Yet Another SS Log

[Clever Username]

Hey everyone - been lurking but going to start a log now

Basics: Male, early 30s, 6', 187 lbs

Story: I started lifting regularly last summer, at which point I weighed 165 lbs and could only lift a little more than the bar. I set out following an LP program set up for me by a trainer at my gym (I now know it was essentially ICF 5x5), but after the first couple of months I got stuck on all the major lifts and haven't really made too much progress. I've gained some weight and I look better, but I'm very disappointed in how my strength has come along as developing strength was my primary goal.

My best guesses right now for the causes of my problems are 1) 5x5 plus assistance work was just too much and 2) I wasn't resting enough between sets (when you're paying a trainer to be there, they tend to want to keep things moving and not have 5 minutes of rest between sets). Diet is okay - not great and not terrible - and I get 7-8 hours of sleep per night. Job-related stress is pretty high.

I read Practical Programming and Starting Strength over the last couple of weeks, and am ready to rededicate myself and just follow the program.

5RM achieved so far:
Squat: 165
DL: 215
Press: 90
Bench: 145

Workout 1 was today:

Squat: 45x5, 95x5, 115x3, 145x3x5
Press: 45x5, 45x5, 80x3x5
Deadlift: 135x5, 195x5

[carson]

I don't fully understand why the SS protocol works so well, but it does. I also know that a certified Starting Strength Coach not only knows how to set up a series of lifts but why they are set the way they are and how to tweek them when necessary. Go find one.

[Clever Username]

Right, Carson. There are a few coaches in my area - I will probably go see one the first time I hit a wall on something.

Worked out yesterday morning before work. Got all my squats at 150 and bench at 135

[Clever Username]

Well, after waiting 30 minutes for a squat rack to open (because you can't do push ups or curls just anywhere in the gym), I was finally able to get started

Squats: 45x5, 85x5, 115x5, 155x5x3 - felt strong here
Press: 45x5x2, 85x5x3 - This felt fine, but with 90 lbs being the all time max I'm also not really sure what to expect next time
DL: 135x5, 205x5 - This was hard and form was poor. Might drop down to ~185 next time and try again