, 3x165, 5x3x190 PR

Notes
Squats were sucky, had to dump the bar on the first two sets. I think the lack of carbs was effecting me, just no energy in the tank. Disappointing considering how great volume day felt, but then again I had carbs on volume day. Still, reracked and ground out all five. Not phased at all about the bench, still building it back up. Power cleans were surprisingly pleasant and non-taxing.

Today's Weight: 338

[Brian Jones]

How long have you been doing low carb/keto? I have been at it - -only 20 to 30 carbs per bad - -for about 5 weeks now. I haven't experienced the energy loss. I used the keto strips and confirmed I was in ketosis. I think that I inadvertently found something that worked for me with 5/3/1 as there is such an onboarding/ramp up process that I think my body is acclimating to training low carb before REALLY being tested. Those Power Cleans are awesome, bro. Keep at it.

[strideknight]

13/10/02 TM 3b Volume 2
Squat: 5x145, 3x225, 2x285, (5x5) 4x5x355 2x3x355
Press: 5x95, 3x115, 2x145, 3x5x172.5 4x4x172.5 w/push press last rep all sets
Deadlift: 5x170, 3x255, 2x365 (mixed grip), strapped 5x430 PR
Power Clean & Press (PCP) 2x5x135, dips and chins for fun

Notes: Squats were good, had to dump it on the fifth set because my knees felt funky. Switched to flat shoes and they felt better for the triple. Press was blah. Basically the same as two weeks ago, but with five more pounds, so I guess I should be happy. Over did the set count, but I figure I did about 25 un-pushed reps, so close enough. Deadlift made me happy. PCP's were because some jackass decided to curl in the rack next to me. Gah.

How long have you been doing low carb/keto? I have been at it - -only 20 to 30 carbs per bad - -for about 5 weeks now. I haven't experienced the energy loss. I used the keto strips and confirmed I was in ketosis. I think that I inadvertently found something that worked for me with 5/3/1 as there is such an onboarding/ramp up process that I think my body is acclimating to training low carb before REALLY being tested. Those Power Cleans are awesome, bro. Keep at it.

Well, August is always a pain in my ass weight loss wise, I had been doing it for ~5 months before and I just started back up again at the beginning of September. So one factor is just the glycogen storage has detrained which just takes some time to bounce back. But yeah, I typically am <50g, I've never bothered to confirm ketosis with the strips, but I have a notable change in my urine odor after a couple days of low carbing, which is symptomatic. What I've noticed is that if I've had no extra carbs, there's no way I can get through 5x5. In fact, I normally sip a Dunkin Donuts iced caramel latte during volume day PR day usually isn't quite so bad, just worse because of the time NDTP. Although, I will typically have a small fruity/oatmeal meal of like 50ish grams the morning before PR day because I've found it helps a little.

Ramping it up is a good strategy, I did that when I first started TM and it seemed to work pretty well for a good 5-6 months. At some point you hit an energy wall tho and you can throw in some pre-workout carbs and it doesn't really hinder progress since post-workout they're basically gone. Also, it's a nice mental break every 9 days to have some fruit and chocolate. I hope you can keep at the low carb, altho I am definitely jealous if you're not seeing lower energy levels.

Also, thanks, hehe. My only real goal right now is a 2 plate Power Clean & Press, then I want a bodyweight PCP - but that'll take longer I think.