[Biscuit Oliva]

[NOTE: All weight in my thread = pounds not kilos!]

It’s obvious you suck and are weak, but why a log?
Simply put, I have grown disgusted with myself. I've gotten to a point in my Muay Thai training where I feel I’ve hit a plateau in my progress and it's damn frustrating. Now with university out for the summer, I figured I might as well take serious steps to get over the hump. I partially attribute it to my weight and conditioning. I have not lifted in years and I've just recently taken running back up. If I can get back to a good weight and get stronger, my strikes get stronger and will be able to last longer in sparring opportunities. I’ve picked up Rippetoe’s Starting Strength and a pull-up bar for the crib. Along with my old running shoes this trio in addition to my current training should thrust me in the right direction. The reason I’m putting this long here is because I’m a creature of habit and need to write things down to read and reflect on later. I visit Sherdog often, normally just to read, and spend what little time I have to myself on the computer so I figured “Why the hell not?”

5/25/08
A: 19 | H: 5-9 | W: 185


Eventually

• Get down to a muscular 170.
• Have much improved conditioning.
• Show enough ability to my Master to where he'll let me fight.
• Push myself to a much higher level.

Conditioning
Running, sprints, burpees. Daily.


Strength
Workout A
3x5 Squat
3x5 Bench Press
1x5 Deadlift

Workout B
3x5 Squat
3x5 Standing military press
3x5 Power cleans

Week 1
Sunday - Workout A
Tuesday - Workout B
Thursday - Workout A

Week 2:
Sunday - Workout B
Tuesday - Workout A
Thursday - Workout B

etc.

I have not done 1RM and will spend this week pretty much feeling out most of the lifting exercises to find a good starting weight for the SS program without losing technique. Below are my 5R starting points. It’s just like riding a bike, right…..?

Bench: 155
B. Squat: 225
D. Lift: 295
F. Squat: N/A
S. Overhead Press: N/A
Power Clean: N/A

[erskine777]

good luck with everything, man.

What else are you doing for conditioning? Might want to check out ross enamait's stuff- great conditioning workouts for combative sports.

[Biscuit Oliva]

9:00 AM - 2-mile run.

Getting acclimated to running again; it feels good sans the lower back pain that accompanies starting over. Honestly, I’m really surprised I did it without walking. While running I went over Saturday’s practice and the things I did wrong.

12:00 PM – Gym

It was a bit intimidating walking into a gym since not being in one in a while. It was pretty crowded, too, which didn’t really help things. There was always some giant man lifting some heavy ass weight next to me, but I was there to put in work for me not gawk and being anxious over things that didn’t concern me.

3x5 Back Squat – 225*
3x5 Bench Press - 155
1x5 Deadlift - 295*
3x5 Pull-ups
3xF Dips

* = maybe more?

Squat went well and even squeaked out a sixth rep on my final set. I think that I can lift more than that, but since it was the first week the last thing I want to do is get hurt so early in the game. On dead lift, good thing happened today – I made and friend. His name is Bill and he’s a competitive lifter and saw that I was losing my grip. He told me that I should either get grips or chalk as they improve grip. He let me use some of his liquid chalk which worked surprisingly well. If that wasn’t nice enough, he helped my approach to the bar and as I lifted my last rep he told me,”That was damn good lifting. You could probably put an extra 40-50 pounds on there no problem.” I don't think I'm quite ready for that, but I appreciated the compliment - it calmed my concerns of being inferior. I told him many thanks and went to finish off my workout. I greatly appreciated his help. I know this for sure - Reverse grip + pulling up my shins = money. I also need to get some of that liquid chalk. Quality stuff there.

Note to self: Find out what grips are and look into purchase.

[Biscuit Oliva]

8:00 PM – 20 Minute run, 3x3 minute Shadowboxing

Not much, MT Gym was closed today due to holiday. Putting together a strategy to improve my ability to put together combinations during sparring. Next practice I want to simply work the 1-2, rear kick and then build on that. K.I.S.S. Also continue to practice Kabuki's Closing the Gap 101 with my jab. After seeing the Ortiz/Machida match I see what KK was talking about. During shadowboxing, really worked on feints and head slipping.

Happy Memorial Day all.

[hunto]

Welcome, and good luck.

Lifting straps- I bought some for around 10.00 shipped US. If you want I'll give you the link, or just google lifting straps- get 2" wide straps, I use em, and it makes a huge difference not having to worry about your grip failing while working on deadlift, shrugs, etc.

Also, if you haven't, read the FAQ in the main S&P forum.
S&P FAQ - Please Read

Good luck!

[fennway4414]

Good luck man, you seem like you have a good base right now. At your height I thought you'd be heavier since you were complaining about your weight, but if you want to get down to a lighter weight class that's understandable.

Use that powerlifter to your advantage! I would love to have some one like that around me to help me out.

[KazenoYojimbo]

Nice Grappler Baki reference on the name, cheers!

[Biscuit Oliva]

8:30 – 2-mile run
I knew those heavily sausced and seasoned ribs with cups of soda were bad yesterday, but I hungry and it was a holiday. I really felt it on the run today. My bad and stomach was killing me. Since I've been downing my gallon of H20 everyday and improving my food choices I've gotten real sensitive to what I can eat. Things I used to eat a lot now make my stomach hurt like hell. I could go through a BIG bag of Funjuns and 20 oz. root beer and be perfectly fine for the rest of the time, but now...yeesh. Thank you (and curse you!) John Berardi. Yeah, anyway note to self: Never lax excessively over what you put into your body - YOU WILL feel it.

11:00 – Gym
I probably should have ate breakfast, but being broke is a beeyotch! Hooray for finally getting my check(s) this week. I had to scrape up enough to get some fruit and a quick salad to last the afternoon and evening. But en route to the gym, my stomach was killing me and thought my lifting was going to suffer. Surprisingly it wasn't the case. My numbers for today's lift were better than I expected.

It was pretty empty around when I walked in which I thought was good sign - at first. Then I got to my power rack. Yes, my rack. Just like you have your glass/mug out of the many other glasses/mugs you have in your house, I have my rack. It's quaint, in the corner, and lets me put in work without a need of a spotter. It's the only one I use and never see anyone else on it. Anyway, as I went to my rack I could something was amiss when the bar was placed so low. Turns out some bastard(s) jammed the pole sitter (I don't know it's name) and was impossible to move. That means I had to use a Smith Machine. I DESPISE Smith Machines. It makes you feel stronger than you really are. But I had to use it - and I felt dirty on every rep.

3x5 Front Squat - 185 (SM)
3x5 Standing military press - 85
3x5 Power cleans – 155*
3x Farmers walk – 180

The grip for the Front Squat is funky and will take some getting used to, but it should come with repetition. I was aided by the SM, so I expect this number to go down. I also forgot how much aggression Power Cleans need to do them right. You can't be passive about those at all or else you'll never get it up there. Also forgot how fun they are. Farmers walk = pure evil. My arms were shot, but I want to improve my grip strength.

[Biscuit Oliva]

Originally Posted by erskine777

good luck with everything, man.

What else are you doing for conditioning? Might want to check out ross enamait's stuff- great conditioning workouts for combative sports.

Never Gymless is en route to my house. I can't wait to get it. For the first week I just want to get my lower back used to the two miles. Next week I'll be adding in the sprints and burpees.

Originally Posted by hunto

Welcome, and good luck.

Lifting straps- I bought some for around 10.00 shipped US. If you want I'll give you the link, or just google lifting straps- get 2" wide straps, I use em, and it makes a huge difference not having to worry about your grip failing while working on deadlift, shrugs, etc.

Also, if you haven't, read the FAQ in the main S&P forum.
S&P FAQ - Please Read

Good luck!

Thanks a lot for the strap info. I really appreciate it.

Originally Posted by fennway4414

Good luck man, you seem like you have a good base right now. At your height I thought you'd be heavier since you were complaining about your weight, but if you want to get down to a lighter weight class that's understandable.

Use that powerlifter to your advantage! I would love to have some one like that around me to help me out.

I used to be much bigger, but I'm still tubby even that my current weight and don't wear it well. The weight class deal is a side benefit.

Originally Posted by KazenoYojimbo

Nice Grappler Baki reference on the name, cheers!

Yup, I love the series. Too bad WFP stopping releasing books to the public. Baki is supposed to be fighting Oliva in the Son of Ogre series.

I appreciate the luck. I'm going to need it.

[KazenoYojimbo]

Originally Posted by Biscuit Oliva

Yup, I love the series. Too bad WFP stopping releasing books to the public. Baki is supposed to be fighting Oliva in the Son of Ogre series.

I appreciate the luck. I'm going to need it.

Interesting, I'd been reading fanscans and finished the second series. Baki vs Biscuit could be interesting although I was getting a little tired of the formula through most of the series.