ShieldofSteve

Damned Imbeciles! Why do you wish to fight? (It is our nature) From Final Fantasy 8 It is our nature to want something better for ourselves, as for me I have been to the gym with a broken arm, on crutches, and many others, I just know that it is for me and it is something that I love to do on the inside. I lift weights, ride my bike, do what I need to do not for anything external. I usually keep my meditations and mantras close at hand and use my gym time as a time to focus my mind, and turn off thoughts. For me going to the gym is my way of staying sane. Last year was the first time I could not go, and I got seriously depressed to the point it started costing me friendships. Good luck to you. I know that this is a hard place to be in.

Spent the last three days resting. Why you may ask? I set a new record for reps in squat. I got up to 5 in them on my max weight. Which is amazing, though I did not give myself any rest and did cardio the next day. I have spent the last three days "walking" around as if my legs would give out from under me at any given time. The pumps are a great feeling, the not being able to walk not so much. Tomorrow is my day with the trainer. I am going to test out my new max weights for both shoulder press and incline bench press, get some feedback on my form, make sure that I am lifting properly and to adjust my new max weights for lifts. Good luck everyone, now go move some iron.

Greetings. Today was cardio and even though I am not 100%, I still got in my time. I am excited to see how this month progresses. Next check in day is March 6th. 30 days after my last challenge. Which I have blown out of the water. Happy lifting everyone, now go move some iron.

I have a week of vacation coming up next week, who wants to meet up? Take some nerd fitness Photos, have some fun times, talk all things Nerdy etc.

I second the PvP, having someone to help you stay accountable and motivate you will hope you along the path. Good luck

Welcome, we are all friends here. any questions, just ask '

Nice. Some of the ones I have come across have been really good, others not so much. I have come across protein bars in ziploc, gift cards and even weed. There never seems to be an end to what people leave for others to find. Happy geocaching

Nice, I love geocaching. Congrats on the extra work out. Find anything good?

Greetings everyone Happy Valentines Survival day. I actually have a lot to talk about today. So here goes I started riding this week, which means I need more concentration at the gym to split time out of the gym. I have been reading about people doing a 5 X 5 workout, and for the first time in years, a lifting workout kicked my ass. I will even admit that I did not get to a 5th set of Squats. So here goes. Shoulder Press 5 sets x 5+reps where possible 50 lbs X 8, 50 X 5 50 X 5 50 X 5 50 X 5 Incline bench press (my fav bench press) 60 X 10 60 X 8 70 X 6 70 X 5 60 X 6 Pull ups all of which were assisted/offset. 5 sets, 5 reps, Sumo Deadlift 185 x 5 reps x 5 sets. I am not looking to do more than this with my rib. My rib has been healing well, and i am not looking to injure it again. Powerlifter Squat (also known as wide stance, or wide leg, powerlifter is what I have seen it referred to on other lifting sites) 225 X 8 315 x 6 365 x 4 (my legs were turning to jello 315 x 5 At this time, I had had it. Even with eating, carbing up, NO2, and protein, I was at the wall. I have never felt better. I even was able to work in with my trainer for squats, so hey free training. He is calling next Monday Max out Monday, as we are testing my new one rep maxes for shoulder press and incline bench press. I am not going to lie, I lift heavier weights than most of my friends weigh. It is incredibly discouraging to be around people who eat garbage all day and look the same or better than they did in the past. It is have been a huge struggle of mine as when I get comfortable, I tend to gain a lot of weight. None of them are as active as I am, some come close though. My training partner is the closest I have ever had to someone who liked being at the gym like I do. Speaking of Struggles, I have had a terrible one for many years that has only recently come to light. and I am working towards fixing and remedying it. I have suffered from Body dismorphia, except in not in a fat way, in a I think I am more muscular than I actually am. I have had to accept that while I am a heavy lifter, and I am following form correctly even on heavy weights, for the longest time I have thought that I had more muscle than I have. I always see that I am in great shape, that I can wear what I want, even if it is currently too small, or ill fitting. I have been battling losing weight, and thinking that I am further ahead than I really am. This has been a huge struggle for me, as I never thought about how much I gained last year between being in a healthy relationship and having MSRA. I gained something close to 100lbs, I never weighed myself, but cried the day I was at the doc's office and they told me I weighted 303. That was before I finished gaining weight. I never liked myself being heavy and did everything that I could to avoid not accepting it. I finally did something about it, when I was cleared, I took to Boxing, Kickboxing, and MMA. I always liked the sports and if my gym had stayed open two more years, I would have at the very least tried out for it. My gym closed up and I drifted around, spent too much time away from the sports. And unlike old times, my favorite sports were happy to turn on me. My first jujitsu class, and I pinch a nerve in my knee. I was out for 3 weeks. Make it to my second class, and break a rib. So no jujitsu until I am much fitter than I am now. I tend to stop breathing in lock up, and need more mobility, i.e. less stomach. With my friend at my side, I have lost more than 30lbs, and 3 inches off of my stomach. Even more so, I am under 300 lbs for the first time since last June. That is my story, thanks for reading, good luck in your workouts. Now go move some iron.

Random awesomeness: having a workout partner who is just as determined as you rocks. I off handedly made a comment about sure I can go to the gym after 8 hours of work where I stand all day and run around most of it. I did, and I made it through another cardio session. Not my favorite, but I need it to help trim up the waist. Thanks for the quick read, now go get some sleep.

Workout today was very off. I am going to tell you that I did nothing right this morning. Things that I did wrong include 1) not eating before working out. I had a banana all morning. 2) no quick carbs or pre-workout nutrition, again all I had was a banana 3) No warm up/stretching, 4) Not going back and finishing. My partner had a nerve issue and after hanging out for a 1/2 hour, I felt for her and took her to get some ice and rest. Mean while, I have not issues other than a lack of sleep, so if you see a random hutgjkie that is the impact of my head on the keyboard. Lesson learned, I will not do that again. I got my bike back from shop, I get a tune up every year, I am going to need a new bike, because with the cost of the tune up and parts needed, It would be more than 1/2 the cost of the new bike I am looking at. The bike is off brand, and it is hard for my shop to parts for it. So I am going to get one in the near future. Look forward to seeing how everyone is doing, Now go move some Iron

I can help with most veggie/vegan meal planning. I have built diets for friends and I am well researched on that topic. Learning more about Paleo, but there is a lot of overlap between the two worlds save meat of course. Good luck to you. If you have any ?s feel free to ask the board or PM.

On the run I grab most of my fruits and veggies. An apple or a bell pepper is a quick grab, carrots or celery. It is up to you, I always keep a couple apples around. Otherwise all the other info posted is really good, I just finished bulk cooking foods.

Good luck with the early workouts, I know that I love them and actually switched to second shift so that I could work out in the mornings. I have too many excuses at night, and none in the mornings. Keep up the good cardio and lifting

Woot one week of accountability. Small success for me. I was having the hardest time getting myself to the gym, thankfully my training partner came through and motivated me to be here. It is good to have that. Warmup Leg extension 70 x 15 x 3 to get blood to the legs. Goblet Squat 105 x 6 (I could do more reps but started losing my grip as I was pulling off of 5 plates not a bench. None were free). 105 x 5 105 x 6 105 x 5 Odd numbers but effective. I can do glute to heel on these so I go for full range of motion when I go down. Sumo dead lift 135 x 10 185 x 4 - my rib started to hurt with this much weight, so I took off all extra weight and did form from here out. 135 x 10 135 x 10 Seated calf raise 135 x 10 x 4 I love working out calves. Does not look like much, but I took extended breaks in between the dead lifts and between the squats. I am also on vacation soon, so I am going to work out with a trainer on my new one rep maxes. Honestly, I lift more weight than most of my friends weigh. I have never had a lifting buddy or known someone else with the interest of heavy lifting. I have had a marathoner friend, a swim coach friend, many cyclists. So lifting with a body builder trainer is going to be an new experience. Thanks for reading. Good luck and happy training, now go move some iron.