Masculine Excellence Requires Discipline

I’m the same. I’m an absolute turd at maintenance. I really like totally switching programs/ focus every ~6 weeks. I’m sure it’s not “optimal,” but neither is my bored half-assing everything. For those of us that grew up in the Flex Magazine (90s @T3hPwnisher!) era, this was perfect - the next issue created periodization for me.

The aforementioned @T3hPwnisher has written some eloquent thoughts on this, as well. Me no words so good.

Tangentially, I absolutely hate how kids are forced to specialize in sports at such a young age now. It makes no sense, doesn’t align to human nature, actually makes them worse athletes, and takes away everything beneficial about playing sports… it’s exclusively a funnel to dollars for those few that will play pro.
I also increasingly struggle to keep my opinions to myself at the events when I’m around all these “expert” parents that never played at any level past maybe high school JV. This is a separate rant, but I guess it fits into the concept about all the “expert” advice about what you “must do” comes from people that never lived it.

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This reminds me of when my daughter was being selected for her gymnastics team and the head coach was talking to the parents whose kids made it. The nearly 300lb single mom who’d been on her phone the entire meeting (the only one on her phone, mind you) was asking which route (overall gymnastics or specialized skills) her child would be better suited to be in to make it to the Olympics.
:roll_eyes:
I out loud laughed. Then heard 2 other team dads stifle their chuckles as I caught glares from the single mom (for some unknown reason).

I still think about that moment fondly.

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You better be training again Andrew, don’t make me crawl through your phone/computer screen and slap you.

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Can you? Please? I need it.

I’m working on so little sleep lately my dude. It’s been a struggle.

Good news is I’ll be changing shifts very soon, and that will allow for more/better sleep and training without waking up at 3am to nake it happen. Just in time too, I’m starting up my cut again so bedroom cardio can compound with off-day cardio too.

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Subbed High to Low Face Pulls for Trap Shrugs.

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Strength held up surprisingly well considering how little I’ve been training lately.

Compounds that were fucking me up pretty bad are mostly out of my system and I’m starting to feel normal again. “Normal” of course meaning “not normal” - like it should. Still working on getting my dopamine feedback straight again; getting that ball rolling is a bitch and a half.

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Subbed out landmine shrugs for Plate Drag High Rows (made up the name) due to availability.

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Skipped Rear Delt Flyes, shoulders weren’t having it.
Ran out of time for Thors Hammer.

Session felt good, arms are dead.

Need to get serious about cutting.

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Glad to see you back!

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Warmup
Horizontal Cardio WOD (for time)


Ran out of time so I skipped my two must hated exercises.

  • Was toasted after Leg Press, but my knees felt fine at least.

I hadnt been posting my reading but I finished No More Mr. Nice Guy, Sex God Method, 12 Rules for Life, Dirty Talk 101, and I’m 12% into When I Say No I Feel Guilty.

I’ve also been getting in 30-60 minutes walking daily. Working on optimizing schedule to align with Huberman recommendations, now that I can actually see the sun when i wake up. Which reminds me, I’m averaging 6.5 hrs sleep, and trying to dopamine reset. I actually feel healthy for the first time in years.

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Lot of good stuff in that post, but this is great to see.

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5 minute warmup on stairmaster.

  • Dropped weight on Incline press because I didn’t like my follow through. This felt better.
  • Stopped after one set of Machine Lateral Raise; shoulders felt like shit…

Not gym related. Got my ego checked and I needed it. Back to the grindstone.

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Hello Andrew, keep working hard buddy, I love it.

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Maybe you’ve already gone over this but what’re these recommendations? Something to do re: sleep? My sleep schedule could use some work.

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Pulled from here
https://www.reddit.com/r/HubermanLab/comments/13wxysx/ultimate_simplified_huberman_daily_protocols/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=2

Wake: 5:30-7:00 (Dawn/Twilight/Sunrise)

90 Minute Ultradian Cycle Starts

Record Wake Time (Temperature Minimum + REM)

Wake Up Same Time Everyday

Hydrate

Water (32 OZ) + Salt (Sodium + Iodine {0.5 TSP}) + Electrolytes (Potassium + Magnesium)
8 OZ (237 mL) Per Hour First 10 Hours

Light Exposure (10-30)

5-60 Minutes After Waking = 100,000 LUX (Light Meter)

Breath Exercise (Wim Hof: Tummo)

Cold Exposure

Move

Forward Ambulation + Optic Flow/Dilate Gaze (Peripheral Vision) = Lowers Epinephrine (Relaxation)

*Endurance Training

2/3 Days Weekly
Improves Brain Health/Cognitive Function
Running, Swimming, Cycling

Caffeine (60-120 After Waking)

Focus/Learning Bout (90)

*Strength Training (Weights/Body Weights)

3 Days Weekly

End Fast (12:00)

Walk (5-30)

NSDR

Non-Sleep Deep Rest (Guided Hypnosis/Yoga Nidra)
Meditation: 20 Minute Sitting

*Exercise Window

Focus/Learning Bout: *Creative Recreation (90)

Dinner

Follow Nutritional Guidelines
Consider Supplements

Dim Lights (Sunset)

Note Gratitude

Walk: Sunset Light Viewing (10-30)

Temperature Decreasing = Avoid Light

Personal Management

Hot Shower/Bath/20 Minute Sauna

Paradoxically Cools Body For Sleep

Camomile Tea

Apigenim

Plan Next Day

Magnesium Treonate + Theine (Dreams) (30-60 Before Sleep)

Sleep: No Light Exposure (10:00-11:00)

No Screens/Bright Lights = Dopamine/Testosterone Increases
Dark Cool Room
Same Sound Learning/Sleeping (White Noise)
Tape Mouth (Nasal Breathing)

Please comment extra info. I tried to make this as brief as possible.

Simple Explanation: I wake up and record the time. I piss and then I scoop electrolytes into a liter of water. I walk to my porch to get light and do a quick Wim Hof session. I go walk around the neighborhood drinking my delicious water. If I have to run that day I do it after if I can. If not, I’ll go after work (I follow the Foundational Fitness Protocol). I get home and shower. I turn on cold at the end. I’m hoping to get a plunge one day. I then get ready and make coffee. I get my daughter ready and we’re off to school and work (Listen to Audible/Podcast). I begin my first Focus Bout at work (90 Minutes). I’ll walk around and take a restroom break (Usually poop time). Then I start my 2nd Focus Bout. I then end my fast and eat lunch. I’m not adding the foods and supplements (Look it up and it varies on the person). After, I walk around to digest the food. Then my next Focus Bout at work is gonna be more chill (Reasonable Spending). If it’s strength day, I go to the gym or run if I missed it this morning at a park. I hit the sauna after the gym. I get home and I shower. I then take 20-30 minute NSDR. My daughter and wife usually get home around this time. I then go chill with them and I try to fit in a Creative Recreation Focus Bout (Writing/Video Editing/Music). I eat dinner with my family. We chill some more. I play with my daughter or watch something. Then I dim the lights, close the curtains, and turn the air down. I walk or sit on the porch with my cam tea and write something grateful for today as the sun is going down. I’ll also plan what I need to do the next day (set alarms). Then I’ll just pick up/laundry/dishes. Get ready for bed. Take my mag, read The Stormlight Archives/Duolingo and sleep.

Again, this is malleable and I change it all the time. Also, I don’t do it sometimes. I might do half when I’m with my friends on the weekend or something spontaneous pops up with the family. No biggy! Attack again tomorrow.


I don’t do all of these, i actually only do a few. But I’m trying to incorporate some of these items and line up my daily schedule to it a bit.

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Skipped training today. Knees felt like shit and rough sex in the morning didn’t help any.

We’ll just call today “cardio” and try for legs again tomorrow.

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Andrew wins the gold medal for the Indoor Olympics :medal_sports:

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Reading:
Mindful Attraction Plan completed. MAP in work.

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Hey man,

Afraid I’m a little slow on the uptake here. What specifically are you wanting me to see here?