@ChongLordUno We are so unhealthy here in the states that you can find one of those machines at pretty much any drugstore or pharmacy. I knew I’d find one this weekend. It’s like the worst “test your grip” machine ever, haha.
Workout first
PM WORKOUT (1330)
Deadlifts (touch and go)
5x135
5x205
3x325
5x375
5x425
5x475
5x5x425
Notes: 2:00 between sets. The 500lb TM is just about right, if not slightly too heavy, but big contributing factors are how detrained I am on this movement and how much accumulated fatigue I have coming into this workout. Considering last week 475 was what I managed for a hard single on the axle, I’m seeing improvement. My hamstring were what were beat from this which means, despite the daily GHRs, they’ve grown weak from a lack of pulling off the floor. Also most likely a sign my technique has fallen apart, as this was almost pure straight legging from the start. I eventually focused on getting my hips under me, but it took some doing.
In conclusion: this is exactly the workout I need. It’s a big ol’ slice of humble pie and it’s forcing me to do things I wouldn’t do on my own, which is the point of a good program. Gonna ride it out for a bit.
On the health scene…
To give a very quick summary, 3 months ago my doc and I agreed I’d go off the statin and we’d check in on my numbers in 3 months and see what happened. He never ordered the tests. I’m pretty sure he forgot about me. I don’t want to go back on it, and I’m fairly certain I got a handle on my health. If nothing else, I’ve proven that I can drop my LDL from 200 to 66 in 3 months with a statin if it comes down to that which, in turn, makes me not really too concerned about my LDL at this point. So I’m not going to remind my doc to schedule the labs: I’m moving on with my life.
I’ve learned a lot about nutrition and how I respond to things. I’ve learned a lot about quality food sources and their importance. I learned a lot about habits that I thought were good that were, in truth, awful for me, and I’ve learned where I was making mistakes in the past. I’m taking those lessons and moving forward.
I’m too goddamn lean. “Oh how terrible”, but it’s true. I need more bodyfat if I want to live and perform better, so putting some of that on is the next goal. The intent is to do that with quality nutrition and, of course, some muscle as well. I also have to not go 0 to 60 on the nutrition here, and make it a slow burn, which is what I struggle with, but greatness never comes from doing things easy.
Ideally, I’m going to blend Deep Water and Mountain Dog on this one. Focus on quality fat sources, lean protein from organic sources as much as possible, minimal carbs employed strategically.
Training wise, I’m seriously considering an almost entirely return to basics, with 5/3/1 SVR II leading the charge for the majority of my training minus the squat for now. Things are moving well on that, and I wanna ride it out until it stops. It’s honestly the only movement I have right now where I have SOME proof that I’m still getting bigger and stronger (although DB bench is doing well too, as is close grip and supplemental pressing if I’m being honest).
“A Farewell to Abs” would be a fantastic change to the training log name, but I’m not gonna do that.
Also planning on getting a blood pressure cuff so I can get in some daily readings and see if this is just a fluke. Talked with my father-in-law (registered nurse who went to 4 years of medical school before deciding he wanted to be a nurse instead of a doctor) to get an opinion on what to do, and I’ll be focusing on getting in some more salt and iron as well in my nutrition.