For Your Health (a hunk's log)

[broseph]

I am 3 pounds heavier, even though it didn't feel like I ate much. But I had fast food x3 during the drive home yesterday. We'll see where that number ends up after a few days of normalcy.

Bet you a dollar that 3 lbs is gone in a day or two. You’re holding water from yesterday’s sodium fest. I’m something of an expert in those circumstances.

Also, welcome back - hope outside of the drive, the vacation was cool.

Lol, thanks. Yeah, vacation was very nice.

2 of yesterday's fast food meals were Subway, which I hadn't eaten in a thousand years. I was shocked at how salty is tasted, even compared to other fast food, and was way saltier than I remember. And the employees seemed flabbergasted that I didn't want it toasted (last time I went to Subway, toasting wasn't a thing).

[broseph]

4/9/23

Bench 225x5, 260x5, 295x9@10

Incline DB Bench 75x4x12, OT 2:30 (stealing this notation style from @asdf)

Chins +50x3x8, OT 2:30

Inverted Row +16x3x10, OT 2:30

[alek]

The drive home was less eventful, besides the traffic.

Good. I've driven through a storm like that once; don't want to do that again.

OT 2:30 (stealing this notation style from asdf)

Yeah, I'm liking it. Keeps me more honest with rest.

[broseph]

4/10/23

Press 115x5, 135x5, 155x9@10.

Upright Row 90x4x16, OT 2:30 @superpump

Supersetted OT 2:00;
Incline DB Curl 30x3x13
French Press 108x3x12
-I feel like that's a lot of rest for super sets, but after I quit treating arms as an afterthought I started getting phenomenal pumps and actual size gainz. So I'm gonna keep doing them like this. For your arms race.

[broseph]

4/11/23

Squanch 265x5, 305x5, 345x8@8

Sisy Squanch BWx4x12, OT 2:30

RDL 275x2x8, OT 2:30
Hams were getting jumpy, so only 2 sets.

Hanging Knee Raise 4x8, OT 2:00

[broseph]

4/13/23

Bench 240x3, 275x3, 310x6@9

Incline DB Flye 20x4x16, OT 2:30

DB Row 70x5x12, Alternating sides OT 1:30

[broseph]

4/14/23

Press 125x3, 145x3, 165x7@10

Seated DB Press 60x4x10, OT 2:30

Supersetted OT 2:00;
DB Hammer Curl 30x3x17
Dip BW x3x16


Musings: I'm stepping WAY outside my comfort zone and participating in a murder mystery party tomorrow. I have been feeling like my introversion and misanthropy has been worsening, and thought a novel social environment might be good for me. As a bonus, I can wrap my character around myself like a blanket and "be someone else" for the night.

I never ever participate in group texts, and everyone that knows me knows not to include me in such. But I have been very active, in character, in the party chat all week.

It might end up being super corny, lame, or awkward. But I'm going for it.

[DCR]

You mean to fill in the reps on the 165?

Anyway, enjoy the party. It’ll probably be both corny and fun. I recommend alcohol. In this context and generally.

Joking. Kinda.

[TimK]

I have been feeling like my introversion and misanthropy has been worsening

Bro... samesies

[broseph]

You mean to fill in the reps on the 165?

Anyway, enjoy the party. It’ll probably be both corny and fun. I recommend alcohol. In this context and generally.

Joking. Kinda.

Fixed it. Thanks.

Another blow to my social prowess; I am not a big drinker.

I have been feeling like my introversion and misanthropy has been worsening

Bro... samesies

Dude. A few weeks ago I had a full blown existential melt down about it. I had been thinking about it for a long time, noticing the worsening, and started to get paranoid about personality disorders (which run in my family). I don't remember what she said, but my wife talked me off the ledge. Or maybe just active listened/supported me until I talked myself off.

I seriously don't know what I'd do without her. But that was part of what was driving me to despair- too many eggs in one basket. But no other baskets interest me outside of brief proximity-triggered interactions.

For your midlife edgy teenager goth phase.

[broseph]

4/15/23

Deadlift 300x5, 345x5, 390x10@10.
I'm not sure why I even log the warmup sets.

Sisy Squat BWx3x16, OT 2:30
One fewer set, but more reps per set, closer to failure, and a better quad pump.

RDL 275x2x8
Only 2 sets again because my hams and glutes were still sore from doing these 4 days ago.

Abwheel 3x16

[DCR]

You mean to fill in the reps on the 165?

Anyway, enjoy the party. It’ll probably be both corny and fun. I recommend alcohol. In this context and generally.

Joking. Kinda.

Fixed it. Thanks.

Another blow to my social prowess; I am not a big drinker.

My joking (and personal conduct) aside, you’re much better for it. Shit leads nowhere positive, particularly in the context of this community (notwithstanding Jamie Lewis’ insane rants to the contrary). I’ve spent a not insignificant amount of time trying to come up with something with which to replace it (I generally dislike cannabis), and a similar amount of time contemplating the fact that I feel the need for substance-based relaxation.

[Renascent]

But that was part of what was driving me to despair- too many eggs in one basket. But no other baskets interest me outside of brief proximity-triggered interactions.

For your midlife edgy teenager goth phase.

::nods::

Can relate.

I hope you find yourself pleasantly surprised -- and enjoying yourself -- at the murder party.

[broseph]

4/17/23

Bench 260x5, 295x3, 325x3@9

Incline DB Bench 75x4x12, OT 2:30
I was treating these more like a competition lift than a hypertrophy exercise, and getting no pump or soreness despite making weight and rep gainz. Today I focused on keeping my elbows at 45°and moving the dumbbells in more of an arc. Pump and burn achieved at the expense of fewer reps = #winning.

Chins +50x3x8, 1x6, OT 2:30
Same as above. Today I focused on "squeezing" myself up to the top instead of "launching." Not sure I've ever felt an upper back pump before. I like it.

Inverted Row, 2 sets to failure with 2:00 rest;
19, 12

[Renascent]

So, uh ... how'd it go?

[DCR]

Incline DB Bench 75x4x12, OT 2:30
I was treating these more like a competition lift than a hypertrophy exercise, and getting no pump or soreness despite making weight and rep gainz. Today I focused on keeping my elbows at 45°and moving the dumbbells in more of an arc. Pump and burn achieved at the expense of fewer reps = #winning.

Chins +50x3x8, 1x6, OT 2:30
Same as above. Today I focused on "squeezing" myself up to the top instead of "launching." Not sure I've ever felt an upper back pump before. I like it.

Did flyes like this today, because I was afraid that any non-intentional movement would tear everything. (Yes, with 25 lb DBs, judge me.) Chest is sore as shit. I’ve “realized” dozens of times over the years that this is how assistance work (or any lift, for bodybuilding purposes) ought to be done, but I always fall out of it after two weeks trying to chase numbers about which absolutely no one cares. I think often on how I’m so disciplined in so many areas of life, and yet can’t ever commit to just fucking lifting weights the right way.

Anyway, if you like that upper back pump, try taking half your usual barbell row and, instead of keeping the bar close and pulling into your stomach, let it hang out away from your legs and pull straight up to your chest. A few deliberate sets of 8-12 will give that uncomfortable yet awesome pump.

I kinda think that’s how all raw benchers should row but I never stick to it because see above.

Also:

So, uh ... how'd it go?

[broseph]

@DCR and @Renascent;

The murder mystery party was actually pretty fun. It was a little awkward, but in a very disarming way; you could embrace the character you were supposed to play and let loose. And when it comes to social situations, I love having an objective- so any type of game is super helpful to get me out of my shell. I don't know if I mentioned it or not, but my wife also went and that was obviously a huge help. We even went to a secondary location with a few of the party goers for extra drinks (I only had one, lol).

The host was someone I know from work, and his enthusiasm for that type of stuff was infectious, so that helped. He's also super into D&D, and I'm considering trying a campaign since I love RPG video games, min-maxing, and objective-based social interactions.

Maybe my midlife goth phase is actually a midlife nerd phase?

[broseph]

4/18/23

Press 135x5, 155x3, 170x7@vastus lateralis cramps

Upright Row 95x3x12, 1x16, OT 2:30

Supersetted OT 2:00;
Incline DB Curl 30x4x13
French Press 108x4x12

[DCR]

Good times

Great to hear! Glad it was cool.

Maybe my midlife goth phase is actually a midlife nerd phase?

Midlife? Way ahead of you.

[Renascent]

Good times

Great to hear! Glad it was cool.

What he said.

It's always a pleasant surprise when there's a good payoff to stepping outside of one's comfort zone. A relative of mine participated in a virtual variation of a murder mystery gathering awhile back; seemed like a worthwhile experience for her, socially.

None of my coworkers are that cool.