Beautiful, I see no hills though!
What part of the country are you in?
Thanks! And yeah, hence the “on the way.” Here is a summer photo of the hill I use. Not the best image, but I think if I shared a better one, it would reveal my location more easily. I’m in the Midwest in the USA
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Yea, was just joking. The image isn’t there for me but just from seeing the flatness, I’d have guessed the Midwest. I’ve only been to the Midwest twice, once in January, I don’t envy that.
The image doesn’t show up for you? I lived in one of the flattest places before I moved states about a year ago, and even though it is still kinda flat, I was surprised to learn that there is decent elevation not too far from where I live. Hiking opportunities aren’t too shabby.
I don’t mind the cold as much as the snow. I remember a couple of years ago in January a polar vortex brought a -55 degree F wind chill. Good times.
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That’s beautiful photography.
Thanks!
Also, you inspired me to borrow and read the Mass Made Simple book. Just started it. Might actually give it a try despite my squat mornings 
The squats are all pretty light, with minimal grinding so it might ingrain some good habits.
Finished it last night. While I don’t think I fit the demographic who need to slam PB&Js, I do think I am at least partially his target audience. His “how to squat” section was brief yet surprisingly (or maybe unsurprisingly) intuitive.
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C1W3D3
38 pullups
Squat
35x5
100x5
110x3
125x1
Press
40x5
47.5x3
52.5x10
Deadlift
145x5
165x3
185x4
More pullups to 50
50 push ups
100 band pull aparts
Weird day on deadlifts. I think my strength hasn’t suffered too terribly this cycle. This program accommodates my busy schedule this semester as well. The thrice weekly squatting is good to build up practice.
Feels sorta weird to post pics like this, but since the cycle is over, this is where I am right now physique-wise since the main goal has been to lose bodyfat. Should probably get a side view. I (clearly) rarely take photos… I look almost the same year after year when I do anyway
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C2W1D1
50 pull ups
50 dips
3x3 jumps
Squat
35x5
85x5
100x5
115x10
Belt squat +30x2x15
100 band pull aparts
Had 2 days of good sleep but then woke up before 3 this morning, unable to go back to sleep. Should have pushed more on my top set. This time on belt squats I experimented with holding onto something to take balance out of the equation (think my lower back was weirdly trying to get involved before), and they feel even better. I think these will help my squat a lot.
Thanks to super early wake-up, I had time to head to the track:
2x400m (1:30,1:30), 2x200m (:40,40)
Did an extra 10 pull ups while there.
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Okay, I’ll shut up and keep doing more back work… Lol
Seriously though, good job!
Absolutely amazing sunrise photographs!
I have nothing to add about the training except that I, like you, have done 531 for years and am not as strong as I would have liked, I blame myself for that not the program. However it’s always tempting to forward project how strong you could get on 531 as it’s a linear increase and then feel like you should always be gaining that magical 10/5lbs per cycle, but as we all know it isn’t that simple and strength gains aren’t linear.
Bottom line is you keep plugging away and in 5 years time you should be able to look back and see some decent strength gains, journals definitely help in this regard, I frequently feel like I’m spinning my wheels but in reality I’m just making average progress and over the course of many years that leads to looking somewhat stronger and better.
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No harm in keeping with 531 for the main lift and maybe try something like double progression for assistance to get a quick dopamine hit. Progression is quicker but the plateau comes earlier too 
@whang You have a pull up bar at home… no excuses! You’ve certainly been making good progress on the vertical pulls though. But really, band pull aparts are even more effortless to accumulate daily or semi-daily volume.
@alex_uk Thank you! It’s discouraging to almost always reach the same TMs and plateau, then rinse and repeat. Like you say, I know it’s definitely my fault and not Jim’s. Lifting weights isn’t that complicated… at least for someone like me. I truthfully haven’t made much progress, yet I rarely stray from 5/3/1 because it makes the most sense to me. By far. I think having a log on this forum helps also because other people are not afraid to call you out for being stupid, hahaha.
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C2W1D2
3x3 jumps
Squat
35x5
85x5
100x5
115x3
130x1
Bench
35x8
62.5x5
72.5x5
82.5x10
3x6 standing ab wheel progression + 15 reps from knees
Smorgasbord of seal rows and barbell rows
100 band pull aparts
I decided to be too cutesy and try seal rows today since I should have enough bench elevation. My setup seemed amazing, but upon trying it I was pretty disappointed. I don’t get the hype. This feels like a forearm exercise more than anything else. I think I might need more ROM to feel a difference… thanks, orangutan arms. Then gave barbell rows a try after many years of neglecting them. Remembered why I hate them. So, sort of a wasted session for back work. I think I need to stick with the single arm landmine rows. Maybe order and try a T-bar attachment for some variety.
I slept amazingly last night! But alas, lifting when hungry is the worst. Can’t wait for this to be over.
Not wasted if you found out something didn’t work for you!
I’ve got a big wingspan and what I do is elevate the bench, widen my grip to where I can’t quite reach the bar, get one hand on, lift that side off the ground, then go get the other and I can get a full stretch.
I had a similar experience initially with you where I really didn’t like them but I’m a fan now.
Edit - just watched your video and it looks like you’re putting your wrists into flexion. Any chance you can just relax them a bit, but keep your grip on the bar, if that makes sense?
My landmine and fat grip row attachment are coming tomorrow. The thing looks awesome.
I have my belt dip now too…
How would you recommend progressing the belt squats for assistance?
@sammymcloughlin You’re right, maybe I should try again. Perhaps I need to widen my grip. I also think even though my ROM looks sufficient, it’s not enough to feel a squeeze at the top.
Overall not a huge bummer if it doesn’t work. Single arm rows have always been good for me. I even think vertical pulling is even better. But I wish I still had an option for a chest-supported row.
@boilerman I’m probably the wrong person to ask about progression because mine is so slow, haha. I think the belt squats require some experimentation, figuring out what setup is right for you at first. So don’t be surprised if there’s initially a lot of tinkering. In my opinion, and I think others would agree, belt squats are better for slightly higher reps. Maybe aiming for 3-4x20 with a certain weight and moving up once you achieve that.
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Did 5 hill sprints afterwards. There’s a major warm front here, so no frost anymore. Feeling weak and was glad to finish.
At the end someone arrived to also do hill work. He told me he was going to try to do 3 of them. So I guess I can’t feel too bad about myself