GainzZz For Valhalla

[MattimusMaximus]

BW: 203.0 lbs (3050 cals)

Bench: Paused

215
235
255
275 F

225x5 @10


***Yeah I’m kinda checked out right now. Training is really pissing me off.

[JohnHelton]

I know that you aren't as lean as you would like to be, but maybe it is time for an extended break from cutting. Just maintain while resetting all your e1RMs much lower, working your way back up while building momentum. Just a thought.

[cole]

Sucks man. Take a break and just "lift" to feel good. You will bounce back. I took like 4 months off last year. It happens.

[MattimusMaximus]

@JohnHelton @cole Don’t mind me fellas, I was in a bitchy mood when I failed that bench. I’m definitely taking a longer break from calorie restriction this time. I just don’t want to gain any weight back. I’ll also probably order Creatine in the next few weeks. I’m guessing I’m a big responder.

[MattimusMaximus]

BW: 203.9 lbs (3050 cals)

Deadlift:

385
415 @9.5

Press:

140
150
160 xF


***What a really rough week wow. So push/pull not for me unfortunately. Tbh I’ve tried in the past and it didn’t jive well. Looks like I’ll be going back to my 3x per week sessions next week. I’m skipping tomorrow to rest. This is the weakest I’ve been in like 8 years. Also decided to supplement Creatine again starting today. This session today did me in.
-Regroup and start a reload next week. New training maxes are abysmal.

[JohnHelton]

Be aware that you’re weight may jump up with the creatine. Mine just did as I started using it again.

[MattimusMaximus]

@JohnHelton fully expecting around 2 lbs but it should be water. I’ve just been feeling so flat lately. Like a big motor but all out of gas. Hopefully getting back to previous programming, higher cals, and Creatine will fix things.

[MattimusMaximus]

Deload

BW: 204.4 lbs (3050 cals)

Squat: Beltless/2 min rests

255x5 x3 sets

Bench: Beltless/Control TnG/2 min rests

170x5 x4 sets

EZ SFP:

65x12

EZ Curls: Top Pauses

65x12


***31 mins total

[MattimusMaximus]

BW: 205 lbs (yesterday was 203.5) (still 3050 cals)

Press: Beltless/2 min rests

100x5 x4 sets

Chins: Supine Grip

BWx8 (@8.5)

Seated Plate Laterals: Top Pauses

10’s x25

Seated DB Hammer Curls: Top Pauses

25’s x10


***19 mins total
-significantly high life stress week. Weight fluctuations probably more from stress. Cals remain the same this week. Workouts surprisingly easy despite stress. Will resume regular volume next week.

[MattimusMaximus]

BW: 206.1 lbs (3050 cals)

Deadlift: Beltless/DOH/2 min rest

265x5 x2 sets

Slingshot: Beltless/Paused/2 min rest

215x5 x2 sets

Oly SFP: 60s rest

67.5 x12 x2 sets

Oly Arm Curls: 60s rest/TP, reg

67.5 x12 x2 sets


***26 mins total

[MattimusMaximus]

BW: 206.4 lbs. (Yikes. 3050 cals still)

Squat: Beltless/2 min rests

255x5 x5

Bench: Beltless/Control TnG/2 min rests

170x5 x6 sets

EZ SFP: EMOM

65x12 x3 Sets

EZ Arm Curls: EMOM/TP,reg,drag

65x12 x3 sets


***48 mins total
-exercise tolerance was significantly better today. I’ll take that as a win. A few weeks ago this would have produced lactic acid build-up but there was none of that today. I’m guessing that’s the Creatine already doing its job.
-hoping I don’t gain anymore weight or else I’ll have to reign it in and decrease cals a bit.

[cole]

some of the weight gain will be attributed to the creatine but that shouldnt be a big deal bc you know youll lose it once you get back off

[MattimusMaximus]

BW: 207.6 lbs (huh?) (still 3050 cals)

Press: Beltless/2 min rests

100x5 x6 sets

Chins: dead stops/45s rests

BW x4 x4

Seated Plate Laterals: Top Pauses/60s rest

10’s x22 x2 sets

Seated DB Hammer Curls: Top Pauses/60s rest

25’s x10 x2 sets


***31 mins total
@cole Some of that weight is Creatine but it’s definitely stress related too. I was 206 in late spring while on Creatine and much stronger. It’s frustrating. I’m guessing I’m a big responder though. Avg weight gain, for most people, after 3-4 weeks of supplementation is around 4 lbs in the literature I think.
-I know these weights are light compared to what I was doing before but I can tell things are different with the Creatine. It’s difficult to describe other than the contractions are just less fatiguing and feel much better overall. Even if top strength doesn’t come back I’m just glad workouts are feeling more tolerable again.

[MattimusMaximus]

BW: 207.6 lbs (3050 cals)

Deadlift: Beltless/DOH w TP/2 min rests

265x5 x4 sets

Slingshot Bench: Beltless/Paused/2 min rests

215x5 x3 sets

Oly SFP: EMOM

67.5x12 x3 Sets

Oly Arm Curls: EMOM/TP,reg w neg, drag

67.5x12 x3 sets


***35 mins total

[MattimusMaximus]

BW: 207.8 lbs (24.3% and 3050 cals)

Squat: Beltless/2 min rests

295x3 x5 sets

Bench: Beltless/2 min rests

195x3 x6 sets

EZ SFP: EMOM

85x8 x3 sets

EZ Curls: EMOM/TP,reg w neg, drag

85x8 x3 sets


***46 mins total
-arms are measuring 1/2” larger since taking creatine and reverse diet. Currently measuring 18” with about a 1% increase in BF and 8 lbs of BW. I’m terrible at math but I think that means most of the weight gain is FFM. At least i hope. Should probably be measuring my waist lol.
-working out is more tolerable since Creatine reintroduction. It’s safe to say I’m a responder.

[MattimusMaximus]

BW: 208.0 lbs (3050 cals)

Press: Beltless/2 min Rests

115x3 x6 Sets

Weighted Chins: BW+25 lbs/45s rests

233x3 x4 sets

Seated Plate Laterals: Top pauses/60s rest

10’s x25 x2 sets

Seated DB Hammer Curls: Top Pauses/60s rest

25’s x11 x2 sets


***32 mins total

[MattimusMaximus]

BW: 209.1 lbs (3050 cals)

Deadlift: Beltless/DOH/2 min rests

305x4 x3 sets

Slingshot Bench: Beltless/Paused/2 min rests

235x4 x3 sets

Oly SFP: EMOM

87.5 x8 x3 sets

Oly Arm Curls: EMOM/TP,reg w neg,drag

87.5 x8 x3 sets


***38 mins total
-testing singles next week to see where I’m at. Hoping I can crank things up again soon.

[cole]

-testing singles next week to see where I’m at. Hoping I can crank things up again soon.

that makes two of us!

[MattimusMaximus]

BW: 210.0 lbs (too much weight gain, reduced to 2850 cals)

Squat:

295 Beltless
325 Beltless
355 @6

325x1 x5 sets (Beltless/EMOM)

Bench: Beltless/Paused

205
220
235 @6

215x1 x6 sets (Beltless/Paused/EMOM)

EZ SFP: EMOM

105x4 x3 sets

EZ Arm Curls: EMOM/TP,reg w negs,drag

105x4 x3 sets


***48 mins total
-things seem to be turning around. These were much easier than last time. Is it because I went back to old programming, weight gain from excess cals, or is it the Creatine? All of the above maybe. Either way that’s too much weight gain so I’m reigning it in. I dropped 200 cals and hopefully that stabilizes things while keeping strength gains going. Yikes.

[MattimusMaximus]

BW: 209.5 lbs (2850 cals)

Press: Beltless

115
125
135 @6?
140 @6

125x1 x6 sets

Weighted Chins: 45s rests/dead hang starts

BW+70 lbs (280) x1
BW+45 lbs (255) x2 x3 sets

Seated DB Laterals: Top Pauses/60s rest

13’s x16 x2 sets

Seated DB Hammer Curls: Top Pauses/60s rest

25’s x12 x2 sets


***37 mins total
Nothing spectacular but a nice feeling place to start building momentum. So far strength is slowly going up.