iAmMaximus
Member
I started cutting in May and have a month to go. It's nice to actually feel my abs now lol. Here are a few progress pics:
Week 1:
Currently:
Week 1:
Currently:
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Fitness |OT5| Intermittent Farting, Wrist Curls and Hammer Strength Machine Spotters
- Thread starter MjFrancis
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D
Deleted member 17706
Unconfirmed Member
Glad I went today despite the soreness. I almost stopped being bothered by the pain after a little bit and was able to power through it. Ended up adding 10 lbs to both my squats and deadlifts, which is nice, but I know not to get excited over beginner gains, especially since I may still just be finding my appropriate weight for each exercise.
I also got a chance to experience just how tough overhead presses are (and how weak my shoulders are). I started with just the bar, which was easy enough, so I moved up to 65 lbs total. Finished a set, but my shoulders pretty much gave out on the second set. I had to go down to 55 lbs to do 3 full sets of 5. Oh well, it's only up from here!
I also got a chance to experience just how tough overhead presses are (and how weak my shoulders are). I started with just the bar, which was easy enough, so I moved up to 65 lbs total. Finished a set, but my shoulders pretty much gave out on the second set. I had to go down to 55 lbs to do 3 full sets of 5. Oh well, it's only up from here!
What's wrong with getting excited about it? Positivity and overall good feelings are great for training.
Great discipline! It's obvious you have tremendous willpower.
MrToughPants
Brian Burke punched my mom
Do you mean inverted rows?
Do em with feet up on something and your torso straight.
I used.to do them but stacking plates on your self sucks and I dont own a weightvest.
Please indulge me and forgive my slight arrogance but I have to vent about some recent new members at my gym. Two men in particular who train together are annoying as can be. One is at least 6'3 and 245 lbs and the other is about 6'1 and around 235. They immediately start talking so loud to each other that the entire gym has no choice to listen to them if they have their music off. Typical juicers who do it mostly so they can walk around a gym and be the local big.
Yesterday day I show up and they have completely taken over 3 benches and about 15 feet of real estate. This is where the heavy DBs are and I needed to do flat bench DB. They dropped a bench and I swiped it right away. I was kind of annoyed so I decided I'm going to embarrass them. I don't usually do 150s but I can for about five. They stopped at 130s and they were struggling. Form was awful! After they finished I was ready to hit the 150s so I asked one of them to spot me. I had a lot of adrenalin as you can imagine and actually got seven.
Isnt that mean and childish? Haha
Yesterday day I show up and they have completely taken over 3 benches and about 15 feet of real estate. This is where the heavy DBs are and I needed to do flat bench DB. They dropped a bench and I swiped it right away. I was kind of annoyed so I decided I'm going to embarrass them. I don't usually do 150s but I can for about five. They stopped at 130s and they were struggling. Form was awful! After they finished I was ready to hit the 150s so I asked one of them to spot me. I had a lot of adrenalin as you can imagine and actually got seven.
Isnt that mean and childish? HahaMr Goldenmyer
Neo Member
What would be the best weight for me to gain weight? I work out 3 times a week and am doing SS. I lost weight due to only eating once a day due to my Spring college courses and would like to gain that weight back.
Eat more than once a day. Or eat more once a day. Whichever you decide, be sure to pick one that involves eating more.
vincent vega
Member
Hi, I have a quick bench press question. I'm currently doing the ice cream fitness 5x5 program, and my bench seems to be lagging compared to my other lifts. I keep my back flat on the bench when I do the press. Should there be a slight back arch? I'm not sure if using power lifting form will take away from the exercise. I'm not only looking to make strength gains, but size gains as well
Chittagong
Gold Member
Really impressive on how quickly you gained complete definition. What does your cut and program look like?
Bravo.
no doubt the guy is being a bit assholish, but I'd blame your gym for having one piece of that equipment.
Mine has only 1 squat rack and the place is huge... I can't understand it, there are like 4 flat benches 3 incline and 3 decline but ONE fucking squat rack, They even have 3 goddamned all-purpose smith machines.
stupid clueless gyms.
Please indulge me and forgive my slight arrogance but I have to vent about some recent new members at my gym. Two men in particular who train together are annoying as can be. One is at least 6'3 and 245 lbs and the other is about 6'1 and around 235. They immediately start talking so loud to each other that the entire gym has no choice to listen to them if they have their music off. Typical juicers who do it mostly so they can walk around a gym and be the local big.
Yesterday day I show up and they have completely taken over 3 benches and about 15 feet of real estate. This is where the heavy DBs are and I needed to do flat bench DB. They dropped a bench and I swiped it right away. I was kind of annoyed so I decided I'm going to embarrass them. I don't usually do 150s but I can for about five. They stopped at 130s and they were struggling. Form was awful! After they finished I was ready to hit the 150s so I asked one of them to spot me. I had a lot of adrenalin as you can imagine and actually got seven.
I had something similar happen, I was doing DB shoulder press and the guy next to me was grunting and making a ton of noise doing the shoulder press as well. He was there with a friend, and when I started to warm up with some 30s I noticed him looking in the mirror at me, then saying something to his friend. After the 30s I picked up some 60s and his friend said "How many sets you gonna need those for". After that I picked up some 80s, same thing, they asked how long I'd need them even though they weren't done with the 60s. Every weight I picked up to 85, they said they'd need even though they weren't finished doing what they were doing.
And while he's over there screaming with 80s, I'm quietly working my way up to 110s. I had them resting on my legs and I see them looking at me in the mirror and I asked "You want these when I'm done?" and they didn't answer.
That was back when my shoulders were my franchise players, before ole righty got hurt, I miss those days. Today the right shakes & trembles with 90s.
I do rows on the decline bench often, nobody seems to use it and it's damn near perfect for it.
Water retention is a bitch. After finding out that I carry around much more water than most I now understand how I can gain 10 pounds in water weight in 3 days.
Happened this week. That's that shit I don't like. I need to start adding some caffeine into my regimen.
Anybody else have crazy water retention?
Happened this week. That's that shit I don't like. I need to start adding some caffeine into my regimen.
Anybody else have crazy water retention?
velociraptor
Junior Member
This is weird. So 2/3 months ago I switched from 2% (semi-skimmed) to full fat milk as I wasn't gaining any weight. I still ate the same amount of meals - 4/5 meals a day. And I lost weight - about 2/3kg.
A little lost on what I should be doing for lunch and dinner though. I assume natural PB and Chicken breast are a good place to start plus a daily protein shake, but I'm still very new to all this. I tracked my breakfast this morning using my fitness pal, which was surprisingly painless. Any tips/food recommendations? Also, i'm shooting for 50g of protein at breakfast, lunch and dinner + a protein shake with lowfat milk for another 50g... Is this sufficient when on a cut for someone 5'8'', 169lb? I'm shooting to lose a pound a week so by the end of the summer I'm down to 159 and can then start a clean bulk.
315 3x5 squats, 145 3x5 OHP and 305 on deadlift 1x5 today. Feelin great. This is on a cut with carb nite as well, i actually have way too much energy on this diet, its affecting my sleep pattern.
I have the opposite problem, way too much energy on keto/carb nite.
Great work man, looking fantastic.
On the ICF 5x5, and on SS/stronglifts, i had the same exact issue when it came down to bench press. What i did was take a month off of compound lifts, and did nothing but chest for 3 weeks strait with a rest week after. I watched hundreds of videos on proper form for the routine and my chest/triceps are way stronger now then ever before.
I did flat bench, incline DB press, decline BB press and butterfly machine. For the flat bench, i stole a routine from CT Fletcher, the routine is found here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuShGEMGQm4
The only difference i did, was i started with bar + 2.5's for 50lbs and added 5lbs per side and kept going up. On the last day i did it, i went from 50lbs, all the way up to 180lbs, then all the way back down to 50lbs again, 10 reps per weight. It took a long time, and if i couldnt finish all 10, i would rack it up, give it a min, and finish the set. Was a great way to build up the tricep/chest in a short amount of time.
I drink 2 scoops after the gym, and 1 scoop for off gym days.
I have the opposite problem, way too much energy on keto/carb nite.
Great work man, looking fantastic.
On the ICF 5x5, and on SS/stronglifts, i had the same exact issue when it came down to bench press. What i did was take a month off of compound lifts, and did nothing but chest for 3 weeks strait with a rest week after. I watched hundreds of videos on proper form for the routine and my chest/triceps are way stronger now then ever before.
I did flat bench, incline DB press, decline BB press and butterfly machine. For the flat bench, i stole a routine from CT Fletcher, the routine is found here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuShGEMGQm4
The only difference i did, was i started with bar + 2.5's for 50lbs and added 5lbs per side and kept going up. On the last day i did it, i went from 50lbs, all the way up to 180lbs, then all the way back down to 50lbs again, 10 reps per weight. It took a long time, and if i couldnt finish all 10, i would rack it up, give it a min, and finish the set. Was a great way to build up the tricep/chest in a short amount of time.
I drink 2 scoops after the gym, and 1 scoop for off gym days.
D
Deleted member 47027
Unconfirmed Member
Doesn't matter. It's for people to hit their macros. If you need another 40 grams and it's late, make it happen. If you wanna start your day in a good way, slam it then. Just make it happen, your body will use it.
Curious, have you gotten your hormones checked. I'm sure it could be from a million things but high estrogen will balloon you up.
Do you drink a lot of water? It really helps you get rid of it. Try drinking a couple gallons a day. That's what I do.
HisshouBuraiKen
Member
Remember to go during the lunch rush and ask for double meat, so as to increase the odds they won't charge you for it
Fantastic progress!
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Halfway through my week rest. Was sore this morning but now I feel great! First day I can walk without feeling anything. Gonna keep foam rolling my back
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Whoever posted the pumpkin protein pancakes, thank you! They were incredibly good.
Thanks for the replies. Based on your advices, here's what I got in my basket now:
1 power cage http://www.fightingroad.co.jp/top/detail/asp/detail.asp?scode=F-d03
1 safety rack http://www.fightingroad.co.jp/top/detail/asp/detail.asp?scode=F-d08
2 benches (1 for the cage, 1 for the rack?) http://www.fightingroad.co.jp/top/detail/asp/detail.asp?scode=F-d07
2 barbells with plates (up to 140kg) http://www.fightingroad.co.jp/top/detail/asp/detail.asp?scode=F-a03
2 racks for the plates http://www.fightingroad.co.jp/top/detail/asp/detail.asp?scode=F-a07&page=
1 pull-ups/dips bar http://www.fightingroad.co.jp/top/detail/asp/detail.asp?scode=F-d13&page=
5 pairs of dumbbells with plates (up to 40kg each) http://www.fightingroad.co.jp/top/detail/asp/detail.asp?scode=F-a04
1 room bike http://www.fightingroad.co.jp/top/detail/asp/detail.asp?scode=F-k01
1 elliptical http://www.fightingroad.co.jp/top/detail/asp/detail.asp?scode=F-l04
What do you guys think? I hope I'm not missing anything important.
Should I add something for the legs or the abs?
This works for guac as well. One of the chicks digs me I think though and gives it to me for free on purpose.
vincent vega
Member
Thanks, sounds cool. What kind of benching form do you use though? back completely against the bench?
I'm going at dinner time so I figure the lines will still be decently long then.
Host Samurai
Member
Nothing is more funny than seeing the biggest dude in my gym, who happens to be a personal trainer curl in the squat rack. Like dont you know?
Also so pumped for a carb night with a nice size sweet potato to go along side of a juicy cut of salmon.
Also so pumped for a carb night with a nice size sweet potato to go along side of a juicy cut of salmon.
Syphon Filter
Member
Question on face pulls. Some say to have your elbows higher than your wrist and others say the opposite. What do you guys think?
Shit aint that serious, just make sure that you feel it activate your posterior deltoids
So trying to make some sense of this. At this point I have no idea what the hell is going on. Got my RMR tested 2 days ago. They say I burn 2200 calories doing nothing all day. My standard burn is most like 3000-3700 with normal activity. That aligns with my general calorie burns on my fitbit. However look at these charts.
(this is minus working out when I actually remember to log it)
(this is just straight eating)
(this is my failure of a weight loss. This has been the general trend for the last few years.)
By any stretch they claim if im eating 2200 calories a day I should be losing like 2-3 pounds a week with no working out. The numbers aren't lining up at all though. Some other underlying thing must be going on. I'm clueless at this point.
Edit:
Some days are missing but they most likely fit into the the general data trend.
(this is minus working out when I actually remember to log it)
(this is just straight eating)
(this is my failure of a weight loss. This has been the general trend for the last few years.)
By any stretch they claim if im eating 2200 calories a day I should be losing like 2-3 pounds a week with no working out. The numbers aren't lining up at all though. Some other underlying thing must be going on. I'm clueless at this point.
Edit:
Some days are missing but they most likely fit into the the general data trend.
Darren870
Member
The first looks like a smith machine. I can't read Japanese but google translate says it is.
If it is then you wouldn't need two barbell sets I guess. Unless you wanted one for dead lifts and one for benching. If you stay with two then get this for squats too:
http://www.fightingroad.co.jp/top/detail/asp/detail.asp?scode=F-b06
I am not really a fan of smith machines or adjustable dumbbells, but saying this is for your work gym and you are under a budget and size constraint then it might be worth it.
If you aren't stuck to that website then I would look for another one that has a cage like I showed. This will replace the smith machine, the benching racks and then squat racks (above).
While movable racks are good for people that know what they are doing. You don't really want someone down there putting to much weight on the bar then not being able to get it back up and tumbling. While it would make a good youtube video its not something your company would want. Those safety racks looks pretty sturdy though. Hard to judge from a picture but I've seen some dodgy ones that I don't think anyone in their right mind would go near
a secret-boss
Banned
having the same problem right now. I've been stuck on a weight for 3 weeks. I was told yesterday by my friend that I was gripping the bar too wide. I have the chest strength just not the triceps
Syphon Filter
Member
ok thanks.
iAmMaximus
Member
Thanks, guys! As for my routine/diet, I've been on PHAT since late January. I wasn't sure I'd be able to keep up with the routine during a cut but it's been fine. I've experienced minor strength loss but I've been able to maintain it for the most part. Nothing special with my diet, just a 500 deficit and clean eating!
Just started doing proper tracking of my food intake and it's become clear that I'm not getting enough carbs. Trying to keep things clean so I figured I'd buy some quick oats from Costco to fill that gap. Do people eat these things raw or is there some ultra quick way to make them edible? I can't be bothered to be cooking these things every single day.
Also, any recs on a good kitchen scale?
Also, any recs on a good kitchen scale?
I have this without the biggest loser branding
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DQOEIE/?tag=neogaf0e-20
It's a great scale though. You can take the glass part off and wash it. Also it can hold up to 6.6 pounds. You can grab it from Target.
So about 3 weeks ago I started GSLP and started focusing on ensuring i eat between 2000-2500 calories. I'm going to try this for a few months.
Is it ok to do HIIT 3 times a week too. Also, I was planning to train for a bike ride. Right now I have been limiting my steady state cardio to one long 15 miler a week. Will this destroy my progress??
One thing I've learned is stupid: weighing yourself every day. Water weight and amount of material in your body is constantly fluctuating and your weight can sometimes change two or three pounds day-to-day depending on how much water you drank the day before and the physical weight (not necessarily calories) of the food you consumed.
Source: I ate 1700 calories yesterday and weigh 1.5 lbs more today in water weight.
Now, on a related note, how beneficial is an ECA stack? Taking a blood thinner and a stimulant seems sort of risky.
Source: I ate 1700 calories yesterday and weigh 1.5 lbs more today in water weight.
Now, on a related note, how beneficial is an ECA stack? Taking a blood thinner and a stimulant seems sort of risky.
They're quick oats. Add water or milk and throw it in the microwave.
Zoe
Member
I like looking at the daily numbers so I can see the effects of my previous day.
How do people like this survive? lol
This is unreliable data, the body doesn't really work that way.
D
Deleted member 17706
Unconfirmed Member
Hate to be sarcastic, but it's almost as if it's not as simple as calories in/calories out when it comes to losing body fat.
What kind of stuff do you eat?
Hahaha, ok fair enough. I've always used instant oatmeal and for whatever reason I thought the cooking of quick oats was like a 20-minute thing. I think I can squeeze the actual cooking time into my daily routine
Edit:
Cool, thanks for the suggestion, MT!
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