Joe Death’s Blog

Well, the three week layoff seemed to allow my shoulder to "un-num" and was hurting real bad. It seems that if I lift very hard not taking off that my shoulder becomes num or I just ignore the pain. I took off for the past 6 weeks in the attempt to make my shoulder feel better but it still hurts and is not getting any better. I went golfing yesterday and it hurt so bad that I could not swing properly. I am going to schedule a Doc. visit and see what the damage is. I do think my heavy lifting days are over. I hate to admit it but I can not deal with injury for many more years.

I started a new workout this week that is only three days a week. I took off for three weeks to let me hurting body recover. I am not complaining but my joints were just sore, I think I am getting to old to workout like a 20-year old. I am going to plan on this new and seems easy workout for a few months to see what happens. I take the Animal Flex for my joints and Animal Pak every day. The workout is Mon (Legs) - Wed (Chest and Back) - Fri (Shoulders and Arms) …….

I am trying to suck down like 4,000 cal. a day and work my weight back up to around 210. This is my 4rth year back after my shoulders were fixed and figured out the only way to put on muscle is to gain weight and of course fat. Here you go for some stats, year #1 I gained 5 lbs of muscle putting on weight, year #2 I gained 5 more pounds of muscle putting on weight, year #3 I gained no muscle keeping my bf % at 14%, year #4 in process but putting on weight again, also cut workouts in half. Let’s see what happens.

As always keep it in the gym

I had a great "workout" today. It has been a few weeks, maybe months since I can honestly say "a great workout". I am not sure of the reason in lack of motivation but I do know one thing-I have been sleeping awsome the past couple of days. I have been having problems for some time getting 7-8 hours of good sleep-not sure why. Just the other day I stopped my protein shake before bed and replaced it with ZMA. I really think the shake before bed makes for a bad night of sleep or the ZMA just works awsome for sleep. I treid the ZMA in the past with the shake and my sleep quality was terrible. Needless to say, I for sure worked out today.

"Remember, Save it for the Gym" 

I had a trainer approach me today at th gym and ask me if I was interested in gaining weight - that he could put together a diet 5,000 cal. that would make me gain weight. I told him  I have a few diets I use and my problem is not the diet but rather than executing the diet. I have a hard time eating that much food day in and day out.  He then went on bragging about his 365lb X 20 bench, so I ask him how much can he do once? He tells me 1,060lbs raw. I told him he was pulling me leg and that I don’t even think the world record was that high yet. He stated it was. Well, I looked when I got home and the raw from what I can tell is 715lb by Scott Mend. and the shirt assist is 1,075 by Ryan something. This guy is so full of ****. Just to show you, just becasue they are trainers that work at the gym don’t mean they are not *******s. What bothered me the most about this guy was I trying to finish up my leg workout. I had to tell him I had to finish up to get him to leave. What a *******……….. 

My workouts are very basic with a total of 12 sets per muscle group on most days. Some days I switch it up performing four exercises rather then three. I just do 4 sets, 3 sets, 3 sets and 3 sets. Limiting my sets and talking a little more time in between sets helps me get more weight up with high intensity. I have been doing no cardio. My goal is weight as my major goal and my other goals are also weight. I want to gain weight and lift the weight. I think this is the only way I gain muscle. I tried it both ways with no significant gains staying lean. I need to gain weight to gain muscle!

****Keep it in the Gym******* 

Ok, I had enough fun cutting and trying to maintain and it is getting boring. Time to start gaining some weight and lifting some weight. I am going to gain as much weight as I can and worry about fat some other time. I worried about getting to fat this past year and I did not gain much if any muscle. Plus, I like being big and strong, it feels so much better than lean and not as strong. I will get a combination lift total of at least 1,200 pounds this time around.

*********Remember, Keep it in the Gym********** 

I was amazed at how fast the pain went away and think it was because of the ice I put on my back as soon as posssible. The next day it hurt but I could walk, I thought I had really ****ed up and surprised I did not have to go to the doctor. I am one happy mother ****er. Well, today was back day and I skipped over deadlifts for some good old fashioned heavy pulldowns, heavy dumbell rows and finished with reverse grip pulldowns. A somewhat easy workout without deadlifts.

I also hit the calves heavy and traps.

I FEEL GREAT AND AS ALWAYS KEEP IT IN THE GYM 

I have been at for three years since my shoulder injury rehab and being very careful not to get hurt. Well, today I pulled a muscle in the back deadlifting and it ****ing hurts. Both physically and mental. While getting ready to do my set with 335, I was distracted and my form went to ****. I forgot to keep my abs tight and head up like a ****ing idiot I am. I hope when I get up tommorrow, I can walk cause I am in pain…………

I am not working on anything specific at the time, trying to maintain and build back some strength. I figured out for me to go below 14% I have to eat super clean and do cardio at least 4x a week. I am going to try to put on a little muscle and stay stress free for a little while. Sep. 5th is the show I am interested in but I still think I need some more size for my goal. I really don’t want to go into a show at 175-180 @ 5′10". My goal is to go into a show @ 185-190. I figure if I cut down for this years show, I will lose 3-4 months of bulking for next year. My main goal is to enter one show and win at least the novice taking home the trophy to say I did it, I won it, I’m done.

Till Next Time

I posted my progress picture yesterday and wanted it to be the same pose as the one 5 years ago. The biggest difference to me is my torso. My torso or "my trunk" is for sure broader today. I think the deadlifts are the major contributor to my progress. My thinking is to continue thickening the back with the expectation that the "branches" will grow accordingly.
I look at the two pictures and don’t see much of a difference for 5 years of work but on the other side, what would I look like if I did not workout?

Let me know what you think if anything.

Keep it in the Gym