My dog’s name is Hershey, because he was chocolate brown when he was a puppy.
I don’t wanna blog about training today. So I’m not gonna. I’ll catch up tomorrow.
Today I got into another infuriating debate about GMO and organic food. I’m a Chemical Engineer working in the food industry who took Food Chemistry in University. You’d think this would earn me some credibility. I get kinda put out by folks who will attack my position without any kind of information or science, and then get thoroughly offended when I defend myself with information and science.
“You act like all your fancy education and work experience makes you smarter than me!”
“Well no, that wasn’t my point. You’re getting angry because I can refute your opinions with actual, real-world evidence. And you’d rather call me names and insinuate things about my mother than consider changing your mind.”
What a weird world we live in. I’ve learned over the past 5 years that along with religion and politics, nowadays one should also avoid talking about training and nutrition.
I live in Maine, which is rife with granola types, some of which are good friends of mine. I used to blend in when I had long hair and a biker beard, but my words always managed to give me away.
One of my granola friends is a gal in her mid-40’s with a pretty impressive physique. Stripping is no longer viable for her, so she’s admirably moved on to other work as a personal trainer. This of course involves giving lots of advice about what people should both do and eat in exchange for their money.
There’s nothing wrong with this on the surface, but she’s abused her position as a sexy trainer that people listen to because, I mean, who wouldn’t listen to words coming out of a body like that. She’s out there spreading the anti-vaccine gospel, the marijuana will cure cancer gospel, the you are a fool if you managed to get cancer gospel, and of course making everyone aware of the dangers of GMO’s and how chemtrails make them even worse.
I had a few drinks in me one night, and she was spouting off about all of the “research” she’s done and how, unlike her, doctors barely do any “research” at all, especially about the safety and efficacy of vaccines.
“Where was your research published and how many citations have you gotten?”, I asked.
Well it turns out that she has a different notion of what research is, and it mostly involves reading new age holistic living blogs on the internet.
No wonder I’m losing friends faster than I’m gaining them nowadays. At least I wasn’t accused of being a shill for Big [Insert Industry Here].
I have always felt my position is stronger in a debate when opponent resorts to personal attacks. Make 'um mad and you’ll win every time. Except in instance where “…who wouldn’t listen to words coming out of a body like that.”
I think the stripper overshadows your juxtapositioning the dog with food debate.
You’re probably right about all of that biker. I could have definitely chosen my words more carefully.
The point I was getting at, which I think Canada_Eh can probably identify with, is that most people who spend their 20’s and 30’s working in a non-STEM profession, such as taking your clothes off for money, are unlikely to be building up a body of scientific knowledge. Being a fit, healthy and highly opinionated mommy armed with misinformation from internet blogs in no way puts you on equal footing with, let’s say, a Chemical Engineer with years of experience and education.
The fact that she is clearly in very good health and very fit gives her credibility when it comes to dishing out health advice, making her uninformed opinions even more dangerous because people actually listen to her.
Thats ,no Fucking Lie!! Especially on this web site! At times guys get a freaking Cult mind set regarding certain approaches or certain writers! a few years ago if you said anything negative no matter how minor about say 5/3/1 it was a capital offense!
I get asked, a lot, about my diet, supplements, who’s program I’m following, etc. My answers rarely impress anyone. Diet = food, start gaining weight, less food, more output. Supplements = coffee, adjust amount as needed, good liquor, preferably Irish whiskey or single malt Scotch accompanied by a good cigar. Program being followed = Love’s garage, circa 1964 with minor adjustments over the year. I get a lot of. “if you don’t want to tell us.” I’ve said on here many times I know very little about the current programs, diets, supplements, etc. I do know what works for me though. Agree with the Bulldog. There was a time not long ago that you were expected to genuflect when you mentioned 5/3/1.
Yes, I promised progress pictures and workout updates. I won’t be delivering today because I suck. Instead I’m going to just deliver some random stream-of-consciousness stuff about lifting.
The diet is working. I’m consistently down 5ish pounds. Pants are falling off. I’m reminded that I restocked my jeans supply this winter when I was fat.
This diet is definitely more “slow and steady”. I tend to prefer to go “fast and furious” but this way is a whole lot less stressful. I’m cranky that I can’t just stuff myself with bagels, but I get dessert twice a week and bit of fruit every day… the fat is coming off slower but I’m totally more sane and this is way more sustainable longer term.
I’m stronger on Military Presses, which is bloody surprising. I can do 135 x4, and that used to be my 2 rep max. I think I may want to push for a PR later this month.
Sunday I did conventional deadlift for 8/6/4. I haven’t done conventional deadlift for anything approaching max effort in a very long time. 315 came up nice and easy for 4. I’m not terribly far off my lifetime PR of 375. I’ve been really, really hating deadlifting lately, and I’ve decided to re-frame. Instead of pushing to “get the work done”, I’m pushing for a FUCKING PR!
I got a mail-out from my company about all my benefits, and I was reviewing it with the wife just to be sure everything is on point. We re-calculated what I’m worth to her dead. I’m not entirely sure I liked her expression…
As the fat is coming off, and my body starts taking shape again, I do like how it’s all coming together. But I’m still irritated to be looking at myself and thinking “Really? This is it?!?!”
Wow so much positivity leaking out in today’s post. And slow & steady for sanity is a great thing, especially since your sleep isn’t going so well. Your body might give you the big ole FU, if you push it too much.
Well, all the positivity is draining away rapidly.
Knee pain.
WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK!?!?!?!
I have never, ever, ever, EVER had knee pain in my life. Today during squats my left knee was bothering me. I did some testing between sets, and it’s only at depth, and only under higher load. Bodyweight squats are no issue. 3/4 squat are no problem either. I don’t know what’s going on.
ADVICE!! PLEASE!!!
Oh, and here’s something even more awesome! Somehow I tweaked a muscle in my back getting the bar off the pins at the start of my first set. It’s still irritating me! It’s on the left side, just inside and below the wing of my scapula. I’ve no idea what just happened.
So today’s squat workout was decidedly a downer. I was gearing up for a 225x3 front squat and it did not happen. It was 205x3 and that’s all she wrote.
That’s not A mullet that was THE mullet. I had longer hair than my wife.
Man that was a dark period…
Yesterday we benched and we did bent rows. Both felt good. But I’m no stronger. I’ve never managed more than 2 or 3 with 225 and the way the weights went yesterday I’m still stuck there. After all these years.
TO BE FAIR… I’m a bodybuilder, and yeah “I don’t care how much I can lift as long as I’m pretty”… but just like you guys who are all powerlifters and you say “I don’t care how big my biceps are as long as I’m strong”…
on your anniversary.