Get my Size back... and then some.

**varbo** · November 5th, 2008, 10:32 AM

I think its time I start logging my progress in a bit more public way. I'm not going to put down all the specifics because I have all that in files and notebooks at home, instead I'm going to log what I'm going through and hoping I can get the motivation to get there.

My goal is to break my plateaus and get bigger than I ever was. I have my Max measurements and pictures from a a little while ago and will be comparing with them. I never was huge but think I had good size.

I stopped lifting at the end of July when My garage started being built and Flag football started. I felt overwelmed and thought that a break would do me good. That break lasted a little too long. I lost a lot of size but On Oct 14th I decided It was time to start lifting again.

Week 1 - Oct 12th
I decided on the following split:
Sun - Back
Mon - Nothing
Tues - Chest/Shoulder
Wednes - Core/legs/calves
Thurs - Biceps/Triceps
Fri - Rest
Sat - Rest

I was on travel status for work for 3 weeks so I bought a 1 month membership to the gym next to the hotel. I usually work at home but was excited to be able to use all the equipment that I usually couldn't

That week I was extremely sore every day.

Week 2 - Oct 19th
Changed things up a bit:
Sun - Back/shoulders
Mon - Core
Tues - Chest
Wednes - legs/calves
Thurs - Biceps/Triceps
Fri - Rest
Sat - Rest

I drank an AMP energy drink (Grape-endurance) an hour before I hit the gym on Sunday because I had been lazy all day and feeling really unmotivated. I was ammazed at my pullups and strength through it.

Had mild soreness through the week except for my Quads. Man they hurt. I knew they would because I could barely walk up the stairs when I got back from the gym

Week 3
Shifted everything a day because I was home on sunday and busy but back on travel on monday. Friday I was back home working in the "home gym"
Sun - Rest
Mon - Back/shoulders
Tues - Core
Wed - Chest
Thurs - legs/calves
Fri - Biceps/Triceps
Sat - Rest

Barely any soreness this week. was getting sick of going to the gym. The socialiser, the teen punks and the Flirty cougars were annoying as hell. was looking forward to getting back into the basement.

I'll update more later,

**varbo** · November 6th, 2008, 11:50 PM

On Nov 1st took some measurements to compare myself to 3 weeks prior:
Biceps - +3/8 inch
Chest - +5/8 inch
Quads - +1 inch
Calf + 1/2 inch

I credit a lot of that to muscle memory and eating lots. Here's to hoping I get the same progress when I measure again in Dec.

**varbo** · November 6th, 2008, 11:56 PM

Week 4 - Nov 2
Back it home in the basement

Sun - Rest
Mon - Back/shoulders
Missed having a pullup bar. Contiplating getting one of those doorway ones that hook on.

Tues - Core
Also Played Hockey for a half hour over lunch

Wed - Chest
Was pretty sore the next day

Thurs - Just played Volleyball. I'm going to have to find time to do legs another time this week. I like to train until my legs are completely fatigued so if I did that and then played volleyball, it just wouldn't work.

**tidalwave** · November 7th, 2008, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by varbo

Sun - Rest
Mon - Back/shoulders
Missed having a pullup bar. Contiplating getting one of those doorway ones that hook on.

It's a bit more $$, but you might want to look into one of these. They're safer than the doorway units, you don't have to put a hole in your door frame, and you get the super complementary exercise benefit of dips!

Exercise Stations - Dip & Pull Up Stands

**varbo** · November 7th, 2008, 08:00 AM

I've actually beem looking for something exactly lik that and for that price but can't find one up here in Canada. I'll check on shipping charges to go across the border but this just might work.

**varbo** · November 7th, 2008, 02:00 PM

I realized that I never put my down my size goals and a time frame so here goes:

All are fom my last measurement and my goal is by Feb 28th
Bicep - +1 1/4 inch
Chest - +2 Inches
Quad - + 1 1.2 inch
Calf - + 1 inch

I may be chalanging myself too much or not enough. I guess I'll find out soon enough.

**varbo** · November 7th, 2008, 10:18 PM

Well, Friday is over and the Bi's and tri's were pretty fatigued. figured out a way to make my cable french press more taxing by coming from the other side of my body instead of directly behind. I don't know why I never thought of that before. I guess I'm just getting a little smarter in my old age.

**wil** · November 8th, 2008, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by varbo

I've actually beem looking for something exactly lik that and for that price but can't find one up here in Canada. I'll check on shipping charges to go across the border but this just might work.

Have you tried looking on Craigslist? I have gathered a good portion of my own home gym equipment from there.

**varbo** · November 8th, 2008, 11:44 AM

Looked at quite a few used places but try to stay close to home because shipping can be a pain.

**varbo** · November 12th, 2008, 09:55 AM

Well I had a 4 day weekend and that is always nice but motivation for lifting goes down. Spent the weekend drywalling which I guess could could as a shoulder workout.

Anyways, I skipped monday although I did play volloeyball. Tuesday bacame back/shoulder day and I ended up just doing back due to time constraints and lack of motivation.

I'm sticking with my 3x8 for now. and have decided to change that up in January.

So tonight its either core or chest/shoulder. I have hockey at noon so I guess it will depend on how i'm feeling.

vaporgirl · November 13th, 2008, 02:34 AM

any pics?

**varbo** · November 13th, 2008, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vaporgirl

any pics?

Sorry, I wouldn't feel comfortable posting pics until I was happy with what I saw.

**varbo** · November 13th, 2008, 09:20 AM

Well, Yesterday was hockey day and I fell on my hip and elbow and heard a cracking noise come from my shoulder so I wasn't sure how that was going to affect me. Hip was obviously bruised though. (Its a "no equipment" league except of course for gloves, helmets and skates.)

Did my chest session and had no problems. I was actually raising the weight amounts and still having an easy time with it. I guess things are coming back to where they should be and eating enough probably helps too.

Was doing my shoulder exercises and that all seemed fine until I did front raises. That friggin' hurt. I stopped after a couple but now I know that I was actually somewhat injured. I guess I'll just rest it for a bit and hopefully all is well on Monday.

**wil** · November 13th, 2008, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by varbo

Sorry, I wouldn't feel comfortable posting pics until I was happy with what I saw.

That is why I show myself as a kid with a funny look and a flower.

**wildstang** · November 13th, 2008, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wil

That is why I show myself as a kid with a funny look and a flower.

and here all this time i thought is was 2 get in closer with GG...lol

**wil** · November 13th, 2008, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildstang

and here all this time i thought is was 2 get in closer with GG...lol

Nah... for that I go with good old fashioned compliments and honest friendly chats.

**wildstang** · November 13th, 2008, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wil

Nah... for that I go with good old fashioned compliments and honest friendly chats.

although the kid handing a flower is kinda touching in a way.

**wil** · November 13th, 2008, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildstang

although the kid handing a flower is kinda touching in a way.

True. It gives me an otherwise non-existent cuteness factor.

**varbo** · November 15th, 2008, 11:21 PM

Well, I missed another leg day. Damn home responsibilities. Hopefully I can get it in tomorrow. Thats 2 weeks in a row. Oh well.

Anyways Friday bi/tri day was good. Upped to weigh on my ezbar curl and on the Tricep push back and felt really pumped at the end of it. Nutrition was good. At pretty clean with plenty of protein.

Next week I'm back on travel status so I'll be looking into how good the Hotel gym is and if it doesn't meet my needs I'll be spending the money on the drop in fee and the Golds near by.

**varbo** · November 30th, 2008, 01:39 PM

OK I haven't posted in a while. Bad me.

So the week on Nov 17th, I was travelling for work and I slacked off big time. this trip was kinda stressfull and I didn't have my temporary gym membership to motivate me. So I slacked off big time. I did hit the gym a few times but I'm gonna chalk this one up to be a write-off. Lets move on.

Week of 24th.
Monday - Back/Shoulders
OK, I little soreness the next day. Was kinda tired which messed a bit with my intensity but a decent day lifting.

Tuesday - Core
Was quite motivated and at the abs good. happy with it.

Wednesday - Chest
Tired again but was decent again

Thursday - Legs
Was working good and got interupted and didn't get to go back to it. That sucked.

Friday - Bi/Tri
Pushed hard but didn't get started until really late. Almost got the full workout in before I had to quit. Nutrition was crap that day.

Saturday - Ate like crap. Gonna pay for that.

Sunday - Starting good. Had a good breackfast and have some work outside that required a sledge hammer.