Quit Tomorrow

[Quit Tomorrow]

Basic Information

Age: 29
Height: 5’11 ¾
Weight: 192

Why Quit Tomorrow?

The story below serves as my motivation (full blog post here)

More lessons from Special Operations Forces

In Special Operations Forces selection we used to have a saying:

“Finish out today and quit tomorrow.”

SOF selection is essentially a system of heavy-duty hazing, ruthlessly tormenting a bunch of people until most of them drop out.

During this intensive process, it’s so tempting to tell yourself that the run is too far. The water is too cold. My arms are too weak to do one… more… push-up… unnnggghh.

It’s so tempting to tell yourself: It doesn’t matter. It’s not worth it. Nothing is worth this pain or boredom.

So what’s the secret to staying the course?

Quitting. Later, that is.

My buddies and I promised each other we’d never quit in the middle of an evolution. At least, we’d wait until the end of the day, when the intensity of the moment had passed.

The carrot of quitting dangled enticingly in front of us. A little treat, the promise of eventual relief to keep us going. It was just a little farther away.

Of course, at the end of the day, we’d look back on the incident that had made us want to quit, realize it wasn’t so bad – and feel good about our decision to continue. Invariably, this simple trick would pull us through.

We didn’t quit today. And every one of us made it through selection.”

Initial Goals

1. Improve Leverages – Minimum weight: 215lbs

2. Complete Novice Linear Progression.

[Quit Tomorrow]

16.09.04

Bodyweight: 189lbs
HRV 71.1, HR 68.7, Training Readiness 7/10 (Amber)

Movement Prep

Ab Wheel Rollout 8x3
Face Pull 8x3

Squats

Warmup
45 x 5 x 3
120 x 5 x 1
140 x 3 x 1
155 x 2 x 1

Work
170 x 5 x 3 (No Belt)

Note: Made some adjustments to my grip width that gave left shoulder some much needed relief.

Press

Warmup
45 x 5 x 2
60 x 3 x 1
65 x 2 x 1

Work
70 x 5 x 3

Note: Left shoulder chewed up after squats. Will get better.

Deadlift

Warmup
45 x 5-10 x 1
145 x 3 x 1
160 x 2 x 1 (Hook Grip)

Work
180 x 5 x 1 (Hook Grip)

Note: First day back from 1 week vacation. Didn’t help that I got an amber HRV reading. Cut my planned workout volume and turned the session into an active recovery session. Should be back to normal for Tuesday.

[carson]

Good start. With your approach quitting tomorrow will not come.

[Quit Tomorrow]

Good start. With your approach quitting tomorrow will not come.

Thanks for the kind words carson. That's the plan

[Adam Franklin]

Basic Information
In Special Operations Forces selection we used to have a saying:

“Finish out today and quit tomorrow.”

The only easy day was yesterday!

Welcome to the boards.

[Quit Tomorrow]

The only easy day was yesterday!

Welcome to the boards.

Thanks Adam. Looking forward to getting to know you!

[Quit Tomorrow]

16.09.05

Bodyweight: 188.8lbs
HRV 82.6, HR 63.6, Training Readiness 9/10

Cardiac Output

10 minutes at target heart rate (130-150)

Note: Keeping the minimum effective dose to ensure that I maintain my HRV level. I won't do more than 10 minutes 1-3 times per week as long as my HRV continues to stay above 70. I also bike as my main form of transportation so that also helps.

[Quit Tomorrow]

16.09.06

Bodyweight: 189.4lbs
HRV 63.4, HR 71.8, Training Readiness 7/10 (Amber)
Sleep Cycle Data - Sleep Quality 34%, Time in bed 4:13 (I'll try to track this as often as possible but sometimes I will forget)

Movement Prep

Ab Wheel Rollout 8x3
Face Pull 8x3

Squats

Warmup
45 x 5 x 3
120 x 5 x 1
140 x 3 x 1
155 x 2 x 1

Work
170 x 5 x 3 (No Belt)

Note: Shoulder was feeling better. I'm continuing to see consistent progress with my mobility/stability. In the future I'll talk more about what I've been dealing with and what my approach has been to correcting it.

Bench Press

Warmup
45 x 5 x 1
65 x 5 x 1
75 x 3 x 1
85 x 2 x 1

Work
95 x 5 x 3

Deadlift

Warmup
45 x 5-10 x 1
145 x 3 x 1
160 x 2 x 1 (Hook Grip)

Work
180 x 5 x 1 (Hook Grip)

Note: I took another acute submax workout due to my HRV. Last night didn't get a good sleep and the stress of going back to work after 12-14 days off didn't help as well. This is why I love HRV and why I hope to talk more about it when I get my ass moving. The great this is its forcing me to really take a look at the Three Questions that all novice lifers need to ask themselves but before running into a wall I can take acute measures to keep me moving forward. Nonetheless - I'm going to just keep my head down and continue to work hard (and hopefully get to bed a bit earlier tonight)

[Quit Tomorrow]

16.09.07

Bodyweight: 188.2lbs
HRV 56.9, HR 74, Training Readiness 3/10 (Red)

Active Recovery

15 minutes on the Bike @ RPE of 3/10

Note: My stress levels are still out of wack since coming back from vacation and a few personal life events but the show must continue. I hope I'm ready to continue tomorrow.

[Quit Tomorrow]

16.09.08

Bodyweight: 188.8lbs
HRV 56.1, HR 75, Training Readiness 2/10 (Red)
Sleep Cycle Data - Sleep Quality 27%, Time in bed 2:49

Recovery

Sensory Deprivation Tank (Deep Water Float) - 2 hours

Note: The high stress period continues. I took an extreme measure today and made time for a advanced recovery technique. Mixed with a decent nights rest I hope that is enough to turn this around.