[quote]cavalier wrote:
Well, dog, it’s probably the unemployment that’s hitting me. It’s been almost 4 months since the last job ended and the resume/interview stuff is going nowhere. Doing interviews, nothing. This has happened before and each time I just feel like the world’s against me. Thank god the unemployment compensation is coming, would really be in a panic if that wasn’t there. Since you brought it up, I’ll count to 10 before posting.
German, I’ll take another look at bench programs and see about modifying my weights.[/quote]
Actually, There’s nothing wrong with posting with a little emotion.
I know where you coming from. Not so much with myself .But just seeing what all the bullshit my wife had to go through just to get her current job. My wife worked in the main office of ATA airlines for ten years, up until they went out of business due to the economic down turn. With her work and education background it became a aggravation cycle. She would either be told she was over qualified. Worst yet, she would find out she was a front runner for a job and find she didn’t get it because someone else with barely the qualification got it because of friend or family connection.
Punnyguy, I checked with the pencil test, there is pronation. The broomstick exercise is definitely helping twist things back, will keep doing.
Joe, not familiar with Sheiko. I’m a bit leery of anything needing a lot of recovery, since I’ve been battling some poor sleep recently. Will look into it.
Kent, already implementing a lot of form info on bench. This time added “pinch shoulder blades together to offset shoulder rotation” to the recipe. It’s very true that a relaxed mind does much more for me than stress. However, since I’ve always visualized myself as a strong man, seeing my bench constantly bang against 150 keeps eating at me.
2busy, I’ve had decent results (for me) with 5x5. Was actually doing very much what you describe for pyramiding weights. Difficult if I guess the 1 RM wrong.
Dog, my sympathies to your wife. Actually, I’d be working right now if the last place didn’t have such an ironclad policy against extending contracts. Oh, I forgot to mention. In the past 5 years, lost 2 good jobs probably due to age discrimination. That doesn’t put you in a good mood.
[quote]cavalier wrote:
Dog, my sympathies to your wife. Actually, I’d be working right now if the last place didn’t have such an ironclad policy against extending contracts. Oh, I forgot to mention. In the past 5 years, lost 2 good jobs probably due to age discrimination. That doesn’t put you in a good mood.[/quote]
I understand, and no it doesn’t.
There are companies that value older workers. I’m fortunate to have found one.
You’re lucky, 2busy, Are they hiring? Sorry, it’s reflex. (Well, are they?)
What’s more crowded than a gym on Monday? A gym on Monday that closes early for holiday. EVERYBODY was there.
Did low sumo deads to work squat lower position. Went pretty well, got up to 115 lbs. Used only 10 & 5 lb plates so bar could go really low.
Then tried goblet squats for the first time. Very low weight, got up to 25. I really love these. They twist my arms into position so looking in the mirror my arms and shoulders and neck really look pumped. Fun. Oh yes, and they make it a cinch to get your squat low.
[quote]cavalier wrote:
Kent, already implementing a lot of form info on bench. This time added “pinch shoulder blades together to offset shoulder rotation” to the recipe. It’s very true that a relaxed mind does much more for me than stress. However, since I’ve always visualized myself as a strong man, seeing my bench constantly bang against 150 keeps eating at me. [/quote]
I read a spill here that went through the differences a slight change in physical make up makes the difference between benching 200 and 300 just from where your muscles attach to your bones.
Unfortunately, I have not been able to find it again. I’ll keep looking.
2busy, I know leverage can make a difference in lifts. However, my arms and chest can still use a lot more meat on them, I’m sure that’s most of the problem.
Joe, I looked at Sheiko. Have you tried it yourself? Do you have reason to believe it can help me at this stage?
Punnyguy, thanks a heap. Now I’m overly conscious of my hands even when I’m walking, constantly twisting them around. Just what I needed, another neurosis.
2busy, I know leverage can make a difference in lifts. However, my arms and chest can still use a lot more meat on them, I’m sure that’s most of the problem.
Joe, I looked at Sheiko. Have you tried it yourself? Do you have reason to believe it can help me at this stage?
Punnyguy, thanks a heap. Now I’m overly conscious of my hands even when I’m walking, constantly twisting them around. Just what I needed, another neurosis.
2busy, I know leverage can make a difference in lifts. However, my arms and chest can still use a lot more meat on them, I’m sure that’s most of the problem.
Joe, I looked at Sheiko. Have you tried it yourself? Do you have reason to believe it can help me at this stage?
Punnyguy, thanks a heap. Now I’m overly conscious of my hands even when I’m walking, constantly twisting them around. Just what I needed, another neurosis.
Been having some problems sleeping lately, not sure what’s doing, unemployment stress is no doubt contributing. Deadlifts today but won’t take them too hard:
135 x 8
205 x 5
245 x 3
255 x 3
255 x 3
good enough, leave it at that
Chins
x3 . x3 . x3
Rear delt on Icarian pec dec
40 x 15
60 x 10
80 x 8
80 x 8
[quote]cavalier wrote:
You’re lucky, 2busy, Are they hiring? Sorry, it’s reflex. (Well, are they?)
What’s more crowded than a gym on Monday? A gym on Monday that closes early for holiday. EVERYBODY was there.
Did low sumo deads to work squat lower position. Went pretty well, got up to 115 lbs. Used only 10 & 5 lb plates so bar could go really low.
Then tried goblet squats for the first time. Very low weight, got up to 25. I really love these. They twist my arms into position so looking in the mirror my arms and shoulders and neck really look pumped. Fun. Oh yes, and they make it a cinch to get your squat low.
Followed up with broomsticks for the shoulders.[/quote]
You have been doing it too !!
I have been playing around a lot with the goblet squat, first with a 24 kg kettlebell as that was going to be my main piece of kit on holiday.
At that weight i found that i could get much further down that even with just the bare olympic bar at nearly the same weight–so it might not be totally a weight issue.
My new squatting routine is to pair up rear squat sets with sets of goblet squat. I have already maxed out on the available kbs so i am now working up through the dumbells. (up to around a 36kg db on most sessions now) Getting one up into position seems to be the main problem but the squat is always lower in that position.
On hols i did tweak my back a bit after agressively dropping into a very low (for me) goblet squat --think my pelvis angle suddenly changed and my lower back didn’t like it at all–today felt ok again but i kept it good and light.
Useful thing is that i can do a bit of this at home as even the 28kg kb that i bought for the trip gives me a ‘good enough’ session.
[quote]cavalier wrote:
2busy, I know leverage can make a difference in lifts. However, my arms and chest can still use a lot more meat on them, I’m sure that’s most of the problem.
Joe, I looked at Sheiko. Have you tried it yourself? Do you have reason to believe it can help me at this stage?
Punnyguy, thanks a heap. Now I’m overly conscious of my hands even when I’m walking, constantly twisting them around. Just what I needed, another neurosis.
AURRRGGGHHHHHH!!! TRIPLE POSTING!!![/quote]
Actually I was thinking that the squat frequency would be really good for you now that you’ve gotten your depth issues squared away.
Keep your head up Cav, you will find something hopefully soon. In October '08 the company I worked for was sold and axed everyone in KC. The next 6 months I searched for something. Finally got a crap job that held me over for the next year, then that job out sourced my group to India at the same time the job I have opened up.
I’d been wanting this job for 2-3 years and low and behold right time and right place it became available. Moral of the story, there is something waiting for you other there just need to be patient.
[quote]cavalier wrote:
Been having some problems sleeping lately, not sure what’s doing, unemployment stress is no doubt contributing. Deadlifts today but won’t take them too hard:
135 x 8
205 x 5
245 x 3
255 x 3
255 x 3
good enough, leave it at that
Chins
x3 . x3 . x3
Rear delt on Icarian pec dec
40 x 15
60 x 10
80 x 8
80 x 8[/quote]
DAMN RESPECTABLE DEADS! Damn fine…
On the sleep, I screwed my sleep cycle up but good… Some cheap sleep aids that work, are safe, non-addictive and can be used long term if necessary. All safe in any combination and can reinforce each other…
Benedryl (2-4x allergy dose)
Melatonin
GABA (Ok, not so cheap, doesn’t work for some. In some people also works as anti-depressant!)
Uh, Nocturnal activities! wink, wink…
There’s differences if trouble is staying asleep, or falling asleep…
Good fortune on all fronts…
Feel free to yell this way if it helps…
Nurse, actually that was the only time I tried goblet squats. Unless I tried them years ago and forgot . . . Only got up to 20 lb (8 kg), your weight is impressive for someone who just started training.
Joe, Sheiko does look appealing. I enjoy training with less than max weight. the change might do me good. Think I’ll take off a few days and start a cycle.
Dday, I appreciate the attaboy. I’ve run into jobs by sheer accident before, there’s a lot of luck involved. Glad to hear things worked out well for you. Just remember the Dilbert strip where the boss tells the workers "Don’t worry about another company buying us. They love engineers! I know, because they already have a division doing exactly what you’re doing! Except they’re younger and not paid as much . . . "
Null, when you say my deads are damn respectable, you do realize I’m a grown man at 6 ft and weighing 215 lbs? For me, it’s a miracle, and I’ll accept that, but it’s a bit unusual for someone who’s been hitting the iron for decades.
As for sleeping, both problems, dropping off and waking up. Have to wake up to take a piss, the downside of drinking enough water during the day. Last night lasted for 5 straight hours before getting up, considering it a success. If I have a good workout, rough but not stressful, and eat enough protein, that usually does it. Haven’t had drowsiness with allergy meds, already taking enough pills to turn into a pharmacy.
Thanks, Goat. I really hope I can gain that much in 6 months, but if past performance is any indication, will be closer to 6 years.
Have been taking it easy this past week, no weights, just a little elliptical. Going to start Sheiko this week. Sounds like fun, no pushing max weight.
Golden Corral changed its menu again. Now they’re offering seafood cooked on the spot to order. Tried the scallops panfried with crunchy veggies and buttery scampi sauce. WOW! ! ! ! Then helped myself to the brisket with mushrooms & onions. Melt in the mouth. Then came home and looked at the canned tuna. Help!
Damn this unemployment. Got hit by a really bad case of depression. Fortunately, some exercise helped ease it, but I HAVE to find something. Does anyone know of anything?
I’m sorry I cannot help you on the unemployment front, except to say good luck and I’m sure things will get better soon.
I can though, tell you that Sheiko training is great. I did a modified Sheiko program, and gained pretty good strength and size from it. I recently took a break from it, but would not hesitate to go back and use it again in the future.