Tom Kenobi

To all of my fellow Rebels: THANK YOU! Please accept my sincere apologies in regards to the lack of proper form in responding. Haven't checked the forum in a month! I've gotten up to 235lb if memory serves, not a huge bump, but I've been staying w/225 going for reps. Goal is to do a full 5 x 5 @ 225lbs.

Yes, yes they are! I learned to love them during 2014-2015 as I began my journey into lifting. Missed doing them after my injury, but super stoked to be back at it and stronger than before! Thanks for reading and commenting!

THIS GUY! One of the lifters I've been interacting with recently offered to work Deadlifts with me yesterday. He watched my form and gave me some good coaching. Warmed up at 2 x 5 @ 135lbs, then did 1 x 5 @ 185lbs, my partner asked how I was feeling, to which I replied positively, and then he upped the ante to 225lbs. I strapped on a belt and chalked up my hands, thinking back to when I was injured. The day I was injured last year on DLs, I did work sets at 195lbs, decided to do one final rep and effed up the form and paid for it. Finally hitting 225lbs and doing it safely and effectively means so much to me. Not only did I do the PR for weight, but I did it with reps too. 3 x 3 @ 225lbs 1 x 2 @ 225lbs... I am feeling it today... just a bit. Hahaha. Keep pushing, fellow Rebels, no matter how long it takes. Make those gains!

Good to see you too, Elastigirl! Thanks, Guzzi! The Rebellion always has a spot in my heart, even if I drift in and out.

PS... I grew an epic beard. Check it on the instagram feed I linked to.

Once again, an old friend gathers around the campfires of the Rebellion. Fellow Rebels! A lot has happened since the last time I posted...honestly can't remember when that was. One year? Two years ago? I was progressing quite well on my deadlifts, when I hurt my back last year. Went into recovery, a lot of chiropractic visits, massages, stretching and seeking out other means to stay physical as I healed. Got healed and had life bitch-slap me with some very personal issues, that helped me stick to the gym like glue. Currently doing a mix of body-weight exercises, like pull ups and hanging knee raises with classic moves like Bench & Overhead Presses, Squat and Deadlift. I also mix in a few Hammer Strength Iso-machines that assist in the compound movements like the bench & overhead and pulls. Had a nice younger guy approach me on Friday as I was warming up in the Squat Rack. Long story short, he noticed that my form was on-point and was wondering why I was lifting lower. He didn't do this in a rude way, but an encouraging way. Long story short, I was going to do work sets at 115 and 125, and he showed me that I could do 135lbs, then 155lbs, then 185lbs! Never have I had so much weight on my back. Admittedly I had been taking things quite slowly before and after I hurt my back last year. It felt good, damn good, to be able to do that and to do it safely. Sunday I was sore, but I was with a friend and did 5 x 5 at 135lbs without a problem and then did 2 x 3 at 155lbs. Definitely stronger than I thought I was. Wish I could have a training partner all the time to help push me farther than I think I can go. It helps! Other than that, I had mentioned earlier the bitch slap life gave me last year, however, because of it, I am definitely a more focused individual. My goals for 2016 are clearly written out and specific. Definitely more driven this year to become the best version of me that I can be. FWIW. Hope this helps someone. And, if you couldn't tell... Tom Kenobi is still alive! https://www.instagram.com/tomkenobi/

205 last Monday on the Deadlift!

Ole Kenobi is still at it. Slow and steady as I go. Currently at 195lb on Deadlift, 140lb on Squat, 155lb on Bench, 95lbs on Overhead Press. Currently tracking all my progress on my blog, Strong 4 Family. Keep after it, everyone.

I have finished the Dash, and completed my goal. A review will follow on the site referenced earlier.

If you are looking for good ole' Tom Kenobi, you can find me here.

Anybody read this? Thinking about just giving it up.

So Monday's workout was great (see prior entry), after that I took my wife & kiddos camping to the City of Rocks in eastern Idaho (i'm on vacation this week). Didn't sleep very well whilst camping. Came back Tuesday around dinner time and by the time my Wednesday morning workout came around, I was waaaaaay tired. So I decided to skip it. I decided. I own up to it. Also decided to do my workout TODAY instead. So, no real slacking. I'm just calling Wednesday an extra rest day for all the awesomeness of Monday. So, for your reading pleasure, my workout for today, which included ANOTHER PR and...AND I switched it up a bit. Whaaaaaat? Lunges: (with the Bar...I know, right??) 45 x 5 x 1 (5/leg alternating left/right) 55 x 5 x 1 65 x 5 x 1 75 x 5 x 1 85 x 5 x 1 Bench: 45 x 10 x 1 105 x 5 x 1 135 x 5 x 2 140 x 5 x 1 Dead Lift: 45 x 5 x 1 95 x 5 x 1 135 x 5 x 2 145 x 5 x 1 Pulls/Negs: 4/1, 3/2, 1/4, 0/5, 0/5 No run today, busy day playing with the kiddos!