Just trying to get big

[J_Byrd]

nice looking volume on your sets, great work

[BendtheBar]

Good work getting in there and getting it done.

[SecondsOut]

Lower Body Total = 10,500 lbs.

Deadlift = 5,100 lbs.

8 x 135
4 x 225
2 x 315
1 x 385
a) 3 x 5 x 340

Front Squat = 5,400 lbs.

8 x 125
a) 4 x 10 x 135

Incline Bench = 9,650 lbs.

10 x bar
8 x 115
4 x 150
2 x 160
1 x 185
a) 6 x 5 x (150/155/160/150/155/160)
b) 4 x 10 x 125

Woke up this morning and just knew I was going to DL 340 for 3 x 5. So yeah, I completely ditched the scheme I made up a few posts ago The warmup 385 (up from 365) was a moderate challenge: not hard enough to ruin my working sets but not so easy that I didn't have to focus. It felt like the right weight to use for my warmup singles for a while. The working sets were challenging, but in a good way. It feels like I'm working productively toward a peak, and then, hopefully, some PRs

My energy & stamina for pressing returned. Felt like I could've been in there forever with those sets. In hindsight, the weights I used for all my sets were a bit too light.

[jdmalm123]

Originally Posted by SecondsOut

Woke up this morning and just knew I was going to DL 340 for 3 x 5.

You have ESP... Extra Strong Pulling!

[SecondsOut]

haha thanks man!

[SecondsOut]

For the first time in a while, I woke up feeling refreshed Went to bed with a very full stomach -- take a look at meals 4 & 5, which were both close to bed time -- but it was completely empty and growling when I woke up
My muscles feel great, but my joints don't. Somewhere on the 1st page I mentioned a possible stress fracture in my right tibia. Well, it doesn't feel great today, and I think it's putting more stress on my right knee (which aches a bit). Nothing feels serious right now, so I'm taking the next 3 days off from training before it does. I'll resume on Monday.

It looks like I've gotten into a natural rhythm with frequency. This was completely unplanned -- I've been lifting intuitively, as you know -- but here is the number of workouts per week for the last several weeks:
4 Weeks ago: 4
3 Weeks ago: 3
2 Weeks ago: 5
Last Week: 4
This Week: 3
This pattern might mean that a 3-workout week + extra rest days = high productivity the following week. Let's put the theory to the test, then.
I also notice cycles of intake in my diet, like days when I can't get enough carbs and fat, days when all I want is protein, workout days where I feel completely stuffed with 2,500 cals. and rest days when I'm still starving after 4,000 cals. Not sure what it all means! Does the body know best, at least on a bulk?

[BendtheBar]

Originally Posted by SecondsOut

This pattern might mean that a 3-workout week + extra rest days = high productivity the following week. Let's put the theory to the test, then.
I also notice cycles of intake in my diet, like days when I can't get enough carbs and fat, days when all I want is protein, workout days where I feel completely stuffed with 2,500 cals. and rest days when I'm still starving after 4,000 cals. Not sure what it all means! Does the body know best, at least on a bulk?

Think it's good that you are listening to what it's trying to say. Too many guys don't and just stick to some random plan.

[jdmalm123]

Originally Posted by SecondsOut

Does the body know best, at least on a bulk?

Totally...and the less you think about it, the better!


As long as you feel good and progress, riding the natural waves is the best way to go.

[SecondsOut]

I planned to lift today, but my elbows are still sore and I want to begin going moderately heavy on bench. It's been months since I had a full week off, so I'll take one now. I'll lift this Friday and Saturday -- probably keep it relatively light -- and then go hard next week.

[J_Byrd]

Originally Posted by SecondsOut

I planned to lift today, but my elbows are still sore and I want to begin going moderately heavy on bench. It's been months since I had a full week off, so I'll take one now. I'll lift this Friday and Saturday -- probably keep it relatively light -- and then go hard next week.

sounds like a good plan! Ice those elbows!