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[Anton Sugar]

no

edit...well maybe, with noob gains, but not really.

Yes, it absolutely is. That's an average amount for noob gains--even modest, depending on the diet.

 

[Chichikov]

You're trying to put muscle mass on a frame that's been doing LSD cardio training for an extended peroid of time, while continuing to do LSD training.

No, for you, 15 miles isn't a lot. However, LDS runners, while tone and muscular, have to claw for every pound of muscle mass they get. You already are built lean. Running is going to keep you lean.

That's such a bodybuilder's myth (or generally "people who don't like to run myth").
I run more than him and I can put on muscle just fine.
Running ain't gonna eat your muscle tissue.

The only real concern is over-training.

Also, how do you know he runs LDS?

p.s.
Yeah, I am aware of muscle catabolism.
If you're eating right, this is not something 99% of the population have to worry about.

 

[Fleet_of_Foot]

Yes, it absolutely is. That's an average amount for noob gains--even modest, depending on the diet.

It's just hard to accept the scale going up like that. I was the fat kid in high school. But I lost 55 pounds and I've kept it off for 10 years now. So this is a psychological thing for me.

I am enjoying the lifting, though. I am going to keep at it.

 

[borghe]

it seems absolutely bizzare to me that opening your spine is bending back and closing it is leaning forward. but yes, that's the main problem with situps is that most have a tendency to round the spine coming out, and the less time your spine spends rounded the better.

I don't necessarily agree that targeted ab work is useless, with the understanding that I'm talking up to bodyweight. it certainly gives a tremendous assistance to your core not to mention a strong barrier between the world and your organs. but yeah, doing leg lifts with like 10-20lb weights and you'll start to see diminishing returns quickly.. but I also feel the same way about my legs. not much general purpose to me being able to squat 300lb. I am much more interested in being able to hit a 48" vertical leap (someday... heh, although my daughter just hit it on a strength station in gymnastics)

That's such a bodybuilder's myth (or generally "people who don't like to run myth").
I run more than him and I can put on muscle just fine.
Running ain't gonna eat your muscle tissue.

The only real concern is over-training.

Also, how do you know he runs LDS?

p.s.
Yeah, I am aware of muscle catabolism.
If you're eating right, this is not something 99% of the population have to worry about.

I'm sorry, but you're wrong. Running isn't going to eat muscle tissue, but it's absolutely going to affect how your body puts on muscle. the big point here is that you can't do anywhere near long distance running regularly and add muscle. your body will just refuse to do it as the entire point of running is leaner muscle, not more muscle. actually I stand corrected. There WILL be a point where your body will cannibalize your muscle if you are a serious long distance runner, but for the most part runners can get their arms and legs pretty lean.

read Pace.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0979470390/?tag=neogaf0e-20

it's everything that is wrong with long distance running for exercise. the calories you burn are nothing next to the harm in the way you are shaping your body. if you enjoy the occasional run there's nothing wrong with it, but in regards to fitness it's probably among the single worst ways to get healthy. This isn't the 60s or 70s... We know much better now how the human body works, and running long distances goes against just about everything in the way our body was intended to work.

 

[Veezy]

That's such a bodybuilder's myth (or generally "people who don't like to run myth").
I run more than him and I can put on muscle just fine.
Running ain't gonna eat your muscle tissue.

The only real concern is over-training.

Also, how do you know he runs LDS?

p.s.
Yeah, I am aware of muscle catabolism.
If you're eating right, this is not something 99% of the population have to worry about.

Well, he did say he ran 30-35 miles a week. That's approx 5 miles a day, so if it's ran quickly it's not LSD. EDIT: I have no idea, so I resend that comment.

Let me clarify:

I agree with you. I run, and I hate it, but when I'm eating right I can gain muscle mass just fine. Some of the most muscular people in sports are endurance bikers (dem legs) and sprinters (dem everything).

If he's a lean guy, which his weight would suggest, and is eating like a lean guy, which his gains would suggest, and he's mentally not trying to gain too much weight, which he stated he's not trying to do, then it's not that he's not going to be able to put on muscle.

It's that he's probably not eating enough to be able to expend the extra calories that could be used to gain mass faster. I hope I'm making sense. Then again, this is colored from my perspective of doing hill sprints versus running a few miles straight.

 

[Chichikov]

I agree with you. I run, and I hate it, but when I'm eating right I can gain muscle mass just fine. Some of the most muscular people in sports are endurance bikers (dem legs) and sprinters (dem everything).

If he's a lean guy, which his weight would suggest, and is eating like a lean guy, which his gains would suggest, and he's mentally not trying to gain too much weight, which he stated he's not trying to do, then it's not that he's not going to be able to put on muscle.

It's that he's probably not eating enough to be able to expend the extra calories that could be used to gain mass faster. I hope I'm making sense. Then again, this is colored from my perspective of doing hill sprints versus running a few miles straight.

Good point.
If you want to run, lift and gain weight at the same time, you need to eat a lot.

 

[Anton Sugar]

It's just hard to accept the scale going up like that. I was the fat kid in high school. But I lost 55 pounds and I've kept it off for 10 years now. So this is a psychological thing for me.

I am enjoying the lifting, though. I am going to keep at it.

I agree 100% with Chichikov. Forget about the scale or specific pounds, it's one of the worst ways to track progress. How do you FEEL? How do you look? If your goal is to, well, build muscle, remember that muscle weighs more than fat and you WILL gain weight. Be happy that you are, it's a PITA for others, haha.

 

[borghe]

Good point.
If you want to run, lift and gain weight at the same time, you need to eat a lot.

if you're doing actual long distance running, eating still won't do it. your body will condition itself for the running. if it didn't, eventually you would come down with problems.

5 miles is getting close to what might be considered long distance. if he was hitting a 6 minute mile it wouldn't be too bad. but if he was at especially an 8 or 9 minute mile, that would definitely be considered long distance. basically I've always been told that 12-20 minutes is a good target for intervals (based on your average HR) so 30 minutes at a decent HR (60-70%) should be fine. but 40-60 minutes at a constant elevated HR? No.. read Pace.

edit - and there is ALWAYS an exception to the rule.. but having raced a number of 10K and a couple half marathons and a marathon... you might see a couple guys there who are cut to shit.. everyone else looks like an elite long distance runner... what's really funny is you see the guys who appear to be in good shape, and start out strong and then about halfway through drop back significantly and are about to die by the end.

so yeah, if you are one of the very very few who can have solid lean muscle AND do long distance running, more power to you I suppose (though you still should read Pace). but for most of us, our body WILL sacrifice fitness and health to condition itself to be able to run for 60+ minutes... and unless that's actually your goal, there's probably a better way to go about things.

 

[Fleet_of_Foot]

Ok so I'm learning a lot here. I have always run at a pretty slow pace. The 8-9 minute mile you suggested. So in the past, I'd run 60-70 minutes 5 times a week, and it seems I just can't do that anymore and still expect to lift with any real results.

 

[Veezy]

Good point.
If you want to run, lift and gain weight at the same time, you need to eat a lot.

Exactly. It's not only that, it's the type of running you're doing.

My friend, who competed in the Rev 3 Triathalon here in Knoxville, eats 8 to 10k calories a day. A lot of that is carbs. He also bikes/runs/swims a god awful amount, per day. He used to be a 200+lbs bodybuilder and now hes around 140.

Training/Nutrition is going to dictate gains and body appearance. So, if he's happy how he looks, I would worry too much about what the number on the scale says because what he's doing is working.

 

[MrOogieBoogie]

Any NYC fitness GAF residents know the legalities of working out (i.e. pull-ups, chin-ups, etc.) on scaffolding and traffic lights?

 

[Prologue]

you are lifting and not trying to gain weight

you are doing it wrong

I've been on a diet and going to the gym. Was around 164 (I'm 5'6) mid june and i'm 152 now. First time in the gym too. Can I cut and gain muscle or it just doesn't work that way?

 

[cuevas. PhD.]

you are lifting and not trying to gain weight

you are doing it wrong

Because everyone has the same goals...

 

[FallingEdge]

I've been on a diet and going to the gym. Was around 164 (I'm 5'6) mid june and i'm 152 now. First time in the gym too. Can I cut and gain muscle or it just doesn't work that way?

It will work out for the first few months aka noob gains. After that, it is better to focus on either gaining muscle or cutting.

 

[-viper-]

My right wrists hurts when curling dumbbells 20kg a pair. What should I do? Doesn't help I have skinny wrists too.

Also... I have some cubed boneless chicken. I'm not a good chef. What tasty meal can I make?

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

Fuck me, I forgot I sweat a lot when I run. Nipple chaffing, NOOOOOOOO!

Time to break out the Vaseline.

 

[Chichikov]

My right wrists hurts when curling dumbbells 20kg a pair. What should I do? Doesn't help I have skinny wrists too.

If you only recently started to train, it's probably just a wrist flexibility and strength issue.
Those things tend to resolve themselves, though you can throw in some wrist exercise to expedite the process.

If you've been training for a while then it might an injury, which I obviously cannot diagnose over the internet.

Also... I have some cubed boneless chicken. I'm not a good chef. What tasty meal can I make?

Cubed boneless chicken?
What is that?

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

If you only recently started to train, it's probably just a wrist flexibility and strength issue.
Those things tend to resolve themselves, though you can throw in some wrist exercise to expedite the process.

If you've been training for a while then it might an injury, which I obviously cannot diagnose over the internet.

Cubed boneless chicken?
What is that?

Sounds like processed meat.

 

[-viper-]

Its boneless chicken, but I cut it in cubes. Anyways, I decided to make tortilla wraps since no one gave any suggestions.

 

[Prologue]

My right wrists hurts when curling dumbbells 20kg a pair. What should I do? Doesn't help I have skinny wrists too.

Also... I have some cubed boneless chicken. I'm not a good chef. What tasty meal can I make?

I bought a foreman grill.

 

[snoopen]

Sounds like processed meat.

It's just chunks of chicken pre cut, we have it here, can buy sliced or cubed chicken

 

[FallingEdge]

Foreman Grill is the best thing for your diet. So easy to make grilled chicken or burgers or fish. These days I also bake a lot of my chicken.

 

[TheFatOne]

So gaf are there any other alternatives to power cleans? I don't feel comfortable doing them at all. Also I need to join a proper gym. I'm going to the local YMCA because it's close, but they don't have enough equipment.

 

[Veezy]

So gaf are there any other alternatives to power cleans? I don't feel comfortable doing them at all. Also I need to join a proper gym. I'm going to the local YMCA because it's close, but they don't have enough equipment.

Not really good ones...

You can do balistic deadlifts and hang power cleans. Sumo Deadlift Highpulls, light ones, work those same areas. That's all I can think of.

 

[-viper-]

Foreman Grill is the best thing for your diet. So easy to make grilled chicken or burgers or fish. These days I also bake a lot of my chicken.

What do you eat the chicken with?

 

[GiJoccin]

Any NYC fitness GAF residents know the legalities of working out (i.e. pull-ups, chin-ups, etc.) on scaffolding and traffic lights?

i seriously doubt you'll be able to reach a traffic light to do pullups... scaffolding on the other hand is probably fine.

is there a park near you? lots of parks have chin up bars.

 

[abuC]

i seriously doubt you'll be able to reach a traffic light to do pullups... scaffolding on the other hand is probably fine.

is there a park near you? lots of parks have chin up bars.

He means the walk/dont walk traffic lights, people do pullups on them all the time.

 

[Chichikov]

if you're doing actual long distance running, eating still won't do it. your body will condition itself for the running. if it didn't, eventually you would come down with problems.

5 miles is getting close to what might be considered long distance. if he was hitting a 6 minute mile it wouldn't be too bad. but if he was at especially an 8 or 9 minute mile, that would definitely be considered long distance. basically I've always been told that 12-20 minutes is a good target for intervals (based on your average HR) so 30 minutes at a decent HR (60-70%) should be fine. but 40-60 minutes at a constant elevated HR? No.. read Pace.

edit - and there is ALWAYS an exception to the rule.. but having raced a number of 10K and a couple half marathons and a marathon... you might see a couple guys there who are cut to shit.. everyone else looks like an elite long distance runner... what's really funny is you see the guys who appear to be in good shape, and start out strong and then about halfway through drop back significantly and are about to die by the end.

so yeah, if you are one of the very very few who can have solid lean muscle AND do long distance running, more power to you I suppose (though you still should read Pace). but for most of us, our body WILL sacrifice fitness and health to condition itself to be able to run for 60+ minutes... and unless that's actually your goal, there's probably a better way to go about things.

I ran a marathon under 3:30 and squatted twice my weight the same year.
It's possible.
Most people don't want to apply themselves to both.

But really, we're not talking about those levels here.
Running 15 miles a weak is not going to put a dent in a novice lifter's weight gains, and it's a great way to improve your cardiovascular fitness.

I feel way too many people these days completely abandon running the moment they get under a bar.
And I do not agree with that philosophy.
Cardio-vascular fitness is a huge part of being fit, and running is one of the best ways to improve it.

Most people, would benefit greatly from a balanced approach.

 

[reilo]

I ran a marathon under 3:30 and squatted twice my weight the same year.
It's possible.
Most people don't want to apply themselves to both.

But really, we're not talking about those levels here.
Running 15 miles a weak is not going to put a dent in a novice lifter's weight gains, and it's a great way to improve your cardiovascular fitness.

I feel way too many people these days completely abandon running the moment they get under a bar.
And I do not agree with that philosophy.
Cardio-vascular fitness is a huge part of being fit, and running is one of the best ways to improve it.

Most people, would benefit greatly from a balanced approach.

I'm actually experiencing that very same thing right now and completely agree. I cut out all cardio (including basketball) once I started getting under the bar again, and I paid the price for it last week when I tried to run 3 sets of 400m.... which is nothing. I was gassed. My legs were fine, my body felt great, but I had zero breath. I felt like I had the flu and tried to do something extraneous.

Hence why I have now incorporated some cardio int my routine to keep my lungs active. You can lift as heavy as you want, but the moment you need to use your entire body to sprint from point a to point b, you'll be done because your lungs cannot keep up.

 

[cuevas. PhD.]

Once I incorporated cardio and the p90x Plyometrics video into my routine I have felt much better.

 

[Chichikov]

Oh, and I'm Jewish.
So we can drop the whole genetically elite athlete angle here.

It can be done, if you're willing to train for it.

How many people do you know who built a program dedicated for both and failed?

 

[cuevas. PhD.]

Oh, and I'm Jewish.
So we can drop the whole genetically elite athlete angle here.

Woah, what? No one here has said anything about race...

 

[Chichikov]

Woah, what? No one here has said anything about race...

It was in response to the "well some people can do it but are just physical freaks" position.

It came out a bit clumsy, yeah.

My point is, every healthy person can do what I did.
Really, there's nothing special, it's not even that physically excruciating.
All you need is a bit of discipline.

 

[Laughlin]

So I might get some hate for this...but has anyone tried the Situation's workout DVD? I just did it. Seems legit. I was exhausted by the end of it.

 

[cuevas. PhD.]

It was in response to the "well some people can do it but are just physical freaks" position.

It came out a bit clumsy, yeah.

My point is, every healthy person can do what I did.
Really, there's nothing special, it's not even that physically excruciating.
All you need is a bit of discipline.

I think it's a bit silly to think everyone is created equal. Sure maybe to achieve what you did could be possible for most but even healthy people with no physical conditions have their limits.

 

[ipukespiders]

Foreman Grill is the best thing for your diet. So easy to make grilled chicken or burgers or fish. These days I also bake a lot of my chicken.

Get a cast iron frying pan. Nothing better.

You can even do curls with it or take out a burglar with one good swing.

 

[Chichikov]

I think it's a bit silly to think everyone is created equal. Sure maybe to achieve what you did could be possible for most but even healthy people with no physical conditions have their limits.

Okay, I'm getting too cute with my articulation here, let me be clear at what I'm trying to say.

In my opinion, the vast majority of healthy people can benefit from a training routine that combine both strength and cardio elements, and running, unless done in volumes much higher that what I imagine the average GAFer does, will not significantly interfere with your strength gains.

If anything it's the other way around, gaining weight make running harder, as those massive pecs are little more than dead weight when you run.

Get a cast iron frying pan. Nothing better.

This man speaks the truth.
It also a good way to add iron to your diet.
Just make sure you remove that disgusting pre-coating crap they put on them in this country.

You can even do curls with it or take out a burglar with one good swing.

I knew a guy back home who used to play paddle ball with a skillet as part of his routine.
But he was not quite right in the head.

 

[parrotbeak]

I think it's because people are inspired by elite athletes when they train and it's easy to forget that if you were anywhere near that level, you'd probably be making money. You don't need to think in terms of limitations like someone who spends all their time specializing to be the best at a particular sport. You can be pretty good in several things, or pretty good in one thing and nothing else, but odds are you won't ever be elite in anything.

People blame genetics or lack of opportunity (or too much opportunity in things like education), but why think in negative terms? I just want to be as good as I can be given my particular situation. I've always mixed cardio and strength training.

You can even do curls with it or take out a burglar with one good swing.

I hate when people do curls in the kitchen when I'm waiting to cook.

 

[The Gaming Gamer]

Quick question, I've been doing the StrongLifts 5x5 workout for over a year with decent results, but I want to focus on something other than strength. I want to try a body building or cutting routine but I don't know if I should change my weight lifting routine. I'm at my ideal weight and gains plateaued because I don't want to get any bigger, I just want to maintain my strength and focus on the more superficial aspects.

I have been experimenting with working only one muscle group a day but still doing compound exercises twice a week and increasing my reps (3 x 16-20), will I get better results with this workout?

 

[Sarye]

Quick question, I've been doing the StrongLifts 5x5 workout for over a year with decent results, but I want to focus on something other than strength. I want to try a body building or cutting routine but I don't know if I should change my weight lifting routine. I'm at my ideal weight and gains plateaued because I don't want to get any bigger, I just want to maintain my strength and focus on the more superficial aspects.

I have been experimenting with working only one muscle group a day but still doing compound exercises twice a week and increasing my reps (3 x 16-20), will I get better results with this workout?

IMO the best way to cut is to continue doing your heavy lifting routine and cut the calories. This is to maintain your strength while losing weight. I would lower the calories to about 300 below maintenance.

I think you're wasting your time doing reps in such high numbers.

 

[-viper-]

It was in response to the "well some people can do it but are just physical freaks" position.

It came out a bit clumsy, yeah.

My point is, every healthy person can do what I did.
Really, there's nothing special, it's not even that physically excruciating.
All you need is a bit of discipline.

I'm trying to gain muscle and I've never really ever done cardio. My cardiovascular fitness is pretty shit but I also have asthma. Would doing cardio hamper my gains?

 

[Veezy]

Quick question, I've been doing the StrongLifts 5x5 workout for over a year with decent results, but I want to focus on something other than strength. I want to try a body building or cutting routine but I don't know if I should change my weight lifting routine. I'm at my ideal weight and gains plateaued because I don't want to get any bigger, I just want to maintain my strength and focus on the more superficial aspects.

I have been experimenting with working only one muscle group a day but still doing compound exercises twice a week and increasing my reps (3 x 16-20), will I get better results with this workout?

Stronglifts 5x5 is a poor program looking at it from either the angle of "best beginner working out program" or "best aesthetic program." There's just, flat out, too much volume. Seventy-five squats, per week, when you're adding an additional 5lbs on the bar, that's 125#s volume per day, is a lot.

What you're switching to will work, but it's still a lot of actual volume. Bodybuilders, in my experience, aim for 10-15 reps. If the hit 15, they go heavier. Well, except for your freaks who push 200lb dumbbell bench for 20.

If you're looking to just do some compound exercise and mostly accessory exercises, 5/3/1 will work. You're big lifts will go up substantially less, but you'll have fun doing hack squats, skull crushers, good mornings, shrugs, etc. You'll notice a difference in your appearance in a few months, maybe sooner, if you focus on your nutrition.

Or, you could cut back the volume and switch to a program like Grayskull LP. Then, if you're up for it after your lifts, do some curls or some incline bench. It's not gonna kill you. I strongly recommend just buying one of those door frame pull up bars and just doing some push ups and pull ups throughout the day. Maybe throw in some fasted walking in the morning if you're looking to cut more calories.

Also, chemical enhancers work pretty good. This was a joke.

 

[Jason's Ultimatum]

I add olive oil, paprika, basil leaves, and oregano to my chicken. Cut em up and throw in a bowl of brown rice I make.

 

[borghe]

I ran a marathon under 3:30 and squatted twice my weight the same year.
It's possible.
Most people don't want to apply themselves to both.

But really, we're not talking about those levels here.
Running 15 miles a weak is not going to put a dent in a novice lifter's weight gains, and it's a great way to improve your cardiovascular fitness.

I feel way too many people these days completely abandon running the moment they get under a bar.
And I do not agree with that philosophy.
Cardio-vascular fitness is a huge part of being fit, and running is one of the best ways to improve it.

Most people, would benefit greatly from a balanced approach.

it's interesting that you said same year, but not same time. can I ask how far apart those were?

much like crossfit (or an conjugate training), triathalon, body building, etc... you are correct, it's about your goals. I removed 60lbs of weight (of which about 40lbs was pure fat), got up to a LIFETIME PR of every regular lift (I mention lifetime because I lifted weights for a couple of years back in the mid-90s), AND ran a number of races including the half marathons and marathon.. all in around a year. So I agree with you, it CAN be done. And I didn't intend to call you a freak of nature. In my case though, I gave up about a month of crossfit completely (second month of build up), as well as probably awful gains for another month (first month of build up) to do it. The human body will definitely adapt.

My point is that running long distances regularly along with lifting weights is REALLY bad for someone who is interested in focusing on one (either one to be honest with you). If it's your intent to be a jack of trades of sorts, go for it I suppose. But your body will make sacrifices to do so, and most of those sacrifices will be on the weight lifting side.

as for those talking about cardio vascular health.. again PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE read Pace. long distance running DECREASES cardio vascular health. How you might ask? Because it (and this is going to blow your mind) makes your cardio vascular system more efficient! Go figure, but this is true. A more efficient cardio vascular system is NOT a healthier one. It shrinks heart and lung capacity tremendously. Most people think because their heart rate has gone down that they're healthier.. however that is only half of the story. your lungs and heart shrink, your blood pressure goes up, and your body transfers oxygen to your cells with incredible efficiency to maintain that heart rate for 60-240 minutes. this is NOT cardio vascular health. this is specifically conditioning your body to run long distance. cardio health comes from what we've known now for about 15 years.. intervals. alternating between spiking your HR and resting your HR. that is what reduces your heart rate, but at the same time increases lunch and heart capacity and reduces blood pressure.

now I'm not trying to berate any of you long distance runners who enjoy it. I still encourage you to read Pace, as there are some thoughts on long term effects of being a long time long distance runner.. but if you enjoy it and take it in moderation, have fun!! the same as if you enjoy biking for long distances, swimming, rock climbing, or any other active activity that you enjoy! but if your goal is in fact cardiovascular health and not the joy of running... long distance running is in fact resulting in the exact opposite of what you're looking for. it's not improving your cardiovascular health.. it's conditioning your cardiovascular system to be able to work as efficiently as possible to support you for your long distance runs. you'll see this where typically if you take a long distance runner who can keep their heart rate at 60% for a marathon, and stick them in a soccer game or such with lots of sprinting, and they'll be toast by the end of the first half.. even though they can run for 180 minutes at 60% HR, they will be utterly winded and beat after only 45 minutes of occasional sprints.

 

[borghe]

as for cutting... you can't really gain muscle and cut. cutting requires a caloric deficit. you simply need to burn fat and maintaining or bulking makes that near impossible. and as long as your body is "starving" it will limit new cell growth as a defensive mechanism.

however cutting should really not be even a medium term thing. Cutting usually you're looking at dropping 4-5% of body fat at most. if your goal is more than that, then you really (IMHO) shouldn't be looking at a cutting routine/system but an actual weight loss goal. again though, this second paragraph is just my belief. too many guys who want to look ripped think "I just have a bit of fat to lose" and don't realize that they're actually around 18-22% body fat and are going to have to lose around 20-25lbs to get that look they're going for.

 

[X-Frame]

So I might get some hate for this...but has anyone tried the Situation's workout DVD? I just did it. Seems legit. I was exhausted by the end of it.

He has a workout DVD? I knew he had his own liquor with protein in it lol.

If it's a muscle or strength building DVD you're talking about, being exhausted afterwards is not a condition of either. I'm assuming it's just a full-body circuit DVD just to get people sweating and sore.

I'm judging based on his character alone, but I'm pretty confident that there's way better options for training than anything by him.

 

[MjFrancis]

My vacation for the first part of July has left me weaker and softer after all. I waited the full week to come to terms with it, rather than condemning myself the first day I didn't make rep goals in the gym. Even my deadlift suffered, though considerably less than everything else. That's all the bitching I'll do about it, fortunately. I'm just going to pick myself back up and keep kicking as much ass as I can.

 

[parrotbeak]

My vacation for the first part of July has left me weaker and softer after all. I waited the full week to come to terms with it, rather than condemning myself the first day I didn't make rep goals in the gym. Even my deadlift suffered, though considerably less than everything else. That's all the bitching I'll do about it, fortunately. I'm just going to pick myself back up and keep kicking as much ass as I can.

Haha, likewise, I'm trying to ease back into things. When I first got back to the gym after being sick, I thought I would just pick up where I left off the few times I'd lifted during June, which was already less than what I was doing in May. Went fine but wow are my legs sore. Hamstrings and hip flexors especially. I think this will be the second weekend in a row where I don't do anything cuz I don't want to move.

 

[reilo]

It's pretty motivating to be working out while Nate Quarry and another UFC fighter (forgot his name) are going at it ten feet from you at the same gym. Somehow you don't complain as much.

 

[FallingEdge]

What do you eat the chicken with?

Salad, eggs, potatoes, rice, noodles, or sometimes, I just eat the chicken with more chicken.