What I'm Capable of - Breaking Down Barriers

[Matthew]

I couldn't decide between the two names for this log, so I used both.
Bite me. I think it works.



Currently I weigh 200 lbs.
Currently I pull 365x2
Currently I squat 305x1
Currently I bench 205x1

By the end of this log I will weigh an undetermined amount, and I won't care.
By the end of this log, I will pull 455.
By the end of this log, I will squat 405.
By the end of this log, I will bench 275.


I do not have a time frame for this goal, I think that's stupid. I make as much progress as I can every time I lift. Setting a deadline won't make that progress go any faster.
I'll reach these goals when I reach these goals.



The other side of this log will be about school.
My goal is to have an average in the 90's.
And to have the highest grades in 3/5 classes.
And to meet people

I won't talk about school much, maybe once in a while. This is just to remind myself.


Ok then. Let the fun begin.




Edit:
oh ya, the reason for the name.
Uhh.. I believe you create your own limitations. Well this is my way of saying fuck that. I'm capable of more than I sometimes think I am. I'm about to prove it.

[Matthew]

My training for the next few weeks will be set up like this:
week 1 - 4 sets
week 2 - 3 sets
week 3 - 5 sets
week 4 - 2 sets, and lots of PRs

The first two or three weeks my primary movements will be all heavy triples, the last week (maybe the last two weeks, I'll go by how I feel) will be a single, and hopefully a PR.


bench - friday
bench
floor press
pull up
NG seated row

squat - sat
squat
front squat
RDL

bench - mon
standing press
bs push up
chin up
bentover row

deadlift - wed
shallow deficit deadlift
rack pull
chest supported row




The last time I did a split like this, in the fourth week I made a good PR in the squat but not in the deadlift. I'm considering only pulling the first three weeks, and then not the fourth week. If I'm making progress in the accessory lifts, I shouldn't really need to test my max every month. Again, I'll go by how I feel. I won't really know what I'm doing until that week comes around.

[Matthew]

bench - Dec 28

bench
185x4,3,3

pull up
bwx5
30x3 + bwx5
30x2 + bwx2 - shoulder hurt on the second rep, decided to stop
bwx6

floor press
185x3x3
185x2

seated row
210x6x4


side raise
35x8,8,6
bb curl
95x4x3
pushdown
32.5x6
36.25x6
40x6
43.75x6

I curled 100 last week. Couldn't this week. My forearms really cramped up during these, changing grip widths didn't help at all. As soon as I let go of the bar, the pain started, and lasted a good few seconds.

Someone was using the curl station. The squat rack was empty.
2+2

[Matthew]

squat - Dec 29

squat
275 x3,3,2

front squat
165x3
185x2,2,2,1 - bar slipped on that last set

RDL
275x6,10


I used chalk for the first time ever today, on that last set of RDL. The bars at school are really smooth, so I figured I'll need it once I start lifting there. Might as well start using it now. It helped.

Also, I made a mess on the floor. I thought it would be ok in a container. I was wrong.

[ParanoidAndroid]

good luck man.

[Matthew]

Thanks dude.

[EricLikesLifting]

I have heard that the bags rock climbers use to keep a block of chalk in keeps everything nice and neat. I haven't bought one yet but its on my list of things to do because I'm not suppose to have chalk at my gym. I've tried liquid chalk too and it worked ok, but I would recommend the real stuff. Good work so far.

[Frank.S]

Kick some ass matt.

you will reach your goals I have no doubt.

I agree with you about people creating limitations. For a while my bench was stuck I thought that I was never going to be able to bench any amount of decent weight and thats what I thought about, how much my bench sucked. I got rid of that way of thinking and set out with a new plan and after a few months of hard work I was rewarded with a big PR.

Just put your chalk in a ziplock container and if anyone says anything (nobody ever does) remind them they are in a gym

[RacerBill]

Originally Posted by Matthew

I couldn't decide between the two names for this log, so I used both.

Good log title.

Originally Posted by Matthew

Bite me. I think it works.

Now THAT would be a great log title! J/k

Just curious -- you want to add 25% to your DL, but 33% to your squat and bench? How did you decide on those proportions?

Originally Posted by Matthew

oh ya, the reason for the name.
Uhh.. I believe you create your own limitations. Well this is my way of saying fuck that. I'm capable of more than I sometimes think I am. I'm about to prove it.

Great philosophy. That's what led to the title of my log.

Go get 'em, Matthew.

[Matthew]

Thanks Eric. I looked for one of those bags but couldn't find one. In just over a week I'll be changing from this clean freak gym to my dirty old school's weightroom, so I'm thinking that once that happens it won't really matter how messy the chalk is. So I'm not too worried about it.

Thanks Frank, 'preciate it.
I've really tried to have a more positive outlook just on things in general. I can see my life is really starting to turn around, my lifts included, but just in general. As long as I can keep my thoughts in check, I know I'll have a really great year.
I hope I'm ready for it.

[Matthew]

Thanks, RacerBill.

I didn't really think of the proportions. I want my squat to get above 400. My last goal was 300, I'm really just working with that first digit here. So I started with that. Then I thought of where my bench and pull should be, by the time I'm able to squat 400. I want my squat to be closer to my pull than it is now. I don't really have a reason for that, I just want it that way.
If anything, I'll totally surpass my deadlift goal by the time I reach my squat goal, which is fine with me. The squat is really what I'm focusing on here.

[Alcoholiday]

By the end of this log I will weigh an undetermined amount, and I won't care.
By the end of this log, I will pull 700.
By the end of this log, I will squat 1000.
By the end of this log, I will bench 405.

i like these better.

hehe

[Mahler]

Matthew,
Welcome to the training logs. I like your goals, your determination and your philosphy. Go for it and good luck.

[Matthew]

Thanks Mahler.

Alco - those are my next goals. I didn't want to jump the gun, you know how it is. In about a month, once I reach the goals I set now, I'll start working on the ones you posted. Oh, but then what will I do in March, after I've reached those goals too? Shoot.
Guess I'll just have to set my sights on the world records. That should keep me occupied for a good six months or so. Afterwards, I guess I'll just have to take up another hobby.

[Matthew]

OH press - Dec 31

standing bb press
135x3x3

chin up
+20 x a bunch x a smaller bunch

bs push up
30x8,7,6

bentover row - hands inside rings
215x3
205x4
195x4x2

bridge bwx60sec
side bridge bwx45sec
bridge bwx60 sec


chin ups sucked, I had to use a barbell set in the highest slot of a squat rack because the chin up handles are angled outward slightly and they hurt my elbow (I have to over-supinate my arm to grab it). Going from the other direction is no good because there's a thick bar right where my head needs to go. Annnd the barbell was no good because my knees kept hitting the rack near the floor, the dumbbell kept hitting the floor, etc.

rows sucked too. My arms felt completely wasted today. I couldn't make full reps with the 215 or the 205. Next week, rows before chin ups.

I'll get it back.



On a side note, I can't wait until I can stop going to this gym.

On another side note.. I'm staying in tonight and reading my new book.

Next week will be good.

[Kevin T.]

Good luck, mabel.