Vegan Aspirant for Amazonian strength and physique

[Vegan Aspirant]

Oh and on a little side note, my new jeans leggings cracked on my left leg after flexing them at ballet today lol

[Vegan Aspirant]

Yesterday was back day and for once I tried something new: I completed all my excersizes in 45 mins, which is 1/3 of the time it usually takes me on an efficient day! Reason for this is because I skipped my strength sets in DL and Bent over Barbells and did supersets consisting of dumbell rows and cable pull downs with 5 seconds max in between the sets. I had to chew my ego on this one, because these supersets had me lifting only on medium capacity. so yeah this is what I did


Warm-up (cardio):

50 mins house/dancehall (real cardio)
50 mins funk (just some routine practise, so no high heart rate)


Stiff leg deadlift:
40 kg: 15 reps
50 kg: 15 reps
60 kg: 12 reps
70 kg: 2 x 8 reps


Bent over Barbell (this was almost sheer technique and basically no real resistance involved because I've been dodging this excersize for a very long time due to lack of balance in lower back):

30 kg: 3 x 15 reps
35 kg: 12 reps

Dumbell rows and cable pull down SS

DB rows/ cable pull downs: 18 kg- 12 reps/ 40 kg- 12 reps
DB rows/ cable pull downs: 20 kg - 12 reps/ 35 kg- 12 reps
DB rows/ cable pull downs: 18 kg- 12 reps/ 35 kg- 12 reps


Currently this is what my back looks like:

[Vegan Aspirant]

On a different note, I've realised that the reason I haven't transitioned to veganism is *not* because I don't want to or couldn't live off of only vegan food... It's simply a matter of availability. As I've said somewhere else I currently live off of take-away and whatever I can find that's ready made in the super markets. This means I inevitably end up consuming dairy products. On particularly bad days (or rather weak moments) I also eat things like cake that contains eggs and/or whipped cream (at births days/when I'm invited or generally if it's presented to me in a particularly tempting way). Because when the vegan alternative is there, I chose it without blinking even if it's not as tasty as the non-vegan version.

[asparagus]

Oh and on a little side note, my new jeans leggings cracked on my left leg after flexing them at ballet today lol

LOL, that is awesome!

Your back muscles look pretty huge as well - nice work!

[Vegan Aspirant]

Oh and on a little side note, my new jeans leggings cracked on my left leg after flexing them at ballet today lol

LOL, that is awesome!

Your back muscles look pretty huge as well - nice work!

Lol thanks! Eeh back could be better, just not really an area I've focused on that much until recently. Somewhere along the line I realised defined musculature on ones backside of the body is just as important as the front lol. In other words a nice butt, nice hams as well as a broad back and defined set of calves is just as important as abs, arms and quads. Unfortunately took me 1½ year to realise that but better late than never!

[Justin Morgan]

Did you work out the conditions at your house? I agree with the fruit comments, but aside from living off of take away foods, the stress at home could definitely make you feel sluggish too.

You should also check out vegan strength and conditioning coach Mike Mahler. I don't know the video off hand, but he's talked about the process of "transitioning" into a vegan diet. Some people struggle for a little while, and some people only go up. If you are following a good meal plan and logging your diet then you'll likely do better too. Of course, that's true of all diets, vegan or otherwise.

And lastly, you're looking pretty fine. You rock those thighs.

[Vegan Aspirant]

Did you work out the conditions at your house? I agree with the fruit comments, but aside from living off of take away foods, the stress at home could definitely make you feel sluggish too.

You should also check out vegan strength and conditioning coach Mike Mahler. I don't know the video off hand, but he's talked about the process of "transitioning" into a vegan diet. Some people struggle for a little while, and some people only go up. If you are following a good meal plan and logging your diet then you'll likely do better too. Of course, that's true of all diets, vegan or otherwise.

Hey there Justin

You're definitely right about the stress factor. Long story short, I'm basically living as a nomad because my own apartment is a giant mess that hasn't seen a (decent) renovation since 1931. This means that until I'm done cleaning, disinfecting, painting and bringing in furniture, I don't really have a place to store food and cook. But I'm almost done with the kitchen, 2 more rooms to go, the entrance and lastly the bathroom and I should be done.

I'll look up Mike Mahler - but yeah logging my meals could at least shame me in to eating a little healthier. I try to refrain from animal fat and eggs altogether, but I would be lying if I said I haven't fallen off the wagon a few times and had some cake/Danish which both contain eggs and butter.

Really diet is my only setback in terms of reaching my goal because truth be told I work as hard, lift as much (actually more) than pretty much all female athletes I've encountered in the gym. Only difference between me and these pro athletes I've seen is body fat percent. And the reason I don't call myself a body builder is because I can't bring myself to claim such a title until and unless I cut down to 10 % bodyfat or at least have a (visible) 6-pack in a natural un-flexed state (my current 4-pack in a hyper-flexed pose doesn't really count in my book).

And lastly, you're looking pretty fine. You rock those thighs.

Thanks (at least all that cake is fuel for the quads... or at least I like to think so haha)

[Vegan Aspirant]

Back day

Warm up: 10 mins on rooing machine

Stiff leg deadlifts

40 kg: 15 reps
50 kg: 15 reps
60 kg: 12 reps
70 kg: 10 reps
75 kg: 8 reps
80 kg: 6 reps

In between my sets I threw in sets of 15 rep push-ups, which means 120 push-ups all in all.

Bent over barbell

30 kg: 15 reps
40 kg: 12 reps
45 kg: 10 reps

Seated cable row

25 kg: 15 reps
30 kg: 12 reps
35 kg: 10 reps
40 kg: 10 reps

Little note: I am usually strong in seated cable rows and can pull without any greater effort, but these last 3 times or so I've done them I've decreased in strength and I wonder if it's because I've upped my compound lifts that I am losing strength in the lesser compound lifts?


Dumbbell rows

16 kg: 12 reps
18 kg: 12 reps
20 kg: 12 reps
22 kg: 12 reps

Same thing with my dumbbell rows, I couldn't even take 12 in a row but had to throw in a little pause my 6th, 7th or 8th rep in which is quite frustrating, because I usually peak at 28 or 30 kg with a minimum of 6 reps if I doing strength sets. Again I wonder if I am becoming weaker in the lesser compound movements because of my inclusion and greater focus on big and and compound exercises like dl and squats (well squats I've more or less put on a hold due to a lack of flexibility in calves and hams that prevent me from performing themwith proper technique)?


Lateral cable pull downs:

35 kg: 12 reps
40 kg: 12 reps
45 kg: 8 reps
50 kg: 6 reps

Again same thing as the previous exercises, decreased strength

And for fun I threw in 60 reps (3 sets of 20) lying leg raises from an elevated bench and a 1 min. plank.

[Vegan Aspirant]

Lower body day

Cardio warm-up: 5 mins of running at 12 kph

Squat:

40 kg: 15 reps
50 kg: 15 reps
60 kg 12 reps
70 kg: 12 reps
75 kg: 10 reps
80 kg: 8 reps
90 kg: 6 reps


Stiff leg DL (really bad day)

40 kg: 12 reps
50 kg: 12 reps
60 kg: 10 reps

(every attempt after this was just fail and could only get 3 through at higher weights than 60 kg which is atypical of my dl lifts)

Cardio: 55 mins of dancehall/house


(another attempt at) Stiff leg DL
40 kg: 12 reps
50 kg: 12 reps
60 kg: 10 reps

Again couldn't get pass 60 kg and at the same time pull of hypertrophy sets

Legpress (horisontal variant)

110 kg: 15 reps
120 kg: 12 reps
130 kg: 12 reps
140 kg: 12 reps
150 kg: 12 reps
150 kg: 12 reps


Calfraises on leg press machine
120 kg: 12 reps
130 kg: 3 x 12 reps


Leg extension:
50 kg: 2 x 12 reps
55 kg: 12 reps
60 kg: 12 reps
65 kg: 12 reps


Leg curl (drop set):
50 kg: 12 reps
45 kg: 12 reps
40 kg: 12 reps
40 kg: 12 reps



Machine where you kick back with your legs (supposedly good for the buns and hams):
35 kg: 12 reps on each leg
40 kg: 12 reps each leg
45 kg: 12 reps each leg
35 kg: 12 reps each leg



Whew been a long time since I pulled off a 5 hour training pas :-p

[Vegan Aspirant]

Right, so figured I've build enough and unless I want to start a "hormone" diet or go for muscle exhaustion (endless reps at low low weights) at the expense of my strength, now is the time to start cutting. I don't have a specific weight goal, I just want to reduce my bodyfat percent (bfp) to at least 15 (currently measure ca. 25%). It would be awesome if I could have a bfp at 15 and maintain my current weight, but that's highly unlikely and I figure I'll drop to 60-65 kg at bfp 15, including muscle loss.


My current measurements are as follow:

Height: 170 cm
Bodyweight: 83.5 kg
Back (at widest point):
Chest: 103 cm
Waist: 93 cm
Arms: 33 cm
Hips: 113 cm
Thighs: Left: 69.5 cm right= 70 cm
Legs: left= 42.5 cm, right= 44.5 cm

All measurements are taken in a non flexed (semi bloated) state. The below pics also reflect this:

[Vegan Aspirant]

I'll start posting my diet once I get the last things in place.

[Vegan Aspirant]

Back day

Very quick warm-up: 1 min running at 16 kmp on treadmill


Conventional deadlift:
20 kg: 12 reps
25 kg: 12 reps
30 kg: 12 reps
35 kg: reps

^^ Sheer technique work out and no real resistance involved. I've been avoiding conventional deadlifts in favour of stiff leg deadlifts because I tend to arch on my upper back in the conventional version, when going down with the weight. This is due to a mixture of inadequate technique and lack of strength in upper back. I hate working with p*ssy weights, so I just have to keep reminding myself "form over ego".


Bent over barbell:
30 kg: 12 reps
35 kg: 12 reps
40 kg: 12 reps
45 kg: 10 reps


Dumbbell rows:

16 kg: 12 reps
18 kg: 12 reps
20 kg: 12 reps
22 kg: 10 reps
24 kg: 2x 6 reps



Lateral cable pull down:
40 kg: 12 reps
40 kg: (8 reps followed by 4 reps of 35 kg) x 3


Seated cable pull with narrow grip:
4 x 12 at 25 kg

Really have to step my game up on this on... At one point I could do 55 kg! This less than half, sad sad sad! On the other hand better than nothing and gives me opportunity to perfect my technique, but ughh it's still annoying!

[Vegan Aspirant]

Slight update:

Haven't worked out for about 4 weeks due to domestic circumstances. Weight is consistent at 80-85 kg. It appears I've lost some muscle mass in my upper body area and I'm pretty sure strength too.

I'm still vegetarian, almost 4 months into it. Have been bumps on the road and moral setbacks, but have as of yet not ingested meat of any kind. Still eat dairy and eggs but in total makes up a very small part of my diet and I practically never drink milk or eat dairy/eggs on their own.

[asparagus]

Just do your best. You'll find your way. Cheers.

[HIT Rob]

Hi VA,

its a bit strange you've lost size after a 4 week layoff, atrophy usually takes much longer, did you cut calories or lose any weight in during that period?
At the beginning of this year i was forced to take a 5 week layoff due to being away with work, on returning to the gym not only had i not lost strength or size, i'd even gained some / overcompensate

Best
Rob