I’m teetering on what to do next: 1)business as usual, 2)Waterbury’s 10x3 and either AD or TNT, 3)something else I haven’t discovered yet, or (get ready for this) 4)Jillian Michael’s ‘Making The Cut’.
My wife bought her book and, well, its sounds appealing. Everyday, for 30 days, each meal and daily exercise (circuit training) is planned for you. The training is similar to P190X for what I gather. Changing the exercise a lot in order to ‘confuse’ the body. Interesting concepts.
They say that every now and then you should do something completely opposite of what you are currently doing.
[quote]stuward wrote:
They say that every now and then you should do something completely opposite of what you are currently doing.[/quote]
I’m starting to feel burned out. I want to get done with this week to accomplish: 250 bench, 300 squat, 350 deadlift. That’s the idea at least. I regret the thought of working out today.
If I were you I’d do the circuit training for a month and then hit the heavy stuff again, either the 10x3 or Starr’s 5x5. I’ve done both. Lots of fun and a good way to burn out if you went after them right now.
Today’s Workout
Skipped.
Long day at work mixed with a lack of desire. I plan on workout out tomorrow and Friday to finish out the program. Then …
[quote]TheDudeAbides wrote:
Then …[/quote]
… deload and continue to get even fucking stronger doing the same program? 
Maybe do some back squats instead of front?
Switch to DB’s for the pressing movements? Ripp does say in Starting Strength 2nd Edition, “… the dumbbell version of the [bench press] … is probably a better exercise for most purposes other than training for a powerlifting competition.” (67)
Thanks gooch. I’m being such a wimp. Over thinking, over analyzing my situation. Too much time off is counter productive.
In other news, I have incredible weight loss potential.
Yesterday I weighed in at a hefty 244.6 lbs. I thought the scale was broken. I looked better than the number. IMO. Water weight. I had my share of chips and salsa this weekend. I never take into account water weight. Yup. Good old H20.
This morning I weighed 242.2 lbs. Much better. Two dumps later, a lot of water and clean eating.
Meijer has Albacore tuna on sale, 10/$10 and the is 11th free or something like that. Big difference between the two. Albacore is like caviar when all you have is cheap tuna.
Before I get flamed, I have thought about this thoroughly. I am considering this to be my next program. A ‘break’ from Rippetoe.
http://www.menshealth.com/bellyoff2008/
Because, well, I really do want my belly off. The only thing I might not do is their diet. I added up a typical day and it was a mere 1500 calories. That’s a bit low for 8 weeks. Sure there are many success stories. I am worried about muscle loss. I think I would cut back to no less than 2200. I also like doing bodyweight exercises. I could start this in April and by summer, be able to take my shirt off. Then redo Rippetoe. We shall see …
That’s Mon, Weds and Fri with basically just bodyweight exercises.
You will lose strength on that program. You should add 1 or 2 days a week of strength maintenance work.
That’s true. Does it seem like I’m grasping at straws for the ‘perfect’ routine?
You could try the HGM program from Men’s health. It’s a year long circuit program that changes every 4-8 weeks. There is a beginner and an intermediate version. Basically, it’s very close to the Belly Off (circuit) program only with free-weight exercises. I am currently in the first phase of the beginner program and here is my routine
3x12 3 days per week 90sec rest between circuits
Squat/Bent Barbell Row/Lunge
Military Press/Calf Raise/Crunches
Bench Press/Pullover/Deadlift
By the time I finish one set of three exercises I feel like my lungs are going to jump out of my chest.
Thanks for the tip. I like the ‘sound’ of still being able to do those lifts. I’m not too keen on something that goes on for a year, but that’s not a big deal.
Today’s Workout
front squat - 1x1x135
bench press - 5,4,4x250
deadlift - 1x2x345 (grip slip)
1x10x275
dips - skipped
My shoulders were quite sore after doing bench. I did my warm-up of front squat and immediate pain/discomfort. Not that much pain, but it didn’t feel good either. The bar rests directly on my trouble spot.
I was happy with my bench performance.
Not happy with deadlifts. My grip gave out on the second pull. I decided to do a burn-out set. That went well. 275 is not a problem. I could have done 3-4 more.
So if my shoulders are sore when doing bp, does that mean I am shoulder dominant? They have never caused a problem before.
Why don’t you try the v-diet? You could definitely lose 20 lbs. in a month.
[quote]TheDudeAbides wrote:
Thanks for the tip. I like the ‘sound’ of still being able to do those lifts. I’m not too keen on something that goes on for a year, but that’s not a big deal.[/quote]
The entire program lasts for a year, however it’s broken down into phases. The first phase, which is broken down into two parts, starts with a high rep circuit that is meant to bust your heart rate. Phase two goes into lower rep, higher weight two grouping super-sets. The entire program makes use of traditional full body lifts such as deadlifts and squats.
Here is a link:
I will probably work with the program through phase II and then decide if another program will suite my goals and or interest level.
[quote]H.E. Pennypacker wrote:
Why don’t you try the V-Diet? You could definitely lose 20 lbs. in a month.[/quote]
What are you trying to say? I’m already at 5% body fat, how much lower can I go?
[quote]TheDudeAbides wrote:
Today’s Workout
front squat - 1x1x135
bench press - 5,4,4x250
deadlift - 1x2x345 (grip slip)
1x10x275
dips - skipped
My shoulders were quite sore after doing bench. I did my warm-up of front squat and immediate pain/discomfort. Not that much pain, but it didn’t feel good either. The bar rests directly on my trouble spot.
I was happy with my bench performance.
Not happy with deadlifts. My grip gave out on the second pull. I decided to do a burn-out set. That went well. 275 is not a problem. I could have done 3-4 more.
So if my shoulders are sore when doing bp, does that mean I am shoulder dominant? They have never caused a problem before.[/quote]
Depends what you mean by ‘sore’? If they feel like they are sore as in fatigued then yes you might be doing too much of the work with your front delt. I am shoulder and tri dominant on pressing and have found that the following has helped:
i) Doing cable crossovers, pec dec or DB flyes before benching to get the blood in the chest and pre fatigue the area a little.
ii) Using DB bench presses instead of barbell esp with neutral grip.
iii) Doing one and half rep presses, where you go half way up then down then do a full press. Thib writes about that in here:
www.T-Nation.com/readArticle.do?id=895659
These have def helped me feel the soreness in the pecs as opposed to the shoulders.
However if the soreness feels more like it’s inside the shoulder joint and is sore under pressure then it might be some kind of inflammation of the rotator cuff etc. You’ll find loads of articles on here about keeping the shoulders healthy.
I haven’t read every page of your thread, so I might have missed it, but do you do any facepulls or anything??
It sounds like a deload week would do you good.
I’m trying to put an end to all of my flip-flopping.
I’m going to give 10x3 a go starting next week for 4-6 weeks. See what happens. Then either Starr 5x5 or Stronglifts 5x5 part 2.
I’ll give a reply later, lift and eat. Thanks.
Westside for skinny bastards, dude. It’d be worth your time, but maybe after a deload or week off.
Plus, WS4SB is fucking fun.
I’m starting WS4SB today, I can’t wait! 1 hour til gym time!
Mkoll