Dragged myself to the gym. Did some deadlifts.
135 x 6
185 x 5
185 x 5
Pullups
Dip machine
Plate leg press 3 plates lots of reps
Chest press
didn’t feel too bad
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I would have been what I started as. Weak as shit. I was puny growing up, the last one picked for every game. Shake hands with me, you couldn’t even feel my hand. In all those years, I went from hopeless to the beginner level in the gym. The same level every one else starts at.
It’s about health and a lifestyle. What would you be without it?
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I’ve inferred that this pursuit still has some value for you, given your persistence at it.
If it doesn’t, you might serve yourself better by doing something else more satisfying to you.
Whatever you decide, I respect how hard you’ve fought to this point.
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A little bit weaker. The lifestyle isn’t much fun, some days I dread going to the gym.
What’s satisfying is lifting big weight. But my body just won’t do that. I kept hoping that a new program or something has got to work and they never do. I’m tired of people all my life saying how easy it is, just work hard and eat good and it has to happen. Well, they’re wrong.
Bench
65 x 8
95 x 6
105 x 5
105 x 5
105 x 5 this was tough
Squat because I missed it earlier
95 x 5
115 x 5
135 x 5
135 x 5
Dip machine
Pulldown
OH press machine
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I just think it’s important to stay active as we get older. Maybe find an activity you really enjoy and use the gym as a way to make that activity better.
Deadlift
135 x 6
195 x 5
195 x 5
damn these were hard, I was really struggling
The guy next to me was doing squats. He came over and said “Can I tell you something?” I thought he was going to say I was doing it wrong or something. Then he said he was really impressed how much effort I put into it, he said I had heart, and he was so inspired he did an extra set of squats. I said “Thanks! That means a lot to me.”
Pullups
chest press machine
Leg press
OH press machine
Kettlebell shrugs
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Gagg, what happened to T Nation, I can’t find over 35 anymore. No telling next time I’ll make it here.
So last time wanted to deadlift, but all the stations in use. I looked around and found the hex bar. Okay, hex deadlifts.
138 x 8
155 x 6
185 x 5
235 x 3
235 x 2
So Matt comes over and starts talking. Very friendly, we’ve chatted before. He’s a big boy, 300 pounds. all fat. Spends all his time on the treadmill and bicycles. Every now and then he plays with the machines, doing light weights. “That’s good!” he says. “Thanks.”
He pulls at the bar and goes “That’s a lot!”
Then he reaches down and picks up the bar easier than I did it. Lousy form, rounding his back, as if he’s just picking up a bag of groceries. He does it again, easy, and again, easy. “That’s a lot!”
I say “Um, have you ever deadlifted before?” “No, never.”
Now Matt has done some bench pressing, he can do 300 pounds. He has never done any heavy lifting, nothing.
He says “You’re strong, man!” and I said “Thanks.” Now it took me years of hard work to get up to this level, and he starts at this level. I mean, it was a good workout and I’m glad I did it, but we have to learn that some people are just naturals at weightlifting and others like me just aren’t.
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At any body weight, you’d want to be able to lift at least your own body weight fairly easily on deadlift? So he should be able to lift that 235 ‘easily’.
Don’t get sucked into the ‘comparison’ game @cavalier - you do you sir! If anything be content/happy you’re fit and not morbidly obese.
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If he’s really 300 pounds and is somewhat active he probably just has a lot of “natural” lower body strength just from carrying an extra 100 pounds around
Did I mention he can also bench 300 lbs? Never saw him do that, but did see him bench 185. He whipped it up and down like it was paper.
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Hope you’re still lifting @cavalier and trusting all is well!
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Hi Raven. Haven’t posted since T nation got all messed up. Can’t find my own blog anymore.
Yes, still lifting. No, not well. My body still refuses to respond to anything I do. Just today did squats. Got up to 175 pounds, struggled to do barely 3 reps. It stressed me so much the rest of the workout was torture. Kicked up eating, nothing.
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So did bench today.
65 lbs x 8
95 x 5
115 x 3
115 x 3
115 x 4
the last 3 sets were really tough at the end
Leg press
OH press
Tri pressdown
Pec dec
Leg extension
Have been keeping written logs of my workouts. So pulled them out. Back in 2020, stayed out of gym for a year, did some bodyweight stuff, worked with bands, tried to maintain strength. Went back Apr of 21. My strength had dropped. Worked at it, got my levels back in a few months. Then hit the plateua. And that’s been it. For the past 3 years, my body has been stuck at the same size and strength. Kicked up calories, no diff. Changed training, no diff. Got some training by people at the gym, wore me out, no diff. The body will simply not grow.
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Glad you’re still lifting @cavalier - just maintaining strength is still a great thing, keeps you moving and strong as we age. Nothing wrong with that imo.
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I’m glad to see you back.
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Took a while to get here, TNation is so messed up it’s hard to find anything.
Bench
65 x 8
95 x 5
115 x 5
125 x 2 GRINDERR
105 x 3 hard
105 x 3
Leg press
Pec dec
Tri Pulldown
Reverse wrist c url
I was really rally hoping I could push ahead a bit on the bench but no. I’m stuck at exactly the same level for the past three years. My body CANNOT grow and no idea why. It’s so frustrating.
And don’t tell me to eat more. I’ve eaten and eaten and eaten. I have gained 10 lbs bodyweight in the past couple years and my strength STAYED THE SAME. Exactly the same levels at 187 pounds as 197 pounds. Whatever I put on, it wasn’t muscle.
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There are few things that we do for ourselves. Gym time, garage or commercial, or whatever, is something we do for ourselves. Showing up and lifting is a win.
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