06302008

I just found out that the gym has shut down. I’m not sure how long of a hiatus this will put me on while I search around for another one. We have several “fitness centers” here, but very few adequate weight rooms.

This is displeasing.

06282008

So it’s 5:00 (and therefore can be considered the 28th) and I can’t sleep (if you happen to be reading this, Chad, not to worry – I won’t be late in opening the store ). Again. And I’m not on any stimulants! I need to stop doing so much damn thinking. Normally I’d welcome the free flow of thoughts/ideas, but not while I’m trying to sleep, goddamn it! It’s not even all (semi-)productive thinking; there’s a fair amount of unfounded worry in there.

It’d be nice to just wipe my mind clean for 20 or so minutes so I could shut down for the night. Any recommendations on how to do that, for future reference?

06272008

Weekly progress of the beard: Week 01.

Front:

Left:

Right:

It’s not that it grows in particularly thickly or quickly that makes it awesome – it’s my willingness to look like a filthy hobo for an extended period of time!

Thursday, 26 June 2008

Deadlifts:
135 lbs. (61 kg) overhand grip 3 x 10

Rack pulls:
185 lbs. (84 kg) overhand grip 1 x 2
205 lbs. (93 kg) overhand grip 1 x 2
225 lbs. (102 kg) 1 x 2
245 lbs. (111 kg) 1 x 2
275 lbs. (125 kg) 1 x 2, apparently “fast as fuck”

Hyperextensions:
3 x 10, also “fast as fuck”

Straight-arm pulldowns:
160 lbs. (73 kg) 1 x 6
170 lbs. (77 kg) 1 x 6
180 lbs. (82 kg) 1 x 4, pause, 1 x 2

AND a fuckload of “squat-perfection” reps.

Comments: THOUGHT I’d found my perfect squat stance; still trying.

ALSO, checked the blood pressure earlier – 121/85, shockingly good, considering the amount of sausages I’ve been eating lately, and not too bad for a 270-lb. man!

Wednesday, 25 June 2008

DB bench:
40s (18 kg) 1 x 10
45s (20 kg) 1 x 10
50s (23 kg) 1 x 10

BB bench:
225 lbs. (102 kg) 1 x 1
245 lbs. (111 kg) 4 x 1

Seated cable rows:
150 lbs. (68 kg) 1 x 10
170 lbs. (77 kg) 1 x 10
180 lbs. (82 kg) 1 x 8

Grapplers:
80 lbs. (36 kg) each arm 1 x 10
105 lbs. (48 kg) each arm 1 x 8
115 lbs. (52 kg) each arm 1 x 4

Lat pulldowns:
170 lbs. (77 kg) pronated grip 1 x 8
150 lbs. (68 kg) neutral grip 1 x 6
160 lbs. (73 kg) supinated grip 1 x 6

Rear delt machine:
100 lbs. (45 kg) 1 x 15 – 20 (No clue how many, just screwing around)

AAAND 15 minutes on the bike.

Comments: Nothing spectacular in the numbers, but I feel awesome about this workout, possibly because Humpy came by to join us and plans to join us again on an adventure Saturday night.

Monday, 23 June 2008

Box squats:
95 lbs. (43 kg) 3 x 10
135 lbs. (61 kg) 1 x 3
185 lbs. (84 kg) 3 x 2

Rack pulls:
275 lbs. (125 kg) 1 x 1
295 lbs. (134 kg) 1 x 1
315 lbs. (143 kg) 1 x 1/2, 1 x 1
340 lbs. (154 kg) 2 x 1/2

Single-leg leg press:
180 lbs. (82 kg) 3 x 6

Leg press:
180 lbs. (82 kg) 3 x 15

Straight-arm pulldowns:
150 lbs. (68 kg) 1 x 10
160 lbs. (73 kg) 1 x 8, pause 1 x 3
170 lbs. (77 kg) 1 x 6, pause 1 x 3

Comments: I don’t know what the fuck is with me and squats. I should be doing FAR more than 185 goddamn pounds – I can bench 275 and probably deadlift 315 – but every time I try to go heavier, I end up only going to about 90 degrees instead of parallel. Maybe it’s a subconscious fear of not being able to get back up, but 185 lbs.? With Mammoth Matt spotting me? What the fuck? GAAAAAAAH.

06202008

Did the deed upon waking today. This endeavor reminded me why I chose not to shave in the first place (aside from laziness/convenience)! Bobby Hill is really not someone I’d like to resemble.

Before, frontal:

Before, left:

Before, right:

‘Chops, left:

‘Chops, right:

Ain’t nobody dope as me, I’m just so fresh and clean:

So yeah, the beard (well, ‘chops first, THEN beard) will be making a reappearance as soon as possible.

EDIT: And a webcam picture for good measure (high contrast and blur ftw!):

Thursday, 19 June 2008

Deadlifts:
135 lbs. (61 kg) 3 x 10

Rack pulls:
225 lbs. (102 kg) 5 x 2

Hyperextensions:
3 x 10

Straight-arm pulldowns:
150 lbs. (68 kg) 3 x 10

Comments: Lower back started feeling tight (but not painful) halfway through. So… there’s that. I have no obligations tomorrow other than the beard – and that can wait until nighttime – so I plan on getting caught up a little on the sleep I’ve been missing. *nod*

06182008

Slightly related to the insomnia mentioned in the last post, it’s pleasant outside (62 F/17 C) and the moon is fucking bright; I want to go roam! But 4 hours of sleep last night and having to open the store in the morning put a damper on that.

I’m also ponderin’ heavily on shaving, for two tentative reasons: 1) the reaction from everyone and 2) I’d like to start fresh with a new beard (and let everything go mountain-man like). And because I’m a filthy heathen, the plan (if I decide to go through with it) is to do it on the solstice, meaning I need to make up my mind quickly.

Wednesday, 18 June 2008

Bench:
135 lbs. (61 kg) 3 x 10
225 lbs. (102 kg) 1 x 1
245 lbs. (111 kg) 1 x 1/2
225 lbs. (102 kg) 3 x 1

Seated cable rows:
150 lbs. (68 kg) overhand grip 1 x 10
150 lbs. (68 kg) underhand grip 1 x 10
150 lbs. (68 kg) neutral grip 1 x 10

Standing dumbbell presses:
30s (14 kg) 1 x 10
40s (18 kg) 1 x 8
35s (16 kg) 1 x 9

Lat pulldowns:
150 lbs. (68 kg) overhand grip 1 x 10
150 lbs. (68 kg) underhand grip 1 x 10
150 lbs. (68 kg) neutral grip 1 x 10

Fucking around with an EZ-Curl bar IMMEDIATELY following the pulldowns:
65 lbs. (29 kg) 1 x 15 or thereabouts

Comments: Lack of sleep = broken balls.