biodarwin’s BodyBlog

Earlier this summer when I was eating 40/40/20 with 2600 calories I was losing weight decently.  However when I added in cardio, as I LOVE to run, I started pouring off weight too fast.  Yes I am fat, but I would not trade one ounce of fat if it meant I would lose muscle in the process.  My main goal is to get strong.  Losing weight and looking good nekkid are decent side effects   I always found calculating caloric intake a bit difficult.  There are so many ways to do it and the range of results varies so greatly.  Since I did well with 2600 cals lifiting with minimal cardio, I figure I should probably try to eat maintenance and add back in my cardio starting next week.  Any ideas?

As of this week I am finally lifting the same or more on most of my lifts.  Between the dehydration spell and going down to LA for 2 weeks its been difficult.  I never realized it would feel this different after being off for a few weeks.

You can bust your ass in the gym and it will mean nothing unless you hydrate and fuel your body properly.  I knew this, but didn’t embrace it.  I passed out in my front yard Wed night.  Servere dehydration and lack of food were to blame.  Paramedics took my vitals and everything was perfect.  After downing a few glasses of water everything started to feel better.  the bad thing is I wear metal frame glasses and they basically tore the hell out of my face.  A picture is posted in my workout log.

Progress after 7 weeks (All weigh is for working 3×5 sets)
ATG Squat 135 -> 230
Bench 135 -> 180
Dead  225 -> 310
Pendley 110 -> 165
Mil. Press 85 -> 120

I havent been updating this blog very much due to my workout log in the forums.  You can follow it here. I finished up my 4th week on Rippetoes and the progress so far has been stellar. I only ran 7 miles this week.  I really need to up that a bit for next week. Weight loss is really starting to kick in.  I also started taking fish oil caps this week.   I am sure my body enjoys the EFA’s that it has been deprived of for who knows how long.

Here is a shake that I drink almost every morning before going to the gym.  I thought I would share it with the rest of you.

1 Scoop of Chocolate Whey Powder
1 Cup of Milk
1 Tbsp Natty PB
1 banana
1/2 Cup of blueberries

Add to blender and mix!

Squat 185 Mil. Press 100 Pendley Row 140 Rack Chins 3×6

I feel so weak.  I should be lifting so much more than this.  Squats were killer, I verily squeaked the last rep out.  Press was ok, good workout but I can see moving up 5lbs without problems.  Rows on the other hand still don’t feel heavy at all, completing all of the sets with ease.

Yesterday lifts went really well.  I knew that nutrition is the key for a lot, but I didnt realize a couple of days of under eating could make you stall so hard in the gym.  However, today after a solid few days of eating I didn’t have the feeling that I was going to drop the bar when dead lifting.  I didnt use the "pussy pad" for my squats anymore.  All in all I feel like I am making great progress.  This morning I got up early jumped rope for a bit, then went for a run.  It felt great!

Lifts for today

Squat 175 Bench 155 Dead 275

Getting ready to head to the gym here in a few.  Thought I would drop a line in and let everyone know I’m still at it.  My cardio has dropped off a lot, but that was mostly due to personal reasons.  Been battling depression a bit lately and it definitely effected my workout routine last week.  I also under-ate a few days, I’m sure that it didn’t help either.  Those feelings will pass with time.  Just need to take it one day at a time.

I had this cool little program which added my weights up for me.  It added them in 15/10/5 lbs depending on the exercise.  I believe I am gonna have to drop down my squats to 5 lbs per workout.
Squat 180 Bench 150 Dead 270