Don’t wanna say the place publicly here because I’m a weirdo. A place where I used to live that feels very much like home to me.
Flights to Berlin and Hamburg dropped rapidly again though, and because I received my tax return a couple days ago, I am so close to buying a ticket. But my friend told me yesterday that I might regret going in November + when conditions remain uncertain 
Congratulations! Great work.
Also strong AF pullups.
It would be a risk but being fully vaccinated, it might work out. You cpuld end up regretting due to the weather in November.
Yeah, there’s certainly the risk of another wave. I’m not sure I would want to deal with all the tests. The airline offers no change fees, but I don’t know how flexible they are. I will say that I have experienced bitterly cold conditions for many years and poorly tolerate hot weather, so November weather is not a big issue for me. Though maybe it would be so gloomy such that it would be harder to do outdoor walking tours and or meet people. So, I would otherwise delay to spring 2022 maybe.
I think another autumn/winther wave with as least a partial lockdown, is a realistic scenario in a lot of European countries.
It really depends on how effective the vaccination programmes turn out to be against society spread and in particular against the new variants that seem to pop up with depressing regularity. I think we all hope for the best, but nobody really knows.
Probably a sensible precaution to make certain you can re-schedule or cancel without penalty.
Yeah, I just thought about it for a good hour or so, and I realized that I am trying to rationalize something that is probably at least 50% irrational. But I might poke around for a March date, to be honest. I haven’t left my current town since 2019, so of course now that I have money and am vaccinated, I’m chomping at the bit to not only get out but to finally go somewhere I’ve been dying to visit for over a decade. And as a terribly frugal person, I know that spending money is not the best idea unless it’s a 100% hell yes decision, even if a bargain entices me.
Sorry that turned into a novel lol
ES Day 16
Pullup 1x8
Front squat 85x2x5
Press 45x10
Standing ab wheel progression 2x5
KB swing 26kgx2x15
3x400m at the track 1:28, 1:26, 1:30
Feeling like a zombie today. I don’t know how I managed to do the running. I honestly might call it quits here and do a final stupid off-plan workout on Tuesday or Wednesday. I think I’m in that weird stage of weight loss where I look leaner but slightly worse. Maybe I’ll pick up this program for one more week when I get back, or maybe I’ll start BBB or something because I miss eating food. Either way, I’m pleased with how front squats and pullups fared on ES.
I can totally follow you in your desire to get away - it is hard to know what to do - there are just so many uncertainties right now.
I agree so much with everything you said here. I had a meltdown a few months back and swore when this is all over I’m going as far away as possible from where I’ve been as possible. Ideally I will not hear an accent I recognise the entire trip.
Feels like a zombie, trains anyway.
That’s a champion.
I feel kind of bad when I say stuff like that because I sound like I think I’m a special snowflake… when in reality I know most of the developed world feels the same way. And it could have been way worse – after all, I never got COVID as far as I know, and I did not suffer unemployment. I don’t think the pandemic has been good for work:life balance in many cases. I hope you can take a trip soon.
Haha, training is a good outlet. I don’t think I could not do it.
Go to Germany! I went three (maybe 4) times when I lived in Sweden and absolutely loved it, stay somewhere cheap and eat cheapish food. I definitely found it worth it, even as a brokeish grad student.
It’s been a plan for a long time, but I don’t want to let my desperation get the best of me. I’d hate to spend money to go there so soon if I end up not being able to do much
1.6 km run 6:55
800m cooldown
50 band pull aparts
121.6 BW this morning. The run time was decent considering I hadn’t done a time trial in a couple months. Yesterday the weather cooled off considerably (thankfully), and it feels like early fall. Last night co-workers and I went out to eat at a nice rooftop place, and though I am “anti-social,” it was great to interact with a group outside of work. We all nibbled from shared plates, but simply having company was much better.
Thought today was a good day to die.
30 pullups
SSB squat
110x7
90x5x10
80x12
60x20 (no lockout)
71 dips
SA BB row +50x10, +45x12, +40x13
SA KB Press top half shellx15,13
BB curl 45x15,10
A Lot of band pull aparts
I learned quickly that I am very depleted… I’ve never felt so defeated by high rep squats before. What fun!
I am in the process of cutting down myself. I notice after a few exercises, I am more drained feeling. I usually can make it though my main exercises, but the supplemental work just feels like I don’t have much left in me. I still do it, but I am getting like 8 reps instead of 12.
Awesome work as always.
I’ll never understand those who advocate higher volume programs for weight loss. “Drained” is a very good way to describe this feeling.
I am torn on the subject. On one hand more volume is more muscle stimulation, but could I get that stimulation with heavier lower volume which seems easier while cutting? Maybe? IDK. I guess I would call what I am doing moderate volume ATM.
Yeah, I could understand their wanting to preserve muscle more than strength because the latter can return quickly. I simply don’t think that muscle loss occurs that quickly unless someone is being a total idiot nutrition-wise. I prefer losing weight more drastically, so doing something crazy high volume doesn’t pair well with that… at least not for long.
I’m by no means an expert on the topic though, so who knows. Probably minutia for most lifters.