Adding weights to dips is a good thing. I hummed taps for you phone camera.
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@hel320 Thank you! I appreciate that!
August 25, 2025
First day of school. On the way a motorcyclist ran a stop sign in front of me. Fortunately I was a) doing the speed limit, and b) there is nothing like high performance brakes.
Pre-Workout: McDonaldās coffee with a bit of creamer. (I bought a tub. My Mr. Coffee arrives tomorrow.)
Ab Stimulator (20 minutes)
Bench Press: 1x10, 2x8 (I increased the resistance to 200 with the elastomers.)
Lat Pull Down/Biceps Curl): 1x12, 2x10
Behind Neck Press: 2x12, 1x8
Triceps Pushdown: 3x12
Front Squat: 2x12, 1x8
Total Time (Without the Ab Stimulator): 27 minutes
Total Reps: 158
This was a good session. In fact I told my wife I wish this had been a summer workout and not the first day of school. I was rather worked. `I would have preferred to have reclined for awhile instead of heading to a slightly unprepared classroom.
I have four classes at once. It is the way the alternative school works where I am employed. I find common ground between the four classes and pull them together. Of course that does not always work. So, World History A/B, US History A/B. First I have a small unit of what history is. Besides a bore.
Regardless, it was a good session this morning. A good pump. I was able to do respectable sets on exercises I increased the weight on. That backing off, and then moving forward again seems to have given me some extra umpff. I was pretty worn a few weeks back.
Weight. I weighed 200 lbs. even this morning on my home scale. I was able to button a pair of 36 waist, but it was uncomfortable. If I can stick to No snacks, No Sweets, No Seconds, I should have them on comfortably by next week?
See everyone on Wednesday!
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Great work. I never thought about teachers/professors having to teach multiple different classes at once. That has to be challenging. I hear you on the pants fitting tight. Mine have been as well. Time to tighten up. 
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Motorcyclists running stop signs or red lights wonāt live long to talk about it. There are enough other people out there trying to kill them without them making the ride more dangerous by their OWN actions.
No snacks, sweets, or seconds would cure a lot of my issues too. 
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I kept thinking of that ad: Call Law Tigers, Americaās Lawyers Who Ride! The sun was up, my car is bright red. I had my lights on. I should get a dash cam.
āNo snacks, sweets, or seconds would cure a lot of my issues too.ā
It actually works well.
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My eye appointment yesterday. My vision is holding its own. Not much change regarding my computer prescription. No change in distance. Other than the floater that appeared in April, he says my eyes are quite healthy. I paid more for lenses and frames last year. The lenses are transition and though I spent hours on the dock and bank taking sun reflection off the water I did not develop blisters this year. There is a name for the condition which I cannot spell, but about five years ago the optometrist had to lance them and then I had to use special drops. Of course when the floater appeared I thought I had a tumor. Worst case scenario boy. He said I will probably get more. (Floaters)
Last appt. he told me he had a Soloflex in his basement he never used, ever. Yesterday I told him if he wanted to get rid of it I was interested. So hopefully he remembers. He told me he was going to throw it out. That would be a shame. However, it I come home with one more piece of fitness equipment I might be in trouble. Like my sauna I hid, unsuccessfully in plain sight, I might try the same strategy if I end up picking up this piece of equipment. If it fails I might be moving in with my daughter. The optometrist said the pieces were to heavy for him to move to reconfigure the machine. I knew what he was talking about because after I had the COVID it took me awhile to reconfigure my equipment without quite a struggle and ample words that should probably not be sounded within earshot of my wife. We will see what happens. One Soloflex I can use for upper body, the other I can use just for legs. Well that was my afternoon.
Edit: I forgot, my fake Mr. Coffee arrived a day early. It is small, five cups. But it worked this morning. If this one breaks I think my wife will turn my dog on me.
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August 27, 2025
5:38 AM to 6:05 AM
Two days of rain forecasted and flood warnings. A very rare occasion.
Yesterdayās calorie intake was above and beyond. I had oatmeal packet for breakfast. It really hit the spot. No it did not. I find 3-5 eggs in the AM, toast, tomato juice, keeps the hunger at bay.
Pre Workout: 16 oz. of McCafeā regular blend.
Session:
Vacuum 35
Incline Press. 3x12
Behind Neck Pull Down. 1x12, 1x11, 1x8
Seated Press. 1x11, 1x9, 1x8
Standing Curl. 1x12, 2x10
Squat. 3x9
Good upper body pump. Thighs as well.
Breakfast was 4 eggs, one slice of sourdough, and 6 oz. of tomato juice. I need to pick up some sausage links. I keep forgetting. It is raining, but I think we will be short of flood waters.
More later. Well, whatever I really was going to type, I forgot about on the way to work.
Ha! I Remember. I am nearing the end of The Civil War by Shelby Foote. I just listened to a rather poignant part. Sherman is leaving City Point, heading South to rejoin his army, after a 2-3 day meeting with Grant and Lincoln. Foote adds that it would be the last time Sherman would see Lincoln. I am not sure why I found that as saddening as I did.
See you Friday!
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I find the Civil War to be exceptional painful. Maybe because itās close to home. I get what you mean.
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I love history. At one point in my life many, many years ago I planned to be a History Professor in a Uni, after I won the Olympics of course. Obviously neither goals were achieved.
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There are times when I look back and think I should have gone that route. I loved the research. My philosophy minor, beyond any English classes, helped me write better. Back then I could write. It is not an easy road. I got the Masterās in Spec Ed instead. Sometimes I think I sold myself short. I have thought of returning when I retire (maybe apply to the University of Idaho) and work on a Ph.d. but then there is the debt, etc.
August 29, 2025
Start Time: 5:04 AM End Time: 5:30 AM
Ab Stimulator: Mode III LEVEL 10. 20 minutes*
Dips + 25 lbs: 1x3, 2x4, 1x2
Haney Shrug: 3x12
Up Right Row: 1x10, 2 x 11
Dead Lift: 3x8
Neck: 3x12
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I worked rest/pause into these dip sets. I was weak this morning.
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Haney Shrugs I lowered the pin one level.
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I have a short day today. I think when I get home I am going to mount my Airdyne and do a HIIT ride. Probably the Carol bike approach. 2mins/20 seconds, with two 20 second sprints.
Which brings me to my coworker. I have mentioned him before, big fellow, probably 400 lbs. I worry about him. A love hate relationship.
I am not a physician. And I may be wrong. His doc told him his cholesterol is high. So on the exercise side of treatment his doc wants him doing HIIT cardio. I think, personally, he is in no shape try running sprints. My opinion.
My session was good. I woke at 4:15 AM. Started about 5:00 AM.
Have a great day.
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Had to look those upācool stuff! Iāll need to remember to give those a try.
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I would 100% agree, at 400lbs I imagine the pressure on his knees would be intense not to mention other concerns. Iād be telling him to start aiming for focusing on walking 2 miles every day. I hope he gets better
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Agreed with this. He should probably just work on easing into exercise and working on his diet. Maybe in 1-2 years if he has lost a ton of weight start doing HIIT. That would be an unimaginable amount of pressure on his joints.
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However, āsprintsā for a guy like that might be walk at a slow pace for three houses, then speed up a bit for one house, then three slow, one fast, etc, for a single trip around the block.
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I agree. He said he was ārunningā. Maybe his definition of running is different than mine. I suggested he could ride an Airdyne, or recumbent. I might give him my Cooper Points chart, start with a few points a week and build up from there.
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I came across them years ago. If I could use free weights without back pain I can guarantee that would not be 220 lbs. Maybe 120 lbs.?
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I surprised myself today. We were watching One Life with Anthony Hopkins. Myself and 13 juniors and seniors. I am mad at them because they are obviously not enjoying the film. I am trying add some historical insight here and there. Then at the end, when Sir Anthony Hopkins (playing Sir Nicholas Winton) is sitting in the audience on that TV show, and they reveal they are just a fraction of the children he saved in Prague, I will be god-damned if my nose starts running, my eyes are watering, my lip is quivering. Suddenly I think I/or the movie had their attention. When it was over I could barely just say, āGo ahead and do your class work.ā So far no one has teased me.
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I love reading your log. It always makes me smile.
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