I like your log a lot.
The initial fat loss thing reminds me a lot of myself, but I was even more overweight.
You keep talking about how weak you are but from what I’m seeing your numbers say otherwise. Would be sweet to see some pics posted up, see what you look like.
I’ll keep and reading and cheering you on!
N88tr
n88tr,
Thanks for stopping by. The pics will be up on November 15th. SSC is calling me out on that day and I plan to put up with some quality progress. Granted, they will be nothing special or even good, but I’m just hoping for considerable improvement. My numbers are extremely weak, but they are a long way from where I started and I do not plan on stoping anytime soon.
Some current lifts and goals for Nov. 15th.
Current(estimated 1 RMs):
Bench: 225
Squat: 250
Dead: 365
Goals for Nov. 15th
Bench: 245
Squat: 270
Dead: 405
Ramp 1, Week 2, Day 5
90 second rest, 8-10 reps
T-Bars - 150 x 9,8; 135 x 10,8
BB Bench - 185 x 8; 175 x 6; 155 x 9; 135 x 9 (Little disappointed here. Basically the first two sets were exactly what I did last week and I had to really struggle to get the last rep up both times)
Edit: Not sure why this didn’t post last time. Incline DB curls - 35 x 10; 30 x 10,8; 25 x 10
Hammer Strength Calf Raise - 200 x 9 (4)
Feeling tired and run down. I think I need to add in some calories. I seem to be experiencing some of the temporary strength loss that I have heard about with this program. Also, I weighed myself for the first time this morning and I have maintained my weight for the two weeks I have been on this program. I was gaining on my current diet before, but I think the increased volume needs increased calories.
I’d like to thank Alpha as his latest “mini-rant” really helped me fight through this workout and give it everything I had. Concentrate on the things you can control is great advice. More so, since I am worried about the appearance of my physique on November 15th. I committed to posting pictures on that day and I know I have a long way to go to presentable. In fact, I know that there is zero chance I will look “good” in that amount of time because I am not cutting fat - I am adding weight to a body that already has too much fat. However, this is a challenged I need to take on head first for myself. I am not worried about what other people think in regards to my goals. But I am not interested in embarrassing myself either.
[quote]GuerillaZen wrote:
Ramp 1, Week 2, Day 5
90 second rest, 8-10 reps
T-Bars - 150 x 9,8; 135 x 10,8
BB Bench - 185 x 8; 175 x 6; 155 x 9; 135 x 9 (Little disappointed here. Basically the first two sets were exactly what I did last week and I had to really struggle to get the last rep up both times)
Edit: Not sure why this didn’t post last time. Incline DB curls - 35 x 10; 30 x 10,8; 25 x 10
Hammer Strength Calf Raise - 200 x 9 (4)
Feeling tired and run down. I think I need to add in some calories. I seem to be experiencing some of the temporary strength loss that I have heard about with this program. Also, I weighed myself for the first time this morning and I have maintained my weight for the two weeks I have been on this program. I was gaining on my current diet before, but I think the increased volume needs increased calories.
I’d like to thank Alpha as his latest “mini-rant” really helped me fight through this workout and give it everything I had. Concentrate on the things you can control is great advice. More so, since I am worried about the appearance of my physique on November 15th. I committed to posting pictures on that day and I know I have a long way to go to presentable. In fact, I know that there is zero chance I will look “good” in that amount of time because I am not cutting fat - I am adding weight to a body that already has too much fat. However, this is a challenged I need to take on head first for myself. I am not worried about what other people think in regards to my goals. But I am not interested in embarrassing myself either.[/quote]
You don’t need to thank me brother–You are killing it on your own! You still liking this program?
Alpha - Thanks for stopping by bro! Yeah, I am loving Big Beyond Belief!!! It is the most challenging and fun program I have been on yet. I’m tired mentally and physically, but I get to be in the gym every day and have the log book to motivate me. Not to mention your log!
Week 2, Ramp 1, Day 6
90 sec rest, 4 sets, 8-10 reps
Hammer Strength Shoulder Press - 200 x 10,8; 180 x 7; 160 x 8 (very happy with this lift today)
CGBP - 145 x 10,8; 125 x 9,8
Front Squat - 145 x 10, 6; 95 x 10, 10 (need to work on my breathing during these. i think that would help a lot)
Reverse Crunch - 10 (4)
Today was the last day of week 2. Tomorrow is a much needed off day. Sunday starts the first day of the final week of this first ramp. I am both excited and dreading it at the same time. I am really pushing myself hard and the extra set should increase the difficulty. The increased calories seemed to help today, even after just one day. I felt strong today. Much stronger than yesterday. We’ll see how next week goes. Until then, be good.
Week 3, Ramp 1, Day 1
13-15 reps, 5 sets, 90 seconds rest
Oh my fucking God. This week is going to suck.
T-bars - 125 x 15, 13; 115 x 12, 10; 100 x 12
BB Bench - 155 x 15; 145 x 10; 135 x 10; 120 x 11; 115 x 11 (Brutal. End up feeling like a little girl by the end of the 5th start.)
Incline DB Curl - 30 x 15; 25 x 14,11; 20 x 12,11
Hammer Calf Raise - 155 x 15, 15, 15, 13; 145 x 15
All I can say is ouch. This is going to be a painful week.
ramp 1, wk 3, day 2
going. to. die. this week.
hammer shoulder - 155 x 15, 10; 140 x 10; 130 x 11,10
cgbp - 125 x 15, 12; 115 x 11, 12; 95 x11
leg press - 470 x 15,15; 450 x 15,15; 360 x 15 (holy fuck)
reverse crunch - 15(5)
Ramp 1, Week 3, Day 3
10-12 reps, 9 sec, 5 sets
Hammer Incline - 200 x 11; 180 x 9,8; 160 x 10, 9
1 arm db row - 80 x 11; 75 x 10; 70 x 10,9; 65 x 10
Alternating DB curl - 35 x 12, 10; 30 x 12, 12; 25 x 12
Hammer Calf Raise - 180 x 12, 12, 12, 12, 8
Felt tired and unmotivated early this morning, but after a set or two of pushing myself I felt pretty good from then on out. I think next week when supergrowth starts that I will be switching out the alternating DB curls for barbell curls. I seem to be having a really difficult time progressing on this movement. I am totally drained. Week 3 is a bitch. 3 more days, then an off day, then supergrowth. Rejoice.
[quote]GuerillaZen wrote:
Felt tired and unmotivated early this morning, but after a set or two of pushing myself I felt pretty good from then on out. I think next week when supergrowth starts that I will be switching out the alternating DB curls for barbell curls. I seem to be having a really difficult time progressing on this movement. I am totally drained. Week 3 is a bitch. 3 more days, then an off day, then supergrowth. Rejoice.[/quote]
I think that’s a good idea. Not that standing DB curls are all that bad, but if you weren’t replacing them with some sort of bi-movement exercise (SB curls, EZ curls, etc,) I’d recommend some pinwheels. God, I love those so much.
Seated DB Military - 55 x 12,8; 50 x 9; 45 x 12, 8
Dips - plus 35 x 7; 25 x 7; bw x 12, 10, 8 (This was an embarrasing performance)
Rack Deads - 255 x 12,10; 225 x12, 12, 12
Skipped crunches. Lower back was shot from rack pulls. I have no good excuses for my performance today. I went to the Cardinals/Dodgers game last night and sat through an hour and a half rain delay and so it was really late when I got home. If I didn’t shell out $65 a piece for the tickets I would have just went home to get my sleep in. Well worth it though, since the Redbirds pounded the Dodgers for the second time in a row. For the record, I live, breath, eat, and sleep two things: bodybuilding and St. Louis Cardinals baseball. In 2006 I literally emptied my bank account and paid $750 to be at the final game of the world series.
I digress, 2 more days on week three. Looking forward to Supergrowth
Day 5 of the 3rd ramp week. Almost supergrowth time. Cards beat the Dodgers again last night in 15 innnings!!!
T-Bars - 160 x 10,8; 150 x 10,10,10
BB Bench - 185 x 8; 175 x 7; 165 x 8; 155 x 9,7 (This has been the most frustrating lift during the three ramp weeks for me. In this rep range, I have hit 185 x 8 all three times w/ the last rep being squeezed out with questionable form. Every other lift has gone up pretty consistently. Even my BB bench in the 13-15 range is progressing nicely. I guess my current theory here is that busting ass on rack pulls the day before is hurting me here. Any other thoughts? Tips? Personal shots about being a pussy?
Incline DB Curl -40 x 7; 35 x9,5; 30 x 10,8
Hammer Calf Raise - 205 x 10(5)
Wasted day in the gym and an absolutely terrible way to end the ram part of BBB. I could not be more disappointed. I actually felt good and felt extremely strong at the beginning of the session.
Hammer Shoulder Press - 220 x 8; 200 x 8; 180 x 9,8,6
CGBP - 150 x 10, 6; 130 x 10,9,8
…at this point the girl from the daycare came in to inform me that my son (who will be one on the 4th) got sick in the day care. As a result, I had to bail and take him home. Totally missed getting in the five sets of front squats that I was actually looking forward to.
Oh well. Tomorrow is my off day and Sunday begins the first week of Supergrowth.
First day of Supergrowth.
T-Bars - 167.5 x 10,10,9
BB Bench - 175 x 9; 165 x 10,9
Incline DB Curls - 40 x 9,8,8
Have to say that I am extremely grateful for the 3 minute rest periods. The third ramp week just about became the death of me. Overall, this was a good session. I skipped the calf raises because I had to work out at home and get the session in as quick as possible in order to get to work on time. I am disappointed with the barbell bench as always. I really thought I would hit 10 min. and maybe get 11 w/ 175, but it just wasn’t happening. Seems weird to me that last week I was able to push 155 for a solid 15, but going up to 165 stops at 10 (granted second set). Oh well… 3 maybe 4 more weeks on Supergrowth to get that baby up.
Glad to see you’re really digging the 3 minute rest periods. They are quite the change, and almost a little boring for some of us haha 
Keep on plugging away at the weights and pushing it. If you have a loss of strength at first it’s ok, it might take awhile for your body to catch up the change in routine. If you have no loss… well awesome for you!
Thanks for stopping by, Bone.
I agree that there were times when the rest period seemed really long and maybe I could go earlier. However, the third ramp week really put a hurt on me. (90 seconds isn’t bad w/ 3 set, but by set 5 I was crashed). Too early to tell on the strength, but I pust some serious work into the ramp and plan to the same here. Hopefully games will be plentiful.
Supergrowth Week 1, Day 2
Hammer Strength Shoulder Press - 220 x 9; 200 x 10,9
CGBP - 150 x 11,10,8
Leg Press - 540 x 12,12,12
Abs
Nothing really eventful one way or another.
Supergrowth week 1, Day 3
Hammer Strength Incline Press - 210 x 10,9,8
1 Arm DB Rows - 85 x 9,8,7
BB Curls - 85 x 10,7,7
Hammer Strength Calf Raise - 210 x 10,9,8
Good session. Strength about the same. Nothing extraordinary, but definately minor progress being made.
Supergrowth Week 1, Day 4
S. DB Mil - 60 x 8,8,7
Inhuman Press - 185 x 5; 165 x 8,8
Rack Deads - 295 x 8,5; 275 x 8
Weighted Abs
First time doing the inhuman press. Hope I am doing them right. Low back against the edge of the bench, forcing addition leg drive. Smythe. Closed grip.
Thought I would do better on the rack pulls, but no worries. We’ll see how the subsequent weeks go. All in all a good session. Weighed in at 236.6 today. Although my strength is going up slowly, I seem to be getting some of the supercompensation effects in weight gain. I am up around 4 lbs this week without any major changed to my diet. Yesterday was my youngest son’s 1st birthday so I did have 2 cupcakes, but nothing that should have done any major damage. So, I must conclude that my body is starting to catch up a little bit. I am hoping I can make a sizable gain in strength within the next week like I have seen in some of the other BBB logs.
I’ve been following your log and was wondering if you wouldn’t mind typing a rough outline of your diet. I’ll be starting this program in about two weeks and want to have everything set up right from the get-go.