CaptainHowdy’s BodyBlog

One thing that has always intrigued me is the way major changes and events can be linked to a single moment; a moment where something clicked, and things were never the same again. I had one of these moments during my workout on Thursday. I was getting ready for a set of shrugs, and there was a guy deadlifting next to me. I watched him pull almost 600lbs off the ground. I looked back at the bar I had loaded up: 295lbs. All of a sudden, I felt like I could lift a truck, and nothing was going to stop me. I ripped off a set at 295. More weight… 315… 325… 345… 365. The bar crashed back down onto the rack. My straps had torn brushburns into my wrists, promising to make me pay for it tomorrow. As I write this early Satruday afternoon, I still feel jacked from Thursday night’s workout. Is 365 that much weight? Not to some people (hell, I used to pull 405 for 3 sets of 10), but I think of it like this: it’s 70lbs more than I was shooting for. I was able to lift it because I told myself nothing was going to keep me from doing it. This moment has had a pretty profound impact on my life the last couple of days. I’m determined, I’m happy, I’m focused. I’m know what I want and I’m going to get it, no matter what. Nobody is going to stop me, and nothing is going to stand in my way.

Alright, enough philosophical bullshit. Here’s the numbers:

Thursday - Shoulder/Traps

Seated dumbbell press: 35×12, 50×8, 65×10, 65×8, 65×6

Dumbbell lateral raise: 35×10, 35×10, 35×10

Rear cable lateral raise: 60×10, 60×10, 60×10

Barbell shrug: 135×12, 225×8, 295×10, 315×10, 325×10, 345×10, 365×8

Shrug on seated row machine: 190×16, 210×12, 210×12

Friday - Biceps/Abs (Only had a half hour to lift)

Alternating dumbbell curls: 20×12, 30×8, 40×8, 40×8, 45×6, 45×6

Wide grip barbell curls: 75×10, 85×10, 85×10

Alternating cable curls: 60×10, 60×10

Preacher curls: 90×10, 90×10

Decline situps: 40, 30

Leg lifts: 15, 12

Side bends w/ dumbbell: 50×15, 50×15

Sorry for the weird contrast in one of the pictures. Everything was really washed out, and I don’t feel like spending an hour trying to correct it.

I would like to start this first post with an apology. Last summer, I began testing some products for Millenium Sport. About halfway through my cycle, I went through some difficult times in my life, and never finished. Regardless of the situation, I let some people down. I betrayed the trust of Matt, who is an awesome guy. I took a tester spot from somebody who probably really wanted the opportunity, and let down some really incredible people, like SpaceClown who was always there to encourage me.

I started a new job (8-5, corporate drone) and stopped lifting for about 7 months. I looked like shit, felt even worse, and pretty much turned into a depressed, emaciated, pathetic little man. A friend of mine snapped me back into reality about a month ago, and I’ve decided it’s time to turn it all around. It’s time to get back to the one thing that has always helped me get through difficult times: lifting. I appreciate any support, encouragement, or criticism you guys want to give me. I appreciate all of the *******s that vote my pictures a 1, because I know they’re jealous and I must be doing something right. I especially appreciate the people that check up on me and ask how I’ve been doing. You guys make it all worth it.

 That being said, I would like to officially apologize to anybody I let down, ignored, or otherwise pissed off. I’m ready to start this whole thing over. It’s go time.