I like it a lot!
I know I’m super bored (I don’t even feel like writing the workouts down, obviously), so I like the mental freedom of leaving a lot of it up to what I feel like doing when I walk in. I think I’ve always liked John’s stuff because it gives you a structure, but everything is interchangeable within that structure.
It definitely seems as though John himself enjoyed this same level of creative freedom and honestly so does Arnold and a lot of the other GOATs. Rigid structure, but freedom of choice in exercise selection.
The rare times I’m desperate enough to take a Benedryl (which I think may be the same active ingredient as Unisom) I take it pretty early so it can run its course. Like, by 8:00 even if my sleep goal is 9:30.
As for kids and pushing them, @simo74 was right above, I think, when he said that if they flat don’t want to do it, they won’t. A huge grief of my life is that my daughter is sedentary, and I hate that we don’t share this thing I love. Aside from that we have a lot in common, but it’s always been an issue for her - it touches on body issues and can’t-measure-up stuff. She’s my only girl, and my three sons are active. One runs a butcher shop and is a complete bro, one is an intellectual and fitness/gym guy, and the last is generally active and health-conscious. My daughter, as a teen, ranted that her father and I liked her brothers better because she’s “the short fat one.” Oy.
She does like to play games, though, and is always down for kickball or badminton. Thank goodness!
All that to say that I have no advice, but I do empathize.
Thanks team!
Headed home from Belgium now. My wife joined me for a couple days - you have to put time into the marriage too.
I’m home for a day, then my daughter is on my next trip with me; I’m looking forward to that.
Lifting wise, I’m going to do something else… but probably not a big departure from my norm. It ain’t broke. I am going to add ~10 minutes of hard conditioning to the end of my days, though.
In CA with my beautiful daughter, who has really grown up (yes, tears as a I type that). I don’t have a ton for her to do here, and I’m working, but I think she has enjoyed just kind of experiencing this side of work - little girls always want to be adults quick! My son… feels differently - ha!
Finally back in for a real workout this morning. Jet lag was way in my favor on this one; knocked it out at 2 and felt fine.
Back
Did a bunch of abs and some walking and stuff to wake up
Meadows Row
-/8
25/6
50/4
75/8 x 3
One-arm BB Row
60/8 x 3
DB Pullover
50/10 x 3
Lat Pulldown
3 x 10 w/ 2s stretch each rep
BOSU Crunch
4 sets
Toe Press
4 x 10 + 10p + 10s stretch
My daughter got to meet a lot of the team last night, and they doted on her and included her and made her feel good… she was so happy she was buzzing with electricity by the time we came back. It was nice.
This morning was kind of a wussy leg day. I haven’t been killing these, and I bet even today ends up making me sore.
Standing Cable Leg Curls
Bunch of sets of 10
Smith Squat
185/ 10 x 3
Machine Leg Press
Just worked up the stack doing sets of 10 until it got hard. I didn’t get to the top.
Cable RDL
2 x 12
BOSU Crunch
4 sets
Got home a little after 1 and went right to bed! This morning was chest and shoulders and now we’re headed on a quick weekend vacation.
Wide HS Press
-/8
1pps/8
1.25pps/8
2pps/8
2.25pps/8
3pps/8
3pps/7.5
Lowish Incline
45/8
135/8
155/8
185/8
195/5
Hit a total wall here - smoked
DB Incline
60/10
70/10
80/10 + 55/9 + 45/7
Incline Pronated DB Flye
25/8-10 x 3
Cable Rear Delt
4 x 20
DB Side Raise
45s rests
25/8
20/8 x 3
Yet I remain the world’s greatest boss.
Quick back pump before water slides:
Chins
3 x 8
Fat man Pull-up
3 x 8
DB Shrugs
3-4s hold at top
65/12 x 3
Banded Good Mornings
3 x 10
Cable Crunches
4 sets
Toe Press
4 sets
Got a couple light workouts in I didn’t log. My knee swelled up for a couple days and my hamstring felt bruised - no idea why, but it cleared up and everything is good.
Today was legs - wow I’m deconditioned here!
Seated Leg Curls
Worked up doing sets of 12 (probably 5 sets or so)
Last set I did 12, helped myself to get 6 more, then 20 partials
SSB Squats
45/8
135/8
185/8
225/15
Leg Press
4pps/20 x 3
Machine Hip Thrust
1pps/10 x 3
RDL
185/15
The end!