Xahn

Hey guys, Been a bit since I've updated, but I've been having some issues. My workouts this week haven't been that great. Yesterday I pulled something in my back (strained, really not pulled) while doing squats. Felt like something connected to my rib cage because I couldn't breathe. And then after the squats I tried to continue (like and idiot) and everything felt wrong in my legs. Just a whole bunch of pain I wasn't used to. I'm wondering if that's a sign of over training? I usually just push through pain, but I actually had to stop for this one. It was bad. On a positive note, I'm seeing an orthopedic surgeon today to check out my shoulder. I might ask him about my back as well, but I figure I just need to be more careful. I was only squatting like 205 or so when it happened. It wasn't too heavy. I tried to go to 225 after, but I couldn't really get them because I was too focused on my back. Anyway, I wasn't even able to do cardio after because my legs hurt so badly, and I wasn't able to breathe properly. I'm going to take this weekend easy, maybe just do some good walking and hit it hard next week. Maybe I need to get better at trying to listen to my body? Not too sure.

More good squats Matt! 285 is some serious weight.

It's awesome that you do some hard work regardless of whether you make it into the gym or not. That's pretty inspiring.

Nice work Nora! That's pretty quick! On another note, I need to go running! I'll do it tonight. After dusk, so the mosquitoes don't get me. I HATE mosquitoes, and I'm apparently ridiculously tasty...

Whew, be careful out there! And hopefully you'll be able to stand the snorer next to you. I think I'd lose my mind.

Well, thankfully I got myself back up. I felt really good doing the second work out. I think I just needed to clean out my system from the weekend.

I hear you on the cardio thing. I think some people are just built for it. I have a super hard time with it, but I AM trying to get better at it. Sometimes I really enjoy it. Most of the time I want to shoot myself the whole time I'm doing it.

Woo 5k! Mine is coming up fairly soon too Xanjra, and I haven't trained in a while, uh oh. But I am pushing a rediculously heavy sled in a parking lot in terrible heat, so maybe that'll help... And you have a ton of friends, but I don't know much about that site!

Well, I still believe (specially as deep as you're going) that you're losing stability with your toes forward. Even though it is a front squat, the difference is the way the weight puts your body, not necessarily how you should stand. If you look at the front squat VS your back squat, you'll see that you're already more on your toes naturally, rather than your heals with the front. That is why it focuses more on the quad. But the natural position for any squat really should be with toes out, specially when you're going DEEP like you. The other reason is you're putting even more strain on your knees when your toes are straight. Point the toes out for a couple of mild weight sets and see what your bar sense thinks then. Also, see if it feels a bit better. I could always be incorrect in my assessment. But I did get corrected this week on that. My toes were too forward as well, which was making me roll onto my toes rather than my heals.

Well, it probably is muscle. My legs are a lot bigger. But it just seems like a LOT awfully fast. And Kailer, I'm trying to drop fat, but I figured I'd be more maintaining than gaining. Specially that much of a gain. Just makes me a bit nervous!

Where are your toes pointed towards Mattyboy? From what I could tell, it wouldn't hurt to turn them out a little further to give you more room to come down in your squat. That could be what's causing you to be a little more all over the place. Though honestly, they look pretty damn good and you look strong doing it. There is a little hip movement, but that's SO hard to get rid of...

Nice video Hazard. Is that a typical progression when you do your german hang / dragon flag work? That's really cool!

Oh, I should mention that I was 194 on the scale today, which is about 14lbs heavier than I had been last time I weighed myself. I also notice I'm a little pudgier in the mirror. Ugh....

Hey guys, Been an interesting weekend. Been hanging my friends and such. Definitely completely failed in my drinking goal over the weekend, but up to that point I had been great. It's ok, just gotta keep moving forward. My body feels like it's been breaking down a bit lately too, which is really annoying. And everything is adding up to a kind of rough day today. Here's the first half of my workout:

Update 6/24: Kayla Leg Day Good Mornings Warm Ups: 3 sets of 8 at 95# Dead Lifts: Set 1: 225 x 5 Set 2: 275 x 5 Set 3: 315 x 1 Set 4: 275 x 5 Set 5: 275 x 5 Set 6: 275 x 5 NOTE: my 315 was pretty ugly today. I need to get some heavier reps out of 275 first. I was disappointed in myself today. Deadlifts actually felt awful today. Front Squats: Set 1: 135 x 8 Set 2: 135 x 8 SUPERSETTED WITH: Stair Jumps: Set 1: Jumping 5 steps x 8 Set 2: Jumping 5 steps x 8 Sled Pushing: 5 sets: 315lbs up and back in the parking lot (90 degrees and 70% humidity) OVERALL: Sadly, today was really bad. I've been suffering from anxiety pretty majorly, and it really affected my lifts. I feel better now that I did lift, but some serious stuff has been on my mind. I hate wasting my days with my trainer too.

Lol, what you going to see Chris at the movies? You must be very excited about the back being ok!

Also, killer squats man.

Your best bet for a good answer on that one Mattyboy is probably to ask the trainer himself. There might be a good reason for why he's doing it that way, or he could just have misinformation. I'm sure the trainer wouldn't mind discussing it. Most of them are educated on the right ways to do things (all of mine at my gym actually have degrees, and can back it up with how they train themselves). But I'm sure that's not a true statement everywhere... I honestly can't think of any reason myself, but I'm not an authority on the subject. Still have a LOT to learn.

Hey Matt, I had to look it up too. Here's a link for you: http://www.localharvest.org/csa/

Lol, I'm good with that Chris. I think we're right around the same level! BTW Mattyboy, I watched your deadlift form, looks really solid man! Evening workout below!

Lol, I'm sure I don't have the male market cornered on this thought, but I wholeheartedly agree with Karina on the wonders of booty shorts. What a wonderful invention.

Those suitcase deadlifts look interesting. My core is sadly lacking, so I'll start working these in. Definitely good stuff! BTW, how do you like front squats? They're one of my favorites.

Lol, I saw your maxes, and they're stronger! Although, we seem to be very similarly built. I'm 5'11, 187#, 30" waist, so I wouldn't be surprised if we lifted close to the same range!

Update 6/19 Afternoon: Today was a good day. Got another PR, which was on deadlifts. I don't think I'm at my real max weight either. Next Monday I'll be working with my trainer, and she'll make me really push myself with the weight. She's convinced I can go pretty heavy at this point. I'm starting to incorporate more carbs and fats into the diet as well. I had really plateaued with my diet, so I've got to do something. While I believe some of the problem was drinking, I think it's more than that. And my answer was to start adding in more cardio. I don't think that's a BAD thing, but I do think I should add in a little more food as well. I've got one more workout today, which I'm very much looking forward to. I think I'll do some arms, a lot of core, and maybe some walking up hill or something. Just get those legs to work out the crap they've got in them now from my afternoon workout. Here's my afternoon workout below!:

Haha, I'm working on those habits! I haven't had much booze this week at all, and none tonight will be had either which is great. They're getting better! Though I'm starting to need a little more rest through out my workouts. Also, I've got a trainer who keeps me working really hard. And I take those workouts that she makes me do and repeat them. I also want to get my cardio going, which currently isn't that all good.