Bad days happen, the general trend is positive though and that’s what to look at. Well, that and you know, dat ass!
[quote]Mascherano wrote:
Here are the maxes on my main lifts this cycle:
Overhead squat - 8x75
- I’m not as shaky as I used to be, so that’s good. Also I’m hitting parallel and keeping arms locked and behind me, so I’m happy about that. I’m going to drop these in the next cycle since I really don’t think I can go much higher in weight without being able to drop the bar should I need to. I’ll get back into OH work when I get back into Oly.
Box Squats - 5x170
But I honestly don’t even want to count these as a win in anyway. First of all they were ugly and completely out of form and I was supposed to do 8 reps of these. Second, I did 8x165 of these the other day and they felt great! So I’m not sure what the problem is here. Anyways, next cycle I’m doing two days of box squats, one where I lower weight and lower box height and stick with 8 reps, and another day where I keep the bench, keep loading weight and drop reps to 5. I’m going to stick with 170 until they actually resemble box squats.
Trap Dl - 5x185
Thinking about standing on a riser for more ROM.
Rack Pulls - 5x155
These are just horrible - all back and so demoralizing. The bar hits about an inch or two below knee. I wanted to keep loading AND add an extra platform so I can start getting more ROM (so I could, you know, start looking like someone who might deadlift one day), but now I’m not sure what to do. I was supposed to be pulling 8s, but I could only get 5 without breaking my back. Grr…
Bench - meh. Not even worth mentiong I hit 3x100.
Do not care and I am replacing with Push Press
Pullups - still going strong. Didn’t test maxes but they’re doing great, so that’s fine.
Here’s a little video blast - more for my own edification, but feel free to peruse at your leisure.
[/quote]
OK, let’s just fucking relax a little bit. That video was awesome. I did a little chair dancing to your New York beat.
Rack pulls…they were not all back but by definition they are mostly a back exercise since there is not much leg drive. They were fine. You had great form on those. They may have “felt” like they were all back. Maybe your back is weak which is why it feels like it is going to break. Cure is likely Good Mornings and / or rack pulls at lower reps.
Trap bar deads…they looked great. They are not supposed to look like a squat. Your hips were in good position at the start and you finished strong. If you feel it in your back then your back might be weak. See above. And don’t add a riser for ROM. If you want more ROM then do squats.
Box Squats…you were sitting back. Your shin angle is almost vertical which is friggin hard to do. If you mean you weren’t relaxing your hip flexors while on the box then that might be true. No biggie. Do it next time.
Nice pants.
I didn’t see anything wrong with your lifts and feel they are very STRONG given the circumstances.
I think you were just having a bad day. This is not a sprint, remember??
Wait…
Masch was complaining about her ass???!!!
I was admiring it and her tats in the pic.
Your lifts looked good to me, Msch.
It takes time for muscles to come back to full usage after inactivity.
I know that all too well…
Besides, if you nailed all of your lifts right away, where would be the challenge?
Although…
If you need help spanking those bad glutes, let me know 
Nice video! You have to teach me how to do that as I want to make similar videos for my new log.
I had a problem with glute activation aswell, but followed a simple routine after my foam rolling, and it has helped.
Ok, so this is what you do;
double leg glute bridges x 10 (pause at the top and aqueeze)
single leg glute bridges x 10 each leg (slap your ass now and again just to make sure they are firing)
lie on your side and abduct your leg up x 10
X band walks x 10
Blue is my favourite colour and I like pony-tails.
tweet
Looking good though! I do that little head shake too in the middle of a lift when I know something just didn’t feel right.
[quote]Mascherano wrote:
When I kvetched in here[/quote]
kvetched???!!!
Don’t use those big Yiddish words on us Midwesterners…
We have no clue.
LOL
Patch, thank you I know you’re right. Just had me a little tantrum. lol!
MiMSY!! Thanks for the hugs! I needed that. Sigh. Your hair smells nice…And yes, you’re right, its not a sprint.
Git! THANK YOU!! The feedback is great!! I can tell you’re a solutions kinda guy, and have no patience for whiney bitches. lol! I’m going to mull over everything and take it into consideration for my next cycle. YAY! “Relaxing your hip flexors” yes! I think I definitely didn’t do that. Now, the question is, how do I do that…
HAHAH! Thanks Busy! and yeah, I was thinking spankings would get them lazy glutes back to work! I actually give em a little tap during my warmup while I’m doing my hip exercises, like my PT does to my VMO when I do my quad exercises - but maybe I need to be a bit more firm with them…hm? And lol @ the Yiddish! I learned it all from watching The Nanny. Loved that show!
Hi Bird! The vid is super easy to make - I do it on Imovie. I’m a bit of a nerd and I like everything organized nice and neat. lol! Kinda manic of me. And thanks for the warm-up routine! I will totally incorporate it!
Tech, lol! Funny on the head shake! If only our vids came with thought bubbles, right?
And…my Frenchie inspired Halloween costume
Here I am pre-partying with Frida Kahlo (a.k.a my cousin Gabriella). As you can see the love of facial hair runs in the family.
Any guesses who I am?!
Holy shit that Frida Kahlo is spot on! Unibrow and erything! Now you are ummm Freddie Mercury???
Awesome work on the vids masch…ever think about using the platform your using on the rackpullls for your box squats? Stop getting so down on yourself, you look great, your putting in the work yet you your still nodding your head after every grinder…your pushing yourself thats why they are grinders, if they were perfect they wouldnt be grinderzzzz.
I’m totally a solutions guy. I’m the first born son of a Protestant; I can’t help it.
And, do your People come from the Village?
Masch-I LOVE the video! I’ll just echo what everyone else has said, lifts look good, and you look strong!! I won’t even put the “for being 4 months post op” disclaimer on the end of that sentence. I was thisclose to buying blue croppies yesterday and after seeing your ass in them I totally wish I had. You are the poster child for squats and deads, nom!
-your costume is great! I have zero guesses who you are, but I do wish I had consulted you for costume ideas prior to this weekend! Glad you had a good time 
HAHAHAHAHA!!! LOL!!!
Love your costume!!!
5x170 on your box squats! That’s a giant kick in my ass. So good. Keep striving. But, I think you’re doing and looking awesome.
Yeeessssssssssssssssssssssssssss!!! Costume Pics are awesome!!
This is such a great log. Who knew how sexy you were in a mustache?
Awesome costume! Gotta love Halloween.
Freddy Mercury? Or Gregron?
Those are my guesses.