GK tries again

[GodzillaKong]

Illness. The January Blues. The NFL playoffs (and accompanied snacking). Not adjusting my weights correctly for my post Christmas gym return. Just some of the reasons why my last challenge was a bit of a bust. This time I have adjusted accordingly and added in some extra ones to make life better. Here we go;

 

1) Rejoin the 100 club. Before Christmas I was squatting 117.5kg (5x5) with Deadlifts not far off. Afterwards even 100 was a stretch. The main goal of this challenge is to work my way back to 100kgs (5x5) for both squats and Deadlifts. Where these liftsvlead, other lifts will follow.

 

2) Cut out the junk. A goal last time round. A goal missed, despite a good start. No excuses now. No takeaways. No chocolate bars. no fizzy pop.

 

3) check out the new gym. My current gym is good, but it's out of the way. There is a new one opening soon, that's much nearer and much more convenient. It promises a "massive free weights area". If it delivers in this promise, it'll make things so much easier.

 

4) quit vaping. It's better than smoking. It's not better than not vaping. 

 

5) meditate more. I enjoyed it when I found time to do it. Have to find time more often.

[Emerald_Dragonfly]

"massive free weights area" sounds promising! 

 

[Scaly Freak]

19 hours ago, GodzillaKong said:

It promises a "massive free weights area". If it delivers in this promise, it'll make things so much easier.

 

Massive by whose definition? If it is Warrior Massive, we will all envy you.

 

Following because I'm trying to learn meditation.

[GodzillaKong]

5 hours ago, Emerald_Dragonfly said:

"massive free weights area" sounds promising! 

 

 

It does! Although as @scalyfreak asks, by who's definition? I hope it's by Warrior definition rather than local gym definition (which would be anything more than 3 power racks and 2 benches, sadly).

[Laghail]

Hey, three power racks is three power racks!

[Scaly Freak]

18 hours ago, GodzillaKong said:

 

It does! Although as @scalyfreak asks, by who's definition? I hope it's by Warrior definition rather than local gym definition (which would be anything more than 3 power racks and 2 benches, sadly).

 

My gym has four bench press benches, four power racks, and one real squat rack. 4-5 dumbbell benches, depending on how you count, two bicep curl racks, and two racks for two different kinds of seated shoulder presses.

 

And no, that is not awesome, because it also has a gajillion members there at any given time of the evening. It's seriously annoying to have all those racks and constantly have to wait my turn for them.

[GodzillaKong]

4 hours ago, scalyfreak said:

 

My gym has four bench press benches, four power racks, and one real squat rack. 4-5 dumbbell benches, depending on how you count, two bicep curl racks, and two racks for two different kinds of seated shoulder presses.

 

And no, that is not awesome, because it also has a gajillion members there at any given time of the evening. It's seriously annoying to have all those racks and constantly have to wait my turn for them.

 

Other people are just the worst. My current gym has 2 power racks, 1 bench (plus incline and decline benches but ain't nobody got time for that) as well as various machines and the obligatory population of a small country to stop me from getting to them.

[GodzillaKong]

One of the advantages of dropping my squat and deadlift weight by almost a 3rd is... Nothing there is nothing good about it! At all! Hmph! *Pouts*

 

On a serious note, it's allowed me to concentrate on my form properly - its much easier making those adjustments at 80 rather than at 115, especially when you have a tendency of overthinking. 

 

It's also allowing me to cut my rest between sets; previously at this weight it was a good 3 minutes or more but now 2 minutes is enough.

 

Sonfar just been doing the same amount, getting used to lifting again. Next week is back to adding weight and I can't wait.

[Scaly Freak]

I feel your pain!

 

But form improvement is a very good thing and our lumbar vertebrae will thank us for it. Eventually.

[GodzillaKong]

How to start a challenge; wake up nice and refreshed. Wash. Get dressed. Have breakfast. Leave for work. Slip on some ice and bang your knee.

 

 

Fortunately - bar a few grazes, a hole in my trousers and a wounded ego - no damage done. Went to the gym, added some weight onto my lifts and did everything I needed to. Knee hurt a little and still does, but hopefully that will pass soon.

[GodzillaKong]

Just the 2 sessions at the gym this week and likely to be the same next week. But making progress and feeling good.

 

Had an off day with food yesterday (won't into details but.. not good). Vaping still a habit. Food will be fixed easily, vaping less so.

[Scaly Freak]

7 hours ago, GodzillaKong said:

Just the 2 sessions at the gym this week and likely to be the same next week. But making progress and feeling good.

 

Had an off day with food yesterday (won't into details but.. not good). Vaping still a habit. Food will be fixed easily, vaping less so.

 

If it was easy, everyone would do it.

 

But you're a Warrior, so you can do anything. Including giving up vaping. 

[Emerald_Dragonfly]

 

Positive progress.  Yes. 

[GodzillaKong]

On 18/02/2018 at 3:50 PM, Emerald_Dragonfly said:

 

Positive progress.  Yes. 

That is pretty much exactly how my charts look!

[RedStone]

9 hours ago, GodzillaKong said:

That is pretty much exactly how my charts look!

 

Yeah... looks like every life I've ever known  

[GodzillaKong]

On 07/02/2018 at 8:20 AM, GodzillaKong said:

 

3) check out the new gym. My current gym is good, but it's out of the way. There is a new one opening soon, that's much nearer and much more convenient. It promises a "massive free weights area". If it delivers in this promise, it'll make things so much easier.

 

I've actually done one! Fully completed! Checked it out today and it looks good. Free weights section pretty big; 3 squat racks, 4 benches (not counting incline/decline), dedicated area for Deadlifts. Theres even one of those weighted sled things! I've never been to a gym with one of them before, I'm excited. And a sauna.  And free classes. And

 

 

Signed up for a half price one month trial for when it opens. I can't wait.

[Scaly Freak]

8 hours ago, GodzillaKong said:

 

I've actually done one! Fully completed! Checked it out today and it looks good. Free weights section pretty big; 3 squat racks, 4 benches (not counting incline/decline), dedicated area for Deadlifts. Theres even one of those weighted sled things! I've never been to a gym with one of them before, I'm excited. And a sauna.  

 

Very nice!

 

Is it a dry sauna, or does it have steam? Steam saunas are so much heaven.

[GodzillaKong]

4 minutes ago, scalyfreak said:

 

Very nice!

 

Is it a dry sauna, or does it have steam? Steam saunas are so much heaven.

No idea to be honest. Didn't think to check, I'm not a big sauna user (mostly due to lack of availability). Sauna noob mistake.

 

I shall report back when it's open and I have sauna'd myself thoroughly.

[GodzillaKong]

Went to the new gym today for my first workout. That in itself is something; gym on a Sunday? This one is so much more convenient to get to.

 

It was a good workout and so much more spacious. Will see how busy it gets on Tuesday.

 

No saunaing this time. Maybe next week.

[GodzillaKong]

Whilst I'm sitting on the train, fighting off hunger pangs and congratulating myself for doing so, it occurred to me that my dietry goals need to be a bit more specific. Cutting out junk is a good start, and I have a pretty decent idea of how much protein I should be looking to get daily (160g. ish.) But I have no idea how many carbs I should be aiming for.  I know brown rice/pasta is better than white, but how much should I be aiming for per day/meal?

 

Things to think about for the next challenge. If anyone has any words of advice/wisdom for someone trying to lose (fat)weight whilst gaining strength, please don't hesitate.

[GodzillaKong]

Had a week of terrible weather, worst snowstorms in years and getting to the gym has been out of the question. Until today. And...

 

Hit 100kg on my deadlift

 

Of course, this just means I'm back up to where I was 3 and a half months ago. Which is great, you know. Just fantastic. Really really great.

 

 

 

[Scaly Freak]

2 hours ago, GodzillaKong said:

Of course, this just means I'm back up to where I was 3 and a half months ago. Which is great, you know. Just fantastic. Really really great.

 

 Actually, it is great. Or do you want us to make a list of the large number of people who never even try to get back to where they were and then try to improve from there?  

 

Don´t undervalue yourself, you´re doing great.

 

 

[GodzillaKong]

6 hours ago, scalyfreak said:

 

 Actually, it is great. Or do you want us to make a list of the large number of people who never even try to get back to where they were and then try to improve from there?  

 

Don´t undervalue yourself, you´re doing great.

 

 

Thanks Scaly I guess I'm not used to doing well at this sort of thing for too long and I'm just frustrated I missed so much time. But trying to channel that frustration in the right way and hopefully my squat will be back up to 100 on Wednesday as well.

[Grumble]

14 hours ago, scalyfreak said:

 Actually, it is great. Or do you want us to make a list of the large number of people who never even try to get back to where they were and then try to improve from there?  

 

There are limits on how much information we can post at any one time. You might have to break it up.

[GodzillaKong]

Squat back up to 100. BP up to 70 and rows are up to 55. Even managed to find some time for some kettle bell swings. I am pooped. But happy.