Meanwhile, somewhere NOV.....

[BigJosh]

Originally Posted by Hunterace

Good plan Josh! Heal up quick bud!

Thanks Man. It's already feeling better.

Originally Posted by Squatter

I hope you will be able to some decent back work, which will help your deadlift in the long run anyway. Cheers to Steve for once again stepping up to the plate. I most certainly here you on the lower back issues tho.

Thanks for the kind words as well. I always feel blessed that I have the Crew and all you guys, otherwise the health issues might have won the battle.

To be 100% honest, the lifting isn't "helping" my eyes. It is causing a bit of damage - collateral damage might be a good word. It's not making the Birdshot worse per se, but it might be preventing my eyes from repairing damage. With that said, the eyes usually do not do a good job at repairing anyway, whether or not I lifted. The surgeons, for this reason, have not told me to stop lifting. They do know exactly what I do tho. I am also hoping the sports medicine specialist will have a workaround for the lower back arthritis. I'll find out in April.

At least I will still be able to lift without functional vision. Hopefully it won't happen until I am a really old fossil, but it could happen anytime. As far as my Mustang is concerned, there is no shortage of volunteers to drive it while I ride in the passenger seat.

Overcome my friend, overcome. If you can work through that, I can work through a sinus infection. I wish you all the best and prey that your health never keep you from the iron.

Originally Posted by RobMoriRB

hope your back isn't to serious keep us posted

Thanks Rob. I think some time away from the deadlift will serve me well.

Originally Posted by fenrisulfr

Pm me if you need any input on what worked for me. Remember your form has to be dead on perfect when you do involve lower back. Good luck.

I may do that. I am formulating a plan on how to move forward. I have some ideas. Thanks.

[BigJosh]

OHP
135x3
155x3
170x3 (Goal x3)

CGBP
145x10,195x10,215x8

Fat Man Pull Ups (Rack Chins) w/ versa gripps
BWx10,10,8

Tri set:
Ez bar drag curl
60x15,15,10
Lateral DB Raise
15x12x3
Band Face Pulls
15x3

Overall Workout Grade:A

Notes:
Pretty good session.
I bounced back from the OHP failure of last week. The top set was heavy, but was controlled. I'm looking forward to seeing if I can hit 180 next week. The lower back was a little sore. I had to be aware of it. I belted up on my working sets, it really makes a difference when I am having lower back issues.
Bumped up the ramping sets on the close grip bench press by 5lbs. I felt it on the top set.
The fat man pull ups are actually coming along. Seems like every week I'm adding more reps. My short term goal on these is 3 sets of 10. After that I will go for 3 sets of 11, 3 sets of 12, etc. Not sure what the end game is. I suppose the ultimate goal is to start knocking out pull ups. As my weight goes down I think this is more feasible.
Finished with my bicep/shoulder tri set. Those 3 smaller movements done back to back actually get this big man breathing a bit heavy. Good times.
All in all I felt good after this session.
One last note, I am down to 276.2 pounds as of yesterday morning. 1 pound away from my initial goal of 275. I'm already mentally preparing for a run at 260.

[Hunterace]

Great workout Josh! 170x 3, you've got 180 in the bag bud! Great job on the pull ups, for any size guy you did great! Keep workin hard and take care of your back!

[Squatter]

Good to read that last week was just an anomoly from driving and your back on track. I'll be a monkeys uncle if you don't get 2 reps out of 180 next week.

Rack Chins are a godsend for us bigger boned lifters eh? Congratz on the fat loss - just don't send it my way as I am also leaning down!

[KD5NFW]

Nice rebound from last week on the OHP Josh! I need to consider belting up on those heavier MP's! Glad the back is getting a little better too

[BendtheBar]

Good to see you back in the gym. How is the back today?

[BigJosh]

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

Good to see you back in the gym. How is the back today?

It feels good. No more soreness or tenderness. I put of squating yesterday to give it an extra day of rest.

[MikeM]

Nice pressing! Good to hear the back is feeling better. Awesome weight loss!

Keep after it. Good stuff in here.

[BigJosh]

Thanks everyone for the comments!

PC
105x3
120x3
140x3 (Goalx3)

Squat
245x3
280x3
315x2 (Goalx3)

Overall Workout Grade: C

Notes:
I'll keep it short. I was getting calls from work during this session, which took me off my game a bit. I should have easily had the 315 for a triple, but my lower back was a bit tender from hurting it last week and in the moment I decided not to go for it. As soon as i racked it I wish I had commited to the third.
There have been a lot of missed reps as of late......

[BigJosh]

Bench
235x3
270x3
305x2 (Goal 3)

Incline Bench
140x10,160x10,175x8

Kroc Rows
40x10,60x10,90x21

Barbell Curls
60x10,70x10,80x10
Supersetted with
Tricep bar overhead extensions
40x20,50x20,20

Overall Workout Grade:B-

Notes:
This makes no sense. 3 weeks ago I smashed 315x2. Today 305 was heavy. I don't get it.
Too many misses going on with this routine. I keep making excuses for it. But I'm done with that. This will be my last cycle of 5/3/1 for a while. I'm cool with that. It is a good routine. I've done it for the last 9 months. But next week will be my last week for at least a couple months.