Would you say I've failed, or given up?

[CobraUTAH]

I've trained for 11 months on 5x5 with the goal of reaching a body weight of 250 pounds and benching 315 for a 1RM.

I started at 205 and 11% bodyfat 6'3"
bench 260
squat 300 parallel
deadlift 385

I'm now 245 15%
bench pr 305
squat 405 parallel
deadlift 475

I've put a great deal of time and effort into this training. I'm only disappointed in my bench pr not that I didn't make great gains but because I didn't reach my long time goal of 3 plates (315).

I really need advice on how to deal with my current situation.
I want more than anything in the world to say I can bench 315, but I also want to start cutting and stop being such a fat ass. I feel like putting in another month or so and trying to reach the 315 but I'm worried I'll miss it again. Could I start dieting and still make the necessary gains to get 315? I'd love to think that was possible but I know as soon as I start cutting my calories I won't have the energy and strength needed.

What would you do diet or keep after it. If I don't get it now I'll have to wait another year probably before I can bulk again and get after it. I really need to be extra fat to be strong on my bench I'm probably 1 to 2 months from 315 now but if I diet I'll be more like 10 months away, meaning I'd diet and then start bulking all over again.

DAMNIT!!!

 

[onerepmaximum]

Dude, you only fail when you decide to stop trying. Weight training is almost as much psychological as it is physical. You have to know what you want and make your mind up to achieve it no matter what. Once you decide what to do, don't take almost as being good enough.

 

[big4life]

How have you failed?

You have made some very good gains in your overall stregth. So you didn't get to the goal you set on your bench, you still made some good gains on it. Your squat went up over 100 pounds, your deadlift went up 90 pounds.

That is not failure, that is success.

As for what to do now, it's up to you. What is more important to you right now?

 

[CobraUTAH]

That's what sucks so bad they are both equally important. I want to cut very badly and get back to my usual cutness, but I feel 10 pounds is so damn close it would be insanity for me to STOP NOW. I know it sounds stupid and it shouldn't affect me but my friends, family, and girlfriend all want me to start cutting because they think I'm all crazy fat and won't ever be skinny again. I know that once I'm ready to start it won't be tough at all. The only two people that truly understand are my Dad (life long hero and weightlifter), and my workout partner. It's so stupid that I let it get to me when others say I won't be able to diet and that I'm just avoiding it, but it does. I'm going to say fuck it, and if anyone asks I'll just say nope I'm going to be fat forever, deal with it!!

 

[JOKER47]

"I've failed"
"I'm giving up"

I have no idea what those two phrases mean, or how to use them in a sentence.....

 

[onerepmaximum]

Bro, you have to do what is important to youno one else can make that call. If you put other people's happiness over yours, usually bad things happen. Just my opinion. Good luck.

 

[CobraUTAH]

Well I really don't feel that I've failed, or given up. I plan to continue to lift and get stronger. The only area that I'm not totally pleased with is my bench, not getting 315 is really the whole issue. However it is incredibly significant to me and my original goals. I started 5x5 because I was looking for a way to increase my bench. I never imagined getting 305, but now having come so far and 315 being so close I'd be crazy to stop now. That's really what I'm looking for. I need people to tell me and encourage me to stick it out and forget the diet until 315 is dead and buried, but the family and friends really don't and WILL NEVER understand, so yeah why do I let their comments influence me in any way.

I do feel great about how far I've come and the gains I've made. 475 deadlift was, and is awesome for me. 4 plates ass to the floor squats is amazing as well, and I'm proud of it. 305 1RM bench for a 6'3" dude with stupid long ass arms is also terrific.

FUCK THEM ALL 315 WILL BE MINE!!!!

 

[Lee]

i hate to see a post like this. you have not failed in any way. you have excellent strides towards you goals. its takes time and effort, but most of all, it takes a strong mind. i would suggest trying meditation to help relieve some of the stress and tension this is causing in your life. you will hit your goals if you can calm yourself and make yourself KNOW you can do this. its not impossible, you have not failed, and you will succeed. dont let what others think about you affect the way you set your goals. your goals are your own and no one should have a say in what they are. also, try changing your training routine, 5x5 isnt made to be on for such a long period of time. switch back to the standard 3x8 to shock your muscles. sure your rep weight will be down, but overall you will gain strength for your 1 rm. 90 pounds added to your deadlift is just insane man. congratulations on your current success. 3 plates will be yours in no time.

 

[from zero]

YOU ONLY FAIL IF YOU GIVE UP.

 

[SquatPukeSquat]

See, this is why i think goals aren't necessarily the greatest idea. granted, general goals are needed, if not for anything more than to provide a structure for your workout (thus the 5x5 system you propound). anyways, i see no reason for you to be upset with the progress you've made. you've put 45 pounds on your bench, that is definitely nothing to scoff at. honestly, and i know this is difficult for most people to do (including myself), try not to listen to what other people say your body should look like, or what you should do. are they the ones going to the gym, giving it their all everyday? no, you are. so a) don't be discouraged by what others say; and b) don't neglect your own concerns and desires for the superficial benefit of others. if you really want 315, keep doing what you're doing, you'll get it. if you really want to cut, cut. granted, you will probably lose strength, but that doesn't mean that you will never hit 315 on the bench. I bulked up two years ago, and was the strongest i had ever been, but i got sick of the added fat so i cut up. i was weaker, but now, i'm less weight, but stronger than i was when i bulked. the strength comes with time and patience, as well as a structured routine, of which you have already adhered to. sorry for the length of this post, but i honestly think that people get too discouraged when weight training. it is a cliche, but the enjoyment shouldn't come from reaching the goal, but from the journey there. good luck.

 

[WalkingBeast]

Failed? Looks like youve made great progress in a year to me! Id be happy to gain 5lbs of lean mass in a year these days. Not to mention you still have a strong body to work with, no real injuries holding you back I assume? My back is still giving me problems, and I cant see an end in sight. Its frustrating as fuck, but thats part of the fight. Cant bench or train back, and not sure if training back makes it worse. Your so close to 315, you could hit it anyday now. Dont let others influence your decisions, not unless they present something worthwhile to you. Bulking is the hard part, atleast for me, cutting can be done anytime. Dont get discouraged! Rather look at how far youve come in a year, and think towards the coming year, and where youll be then. and then some years after that. GO KILL THAT SHIT!!!

 

[needsize]

you sure as hell didnt fail bro, you made awesome gains. I always set my goals higher than I can reach them, so I'm always falling just short, but it keeps me coming back till I do get them. I wouldnt sacrifice the rest of your training just for a bench single, screw it, switch it up, cut if thats what you are looking for, and when you go back to it you'll blow right past 315

 

[Sebass67]

Don't worry about it so much bro...i know what it's like..my bench suffers too..just know u will get there...and it will happen. Slowly but surely...U made great gains though. Be happy for the progress you made!

 

[Lord_Suston]

If you don't plan on stopping then you haven't given up!!! Now just rework your training and find out what is need to get to your goal. Put up you routine and get some feedback, it might be enough help that can get you past that barrier

 

[CobraUTAH]

I'm happy for the gains and I've decided that I'm going to stick it out for just a bit longer, I must have the 315, it really is the driving reason why I started this all in the first place if I stop now I really feel it will have been pointless. I'm going to train hard 5x5 style for a few more weeks and spend the money on some ultimate orange to give me a little more boost and max most likely the end of this month. Wish me luck, and I'll keep everyone posted on the results.

 

[Lord_Suston]

what routine you gonna use????

 

[princeton]

I'd say you need to change the routine for bech. 10lb aint shit bro. Keep the 5x5 for everything else and do some max effort work. Do some board press, lock outs. Find your weak spot and attack it. dont do start light and work up in sets of 3 till you can't go any more. One bench once a week. Let me know how it goes

 

[Omegasox]

Don't give up, dude. Who cares what others say, if you're so worried about it, you need to overcome 315 to make YOURSELF happy. Is anyone else out there lifting the weights for you? No. So they can't say shit. Only you can do it.

 

[Tagio]

maybe 1 week of low volume, 3 weeks of strength-specific training, eat at maintenance, rest and blow away the 315, then diet down.

 

[guldukat]

I'm happy for the gains and I've decided that I'm going to stick it out for just a bit longer, I must have the 315, it really is the driving reason why I started this all in the first place if I stop now I really feel it will have been pointless. I'm going to train hard 5x5 style for a few more weeks and spend the money on some ultimate orange to give me a little more boost and max most likely the end of this month. Wish me luck, and I'll keep everyone posted on the results.

Cobra,

How long have you been pushing things very hard?

What I mean is, have you trained lighter in any way over the past 3 months or so, backed off some volume and/or not taken a whole lot to failure?

If you haven't, consider doing just that for a week, then resume your war on 3 wheels. It'd do you a world of good...you probably could hit 315 already with just some very minor changes in your routine.

I agree, though...go for the 315 now, 'cause if you don't get it first, it'll bug the shit out of you every day you cut.

Plenty of time for cutting later, anyway.