Training for a whole year

[Eric Schexnayder]

9/29/2023

68/297, 29/156

Squat
295x5
265x5x2

Press
147x5x3

Deadlift
390x2 (fail)

Squats and Presses were totally fine. Not sure what happened on the Deadlift. Got the third rep about halfway up the shin and all of a sudden it decided to go back down.

Not happy about it obviously, but not going to fret about it right now either. Family vacation is coming up, and when I get back I'll think of something to get this back on track. First thought is to try triples, maybe the mental relief of trying to just get three will let me give myself permission to progress. Converting to the rack pull / halting method might do it after a few more tries to get unstuck. My only concern with rack pulls is that I'll damage my only barbell. Guess I can order another one beforehand and relegate my current one to rack pull duty.

I miscalculated my "week" and really only have one more workout (Sunday) before vacation. In order to get Press intensity in, I will probably substitute it for chins on to my Day 2 workout. Hopefully doing intensity Press after Intensity + Volume Bench doesn't kill me.

[Bill Anders]

Not happy about it obviously, but not going to fret about it right now either. Family vacation is coming up, and when I get back I'll think of something to get this back on track. First thought is to try triples, maybe the mental relief of trying to just get three will let me give myself permission to progress. Converting to the rack pull / halting method might do it after a few more tries to get unstuck. My only concern with rack pulls is that I'll damage my only barbell. Guess I can order another one beforehand and relegate my current one to rack pull duty.

If you can manage it, do it. I was in the same boat a year ago, then I got an email from TX Power Bars about their blemished stock. I bought one* with the intent to use that as my rack pull bar (since it was blemished), but it was in great shape. It took us a couple of weeks to notice the little spot where the finish didn't quite adhere. It's my primary "outside the rack" Press/Pull bar and my first TX Power Bar is now the "inside the rack" Bench/Squat/Rack Pull bar. It's going on 11 months of use for rack pulls and it is still straight. But then again, no matter how rough the pull is, I control it back down onto the safeties to avoid bending it. Funny how that happens when you own it.

*I accidentally selected their All American Bar when I ordered, then realized it after the order had been processed. It runs about a little cheaper than the TPB, but built just as solidly. 10/10 recommend either one.

[Eric Schexnayder]

If you can manage it, do it. I was in the same boat a year ago, then I got an email from TX Power Bars about their blemished stock. I bought one* with the intent to use that as my rack pull bar (since it was blemished), but it was in great shape. It took us a couple of weeks to notice the little spot where the finish didn't quite adhere. It's my primary "outside the rack" Press/Pull bar and my first TX Power Bar is now the "inside the rack" Bench/Squat/Rack Pull bar. It's going on 11 months of use for rack pulls and it is still straight. But then again, no matter how rough the pull is, I control it back down onto the safeties to avoid bending it. Funny how that happens when you own it.

*I accidentally selected their All American Bar when I ordered, then realized it after the order had been processed. It runs about a little cheaper than the TPB, but built just as solidly. 10/10 recommend either one.

Thanks Bill. I will certainly look into this.

[Eric Schexnayder]

10/1/2023

70/295, 30/156

Squat
265x5
265x5
265x5

Bench Press
232x4 (fail)
207x5x4

Squats were fine.

Fifth rep wasn't even close on bench. Went down and stayed down. Oh well. Back offs were easy.

Meant to Intensity Press, but after all the bench volume my shoulders and lats were letting me know they didn't plan to cooperate on heavy singles.

Was also going to clean, but I honestly just didn't feel like it. Poor attitude, I know.

I think I'm in need of this upcoming vacation. Some time away from training might be good for me. I can feel my enthusiasm for it has been petering out somewhat. I am glad that I do it, but I haven't really enjoyed it lately.

I've not been eating too well and not nearly as much as I was on LP.

[Bill Anders]

Was also going to clean, but I honestly just didn't feel like it. Poor attitude, I know.

I think I'm in need of this upcoming vacation. Some time away from training might be good for me. I can feel my enthusiasm for it has been petering out somewhat. I am glad that I do it, but I haven't really enjoyed it lately.

While not entirely applicable to your situation, Phil Meggers posted a good video on topic this morning.

[Bill Anders]

Thanks Bill. I will certainly look into this.

And another video from Phil re: if you don't want to spend on a new bar, build blocks.

[Eric Schexnayder]

Quick update. Back from a very relaxing and fun vacation with the family. Had some complications getting home but ultimately sorted out. Between that and this upcoming week with kids' activities and catching up with major happenings at work, it's highly likely I won't lift again until Friday. Will be thinking about how to approach re-starting training until then.

[Eric Schexnayder]

Intended to do an LP reset workout today.

Did 265x3 on squats and stopped because I really just had no motivation or care to train.

Not sure what to do. Maybe try again Friday.

[Eric Schexnayder]

10/11/2023

80/285, 31/156

Decided to change it up and try Wendler's 5/3/1 program for a while. I'm using my last best 5s as the "1+" rep target in Week 3 and using a calculator to lay out the program. I think the 5s are a good enough proxy to his recommended 90% of 1RM for calculating the program. Doing the "Boring But Big" variation.

Numerous thoughts, reasons, motivations, etc., that I don't plan to expound upon here. Suffice it to say I'm trying to keep training consistently, and trying something different is exciting.

One thing I will say is that I'm sick of eating so much. I went away on vacation and lost 12 pounds of bodyweight just eating what a "normal" person might eat. I think that says a lot about the required level of eating and nutritional dedication required to keep pushing my strength up at an accelerated rate. Not interested anymore.

Cycle 1, Week 1, Day 1 (Press Day)

Press
70x5
90x5
105x3
115x5
135x5
150x5+0
55x10x5

Barbell Curls
55x10x5

The sets of 10 were excruciating at the end. But the pump feels good. Judge away.

Official BBB program has "lat work" on the upper body days, but Wendler's website says that curls can be substituted if desired.

Felt good to train today. I'm doing the 4 Day a Week version of this and going to let the days float and train when I can. Either tomorrow or Friday will be next training day (Deadlift day).

[Cole Gorton]

.

One thing I will say is that I'm sick of eating so much. I went away on vacation and lost 12 pounds of bodyweight just eating what a "normal" person might eat. I think that says a lot about the required level of eating and nutritional dedication required to keep pushing my strength up at an accelerated rate. Not interested anymore

yeah dude. eating is hard. people dont understand that part. im about 2 months in and sometimes i cant even look at my food. prob not healthy lol. i usually get super motivated to gain weight and stick to it for a month or two then just start eating normal again. having a belly does help with the squats and bench though, at least for me. Have fun with 5/3/1