I've considered keeping a log for a while now, but I wanted to wait until I was sure I could fully commit, and not waste anyone's time. Just at the tail-end of a Masters degree (Education - I'm a primary school teacher), and between the travels (did the degree in Australia), thesis, limited funds, and a recurring back issue after getting hit from behind playing hockey a few years ago, I wasn't always able to make my way to a gym.
Anyways, won't waste any time here... I'm 28, 6'4, 215, and bodyfat's at roughly 15%. As of about five years ago, I was at 185, sub-10%, but that was with a lot of cardio and different goals; I'm looking to put some weight on my main lifts, particularly squat and bench, and while I'm all for leaning out a bit, that's not the primary goal. I've been going with a 5x5, pretty well following it as is for a few weeks, though I simply do one day on, one day off, and don't take weekends off. I also go on the rowing machine after each workout (1000m, try to improve on my time each week - currently at 3:30, and once I get to 3:00, I'll begin adding distance), do various core exercises (planks, ab wheel, etc.) as I just find it helps prevent any back issues, and a lot of SS cardio throughout the day (I'm also teaching, so I'm essentially always on my feet).
Here's Saturday's workout...
Squat:
220 x 5
220 x 5
220 x 5
220 x 5
220 x 5
Bench:
170 x 5
170 x 5
170 x 5
170 x 5
170 x 5
Row:
170 x 5
170 x 5
170 x 5
170 x 5
170 x 5
My numbers are certainly miniscule compared to most on this board, but with the back issues I've had in the past, I'm working my way up gradually and it's felt pretty good thus far. This was one of the first workouts where I truly felt like I had to push for reps, but I'm pretty convinced I can continue to make progress (5 pounds/workout) for a few more weeks. Will probably drop the weight every six weeks or so just to avoid stalling, which would mean I have three more weeks before I drop the weight a bit.
The biggest issue I'm having right now is with scheduling, though I think we all have issues, and I'm sure there are many of you far busier than myself - I teach full-time, am enrolled in two Masters courses (one of which surrounds the thesis I'm working on), and have a part-time job. So basically I have to come home from school, take a rest (kids are absolutely exhausting), get my research/planning work done or go to work, and head to the gym around 9. This means I'm not always getting as much sleep as I'd like, but going to the gym without the after-school rest isn't much of an option, as I'm often totally drained (I'm sure those with kids will understand). Obviously not ideal, but you do what you have to do.
Anyways, won't waste any time here... I'm 28, 6'4, 215, and bodyfat's at roughly 15%. As of about five years ago, I was at 185, sub-10%, but that was with a lot of cardio and different goals; I'm looking to put some weight on my main lifts, particularly squat and bench, and while I'm all for leaning out a bit, that's not the primary goal. I've been going with a 5x5, pretty well following it as is for a few weeks, though I simply do one day on, one day off, and don't take weekends off. I also go on the rowing machine after each workout (1000m, try to improve on my time each week - currently at 3:30, and once I get to 3:00, I'll begin adding distance), do various core exercises (planks, ab wheel, etc.) as I just find it helps prevent any back issues, and a lot of SS cardio throughout the day (I'm also teaching, so I'm essentially always on my feet).
Here's Saturday's workout...
Squat:
220 x 5
220 x 5
220 x 5
220 x 5
220 x 5
Bench:
170 x 5
170 x 5
170 x 5
170 x 5
170 x 5
Row:
170 x 5
170 x 5
170 x 5
170 x 5
170 x 5
My numbers are certainly miniscule compared to most on this board, but with the back issues I've had in the past, I'm working my way up gradually and it's felt pretty good thus far. This was one of the first workouts where I truly felt like I had to push for reps, but I'm pretty convinced I can continue to make progress (5 pounds/workout) for a few more weeks. Will probably drop the weight every six weeks or so just to avoid stalling, which would mean I have three more weeks before I drop the weight a bit.
The biggest issue I'm having right now is with scheduling, though I think we all have issues, and I'm sure there are many of you far busier than myself - I teach full-time, am enrolled in two Masters courses (one of which surrounds the thesis I'm working on), and have a part-time job. So basically I have to come home from school, take a rest (kids are absolutely exhausting), get my research/planning work done or go to work, and head to the gym around 9. This means I'm not always getting as much sleep as I'd like, but going to the gym without the after-school rest isn't much of an option, as I'm often totally drained (I'm sure those with kids will understand). Obviously not ideal, but you do what you have to do.
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