18/07/20 - 6 WEEK PROGRESS REPORT
And so we arrive at the much-anticipated post. It has been near as makes no difference 6 weeks (40 days today).
I’ve done my 1RM tests in the last two workouts. Here are the lifts:
Squat: 95.5 kg (210.5 lbs)
Bench: 75 kg (165.3 lbs)
Deadlift: 131 kg (288.8 lbs)
OHP: 60 kg (132.3 lbs)
Chin ups: 5
Now for the physique updates:
(Same measurement criteria as the beginning)
Weight: 179 lbs (+4 lbs)
Estimated body fat: 20% (no significant change)
Shoulder width: 20 5/8 inches (+1/4 inch)
Shoulder circumference: 48 1/2 inches (+1/4 inch)
Chest: 45 1/4 inch (+3/4 inch)
Waist: 35 inches relaxed (+3/4 inch… crap)
Hips: 39 1/2 inches (no discernible change)
Leg: 23 1/2 inches (+1 inch)
Calves: 15 1/2 inches (+3/4 inch… no idea how though. Hmmm…)
Arms: 15 inches (+3/8 inches)
Not sure quite how accurate these measurements are to be honest. I find it hard to believe my legs are an inch bigger, and I don’t think my arms look any bigger… I wouldn’t be surprised if my new and increased waist measurement was completely accurate though. But the tape says there is progress… or does it… whatever.
And the mirror? I haven’t looked in 6 weeks, and to be honest I’m a little disappointed now I have - which does beg the question, exactly what did I expect from 6 weeks of lifting? Not sure. I think subconsciously I thought I’d end up looking like Arnold or something. That being said, I think the shoulders might be a little better, back a tad wider, triceps a little more prominent… but it’s not much at all. I’m still very unsatisfied, I desperately need more size.
On the whole I’m a rather grumpy fellow to be honest. I feel like I haven’t made any progress at all, apart from gaining 4 lbs of what is probably fat. And even that’s probably just a fluke, I probably was just retaining water or something. And yes, I know it’s only six weeks, but I still look rubbish, at least compared to my own expectations and goals.
Now what?
Well, now I do the only thing I can do - stop complaining, get under the bar, and make stuff happen.
I’ll take the weekend off and we’ll start again on Monday if all goes well. I’m going to be swimming again after about a 4 month break because of covid, so we’ll see how that goes too. Normally get a pretty good workout and a great pump, so it can’t hurt - and some cardio will prevent my heart from congealing into a lump of gristle. Which is always a plus.