fatdaddy67’s BodyBlog

I thought today was going to be bad. Work was stressful yesterday, and I went to bed early last night, feeling exhausted and like I had the beginning of a cold. I awoke this morning feeling light-headed, but gradually felt better as the day went on.My workday went much, much better.

By the time I began working out, I felt energetic.

Chest Workout

Bench Press, 205×6, 205×4, 205×3

DB Bench Press, 65×9, 65×6

DB Overhead Press,  55×8, 55×6, 55×6

Close Grip Bench Press, 145×8, 145×6

Today’s calories = 2,900

On a side note, BB.com’s Misc. forum is out of control. I hopped on this morning for five minutes and witnessed a string of post replies that were beyond kosher. One poster was threatening to kill another because of their gender.

The inmates are ruling that asylum, and I for one am staying away. BB.com can do better than to let the crude garbage continue on their site.

Progress. One rep at a time. One more than last time. Over and over again. Add more weight. If you never push yourself for more reps, then more weight, you might as well not lift. It’s pointless.

I had another great workout. I progressed on every exercise today, especially my Incline Bench and my Overhead Barbell Press. My tri’s feel swollen. My chest is numb. My delts feel like they are going to burst apart.

Chest Workout

Bench Press, 195×8, 195×5, 195×3

Incline Bench press, 165×7, 165×4

Overhead Barbell Press, 105×10, 105×8, 105×5

Seated Tricep Extensions, 50×17, 50×9

Today’s calories = 2,800

My bench made a slight jump today, and I hit a goal of mine. My 3 lift total (deadlift, squat, bench) is now 4 times my weight. In these three lifts, I have added 81 pounds this month. (…to view my lift progress, click here)

Also, I gained a ton on my other 3 exercises today, rocketing up in close grip bench presses, and hammering out 3 more reps with DB overhead presses and incline DB presses. I good workout, despite feeling a tad tired.

Pizza! My daughter is having a sleep over party today, along with a camp fire tonight. I gobbled a couple of pieces, pushing my calories up slightly for the day.

Chest Workout

Bench Press, 195×7, 195×4, 195×3

Incline DB Press, 65×10, 65×6

DB Overhead Press, 55×7, 55×5, 55×4

Close Grip bench Press, 135×8, 135×6, 135×6

Today’s calories = 3,300

Another great workout tonight. I am now bench rep-ing with 195, when a couple short weeks ago my max was 185. My overhead press poundage is skyrocketing as well, and I also felt very strong during my DB bench presses.

I can see my strength returning ala my last lifting stint in 1997. During that time, I never had a period where my strength didn‘t continue to improve. At that time I was benching 375 for reps, squatting around 475 for reps, and my overhead BB press was 205 for reps.

Like I said, at that time I quit lifting while I was still making very quality gains in strength and muscle. Though I am ten years older, my body feels great. I may not experience the same lifting trends as I did ten years ago, but I am very confident that my body will come close.

My off paper goals are to rep with 400 on squat, 500 on deadlift, and 300 on bench by next year this time. I want to do this belt-less, wrap-less, etc. We’ll see.

Chest Workout

Bench Press, 195×6, 194×4, 195×3

DB Bench Press, 60×11, 60×7

Overhead BB Press, 95×12, 95×10, 95×6

Seated Tricep Extensions, 40×12, 40×12

Today’s calories = 2,850

I avoided muffins at work today, along with a company lunch featuring all the fixin’s and fried chicken. I ate the same old same old, and felt damn good about it. I am to the point where I love eating healthy, and breaking my meal plan is not an option. Temptation for crap food is all but gone.

Total destruction today. I absolutely destroyed my previous bench press mark. Not just destroyed, but annihilated. Previously, I had benched 185 for 3 reps. Today I hit 185 for 8 reps, and then followed up with 185 for 4 reps. I also crushed everything else from my last chest day workout.

Possibly my last chest workout, a Mentzer-esque HIT, worked as well as Mentzer claims? I don’t know for sure, but I’ll take all the progress I can get. By the time I started working my triceps, my strength was gone.

Who says you can’t gain strength while losing weight. I am, and honestly, It’s hard to believe.
Chest Day

BB Bench Press, 185×8, 185×4, 165×5

Incline BB Bench Press, 165×5, 145×7, 145×6
Overhead DB Press, 55×4, 45×8, 45×6

Close Grip Bench Press, 135×5, 115×9, 115×6

Today’s calories = 2,800