It turns out that I’m really bad at logging. I’ve let lifting fall by the wayside a little bit – still training, but I am not following much of a program besides doing some WALRUS-style stuff a few times per week and the big lifts once per week or so.
I’ve had simply too much to do. I’m trying to defend my dissertation early next year, so work has taken over a lot of my life right now.
Not to mention catching the cycling bug – hard. Last week I went on my first (supported) bike trip and cycled 400 km in four days! It was so much fun. I also got a fancy, like-new road bike several weeks ago for a great price. So, I’m investing a lot into this new hobby. I already want to go on another bike trip.
Dunno how I feel about lifting. Thanks to the WALRUS stuff, I’ve been feeling more confident on pull-ups and push-ups. Kinda inspired to pursue more calisthenics-style training but don’t have much bandwidth to figure out which program would suit me. I’m also interested in getting into rucking but don’t have the means at the moment.
I never expected to give up logging or adore bikes, but here I am. Shifting interests I guess. But I think what I’m doing now is sort of helping me cope with being a sixth-year PhD student and various personal things.
Even more good news is that my iron levels have made great strides! My hair has grown back a lot, and I feel like a very different person since a year ago.
Anyway, I felt like writing this update because I do miss posting here. I don’t know when I’ll post consistently again, but I want to visit more often to check up on others’ logs.
Hobbies cycle, pun intended. It’s great to see you embrace it and just enjoy the bike. If lifting isn’t your thing right now, fine, it might come back around, it might not.
This is one of the best parts, glad you are feeling better!
Okay, I’ve decided to try to come back for a while again. I have more time on my hands. While I try to catch up on others’ logs, I will give some updates on fitness and life things:
I’m still trying to get fitter on the bike. I bought an indoor trainer in December and have been using TrainerRoad to improve. Unlike many cyclists, I prefer riding the trainer because it is more efficient, there are no cars, I can focus on my music or podcasts, I can actually challenge myself way more than I can riding local terrain, and I don’t have to deal with mechanical issues.
In December, I broke my toe while assembling said trainer. Don’t ask, it’s stupid. Healing was a pretty depressing time.
Ferritin and hemoglobin levels were better than ever before when I retested them in January.
I tried ashwagandha and can’t recommend it.
I’ve gotten really into training with rings, though I haven’t been following any kind of lifting programming lately. Just doing random things. Not good, but it was needed.
The beginning of the year has been pretty sobering to say the least. I will try to not get too political, but I’ve had three major opportunities taken away from me in the past six weeks because of the current administration. I’ve wanted to move abroad before all this, but now I also feel obligated to do so. So, I’m desperately waiting until I can defend my dissertation in 5-6 months (finally kinda soon!) and leave.
I’ve slowly accumulated bodyweight over the past… who knows however many months. I’ve also gotten a bit weaker. I want to shed some of this weight very slowly and sustainably and get back onto a regular lifting program, regain some strength. I’m currently on a short deload of sorts but will start a 5/3/1 program next week with very conservative TMs. Looking forward to it.
I got two really cool ear piercings about a week ago.
I completely get this - I feel the same way about the treadmill, though there is never a goal beyond having a good workout and enjoying the mental health benefit of no stress while doing it.
I’m sorry the upheaval is hitting you hard. I don’t even know what to say about it beyond that I sympathize and wake up in the middle of the night to worry about it all.
W1D1 Limited Time 5x5/3/1
Pull-ups 3x7
Press 42.5x18
Deadlift 150x5x5
Push-ups 3x8
SA BB row +40x22
Feels so good to be back on a lifting program! And one that I know I will be able to stick to. Starting really light. I’m not hoping to break PRs or anything, just want to get closer to my old numbers and slowly lose weight while juggling cycling and a bit of running. Depending on time and weather, I will add a third day of upper body ring work.
Ugh, I think this is the hardest workout I’ve ever done on the trainer. Just when I thought threshold workouts were getting easier. Glad I got through it with only one short break though.
Nice! Maybe you have better riding opportunities than I do. I must say the trainer was an amazing purchase for me. Outside, I can’t emulate probably 90%+ of the workouts I’ve done even though there are a couple of decent but short climbs near me.
