Chaze Posted July 29, 2013 Report Share Posted July 29, 2013 Main Quest: To get bigger and stronger. Reasoning: This new format for challenges actually fits exactly the way I've been doing my challenges this whole time, really. This just makes me have to really explain what I've been doing this whole time. For me right now, picking a main focus means I needed to pick one thing. Just one. Which doesn't allow for any "ands." I think for a lot of people, that sentence would read "to get stronger and bigger," because really, isn't strength more important? Generally speaking, I would agree with that, but there is a reason behind my choice and it is what defines me, at least so far and for the next few years, as a bodybuilder instead of a power lifter. My RL story so far: I trained (relatively) steadily in martial arts from 2000 through ~2010. Primarily grappling with the occasional bit of Muay Thai. The first 5 years I trained quite a lot and the second 5 years (after getting into my career) I would call it regular (weekly) as opposed to multiple times a week. For the past 3 years I have been fortunate to be able to do some here and there, but nothing regular that lasted more than a couple months at a time. Throughout it all I have suffered several injuries to my shoulders including countless dislocations and separating both of my clavicles to the point of no return. I now refer to them as my circus shoulders as I can pop both in and out of their sockets at will and I can move my collar bones up and down as they float freely at this point. Throughout my tenure in martial arts, it has been abundantly clear that I am scrawny. This is very good for developing technique, but you can only do so much when rolling with people who almost always outweigh you by a fair margin. I was finally told by my physical therapist that I simply needed more mass around my shoulders in order to 1) Make up for the added weakness I will always have due to my perma-injuries and 2) Prevent further frustrating injuries that keep me off the mat and out of work for sometimes months at a time. In addition to all of that, I have been a law enforcement officer for a little over 8 years. I have found something interesting about a uniform: It is the great neutralizer of physiques. While I think it tends to lend some level of authority and size to just about anyone, when you start making comparisons from officer to officer, you will find only 3 people: 1. Fat cops. 2. Very muscular cops. 3. Everyone else. Believe it or not, a killer 6-pack is not remotely noticeable through a vest and 30 lbs of equipment around your waist. Neither are any other incredibly fit traits beyond large musculature. At one time in my life, I thought a great goal would be to look good naked. Now I say nay nay. I want to look good in uniform, which is proving much more difficult to do. I know this may sound very vain, but it is much more than that. It is fun to be tested by someone on the streets every now and then, but discretion, they say, is the better part of valor. As my career moves on I've found that it is better to be the guy who people look at and think "I don't want to mess with him" than the guy who people think "Eh, he's not so tough without that badge and gun." I size people up all day every day and I get sized up from time to time myself. Usually demeanor is enough to shut people down before it starts. But sometimes they are just high enough on alcohol or drugs to want to take a shot at the championship. Even more important than all of that, I have two sons (ages 3 and 18 months). I want them to have something to aspire to be, and even better if that something is me. They see me doing some form of exercise almost every day of the week. When they reach the age that it is time to decide who and what they are going to be, I want them to be able to look in pictures of us all at the pool and see that their dad wasn't a slob, or (the worse thing ever) a fat, complacent cop. I imagine the time for self-image is going to come when I'm in my 40's and they'll still see me going strong. My Plan: I've been calling this my 5-year plan, but that is just a rough number. It's probably less than that. Essentially, it comes down to this: My boys are 3 and 18 months. For the time being, I work graveyards on weekends so we rarely need a babysitter. I've got them. When they are both in school full-time, Monday-Friday, all day, I can finally take my career in another direction that has me working normal hours. I have been a defensive tactics instructor for my department for several years now. Essentially, I teach combat tactics and martial arts to the guys at my station, and help the academy instructors here and there. I average a class a month and the rest of my time is spent on patrol. I want to be one of the 5 full-time defensive tactics instructors at our academy. I was strongly encouraged to put in for this position a few years ago before I had kids. Fortunately (sort of), I didn't get the job. The reason someone was picked over me was because he looked the part more than I did. And I couldn't agree more. The guy they picked has a good background as well, is a great teacher, and he just looks like someone who can teach you to kick ass. When the time comes that I can put in for that spot again, I want to be that guy. I want to be the one that everyone looks at and just says "Dayum...." When I walk into that interview, I want there to be no question that I belong on that elite team. Strength will obviously come with size. If it didn't, being bigger wouldn't be that big of a deal. And the stronger I get, the safer I will be. There are also plenty of other side goals that I can accomplish along with my main quest. But in the long term, hypertrophy is the main focus and I've got some time to make some serious changes in my physique. *** I think that just about covers it. I'm typing this through a benadryl haze. Some bug ate me alive on Friday night and now my hands are completely swollen and itchy. I've also been up for about 26 hours, so hopefully this all makes some sense. I'll probably have to come by and edit this in the future to make fixes or add something I forgot, but it'll do for now. Aiel Rebel Current Challenge Str: 18.75 | Dex: 12.25 | Sta: 16 | Con: 30.25 | Wis: 27 | Cha: 16.25 Link to comment
Chaze Posted July 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2013 As far as my specific goals for this challenge: Goal 1: GTG Pullups I can do a couple pullups but I want to get to the point where I'm doing them for reps without needing an assist. So every day that I don't work I'll be busting out small sets as often as possible throughout the day. On days that I work I will settle for doing a set before I leave the house and one when I get home. I'll assign some way of grading this when my head clears, but I'll probably do a required approximate number of sets per week. We'll see. Worth +5 Str. Goal 2: GTG Dips I can do a fair number of full dips without the assist but I'd like to be able to do more without killing myself during my workouts. The pullups are the most important goal but I figured every time I finish the GTG pullups I will do a set of dips as well. Same scheme as above. Worth +5 Str. Goal 3: Work Toward Double Lotus I'm finally going to get back into Jiu-Jitsu! The place I train is 10th Planet, which founded by Eddie Bravo. The 10th Planet system relies heavily on the rubber guard and Bravo strongly suggests being flexible enough to get into double lotus in order to really dominate the rubber guard. So I'm going to shoot for 1 hour a week dedicated to building up to that. Worth +5 Dex. *** Still lifting and eating, just not goals. Starting pics and measurements will be posted when I get a chance. Aiel Rebel Current Challenge Str: 18.75 | Dex: 12.25 | Sta: 16 | Con: 30.25 | Wis: 27 | Cha: 16.25 Link to comment
wildross Posted July 29, 2013 Report Share Posted July 29, 2013 Looks like a great plan and challenge! Warriors don't count reps and sets. They count tons. My psychologist weighs 45 pounds, has an iron soul and sits on the end of a bar Tally Sheet for 2019 Encouragement for older members: Chronologically Blessed Group; Encouragement for newbie lifters: When we were weaker Link to comment
Rob__ Posted July 29, 2013 Report Share Posted July 29, 2013 Following! Good luck! There is no signature here. Link to comment
Chaze Posted July 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2013 Looks like a great plan and challenge!Following! Good luck! Thanks! Aiel Rebel Current Challenge Str: 18.75 | Dex: 12.25 | Sta: 16 | Con: 30.25 | Wis: 27 | Cha: 16.25 Link to comment
Chaze Posted July 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2013 Starting Stats: Age: 30 | Height: 6'Weight: 169 | Body Fat %: Who knows? | Arm: 32.5cm | Chest: 99cm | Waist: 79cm | Hips: 82cm | Thigh: 55.5cm | Calf: 36.5cm Holy bejesus photobucket pics are big! I'll wait to post until the forum gallery is working again and lets me upload. Aiel Rebel Current Challenge Str: 18.75 | Dex: 12.25 | Sta: 16 | Con: 30.25 | Wis: 27 | Cha: 16.25 Link to comment
Morrigainz Posted July 29, 2013 Report Share Posted July 29, 2013 ohi Level ? Half-Dwarf/Half-Amazon Warrior STR:21.25 STA:15 DEX: 10.95 CON: 14 WIS:15.5 CHA:17 SWOLE BUCKS: 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Link to comment
katscratch Posted July 30, 2013 Report Share Posted July 30, 2013 photobucket is kinda a pain sometimes - BUT you can change the size! for me it usually takes going to edit, changing the size, then NOT clicking "replace the original" (so you end up with a copy) for it to post correctly here. Of course the screen shots of you i kept full size. Life size even. They're my wallpaper. In my house. Maybe the outside, too. Chaze stucco. love, swoon, sparkles to your write up. Link to comment
Chaze Posted July 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2013 ohi Hey! photobucket is kinda a pain sometimes - BUT you can change the size! for me it usually takes going to edit, changing the size, then NOT clicking "replace the original" (so you end up with a copy) for it to post correctly here. Of course the screen shots of you i kept full size. Life size even. They're my wallpaper. In my house. Maybe the outside, too. Chaze stucco.Thanks, I might give that a try if the NF gallery doesn't fix. The photobucket thing, not the stucco. love, swoon, sparkles to your write up. Aiel Rebel Current Challenge Str: 18.75 | Dex: 12.25 | Sta: 16 | Con: 30.25 | Wis: 27 | Cha: 16.25 Link to comment
Morrigainz Posted July 30, 2013 Report Share Posted July 30, 2013 I like the idea of Chaze stucco. Also love the write up and the goals. Either something weird is going on with the forums again or my computer is jacked up tho' because I can't see behind the spoiler tag. GRRRRRR. Level ? Half-Dwarf/Half-Amazon Warrior STR:21.25 STA:15 DEX: 10.95 CON: 14 WIS:15.5 CHA:17 SWOLE BUCKS: 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Link to comment
Chaze Posted July 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 I like the idea of Chaze stucco. Also love the write up and the goals. Either something weird is going on with the forums again or my computer is jacked up tho' because I can't see behind the spoiler tag. GRRRRRR.Thanks And I think it's the forums. Aiel Rebel Current Challenge Str: 18.75 | Dex: 12.25 | Sta: 16 | Con: 30.25 | Wis: 27 | Cha: 16.25 Link to comment
Chaze Posted July 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 I updated my goals on my second post so I'm all set to go there. 3 hours of rock climbing on Monday. Spent all day today/yesterday (Tuesday) with the boys at Disneyland. It was Thing 2's first trip, Thing 1's third. Lots of fun but hard work. Felt like I was nearly always carrying at least one of them, or at the very least slouching like crazy to hold their hands as we walked around. My back is killing me. Between that and just general exhaustion, I wasn't in the mood for a core workout today. No big deal, since I work my core 4 out of 5 of my lifting days, I'll just pick it up on the next 4. But I am tired, so I'm just glad I got my workout in at all. Chest and Tris: Bench Press105x5115x5125x5135x395x10 Close-grip Press45x1255x1065x865x845x12 Chest Flys20x1225x830x6 Barbell Pullovers50x1260x870x6 Aiel Rebel Current Challenge Str: 18.75 | Dex: 12.25 | Sta: 16 | Con: 30.25 | Wis: 27 | Cha: 16.25 Link to comment
Chaze Posted August 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2013 Core: Cable Side Bends40x1250x860x6 Back and Bis: Supinated Seated Rows60x1270x1080x880x860x12 Lat Pulldowns50x1260x1070x870x850x12 Lat Pushdowns20x1230x1040x840x820x12 Aiel Rebel Current Challenge Str: 18.75 | Dex: 12.25 | Sta: 16 | Con: 30.25 | Wis: 27 | Cha: 16.25 Link to comment
Chaze Posted August 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2013 I got the starting pics to resize. Aiel Rebel Current Challenge Str: 18.75 | Dex: 12.25 | Sta: 16 | Con: 30.25 | Wis: 27 | Cha: 16.25 Link to comment
Morrigainz Posted August 1, 2013 Report Share Posted August 1, 2013 Mmmmm........ Level ? Half-Dwarf/Half-Amazon Warrior STR:21.25 STA:15 DEX: 10.95 CON: 14 WIS:15.5 CHA:17 SWOLE BUCKS: 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Link to comment
Rob__ Posted August 7, 2013 Report Share Posted August 7, 2013 Hopefully you fell into the busy and not into the sick! There is no signature here. Link to comment
Chaze Posted August 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2013 Hopefully you fell into the busy and not into the sick!Thanks. I actually fell into the sun, which might be worse than the sick. Took the boys to the beach for the first time. I hate the beach, which is how it is possible to live less than an hour away from it and they haven't been yet. The sand is just a nefariously itchy and sticky version of dirt that is trying to look pretty. I love my boys more than I do myself, which is why I made them wear copious amounts of sun screen and stay hydrated. I, on the other hand, got sun poisoning. After we got back from the beach I only had a few hours until I went in to work. Since I didn't have time for a nap, I felt it would be a good idea to squat and deadlift myself to death. I was a zombie all night at work and got nothing accomplished. Since I got home the other day, I've been in bed alternately sweating and freezing while trying not to throw up. I'm finally out of bed right now but I feel weak as hell. Things should start getting better as I get some more food into me again. Aiel Rebel Current Challenge Str: 18.75 | Dex: 12.25 | Sta: 16 | Con: 30.25 | Wis: 27 | Cha: 16.25 Link to comment
Morrigainz Posted August 8, 2013 Report Share Posted August 8, 2013 Shit!!! Feel better! Level ? Half-Dwarf/Half-Amazon Warrior STR:21.25 STA:15 DEX: 10.95 CON: 14 WIS:15.5 CHA:17 SWOLE BUCKS: 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Link to comment
Chaze Posted August 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2013 Running behind this week due to the sun poisoning, but I'm finally up today. I got some rock climbing in tonight and then a workout. I got all 5 of my workouts in last week even though I didn't get around to posting them. Since I'm starting this week on a Thursday I decided to modify my workout schedule to a push day, a pull day, and a leg day. Standard core workout today but I went in and completely improvised the push workout. I never do that so it was kind of fun. Didn't kill myself since I am still recovering. My normal 60 second rest between sets and took me 57 minutes. Core: Renegade Rows20x520x525x430x325x2 Push: Bench95x10105x8105x8105x8115x5 OHP60x860x860x860x940x1040x10 Dips (Assisted)12991010913 Close-Grip Press55x855x855x855x855x1055x8 Aiel Rebel Current Challenge Str: 18.75 | Dex: 12.25 | Sta: 16 | Con: 30.25 | Wis: 27 | Cha: 16.25 Link to comment
Chaze Posted August 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2013 Saturday Core: Cable Crunch70x1280x1090x890x870x12 Pull: Deadlift185x4185x4195x3195x3215x1 Lat Pulldown50x1260x1060x1060x1060x10 Seat Rows80x1290x8100x6 I wanted to do more but I was running late for work. 38 minutes total. Today: Core: Cable Side Bends50x1260x870x6 Legs:Front Squats & Good-mornings Superset85x485x495x395x3115x1 Shrugs & Calf-Raises Superset185x10195x8195x8205x6185x10 And now back to our regular 5-day split for this week. Aiel Rebel Current Challenge Str: 18.75 | Dex: 12.25 | Sta: 16 | Con: 30.25 | Wis: 27 | Cha: 16.25 Link to comment
Chaze Posted August 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 The other day: Core: Cable Crunch70x1280x1090x890x870x12 Chest: Bench Press105x5115x5125x5135x395x10 Close-Grip Press45x1255x1065x865x845x12 Chest Fly20x1225x830x6 Barbell Pullovers50x1260x870x6 Today: Core: Renegade Rows20x520x525x430x335x2 Resistance Band Twists20 Back: Supinated Seated Rows60x1270x1080x880x860x12 Lat Pulldowns50x1260x1070x870x850x12 Lat Pushdowns20x1230x1040x840x820x12 Shoulders: Overhead Press50x1260x870x6 Upright Rows & Face Pulls Superset25 & 40 x1230 & 50 x835 & 60 x6 Lateral Raises and Front Raises Superset8x1010x810x815x68x10 Aiel Rebel Current Challenge Str: 18.75 | Dex: 12.25 | Sta: 16 | Con: 30.25 | Wis: 27 | Cha: 16.25 Link to comment
Chaze Posted August 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2013 Yesterday: Core: Cable Side Bends50x1260x870x6 Chest and Arms: Bench Press75x1295x10105x8105x875x12 EZ Bar Curls & Skullcrushers Superset30x1240x850x6 Pushups1210101010 Concentration Curls & Tricep Pushdown Superset10 & 20 x1215 & 30 x1020 & 35 x820 & 35 x810 & 20 x12 Today: Core: Reverse Cable Crunch20x1230x840x6 Legs and Back: Front Squats & Good-mornings Superset85x485x495x395x3115x1 Deadlift185x4185x4195x3195x3215x1 Shrugs and Calf Raises Superset185x10195x8195x8205x6185x10 Aiel Rebel Current Challenge Str: 18.75 | Dex: 12.25 | Sta: 16 | Con: 30.25 | Wis: 27 | Cha: 16.25 Link to comment
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