A New Animal: JDM135 for 1-2-3-4 plates

Training Training Logs
1562

Sorry for the late reply; a DB clean an press with the 95 is freakin’ sweet! No need to push the 100 until you’re ready. Would you say lower weight, higher rep training or heavy singles and doubles are better preparation for a max effort? I’m uncertain which training type is optional for this particular lift.

I read about your plan and goals starting this year, and I think you have an excellent plan. Running has always complemented squatting and deadlifting for me. Squatting keeps the knees strong, and jogging up hills is phenomenal for the posterior chain. Your two gym sessions per week will dovetail very well with your running, assuming three-ish weekly runs.

Like the others said, you could even do basic upper body lifts on the gym days if you need to decrease your weekly lifting sessions. Conversely, upper body lifts at home will give you lots of freedom and will decrease gym time, too.

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1563

I read to page 40 of the super squats book last night… Maybe consider spending the $10 to buy it and take a peek. I think it has what you’re looking for.

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1564

@boilerman I bought it as soon as I saw @T3hPwnisher recommend it a long time ago!
I’m not saying “no”; but for me, as will be elaborated on in a future stream-of-consciousness rant, the balance of life/family obligations tends to steer me away from really hardcore approaches.
I am very conscious that progressive 20-rep squats, or 10x10 squats with incrementally decreasing rest periods, would build the base I need; you are absolutely right.
I will re-read SS and give it some serious thought.

@TriednTrue thanks for the support.
As you know I did a high volume session (100 reps per side with 50lb) just a couple weeks ago; and I think that’s a good idea, but to prep for a heavy single, I think heavy and few is the way to go - but of course I’m not the one to ask!

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1565

12/22/2021 Wednesday
Being a bit lost and searching for a path forward, I ran the numbers and did a classic 531/BBB session. I learned something in the process.

Squat:
5x165, 5x185, 10x210
Superset 3x10 hanging knee raises
rest times: super short.

Deadlift: 5x10 @ 195lbs.
Superset: Bench press 5x10 @ 135
Rest times: enough to catch my breath.

DB C&P: 6 singles (3 per side) @ 85lb

BSS: 20 per side, unweighted.

Breathing was the limiting factor here. Particularly on deadlifts which was comical. I’m standing there at lockout gasping for air between reps; the weight itself is not an issue.
I feel like this session, on top of Monday’s debacle, was a wakeup call. Can’t do 5x10 of a light weight because you’re gassing out? Someone needs better conditioning.

Still unsure how to proceed into the new year, long introspective rant needed to put my thoughts in order, but I’ll get there.

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1566

More sandbag work! If necessary get another lighter sandbag I work with a 50kg/110lb and 75kg/165lb and it’s great to mix up and challenge the conditioning in different ways, plus it will all move you towards your goal.

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1567

Ooh that’s tempting. I could actually pull that off, because I used my “extra” seabag to make my 150lb bag; still have my boot camp original. However for nostalgia purposes I don’t want to ruin that one yet :slight_smile: 100lbs would suit me quite well. However, since I’m stuck with just the 150 for now, it will FORCE me to get stronger so I can use it more, haha.

1568

Totally get that but I had a 83kg(182lbs) bag to start with and whilst I thought I’d do the same, the reality was different and it just became unused, got the 50&75 and they get regular use.

Thinking about it though, I think I’ll now get that old bag loaded to 100kg and work up to that, but I think having multiple options is helpful. Does mean you can warm up as well rather than go straight to stupid heavy!

Also having a well packed bag makes a world of difference.

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1569

Oh mine is not that at the moment! I need to retape the top. Honestly I need to find a better way, because it seems to loosen with use no matter what.

1570

I’ve got two premade set to the size and one premade that is variable, I’d get the made to size anyday of the week. If you’ve got any spare funds I’d say it was worth it.

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1571

12/23
Sandbag:
5 over shoulder, carry down driveway, 5 burpees over bag;
Repeat;
7:20 - practice is paying off here

1.1 mile run, with one of the kids on a bike.

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1572

Incoming S-O-C rant:

a) The typical person, even the typical trainee, could dramatically change their life by simply waking up 15 minutes early, 5-7 days per week, doing a few calisthenics and running one mile. Just 15 minutes a day! Damn that sounds easy.

b) Everyone has an excuse. Here’s mine, by the way: I have a 7-month-old who keeps us awake most of the night, every night. If I wake up at 5:00, I take the baby so my wife can finally get some sleep. Be damned if I say “Oh, this is MY time, deal with it” - my relationship doesn’t work that way.
That being said, I’ve done plenty of long baby-holding walks. But I think I could do more. Stuck in the living room? Tummy time for baby, pushups time for me! So there is room for me to improve still.

c) I’m WAY stronger than I was last year. Bigger too. The process is working. But, as per rant above a day or two ago, I’ve been slacking on the really hard stuff - the stuff that doesn’t carry a big ego reward: painful volume and fast-paced workouts that leave me gassed. This realization will definitely inform my training for 2022. I still don’t have a “plan” but I know I’ll knock down my last two numbers goals (3 and 4 for squat and dead), and hopefully do so early in the year.

d) There is more to being strong than barbell lifts. The sandbag is humbling. Running is humbling. Light weight high volume at a fast pace is humbling. Burpees… are stupid (Can I say that?)

e) Family dynamics and obligations play a HUGE role in my training. what I can do, how hard I can work, how long I can work at a time, when I can work, where, how loud… and for me, family obligations (which are quite broad) are more important than these arbitrary numbers goals.

d) Speaking of changing your life with simple decisions: I have barely consumed alcohol this year. I’ve had a few, max 2 drinks in a sitting I think, and probably averaged less than 2 drinks per month all year. I plan to continue this; but not to swear off alcohol entirely because there are occasions where it’s appropriate, and a little bit won’t erase a whole year of good choices. But in 2020 I drank rather a lot. I’m glad I stopped. (No, I didn’t have a drinking problem, was never getting drunk; just having fun in the summer of covid; but still).

e) Enough for now! Need to get some things done before family needs pull me back in !
Merry christmas to all!

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1573

Happy holidays to you and your family!

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1574

I can resonate with all of the comments you made in some form or another. Most of this is now what I realise to just be life and called being an adult. There is a constant mental battle between doing things for yourself and not feeling guilty that you are neglecting your responsibilities as a partner or a parent. Add work and other responsibilities to the mix and it can become very hard to keep all the plates spinning. I would like to tell you it gets easier as the kids get older but that simply isn’t true. But you do get better at spinning the plates and better and finding ways to make it all work.
You have done a great job this year with your training and dedication to your family. Remember that time is your biggest friend with regards to getting bigger and stronger. Consistent effort over time always wins. You don’t have to always train like a crazy man to make progress but you do need to just keep chipping away.
Merry Christmas to you and your family and I look forward to seeing you make even more progress in life, next year.

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1575

12/24

100 reps clean and press 105lbs.
Under 20 minutes.
Done as 10 E2MOM.

Gasping for breath nearly the entire time. This is exactly the kind of thing I need.

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1576

Happy Christmas to you and yours dude. Hope santa brought you that 3 plate Squat you wanted.

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1577

Thanks mate. He didn’t, but it might arrive a little later, like February!

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1578

Merry Christmas my dude.

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1579

Thanks, you too!

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1580

12/25 Saturday, Christmas
Very early 2.1 mile walk holding 20lb baby. So early Santa was still out making deliveries. Let wife get some sleep and when we got back, it was time to do Christmas!
Later:
10 bag over shoulder
6 or 8 driveway carries, front bear hug position. Wasn’t really tracking, just doing what I could while the kids played in the driveway with new toys.

1 mile walk with family

PS its 83f here today. Must be like this in Australia? But I’m in Texas. It’s not terribly unusual.

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1581

A humblebrag, because it’s my log:
On Christmas, I was a fully engaged dad, husband, and host (numerous relatives over).
I ate a lot- more sugars and carbs than I do in a typical month; but it’s a fairly low bar.
And I walked 3 miles and worked the sandbag and swam my ass off (pool party) so I’m totally happy with that.
I drank 4 drinks or more. Most I’ve had in a day all year. But never got tipsy, don’t feel it today, and didn’t make myself sick. So again, happy with that.

I ate A TON. everybody did. Difference is, i ate mostly meat. An insane amount of meat. So again, happy with that.

What a year it’s been, in life and training. Here’s to 22! Life is good.

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