Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness

Nice work so far! Squats/OHP looking good, I know guys that struggled when they first hit that weight (including myself).

Make sure with inverted rows you're either moving the bar lower or your feet up (put them on something). And when blasting them out is still too easy, do 5x5 barbell rows instead.

Keep up the good work!

Thanks! I'm getting kind of frustrated with my bench though. Sigh. Makes me feel like such a weakling.

I think I'm going to swap out inverted rows to barbell rows starting today. I just enjoy them more.

weights are looking good lady!

I get really frustrated with bench too. I think it's just a more slowly progressing lift than some of the others.

What's wrong with your bench? You haven't stalled yet, just keep adding weight.

Good idea with the barbell rows. Inverted rows are only good for getting a pump, I find them fairly useless except for that. My back's got much thicker since getting back on the barbell rows consistently. Gives a good base to push off when you lie on a bench.

I'm stalled at 75 lbs for bench. Part of the problem is my gym doesn't have 2.5 lb plates, so I have to increase 10 lbs at a time. I need to go buy my own 2.5 lb plates and just take them with me. I think I could manage 80 lbs, but 85 lbs is probably not going to happen.

have you tried 85? you might surprise yourself. you're doing great!

Give it a go. You won't get stronger doing the same weight.

Hmm, you guys are right. Maybe I'll try a set on Wed, it's my next day with bench.

Oops, realized I forgot to log Friday's workout:

12/3/2010:

Was in a huge rush, only had 30 min. Left out accessory lifts. Probably didn't warm up as much as I should have.

Squats:
45x5
95x5
5 sets of 5 @ 115 lbs

Bench: (used DB's because some other dude was using the barbell)
25x5
30x5
30x5
30x5
30x5

BB row:
45x5
55x5
65x5
75x5
75x5
75x5

That's all I had time for.

12/6/2010:
Rushed to the gym after being in meetings all morning. Forgot to take my BCAA's before working out. Damn. Still had a good workout though.

Squats:
45x5
65x5
95x5
115x5
115x5
115x5
115x5
125x4

OHP:
45x5
65x5
65x5
65x5
65x5
65x4

Deadlift:
65x5
95x5
125x5

Assisted Pull-ups:
80x8
80x8
80x5

Prone bridges:
3 @ 30 sec. each

I've been seriously doing the intermittent fasting thing for a week now and I already feel a difference. I think this is the way to go for me. I can eat until I'm satisfied and not worry about overdoing it on the calories. Took me awhile to get used to lifting on an empty stomach but I think it's alright now. The only thing I don't like is choking down BCAA's, they are so vile tasting.

glad to hear the intermittent fasting is going well for you

12/08/2010:

Damnit, forgot my BCAA's again! That always happens when I am in meeting all morning and then dash to the gym at lunch. Need to set a reminder to pop up on my computer until I get in the habit.

Regardless, weights were up today - huzzah!

Squat:
45x5
65x5
95x5
115x5
115x5
125x5
125x5
125x5

Bench:
45x5
75x5
75x5
75x5
75x5
85x4 (didn't want to try for the fifth rep as I was close to failure and there wasn't anyone around to spot me)

BB row:
5 sets of 5 @ 85 lbs

Didn't have time for push-ups and reverse crunches, will do those tonight at home. I've been carving out about 15 min. each night before bed to actually get some stretching in and my hip flexors feel much better because of it. They were tightening up even more with squatting three times a week.

i love the new title lady!

12/10/2010:

Had a great workout today!

Squats:
45x5
65x5
95x5
5 sets of 5 @ 125 lbs

OHP:
45x5
5 sets of 5 @ 65 lbs (last set was tough...)

Deadlift:
65x5
95x5
135x5

Assisted Pull-ups:
3 sets of 8 @ 80 lbs assistance

Didn't have time for prone bridges, will do at home this evening.

Goal for next week: get out for a run two times, and at least one trainer workout. I have been super lazy with the cardio lately. I keep making excuses to skip it.

That's cool that you're on a program now, Carrie. It makes things so much easier than wondering what to do on your next gym day. Best of luck with it.