INSAIYAN

I can set up the thread. I'm also cool with starting it right away. Here's what I'm thinking. May 20th - June 6th Measuring weight only not bf, but feel free to throw in that info if you want. Keeps the challenge more accessible. Weigh yourself in the morning after using the toilet for consistency. This is what I've been told is best.

Week 6: Goal 1: StrongLifts 5x5 I can't lift this week because I can't get sweat in my eyes due to the surgery. The goal was to do the StrongLifts 5x5 routine and I went 13/14 possible times = 93% = A = +5 STR Goal 2: Tracking Calories/Macros for Cutting Friday, Saturday and Sunday were not tracked. Friday was my surgery day and I had designated it as my cheat meal day. I didn't feel like tracking on Saturday and Sunday and binged a bit on my wife's Coca Cola stash. Got back on the horse yesterday, and now that a warrior weight-loss PvP is in the works, I'm more motivated than ever. I weighed in this morning at 239.0 lbs on my new scale. At a party a weekend back, I stepped on the scale in the bathroom at it put me at 254. Now I was fully clothed and wearing shoes at the time and probably had stuff in my pockets, but probably not 15lbs worth of misc. weight. It would seem that I have lost some weight. I'll post my macros and margins at the end of the challenge when I go to score this goal. Goal 3: Warm Up and Stretching I have slacking on the stretching lately. I am going to stretch a few times this week to stay limber for when I hit the weights again. Life Goal: Job Search If I don't apply to 3 jobs this week I will fail this goal. I don't like to fail and I have plenty of time freed up. I'm looking forward to developing my next challenge. I plan to continue with StrongLifts and cutting next challenge. As for my third goal, I want to do something that augments the cutting process or improves one of my weaker stats like stamina and dexterity. For my life goal, I want to do something creative.

I used to have major grip problems until I started using chalk and an alternating grip. These days I save the chalk and alternating grip for the workout set and do all of the warm up double-overhand with no chalk. I definitely feel it in my hands and forearms afterward.

I like the sound of that.

Oh for sure. I could totally use a friendly competition. My new bathroom scale arrived this weekend, but I didn't get to unboxing it. How about we start tomorrow after I take my morning measurements? I think that I'm somewhere around 240lbs, so it would make for a good competition.

You've got this SD. Hurray cutting buddies!

The surgery went well. It was a strange, but quick procedure. I'm now viewing the world in HD! Here's me in the stylish protective goggles that they gave me to wear for a few days while my eyes heal. Racquetball anyone?

I tend to clean after I jerk.

Remembering to stretch will be clutch and allow me to rack up some more points on that neglected aspect of my challenge. Stop flattering me, you'll get there. Thanks everyone. The surgery went well. I have to apply drops and wear these protective eye shields to protect my eyes while they heal, but DAAAAMN I've been missing out on a wonderful world of sight for quite some time now. I'm living life in HD and loving it! And yeah Seven, I should probably get a scale for the next challenge, which will be a more dedicated cut. I ate like crap this weekend, and will spend this week getting momentum moving back in the right direction starting today.

Make sure to get this on camera. It's going to be a personal record! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wednesday May 14, Thursday, May 15, 2014, and EYEDAY FRIDAY!: Goal 1: StrongLifts 5x5 Wednesday Rest day Thursday Squat - 2x5 @ 340lbs, 1x4 @ 340lbs, 2x3 @ 340lbs Bench - 1x5 @ 230lbs, 1x3 @ 230lbs, 3x5 @ 225lbs BBR - 5x5 @ 130lbs PRs across the board, but I didn't come close to completing the 5x5 on squat and bench press. Deloading may be in my future. My squat form may need a tune up. I feel like I'm leaning forward too much when I start the ascent. Goal 2: Tracking Calories/Macros for Cutting Wednesday Intake: Calories - 2241kcal Protein - 257g Fat - 88g Carbs - 76g Margins: Calories - 97kcal over Protein - 17g over Fat - 8g under Carbs - 4g under Thursday Intake: Calories - 2185kcal Protein - 241g Fat - 102g Carbs - 97g Margins: Calories - 41kcal over Protein - 1g over Fat - 6g over Carbs - 17g over I'm hitting pretty close to my goals. My OCD side does not like how my margins deviate from the Calories = 4*(Protein + Carbs) + 9*Fat formula, but I need to let that go. There's some obvious estimation going on here, and I don't trust some of the MyFitnessPal nutrition facts for restaurant food. I selected the "reckless" weightloss program from IIFM to ensure that I'm eating at a deficit regardless. I'm definitely starting to get sick of burger patties, tuna, and protein shakes, but eating roughly the same easy to prepare meals keeps it simple and time efficient. While I haven't been taking measurements (next challenge), I look slightly leaner than I was 3 weeks ago. The results are motivating and its an interesting feeling not feeling full all of the time. Goal 3: Warm Up and Stretching Wednesday Rest day. Thursday Warm up: Squat - 1x10 @ 135lbs, 1x8 @ 225lbs Bench - 1x12 @ 135lbs, 1x8 @ 205lbs BBR - None Not much to say here. I'll probably start adding at least one BBR warm up set now that I'll be doing a plate next time. I may also add one more heavier squat set. Forgot to stretch again... whoops. Life Goal: Job Search Nada... however, I can't workout for a week (more on that in a moment), so that opens up a lot of time to make something out of this goal before the challenge ends. EYEDAY FRIDAY! I'm getting LASIK eye surgery today. I'm stoked beyond belief, but the doctor tells me that I can't workout for about a week until my eyes heal. I sweat like a pig and getting it in my eyes could mess them up. I see this as a good time to rest back up to full, as I've been in a persistent state of DOMS for the better half of 3 months. Here's to sight and recovery!

Thanks! That's awesome for you too. I'm pretty absent minded and would often misplace my specs, didn't really like the way I look in them, and hated having to essentially poke myself in the eye when I wanted to wear lenses.

These guys were champs. They slapped on some tens and started throwing their backs into it. I felt bad for the guy who was waiting on them. I offered to let him work in with me, but I was doing squats and he wanted to do OHP and it would have been a lot of weight swapping.

I'm always a fan of a nice ass, but you might wanna mark that NSFW.

The smith machine is always a source of amusement. Last night, the smith at my gym was broken and two young brohams walked up to it spouting a few disappointed expletives. They moved to the power rack next to it and started bicep curling the bar.

Body: After two years of waiting, I finally get to have LASIK eye surgery performed today. I am excited at the prospect of having greatly improved vision and saying goodbye to contacts and glasses, but at the same time at peace with the small potential for complications. I'm keeping a positive mindset and keeping anxiety at bay. Food: I'm having my cheat meal for the week today before the surgery. My wife and I are going to one of my favorite local Mexican spots for a big carne asada plate.

Excellent choice of metaphor and song. The mornings after the squat + OHP + deadlift are the worst. I'm a 9-5 keyboard jockey and I usually wake up with less than 20 minutes to get out the door. I'll be interested to see your tracking methods. I've been using some simple spreadsheets since my first challenge, but no analysis scripts.

We share a common enemy in the snooze button. Unfortunately I don't have any advice, but I know the struggle.

That makes sense. I seriously doubt that I could do a 5x5 of squats at the targeted weight for the day if I did deadlifts before. A day dedicated to deadlifts would be interesting, but I'm too addicted to squat gains. I am going to continue to get the most I can out of StrongLifts for now. Perhaps in the future, if my deadlift is still lagging behind my squat, I'll switch to deadlift focused programming for a bit.

Totally calling it a g-banger the next time my wife is getting dressed.

You have stunning eyes, Guzzi! Taking another look at my photos, I need to get out of my armor more often now that the sun's out.

Ask and ye shall receive:

My ass and my quads for sure. I've always considered myself lucky to have the bubble butt gene.

I'm so in.

lol gotcha. I don't 5x5 the workout weight. I do one or two warm ups and typically 1x5 at the workout weight. My form on the workout set was a mess, so I summoned the energy to try it again, slowing down my motions and focusing on the form. I've been playing with the idea of doing deadlifts before squats next time, just to see what happens. Alas, today isn't deadlift day.