Probably a good move lol. Do you have the link for that video from Jim? Had a look for it but can’t find it.
I did this a couple years ago. I’m sure I glanced at some click bait T-Nation threw up on social media, but I stopped going to the main site. I used to go to the site every day waiting for the next article.
My reading is now limited to the things for which I’m searching. I think of something and want to find some inspiration; that’s when I read. Sadly, I usually walk away without getting anything useful.
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It was posted to @Voxel’s log fairly recently.
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This will probably be the route I take eventually. For now, it’s gotta be zero reading. I have enough knowledge to progress.
I did the same thing with almost all social media a few years ago. I was wasting so much time and hated it. I guess I just replaced it with reading training articles…
Same. I have found that I’m looking for something to entertain me. I need to get away from that and make better use of my time.
Ya’ll ever consider writing the articles you would want to read? It’s the path I took.
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I’m glad I dug up that video then! I like your attitude.
The social media aspect is similar. I enjoy Cal Newport’s content on this. He encourages people to take 30 days away from not only social media but also any optional technology. While a good chunk of people return to these websites eventually, they find that they no longer have the same appetite for them. Tons of people today preach moderation when it comes to these things, maybe take one day off from their addictions for “mental health,” but nothing changes. Like, do people really think it is a good strategy for an alcoholic to abstain from drinking one day per week but free-for-all the rest?
I think a lot of people here including myself overanalyze stuff, though I hope it doesn’t seem like I’m comparing you or anyone else to an alcoholic. Ultimately, taking time away from something forces you to refine your priorities.
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19/12/2020
Start time: 1430
Garage temp: 2C
High bar squat
- worked up to 300x5
- dropsets: 270x6, 220x9, 170x15, 120x20
- All dropsets SS w/ 20 BW sissy squats
Toes elevated band good mornings
- 2x25
60 sec hamstring and quad stretches
Notes:
- Wowza, what a workout. I was short on time but wanted to smash my legs, so I pulled a page from Arnold’s book of supersetting an isolation movement with squats. Loved it and hated it with equal measure.
- Also, I matched my low bar number from a couple weeks ago which is awesome. The bar felt light on my back, which is usually my issue; when it feels heavy on my back, I start panicking. I just kept unracking it and it felt good, so I knew I had it. I’ll be back to 315x5 in no time — this time on high bar, though.
- I picked my heaviest band for those band good mornings, and after those squats it was a trip.
- If I had more time, I would’ve added another hammy exercise, probably a calf exercise and some ab work. As it stood though, this was a solid ball-busting session.
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20/12/2020
Start time: 1245
Garage temp: 6C
Bench
- worked up to 210x5
- dropsets: 190x6, 170x9, 145x11, 120x11
Incline CGBP
- 120x11, 8, 8
Slight decline DB flye-press
- 1x5 @ 50
- 2x4 @ 50
- 2x3 @ 50
- 2x2 @ 50
Band pressdowns
- 50 total reps
60 sec chest & triceps stretch
Notes:
- Bench felt good today. 225x5 is just around the corner, I can feel it.
- Incline CGBP was… weird. It’s a movement I’ve never done with a barbell before, so I actually saw a weird uptick in strength on that last set once I figured out the movement.
- Probably should’ve put the flye-presses before the incline bench, but then I figured I’d just keep doing sets until I could only do 1 rep. However, once I got to the 3-rep sets, my body was like, “We can keep doing this forever, y’know.” So then I said I’d cap it when I couldn’t keep a 3-second eccentric. I really like this movement, though.
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Dude you’re kicking ass on this new program you’re making. I think you need the flexibility right now and that’s letting you push where you can/want. Keep at it 
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Thanks, man! I’m really enjoying the few sessions I’ve done.
This is so true. The only real rigidity I’m keeping at the moment is ramping up a barbell movement, followed by AMRAP dropsets, because I can get a lot done in a short period and push it hard. As long as I bust my ass on that, I count the session as a win. Everything after is just icing on the cake.
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I need this, too. I think this is more mental than people think. Most programs are four days per week. We get caught up in training weeks but I don’t think it matters that much. Four sessions per week - great. Three per week - still great. Two per week - still moving forward.
Space that out and it looks even better. Over the three weeks listed above, that’s nine training sessions. But too shabby.
This seems to work well for other strong people on this site.
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Can’t overstate how well this works for just about everyone.
Yep. I’ve made great progress on all 3 options mentioned. The best thing may be to just put a minimum limit of 2 sessions a week with a max of 4, then structure your program to me capable of fitting that framework. It’s probably what I’ll do this summer if COVID goes back to hell where it belongs.
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23/12/2020
Taking an unexpected “deload” due to work and my kid’s sudden wonky sleeping. I’ll get back at it in the new year. I need it anyways, because I haven’t been sleeping or eating enough, and work’s beating the shit out of me.
I’ve also been thinking about what goal I want aside from just “get big and strong”. I’m the kind of person who thrives with a clear path.
My thought was to pursue the biggest, baddest clean & press I possibly can. I love that lift, and training for it would force me to build up strength in my entire body. I’d use the winter as an “off season” to build muscle, then come spring and summer I’ll work on more concentrated strength towards the lift itself.
I’d love to do it with a log, but a barbell is all I’ve got in my janky garage gym.
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I am so infavor of these goals.
Any chance you could come into possession of a keg? Progressive loading would be tough, but just having a heavy one you can throw some reps on on occasion would go far, and they’re a great conditioning tool.
Could also make a DIY axle ala what @alpha demonstrates here
Should allow for even more gnarly weight overhead with the continental.
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I actually have a keg. It’s loaded with roughly 120 pounds of sand, and the keg itself is somewhere between 20 and 30 pounds. There’s also a wall-mounted work bench in my garage I could use as a loading platform.
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Pressing it will get you strong as hell too.
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That’ll be something I need to work up to for sure. It’s such an awkward implement and having the weight so far out makes it seem SO much heavier. I can muscle clean and strict press 150 no problem, but not the keg — yet.
$76 got me the axle from Titan. A bit more money but I didn’t need the dumbbells from the video.
Edit: responding to you since you posted about it, but meant for @kdjohn.
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The frozen tundra of his homeland will sadly not permit Titan to ship to him.