No. I would be constantly paranoid
I have high intrinsic motivation for the things I choose to do. Everything else, I outsource or don’t bother
I use the results of others as a benchmark. I’m not competing against them. I’m using their numbers as a way to gauge where I should/could be.
For example, if I did well in a race, but only bc some of the top runners dropped out from heat exhaustion (this actually happened), then I don’t feel that great about my placement bc I knew I could do better
Well that shouldn’t really exist and hasn’t been my experience in strength sports so far.
Why the weight cut for testing if you don’t like the external pressure and have no plan of competing? Those weight classes are an arbitrary construct to measure athletes in a specific sport against each other.
Bc it’s the weight I was for the past 3 tests
I want to keep variables the same.
I also prefer how I look at 103, but going over 103 is better for building strength
Okay I guess I can see that. I don’t necessarily agree with the reasoning but I get the logic.
Half of the issue is solved that you had before. You use to struggle to perform and disliked how you looked. Progress 
I think the above would be a better sentence. You may find yourself in January with a body you prefer and performing well. Best to not set your mind on a solid plan before knowing the results of the current one.
That is a very very very specific number you like. Also just want to point out the look you like at that weight is a result of bodyfat % not the scale. So if during this phase you build muscle and get that same look while being slightly heavier would you still like the look or rather be leaner and 103lbs (looking different).
If the test week’s purpose is to test increase in maximum strength since the last test surely any weight gain should be seen as a by product of the training which you are judging and not as an independent variable that needs to be constant?
Just a thought but have you ever thought of instead of keeping weight as the same for each test phase to add an extra component to test week which is body weigh based?
Something like:
TEST 1
Max 1rm squat
Max 1rm Deadift
Max 1rm Bench
TEST 2
Max reps with bodyweight bench
Max reps with 1.5 or 2x bodyweight squat
Max reps with 2 or 2.5x bodyweight deadlift
That way you test maximum strength and set new 1RM Prs and also test bodyweight relative PRs. (Ofcourse this is under the assumption you end up liking the look)
Leaner is better.
103 is a benchmark for strength and leaner than what I am now, hence I like how I look at that weight.
I don’t like reps.
1rms are bodyweight based for me too. My deadlift is technically weaker bc I was pulling 120kg at 40kg prepandemic and now I can only pull 130kg at 47kg
I’d need to pull at least 140 at 47 to be satisfied
So it isn’t the look you had at103lbs specific nor certain look specific? Just a matter of being as lean as possible correct? (not a problem just clarifying if I understand right)
And only you. For anyone else 1rm is lbs on the bar based. Like Brandon Lily once said “there are no weight classes in the jungle”
In regards to your 1rm this is an increase. In regards to ratio then yeah that’s a decrease.
Ratio and 1RM are not the same. You could lose 5kg on both your weight and deadlift and improve ratios yet be weaker.
Again nothing wrong with the above. I think a lot of people (me included) missed that what you meant is:
You were a zombie at 40kg and weight transfers better on squatting and benching than it does with sumo deadlifts.
I think you’re doing great now, even if you’re not 100% impressed with your results.
Yeah. It’s being as lean as possible while being as strong as possible. I’m accepting being less lean right now to get stronger. Then cutting very slowly to preserve it.
Week 2: day 4
Deadlift: 2x8-205, 1x8-215, 1x10-225lbs
Front squat: 2x(8-95lbs+20alt bodyweight lunges), 2x(6-105lbs+20alt lunges), 2x(4-115lbs+200lbs lunges),play change rests
Snatch grip DL: 5x8-135lbs
Bench: 2x10-95lbs, 2x8-105lbs, 1x4-115lbs paused
Lateral raises: 5x6-15lb dbs
Db bench:1x9-45lb dbs, 2x9-40lb dbs
Curls: 3x4-45lbs
Week 2: day 5 (yesterday)
Amrap 10min: 6snatches/side-35lb db, 5 goblet squats-35lb db+ 3 push-ups, 6rds
1min rest
Amrap 9 min: 6 cleans/side+5 goblet squats+ 4 deadbugs/side, 6rds
Row: 1x11-85lbs; 1x11, 1x7, 4x6, 1x5-75lbs, EMOM
Handstand walk practise
Updates:
Week 3: Day 1
Bench: work up to 125 for 4 reps paused
lying leg raises: 5x12
Feet up bench: 1x16-85lbs; 1x15,1x7,4x6-75lbs EMOM
Z press: 5x8-25lb DBs
DB flyes: 5x10-15lb Dbs
Press: 1x14-65lbs; 1x8, 1x7, 3x6-55lbs EMOM
Incline Treadmill walk: 25min, 2.5mph, 12% incline
@hustlinghat93 I most definitely do NOT like the way I look. MY legs are noticeably softer, more fat on hips and love handles forming
You shouldn’t care because you know this is a transitionary period. A ‘necessary evil’, ‘an investment’ whatever you want to call it you know this specific period of your training life is dedicated to getting stronger, letting your body be fueled and more importantly make it easier to lose weight later so you look the way you want to…
Is this all by look or do you have measurements etc which indicate this?
Do you weigh yourself on a regular basis?
How are your clothes fitting?
I think for someone like you, you have two choices:
I am a big fan of this approach during gaining. And I do the opposite as well when losing: LOTS of mirror gazing. I’m trying to reinforce a very positive body image.
yeah…
every week. same time. same clothes. I’m up 1lbs since the beginning June. Up ~4lbs since the beginning of summer
by look and by feel. My thighs rub together more, shit is squishier
about the same
On a happier note, Supervisor is very pleased with me and has agreed to write me a letter of recommendation.
She also had one of her friends connect me with Gneezy. I hope this works. I REALLY REALLY want to meet him
All of this does not make sense.
You are up 1lb in the last two months ( correct me if I am wrong about timing) you started adding calories in since then so have increased glycogen stores, you are performing better and your clothes fit the same… But you are getting squishier?
To break it down let’s say that whole 1lb is actual mass
That’s 0.5lb a month while performance is improving
That’s roughly 0.125lb a week gained while performance is improving
If you detach for a moment do you REALLY think that the weight is just fat?
Also I want to point out that if that 1lb was pure muscle and went just in your thighs, you would still have thighs rubbing together and feeling squishy. The truth when it comes to body composition is putting on muscle mass makes you look worse until you either get lean so you can see the new muscle or until you put on so much size that you just look like a unit.
So nothing solid apart from your own conclusions? I honestly think it’s possible your brain is fucking with you because of your apprehension to gaining.
I really think if you listen to anything Pwn has said this should be it.
Eliminate the stress of seeing what you don’t like, eliminate the opinion non create aspect of how you look and look at the facts.
Are you gaining at a reasonable rate + are you performing better? If the answer is yes then that’s a sign you are doing things right.
If the answer is no to one of those questions then that’s a sign something needs to change,
I only wear stretchy clothes (ie leggings, loose tshirts)
Belt still fits, but there’s more indentation.
I’ve gained a total of 4ish lbs since. I was 104 at the end of the school year (~May10th). About a month later, I was 106.6. I’m now 107.6.
I’ve held 107.6 for 2 weeks now.
Week 3: day 2
Deadlift: 2x6-215lbs, 1x10-235lbs !!!, 1x10-225lbs
Conventional DL: 2x12-155lbs, 1x10-165lbs, 1x8-175lbs, superset with 20min squats
Row: 1x11-75lbs; 1x10, 2x8, 4x7, 2x6-65lbs EMOM
Bodyweight leg work: 4x50 air squats w/30 sec rests, 4x50 alt lunges w/30 sec rests
after hard lower body workouts it sometimes feels like the ground is unstable for a couple of hours after, like I’m on a boat…. Not fun….
Random thing: I felt like a total boss yesterday. We’re starting planning for erc. I led a meeting to set the schedule, set up meeting with advisor and confirmed two speakers, wrapped up summer research work and prepped for the webinar I’m going to speak at today.
@dagill2 @magick @cyclonengineer thank you guys for the conversation earlier. During the prep meeting last week, the ppl were very impressed with my insights much of which was supplied by the conversation here. I’m so excited for the webinar!
Webinar went really really well!!!
100 ppl attended and all 100 stayed to the end.