Well that was a surprise...

Wow! What an awesome session today. Was really surprised with myself. I thought with only my belly growing and jack on everything else, I would be struggling today. However I blasted through my squats today at 70kg, which is approximately my bodyweight! Hooray for me. I did think i was cheating, the usual barbell wasn't in the rack today, which had knurling in the middle and looked well basically less knackered. Some other guys were using that one, so I was thinking in my head, maybe this is just 15kgs not 20kgs. Thats why i'm thinking i'm a hero today. After I finished my squats I got both of them, side by side. Both same length and size, lifted them up one by one and felt exactly the same. So yes, I was a hero. I love my little world in my head.

"How's your legs?", one of the regular gym goers asked after I finished one set. I laughed and said "Alright now, but after my last set probably need crutches mate!". We all laughed. Even his well built friend, who I swear was working out in his jeans. Nice.

God I hate bench press, why do I feel I suck at it big time. Although I got through the 5 sets, just, still think I'm not even working my chest, just m shoulders and triceps. I don't know, I think i'll carry on until I stall and then ask one of the PT's for a session to check my form.

Barbell rows were explosive, felt a bit on my lower back on some reps, nonetheless happy with the progress. Feels great lifting heavy off the ground. Reading a bit today, learnt I must fully reload after each rep, meaning I must release all tension after the I place the barbell back on the ground. Harder than you think as it doesn't feel natural, but as i'm a weakling comes easy to me!

But this wasn't the end. Oh no sir, no. There were still my 3 sets of dips. For me I dread doing dips, for the only reason because I am terrible at them. I mean seriously bad. Could not even complete 5 let alone a set of 10 reps. I headed to the dip station. Walking past the usual Chinese elderly couple that are doing their awesome exercises. These guys are what you would call couple goals. Without fail they come to the gym in the morning, ride the bike, walk on the treadmill, do ab workout, and the guy, hits the battle ropes, like he's Rocky. What a dude! And then theres me, trembling to push myself up on the dip bars, holding my breath, my face looking like, well thankfully not my sex face, more so my dump of the day face. Wait, what is this, five, six, seven, fuck me, eight, nine, come on you mother, 10. Fuck yes!! Got off, grabbed my drink, took a swag like it was whiskey drink and walked around the room like a lap of victory at the Olympics. Set Two. Ten 10 again. Oh the burn. The secret to bigger arms, get big triceps, do dips. Set Three. Yeah wasn't that guy today, only managed five. I was happy, actually I was ecstatic. Warmed down, did my stretches, smiling. Next time dude, next time! Ciao!

Standing Press Stall

Oh you mother! In my head I was wondering if I would get through the 5x5 of Standing Press at 35kgs. Lo and behold, I failed in my 4th set only managed 4 reps. A big part of me feels it was more psychological than ability, as I managed the 5th set no problem. But a failure remains a failure. So next time, keep positive and lets do this! On a plus note, managed to do one pull up. Pretty confident I can also get in some chin ups too. Really need to start being disciplined in actually doing both, including push ups in my workouts, not just when I feel like it. Got to make it happen dudes and dudettes!

Back to Iron...Again!

Oh hello stranger! It has been a while. What the fuck happened to you? You come here after 3 years thinking everything will be the same, you fucking weak bastard.

Yep, thats the conversation I have with myself as I logged into this site again. I eased myself into this by posting this on my other blog. But I cant hide from this one any longer. Need to face it. I promise I won't leave, give me another chance. Please!

So like a bitch, I'm back to the iron again, and back to placing regular updates of my progress. This is the last chance I have. If I give up after this, that's it, i'll be a fat bastard or just weak, more than likely both. However, let's remain positive right? Right??!!

Anyways, since my post on artofmanslife, I'm a couple of weeks into my routine. Back on the Stronglifts 5x5. Without resetting to zero completely I decided to start 5 weeks into the program, weight wise. I was fearing even that would be too much and would suffer extreme DOM, but I was sensible. Yes, rare, very rare. I warmed up and down properly, and felt good with the weights. Wasn't too light or heavy. 

Stronglifts app is awesome

So at this moment of writing, Squats are fast approaching 60kg, in a couple of weeks will be doing my body weight. Feel comfortable with the rest. I've also added some accessory exercises; dips, chin-ups, barbell curls, inverted rows. At the moment all bodyweight exercise, trying to do 3 sets of 10 reps. Once I hit that milestone which is amazingly shit that I haven't already, will add weight. I may add close grip bench press, I seriously need to build up tricep strength.

To prove I'm taking this shit seriously, its video time. I filmed myself, yes, fuck you, told you i'm being serious. The main reason was to check my form, and for my friends to laugh at my weakness. Have a look below and for sure, if anyone on this earth is reading this please feel free to comment on how I can improve my form. For me, and my research definitely areas of improvement in everything.

Squats:
On the whole, I think i'm doing great. What I need to do to improve, is keep my head up, chest up, and push on my heels a bit more.

Standing Press:
I always had a feeling my grip was too wide, and after seeing myself, and comparing it to some youtube clips need to narrow the grip a little more. Will be harder but so worth it.

Above wrong, below right. Thanks dude Omar!

Bench Press:
Wrong. All kinds of wrong, has always been my worst one. Elbows are way out, need to push shoulders back, not lock out arms. Hopefully will get this right next time. Will get a better video next time, as couldn't angle right.


Deadlift:
Need to keep legs further apart after seeing some videos on form. Other than that think I'm nearly there.

Pendlay Row:
Seems okay and cannot see anything immediately wrong, but lets see what happens with more weight.

So there you have it. Not perfect by any means, but for me doing these exercises correctly is hugely important for me. Not just for gains but also to avoid injury. The whole reason for getting back into the gym is to get stronger and avoid problems as I get older, not to fuck myself up now!!

As far as diet is concerned, ensuring I get my 3 meals a day, taking one supplement shake a day which is around 500-600 calories. Next month will increase to two shakes. Trying to avoid fizzy drinks. Not going to go crazy, but let's see what happens in a couple of months with this diet as its minimal change.

Next time lets some sexy hairy body pics up!! Let's do this shit!!