Nice work!
You’ll do great, let us know how it goes!
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Thanks all! I passed. The committee thought that my written proposal and presentation slides were outstanding but that I should boost my communication skills. Not surprising because I am very hit-or-miss when I am put on the spot. Thankfully the pass was still unconditional. Wish I didn’t psych myself up so much for these things.
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Well done!
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Congratulations!!
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Had a refeed meal of sorts this evening. I don’t like work social events – shocker – but definitely could not have found an excuse to opt out tonight because my advisor wanted to celebrate my colleague and I successfully defending our proposals this summer. The steak was free and not terrible, so I can’t complain.
11 Likes
8/23
Easy Strength D15
Pullups +10x2x5
Front squat 110x2x5
Push press from the floor 75x2x5
50 BPA
2x5 standing ab wheel
KB swing 30kgx50
Tabata running
I think I’m going to stick this program out a few more sessions and then probably switch things up again sooner than I’d imagined. The reality is that I chose Easy Strength again mostly because it suited my lifestyle for a few weeks. I worked at home nearly every day, so it was easy to lift very frequently. I think I got a little bit leaner, and I’ve managed a few front squat PRs, so I can’t complain. Though my KB is still stuck, so that sucks.
A three- or four-day program will work better for me logistically because I have to work in person again more often than not. Thanks, science. In any case it feels like a good time to transition after yesterday’s milestone and as summer (slowly) turns to fall here.
12 Likes
8/24
Easy Strength D16
Pullups 2x5
Front squat 100x2x5
Push press from the floor 65x2x5
50 BPA
Feeling fatigued all over, so I took it a bit easier today. I hope I can PR on weighted pullups tomorrow, which I expect to be my final day of Easy Strength.
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Quads are already sore from sprinting with this guy at the park tonight. His owner is not as athletically inclined as me and has entrusted me to tire him out.
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Gosh, playing with a puppy sounds rough, so nice of you to take one for the team 
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Good luck! He looks pretty spry.
And adorable. 
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8/25
Pullup +10x1,+15x1,+20x1,+25x1,+35x1 PR,+25x1
Low on time, and my legs ache, so I succumbed to a touch of laziness and only did my weighted pullup singles today. The top single was just close enough for me to count it. I will start a new program this weekend.
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He’s definitely energetic, but I also don’t think my friend takes him for super long walks. But I think he’s a little worn out from yesterday because my friend said that he was shy and lethargic when she took him out this morning. So, mission accomplished.
Her parents were caring for him for a lot of the summer, but she has him from now on. So, now I get to enjoy all the perks of pet ownership without the sacrifices.
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I envy you!
Get in line! Just kidding.
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That is a wonderful trade!
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Thinking “out loud” here:
5/3/1 is calling my name again. Taking a different approach and only going to lift three times in the week – maybe every other day – but still one main lift (PR set + backoff set) per day. I flipped through Forever this evening and found some three-day full body programs and knew that they would probably irk me after a couple weeks; I crave a greater sense of focus in each session and hammering bodyweight assistance work.
I don’t care if this is “optimal” or not – no program has proven great for my overhead strength, for example – but this should allow me to continue a slight caloric deficit (want to be a bit more diligent about this) without digging too much into recovery and to condition on my off days instead of doubling up like I’ve done over recent months. Plus my social life is blossoming now, and some of my other hobbies are trying to steal the show. Training is still a priority but not the biggest one – the story of my 2022.
Main lifts will be SSB squat, deadlift, press, and push press. Lots of pullups, dips, and pushups and some squat stuff for assistance. Mostly running for conditioning but also sandbag carries. Hill sprints should feature more regularly now that I am working in person more often.
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8/27
C1W1D1
Pullups +10x5x5
Jumps
Press 42.5x5,47.5x5,55x15 PR,42.5x16
Dips 3x15
50 BPA
3x60s plank + 20 situps, no rest
I spread this session throughout the morning. I didn’t sleep well or long, which meant I had a lot of time to cook and clean my apartment. It feels good to finish everything before the morning is over. The PR surprised me – after several years I might be approaching the point where 55 is finally light weight for me on presses. I think taking push presses more seriously this year has helped. Or maybe listening to The National so much lately while lifting is the recipe for PRs.
It’s my first weekend of freedom, so I am definitely going to take advantage of that. I’m going to a cool local event with my friend this afternoon, so the day will only get better from here.
11 Likes
8/28
6x200m at the track: 39s,40s,38s,39s,40s,40s,38s. Followed by 400m cooldown.
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8/29
C1W1D2
SSB squat 85x5,95x5,110x17,85x20
SSB lunge 80x2x8
50 pushups
T-bar row +50x17,14,11
For some reason my quads still hurt from sprinting with the puppy… last Wednesday. I definitely owe some more single leg/core assistance. In any case, squats and Turnstile were an interesting combination.
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Forget the notion of optimal programming. Do something that excites you and you are more likely to train hard and be successful.
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