stepping_out

Welllllll, if they're using Jo's table for QTs, it might actually get difficult to get in, assuming it's the same Wilks for everyone!! Uh oh, better up my game.

I think the rule is that the QT has to be achieved in the period running from after the previous years' one and 8 weeks prior, sadly. I think I probably CAN use the British to qualify for the All England, though.

Thank you, I can't wait!!! Made a decision not to compete in November, which resulted in instant fomo! But, I really need to spend some time ingraining the new squat form, my arm(s) need to recover and I feel like I want to do a ton of volume and make some gainz. Next opportunity is in February, so there is loads of time now. Tracking back on track, training done, stretching done, will Romwod later today. S'all good man.

Thank you! Physio seems to think it's extreme tightness in the neck and shoulder and back area (i.e., everywhere). Had sports massage on that side and she said it responded well, gave me some stretches. She didn't think the biceps issue was related to tight triceps, but rather the shoulder. I also got the SBD elbow sleeves. Back squatting today so we'll see how it goes. I'm trying to decide whether to do the next competition, which is mid-November, aka very soon. Part of me doesn't want the stress and would rather do a looooong volume phase, part of me thinks it would be good to just do it and qualify for nationals (assuming the totals don't get increased to something ridiculous, which is always a possibility) and THEN have a longer volume phase. The issue being that nationals are earlier in the year next year (July vs October), so there are only two regional comps that can be used to qualify. Things to think about! My food tracking has been off course since Sunday afternoon so I'm trying to catch up now but I'm thinking no points for that. Ah well, will have to add some romwods.

Sorry you're feeling stressed about the meetup, and sorry I'm not helping with it. Personally, I'm not that bothered about what we do, and I thought it was supposed to be very loosely organised anyway. So if the gym works out that's awesome, if not, I'm sure we'll find something else (whisky??). And we can improvise re instructors. Looking forward to it, whatever will be!

I got unsubscribed from everything again. So annoying. I'm coming on Friday.

Hang in there guys, stressful times indeed.

Right, week 1 wrap-up. 1) Fundamentals a - Track food using my genius system (see above). 1/4 point per meal tracked, based on 4 meals per day. 2 bonus points for a week with no missing data. --> Max 9 points per week! No demerits for deviating from the plan, the point is to track to see where I'm at. b - Stretching after every training session: -1 point for not doing this. c - Romwod: 1 point per short session (ca. 20 mins), 2 points for the long session (Thursday is ca. 40 mins). No cap on points for this, more is more. 2) Develop USP a - No wussing out of low bar! -0.5 points for each rep with that little shrug that shifts the bar into the high bar position... --> potential loss leader here! That's because THIS IS SERIOUS!! [this goal has been amended] b - Training as per programme, usually this will be 3x per week unless we're tapering. 6/(num prescribed sessions) point per session for a max of 6 points per week. 3) Diversify a - Cardio 1x per week (1 point per week with cardio - no extra points for more cardio) b - Conditioning 1x per week (2 points because this sucks) Dividends for week 1: 1a) 9 - fully tracked, so bonus points were had! 1b) 0 - stretched after each session 1c) 1 - only one full Romwod session done, started a second but was interrupted and never got back to it. 2a) -1.5, based on what I noticed and what was pointed out to me. 2b) 6, all sessions done even if Saturday was a bit of a dud due to severe pain in my arm. 3a) 1 - nordic walking session on Saturday morning 3b) 0 - did not do conditioning on Saturday because I'd already walked and my arm was hurting. Not a perfect week by any means but it takes me to 15.5 out of 60, which is great. I'm booked in for physio on Monday to see about my arm, hoping this is just a tight biceps (thought it was tendonitis, but now actually doesn't feel like that, which is good). Fingers crossed it can be sorted out easily.

I reckon there is a second meal to be had on the Sunday, my flight isn't until the evening. Whisky sounds fun??

In my experience, haggis anything is pretty awesome. I remember some haggis croquettes, have been trying to replicate with limited success. I think I have space for one additional meal next weekend, I may have to ask you to recommend "something traditional".

I used to reddit a lot more than I do now, r/keto was helpful as well at the time (although I only followed the diet for a few months). I'll recommend this one to my partner, thank you! on mobile

Why is this a thing to begin with? Someone's getting married, be happy for them or go get a hobby.

Very interested in your keto adventures. I'm slightly worried that my partner isn't interested in exercise of any kind, and eats a lot of refined sugar. I'm trying not to be pushy, but I worry, quietly. But the other day, he mentioned keto, and how he was maybe interested in trying it because he read that it may have benefits for the brain. I said if he wanted to do that, I'd do it with him, and cook keto meals etc. to make it easier. He's not sure what he could have for lunch, though. I know you travel a lot for work, do you have any tips for easy portable lunches, or for ordering when eating out on the road? (I know there are recipe sites and all that, but I'd be interested to hear what worked for you personally.)

I've decided to just take out the goal around squats for now and have edited the above to reflect that. This is because a) I won't be able to track it reliable without a lot of hassle, which will keep me from doing it consistently and b ) based on yesterday's session, it's more losing tightness than collapsing at this point, and that will take time to fix. Getting used to a new bar position is harder than I thought it would be. Yesterday, I freaked myself out so much that I couldn't even unrack 120 properly. I feel like the bar will roll off my back, unless I'm bent forward, which puts a lot of strain on the lower back. Plus, I feel like I'm holding the bar in place with my arms rather than just supporting it, and my elbows have been complaining mucho. My immediate response was to purchase another SBD product, because that tends to make me feel better! So, elbow sleeves are on the way. The strategy right now is to keep the weight low for a little longer and try to find a position that doesn't feel so uncomfortable (and dangerous). I'm pretty sure, after watching a bit of Dr Youtube, that I need to move the bar ever so slightly higher up my back. Other goals going well, been tracking food and actually enjoying it (mostly because I'm addicted to stationery, and this gives me an opportunity to write into one of my cute little notebooks all day long). Right now, I'm tracking against daily macro breakdowns based on RP, but not actually counting grams of anything, just portions. The main thing I'm noticing is that I'm finding it a bit annoying to have different breakdowns for different days (i.e., workout vs non-workout - you are supposed to eat more carbs and less protein & fat on workout days). I think my preference would be to have roughly the same to play with each day. I like to keep things simple. Amazing life news, after about 4 months in the new place, we went out last weekend and finally ordered some CHAIRS for the dining area. Currently, we have one broken folding chair and a small step to sit on, and because of that situation, we haven't had people over for dinner yet. Chairs are coming TODAY! In fact, I'm up and about because they could come at any point. Sitting on coals, but hoping to soon be sitting on chairs.

Commiserations re: your mobility issue (see what I did there), and then I read that "plates have been destroyed" and immediately think, she must have had her barbell & bits in the car??? It's still early here. Hope the alternative gyms work out (did it again!!), they sound promising?? Could be a fun change, and you'll be so fit by the end of it.

I just can't be arsed setting that up in the gym, just for some arbitrary points system I made up myself! on mobile

I don't film my sets and tbh it's too much hassle, I wouldn't do it consistently. Not that's it's not a good idea that would definitely solve the problem!! I'll just have to think of something more convoluted ;-)

PS what time are you training on Friday? on mobile

All the food options sound delightful, I'm intrigued by the sushi but a burger is never a bad option! Happy to go big for brunch. Thanks for organising! on mobile

Followink.

I wouldn't take it personally, it does that a lot! And when it doesn't, there's midges.

Day 3 fully tracked, workout done yesterday. I think my scoring of collapsed squats is not going to work. I just don't notice, and people don't point it out to me every time, I don't think. By that count, I have -1 points on that for yesterday. I'm going to re-think this one and come up with something that's easier to track. Low bar sucks!!! Also stretched, and tried to release my hammies with a kettlebell. Yikes.

To an extent! I mean, people could just skip the virtual comp if they're in a volume phase etc.? But, them's the rulez! And I didn't mean to be pushy about spreadsheet, I just figured I wasn't looking in the right place. Appreciate you organising this for us!

There was a comparison between Inzer, Titan and SBD on youtube, guy said the material on the Inzer was slippery. But then, so many people wear them and I don't really see bars slipping off them. I find the legs on the Inzer a bit short - but then I hike up the Strength Shop one, so probably end up with no difference.

Oh darn it!!! I heard the Inzer are slippy, is this not so?