No.13's training.

I've got my gym induction tomorrow at 1. Followed by a meeting with some head architect honcho at the Uni straight after. So should get the blood moving round my legs hopefully.

Nope no problems, bar poor fitness and being weak But I can work on that. Baby steps and all that.

Journal

I've got my gym induction tomorrow at 1

Make sure you know how to use the abductor machine safely

Team "Show Pony"

"...those aren't the roids you're looking for..."
"...those aren't the roids I'm looking for..."

Well, that was £11.70 well spent.

PT: "Have you used all the equipment here before?"

Me: "Yes"

PT: "Ok well I'll let you just get on with it then"



Fair enough I suppose What a great job he has!

Anyway, so had 40minutes in my new 'gym' today.

1km Row on Concept 2
1km Stationary bike
1km Jog on Incline
1km Row on Concept 2
Few sets on the machines to stretch out my arm, shoulder press, row, pulldowns. Arm coped pretty well and felt better than if I just rested it.
1km Row on Concept 2


So, pretty nice session to just get the heart pumping. Some absolutely A...MAZING girls in there today, didn't know where to look. They've also got a pretty good strength room setup. About 2 squat racks, 2 power racks, smith machine, incline bench and a few dumbbell benches. As I'm only PAYG  I dont think I'm allowed to use it, though it wasn't very clear and may get away with the odd visit.

Journal

Sounds like you have had an insight into what my job entails no point wasting time telling someone what to do when they know. Even when they don't know they rarely listen.
 
You can't use the strength room due to being a PAYG user - that's weird, it's just for contracted members?

However, there won't be any foxy ladies in there I suspect

Limits, like fear, are often just an illusion: MJ 12/9/09
My journal

You work at a gym DV? That I never knew!

TBH I much preferred it this way than the usual awkward type induction where you can see they're trying so desperately to remember themselves what each peice of equipment does. The guy seemed to know his stuff though so must have taken one look at me and used his better judgement I'm quite the upstanding citizen afterall

Re: foxy ladies, the exact thought crossed my mind! The only thing I could use the room for is deadlifting I suppose, otherwise Id lose my chance to perv. I wasn't told I couldn't use it, afterall, he said he'd let me use it today, but he said it's only reallllyyy for full members, as if he was after a sale. We'll see next time.

Journal

Good to hear you're back training mate! I'll be checking out the uni gym on sunday i think, hopefully the kits half decent! Training on campus will be a million times more handy than having to treck out to the city centre instead.

Yes mate, I work in a sports centre and my 'area' is the gym. It's a very small college facility tho. Like you say tho, nothing worse than having to go thru a full induction when you are hearing nothing new and just want to get on with it

Limits, like fear, are often just an illusion: MJ 12/9/09
My journal

Good to see you're back at it bro. Hope recovery is quick

Thanks Keenan buddy.

DOMS from those squats have only just bloody subsided. Been bloody awkward well.

On another note, I've pulled out another 2 stitches! Different colour, shorter but thicker. I'd imagine these would be dissolvable ones but I was told I didnt have any? Been trying to contact someone at the hospital to find out what actually got put into my arm but with little success. ****ing disgusting, and ****ing useless.

I've also had problems with the skin surrounding the scar, have had a constant rash for the last couple of days. Though I think this may be down  to using E45 cream,which I've stopped now, and bought some OTC anti-histimes.

Journal

If the DOMS have passed, you must be ready for another session then!

Sounds frustration with the stitches etc, mate. I guess the boredom of not being as active only compounds the annoyance you are experiencing

Limits, like fear, are often just an illusion: MJ 12/9/09
My journal

Bench + Row this evening possibly. Maybe tomorrow afternoon as I've got a lot of work to catch up on after spending the weekend with the missus.

I can lockout my elbow now with only minimal discomfort so Ill post later with how I get on.

Journal

Don't force it tho, mate

Limits, like fear, are often just an illusion: MJ 12/9/09
My journal

I can lockout my elbow now with only minimal discomfort

Good news.
Is the rash from where your dressing was?

Team "Show Pony"

"...those aren't the roids you're looking for..."
"...those aren't the roids I'm looking for..."

Yeap. But also where I applied E45 cream and a 'sleeve' too. Had it been a reaction to the dressing I would have experienced the rash sooner surely? Which is why I think it was E45 or perhaps a showegel? It's only on my forearm and nowhere else.

After abit more googling it sounds like Contact Dermatitis and so will try and get my hands on some hydrocortisone cream.

Journal

16/02

BB Bench
40kg x 10
60kg x 10x8

BB Row
40kg x 12x5


Weight felt really uncomfortable on the wrists to begin with. However now pain today which is good.

Journal

Yeah, I guess that sounds about right, I had a shocking reaction to the waterproof dressing though. I used anthisan cream and that worked .....eventually.

Team "Show Pony"

"...those aren't the roids you're looking for..."
"...those aren't the roids I'm looking for..."

It must feel good just to be getting the movements down now, regardless of the weight.

Limits, like fear, are often just an illusion: MJ 12/9/09
My journal

glad to see things are still improving mate, you must be itching to get back amongst it!

20kg to go.

Thanks for the posts guys.

I've been away most of this week due to one thing or another. Arm is getting much better now, however the rash seems to be working its way around my body. I've got some killer pills from GP and some hydrocortisone cream which is keeping the inflammation/itching at bay.

Did go for a short 25min 'run' the other day, nearly killed me. I've really been struggling with my asthma since the op too so I've got yet another checkup in a couple of weeks time to reassess and look into possibly trying out albuterol.

Journal

Treated my body to another 30minute session. I'm so bloody unfit.

21/02

DB Shoulder Press
15kg x 10
20kg x 10
20kg x 10
20kg x 10
20kg x 10

DB Side Raise
5kg x10
5kg x10
5kg x10

DB Row
20kg x 10
30kg x 10
30kg x 10
30kg x 10
30kg x 10

BB Curls
bar x 10
bar x 10
bar x 10


Nice sensible session. Squats tomorrow, cardio tuesday, and we'll take it from there.

Journal

22/02

Squat
40 x8
60 x 8
80 x 8
80 x 8
80 x 8

Goodmornings
40kg - 3x10

Flat Bench
40 x 10
60 x 10
75 x 8
75 x 8
75 x 8

BB Curl
bar - 3x10

Supersetted With

Upright Row
25kg - 3x10

Weighted Situps
+10kg - 2x10


Squats really hurt, both my legs and my lungs. The bar was also aggrievating my rash on my back which made it even more enjoyable.... I've taken some 'before' pics this morning along with some measurements. I'll take some more in about 8weeks time, when I'm hopefully back firing on all cylinders.

Journal

The bar was also aggrievating my rash on my back which made it even more enjoyable....

Every time you do something like this, you "win" over the other idiots in the gym who skip workouts for one reason or another 

Strong work bro

Cheers buddy. Means so much more coming a crazy powerlifting mooseman

Hopefully I can add 5kg or so each session without my body throwing a hissy fit. Should be back on form in no time *touchwood*

Journal

As you said,mate, 'sensible' that's the right approach. Everything you are doing now is setting yourself up for when you are fighting fit. Keeping the body moving, keeping in the groove with the lifts. It's all helping for when the big day(s) arrive.

Limits, like fear, are often just an illusion: MJ 12/9/09
My journal

Good to see your getting back into it mate.

Woohoo we have training again

Whats the bodyweight been like, much change since the op?

Cheers guys.

AK, probably low 90's now. Less muscle and more fat though
I'm sure I'll sort it out soon enough though. Back on a reasonably decent diet again as of yesterday. £70 Tesco delivery coming tomorrow so my cupboards will be fully stocked

Journal

80's are plenty to ease yourself back in on the squats; a few weeks of building the reps on that and I reckon you'll be amazed as the strength starts to come back in a rush.

Team "Show Pony"

"...those aren't the roids you're looking for..."
"...those aren't the roids I'm looking for..."

Building up the reps? I wasn't planning on going any higher!

However, I shall stop being a wimp and work upto 12/15's. I've always struggled/hated high rep squats so no point in avoiding them. I know they're a form of cardio in themselves- which I need. I know they destroy the core - which I need. And I know in the long run they'll help my 1-3RM - which I want

Journal

Had a mate over wanting to use my weights tonight and go for a beer so I had a short session to shake off some DOMS. Nothing major, just enough to get the blood moving.

Front Squat: 20/40/50/60kg x 5
Back Squat: 70/80kg x 5, 90/100kg x 3
Flat Bench: 20/40/50/60/70/80kg x 5
T-Bar Row: 20/40/50/50kg x 10

Arms healing up nicely

Journal

I honestly think building the reps up to 12-15 on 80 first is a good idea. It's not as though it is going to take very long and I think you'll be surprised at the carryove strengthwise from doing this when you go from 80 x 15 to 100/120+. Same thing worked for my benching when I was recovering from surgery.

Team "Show Pony"

"...those aren't the roids you're looking for..."
"...those aren't the roids I'm looking for..."

I shall heed your advice Jedi. A man who can squat 180kg when constantly ill has my attention. I'll give them a bash Friday I think.

Complexes or Cardio today... May be worth checking up on the lovely girls at the gym

Journal

The gym bunnies proved to be too big a lure.

1.35km jog on slight incline
2km row
4km stationary bike
650m jog on level 10 incline to finish (just to take the running upto a nice round 2km).

I had to physically lift my legs out of the footstraps of the rower. Times on all equipment was pretty crap, however something I'll aim to beat next time.

Journal

You had a mate over who wanted to 'use your weights' and 'have a beer' LOL good PWO protocol

Tidy session tho. Agree with Jedi. You can also use the time to do work that forces a lighter load anyway, such as box squats etc which may help work out some weaknesses

Limits, like fear, are often just an illusion: MJ 12/9/09
My journal

That's Uni for you The beers were also preceeded by a whole host of quarter squats too!

I did have some oats/whey/milk PWO and left it abit before the beer, which was only 2 cans of kronenbourg. Was snowing outside outisde so didn't fancy a beer run.

I think either tomorrow or Friday I'll have one more full body routine before 2days rest and following a slightly modified 'TonyStarks Generic Four Day Split' (http://www.muscletalk.co.uk/m96584.aspx).

Day 1:
Flat Bench 3x8
Flat DB Bench 3x8
Flat DB Flies 2x10
Incline BW Pushups 2xMAX
BB Curl 1x12/10/8/6/4
Hammer Curls 2x8
Seated DB Curl 2x10

Day 2:
Back Squat 1x12/10/8/6/6
Front Squat 4x6
RDL 1x12/10/8/8/8
Goodmorning 3x8

Day 3:
Military Press 1x12/10/8/6/4
1 arm DB Press 3x6
DB Lat Raise/Front Raise Supersets 2x10
CG Bench 3x8
Skulls 3x8

Day 4:
T-Bar Row 1x10/8/6/6/6
BB Row 1x10/8/6
DB Row 3x6
Upright Row 1x12/10/8/8/8
(chins once my forearms upto it)


****me it's alot of volume I know. But it's something I've never really done so may as well give it a bash.

Journal

Volume is fine so long as you adjust the loads accordingly, and for now while the weights are down it shouldn't be a problem - not til the end of the session anyway

Limits, like fear, are often just an illusion: MJ 12/9/09
My journal

Too tempted to get stuck in. Enjoyable session. I dont think I've ever done so many sets for chest (and especially biceps). Let's hope the way of the bodybuilder will add some meat to my frame.

25/02

BB Bench: 3 warmup sets then 3x8 @ 80kg
DB Bench: 3x8 @ 25kg
DB Flies: 2x10 @ 10kg
Incline Pushups: 2x10

BB Curl: 20kgx12, 25kgx10, 25kgx8, 30kgx6, 35kgx6
Hammer Curls: 2x8 @ 10kg
Seated DB Curls: 2x10 @ 10kg


Done and dusted within 45mins. BB Bench took abit of effort, but other than that, all weights to be increased next week. Result.

Journal

Perfectly respectable weights, all things considered. Nice one. You'll be back in no time.
 
How's it all healing up now

Limits, like fear, are often just an illusion: MJ 12/9/09
My journal

Thanks mate. It's abit frustrating, but suppose my aim for the time being isn't going to be on strength, so at least it won't be a direct comparison so to speak.

The last couple days the redness is beginning to disappear (I've also been using Bio-Oil) and rash hasn't got much life left in it I don't think.
However aesthetically, I'm not 100% convinced. Got a hospital appointment next month which I've rescheduled, to see if it changes/stretches abit more.... we'll see.

On a side note, for the past year or so I've been betting online "for fun" on rugby games. Only £1 here or there, but built up a nice little savings of £35. I don't really think I've got an addictive personality but while procrastinating and avioding my dissertation, I found their 'low stake online roulette'. I got upto £55!

.....And you know what, ****ing lost it all! Gutted to say the least, more because of my stupidity more than anything . Live and learn ey.

Journal

cant beat volume training mate!  be interesting to see how you get on with it

BODY TEMPLE  GASPARI & SYNTRAX rep.
My journal
Biomechanics coach