Ptatypus' SS Log

[platypus]

Began Starting Strength yesterday. Have some experience deadlifting and pressing, but not with quite the same form taught by Rip.

Yesterday's workout:

Squat
45x5,5
65x5
95x5
115x5,5,5

Press
45x5
55x5
65x5

Deadlift
135x5
155x5
185x5 (left hand supinated)

Hammer chins
bwx5
bwx5
bwx4

I'm 190, 5'10" Have to maintain this weight till May, but I figure I can make progress for two months before I start gaining weight.

[Thekatzkid]

You may experience weight gain within the first month. I certainly did. Just remember that you will need to eat enough food so that you may properly make gains on your lifts.

[platypus]

Thanks, Thekatzkid, I'll keep that in mind.

3/16/14
Squat
45x5x2
65x5
95x5
125x5

Bench
45x5x2
65x5
75x5
95x5

PCleans
A half hour or so spent figuring out the movement...
45x5x2
65x5
95x3
115x3x5

Mental note: Wear sweatpants. The knurling is not comfy.

[platypus]

3/19/14
Squat
45x10
95x3
115x3
135x5x3

Press
45x5x2
55x5
70x5x3

DL
135x5
185x5
205x5 (right hand supinated)

Hammer chins
bwx5x3

[dietlbomb]

Good start so far. Try to use the dual overhand grip for your deadlifts until you can't do it anymore.

[platypus]

Due to my recent discovery of notebook and pen, it’s been a while since I’ve logged here. I thought I’d give an update today, though.

Thanks for the tip, dietlbomb. I tried the double overhand grip and made it to 235 before I had to switch.

A few things have changed since my first few workouts. I have to take a full five minutes rest after squats now, and about three for everything else.

Except cleans. For some reason I can get through my cleans with something like thirty seconds between sets. I’m assuming this will change pretty soon as the weight gets heavy, though. I have been really surprised by my decent performance in these, considering my 19” vertical jump, but it’s a good surprise. I accidently fived the weight for my first set today, so maybe I should take a bigger jump next time.

Weight hasn’t changed, although my gut is slowly disappearing while my thighs grow larger. It could very well be that I won’t need to start GOMAD for several more weeks.

My last two workouts:
4/7/14
Squat
75x6
115x4
145x2
185x5,5,5

Press
45x6
50x4
65x2
85x5,5,5

Deadlift
135x6
155x4
205x2
255x5

Chins
BWx6,5,5


4/9/14
Squat
75x6
115x4
150x2
190x5,5,5

Bench
45x6
70x4
95x5
115x5,5,5

PCleans
55x6
80x4
110x2
135x5,3,3,3,3

Deadlifts are feeling really, really heavy now. A few days before I began SS I could do a set of 285, but after my squats I don’t feel so hot on the deads. I’m actually concerned I might stall before getting back up to my previous weights there.

Everything else is going great though.

I find after a set of squats or cleans, I tend to get a little dizzy. I usually end up grabbing the rack for support for a few seconds after a set of either lift while my head clears. I knew this happened to people on cleans, but I wasn’t expecting it on the squat. It hasn’t hurt my performance, though, and I haven’t blacked out.

I also notice on squats I tend to exaggerate the hip drive a little more with each rep to the point where the last rep is verging on a good-morning. I realize I probably need a chest-up que.

Really pleased with the results so far, hadn’t realized this kind of improvement was possible.

[dietlbomb]

That is some good progress. Keep it up!

[Keith]

I used to get dizzy/lightheaded when squatting if I didnt eat before I trained. You might try drinking something like gatorade (something with electrolytes)during the workout if you are not already or even eating (bananas, chocolate milk) during the workout.