Goin great!!! The furnace is lit!!! from 212lbs on 1/1/2023 to 198.6lbs this morning!!!
8 Likes
Way to go dude! That’s an incredible pace
Though I’m not in the challenge, I DID start up Super Squats again today, so I am warming it up for whoever is ready to receive it.
Awesome to see all the various methods and strategies unfolding here. And SO much good advice.
3 Likes
It’s going well, actually. My weight had stalled for a while. I increased my intake and it started moving up again. Stepped on the scales at 226.4 lb this morning. My heaviest in a while! My plan is to continue gaining for another 5-6 weeks. Goals after that will be strength-based. Dietary intake will be dictated by how much fat is around my middle at that point.
5 Likes
It’s nice when that happens while also being the actual goal! Great work!
I’m not in the challenge this year, but I’ve got to figure out if I want to cut from now until late April (I go to Costa Rica with wife and her family every other year as her father is from there) or just keep cruising with where I’m at. I’m carrying too much fat around my midsection, but I don’t want to give up my strength.
I’ve already said this, but I’m feeling enthusiastic today so I’ll say it again.
I’m so glad I am participating in this, because the mindset change was much needed. I enjoyed my gym session today. Can’t say I enjoy that many sessions normally.
I do hate the daily runs, but I’ll stop after January and replace them with daily 10 minutes of more weight-centric suffering.
6 Likes
Beautiful! That’s exactly the goal. I’m really glad to see this.
I’m halfway through my first run at Deep Water (beginner), weight is mostly unchanged but I’m definitely leaning out.
Will start a new lower volume program (because going higher would literally kill me) and a cut at the end of this.
6 Likes
It’s crazy how that works with that program, haha. It’s like biological alchemy.
2 Likes
The furnace is definitely doing some smelting!
3 Likes
Still working on that copy of Super Squats 
6 Likes
It’s going good! Hitting my workouts and nutrition goals for the most part. Down to 148 from 154 lbs, looking to lose about 3 more to lean out then get out of the deficit.
I’m actually enjoying some of my runs now (versus “Please make it end” playing on loop in my head). What surprises me the most is that the days when I’m doubling up strength and cardio with a 0430 wakeup aren’t requiring as much coffee to sustain as I expected. I’m actually down from 3 cups a day to two, and that’s mostly because I just like coffee. That wasn’t a goal, but an unexpected side effect.
I’ll probably be looking for suggestions on what strength program to do within the next few weeks (or repeat the modified version Hard Body Training for Women I’ve been doing). I really struggle with consistency if I don’t have a program to follow. I still have 6 weeks left of HBTFW, but see that transition as a potential friction point.
8 Likes
This is my version of “just do 5/3/1”:
4 Likes
I’m up 5-6 lbs to around 190, and getting stronger using 5/3/1. I see why Wendler’s programming is so popular–there’s no thinking involved and it works.
I’ll finish up the three month challenge in about six weeks, then it’ll be time to defluff.
I think one of Thibs’ circuit programs while eating at a modest deficit may be the ticket for those final 10 weeks or so.
5 Likes
Pretty well! I’m not sure if I am getting any specific esthetic gain but I definetly feel much better. I’m more focused since starting the challenge.
nutrition has been on point and I am doing some sort of training 6/week. More conditioning and aerobic training than I was used to and 3 weight sessions a week are perfect.
I weight 70 kg at the moment, let’s see if I can be at this weight with abs by May when I will be 40!
Being a bit more focused on strength/big lifts/compounds is a great change of pace, first time actually following a real 531 template.
I am feeling best than ever.
6 Likes
Outstanding!
Finally noticing my shift in mind of eating a lot to gain to “I’m getting full let’s stop” tonight. Had pepper jack stuffed boudin balls and smoke turkey breasts for dinner. Saved the rest of the smoked meats for tomorrow. A couple weeks ago I would have probably ate all of it and felt terrible
4 Likes
Feeling a bit deflated after a Saturday of drinking but overall weight not dropping off as i’d like.
I also keep having these feelings that i’m running out of time to get big. I’ll be 37 in a month and just feel like i’m not making progress (because i’m cutting) and just wasting my time. In my head i feel i should spend the rest of this year trying to work on my main physical goal which is to get bigger arms.
In other words, i feel like i’m in a rut! I might make a fresh post about it but i want bigger arms, do i:
A) do a specialist arm programme while on a bulk (slight calorie surplus)
B) Carry on trying to progress my key compound lifts (as you need big lifts for reps to get bigger arms)
Answers on a postcard please.
2 Likes
FWIW, I didn’t start lifting “seriously” until I was 37, and even after that, I wasted years just trying to figure things out. Like so many others, I wanted a shortcut.
I finally realized that hard work and reasonable attention to nutrition is all it really takes, and I’ve been making that my priority for the past 18+ months or so.
I’m now 44 (almost 45!) and I’ve never been bigger, stronger, or leaner in my entire life, even as a college-aged bro who messed around in the weight room.
Point is: it’s never too late, my dude. You’ve already got a huge head start on me, so just keep after it—you’re getting there!
14 Likes