Haha!! Bro country- never heard that before. It’s probably better off for both parties not to get involved, especially when it’d be the only outlet for you. I can’t imagine enjoying myself while playing music I’m not a fan of.
Studio sounds badass though, maybe I’d sell a little bit of my soul to get some lessons on the console/recording time…
I’m maybe a touch over 6 foot, I was just curious in regards to training age/weight/height/where I should and could be.
I come from a very rural, blue-collar area and my friends and I grew up listening to older country that came from people that lived the lifestyle. Most of the newer stuff is pretty boys with a fake southern drawl that realized even 6’ tall and 120 lbs looks not-tiny in flannel. Add into that some baseless, fabricated racism and you have the exact clientele lured to the local “country” bars by bro country…
But yeah, playing bro country would feel like work, whereas rock and metal are just fun for me. I love the trashiness and lack of refinement, probably because it describes me pretty well. haha
As far as your height/weight/training age, you’re doing better than I did. I started training in 2012, went from 140 to 170 lbs in the first year, then took until 2015 to hit 180. 190 by 2016 and I’ve been hovering around 200 since. Christmas this year I hit 212, but apparently I have to eat garbage to be there and it wasn’t pretty weight.
I know a few people/am related to one from northern NY who have had one or two hit songs (regional) in which they do the SAME exact thing you mentioned.
Their accent while talking is so much more specific to the area, but hearing them sing you’d be sure to guess they’re from Alabama or Georgia.
It’s all about what’s popular in the “now”, and for basic white folks without much culture (not meant to be derogatory or racist in any way shape or form, again this is just my opinion, and I’m also white) they gravitate towards what’s easy. Of course music isn’t the end all be all, and I’m sure 99% of “country” listeners have hobbies or passions that could rival my/our passion for music, but sometimes I just don’t get it.
People are too lazy to dig for music that actually means something. They’re ok with whatever the record companies flavor of the month is, and they just roll with it. I just can’t imagine changing my “image” as a human being to fit a certain lifestyle brought about by basic pop music wearing a cowboy hat and belt buckle. People have a hard enough time just being themselves, nevermind the added pressure to be someone they’re not.
Sorry for the rant, but this is something that has irked me since highschool and I still haven’t gotten over it. I just don’t see how people have such a problem with just being who they are.
Thinking back on what I just wrote… What the hell do I know lol.
People can do whatever they want, who am I to say what’s real or fake. I guess I just can’t imagine myself being one of those people who have an alternate personality I can tap into at will.
Sorry for clogging up your log haha
Dude, I completely agree. haha Northeastern Ohio is the same way. If I’m in Canada or the Northeastern US, they think I sound southern, but if I’m anywhere south of Columbus they think I sound like a midwesterner compared to them. But we have people that develop a drawl on purpose in their speaking voice just to fit the “country” stereotype, and it’s kinda hilarious.
Also, for future reference, off-topic discussion is always encouraged in this log. I’m not particular about it at all \m/(-_-)\m/
2/15/2020 - Press Day
Doing this late because I pushed press day back by 1 day because I was just beat up on Friday. 2 double shots of espresso (yeah, it took that much to get my ass moving) and normal PWO routine.
PR Set - 125 x 8
Widowmaker - 100 x 14
Circuit - 5 times through in 13 minutes
Plate Raise - 25 lbs x 15
BB Curl - 45 lbs x 10
DB 1-leg SLDL - 30 lbs x 10 reps/side
By this point I was still burned out so I backed off a bit on the weight for the circuit. The main work was OK but I still felt strung out, as I had all week. The circuits were murder despite not being super heavy. Made a point to binge a bit on the sweets/carbs this weekend.
2/17/2020 - Squat Day 5/3/1+
I hit carbs fucking hard yesterday, pancakes for breakfast; cupcakes and nussstrudel with lunch; oreos after dinner; rice with dinner; you get the picture. I finally slept through the night, I think it was because of the carbs, so I need to up them on a daily basis. Anyway, up at 4, normal PWO routine, felt good.
PR Set - 360 lbs x 7
Widowmaker - 285 lbs x 10
Circuit - 5 times through in 16 flat
Seated DB press without back support - 50 lbs x 10 - need to drop weight on this
TRX Row - BWT x 10 - can add reps
Spud travelling farmer’s walk - 55 lbs/hand x 80 feet - can add weight here if I drop DB Press weight
Overall, I felt much better. Given that I’ve dropped weight I think I need to add more calories, especially carbs. When I let carbs drop too low my sleep suffers, I get strung out, and I have issues with my anxiety. So I started by adding another scoop of maltodextrin to my post-workout shake, bringing macros for peri-workout to 0g Fat, 144g Carbs, 76g Protein, and 880 calories. We’ll see how this works out. As far as the training session, the squats felt great. I do better with a narrowish stance, low bar, and quad dominant squat. I can push hard, my back stays healthy, and I’m not lopsided. Still a little scared with my neck on the widowmaker, it tried to cramp so I called the set at 10.
2/18/2020 - Bench 5/3/1+ Day
I turned my alarm off, blinked, and it was magically 5:00. Whoops. Later start but usual PWO routine. Added 2 bowls of cereal after dinner last night and slept like a baby, which makes me feel like my assessment of needing more carbs is spot on. Also, I find that espresso doesn’t bloat me, whereas normal coffee does.
PR Set - 245 lbs x 7 - paused rep PR
Widowmaker - 195 lbs x 15
Circuit - 5 times through in 17:30
Plate raise - 25 lbs x 10
Chest-supported DB row - 50 lbs x 10 reps
RFESS - 50 lbs x 10 reps/side
Weight moved well, circuit was significantly faster than last time. Very happy with 245 for 7 reps paused, especially after the intensity of table tennis practice last night. Incline walking is making a huge difference for me. Circuits need to be approached with a weight training mentality, where I rest when I need to. I let my mental approach swing more toward a cardio approach and think that’s why assistance was burning me out.
2/20/2020 - Deadlift 5/3/1+ Day
I was out late last night and had some drinks at a concert. Slept 4 hours and tried to train. Bad idea.
Normal PWO routine except no caffeine.
PR Set - 380 x 1
I cut the workout there because I felt pretty terrible and had no motivation. Totally on me for lack of sleep, shoulda pushed this workout back a day. Whoops. Will reset, sleep tonight, and hit press hard tomorrow.
Pushed today’s workout to tomorrow. I can’t tell if I’m still fatigued from being out so late Wednesday, fighting off some sorta bug, am burned out in general, or am just a giant pussy. Stay tuned.
Contemplating which program to run next, thinking I want to do either Leviathan or Coffinworm. Regardless of program, I’ll probably do it 3x a week. 4x is fine in the winter, but as the weather gets nicer I think 3x is better for me to balance out other physical activity.
I forget to check your log for a few weeks and you’re demolishing things! Nice job.
It’s funny, I think we’re physically very similar; same height, both thrive on high carbs, same squat stance, but you’ve got about 15-20 lbs on me weight-wise. I’ll get there one day!
Thanks man! Just discovering the carb thing, I thought I just had really bad anxiety my whole life. Turns out it’s pretty mild, I just ate like an idiot for 26 years. Haha you’re kicking ass too though, that last deadlift workout you posted was insane!
2/24/2020 - Press Day
Suffered from low motivation and fatigue all last week, thinking I burned myself out. Moving to 3 days a week for the Widowmaker Circuit anchor and for Coffinworm for my next program. Buncha caffeine and normal PWO routine.
PR Set - 135 x 7
Widowmaker - 105 x 14
Circuit - 5 times through in 17 min
Dips - BWT x 15
BB Curls - 45 lbs x 10
DB 1 legged SLDL - 30 lbs x 10 reps/leg
My wife and I both slept 15 hours Friday night…not sure why but apparently we needed it. After that I felt a lot better and back to myself after a pretty rough week last week. Again, burned myself out. Deload this week followed by widowmaker anchor next.
Gotta be some.kind of record
I haven’t slept like that since high school, it was glorious. I think we were both fighting some sorta bug and that’s why we were so exhausted. I’m still tired enough that I’m taking a week totally away from the gym before I start my anchor Monday.
Haha I just went over times in my head…
9pm to noon
11pm to 2pm
I’m severely jealous btw
Do you normally find it helpful to take full weeks off?
Oh yeah, I’ve always had a hard time recovering and sleeping, so by the time my deload week hits I need to sit still for a week. It hits me like a ton of bricks, too. I feel all fucknuts and cockstrong for 5 weeks and then Monday of the 6th week I feel like I got hit by a truck. Usually after about 5 days outta the gym I’m motivated and ready to go, so waiting a bit longer leaves me pretty hungry to get to the gym.
3/2/2020 - Squat Day
Operation do absolutely nothing was a huge success. I took it super easy physically and food-wise (culinarily??) for a week. Needed a break from force-feeding and beating myself up. Truthfully, I either need to lift 3 days a week or deload after every 5/3/1 cycle. Anyway, up at 4, ready to fucking go. Normal PWO routine, 20 jumps as required for the anchor cycle.
PR set - 330 lbs x 10 - all-time PR
Circuit - 5 times through in 17 minutes and some change
DB seated press, no back support - 45 lbs x 10
TRX row - BWT x 10 - focus more on moving scaps
Spud Travelling Farmer’s Carries - 60 lbs/hand x 80 feet
I felt good, body felt strong, nothing hurt, and I set an all-time PR. Feel like my hormones are back to normal, too. I still sweat like a death row inmate during a rolling blackout, but it wasn’t until the PR set. The last 2 weeks of the leader cycle I’d be sweating like that by the time I finished the Agile 8.
Looks good!
Thanks! Trying to figure out which template I want to try next, leaning towards Coffinworm. It scares me, but in a good way. I’d like to do a mock meet at the end of it just to see what my numbers shake out to be.