I guess that the issue there is that people have different standards for different goals which comes back to one of the first questions I think I posted in this log: what is your goal?
For me, I’ll never be powerlifter-strong, that ship sailed years ago. But for myself, and potentially for you, the numbers aren’t actually that important, but the trend, the effort and the process are goals in and of themselves.
Tiny progress is progress and over time this becomes moderate progress, then good progress. I am one of a few lifters on here who just slowly chip away week after week. It works, and if you do it long enough you will look back and pleasantly surprised how far you have come. I totally understand having a set of strength standards for yourself and not feeling happy until you hit them. This is your journey, so stick to your plan. But be open to feedback and advise from others on here. There are some very knowledgeable lifters on here who are always happy to help. Keep smashing it girl.
@dagill2 You might like this piece then. It’s how I’ve accomplished anything in my life, and Clear expresses it well. I just don’t find setting hard quantitative goals super compelling. It wouldn’t make me work any harder or feel more satisfied than I do now. In fact I think it would be discouraging for me to repeatedly tell myself that I’m not strong until I lift X weight for Y reps (though I have loose ideas about what I’d consider strong) because it would remind me so often how far I am from that. Especially considering that I gain strength at a snail’s pace. Another analogy would be language learning – setting a goal to reach C1 level isn’t anywhere near as important as putting in the time and effort toward improvement. People can debate whether B2 or C1 is proficient “enough,” but I think orienting one’s learning around that isn’t productive for everyone.
So instead I accept that I’m weaker than I’d like and focus on improving little by little. As long as I get stronger and better conditioned over time, with a slight emphasis on the former, I’m content. Happens by choosing the right system and believing in it, assuming one puts forth the effort. Maybe it seems like this flies in the face of the standards I’ve mentioned, but I don’t think that they and this approach are mutually exclusive. For example, I think most men in this sphere can agree that a 135 lb bench for an average male is not strong. Subjective, yes, but not bogus.
@simo74 For sure, thank you. Everyone has shared valuable input. I don’t think I’m unhappy with myself though, just expecting more. And honestly, though I feel my log’s title is objective contrary to some people’s opinions here, anything else I come up with would be generic. I didn’t know what else to call it. I have no personal attachment to my username. So, if anyone has any ideas on that, I’m open.
Sorry if I overstepped. Rather than repeating the mistake yet again, as this was a highly unsolicited convo if you want to talk about your imposter syndrome or discuss it more generally and I’m around: feel free to @ me!
“5/3/1: This Girl’s Quest For Strength” (thinking you don’t have to call yourself strong or weak)
“5/3/1: Progress Is Progress Is Progress”
@Voxel No worries. Clearly it’s a relatable topic, as you got a lot of people talking! Regarding the imposter syndrome, I’m not sure that can of worms should be opened at this time or place. But I appreciate that as well as the title suggestions. I’ll let those marinate and see if anyone else has any.
There’s always the email in my bio if you feel it’s something you need to talk to someone about but don’t want to do so out in the open
C2W3D1
3x3 tuck jumps
Deadlift
125x5
160x5
185x3
195x7
160x12
Belt Squat 55x26,21,23
50 band pull aparts
Surprise, being tired and stressed makes me do stupid things like forget to load the extra 10 pounds on my top deadlift set. Should have been a PR set with 205. I had a bit of a refeed yesterday and thought I really hacked the system to set a huge PR today, but oh well. I’m not too upset because this is the best my deadlift has been at this bodyweight. I ran out of steam on FSL again. Also sad to report that my band broke today, so band pull aparts were cut short. Need to buy another one.
I seem to remember some conversation about you training in a basement area or something like that. You appear to be deadlifting in an underground parking area? Lol, I bet you get some funny looks.
I thought you were weak? Then you post these deadlifts.
She is objectively pretty strong. But subjectively, she wants to be stronger. Don’t we all? Yes, yes we do.
@Cyrrex Yeah, I’m afraid of deadlifting on my balcony. So I haul all of my stuff to the elevator and go down to my building’s lower level parking garage. Not too many people in the mornings, but yes, some people find it interesting. I’m very much looking forward to not having to move all of the equipment just to deadlift starting in a couple weeks.
I think you and @aldebaran give a bit too much credit. While I don’t know how much merit websites like this have, and I don’t think categorization into “novice,” “advanced,” etc. is great, they’re at least numbers to compare. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t feel like many men have as strong of a grasp on the female strength world than vice-versa because it’s so… tiny comparatively. And for pretty much everything my lifts are not terrible but not great.
I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this on here. I actually had signed up for a Strongman competition earlier this year, but due to COVID shenanigans that didn’t happen. I’m not too salty about it because I was reasonably concerned that I would zero a majority of the events in the novice class, hahaha.
Admittedly, I sound very stubborn.
Conditioning was 6 hill sprints in the afternoon. I think I’ll take a mini deload in a couple weekends when I move, but I still have about a week leftover after 1s week. I’ll either start 5s week of the next cycle and repeat after the deload, or I might use that time to step away from a barbell, do some Walrus challenges from 5/3/1 Forever, and push conditioning.
OH GOODNESS NOT AT ALL.
Do something silly. Earn your deload.
Fair warning: this is terrible advice.
That is potentially dangerous advice for sure, hahaha
That is serious dedication.
Massive kudos.
Objectively pretty strong, subjectively wants to be stronger
That’s the name of this log!
Yeah. It pretty much describes how I see myself. I bet many can relate to it.
The elevator being right next to my apartment and the fact that I simply don’t have as many plates to haul (not multiple pairs of 45s, for example) help a lot. If I had to take the stairs, I don’t think I would do it, hahaha