TheBodyguard’s BodyBlog

Here I am about 5 weeks back into training (Not counting the 5 days off cause I caught a cold) after a long lay off of about 6 Mo’s, Well actually not a complete layoff but for the 6 Mo’s prior to Dec "07" obligations that took me far and wide kept me from any serious training save for once or twice a week doing some clean and presses with the occasional maintenance arm work.

I am back doing what I love training I have worked out more often than not consistantly for some 20 odd yrs. and two of the things that I have come to learn during that time are coming into play greatly during my return to training.

One Muscle memory is a beautiful thing and so is neurological adaptation, I am currently training at a minimum 5 days a week and have reponded physicaly in leaps and bounds having dropped just about 25 lbs of bodyfat within 5 weeks. Having been there done that so to speak I am also getting the gains with a fairly low number of sets and very low starting weights.

While I have no desire to prove to any one how strong I am nor is lifting the most weight my goal, I have learned that even when coming back after a lay off increasing the training load very slowly over time means longer term strength gains and the ability to use good form with heavy weights. It also means for me at any rate that while in this phase of rebuilding smaller stimulous is needed to actually start to look like I work out so to speak.

Today was leg day which I dread, not because it is leg day I actually love training legs as I am genetically gifted in this area and quite frankly look liked I worked out when I wasn’t when wearing shorts because I have naturally muscular under pinnings (Thanks Dad) yes I am the type to build leg muscle just by standing up.

But back to why I dread it, I am traing at a new gym which is still waiting for it’s Leg Press they do not have a squat rack so the only leg equipment is a Leg Extension Mach, Abductor/Adductor and a Seated Leg Curl. Oh yeah I almost forgot a hideously expensive coat rack oops I mean a Smith Machine. At any rate I am waiting with baited breath for the Leg Press.

Thankfully I am able to do very little in the way of leg training and not look to unbalanced. So until the Leg Press comes Leg Day sucks.

But all things considered I feel good and I just flat out enjoy training so all is well in my little world.

The week before last I had a cold which lasted about 5 days. Last week I returned to the gym and it was refreshing. I worked out at pretty much my optimum but as it was post being sick decided to take Fri through the entire weekend off. Monday is just around the corner and I am feeling anxious to return to the gym.

I feel good strong and rested I am looking forward to training Monday afternoon.

Second day back and feeling good. not much to write about just a really good feeling and a all around good day.

But for the sake of sharing experiances this is what I observed at the gym today. These are just observations and nothing more.

Today was leg day and I was warming up on the bike from my vantage point I had a good view of the Smith Machine there was a guy doing the following he had a flat bench under the bar and was doing a sort of shoulder width bench press type of movement he had two quarters on each side so 50lbs on each side the offset (Counter balance) on this machine is 15lbs so the weight was right around 130lbs even.

He would press the weight up and I must say it was obvious this wasn’t exactly light for him, he then would just unlock his elbows and let the bar just slam down on his chest before pressing it back up.

Second observation another guy was between the cable crossover machine with a flat bench pushed up against the weight stack he was laying on the bench with the attachment bar that resembles a short EZ Curl bar attached to the cable. he was doing some kind of upside down reverse lat pulldown with about 30lbs and was just slamming the plates down between each rep.

Other than the last guy must have learned that move from one of the Men’s Health magazines they have at the gym I really don’t feel the need to comment on thses two episodes but feel free and have at it if you choose.

I can’t waite to get back to the gym tomorrow. Talk to you then.

Just got back from the gym, had a few sniffles this morning but after 5 days of fighting a cold felt at least 97% better. Workout went well definately boosted my mood to be back I have been training for so long its part of who I am. felt so good actually I over looked a few gym aggravations and even chuckled to myself but Gym Aggravations are a story unto themselves and are for another post dedicated soley to them.

Woke up this morning nose running a little more than th past few days, up side sinuses are clearing. I’m actually getting a little air through my nose! Guess the cold is on it’s way out! I’ll probably continue to ride out the weekend but we’ll see I am eager to get back to the gym. Gotta go eat now.

Woke up a little tired had more to do with shaking off the nyquil than anything but I feel better, sinuses still a little stuffy but not as much. I hope I am on the tail end of this cold and looking forward to getting back to the gym.

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Keeping the protien high taking my supps and resting. not much in the way of symptoms just congestion head/chest and feeling tired breathing through your mouth will do that to you. Medicating with Nyquil at bed time. Missing the gyn already.

Caught a cold. Workout went fine yesterday but this morning the cold had set in no gym today or for a few actually. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to ad the stress of training to compromised health.

A cold coming on? Maybe I feel a bit stuffy in my sinuses but other wise feel good. Energy is up, I will complete my workout today and see how I feel tomorrow.