theVeganInitiative Training Journal

[theVeganInitiative]

10/19/12 531 Cycle 1 Week 4

BP: 77.2 x 3, 86 x 3, 97.2 x 3
Squats: 92.2 x 3, 102.2 x 3, 122.2 x 3, 72.2 x 10

Still working on getting back to feeling good again...should be on my way. I just wanted to finish off the 531 cycle so I did just the deload sets that I had left. This felt pretty good. I like 531 a lot for my lifestyle so I'll stick with it for another cycle at least.

[theVeganInitiative]

10/21/12

2 hour hike in the mountains with friends!
My yard connects with the Mohonk Preserve in New Paltz, NY so we were able to walk out of my house, up into the mountains, and back! Beautiful fall day. Lots of colors everywhere. Lots of bananas in my house.

[theVeganInitiative]

10/23/12: 531 Cycle 2 Week 1

OHP: 52.4 x 5, 61.2 x 5, 68.8 x 5, 40 x 10 x 5
Chinups: 5, 5, 5, 4, 4

I'm happy to start my 2nd cycle of 531. I've not been feeling very well so I have felt weak at times. It felt good to get through this workout...started feeling weak early on but kept going.

[Mini Forklift Ⓥ]

10/21/12

2 hour hike in the mountains with friends!
My yard connects with the Mohonk Preserve in New Paltz, NY so we were able to walk out of my house, up into the mountains, and back! Beautiful fall day. Lots of colors everywhere. Lots of bananas in my house.

That sounds so cool, always a blast to do stuff like that and connecting with nature.

How come you've been feeling off, nothing too major I hope?

[theVeganInitiative]

10/26 531 Cycle 2 Week 1

Deadlifts: 157.2 x 5, 177.2 x 5. 202.2 x 5, 120 x 10 x 5
Hanging knee raises: 3 sets of 10
Situps: 2 sets of 10

I really didn't think I would finish this workout after my 3rd set of 10 but I stuck with it and completed the intended workout. I felt ok after and for the rest of the weekend - just a bit sore in my lower back. I think my health issues and lack of eating enough had a lot to do with how I felt during the workout. I was away from home and working all weekend so I'm hoping to get another session in tonight now that I'm back.

to MF - I continue to struggle with my digestive issues which I discussed earlier on my log. I'm trying to stay positive and work with it to get back to feeling well again. I've never been able to isolate the issues so I just try to do what I think is best and try not to get so stressed with confusion and feeling crappy.

[theVeganInitiative]

10/29/12 531 Cycle 2 Week 1

BP: 77.2 x 5, 92.2 x 5, 102.2 x 5, 63.6 x 10 x 5
Rows: 63.6 x 10 x 5
Curls: 43.6 x 10 x 4

Last heavy set of BP was a grind. 4th rep just got up and 5th rep was so slow with some form breakdown just to get the bar up. Sets of 10 felt good and heavy. Working on really feeling the target muscle do the work. Curls were tough too - kept my elbows against the wall and really slowed on the 4th set so I left it at that.

[theVeganInitiative]

10/30/12 531 Cycle 2 Week 1

Squats: 97.2 x 5, 116 x 5, 127.2 x 5, 77.2 x 10 x 3
Good Mornings: 77.2 x 10 x 3

Another hard session. I didn't feel that good about the heavy sets of squats...felt really heavy and felt like my form is always getting fucked up on heavy sets. I feel like I have a lot trouble making progress once I get to a certain weight with all my lifts. I looked through some old training logs today and saw that I was lifting this heavy and heavier over 2 years ago. But I've had lots of ups and downs with my health so I don't know...I'm kind of starting over always so I'll see how it goes. I was really concentrating on form during the warm up sets so I know I have a good pattern but need to maintain it and get stronger! I also felt too taxed to do the 5 sets of 10s and did 3 instead. I'm trying not to be disappointed and focus on the positive aspect of simply working out and going for it but I always want to do better.

[theVeganInitiative]

11/9/12

Squats: 102.2 x 5 x 5
BP: 92.2 x 5 x 5
Rows: 92.2 x 5 x 5
Curls: 48.6 x 8 x 3

I've been pretty busy and not getting in as many workouts as I would like. I'm switching up to a 2 day split so even if I only do 2 days during the week then I'll get all the main lifts in. I've been feeling better and eating lots.

[Mini Forklift Ⓥ]

All the best with getting back in the swing of things, I don't reckon it's beneficial going really heavy at the expense of good form.
Hope you're having a top weekend MF.

[theVeganInitiative]

11/16/12

Deadlifts: 215 x 3, 192.2 x 4, 172.2 x 5
OHP: 57.2 x 5 x 5
Chins: 6, 5, 4
Situps: 15, 13, 10

Happy to finally get a workout in though I don't feel I am very patient lately like I just want to get it done with. My top set of deads was probably a little too heavy as my low back was rounding a bit so I'll watch form closely next time. All the other sets felt good. I think I gained some weight recently so I'm happy my chins are still at the same level as a few weeks ago.
I'm a bit confused as to my program and goals at the moment.
I know I can't be as consistent as I would like due to ongoing health struggles and busy lifestyle but at the same time I want to gain muscle and strength so i can look good and feel good. I know I just need to keep lifting but I would like to see some results and feel like I'm on the right path. Not sure why it's so hard for me to figure out.

[theVeganInitiative]

11/18/12

Squats: 102.2 x 8, 7, 6
SLDL: 102.2 x 8 x 3
BB Step Ups: 43.6 x 12 x 2 (each leg)
BB Calf Raises: 102.2 x 12 x 3
Situps: 14, 14

[theVeganInitiative]

11/19/12

BP: 92.2 x 8, 8, 7
Rows: 92.2 x 8 x 3
OHP: 63.6 x 6, 52.4 x 8
Chins: 6, 4
Curls: 43.6 x 12

Hurt right elbow on first set of OHP - back of arm where tricep meets bone so maybe it's the tendon...I don't know...it's been hurt before and has given me problems in the past....I need to work on my form with OHP - I felt like I was keeping my elbows too far forward and maybe involving the triceps too much. hopefully it won't be a nagging injury.

[Mini Forklift Ⓥ]

Ice it regularly and also maybe get some sports healing balm you can rub on it. Hope it's nothing too serious mate.

Much planned for the weekend?

[theVeganInitiative]

11/25/12

Deadlifts: 181 x 8 x 3
BB Step Ups: 43.6 x 12 x 2 (each leg)
BB Calf Raises: 102.2 x 12 x 2
Situps: 15, 15

Step ups were higher than last time (pretty much parallel) and really felt them by the 12th rep. Deadlifts felt pretty easy.

Thanks for checking in MF! I'll be all right.

[theVeganInitiative]

11/26/12

BP: 97.2 x 6, 92.2 x 8 x 2
Rows: 97.2 x 8 x 3
OHP: 43.6 x 12 x 2
Chins: 6, 4
Close Grip BP: 43.6 x 15
Curls: 43.6 x 15

Tired today but made it through ok. Elbow ok during workout.