OG's Log - (NSFW)

[OldGuy]

Originally Posted by sona

Frustration! It sucks that you had your AM routine sabotaged by work. They've tied you up several extra hours (with no additional $$$ compensation for that time out of your life, am I right?) and forced you to accommodate to their needs. Or else.

Makes me furious.

Sona, I'm dumping them. Notice was given, I'm out of there on April 11th. I'm feeling better about it now.

[OldGuy]

OK, so it's a lot prettier in the gym at 11 am on a saturday then it is at 4 am on a weekday. But, jeez, you'd think one of them would give a smile back. I mean I'm not trying to take them to Nirvana, at least not until my workout is done. Unfortunately I didn't see any of them using the roman chair or doing hanging leg raises. I was watching (yes, ladies, I read your logs with a purpose . Just kidding)

(weightXsetXreps)

Superset 1
Seated DB shoulder press - 20x3x15
DB Split squats - 40(20x2)x3x15 each leg

Superset 2
Bent over row - 75x3x15
Leg curl - 70x3x15

Superset 3
Standing Cable Crunch - 50x15 70x2x15
Lat pulldown (close, underhand grip) 90x3x15

[OldGuy]

Sunday afternoon HIIT - 5 minute warmup, 60/60 6 intervals, 50 minute cooldown. Not too bad, with the exception of the dude behind me on the elliptical, iPod on singing "Rocket Man" in an off-key falsetto. It's hard to push through the intervals while laughing on the inside.

[OldGuy]

Wow, it's been a while. And now I need some help.

At the summit I was speaking with Greg (hard rox) about my workouts and he asked me "Are you progressing?" And it's a tough question to answer as it brings up "progressing to what?" I've never had that in this log, as he deftly pointed out. And I was talking to Ian and pointing out where I am at - I have no injuries, I can do more now than I could 5 years ago, I feel generally good about my health - that kind of make the "progressing to what?" question not have a primary importance. And now, after having those conversations, I wonder if I'm wrong for not making it important.

This is a crossroads for this log and I'm looking for your help. I value the opinions of the people who come here. And now that a few of you have met me you may be able to help better. I'm not looking for a "do NROL, do ABBH" type of thing. The what to do and how to do it will fall into place if I can figure out the why I am doing it. That's been the hardest part for me and if you could help me brainstorm it out I may be able to shed some light on it.

Thanks.

[RedWifey]

Well, I can't tell you why you should work out and whether or not you are progressing, but I can share my motivation and goals for working out and see whether you think it's crap or if you need something more.

I started working out seriously when Samantha was 18 months old. I had been diagnosed with SEVERE depression and was on meds. I went low dose on the meds so that I could also be dependent on other coping mechanisms that would hopefully be my long-term solution.

So, my goals today are a bit different and yet they are the same. Working out gives me mental sanity; I sleep better, I yell less, I eat better, I am interested in that "thing" that you guys are so taken with , not only do I yell less, but I am actually more patient, more forgiving, more understanding. And a primary example of how i act when I am not in the gym 3 days a week is this weekend. I was tired and cranky, impulsive and short tempered. When things are out of my control and I am working out, I can figure a plan B. Otherwise, it's plan A or the highway.

I think I am starting to ramble, but those are my thoughts!

[OldGuy]

Yes, I agree with you on that, although I don't have the same kind of stresses you have. But when I first started working out it definitely helped with my coping skills.

But why would 15% bodyfat be something I would want to progress to? Or a 300 lb. deadlift or squat? I need something more than the "why do they climb Everest? Because it's there" motivation. A 300 lb DL is "there" but why do I want to get there?

[RedLefty]

Gabe and I talked about this at the summit, because I admire that he has a goal to get hyuge.

I have no such goal. My aspirations are merely behavior-oriented, not goal-oriented. I just want to work out and eat well. The results are the results. It's been that way for several months now and so far so good.

Maybe one day I'll really want to shoot for a bodyweight of 220, or a deadlift of 400, or a bf% of 6. But for now I couldn't care less, and any such goal would be forced, artificial and completely unmotivating.

Originally Posted by Oldguy

But why would 15% bodyfat be something I would want to progress to? Or a 300 lb. deadlift or squat? I need something more than the "why do they climb Everest? Because it's there" motivation. A 300 lb DL is "there" but why do I want to get there?

If you don't know why, then it's not for you. Why try to fit a square peg in a round hole? Shoving it over and over won't help.

You sound like a guy who just wants to work out because it's fun, and it helps you stay fit. Why don't you think it's OK for that to be enough? Maybe that's the real question.

[OldGuy]

Originally Posted by RedLefty

You sound like a guy who just wants to work out because it's fun, and it helps you stay fit. Why don't you think it's OK for that to be enough? Maybe that's the real question.

That is true, Michael, I do enjoy it and have fun with it. But after talking to Greg and hearing the speakers it got me thinking as to whether not having a quantifiable measure of progress, a goal, makes the workouts moot.

But you bring up and interesting point about behavior-oriented goals. I remember doing a few 52 Day Challenges over on Men's Health. A good part of that was behavior goals, how many weight and cardio workouts in the time frame you can get. Set a number and try to hit it. Maybe that could be a starting point.

Thanks.

[RedWifey]

Also, a while back Michael was thinking he would start interviewing for jobs and we both made the comment that we thought he would be more confident and overall would perform better in interviews if he was exercising regularly.

Lots of good things just "flow" when you're working out.

Michael did a much better job of communicating what I wanted to say earlier...

[OldGuy]

Originally Posted by RedWifey

Also, a while back Michael was thinking he would start interviewing for jobs and we both made the comment that we thought he would be more confident and overall would perform better in interviews if he was exercising regularly.

Lots of good things just "flow" when you're working out.

Michael did a much better job of communicating what I wanted to say earlier...

Another good point - I'll be interviewing for jobs soon I hope.

[gobbla]

Don't get a job...live off the system man.

Figure out what's important to you and do it. If working out is important...2x a week 10x a week, whatever, have that be a goal and make yourself accountable. No one is going to think less of you if you're a weak little girl.

[OldGuy]

Bastard!!

[RedWifey]

So, what's the deal, Pickle?

[OldGuy]

Check this out - an actual workout in my workout log. Don't get greedy.

And something different.

PR Zone 1 - 15 minutes

DB Bench Press - 35 lbs - 45 reps
DB Bent Over Row - 35 lbs. - 45 reps

I could have done more weight on this one. Also I was working out with someone on this (first time in a long time I had a workout partner so that slowed me down some.)

PR Zone 2 - 15 minutes

Lat pulldown (close, underhand grip) - 105 lbs - 50 reps
Tricep pressdown - 80 lbs - 50 reps

I wanted to do some front squats before the PR zones but I sprained my ankle a week or so ago and it was bothering me today. My plan is to do either squats or deadlifts, probably in a 5x5 format and then 2 PR Zones after that lift. That should make for some interesting workouts.

Diet update - 8 lbs lost in 6 weeks, 2 inches off the waist. Was out with some friends last night and the women folk were commenting (good comments) on the change they noticed. Alas, they are all taken. But it still felt good and makes me want to keep going.

[gobbla]

good job hard charging, and charging hard!

[Lost Dog]

Doing good on that diet.

Is this your first EDT? I think you'll find it helps with the fat loss. Your 5x5 with the big lifts before the EDT is a great plan.

[OldGuy]

Originally Posted by Lost Dog

Doing good on that diet.

Is this your first EDT? I think you'll find it helps with the fat loss. Your 5x5 with the big lifts before the EDT is a great plan.

Yes, that was the first time I did EDT. Charles did a demo at the Summit and I think I'll do it for a bit. At least until I get bored again . The big lift idea came from this article over a T-Nation.

It was nice to hear some compliments about how that diet was working, even if it was from married women. I guess it's headed in the right direction. My BIA device doesn't show any real fat loss but I know it's going down. I need to get some calipers and see what it is.

Thanks G for checking in.