Are you not looking at weekly/bi-weekly trends as opposed to daily fluctuations?
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I’m looking at both, but even weekly trends aren’t being consistent. This being the case, I’m going to go back to what was working for me before: consistent carb/fat intake and not sacrificing one for more of the other.
So you’re doing the first exercise of your sessions with multiple sets for better technique/practice? I like it
Damn that’s a lot! But yeah if you’re a big guy it can vary a lot. You’re not on anything right now right?
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Kind of. The first exercises are all the ones that could kill me if I dropped it (not including deadlifts). They’re just better not trained to failure, so a dedicated set/rep progression is safer to manage.
Correct. No trt or any other AS/PEDs
2/4/22 - DoggCraPPL Push
Slept well, 6h 27m.
Did well, but couldn’t hit 265x5 on incline bench. Finding my PRs a bit inconsistent, but there had to be SOMETHING that was going to suffer from the cut. Not worried, my numbers still improved across the border less Incline bench.
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2/7/22 -AM Pump Circuit + Abs
Hanging leg raises
2x15
Hammer Curl, alternating w/ iso hold
2x8 @ 30lb
Face Pulls
2x10 @ 65lb
was running short on time so I powered through this in like 6 mins and ran out the door.
Did some soul searching this weekend and I came to realize I haven’t been running a tight ship, and my cut progress has faltered significantly due to this. BACK TO THE GRINDSTONE!
I gotta post weekly nutrition, pictures, and weight/measurements. I did my best when conducting myself as such, and I’m itching to finish the cut so I can start getting thiccer again.
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this is where the winning’s done.
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I’d say if you haven’t used sleeves yet, maybe try that first. Wraps increase strength to a degree. It depends largely on where the weak areas are IMO. They aren’t pleasant to train with though. They add training time, and they hurt. My first experience with wraps was not the greatest lol. I had a guy who has squatted over 900 in wraps (in the 242 lb weight class) wrap me. I made it about half way down and I couldn’t take the pain. Took them off, and the back sides of my knees were bruised and bleeding.
If you are going to compete in wraps, you need to use them. If you are training for general strength and looking jacked, I’d skip. I haven’t used them in a few years. Each training block after a meet was so refreshing not having to train in wraps.
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Honestly I meant to say ‘sleeves’ instead of ‘wraps’ but I never really paid attention to differences between the two, so this info is good to know!
No interest in competing for lifts because I’m simply not that strong, genetically speaking. More than that: I’d like to be able to purchase only one airplane ticket when I’m flying solo.
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It can be done with one seat even flying coach.
I highly recommend knee sleeves. I used to have sore knees all the time. Added sleeves and that went away completely. YMMV on that though. I have friends that still get knee pain with sleeves. I am now contemplating buying neoprene compression shorts to keep the hips hot during training. I am an old fart though, so I need all the help I can get.
I figure any tool that helps me stay healthy longer is a good one. You can get good ones for $50-60.
It didn’t stop me. Just have to have realistic expectations. Don’t expect to top the guys who were pulling 800 as teenagers.
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Seconding the sleeves recommendation, I have no real interest in competing so wraps aren’t even under consideration but I got sleeves like 1.5 years ago and the vast majority of my knee pain is gone.
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They were such a game changer for me. I wish I hadn’t been so stubborn about using them (thinking it was cheating, or a crutch I’d have to have). I would recommend a new lifter buy a good belt and knee sleeves right from the get go. Wrist wraps, straps, etc can come later.
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I think I’d go belt, straps, sleeves, wraps, in that order but generally agree. Having something that makes your joints not hurt shouldn’t be viewed as a crutch and certainly not cheating. I’m not trying to squat to make myself miserable, at least I don’t want that effect outside of the gym lol
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I’m feeling targetted here 
I’ll look into some knee sleeves when I get a chance lol
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I have several pairs. My favorite is my Mark Bell STrong Knee Sleeves. They are almost 7 years old and I still grab them first. I buy more and keep going back to them.
Two suggestions.
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stitching on the side, not down the back. it will itch.
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tapers from top to bottom. hole is smaller toward your calf. yellowjackets are the same size top and bottom, they slide down my leg. worthless, I’ve never used them once, a shelf decoration.
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Will certainly look into these. Sizing may be difficult for me because my knees are average-ish sized, but my quads and calves are actually rather big - but I’m sure I’ll find something. I’ve got a couple other purchases that need to happen first (more plates!), but knee sleeves are on the radar
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jeans yes. powerlifting things no.
you’ll have no trouble you just described 80% of the bodies.
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Small joints and big muscles? That sounds aesthetic!
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Knee sleeves are my one “can’t do without” piece of training kit. I’d recommend just getting a size that can get over your calves. If they can go on, you’re set
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2/7/22 - DoggCraPPL Pull
Slept okay, 6h 34m. ANS Charge “usual”.
Deads felt good, but I was much more light headed than usual after reps - had to call it at 495x3. Otherwise good training session, weights improved across the board less deadlifts.
Weekly progress update:
7 day weight avg 218.75
Biceps: 17.25 (no tricep pump)
Waist at navel: 36.5"
Thighs: 27"
Calves: 17"
don’t have nutrition to post because i didn’t log a day last week - will mess up numbers. Was in a deficit all week, may have been at maintenence for 1 day, but never in a surplus.
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