[endlessscott]

This log is meant as a new beginning.

Two weeks ago, my girlfriend walked out on me for another guy, and I've felt lost ever since. I've had to leave our apartment and move back in with my parents, due to financial reasons. Looking back to why this could have happened, I can only think that I let it happen. Yes, she made the moves that led to the end, but if I were more of the man I wish I was, she couldn't have ever left me. We had been together three years, and were thinking marriage. Now that I think back, though, I wouldn't have married myself either. I have become a lazy, overweight, piss poor excuse for a man. I had to accept what happened, and though it has been hard, I've come to some positive conclusions. I'm young and alive, and that's all that matters. I have 300 lbs (bar included) of Olympic weight, and a heavy bag. It's time to carve myself out of stone, so to speak, into something I can be proud of, before I can think about being with someone else again.

I'm trying to take moving back in with the parents as a blessing from the Gods. This is where I came from, it is most of what I know. This is my life at its most primal and simplistic. Lift, work, eat, sleep. Bruce Lee said "simplicity is the key to brilliance", and I aim to prove him right. It's time to man up, to never let myself be walked upon again.

I've been on Sherdog a few years now, mostly lurking and not registering for a while. I've always admired S & P, though I rarely post. I look up to you guys for lifting expertise, and often for high comedy. I also regularly read stronglifts.com, and I've taken a lot from that site.

Here's my stats:

23 years old
6'3"
about 275 lbs.

I've been very on and off with lifting, so my numbers are not impressive.

Beginning Page Ranking's (as of 4/26/08)
Bench: 195
Squat: 215
DL: 305

None of those were horribly difficult for me, so I expect to break these.

Current PR's
Bench: 215 (5/1/08)
Squat: 385 (7/5/08)
DL: 415 (6/12/08)

Goals (for the time being)
Bench: 265
Squat: 405
DL: 405 (destroyed 5/12/08)

For the routine, I'll pretty much be using the 5 x 5 detailed at StrongLifts 5×5 Beginner Strength Training Program | StrongLifts.com and Bas Rutten's tapes on the heavybag.


It goes without saying in S & P, but I'm open for criticism and commentary. I don't mind if you fill my log with inane madness, either.
It starts tomorrow.

[Zerocrew1984]

sooooo, can i get her number?

just joshing.

Sounds like you've got a really solid plan and some awesome goals. Don't forget to check out the diet and supplement and conditioning forums as well. good luck!

[takeahnase]

Originally Posted by Zerocrew1984

Don't forget to check out the diet and supplement and conditioning forums as well. good luck!

Didn't expect that you had heard of those.

[endlessscott]

Originally Posted by Zerocrew1984

sooooo, can i get her number?

I'm still not happy about it, don't temp me with public number-sharing. Still makes me want to start "PMing the Noods" out of spite. Just kidding.

[endlessscott]

First day back with the parents, so I needed to hit the basement to try out my new weights. My dad, an old lifter and expert with makeshift ideas, rigged his old standard weight bench up to support the olympic size bar. I'm a little frustrated that I couldn't squat very well, as we're lacking in equipment. I tried the Zercher Squat off of the bench, but the height is weird and I can't really get under it very well. I dumped 185 on the floor like a little girl. Once my flexibility increases, perhaps I'll try to Zercher Deadlift it up and squat it. We also might try to boost a couple of sawhorses up to a Back Squat height as well. This is only temporary, as I'll be saving up for a rack soon.

My bench felt pretty solid, especially considering I'm running on a few hours of sleep after a day of heavy beer drinking and pizza/wing eating (Brother's NFL Draft Party). I am going to clean the diet up a bit, but lifting is the main concern for right now.

The routine today was a little disappointing, as I couldn't find a comfortable way to get some squats in, and I haven't figured a way to get a pull up bar or something to do dips on in the basement yet. My dad and brother sometimes get a little too into the body building-style isolation lifts, so I'll periodically trade them a round of curls to get them into a superset of deadlifts or squats. So if you see something like curls in here, don't flame me too harshly, it's only being used for barter.

Bench Press
5 x 135
5 x 155
5 x 175
5 x 205 (PR)
2 x 205

Zercher Squat
5 x 135
5 x 185

Shrugs
10 x 185
10 x 185
10 x 185

Tricep Extensions (yes, lame, I know)
10 x 40
10 x 50
10 x 50

Next session will be much better. I'll figure out a way to squat safely, and deadlifts and overhead presses will start up again. I might throw in Bent Over Rows on my benching days, too. It was just good to test the waters today.

I ended it with 3 x 2 minute rounds Bas Rutten Boxing track on the heavybag. It's pathetic, I think I might keel over right now...

[fearfactory]

hey man, if you made a squat rack out of 4x4's w/ angle cuts, quick-crete, and some buckets... you could do a 5x5 w/ squats, deads, cleans, and OHPs. that's assuming you could lug the bar outside for OHP once a week.

good luck w/ what you're doing. it sounds like you're a humble person who's willing to make short term sacrifices for the long term good.

[endlessscott]

Originally Posted by fearfactory

hey man, if you made a squat rack out of 4x4's w/ angle cuts, quick-crete, and some buckets.

I saw a thread earlier about makeshift squat racks. I might steal an idea out of there, at least until I just suck it up and spend the dough.

[endlessscott]

Today I did the Bas Rutten Tapes again.

7 x 2 minute rounds.

I got great sleep last night, so I think that really contributed to hitting a full 7 rounds. I feel excellent, and Bas Rutten is a god. No doubt about it.

[immovablestone]

Soon, any time you hear someone say the word "defense." you'll forcefully sprawl out onto the ground... Welcome to the club!

[endlessscott]

Originally Posted by immovablestone

Soon, any time you hear someone say the word "defense." you'll forcefully sprawl out onto the ground... Welcome to the club!

Is that the All Around tape? Man, I'm already getting scared...