MirGSS' "Burninating the Challenge" Challenge

[RBC]

Yeah, I used to work over there (first in DCH and then across the street in the Reid building in DCR). It's so cold in the D but it's also pretty damn chilly in Lansing. 

[Morrigainz]

I brought pants today!

 

My legs are sore from yesterday's squatpocalypse. That means DLs should be fun today.

[Strawberry Squatcake]

I've noticed when I get A2G, I have more trouble getting out of the hole...and I arch my back as a result, giving myself some wonderful lower back pain. Also butt wink, but I think that's a separate issue from the arching.

I like BBs suggestion to stop/pause in the hole. I do the bouncing off my calves thing (apparently, wasn't aware I was doing that until I saw my video!) but I come up wrong. I wouldn't have classified it as arching my back, but since my lower body comes up before my upper, maybe there is arching. I do have lower back pain after squats... So, yeah. I need to be doing the pause, too. Since I'm dropping to depressingly low weights now, I have been trying to work more on form.

 

So, has anyone else had this happen? Ever since I started hitting it hard again, I just haven't been hungry. I feel like I have to force myself to eat. I've been trying to make sure I get enough protein, but I guess I haven't really been tracking. I dunno. I just feel like I've been eating less. Last night for dinner I had a pork chop (medium sized) and a little bit of that rice crap that comes out of the box. Today I had some breakfast scramble that I made at around 7 when I got here. Then I worked out at noon. And just now, at 2 pm, I'm eating lunch, but I'm not experiencing any hunger. I don't know what to make of it.

 

Sometimes when I go for a run I'm not hungry for hours afterwards, but this is...days. Over a week.

 

I'm never like this. I want some!! Seriously, though, you need food for lifting, so I am trying to empathize. I occasionally can go to sleep if I'm super-hungry and wake up and not be hungry anymore, but I hardly make it to mealtime without being all, "WHEN IS IT TIME TO EAT AGAIN!?!?!" So, no, I can't relate. But think I'm abnormal that way.

If they say to eat more fat and less carbs to stay satiated on less food, then could you eat less fat and more carbs to keep the appetite going? <-I feel like that's bad advice, though.

 

Well, when you make it sound so appetizing... I can't imagine why you don't want to eat!

I LOLed at this! Haha! Rice crap. Send me the name of the company! Just kidding. I'd probably think it's delicious. I love rice!

 

 

My legs are sore from yesterday's squatpocalypse. That means DLs should be fun today.

Yay for squat booty sores! Well, I like them. I might be in the minority. Good luck with DLs!

[Morrigainz]

I like BBs suggestion to stop/pause in the hole. I do the bouncing off my calves thing (apparently, wasn't aware I was doing that until I saw my video!) but I come up wrong. I wouldn't have classified it as arching my back, but since my lower body comes up before my upper, maybe there is arching. I do have lower back pain after squats... So, yeah. I need to be doing the pause, too. Since I'm dropping to depressingly low weights now, I have been trying to work more on form.

I did this a little bit yesterday, but I think I definitely need some more work on it. I can hang out there for a while without any weight on my shoulders, but the loaded bar is a huge difference.

  

I'm never like this. I want some!! Seriously, though, you need food for lifting, so I am trying to empathize. I occasionally can go to sleep if I'm super-hungry and wake up and not be hungry anymore, but I hardly make it to mealtime without being all, "WHEN IS IT TIME TO EAT AGAIN!?!?!" So, no, I can't relate. But think I'm abnormal that way.

If they say to eat more fat and less carbs to stay satiated on less food, then could you eat less fat and more carbs to keep the appetite going? <-I feel like that's bad advice, though.

Yeah, I thought about that. Like, more veggies. I haven't been eating very many veggies in the last week or so. Partly I'm wondering if it's due to the type of breakfast I've been having (made a breakfast scramble with eggs, sausage, lots of cheese, and sweet potato) and so maybe that's making me not hungry during the day? I have no idea. I would love to be hungry though. I love food...I really do.

I LOLed at this! Haha! Rice crap. Send me the name of the company! Just kidding. I'd probably think it's delicious. I love rice!

I think it was Rice a Roni....I dunno, after not eating that kind of carbs-from-a-box in a while, I don't really like them that much anymore.

Now, if you put some potato chips or french fries (or any type of alcohol pretty much) - it's going to be a different story. Or cake or ice cream. Or brownies. I think you get the idea.

Yay for squat booty sores! Well, I like them. I might be in the minority. Good luck with DLs!

Yep, I'm definitely on board with the DOMS. Actually I kind of miss it when I'm in better shape...I know it's not a very good indicator of how hard you worked but I still feel like it is

[Morrigainz]

I JUST REALIZED I GET TO DO DLS FOR REPS TODAY!!!

 

WHAT'S UP NOW, NERDS?

[CapN_Tommy_Sunshine]

I JUST REALIZED I GET TO DO DLS FOR REPS TODAY!!!

 

WHAT'S UP NOW, NERDS?

Awesome!  BBB on deadlifts will really show you how much you need to work on your conditioning (at least it did for me!).  I still love deadlift day, don't get me wrong, but it is way more challenging that hitting a couple sets of triples or singles like I was doing.

[Aqweei]

Deadlifts are one of my favorite lifts. Enjoy them! 

[weirdquark]

High rep back-off sets of deadlifts are pretty awesome. I think my life needs more high rep back-off sets.

[Morrigainz]

So, that sucked. And not in a good way.

 

Definitely tweaked my back or something, and I don't know if it happened yesterday or maybe the squats just exacerbated it? I really need to take another vid of squats and pay close attention to my lower back, and then figure out how to fix it. At any rate, it made DLs nigh impossible.

 

I started out with 5x90. Had two 45s on the floor (each side) so I wasn't lifting from a deficit. It was hard. And hard on my back.

 

Then I did 5x105. My back said, "Ow, why are you doing this to me?"

 

Then I loaded up 115. Took one 45 out from each side.

 

Pulled. Weight didn't even budge. Not even a little. And back still complaining.

 

So, I was like, eff that, maybe something else still isn't right.

 

Went for 135 which I pulled for 5 last week.

 

NO BUENO and NO DICE.

 

So I was like, "Fine! I'll do some rack pulls! At least I'll get something out of it!"

 

And could barely do 2 at 135. So I gave up.

 

Did 2x5 pullups with 60 lb assist.

 

Grr. So grrrr. I suppose I should have stopped while I was (not really) ahead, but I'm stubborn like that.

 

Now I have 3 days off to recover and figure out what's going on until it's squat day again.

[Blueberries]

Saw this:
 

I JUST REALIZED I GET TO DO DLS FOR REPS TODAY!!!
 
WHAT'S UP NOW, NERDS?

 
And was all excited to be excited with you!
 

Immediately saw this:
 

So, that sucked. And not in a good way.

 

And I was down as fast as I'd gone up. So sorry!

 

 

Definitely tweaked my back or something, and I don't know if it happened yesterday or maybe the squats just exacerbated it? I really need to take another vid of squats and pay close attention to my lower back, and then figure out how to fix it. At any rate, it made DLs nigh impossible.
 
I started out with 5x90. Had two 45s on the floor (each side) so I wasn't lifting from a deficit. It was hard. And hard on my back.
 
Then I did 5x105. My back said, "Ow, why are you doing this to me?"
 
Then I loaded up 115. Took one 45 out from each side.
 
Pulled. Weight didn't even budge. Not even a little. And back still complaining.
 
So, I was like, eff that, maybe something else still isn't right.
 
Went for 135 which I pulled for 5 last week.
 
NO BUENO and NO DICE.
 
So I was like, "Fine! I'll do some rack pulls! At least I'll get something out of it!"
 
And could barely do 2 at 135. So I gave up.
 
Did 2x5 pullups with 60 lb assist.
 
Grr. So grrrr. I suppose I should have stopped while I was (not really) ahead, but I'm stubborn like that.
 
Now I have 3 days off to recover and figure out what's going on until it's squat day again.

 

Oh man, Mir. This sounds bad! Have you been feeling any back weirdness before today at all? And did it hurt today from your first rep? Lower back only? Only when you were trying to lift or is it hurting when you're just walking around? (Sorry for throwing so many questions at you.)

I sort of want confirmation on this from somebody so I know I'm giving the right advice, but I'm pretty sure you want to ice in a situation like this so that any inflammation will stay down.

[Morrigainz]

During squats yesterday I felt a twinge. And yep from my first rep (so I should have stopped but I'm an idiot so I didn't). Lower back only, and on the right side only. It also hurt at first when I started jogging back, with each step. Walking doesn't hurt now but when I bend over it does...and if I hyperextend my back, it REALLY does. In the same way as when I did squats. Which is why I think it's a problem with my squats.

[Gainsdalf the Whey]

You may have just gotten a little bit out of position and tweeked something.  I did it on Saturday, came a bit forward with a weak back and pulled a muscle.  Took a few days off and am back at it. It's the most ocmmon injury for squats and deads as since they are pretty heavy, just having a little crappy form once can screw something up a little.

[This is Seth]

I prescribe a pint of Ben & Jerry's and  two nights of watching FireFly. Should fix you up, all shiny. 

[Morrigainz]

MMMmmmmm ice cream....mmmmm Firefly....mmmmmm Kaylee.....

[bigm141414]

MMMmmmmm ice cream....mmmmm Firefly....mmmmmm Kaylee.....

I second this sentiment.

[Blueberries]

Dr. Seth is wise. Rest up, my friend.

 

FWIW, I went back and watched your form check (I need to catch up on so many!!), and I saw the arching thing you were talking about from yesterday's squats, especially in the 3rd rep. I can see how that could cause a tweak, for sure.

[Gainsdalf the Whey]

I second this sentiment.

Thirded, especially the bold.  Can't believe it took me this long to watch the series.  I think I have 2-3 episodes left after DVRing the marathon that was on a few weeks back.

[Morrigainz]

Dr. Seth is wise. Rest up, my friend.

 

FWIW, I went back and watched your form check (I need to catch up on so many!!), and I saw the arching thing you were talking about from yesterday's squats, especially in the 3rd rep. I can see how that could cause a tweak, for sure.

Yep. I've got 3 days so lots of resting will be in the mix.

 

So, like, what can I do to fix the arching thing? Do I need a stronger back? Are there cues I can think of to not arch? Because I notice myself doing it even at lower weights, so I don't *think* it's a weight issue.

[Morrigainz]

Thirded, especially the bold.  Can't believe it took me this long to watch the series.  I think I have 2-3 episodes left after DVRing the marathon that was on a few weeks back.

Right?

 

Forget that Inara beeyotch...

[scotticus]

This exact thing has sidelined me on at least three separate occasions, for a week or more at a time.  Sooo frustrating.  FWIW, I switched to front squats and never looked back.

 

Also, count this as another vote for Seth's proposed remedy!  Hope you're feeling better soon.

 

During squats yesterday I felt a twinge. And yep from my first rep (so I should have stopped but I'm an idiot so I didn't). Lower back only, and on the right side only. It also hurt at first when I started jogging back, with each step. Walking doesn't hurt now but when I bend over it does...and if I hyperextend my back, it REALLY does. In the same way as when I did squats. Which is why I think it's a problem with my squats.

[weirdquark]

This exact thing has sidelined me on at least three separate occasions, for a week or more at a time.  Sooo frustrating.  FWIW, I switched to front squats and never looked back.

 

I've never had a huge problem with squats and back pain but I have scoliosis so I go back and forth about whether or not I should cut out the back squats and switch to front only.

[Morrigainz]

Front squats scare me.

[This is Seth]

They're pretty awesome.

 

As for the rounding/arching/winking, whatever you want to call it, the best cue I've read in a while is to treat your hips as a bucket of water. You want to keep your hips even to the ground at all times during the squat, if you're leaning too far forward you're going to spill the water out. 

 

Fixing the arch involves strengthening the core and your power out of the hole; pause squats are great for that. 

[Chaze]

MMMmmmmm ice cream....mmmmm Firefly....mmmmmm Kaylee.....

 

This, many many times.

[Morrigainz]

So, I know it's not quite mid-challenge, but I feel like it's time for a check in. So let's see how the goals are going, shall we?

1. Get fit.

So, other than the first week of the challenge, when I was SO GODDAMN SORE I could barely sit down, I've actually done something fitness-y 6 out of 7 days during the week. Between lifting, running, yoga (once), and kickboxing, I've managed to stay active. I'd like to step up the running because I really want to run a half marathon later this year (and running 2x a week is not going to cut it) but after working 10 hours + lifting during the week, I'm having a hard time. We'll see if next week is better, when I will hopefully be more used to the time change.

 

2. Get healthy.

This one is actually going really well. I've tried a bunch of new recipes - between 5-7 I think - and with the exception of the chicken drumsticks (which had to bake for 90 freaking minutes) they have been mostly quick. I made choy sum, 2 different kinds of breakfast scramble, a new meatball recipe, and I think some other stuff that I don't remember right now.

 

3. Get skinny.

Not sure how this is going. I think it's going well. I've noticed my pants fitting better, I think. But that might have to do with the Red Party Train leaving town. My 2-lb weight loss has disappeared. I'm not really concerned about that - but it's worth noting as a tracking measure.

 

4. Get frugal.

This one is going so-so. I revamped my budget and my budget categories on Mint.com, and I've been paying close attention. The "mad money" part isn't going quite as well, with the purchase of plane tickets and a hotel for the SSS in May. That is a little bit of a sore spot for me - the only way it was "ok" for me to go was if Mr MirGSS comes with, and he's not into lifting. And he thinks he is going to be bored. So really he's coming to keep an eye on me. (Which, okay, given Mir shenanigans, maybe not so bad?) But my plan of a cheap plane ticket, hitching a ride with WizardTrip, and possibly sharing a cheap hotel with Strawberry Squatcake has turned into 2 plane tickets and a car rental, plus a hotel - all of which mostly I'm paying for. But I did offer. And I guess it's the price I pay?

 

/grumpy rant

 

Overall I'm happy about how things are going, although I might start tracking calories (even though I hate hate hate it and it's such a pain in my ass) because, right now, I don't know how much I'm taking in - especially with the whole not being hungry thing. It just means more time spent on the computer, and I won't be able to just put "some" cheese on my breakfast monster

 

Planning to do kickboxing today and maybe yoga tomorrow, maybe some kind of core work. And I want to run again sometime this week. I haven't been since Monday (other than my quick runs to and from the gym). Hopefully by next Monday, my back will be better :/