Super Destroyer Will Make 800+ by 50!!

[Super Destroyer]

I am focusing on one goal this challenge. Make a total of 800 lbs on the big three by 4/6, two days before my 50th birthday.

I last played high school football way back in 82, for you young people that was back in the 1900's. I was at a small school, class of about 50 kids. We didn't have much of a weight room and lifting was not emphasized as much as today. We had an "800" club for the big three lifts, but there were not too many in that club, and since I never took it seriously, I never made it. To make that club at 50 would be an awesome accomplishment, especially for someone like myself who neglected to lift a barbell again for over 30 years. My current best lifts are 220, 180, and 285, which puts me at 685. I figure my squat will need to be at least 250, bench at least 200, and DL 350. I have ditched eating at a deficit until I reach that goal, so far adding 3.5lbs in the last 6 weeks and making big gains. Seven weeks is not long to gain 115 lbs on my lifts, but I am willing to hit the iron hard to make it work.

That's it. Get stronger and make 800 by 4/6. I will do this by eating at a small surplus and lifting 3x5 three days a week. Good luck to everyone else on the challenge!

[stardust731]

OHHH! This sounds like an awesome goal! I know you can do it!!! 

[Raev]

Sweet goal!  Get it!

[Why not?]

Get some!

[Super Destroyer]

Thanks, guys. I definitely plan to "Super Destroy" this challenge!

[wildross]

You got this.  PM me if you want for "old guy encouragement"

[SoftSoul]

800 seems a little low. At the rate you're going, you'll have that in 2 weeks. May need to set the bar higher ;-)

[Tateman]

You got this Super Destroyer!  This is the challenge I finally get into Stronglifts.  I just have to make myself do it

[Super Destroyer]

Had an okay eating day yesterday, just hope to get over the carb craving. Not going to worry about it now, since I am trying to make strength gains, but I am seriously considering going back to low carb when I start trying to lose weight again. I lost most of my 91 lbs by just getting my body into ketosis. (And doing a LOT of HIIT)

[El Exorcisto]

Loading some carbs pre-workout is always a good idea. Smash the weights, SD!

[Jimbo]

This old fart will be cheering you on!

 

P.S. Remember to sleep.

[Tateman]

Had an okay eating day yesterday, just hope to get over the carb craving. Not going to worry about it now, since I am trying to make strength gains, but I am seriously considering going back to low carb when I start trying to lose weight again. I lost most of my 91 lbs by just getting my body into ketosis. (And doing a LOT of HIIT)

I have seen a few people do low carb style eating on non workout days.  I'm guessing you'll just find that balance that works for you

[stardust731]

I have seen a few people do low carb style eating on non workout days.  I'm guessing you'll just find that balance that works for you

 

This is the kind of eating plan I'm going to start soon - higher carbs on lifting days (3 days a week) and lower carbs on non-lifting days. I think it will help keep things interesting 

[Super Destroyer]

Yesterday was a little rough, both workout and diet wise. First, I only got three of my 2nd set of squats at 195 lbs. I did finish the third set, but I will do 3x5x195 again on Saturday. I also failed at bench press after 3 on the first set of 160. That is 89% of my 1RM, so I will try again on next Tuesday. 125 on the row didn't go well either. I did not feel like I was getting it all the way up. Not sure whether to try it again, or drop back.

I usually eat really well right up to evening, and that was true yesterday. However, being bummed out about lifting, and having access to some sweets, made it easier than usual to give in. So I am trying to do better today.

[Super Destroyer]

Loading some carbs pre-workout is always a good idea. Smash the weights, SD!

Thanks, El Exorcisto! I am trying to catch up with you!

This old fart will be cheering you on!

 

P.S. Remember to sleep.

Got somewhere between 7 and 8 hours lst night. Not always easy with the kids and such.

I have seen a few people do low carb style eating on non workout days.  I'm guessing you'll just find that balance that works for you

This is the kind of eating plan I'm going to start soon - higher carbs on lifting days (3 days a week) and lower carbs on non-lifting days. I think it will help keep things interesting 

This is pretty much what I am trying to do. I just need do do a better job of limiting "bad carbs". (sugar laden) (cake, brownies, reese's, etc)

[stardust731]

This is pretty much what I am trying to do. I just need do do a better job of limiting "bad carbs". (sugar laden) (cake, brownies, reese's, etc)

 

I can understand this - which is why we just don't even have them in the house. Most of the time, I have ZERO self control if its there...so I just don't have it. If we ever have to buy a dessert for an occasion (like a birthday) I'll always make sure to send the leftovers home with someone.

 

I'm the kind of person who will rationalize that its okay to have pie for breakfast simply because its got fruit in it 

 

Try to go into it with the mentality of "I can have it, but I don't want it" - that mentality shift has made a huge difference in my sugar cravings 

[swe]

Subbing to this one! Interesting challenge. You got this.

 

Do you track calories? I've had no problem overeating when I track calories.

I think it's a lot more doable to leave 300 calories room for some sweets or cookies at the end of the day rather than decide "from now on I'll be healthy". I can't do that. But I have no cravings for overreating or anything like that if i track calories and get a little treat every day.

 

If I just decide "no sugar and all health starting today" I fail every time.

[El Exorcisto]

SD, the "bad carbs" are the ones that do miraculous things pre-workout. Flooding your blood with glucose and then training subsequently floods your muscles with glucose. Glucose + circulating aminos = getting bigger. It also lets you perform harder, longer. Think of straight sugar as Viagra for every other muscle.

[Super Destroyer]

I can understand this - which is why we just don't even have them in the house. Most of the time, I have ZERO self control if its there...so I just don't have it. If we ever have to buy a dessert for an occasion (like a birthday) I'll always make sure to send the leftovers home with someone.

I'm the kind of person who will rationalize that its okay to have pie for breakfast simply because its got fruit in it

Try to go into it with the mentality of "I can have it, but I don't want it" - that mentality shift has made a huge difference in my sugar cravings

We are much alike, then. I had that same "I don't eat it" mentality for a long time, until I started not eating for a deficit again.

Subbing to this one! Interesting challenge. You got this.

Do you track calories? I've had no problem overeating when I track calories.

I think it's a lot more doable to leave 300 calories room for some sweets or cookies at the end of the day rather than decide "from now on I'll be healthy". I can't do that. But I have no cravings for overreating or anything like that if i track calories and get a little treat every day.

If I just decide "no sugar and all health starting today" I fail every time.

I keep a journal of everything I eat, but I have not counted calories. Right now, I feel like as long as I maintain myself during the first 2/3's of the day, it will offset any late night discrepancies. I am trying to eat a little over maintenance right now, and so far it has been successful.

SD, the "bad carbs" are the ones that do miraculous things pre-workout. Flooding your blood with glucose and then training subsequently floods your muscles with glucose. Glucose + circulating aminos = getting bigger. It also lets you perform harder, longer. Think of straight sugar as Viagra for every other muscle.

I have been "carbing up" before and after workouts. So are you saying I need to rev it up a little? Sweet potatoes, and bananas when I don't have sweet potatoes, have been my go-to carbs. Maybe I need to add a little more fuel to the fire?

[El Exorcisto]

I do a big bowl of cereal with skim milk, or oatmeal with sugar and cinnamon about 45 minutes pre-workout. I admit I went from fasted training to rocket-fuelled training almost instantly, so my results are likely a lot more extreme than yours. All I know is that a pile of simple carbs has made for some very exciting times in the gym.

[stardust731]

So let me see if I can help you solve this problem, maybe its just all about finding what works for you...have you tried looking at this site?

 

Quest bars are totally awesome, but they have protein peanut butter cups too! I bought a box of them & kept them in the freezer - they were totally yummy and I didn't feel as guilty eating them as I did Reece's. They're a little pricey, which is why I can't eat them all the time, but they might help you get through your sugar cravings without being so detrimental to your progress

[swe]

I do a big bowl of cereal with skim milk, or oatmeal with sugar and cinnamon about 45 minutes pre-workout. I admit I went from fasted training to rocket-fuelled training almost instantly, so my results are likely a lot more extreme than yours. All I know is that a pile of simple carbs has made for some very exciting times in the gym.

This is very interesting I don't know much about the science of carbs etc. Do you add a lot of sugar to the oatmeal? I tend to try to drink a cup of coffee before I hit the gym (two teaspoons of instant powder). Maybe I should start adding in some sugar.

[El Exorcisto]

I do 5-6 tsp of sugar in a cup of oatmeal. It ends up quite sweet, but not cloying. Carbs are the body's preferred fuel, and the only macro that can replenish stores of glycogen. Glycogen is the preferred fuel for fast-twitch muscle fibers, the ones we meatheads really care about. If performance in the gym is the priority (vs performance on the scale) then a heavy dose of carbs pre-workout makes the most sense to me.

 

This of course comes with the caveat that there are many ways that people get big, strong, and/or lean. Some people do fine training fasted or being carb-depleted. I'm not one of them.

[stardust731]

This is very interesting I don't know much about the science of carbs etc. Do you add a lot of sugar to the oatmeal? I tend to try to drink a cup of coffee before I hit the gym (two teaspoons of instant powder). Maybe I should start adding in some sugar.

 

Your body uses carbohydrates for energy and processes simple sugars differently from complex carbohydrates. Its recommended that you eat complex carbohydrates for the nutritional complex (i.e. vitamins, fiber, etc) because they can help you feel more full for longer. This can help you if you're struggling with feelings of hunger while eating in a deficit. 

 

In reverse, the simple sugars are processed by your body quickly - giving a quick energy boost followed by a crash (thus why its called a "sugar crash") Also, because its been processed (often bleached, etc), all the nutritional complexities have been removed - which leaves little vitamins & fiber. Which is why if someone eats a diet higher in simple sugars, they tend to feel hungrier more regularly than someone who eats more complex carbohydrates. This quick energy boost can be why someone feels more energized at the gym than someone who chooses to work out in a fasted state

 

If adding in sugar pre-workout works for you, then great. I know people that have fabulous workouts from drinking a Red Bull prior. But keep in mind that if the body receives energy from simple sugars it can start to crave more simple sugars - which can cause issues if you're trying to diet and I think that is exactly what Super Destroyer is trying to avoid. Just remember, moderation is key

[El Exorcisto]

I thought had read SD was bulking at the moment, but I could be wrong. Typically on a bulk it is all about performance under the bar with the understanding that with more muscle will come some amount of bodyfat. I'm going to duck out before this becomes a pissing match. Good luck, SD.