jm1369’s BodyBlog

Workout was going well today until it got to my 4th set of barbell rows. I felt a little sting in the elbow in the first rep. I finished the set, then packed up and left. Time for a change. Too bad too. Because like I said, benching and squating were feeling stronger than mondays workout.
Realisticly, 12 weeks is a long time to pound the body as hard as I did. Very satisfied with the results of the 5×5.
On an unrelated note; Witnessed a high speed police chase at work wednesday nite. Sitting outside at break, 2 crotch rockets flew by with the state police hot on thier tail. He got at least one of them up the road about a mile. State uses Chargers for patrol cars, and those bikes were not shaking that Dodge! Made for an interesting break!

I may end up ending the 5×5 sooner than I expected. Feels like most of the weights I am using are starting to slide backward instead of continuing upward. This has happened to all my major lifts. It has happened pretty suddenly too. Just 3 weeks ago everything was moving along pretty well. I will finish out the week and review my overall situation. If I abandon, I will likely do a light program for a week or two to recover. Then move into a regular mass building routine. I really made some good progress from the 5×5. And I will come back to it again.
I believe my elbow may have something to do with this regression. It is not painful, but did cause me be hesitant during overhead pressing. Maybe a couple weeks of light work will help finally allow it to heal more.

Went at it today. Boy, did I feel weak! Squating 360 x 5 was a challenge! As was benching 285. BB rows felt ok. The good news is that there was no discomfort in the elbow. I picked up a forearm wrap a few days ago. It has helped the healing. I am going to continue to wear it while lifting and at work for a few days yet to make sure the elbow is good. But that will be it. Dont want it to become a crutch.

Could not stand being away from the gym. So I went and did a few things that did not affect the elbow. Started off with front squats. Wow, forgot how much balance these require. Went on to lying leg curls. Then to calves. And finished up with a jog on the treadmill. Thats it till monday. Promise!

Elbow is feeling better these days. Cant wait to get back to the gym.

Taking a week off for my elbow. Got sore from cutting and splitting wood a couple weeks ago. Has not completely recovered since. 4 consecutive games of bowling did not help either. The elbow usually feels ok. But it affected my workout wednesday. I got 2 reps at 180 overhead pressing on wed. I did 5 reps at 175 a week before. A week before I did 400 pounds x 5 reps deadlifting. Wed. I couldnt even budge 410. In a week and a half I will reset back 2 weeks and try again.

Setting a new goal for myself. Since I have long passed 200 lbs, my new goal is 225. I am about 205 right now. Not going to set a time limit on reaching 225. But I am sure it will take at least a year and a half.

Went to a wider stance deadlifting. This was much more stable. Ramped up to 400 and ripped off 5 reps. NEVER before have I repititioned 400 pounds. Felt like I could have done more weight. The down side of the wide stance is pulling your hand up the thigh. Feels like my leg wants to pull my hand open. Finger nails leave RR tracks on the thigh too. (yes, they are very well trimmed) Its ok everything has a price!
Weighted pullups are going well too. Ramped to bodyweight plus 15 pounds x 8 reps. Add more next week!
Will drop back 3 weeks on the squats. Take another run at it. Benched 290 x 5 on monday. 5th rep was tough! Plateau here soon too.
Anyone else have trouble breathing during heavy overhead pressing? I really have to work hard to inhale during the heaviest set. No serious problems here yet, but dont want any either.

Well, seems like the tendoitis scare was short lived. The elbows have felt fine for a couple days now. Will always have to remain concious of that issue.
Will have to back up 3 weeks on the squat. Still could get only 3 reps this morning. Squating will be a tough issue in the remainder of the program. But I think a little more progress is possible. Should I use knee wraps only in the heaviest lift? (set #5)
Todays cardio will be helping freinds unload hay. They figure about 4 loads. I remember many 10-12 load days when I was a teen working for my uncle. With a few days of up to 18 loads!

After getting beat up pretty good making wood yesterday, I was unsure how todays workout was going to go. Ended up not being too bad. Did all reps at the scheduled weights. My right knee, back, left foot, and elbows all came out sore or smashed. The most unsettling is my elbows. Feels like the tendonitis wants to settle back in. Will have to see how it goes.
Will repeat the squat schedule next week and hope for improvement.