The TFP Health Club

Weight is coming up in the front squat. I have to do Pharoah style (arms crossed in front to hold bar on my shoulders) instead of a traditional hold. Worked up to 225 for a set of 8 then six before doing a regular back squat of 275 for ten. The weight wasn't too heavy for my legs, but the bar kept trying to roll down while front squatting. Legs are getting stronger, but still some hip stabilizer pain from so much sitting at my old job.

 

Cardio is going well. Have given my feet/knees a break from heavy squatting for a couple of weeks while I hit the bike in the gym a bit more. Using machines for a change of pace.

I noticed that I haven't benched in 16 days so I hit the bench (at home) and ended with 315 for 10, 365 for 2, and 315 for 8. About the same as the workout before the short layoff. Not bad. Maybe I'll try to squat today.

 

I have been working out hard and consistently for several months now and I have seen results. Results in both strength and in muscular size. However, I have only lost a bit of fat. I have gained a bit of muscle, but still weight the same on the scale, so I haven't lost much fat. The problem is, most people can't see it. There hasn't been enough of a change to really be visible. So I'm going to have to start taking off some bodyfat. This is going to necessitate changes to my diet, which kind of sucks.

 

I've been doing 1000-1200 calories for the past few months (I'm short, and was mostly sedentary.) To my dismay, I can't do that working this new job. Oy. I've been ravenous this week. Gonna have to recalculate everything, and probably bump it up a good 500-1000 calories minimum, at least on work days.

 

Well, I mean, except for this week, I wasn't hungry. There were days I struggled to get to 1000, honestly. I'm just burning a lot more now that I'm on my feet and moving constantly for 10/12 hours as opposed to sitting at a desk for nine hours.

 

Last night took my child with me to Planet Fitness. 30 mins cardio on the bike, 4 sets of pulldowns, 3 sets of dips, 3 sets of low cable rows, 3 sets of smith machine overhead presses, and a set of dumbell curls.

After I got home I benched. Lots of sets up to top sets of 320x10 365x2 and 315x9. Not too shabby.

Then I had to feed the family and play with the dog. No rest for the wicked.

 

I haven't been to the gym in like, two months. Once things calm down a bit and get more settled, I'm going to go check out the YMCA (which is closer to the new house and has an indoor AND outdoor pool!)

I've mostly gotten a handle on the diet, now, though I've been slacking a bit on actual calorie counting. However, I'm eating a lot of the same stuff, just a bit more of it on work days.

I officially weigh less than Eden now! I cannot tell you how awesome that feels I also met my challenge weight goal; and the smaller sized jeans that gave me a muffin top? I can now slide them over my hips without unbuttoning them.

Aside from generally feeling better, losing the weight has helped a lot with the new job. My feet hurt (along with my hands + wrists), but I cannot even imagine how I'd feel if I was still lugging around an extra 58+ pounds. I probably would've quit...or been in a lot more pain. One of my coworkers made an offhand comment about both of us being "small," and I have to admit...I lit up like a Christmas tree.

 

^^^ Feet are my biggest indicators when I'm getting too big.

Keep up the good work/

 

So my squats blew up the other day. I was waiting for a rack when one cleared. Turns out another guy was waiting too. So I asked if I could work in and what weight he would work up to. He said 330 for a double. I have been struggling with 295 for 6 reps so I figured what the hell. Well I don't know if the planets were aligned or if it was having someone watch me but I squatted 315 325 and 330 for sets of 5. And felt good while doing it. When we dropped down to 225, I did 2x8 for front squats on top of that. I smoked it. Very pleased with myself.

 

Thanks! Yeaaah, I'm a little disgusted with myself for letting it go that far. But I'm fixing it now, that's what matters. Upon hitting my goal weight, I'll be about ~90 pounds down from last summer, and ~ 125 pounds down from my absolute heaviest.

Another cool thing is the confidence I seem to be gaining. I don't mind going out *quite* so much now (though I still don't like big crowds.) I don't really think twice about wearing a babydoll tee anymore. I'm actually entertaining the idea of going to a waterpark this summer, when the very thought of walking around all day in a bathing suit would have horrified me before. Also, I don't think I've worn makeup at all since I got my hair cut.

 

Sometimes exactly what you need is someone to push you. That's coming from someone who prefers working out by himself.

 

Signed up for a new 10-week weight loss challenge, and realized by the time it ends (in June) I'll be within a normal BMI range. In June of last year, I was in the morbidly obese range. Holy shit.

Eden is taking me shopping for my birthday (with the promise of no complaining.) My go-to summer capris fit like a tarp now, and even a lot of my t-shirts are too baggy. I'm really looking forward to wearing shorts & tanks this year (I think I've said that before. But seriously, I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT!)

My pseudo father-in-law called me "skinny" yesterday. That was kinda nice. Still haven't signed up for the Y yet, but hopefully I get the finances in order by the end of this month, and will be able to spare the expense. Man, I can't wait to go swimming.

 

Still working out. Too many off days, but I haven't fallen off the wagon. It is a little annoying seeing the occasional juiced guy. There is one thick huge guy. Uses 2/3rds of the weight I use with crappy limited range of motion, but he is huge. Not attractive or aesthetic, but big. Sometimes I wonder how big I would be if I dipped deeper into the pharmaceutical grab bag, but the I think "to what purpose?" I am never going to be a professional bodybuilder. But still, it would be interesting to be a freak.