"Make it happen" in 2013

[bruteforce]

Nice work buddy. Keep on truckin!

[BendtheBar]

Keep hard at it. Have a great weekend.

[MikeM]

Great start! I like the motto too.

Still cooking? One of my favorite things to do, although I'm not sure I'd like to do it professionally.

[IrishHitman]

I was pretty surprised at how much strength I still have (having a labor-intensive job is probably part of that). I am already experiencing a bit of soreness, though nothing too great. I am really looking forward to the other two workouts on Monday and Wednesday this coming week.

@MikeM Yeah, I still cook. I moved from Southern Fine Dining to Chinese hole-in-the-wall. The fine dining was a great experience as I got to be really in touch with the food I was preparing (there was a big focus on local at that restaurant). Since I am back in school, though, I am glad for something a little less stressful, but still just as challenging. We have a decent Asian student population here, and we are the restaurant they frequent. Learning "Real-Real Chinese," as my master calls it, is pretty amazing stuff. Cooking professionally is a different ball game. I got into it because I liked to cook at home, but now I would rather order out or throw a frozen pizza in the oven. I still love what I do, but for different reasons.

[BendtheBar]

I was pretty surprised at how much strength I still have (having a labor-intensive job is probably part of that).

I hear you. That sure doesn't hurt.

[IrishHitman]

Today was a good workout. I did not ramp deadlifts, but will do that next week. I have a friend working out with me now, this being his first time using weights. He's looking forward to adding size and had a pretty good first day.

Deadlifts:
Set 1: 135/4
Set 2: 135/5
Set 3: 135/5

Military Press:
Set 1: 95/8
Set 2: 95/7
Set 3: 95/5

Pullups: Used assistance. Weight listed is The difference between body weight and assisting weight.

Set 1: 100/7
Set 2: 120/6
Set 3: 140/5

Dips:
Set 1: BW/7
Set 2: BW/6
Set 3: BW/6

Standing Calf Raises:

Set 1: 110/10
Set 2: 110/10
Set 3: 110/9

[BendtheBar]

Solid work. Keep driving hard.

[IrishHitman]

Squat:
Warmups: 95/7, 115/7, 135/5, 155/5
Working set: 175/20. Good steady pace for the first ten, 5-10 seconds between next five, 15-20 for last five.

Bench
Warmups: Bar/11, 65/8, 85/8
Set 1: 135/10
Set 2: 135/8
Set 3: 135/8

Pendlay Row (I really loved this exercise. This was my first time doing it.)
Set 1: 115/7
Set 2: 115/7
Set 3: 115/6

DB Curl:
Set 1: 30/8
Set 2: 30/7
Set 3: 30/7

Crunches:
Set 1: 20
Set 2: 18
Set 3: 18

After the first week of this routine, I am very pleased. I am glad to be back into things and I have some pretty great confidence. I am glad I have eased back into things as the soreness hasn't been too terrible to keep me from going back. I need to take measurements because it feels as though I am already gaining.

Hopefully this next week Juggernaut will arrive from infinitelabs and I can see how what effect that has on my workouts. I appreciate everyone's support and encouragement thus far, and will hopefully contribute more as I get back into the swing of college life.

[BendtheBar]

After the first week of this routine, I am very pleased. I am glad to be back into things and I have some pretty great confidence.

Excellent. A great step forward.

[BendtheBar]

How's the training?