Snow Days

     I had said that I wanted to scale back a little this week because of some general fatigue issues. Welp, Mother Nature heard and delivered. The Blizzard of '26 threw a monkey wrench into everyone's plans this week! We, along with upwards of 60% of our town, lost power on Monday morning. We just got it back last night at 11:59pm. We have a generator, so we had heat and some appliances, but no hot water. It's been a hell of a week. Our road wasn't even cleared until last night as well. Em has had the entire week off and I said screw it, I'm taking my sick time. I wasn't trying to get my car stuck somewhere along the way to work.

     The gym has been closed and I'm not even sure if they'll be open tomorrow. There's just so much snow and nowhere to put it. I didn't measure but I know we got at least 30". So what has our activity been? SHOVELING! We shoveled the cars out, and the walkway. Then we shoveled them again. A path to the chicken coop was shoveled and then when all was said and done, I had to shovel out to the garden to get to the back of the coop. After our house was cleared as much as possible, we made our way to my Mom's house. Frank took to snow-blowing the driveway and deck and Em & I tackled the snow on the roof with the roof rake.

     It's actually been kind of nice. All of us home, taking care of our own. I had planned on taking today to go do some sledding with Em, but she went to her dad's a day early. The snow will still be here when she gets back! You would think that not going to the gym would have resulted in me gaining some weight. After all, I also partook of some pizza and onion rings. If you thought that though, you'd be wrong. I'm actually down about 3lbs! You know why? because I'm not sitting on my ass all day behind a desk. I've been spending my time keeping busy - some things were very physical, like the dang roof rake and shoveling, but some things were just small things like cleaning, or walking outside. 

     Now, as far as getting back to the gym, I'll be easing back in next week, keeping things on the lighter side to make sure all my joints are up for it. I've decided I'm no longer doing lateral raises. There are other things I can do to keep my shoulders strong that won't cause me issue. I don't know why I'm so fixated on doing that one particular movement. 

     I guess that's all for now. Here's to slowing down, staying busy and making progress. 

Time For A Reset

     The past two days have not been good. Read on to stay current on my misery.

••••••••••

Thursday 2/19

SEATED DB O.H.

25lb x10

25lb x8

20lb x10

30lb x3

CHEST SUPPORTED REAR FLY / FRONT RAISE:

(15lb x10 / x10) 2x

STANDING O.H. PRESS:

Bar x15

Bar x7 (behind the head)

67lb x5

CABLE ROTATOR CUFF PULLS:

5lb x10 ea. side

(5lb x5 ea. side) 3x

CABLE LAT RAISE:

(5lb x10 ea. side) 3x

CABLE OVERHEAD PULLBACK:

20lb x8

(20lb x6) 2x

ISOLATERAL O.H. PRESS:

Empty x15

DB CURLS:

GLADIATOR:

(20lb x10 ea. side) 3x

ZOTTMAN:

20lb x10

HAMMER:

20lb x10

FRIDAY 2/20

BACK SQUATS:

95lb x5 - Pain in left knee

KB GOBLET SQUATS:

(35lb x10) 3x

(45lb x10) 3x

KB SPLIT SQUATS:

SINGLE KB:

(35lb x5 ea. side) 3x

DOUBLE KB:

(25lb x5 ea. side) 2x

45° LEG PRESS:

(190lb x10) 3x

LEG EXTENSIONS:

SINGLE LEG:

(40lb x10 ea. side) 3x

LAYING HAMSTRING CURL:

(50lb x15) 3x

SEATED LEG PRESS:

40lb x10 ea. leg / 40lb x10 double / 40lb x20 calf raises

60lb x8 ea. leg / 60lb x8 double / 60lb x20 calf raises

80lb x6 ea. leg / 80lb x10 double / 80lb x12 calf raises

••••••••••

     I don't know what's going on. My shoulder is giving me trouble. There's no pain, but there's an uncomfortable clicking/popping thing. It seems to bother me most on lateral raises. Anything over about 12lbs just doesn't work very well. I found some stretches that are supposed to help and I'll be implementing those. I don't really have a name for those pullback things. If you want to watch the video showing how they're done, you can click here. I had no strength on anything and I was truly pissed off.

     Today was not much better. There was immediate pain on the light squats so I went over and just fucked around with the kettlebells. Again, with everything that I did today, there was just no "oompf". 

     I think I'm going to take some time to go very light and very easy. I feel tired and rundown and I don't want to hurt myself. I'm not happy, but it is what it is. I don't really have too much else to say.

Tired Brain

     Today is a much needed rest day, but yesterday was anything but. Keep reading to see what got done on last night's bench session.

••••••••••

BENCH:

95lb x10

115lb x10

(135lb x3) 5x

STATIC HOLDS:

155lb x37 seconds

175lb x40 seconds

195lb x20 seconds

JM PRESS:

(65lb x10) 2x

65lb wide x10

INCLINE PRESS:

55lb narrow x12

65lb narrow x10

85lb mid x5

DECLINE PRESS:

95lb x10

(115lb x3) 2x

SEATED CABLE FLY:

90lb x10

100lb x6

110lb x5

*All were done with no grip

TRI. CABLE PULLDOWNS:

SINGLE ARM:

15lb x10 ea.

15lb x8 ea.

15lb x10 ea.

DOUBLE ARM:

25lb x10

30lb x10

35lb x10

MACHINE CRUNCHES:

(60lb x20) 3x

••••••••••

     I'm bummed that I didn't make any progress on the benches, but at least I was able to maintain. I decided I would try some heavy holds. Obviously, the times aren't exact, but they'll suffice. It felt good to at least be able to hold that weight over myself without issue. 

     I feel as though I'm getting stronger, I mean, I have to feel that way when the numbers are in black and white, but physically, I still can't see any changes. I gained back 4lbs, so the scale tells me, but that could be water. It's still discouraging to see the needle move in the wrong direction. Sometimes my pants feel looser, sometimes they don't. I know that I'm still carrying too much fat on y body. My goal isn't to be a ripped body builder; it never has been. I just want to look as though I go to the gym and right now, my eyes don't see that. My tax lady asked me if I was lifting weights because she says I look "broader". I took it as a compliment, but I was also wearing my "I'd Rather be Lifting" sweatshirt. My demented brain thinks maybe she was just being polite. 

     And that's the thing isn't it? I'm not sure if or when my brain will allow me to see progress. Years ago, I could see it (mostly). I still could find any number of flaws in my appearance, but on the whole, I saw that I was fit and muscular. Now, all I see is a fat, out of shape old woman that's trying to be something that she's not. Frank always tells me he sees me changing. My brain always tells me that he loves me and is just trying to encourage me. 

     Being in the gym is a release for me. I can go in there and sweat and work and not think about anything else that's going on. All I need to think about is the immediate stressor in front of me. Outside of the gym, I'm stressing about eating too much fat, not eating enough calories, not getting in enough protein, sleep, weight, what to cook for dinner, what to eat 24/7, appearance, and every other friggin thing on earth. My brain is tired.

     Anyhoo, I guess that's enough rambling for tonight. Time for tea and time to try and relax a little.

Happy Presidents Day

      In honor of Presidents day, we went to the gym early to lift the dead. Well, that and I have to go get my taxes done later on. Here's what we accomplished:

••••••••••

DEADLIFTS:

133lb x10

199lb x5

(221lb x4) 2x mixed grip

221lb x5 mixed grip

BB RDL:

(133lb x10) 3x

RACK PULLUPS:

CHEST HEIGHT

x5

x4

x5

*I found a video on a progression to do for eventually doing a full pullup. If you want to check it out, just click this link.

WIDE CABLE ROWS:

85lb x5

70lb x10

55lb x15

LAT PRAYERS:

(35lb x10) 3x

CABLE CHEST PULLS:

35lb x15

40lb x10

45lb x5

CABLE FACE PULLS:

30lb x15

40lb x10

45lb x5

PREACHER CURLS:

*I did some googling to find the approximate weight of the empty (no plates loaded) preacher curl machine. It's somewhere between 12lbs - 15lbs. I'm going with the low end and using 12lbs as my base weight. 

37lb x10

37lb x8

37lb x7

••••••••••

     I threw those preacher curls in just for the hell of it. There was no rhyme or reason to it. I don't really like them. I'd much rather just do a strict curl against the wall or something. The preachers never feel comfortable to me. Anyhoo....

     I'm very pleased with the deads. The only issue I was having is that I was hitting my knees on the way down a few times. I need to be better at keeping my form on the descent. Other than that, they felt good. Next week I know I will get the full 3 sets of five and then I'll bump the weight up a bit. I'm disappointed that I need to use the mixed grip, but that will change over time as well. Today my grip felt weak but I usually try to get at least all the sets up to the 221lb with a standard grip and then at least 2 of the heavy weight. I couldn't get any of the 221lb with standard grip today. 

     I had today off from work because of Presidents day and I have an appointment later this afternoon. We don't typically go to the gym so early in the day and it was friggin packed! Lots of older people there during the day. I definitely prefer going later in the afternoon. 

     I've had lunch but I'm still ravenous. That's how I know I worked. I'm going to go scrounge in the fridge for more food. 

Uncharted Territory

     Friday favorites! Let's get right into it:

••••••••••

BACK SQUATS:

Bar wide x7

*The bar was hitting the safety rails and it was annoying me. That's why I only did 7.

95lb x10

135lb x8

(165lb x2) 2x

(165lb x3) 3x

65lb 1.5 reps x10

85lb 1.5 reps x7

45° LEG PRESS:

(280lb x10) 2x

190lb x10

CALF RAISES:

(190lb x10) 3x

LEG EXTENSIONS:

SINGLE LEG:

50lb x10 ea.

55lb x6 ea.

60lb x5 ea.

SEATED HAMSTRING CURLS:

SINGLE LEG:

50lb x10 ea.

55lb x5 ea.

60lb x5 ea.

DOUBLE LEG:

100lb x10

OUTER THIGH:

SQUAT POSITION:

(80lb x12) 3x

INNER THIGH:

(50lb x10) 3x

••••••••••

     I think it is safe to say that I'm officially in territory that I've not been in before. I mean, obviously, I've gone for one rep maxes that were heavier than this, but I've never been in this weight range for reps. I'm excited to see where I can go. 

     Everything felt good. I was totally exhausted by the time we were done, but no horrible pain. The usual achiness is there in my knees but that should subside by tomorrow.  I've eaten, had my snack, fixed the cable (multiple times) and now it's time for rest. 

No Catchy Title. Just Presses

     I don't have too much to say about tonight. Thursdays are my least favorite day - shoulders. Let's get into it:

••••••••••

O.H. PRESS:

STRICT:

Bar x12

65lb x8

(77lb x6) 3x

PUSH:

97lb x4

(97lb x5) 2x

INVERTED ROWS:

4x3

*I know this is pitiful. There's nowhere to go but up. I'll also note (more for my own reference) that the bar was placed in the fifth slot from the bottom.

DB LATERAL RAISE:

10lb x12

12lb x8

*I started having discomfort in my right shoulder at this point so I stopped.

DB FRONT RAISE:

(12lb x10) 3x

DB REAR FLY:

(12lb x10) 3x

ISOLATERAL SHOULDER PRESS:

(+10lb ea. side x10) 2x Neutral grip

+12.5lb ea. side x5

SEATED REAR CABLE FLY:

(70lb x10) 2x gripless

(80lb x5) 2x

••••••••••

     I'm happy with the progress on my strict presses as well as the push presses. I belt up for the heavier push presses and that seems to help alleviate any discomfort in my back. As for my shoulder, I'm not sure what the issue is. Those side raises cause a pop/grind sensation. I can't say that it's painful, because it really isn't; it's just uncomfortable. I've hurt my shoulder before and remember it took what seemed like forever to heal. I'm probably being overly cautious, but I don't want to go down that road again.

     I already ate so my belly is full. Now I get to relax.

Entry Earned Into The Plate Club

     I am so glad that we have tomorrow off. I'm beat. I got some good stuff done tonight, here it is:

••••••••••

BENCH:

95lb x10

115lb x6

125lb x5

(135lb x3) 5x

65lb wide/mid/narrow x10 ea.

95lb wide/narrow x5 ea.

INCLINE:

(65lb x10) 2x

65lb x9

DECLINE:

95lb x5

(95lb x6) 2x

CABLE FLY:

High / Hanging Knee Raise:

(40lb x10 / x12) 3x

Mid:

(35lb x5) 3x

Low:

30lb x3

30lb x2, 25lb x5

25lb x5

••••••••••

     I didn't have an ounce of anything left in me tonight. I had plenty of good food today, came close to meeting all of my macro goals, but my energy is just nonexistent. All that being said, I've made it into the plate club for my bench! Frank is very happy; he's been waiting for this day for awhile now. I didn't get my full sets of five but I will absolutely take sets of three. I won't lie, some of those reps weren't pretty. In fact, they were all a struggle and I fought for each one. Very proud of my effort tonight on those for certain.

     I wasn't too hungry for dinner. I just ended up having an egg salad sandwich. I'm more tired than anything. A hot shower, an even hotter cup of tea and some mindless TV time is on the docket.