Journey to a State Title

Training Training Logs
1081

[quote]165StateChamp wrote:

I’m just going to post a bit about my mindset right now…I’m frustrated. I’m making progress and getting bigger and stronger but that’s honestly not enough for me. Now that I know the truth about drugs and bodybuilding, I can’t look at being a natural in the same way. I feel as if I’m cheating myself by not using and that I’m using the excuse of ‘maximizing natural potential’ as a way to tell myself I’m not scared of using drugs. The truth is, I am scared. I’m scared of side effects, I’m scared of not responding well and having no more trump cards, and I’m scared of the legal issues.

All I know is, in the future I will be using. If I don’t, I know I can’t reach the physique I desire. Once I reach a lean 210 (that will probably be two years from now, when I’m 21), it’s game time. [/quote]

I don’t know you, and this is hardly any of my business. Acknowledged.

Maybe drugs will be something that you need to invest yourself in to reach your goals sometime in the future. But I think that anyone in the 18-20 year old age bracket on this forum thinking about doing so should at least first check out MODOK’s story of what he did with his early 20s and what Waylanderxx did with his early undergraduate years (I know you already have bc I’ve seen you comment on both).

I guess that this is probably saying stuff that you are already aware of, but if you really want to get huge in the way that, e.g., you would with drugs, at least first see what your body is really capable of growing to. Spend those ugrad years lifting balls heavy and (more importantly) eating everything in sight for a few years, throwing caution to the wind. It’s what those dudes did, and it paid big dividends for them. If I could do ugrad over, it’s what I’d do (and I’m thinking about doing with the next year and a half of law school. I spent undergrad marathon running…i.e. the exact opposite of what I’m doing now.).

So, I guess this is just a message to remind you that you’re still young as hell. Whether you do the drugs and such or not is ultimately up to you and I don’t have a judgement about that or anything, but just be careful with seriously considering it. What’s really missed by some of the young people on these forums (I’m only 24, so I’m young too) is that interests change over time with people. Not everyone does like Professor X and spends 20 years or whatever consistently getting huge. People get in accidents, get married and have kids, get demanding careers, or whatever. Life happens, and then interests change. By the end of ugrad, you might reach a point where this stuff isn’t as important to you as it is now, and it would really be sad and a real shame to have made a hasty decision with potential long term consequences if it ends up being something you didn’t even care about as much as you thought you did.

Anyway, again, I acknowledge that it’s none of my business. I guess I just read your post and wondered whether you realize how lucky you are to be at the point you’re at now compared to others (this is coming from a 24 year old who recently found out that his T levels have been chronically suppressed due to a nonfunctioning pituitary gland, lol).

1082

Well, stay patient until then, man. You’re doing fine, don’t get so down on yourself first of all. Plus, you really are pretty fucking young. Yes, drugs will take you to that next level in all likelihood. HOW next level you go is out of your control. That being said, you’d know at this point if you were destined for bodybuilding greatness. At some point you’re going to make that decision, and I’m sure it won’t be as big of a deal as you think it is. It’s just a buildup mentally because of all the social taboos (relevant or not,) and possibility of side effects or whatever. It will be smooth sailing when that day comes, surely.

Just some food for thought.

1083

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

Chest/Shoulders/Triceps

Bench:
Bar X 8
135 X 6
185 X 3 @ 70%
210 X 3 @ 80%
240 X 5 @ 90%

Reverse-grip Bench:
165 X 2 X 8
175 X 2 X 8

Dips:
10+BW X 10
20+BW X 8
30+BW X 6
45+BW X 4

Seated Rear Delt Raises:
25’s X 2 X 10
30’s X 2 X 10

Seated Lateral Raises:
30’s X 4 X 10

Cordova Extensions:
50 X 4 X 12

Seated French Press:
70 X 7
70 X 6
70 X 5
70 X 4

I wanted six but I got more than the minimum reps on bench today. I made progress on everything else. This was a great session that was really needed because I’ve been super stressed lately.

1084

[quote]The3Commandments wrote:

I don’t know you, and this is hardly any of my business. Acknowledged.

Maybe drugs will be something that you need to invest yourself in to reach your goals sometime in the future. But I think that anyone in the 18-20 year old age bracket on this forum thinking about doing so should at least first check out MODOK’s story of what he did with his early 20s and what Waylanderxx did with his early undergraduate years (I know you already have bc I’ve seen you comment on both).

I guess that this is probably saying stuff that you are already aware of, but if you really want to get huge in the way that, e.g., you would with drugs, at least first see what your body is really capable of growing to. Spend those ugrad years lifting balls heavy and (more importantly) eating everything in sight for a few years, throwing caution to the wind. It’s what those dudes did, and it paid big dividends for them. If I could do ugrad over, it’s what I’d do (and I’m thinking about doing with the next year and a half of law school. I spent undergrad marathon running…i.e. the exact opposite of what I’m doing now.).

So, I guess this is just a message to remind you that you’re still young as hell. Whether you do the drugs and such or not is ultimately up to you and I don’t have a judgement about that or anything, but just be careful with seriously considering it. What’s really missed by some of the young people on these forums (I’m only 24, so I’m young too) is that interests change over time with people. Not everyone does like Professor X and spends 20 years or whatever consistently getting huge. People get in accidents, get married and have kids, get demanding careers, or whatever. Life happens, and then interests change. By the end of ugrad, you might reach a point where this stuff isn’t as important to you as it is now, and it would really be sad and a real shame to have made a hasty decision with potential long term consequences if it ends up being something you didn’t even care about as much as you thought you did.

Anyway, again, I acknowledge that it’s none of my business. I guess I just read your post and wondered whether you realize how lucky you are to be at the point you’re at now compared to others (this is coming from a 24 year old who recently found out that his T levels have been chronically suppressed due to a nonfunctioning pituitary gland, lol).[/quote]

I really appreciate your comment. I definitely see exactly where you’re coming from and you have a very valid point. I am a little young to be thinking about getting into drugs. But, I’ve definitely put a lot of work into lifting hard and heavy. I’ve put up over 500 on both the squat and deadlift at around 190 lbs after being 19 for a few months. I have the time under the bar.

I think the main reason for me having this infatuation with drugs is that I know what the natural limitations are for those with decent but not elite genetics (me). I know that to do what I want to do with myself I’m going to need outside help. I don’t have a goal of having a great natural physique; I want to surpass that. I guess I should wait, probably for a few years after 21 when I’ve figured out what I want to do with myself outside of lifting. So I guess I get your point, and again, I appreciate you posting.

1085

[quote]SSC wrote:
Well, stay patient until then, man. You’re doing fine, don’t get so down on yourself first of all. Plus, you really are pretty fucking young. Yes, drugs will take you to that next level in all likelihood. HOW next level you go is out of your control. That being said, you’d know at this point if you were destined for bodybuilding greatness. At some point you’re going to make that decision, and I’m sure it won’t be as big of a deal as you think it is. It’s just a buildup mentally because of all the social taboos (relevant or not,) and possibility of side effects or whatever. It will be smooth sailing when that day comes, surely.

Just some food for thought.[/quote]

You make some great points too, and you have a good knowledge base to make them. I know exactly what you mean and I’ve already realized I’m not meant to go pro. Ideally, I’ll make an average national-level competitor in either bodybuilding or powerlifting. Even that’s pushing it though. lol. I guess I just need to relax and take it as it comes.

1086

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

Back/Biceps

Conventional Deadlift:
135 X 5
225 X 5
300 X 5 @ 65%
350 X 5 @ 75%
395 X 5 @ 85%

Barbell Rows:
135 X 10
185 X 10
195 X 10
205 X 6

Incline Dumbbell Rows:
65’s X 2 X 10
70’s X 2 X 8

Lat Pulldowns:
120 X 10
135 X 10
150 X 2 X 6

Bent-over Cable Pullovers:
80 X 2 X 15
90 X 2 X 8

Cable Curls:
80 X 10
90 X 10
100 X 10
110 X 10

Overhead Cable Curls:
50 X 4 X 10

Good day. I felt a bit sluggish midway through deads but they came up really fast. Barbell rows were good as well. They really are a great movement. Lower left trap is bugging me again, whoo hoo! lol

1087

Thursday, January 26th, 2012

Shoulders/Calves/Abs

Barbell Incline:
45 X 8
135 X 5
160 X 5 @ 75%
185 X 3 @ 85%
205 X 5 @ 95%

Head-Supported Rear Delt Raises:
40’s X 2 X 12
45’s X 2 X 9

Rear Delt Cable Raises:
30 X 12
40 X 3 X 10

Band Pullaparts:
Purple X 50

Partial Lateral Raises:
60’s X 2 X 20
65’s X 2 X 20

Dumbbell Lateral Raises:
30’s X 4 X 10

Barbell Shrugs:
135 X 10
225 X 10
315 X 10
325 X 10

Standing Abs:
110 X 4 X 20

Inclines went pretty well. I barely missed on a sixth. I like where that lift is going. Good day overall today.

1088

Friday, January 27th, 2012

Legs

Front Squat:
135 X 5
230 X 5 @ 75%
260 X 3 @ 85%
290 X 1 @ 95%

Barbell RDL’s:
135 X 8
225 X 8
275 X 8
320 X 6

1-Leg Leg Press:
2pps X 12
3pps X 3 X 7

Seated Leg Curls:
65 X 12
80 X 12
95 X 10
110 X 10

Leg Extensions:
80 X 10
95 X 10
110 X 10
125 X 10

Hyperextensions:
Purple band X 25 DROP
BW X 10

I didn’t have the best night of sleep. I’ve been waking up at 3-4 AM the past few nights for some reason. Despite this, fronts were very fast and RDL’s had a couple left in the tank. It’s funny, for me, the heavier I go on RDL’s the more I feel them in the hammies and glutes. It might be because I really slow down my negatives on those heavy sets. Productive day today. I’ll probably be crossing something off the bucket list tonight.

1089

[quote]165StateChamp wrote:
I’ll probably be crossing something off the bucket list tonight. [/quote]

Devil’s threesome?

1090

dem teddies/10

1091

Saturday, January 28th, 2012

Arms/Abs

Triceps Triset (6 rounds, 60 second rest)
Rope Pushdowns:
100 X 10
Hands-together Overhead Rope Extensions:
100 X 10
V-Bar Triceps Extensions:
100 X 10

Biceps Triset (6 rounds, 60 second rest)
EZ-bar Cable Curls:
90 X 10
Dumbbell Curls:
25’s X 10
Rope Hammer Curls:
90 X 6

Standing Abs:
110 X 4 X 20

I was up SUPER late last night. I only got to sleep at around 8:30 AM and I woke up around 11:30 AM. I didn’t want to do my normal arm routine because of that. This was a great change of pace that really had me gritting my teeth in pain.

1092

[quote]VikingsAD28 wrote:

[quote]165StateChamp wrote:
I’ll probably be crossing something off the bucket list tonight. [/quote]

Devil’s threesome?[/quote]

Lol. If only :wink:

1093

[quote]bugeishaAD wrote:
dem teddies/10[/quote]

Ohhhhh dem teddies alright. Perfect size.

1094

Monday, January 30th, 2012

Chest/Shoulders/Triceps

Bench:
Bar X 8
135 X 6
200 X 5 @ 75%
225 X 3 @ 85%
250 X 3 @ 95%

Reverse-grip Bench:
175 X 3 X 8
175 X 7

Dips:
10+BW X 10
20+BW X 8
30+BW X 6
50+BW X 4

Seated Rear Delt Raises:
30’s X 4 X 10

Seated Lateral Raises:
30’s X 2 X 10
35’s X 2 X 6

Cordova Extensions:
50 X 4 X 12

Seated French Press:
70 X 10
70 X 3 X 6

Pretty great day for how little sleep I’ve gotten lately. I felt pretty huge in the gym. Strength was very good as well. I think I’ll knock out that last rep of RGBP next week and make some progress. I really can’t wait. Plus, I saw a girl I used to date and she had gotten fat. So that was funny as well.

1095

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

Back/Biceps

Conventional Deadlift:
135 X 5
225 X 5
325 X 3 @ 70%
370 X 3 @ 80%
420 X 3 @ 90%

Barbell Rows:
135 X 10
185 X 10
195 X 10
205 X 8

Incline Dumbbell Rows:
70’s X 2 X 10
75’s X 2 X 10

Low Cable Rows:
100 X 10
130 X 10
160 X 10
170 X 8

Bent-over Cable Pullovers:
80 X 2 X 15
90 X 2 X 12

Cable Curls:
90 X 10
100 X 10
110 X 10
120 X 10

Overhead Cable Curls:
60 X 4 X 10

Deadlifts were very fast despite getting little sleep yesterday. I’m super busy though. Have a lot of homework and I lost half my contacts when I got a new phone.

1096

Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

Shoulders/Calves/Abs

Barbell Incline:
45 X 8
145 X 5 @ 65%
165 X 5 @ 75%
185 X 10 @ 85%

Head-Supported Rear Delt Raises:
40’s X 2 X 12
45’s X 2 X 12

Rear Delt Cable Raises:
40 X 4 X 10

Band Pullaparts:
Purple X 50

Partial Lateral Raises:
60’s X 20
65’s X 2 X 20
70’s X 10

Dumbbell Lateral Raises:
30’s X 4 X 10

Barbell Shrugs:
135 X 10
225 X 10
315 X 10
330 X 6

Standing Abs:
120 X 4 X 20

Good progress. I hit the same number on inclines with the same weight as I did last time but I did it on a steeper bench with heavier sets preceding. Accessory work was awesome as well. I feel like I’m definitely hitting my stride right now. I can’t wait to see what I’m weighing this Sunday.

1097

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

Legs

Front Squat:
135 X 5
205 X 5 @ 65%
235 X 5 @ 75%
270 X 5 @ 85%

Barbell RDL’s:
135 X 8
225 X 8
275 X 8
320 X 8

1-Leg Leg Press:
2pps X 12
3pps X 3 X 8

Lying Leg Curls:
65 X 3 X 10

Not my best workout. Things felt tough and I about lost my lunch on leg curls. I had to call it.

1098

Happens. 270 x 5 is an acceptable front squat for having an off day and not pushing it.

1099

Saturday, February 4th, 2012

Arms/Abs

V-Bar Tricep Extensions:
80 X 20
120 X 4 X 15

Close-grip Bench:
135 X 10
185 X 8
205 X 5
220 X 2

Machine Dips/Rope Extensions:
140 X 4 X 10/90 X 4 X 10

Dumbbell Hammer Curls:
35’s X 15
40’s X 15
45’s X 12
50’s X 8

Dumbbell Preacher Curls:
40’s X 4 X 10

Drag Curls/Rope Hammers:
70 X 4 X 10/60 X 4 X 10

Standing Abs:
120 X 4 X 20

Good day today. Was catching looks in the gym because the pump from arms day really completes my physique.

1100

[quote]bugeishaAD wrote:
Happens. 270 x 5 is an acceptable front squat for having an off day and not pushing it.[/quote]

Luv. Though you make me insecure. no homo