QuirkyDM, facing off against the Fearsome Five

[sylph]

Splits look pretty close, actually! You've got a few more weeks to work on it. I think you'll get there.

 

I had my own epic hour of shoveling with the hubs this morning, so I'm glad I'm not the only on who gets to uh, "enjoy" that task.

[Librarian of Doom]

I live in the south. We don't shovel, we just huddle in our homes and wait for the sun to return

[drunkensnake]

When will science create a self shoveling driveway!

[AgentsSka]

In very rich neighborhoods, driveways are heated.

 

When I'm president, everyone is getting a heated driveway.  Because that's how it should be.

[tenaciousglee]

Late to the party, but love the theme!

[QuirkyDM]

Splits look pretty close, actually! You've got a few more weeks to work on it. I think you'll get there.

 

I had my own epic hour of shoveling with the hubs this morning, so I'm glad I'm not the only on who gets to uh, "enjoy" that task.

 

When will science create a self shoveling driveway!

 

It's been a pretty good winter for shoveling, so I can't complain that much. And I laughed at the hue-manatee. I'm a sucker for a pun, good or bad. If you are too, may I suggest the Jungle Cruise ride in LA Disneyland. It is an old, outdated cheesy ride that the park knows doesn't compare to modern fare. So they have the tour guides spoof it the entire time. Our guide went on a good 3 minute burst of geology puns that I was amazed he could get through in one blast. That ride was actually one of my highlights that I like to tell people about.

 

As for the splits, maybe I should get me some Hammer pants. Then I'd be there already.

 

In very rich neighborhoods, driveways are heated.

 

When I'm president, everyone is getting a heated driveway.  Because that's how it should be.

All hail President Ska! Start with Phoenix and work your way north. I'm in Canada, so I doubt I'll got to enjoy your brilliance. I also have to think if all the driveways were heated, all run off would go to the roads. And we could all skate to work.

 

 

I've been getting good feedback on the deadlift, so I'm going to try it out today at the gym. Followed by a hefty recovery session of pancakes, sausages and bacon for Shrove Tuesday!

[Epsilonx2]

Ooh, pancakes! I had them on my birthday (red velvet with cream cheese drizzle) and nearly cried they were so good. Best of luck on your deadlift. I need to get back to reading Starting Strength...

[QuirkyDM]

Late to the party, but love the theme!

Great day to join a party- there's pancakes today! But there's no balloons. Or music. Or streamers or decorations, or ... man, I throw a sucky party.

 

 

Ooh, pancakes! I had them on my birthday (red velvet with cream cheese drizzle) and nearly cried they were so good. Best of luck on your deadlift. I need to get back to reading Starting Strength...

Ours will be a little less extravagant, but I'm not going to make my workout today, which means I'm not going to be taking my 800 calories in shakes before and after the workout, which means I need to find a way to get in an extra 800 calories tonight somehow...

 

I am going rip that pancake supper apart.

[QuirkyDM]

I am the terror that flaps in the night.

I am the free box of donuts on your first day of going Paleo ...

I am Darkwing Quirky!

 

Eating: Pancake day was goooood. And yet, I was pretty close to on target for my calories, over by maybe 150 calories. Daily weigh ins are still all over the place and I'm not exactly sure I'm gaining yet. This Monday, I'll see how the weigh ins from week 1 to week 2 compare and adjust calories as necessary.

 

 

Deadlift: I boosted my deadlift to 155 lbs this week, but then I forgot my iPhone so couldn't video it for more critique. This weekend hopefully. I got the following advice and did my best to follow it:

- chest up

- straight legs on descent

- up the weight

- take off shoes

 

155 is where I start to feel more effort to keep good form, so it seemed like a new good starting place. I should get another chance to do it this weekend and get re-evaluated.

 

 

 

In other news, I signed up for a 3rd obstacle course race this year: The BadAss Dash. I was looking at a race my kids could do. My wife signed them up for a kids triatholon and for her and my daughter to do a Try-a-tri. I was thinking, "But I want to do stuff, too!" So I signed my kids up for the kids dash. This race is literally down the street from me- about a 5 minute bike ride, so we don't lose a lot from going out and giving it a shot.

 

And then to pile on extra pain, I entered the Elite division. Which seemed like a good idea when signing up and now, maybe not. But I'd also rather run a course too hard and push to my limits then go through a course that was too easy.

[drunkensnake]

lol like going down the double black diamond...it seemed like a good idea at the time

[Librarian of Doom]

That race looks really cool, and obvs for a great cause! Look forward to the report!!!

[QuirkyDM]

That race looks really cool, and obvs for a great cause! Look forward to the report!!!

Only a mere 4 months away ... One great thing about all these races is that they're for a good cause, so I can race indiscriminately as far as motives go.

 

 

lol like going down the double black diamond...it seemed like a good idea at the time

When I was a kid still doing green slopes, I went down a black diamond by mistake. When I hit the slope with a cliff drop off and the big "DANGER" sign, I took my skis off and hiked back to the wrong turn in my ski boots. I have a history with this.

 

When signing up for races, this is my dominant mentality:

 

 

 

 

Wasn't originally going to update today, but this morning's workout requires a post.

 

 

Negaduck must be getting worried, as he tried his best to take me out this morning. And he employed my old enemy, the squats. I've had a few run-ins with the squats- bad form popping a rib out of place, adding plates wrong and bailing after 4 reps because I had too much weight, and needing to bail when I started getting a cold at the end of last challenge. But the squats know I have their number now, so they're attempting new strategies. On my last warm up set today, I squat down nice and low, and the squats struck!

 

RIIIIIP! The back of my shorts split wide open. (note to self, only use lose gym workout clothes, not just any old shorts in the future)

 

But do I let that stop me? Hell no!

 

There were only 6 other people at the gym this morning, and no one near me. I had black shorts and black underwear on. A check in the mirror confirms that unless someone is standing right behind me, they'll never notice! Right? Hopefully. So I keep going.

 

But once the shorts start tearing, they don't stop. Every squat adds a little more air to my backside. After my first work set, I see the rip is low enough that my skin is showing now. Someone might notice that.

 

But do I let that stop me? Hell no!

 

I go to the lockers and change into my ever so stylish Marvel superhero pajama pants that I wore to the gym (I did mention it was an early morning workout, right?) and finish off the squats. The PJs were much looser. Take that Negaduck!

[sylph]

I go to the lockers and change into my ever so stylish Marvel superhero pajama pants that I wore to the gym (I did mention it was an early morning workout, right?) and finish off the squats. The PJs were much looser. Take that Negaduck!

This is awesome.

[Librarian of Doom]

Squatting in Marvel PJ pants = +1,000,000 NerdAwesome Points

[Epsilonx2]

Oh... I'm sitting in my cubicle giggling like a madwoman. Excellent work finishing out those nefarious squats!

[DaemonCorax]

 

155 is where I start to feel more effort to keep good form, so it seemed like a new good starting place. I should get another chance to do it this weekend and get re-evaluated.

 

This is me too.  I've actually found that if I'm trying to go for broke, I'll do way more lifts at 135, where I know my form is good, and then go heavy.  IF you're trying to PR, tiring yourself out in the middle-hard weights may make it harder to lift big at the end.  So basically, if I'm not trying to PR, I'll spend time at 155, but if I am I'll do more sets of 135.

 

Also, the PJs sound awesome.

 

Today is squat day for me.  I'm opposite of you - I squat less than I dealift.  Gotta get that form better.

[drunkensnake]

I might be wrong, but I think you are supposed to squat less than you dead, but I could be wrong

[sylph]

I might be wrong, but I think you are supposed to squat less than you dead, but I could be wrong

Generally, yes. With appropriate training and without any imbalances or other pathology, most people will deadlift more than they squat.

[QuirkyDM]

Generally, yes. With appropriate training and without any imbalances or other pathology, most people will deadlift more than they squat.

Just call me Mr. Pathology. (usually followed by "-ical liar", so this is a nice change) On the road to fixing that ...

[sylph]

Just call me Mr. Pathology. (usually followed by "-ical liar", so this is a nice change) On the road to fixing that ...

Eh, you're just untrained in deadlifts. Not the same thing.

 

Though I saw your form check video. You have the capability to lift a lot more than the weight you demonstrated there.

[DaemonCorax]

The reason you squat more than you deadlift is because you're working on form, right?  This makes total sense.

 

I looked at your form check, and as some other folks said, it looks basically right, but the weight is light enough for your strength that it's a little hard to tell.  I would say as the weight gets heavier don't lower your upper body.  The "read the tshirt" folks have it right.  How tall are you?  I'm only 5'7", so getting under the bar isn't too hard - my legs aren't long enough to get in the way!

 

To get more power, as you go heavier, think about getting UNDER the bar with your rear end.  Another friend of mine says to lift like you're pushing the floor down.  This really takes your upper body out of the lift.  You need to keep your upper body steady, but the bulk of the power comes from your lower body.  Thinking about it this way, you will keep your lower back from curving.  It's the glutes that pack the punch.

 

Finally, I can't tell from the video where your feet are relative to the bar.  I start with the bar over the balls of my feet.  Then during the lift, it the bar swings closer , that's ok.  There's a reason a lot of deadlifters wear knee socks.   Also as you go heavier, make sure your stance isn't too narrow.  Figure out what angle makes your knee and hips most stable with a little experimentation at moderate weight.

 

Good luck.

[QuirkyDM]

Eh, you're just untrained in deadlifts. Not the same thing.

 

Though I saw your form check video. You have the capability to lift a lot more than the weight you demonstrated there.

That's sort of been my secret hope all along- I figure out how to do it right and then start throwing around big weights. But I will be patient ...

 

 

The reason you squat more than you deadlift is because you're working on form, right?  This makes total sense.

 

I looked at your form check, and as some other folks said, it looks basically right, but the weight is light enough for your strength that it's a little hard to tell.  I would say as the weight gets heavier don't lower your upper body.  The "read the tshirt" folks have it right.  How tall are you?  I'm only 5'7", so getting under the bar isn't too hard - my legs aren't long enough to get in the way!

 

To get more power, as you go heavier, think about getting UNDER the bar with your rear end.  Another friend of mine says to lift like you're pushing the floor down.  This really takes your upper body out of the lift.  You need to keep your upper body steady, but the bulk of the power comes from your lower body.  Thinking about it this way, you will keep your lower back from curving.  It's the glutes that pack the punch.

 

Finally, I can't tell from the video where your feet are relative to the bar.  I start with the bar over the balls of my feet.  Then during the lift, it the bar swings closer , that's ok.  There's a reason a lot of deadlifters wear knee socks.   Also as you go heavier, make sure your stance isn't too narrow.  Figure out what angle makes your knee and hips most stable with a little experimentation at moderate weight.

 

Good luck.

More advice. Yay!

 

I'm 5'7" as well- I'm a short, little guy. I've tried the pushing the floor down mentality, but it makes me think of lifting my body instead of pushing and I end up hunching my shoulders at the top of the lift. I like the thought of getting under the bar with the rear end. I can visualize that. I'll add it to my mental list next time.

 

I wasn't sure if a side or front video was better for deadlift, so I went side. I am keeping my feet fairly far back. Not quite the balls, but at least mid foot. My stance used to be a lot wider, so I've brought it in to just less than shoulder width. It's something I'll keep experimenting with going forward. Thanks!

[drunkensnake]

the deadlift is daunting, not because it's technically hard or complex or anything, but because you're lifting so much weight it's easy to hurt yourself if you're doing it wrong, I'd say slowly raise the weight up so you can lock your form in under heavy loads, just my advice, it's what I'm doing, but I am no expert so it's just an opinion lol

[QuirkyDM]

I am the terror that flaps in the night,

I am the "friend" who eats 3 large pizzas and loses 5 pounds,

I am Darkwing Quirky!

 

2.5 week status report. What? You don't do status reports at 2.5 week intervals? Trust me, all the cool kids are going to be doing it. It's totally a thing.

 

Food is going well, tracking is going well, but the weight is not coming around. I gained a pound in week 1 and now I'm stabilizing. The same thing happened last challenge. At the time, I thought it was from overtraining. This time, I don't have that excuse. So upping daily calorie count to 3050.

 

This week I moved on to Rebel Strength Guide, Barbell Training Rank 2! Yay! I'm happy to start rows and bench press again. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw my row weight hasn't gone down at all since I stopped doing them in December. Pull ups are working those back muscles!

The only difference is I'm substituting Power Clean with Deadlift while I still work on that. I'll do some empty bar power cleans over the next few weeks to work on form in the meantime.

 

Trying for splits is painful. But I think my muscles are getting the clue. In the seated groin stretch, it feels like the muscles are ready to just give up and let me do what I want. On Friday, I'm going to take them up on that offer and see what happens. But my legs get a crazy workout from this. They were the most worked part of my body on arms day! In the meantime, here's where I'm at:

 

 

I've been quiet on this front, but it's been busy. Credit line paid off- I now officially own the stone work we had put in our yard this summer. Yay!

The basement isn't done, but I've hung up 3 shelves, and moved the following up or down a flight of stairs: a couch, two TV stands, a dresser, two 27" CRT TVs, (yes we still have those in our house- and they are brutally heavy) and a treadmill. The basement has a few boxes of goods left to send out or repair and a trip to the dump to finish it up. Now it's time for taxes.

The best part about this challenge has been getting into a routine of the entire family working together every Saturday. It's good for the kids to be taking on more work and after the basement, I can see lots of opportunities for us to improve our house and yard.

 

Last, but not least, today I did 5x5 at 165 lbs deadlift. Which is goal complete! So I need to obviously push this a lot farther. Which is going to be fun on its own. Because I am just getting the form figured out and increasing the weights, it looks like I'll be able to get some linear gains for a little while at least. It'll be fun to see where I end up by the end of the challenge.

[tenaciousglee]

Nice job! Best Week 2.5 report I've ever read.