Djeclipse's Intermediate 5x5 take 2.

[djeclipse]

If you get freshwater trout, they are very mild flavor, I just saute em in a little butter, and squeeze lemon over the top. If you like it crispy, dredge it in seasoned flour first. Far as I know, the mercury content increases with the age, and where the fish was caught/harvested. Young, freshwater fish probably have less than the canned tuna. Congrats on your diet, looks like a great change, now I have to work on mine!

Thanks, I am still on the fence about actually buying some fish and cooking it, maybe one day. I did however bring tuna in a can (light, in water) today for meal 2 instead of the usual chicken.

 

[djeclipse]

Week 3 day 1 (monday)

Weighed myself this morning and I am 187-188lbs. Haven't lost any weight since last thursday, but my waist is down to 38" which is about a .5" loss.

I had a good day at the gym, the energy was there and strength wasn't that bad.

Squats, the pain in my calf (sp?) came back around set 3 and still hurts now, I'm not sure what it is. I got 230 for a set of 5, everything felt good and the last rep went up good till I got to a sticking point about mid way. I pushed through it but it may be a problem in a week or so.

Bench, I wasn't sure if I would make my 210 x 5 lift but it went up pretty good, got all 5 reps and the last rep wasn’t that bad. Maybe because I took it more seriously then the 205 last week.

I was doing my 4th set with 185 and these 2 tools stood right next to my bench, so close I could see them in my peripheral vision. it was f'n annoying. They were going to ask to work in (heard them talking to each other), and were watching me perform my set. At about rep 3 they saw the weight was going up very easy and by rep 4 one said to the other "forget about bench here, lets go over there". After my set I saw them at the smith machine, lol.

Rows were good, nothing special.

There is this one oriental guy (the only person at the gym shorter then me, lol) I usually talk to, he's in his early 40's still looks good, you could tell he's been lifting for a lot of his life. He has commented on my dead lift, squat etc. and today he asked me if I was on "roids" after I told him of the gains I've made since starting the 5x5 lol. I took it as a complement. The sad thing is there are so many people at that gym that are smaller then me, younger then me and are already using.

Squat
115 x 5
145 x 5
170 x 5
200 x 5
230 x 5

bench
105 x 5
135 x 5
160 x 5
185 x 5
210 x 5

Rows
95 x 5
115 x 5
140 x 5
160 x 5
185 x 5

Hypers
30 x 14
30 x 14
30 x 14

Sit ups decline
40 x 14
40 x 14
40 x 14
40 x 14

 

[blut wump]

It can be annoying to know that people think you're using but, since there's no way to present any argument, all you can do is take it as a complement and put it aside. I even got to the stage where my wife decided I was taking steroids and wouldn't take any argument to the contrary so I stopped trying.

When I did finally use, I decided that it was none of her business so never even mentioned it to her. She already 'knew' anyway.

Are you drinking enough water and taking a general multi-vitamin and mineral supplement? Mineral imbalances can give rise to spurious cramps.

 

[djeclipse]

It can be annoying to know that people think you're using but, since there's no way to present any argument, all you can do is take it as a complement and put it aside. I even got to the stage where my wife decided I was taking steroids and wouldn't take any argument to the contrary so I stopped trying.

When I did finally use, I decided that it was none of her business so never even mentioned it to her. She already 'knew' anyway.

I hear ya, though I'm no where near the point where people just assume I am taking steroids, most people probably can't even tell I'm working out, lol

But can certainly see how it would be annoying if people just assumed instead of appreciating all the hard work and effort you've put in over the years.

With him it wasn't in an accusing way, it was general conversation as most people in that gym would probably have answered yes to that question.

Are you drinking enough water and taking a general multi-vitamin and mineral supplement? Mineral imbalances can give rise to spurious cramps.

I drink lots of water, at work I during roughly 2L plus 600ml at the gym and then a bunch more in the evening.

I am not taking any kind of vitamin or mineral supplement. I never know what ones to take and if it will do more harm then good.

Come to think of it though last week I was experiencing a bad muscle twitch in my left tri, it lasted a few days, very annoying.

My calf feels more like a bruise then a cramp, it's strange as there's no bruise there and it went away till I started squatting again yesterday. You think it's a cramp?

 

[Cynical Simian]

Just get a men's multi, maybe one of the "athlete/performance/whatever" ones since some of the regular ones seem to be based on outdated recommended values (at least here in the U.S.).

Fish oil is another thing you should probably be taking as a "general health" supplement.

As usual, Costco would be an excellent (and cheap) place to buy them.

 

[anotherbutters]

If you get asked whether you're using gear again, just say "No, I just know how to train"

 

[djeclipse]

Week 3 Day 2 (Wed)

Had a good day in the gym, monday was so hot in there so today I wore my t-top, as one thing I can't stand is deadlifting when your shirt is soaked and sticking to you. I felt weird as I usually wear a baggy shirt, sleeves down to my elbows etc. In the end I'm glad I stuck with the t-top as it was dam hot in there.

Military press felt good, got all reps in.

Deadlift felt good, there were a few people watching me as I did my 3rd, one guy on bench watched me load up for my last set and kept looking over waiting for me to do my set. When I started my last set there were a few people watching, literally staring as if I was pulling off some unbelievable feat, lol I think I am becoming an attention whore.

I was able to hold 270 with regular grip for 5 reps (hook grip doesn't seem to work for me), after that I had to switch to mixed grip.

Squat
115 x 5
145 x 5
170 x 5
170 x 5

Standing military press
85 x 5
105 x 5
120 x 5
137.5 x 5

Deadlift
225 x 5
270 x 5
315 x 5 (mixed grip)
360 x 5

Chins
5 x 6
5 x 6
5 x 6

Needsize crunches
bw x 5
bw x 5
bw x 5
bw x 5.... I a going to buy a stop watch and hold it while doing these to make sure I hold for a full 5 second count as I think at the end I am cheating.

I also decided to do some grip work, I think will try to throw it in there at the end of monday and wed.

Seated Barbell wrist curls
40 x 15
50 x 12
60 x 12
60 x 12

 

[djeclipse]

Diet.

I've been doing pretty good as far as my diet goes, I did cheat 2 days so far, 2 weeks ago it was my buddies wedding, italian which means literally 8 courses, lots of food. We literally ate for 1.5hrs straight, lol

And Tuesday was my b-day soi had some good chicken parm and cake.

Aside form that I've been very strict, measuring and weighing all my meals etc.

I've stayed the same weight 188lbs for the past week, I'm wondering if I should reduce something or wait another week to see if a full week without cheating has any effect.

 

[silver_shadow]

Had a good day in the gym, monday was so hot in there so today I wore my t-top, as one thing I can't stand is deadlifting when your shirt is soaked and sticking to you. I felt weird as I usually wear a baggy shirt, sleeves down to my elbows etc. In the end I'm glad I stuck with the t-top as it was dam hot in there.

always remember A & F is the coolest!

 

[djeclipse]

always remember A & F is the coolest!

Ya, I just wrote A&F in black marker on the front and back of the shirt so I could fit in.