This is comedy gold. I did it. 20+ per day. Tasted like ass, but we had to get that vita rich liver right!!!
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I’m not reading 50 odd posts, but looking good man.
Hard work is working for you.
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Just knocked out 30 reps with 5 lb plates. Ow.
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Bet that pump was intense! I love shoulder pumps. Makes you feel twice as wide
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After seeing Jack’s most recent photos, I think we all just need to copy exactly what he is doing, no questions asked…
But seriously, things are looking good in here JM, I say just keep doing what you’re doing. You seem to be pretty healthy right now, enjoying basketball and are looking great. If you’re able to maintain the point you’re at for any length of time, I think you’re winning.
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The hardest part of the movement (or most painful) was the move from lateral raise to front and then again on the way back. I also had to do it on my knees because I kept hitting the ceiling in my basement.
I’m getting closer to doing that. It’s kind of crazy compared to what I’ve been doing in the past, but my goals are just about the same as his (except for the insanely low body fat part). I want to improve my physique which really means improve shoulders, chest, and V taper. I don’t think anyone cares what my legs look like so I can train them for basketball performance. I know from experience that it doesn’t take much strength training to keep them where they are and I’ll do my usual explosive stuff to maintain or improve my vertical.
I think I’ve reached a point where my favorite lifts will actually be enough to accomplish my goals!!!
You might have to remind me of this from time to time. Contrary to what I just posted, it’s hard to not get excited about or distracted by what you and @losthog are doing.
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2.25.19
Measurement Update
Woke at 221.6 lbs which was a shock. I’m guessing it’s a fluke low reading and I’ll be back to at least 223 tomorrow. 221 is a six pound drop from last Monday 
Body Measurements
I shade everything green for positive changes and red for negative changes. It’s good when my stomach shrinks but I consider it bad when my legs or chest shrink along with it. That being said, I’m not upset with these changes. I shaded them according to my previously adopted method, but I’m happy with the results. Looking back at the December, January, February, and March readings is really the best way to compare these numbers. The “bad” measurements are close to the same as my pre-surgery physique (abd, waist). The “good” measurements are close to the same or better as well.
A couple things to note: it appears my lack of leg training (or perhaps squatting or deadlifting) has allowed my ass to shrink (hip measurement). That’s a bad change; however, my quad measurements are about the same. My bicep is clearly hurting from my tendon injury. I’m not sure what I can do about this but I really don’t want to have surgery right now. I’m feeling pretty good and enjoying myself. I guess I could still follow my plan for a May operation and enjoy myself for a couple of months.
I’m not at my finished product for the T-ransformation Challenge but I wanted to do measurements since I’m changing my program to focus on shoulders and upper body. I’m cutting but perhaps something will grow. Who knows?
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Funny you say that. The hardest for me (by far) is coming from front horizontal to front vertical. I have them in my workout today as a finishing exercise to failure. Looking forward to it… sort of. Glad it was good for you!
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Sometimes, platitudes are the best response - if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
I just read through the last two months of your log, and you’ve gone from constantly hurting and worrying about your body to feeling good, performing well, and having a positive mental outlook. Isn’t that the purpose of exercise?
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Oh, I forgot to mention - congrats on your pain-free deadlifting and weight loss!! RDLs bug my hip too, so I tend to do bent-leg deadlifts more; when the weight is relatively light, I think they’re easier on the hips and lower back.
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It’s supposed to be!!! I’ve been doing this so long that it’s probably be come more than a health pursuit. I could compare it to golf. At first, you enjoy it and just want to keep playing. Next, you start to improve and have a little success. That success fuels your desire to get better and suddenly you’re borderline competitive. Unfortunately, being competitive drives you to train harder and expect more from yourself. Next thing you know, you’ve been playing for months and haven’t enjoyed a minute of it.
I’ve never actually done that but I watched it happen to my brother.
I guess a decade plus of training has led me to the point where I expect to be able to do great things. Those things are goals and images that I’ve created based on what I see; however, the human body is so dynamic that we can’t copy and paste each other. My design is built for something great, but it’s not the same thing as anyone else. It’s just really tough to accept that and stop pursuing other people’s framework.
On the topic of my biceps tendon - it’s not necessarily broke because I can do a lot of things in spite of it, but it’s also preventing me from doing some things I enjoy (power cleans). There are a couple of curl variations I can do successfully so I’ll try those again to see if the size comes back. My left arm is 2cm bigger right now! That’s always been my smaller side.
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Bicep tendon issues suck! Does it eventually get warmed up and you stop having pain or does increased activity agrivate it further?
I’ve managed to pop it out of the groove and tear the tissue that is supposed to hold it in place. That tissue can’t be repaired and won’t grow back or heal.
When I try to do a curl or a pulling motion the tendon pops out of the groove. It does not feel good. It’s inflamed all the time now.
I could feel a burning sensation today during some of my pulling work. It’s right on the front of the shoulder where the tendon attaches to the scapula. It’s also tender to touch.
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@Frank_C for what it’s worth your physique beats Jackie Moon’s. I’m surprised no-one has made an effort to point that out. So, first!
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That stinks man! Guess you just gotta learn what movements are best to minimize inflammation. Sounds like you’re already doing that
He doesn’t want Jackie Moon’s physique, he wants his mad baller skillz!
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Back Workout
WARM UP
5 min on bike, L11, 1.46 miles
GLUTE EXTENSION MACHINE
90 x 10
130 x 10
150 x 10
HIP ABDUCTION/ADDUCTION MACHINE
140/160 x 10 x 2 sets
PULL UPS
10, 8, 5-2-2
HANG SGHP
135 x 5 x 5 sets
CABLE ROW
160 x 10, 10, 8-3-3
I threw in a little bit of the Shirley Row movement on the last set. Should’ve been doing that the whole time.
DUAL CABLE LAT PULL DOWN
200 x 15
230 x 12
260 x 10
These weights mean nothing. The weights are double what each stack showed. And I actually double what the stack shows because they mislabeled the equipment.
REVERSE CABLE FLY
30 x 10F/10T/10B
20 x 10F/10T/10B
REVERSE CABLE CURL 350 SET
70 x 20, 12, 7
BASKETBALL
Almost two games. I felt good but people didn’t really want to play today. We didn’t even finish the second game because they were screwing around so much.
After the game I tested my vertical a bit. I can almost touch the top of the square on the backboard with an approach. I’m a couple inches lower than that with a flat footed jump.
The downside of my goofing off is that it made my hip ache a bit. I’m not sure if it was the jumping or the landing. The ache is right in the front and I’m beginning to think that bone formation is the culprit.
I was quite hungry when I got home and I threw together a darn good lunch. Rice, beans, ground beef, broccoli, and salsa. I put it into my app as I ate and it ended up being 1200 calories. Whoops! Luckily I still have 900+ calories left and it’s almost 2:30 now.
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Yeah, Jackie’s physique is quite undesirable. @OTHSteve nailed it, though. I’m hoping to develop some basketball skills. I’d prefer to be more like Coffee Black but I don’t think I should put that in my log title.
Hey J I like your new approach bodybuild the upper and be athletic lower.
Did you do a lot of jumps after the basketball, it could be to many jumps one after the other, that’s pretty hard on the body.
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That phrasing reminded me of Muscle Up Top, Hustle Down Below which seems kind of fun