slickshotdogg22’s BodyBlog

Today I hit the gym legit for the first time in a while.  The workout was nothing special but unlike what I’ve been doing for the past month it can at least be called a workout.  I’ve hit a deep rut and basically lost all motivation.  I got really sick in late April and ever since then walking into the weight room has been a complete nightmare.

Hopefully today can force my training back to where it was.  I can kind of get myself pumped to get to the weight room but once I’m there it gets ugly.  There is no motivation in my lifts which in my opinion makes them worthless.  Midway thru my “journeys to the weight room” I just want to go home.

I’ve got a lump in my throat the size of a softball and the fact that I’ve lost so much muscle mass over this time just messes with my head.  My strength has dropped a little but not significantly.  Everyday I dig deeper and deeper to find what I’m missing, to find what I had before.  So far, no luck.  It feels like I don’t care at all anymore.  I hate this feeling and want to get rid of it.  This is why I’ll keep digging.  Take it from me, if you’ve got it, use it.  If you have that motivation, use it full-force.  Train on brothers like nothing can stop you.  In the mean time, I’ll keep digging.

Overall my training has been going well.  I’ve been seeing results and all but the other day I tweaked my back doing squats and began to notice a few things.  I feel like my deadlift and squat form is not where it needs to be.  I think I’m going to revamp my training program to encompass basic bodybuilding and build up a strong base before I return to my more advanced program.  I’m not sure how long I’ll stay with the basic program so any suggestions would be appreciated.  Here is what it will look like:

Monday - Heavy Day of Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps all at 2-4 Sets and 6-10 Reps

• Incline-bench press
• Flat-bench press
• Dumbbell press
• Lateral Raises
• Triceps Pushdowns
• Lying Triceps Extensions

Tuesday - Light Day of Back, Biceps, and Legs all at 2-4 Sets and 12-15 Reps  

• Wide-grip pulldowns
• Dumbbell rows
• Hyperextensions
• Dumbbell Curls
• Barbell Curls
• Leg Extensions
• Leg presses
• Leg Curls
• Calf raises

Thursday - Light Day of Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps all at 2-4 Sets and 12-15 Reps

• Incline-bench press
• Flat-bench press
• Dumbbell press
• Lateral Raises
• Triceps Pushdowns
• Lying Triceps Extensions

Friday - Heavy Day of Back, Biceps, and Legs all at 2-4 Sets and 6-10 Reps

• Wide-grip pulldowns
• Dumbbell rows
• Hyperextensions
• Dumbbell Curls
• Barbell Curls
• Leg Extensions
• Leg presses
• Leg Curls
• Calf raises

-Train hard and live life-

slickshotdogg22

I’ve realized that it’s all about consistency.  If you are consistent with anything…you will get results.  What’s the key to consistency?  Ask Nike.  Best slogan ever tells it just how it is.  Just do it.  It’s that simple.  Push all that other crap out of your head and out of your way and just do it.  That’s all there is. Nothing more.  Nothing less.  If it means getting up at 5:30am and hitting the gym before work or classes…just do it.  If it means chugging that nasty gainer shake at night just to hit your calorie mark for the day…just do it.  If it means pushing your body till you puke…just do it.  If it means giving up other things and making sacrifices…just do it.

If this lifestyle is what you’re looking for, you will have to learn to make the sacrifices that go along with it.  Skipping out on the late-night partying to turn in early, watching what you eat and resisting that trip to McDonald’s that your friends want you to so badly go on, hitting the gym day after day and pounding your muscles to oblivion, and holding yourself to a higher standard of living…that’s what this lifestyle is all about.  You have to look inside yourself to see commitment.  Are you making the sacrifices?  Is this lifestyle what you really want?  You have to look inside and decide yourself.

 -Train hard and live life-

slickshotdogg22

So yesterday I got my bench up to 200 for the first time ever.  That was always my weakest lift throughout high school.  I’m not bragging about 200 cuz it’s no where near what I want it at but it still feels good to finally see results like that.  Throughout high school I don’t think it ever saw 170.  But it feels good and its a good motivator.

Keep it real and take it easy,

-slickshotdogg22-

ok so I feel like an idiot but I guess it happens.  I was in a big hurry and wearing sandles and ran through my basement and completely RAILED my toe on my couch.  I’m pretty sure it might be broken.  I can still move it for the most part its just really bruised and a little bit stiff.  My foot got really sore also but it has actually made progress since it happened (about 3 days ago.)  It doesn’t hurt near as bad as it did.  It kind of threw me off of my training (I had just gotten back into squatting) and now I’m also on vacation in San Antonio so I’ve got a lot to catch up on next week.  But for those of you with no injuries(no matter how small)…take full advantage of your training.  I get so fired up when I’m unable to lift.  So keep it up and take it easy.

 -slickshotdogg22-

Ok.  So tomorrow is Memorial Day.  I think my gym is closed…sad day.  But I normally do a Chest, Shoulder, Triceps heavy day on Mondays.  Any suggestions for things I can do at home instead.  I don’t care too much about working just those body parts I just want a good workout tomorrow. All suggestions are appreciated.  Thanks a lot!  Take it easy and keep it real.

-slickshotdogg22-

Hey everyone, hope all is going well with you.  Just thought I’d give a little update.  My basic bodybuilding routine is going great.  I’m seeing strength improvements and slowly seeing size improvements.  The hardest part for me is getting enough food to put on the weight I want.  But as of late I’ve also been considering bodybuilding competition.  I think I might try and compete next year after I have a good base underneath me!  Take it easy and keep it real!

slickshotdogg22

I’m back home and at my home town gym…which always feels great.  I’m sick and tired of all of these fancy routines I see everywhere!  So I’m heading back to basic bodybuilding to prove that you don’t need all those fancy lifts (not to diss them cuz most of them are helpful I’m sure) to get bigger and stronger.  I’m going to do basic lifting routines with extreme intensity and a good diet.  I’m looking forward to posting results as to how this turns out!

This school year didn’t end well in terms of my weightlifting goals.  I’m still gaining strength so that is a positive.  But the weight room on campus that I’m using is absolutely PACKED! What’s worse is that most of them are just standing around and those who are trying to lift can’t get done what they need to.  I’m looking at the positive though and that is that I will be heading home this summer.  I live in a smaller town and the YMCA Champions center is never packed in the weight room.  I am going to take full advantage of that!  Gotta remember that brick walls are there to be knocked down…to prove how badly you want something!  good luck everyone!

I’m working my butt off and it’s paying in the weight room.  My lifts are steadily going up.  I’m still having a lot of trouble gaining the weight I want though.  I am in college and it’s hard to eat as much as I should but I am trying.  Does anyone have any suggestions for me?  It would be appreciated.  Thanks again!