The Return of the jedi-This is not Sparta. This. Is. Madness.(now incl. Race to 100kg OHP)

Mate, that post about last nights training made me crease up!!!  I miss training with someone LOL!

Current avi 246lb
Prep Journal http://www.muscletalk.co.uk/RACK-Leeds-UKBFF-2012-m4666355.aspx

I've got two of 'em to deal with though
SAFFA karate was me telling Jackman about feeling I'd bruised the bone, kind of clavicle meets acromion process (i.e. just behind my front delt) doing the front squats and was I meant to have the bar that far back. Ding stepped in to illustrate correct place for the bar;
"You want it to sit just yee-er." whilst chopping meaty paw directly into the bruised area.
FFFFFFFFFFFFfffffffuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu....I thought I was going to faint

In other news my bulk attempt continues to go from bad to worse.
Attempts to eat my way out of the stall in weight gain are not going well. I am now having to surrender on the milk front. I've gone regular-lactose reduced-goat's milk but now none of them seem to be agreeing with me so will have to go milk free for a bit. Fkksake, it's tricky to bulk when all you seem to be doing is eliminating edible foodgroups. On the other hand if digestive issues ease it might mean I get more out of the stuff I can eat.

Team "Show Pony"

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

Did you say you suffered from coeliac mate?  Sorry if not but it seemed to ring a bell.

Thought this might help you with some ideas
http://www.mealplansite.com/medical-coeliac.aspx

Current avi 246lb
Prep Journal http://www.muscletalk.co.uk/RACK-Leeds-UKBFF-2012-m4666355.aspx

Bah... don't talk to me about digestive issues... half of the stuff I eat still comes out 30mins later, at least it's semi-solid now /win

As for getting the calories in.... nuts! peanuts, hazels, almonds, peanut butter and so on.

I usually put 30-50g of ground almonds into my shake at night, adds about another 300kcals alone. Maybe worth a try?

Journal

Obviously you'd be eating more than the above though lol

Current avi 246lb
Prep Journal http://www.muscletalk.co.uk/RACK-Leeds-UKBFF-2012-m4666355.aspx

At WHAT point did I give you the impression I'd like to see MORE Jedi.....hmmmm? Boys.....tsk....

Anyhoo....I miss training with someone else too, if only for the comedy value...although I get my Liz fix on a Friday, which gets me through the weekend!

Perhaps I should advertise for candidates vis a vis partnerage?

My competition journal: http://www.muscletalk.co.uk/Diamante-Warrior-AmazoniaChoosing-Your-Battles-Wisely-m2398177-p149.aspx

Rack, yes mate coeliac although technically undiagnosed as I won't do the 10 weeks back on gluten for the blood test and also it is confirmed by the toe eruption thing anyway. The diet sheet looked good mate.

No.13 I started the nuts yesterday mate, great minds etc.
'Course unkind folk may read more into the fact that I seem to tolerate both nuts and bananas conspicuously well.

ChrissieG you mentioned 'vertically challenged', have you learnt nothing from Cheryl Cole's discourse on;
"...too much of anything can make you sick."

Team "Show Pony"

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

jedi

No.13 I started the nuts yesterday mate, great minds etc.
'Course unkind folk may read more into the fact that I seem to tolerate both nuts and bananas conspicuously well.

Journal

Back n bi's last night, no deadlifts as legs and back are still shattered from Friday legs. Hopefully this will pay off for powerlifting on Thursday

Chins
12-10-8
Still not hyper-extending at the bottom but now lowering slowly to just above that point then trying to hit an explosive rep. Felt quite good/hard.

Hammer Strength High Pulldown.
120kg x 12-10-8
Like this machine and have missed it to be honest.

Close Grip Pulldown
77kg x 12-10-8

Oly Curls
50kg x 9-7-5

Incline Db Curls
14kg x 14-12-10
First time I've thought about going heavier

Seated Curl
35kg x 11-9-7

Wanted to vid these as a form check. Turns out I'm doing them pretty good, much better than the last time they were video-ed. I do NOT feel the need to go any heavier on that though will just keeping working up the reps and form.

Calves
70kg x 12 x 8 sets Pumpppppp

We all did impromptu weigh-in after the workout and found I was a pound up!??? Just around 12-7 with my shoes on but last time I used the gym scales I was definitely a pound less. So there is still hope for the bulk. In fact, Jackman and Ding form an alliance and stage a boardroom coup of jedi industries, deciding that I shall continue doing what I'm doing re the lean bulk not just until Xmas but for some weeks after, or I hit 13stone in fairly good condition. I would be delighted to hit 13st in this condition but think it unlikely to be fair. Course a pound or two on each calf would take care of most of it.

Team "Show Pony"

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

Daz like startling whites slightly take attention off near perfect form....and yes, think the weight was about right (going by facial expression)

Still at the calves....good show. Mine are positively WEEDY in comparison to ahem...some ladies...but am fearful of bulking them too much...as would really nause up my boot wardrobe as most of them barely fit me as it is!

Have mentioned the FABBA abba....challenge to Liz. mwuhahaha and can confirm that we WILL be videoing the spectacle on Friday. Of course, whether said video actually makes it to the screen is totally dependent (bearing in mind we are girlies) HOW we look whislt doing moves!! Although last weeks unladylike weighted hypers that made me look like Kate Bush on gear found their way on here!

 

My competition journal: http://www.muscletalk.co.uk/Diamante-Warrior-AmazoniaChoosing-Your-Battles-Wisely-m2398177-p149.aspx

I'll try and video the lifted tucks tonight but it is indeed the kind of thing that has to visit the editing room before being released to the public. It is hard to balance making likelihood of crash landings quite high and then there is the question of the facial grimacing
They are ab-solutely the best thing for abs though.

Team "Show Pony"

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

Yes, they are indeedy doody HARD......and after the Roman Porn ab move I have planned.....followed by Pass the Ball.....jeez....things will get errrr....interesting

My competition journal: http://www.muscletalk.co.uk/Diamante-Warrior-AmazoniaChoosing-Your-Battles-Wisely-m2398177-p149.aspx

jedi

Wanted to vid these as a form check.

yeees, of course you did.
and you posted the vid so we could "check your form" too.

what size are them thar gunz anyhow?

SQ:230 BP:160:) DL:250 OHP:120

I am shocked that you would doubt my scientific motives

If you compare to the first seated curl vid, the angle of the back of my upper arm remains fairly constant in this one whereas it was being driven back/more vertical on the negative portion of the rep in the first vid. Which is how it should be, preferably even stricter than in the latest vid.

I was planning more pics and vids to brighten up the place but you've made me go a bit shy now. Will dust off my 'burka for men'.

Team "Show Pony"

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

Shoulders

Seated Dumbbell Press
3 sets upgraded from pitiful to merely poor

Standing Lateral Raise Superset
4 different pairs of 'bells -2 sets of

Rear Delt Standing Cable
peg3? x 12-12-12

Arnold Press/V-Press Superset
24kg/16kg
12/12
10/10
8/8



Abs
Dragon Flag
8-4-3

Lifted Bench Tucks
video may follow as no-one seem to know what they are

Getting a bit better on the seated dumbbellsthink the key to success is getting them balanced. Probably no coincidence that the least balanced arm is the dicky shoulder, it probably lacks some stabilisation from whatever structure is on the blink. The fact that they are getting better might be a good sign. I say 'better' but this is relative, Jackman and Ding are fairly close to killing that exercise due to extreme reps on the heaviest 'bell in the gym. It was a masterstroke to do the rear delts before the press superset as shoulder pump was immense. We all managed the 16's even so so, well....I think we all know what that means for next week.

It was awards night last night and I handed out the
Awarded to
The least
Worst
Athlete
This month ......trophy.
winner......M.Jackman.
The awards committee were impressed by his consistency, his refusal to succumb to the month long cold and managing to increase performance despite weekend benders. Good stuff, captured with great pic.
The race is on for November.

Team "Show Pony"

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

I like the above vid jedi, im gonna have a go at doing the curls like that. I usually do them with my back against the wall so it is just my arms working but i think it would be better seated like that. My biceps never bloody grow!!
Nice facial expressions

Hello my friend, I see you're back again.

Damn I'm so disappointed in that video hahaha

Nice work Jedi

Cheers guys.

Powerlifting tonight, really did not want to go. I know I say that a lot but have been suffering a lot of pain over the last couple of days (long, not to mention boring, story) and wasn't sure it was the best move. I just can't resist it though as it tends to be a good laugh.

Squat.
50-90-130-150
170 x 3 belt n wraps (first flying solo next two with minimal spotter)
Pleased with those. All with good depth and legs feel strong, will try 180 again(but deeper) next week.

Bench
50-70-110
140 x 3 (minimal spotting)
130paused x fail
125paused x fail
Again pleased, not much input on the 140 first couple more guided reps of the kind I was going to do on 130 so 140 was a bonus, especially as there was no sudden failure from the shoulder. Not too worried about the paused fails as I gave pretty much everything I had on the 140 set.

Deadlift
70-130-180
210 x fail
210 x fail
Odd you might think going back for another go after a fail. However, the first x on 210 was just crazy. Never moved it but had the crazy notion of something being 'not quite right' rather than 'it's too heavy'. I sort of confirmed this by going again and making exactly the same ricketts of it However, my failure was not in vain as due to my incessant moaning about my setup Jackman notices something. He puts failure down to jedi attempting to lift both bar and jedi clear of the floor in direct contravention of law of gravity. Advises me to bin the Rippetoe setup method in favour of gripping bar with legs bent and shuffling in to place you want to lift/feel comfortable. Interesting. He fails his 240. However we were both not wanting to finish on a fail. I went back to 190 and tried his method and it felt goooooood. He lifted 200 and also felt a bit better, ....manuoevring/psyching kicks in as he thinks a shot at 230 might go. I tell him if he makes it, it is likely the sort of thing which will see him retain his A-TWAT trophy. He lifts it
...damn
It is deemed that a success at 195 for me would also score good points and so in to bat I go again. Used his setup and once again it felt good and up she went. If I can just perrrrleeeeasse remember wtf I was doing next week I am really excited at the difference it might make. First real breakthrough on deads in months.
Didn't keep me in front on trophy points though as he went back and redid his bench thus shading the session.

Team "Show Pony"

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

Oooo just spotted Mr Jackmans linky ....hahahaha...there's ALWAYS two sides to every....story....soooo

Oooooo I can see what I'll be reading in the hairsalon later this morning!

Well done for attending powerlifting for the obviusly insane sesh even though in aggers, Mr Jedi. Shows mucho grit and determination.

And.....thank you for yesterday......that fire escape was bloody nippy noodles....

My competition journal: http://www.muscletalk.co.uk/Diamante-Warrior-AmazoniaChoosing-Your-Battles-Wisely-m2398177-p149.aspx

ChrissieG

And.....thank you for yesterday......that fire escape was bloody nippy noodles....

jedi air traffic control talks another stricken plane to safe landing.

Speaking of avoiding crash landings; here is the vid of the bench tucks and if you watch closely, I have a bit of a moment a few tucks in; disaster very narrowly averted by skillful pilot. I know they don't look like anything much but before anyone points and laughs, you should give them a try but prepare for ab pain and crash landings.

Team "Show Pony"

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

DAMN!!!  I can't see the vid here at work.

As for the seat db press.  I find getting my grip on the db's first essential.  After that, a big swing up and I'm set.

Current avi 246lb
Prep Journal http://www.muscletalk.co.uk/RACK-Leeds-UKBFF-2012-m4666355.aspx

Yeah, absolutely right about getting the right grip on the dumbbell, I've worked out that mine wors best with hands jammed right to the front of the grip. If I don't do this or get one slightly out then spotter starts to look very nervous

Team "Show Pony"

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

jedi

Bench

140 x 3 (minimal spotting)

this is a worrying development....

SQ:230 BP:160:) DL:250 OHP:120

daKensta

jedi

Bench
140 x 3 (minimal spotting)

this is a worrying development....

I wouldn't worry too much just yet.
I will be delighted if the shoulder continues to improve and feels as solid as it did on that set; pushing with both shoulders working was definitely more fun. However, whilst I can imagine working into feeling a bit more comfortable at 140 I still have the feeling of 140+ being too heavy, in the same way that a few months ago I was getting to the point that 130 felt comfortable but anything more felt im.poss.ible. Hopefully this will pass. It had better as I fear jackman is good for 145 this week and may be looking at a dash at 150 before Xmas. I feel as though I am at least a month of good work behind him thanks to having to backtrack the last few weeks with sudden shoulder malfunction syndrome.

Team "Show Pony"

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

Last night's legs was a triumph of sanity.
I think we were all still feeling the effects of last week's work, with sore back backs hamstrings etc. But bearing in mind we all did heavy squat at or close to PB level Thursday we still managed to shift a fair bit of work last night.

Leg Ext.
8 sets working down the stack for decent reps

Front Squat -no plates under heels
50-80-90-110
120PB
Pleased to make the PB although felt weird without the plates. It makes it a bit harder to judge the depth and a bit harder to hold the bar which, if you check back to last week's vids, I was already making a meal of. I think there may be a bit more in the tank yet and 125 doesn't scare me although 130 does a little bit. Massive bruise behind front delt but I have a cunning plan for next week to make it a bit more comfortabubble.

Back Squat - trying for slow reps to depth
50-90-120
140 x 3
150 x 3
160 x 1.5
I got a little bit cocky on the 160 and wanted to see just how low I could take it. I took it down to the catchers
...and left it there whilst I had a nice sit down to think about things.

Vids
140 x 3


150 x 3


Frame grab of the depth

Team "Show Pony"

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

Worrying obsession on the frame grab....but I see the scientific interest value....

Whats the cunning plan for avoidance of shoulder ouchiness??  Im always looking for solutions....currently resorting to wrapping my sweat top round the bar...which is not a vair effective comfort displacement solution...the pipe lagging having the shelf life of an over ripe banana...

gym does have the big ole padded strongman yoke thing....but Im too shy to actually use the thing, plus it shifts the weight to further behind me.....and lets face it, I dont actually need any more weight in that region...

Interesting removal of plates too.

My competition journal: http://www.muscletalk.co.uk/Diamante-Warrior-AmazoniaChoosing-Your-Battles-Wisely-m2398177-p149.aspx

good depth on the 'grab, but why no vid of you falling on your arze?

SQ:230 BP:160:) DL:250 OHP:120

ps

SQ:230 BP:160:) DL:250 OHP:120

daKensta

good depth on the 'grab, but why no vid of you falling on your arze?

I think I had a premonition of disarzter as it wsn't filmed. Actually filming might have saved me as it tends to buck your ideas up a bit knowing you are being recorded for possible youtube humiliation.

Chrissie - I am going to chop the jedi squat protector in half as I don't need anything for back squats with the new lower bar position. I should then be able to position the two bits at the point of my collarbone without adding any thickness to the bar in my throat region On paper it is potentially genius. We will see how the plan survives encounter with the really real world.

Team "Show Pony"

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

Depth looks perfect Jedi

Slow squats are horrible feeling haha

Bench
105 x 12 (inc some spotting last couple)
105 x 10 (ditto)
paused reps
100 x 5
80 x 3
bailout-grow balls-back for another couple

Incline 'Bells
34 x 11/12/10
Experimented with higher incline to make it a bit more difficult as the bells are a bit light. Middle set was back to lower posn. and it was definitely easier.

Decline Flying
20kg x 10/9/8
Slower reps

Skulls
30kg x 8 plus 8 close grip
30kg x 8 plus 8 close grip
30kg x 12 plus no close grip
Am starting to be convinced to push the skulls reps n forget the close grip

Rope 1 Arm Pushup
?x 8/10/10

plus calves

Good session even though I didn't hit the 105 quite as well as I'd hoped. It was okay and don't really see the need to repeat next week so am pressing straight on to 110. Jackman now pressing 10reps on 120 and looking mighty strong so I need to up my game. Course upping your game not the easiest manoeuvre when you are in lip-biting agony My back is tormenting me again, worse luck.
I ordered some MSM in a fit of optimism at the supplement companies marketing material last week and I am hoping it might do something
...when it finally gets here

To finish on a more positive note my shoulder is definitely getting a bit better with the resistance band work I've been doing and survived the increase in bench fairly well. I should probably take note re my back and start a remedial program for that rather than relying on snake-oil.

Team "Show Pony"

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

Sorry not popped in for a while mate, had a few things going on.  Looooooong story LOL!

Depth looks spot on the money with the squats.
The msm will help, but make sure you keep taking it.  I stopped last week and my elbow has flaired up again.  It'll take about a week to start working.

Current avi 246lb
Prep Journal http://www.muscletalk.co.uk/RACK-Leeds-UKBFF-2012-m4666355.aspx

Good benching matey, even if it wasnt what you were after.

Am I right in thinking MSM is some sort of anti-infammatory?

Journal

Rack, no worries mate.
13, it is an alleged anti-inflammatory/cure-all which I wouldn't ordinarily hold much hope for but have read a couple of studies showing some effectiveness, plus it didn't cost the earth.
On the other hand it is still not flaming well here yet!

In other news, forgot to mention that all my efforts at eating more resulted in a 1lb loss at last night's weigh-in which delighted me tremendously. I won't panic just yet as the scale has been creeping forward in the a.m. so am hoping it was just a glitch.

Team "Show Pony"

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

the extra food might have boosted your metabolism buddy

Current avi 246lb
Prep Journal http://www.muscletalk.co.uk/RACK-Leeds-UKBFF-2012-m4666355.aspx

Dude, just clicked on that link in your sig thinking it was your mates training blog....

What the hell?!?

Journal

No.13

Dude, just clicked on that link in your sig thinking it was your mates training blog....
What the hell?!?

Sorry about that mate.
I've tried to edit the sig. to include the caveat (not training related) but it wont let me. Your eyes will heal in time

Rack: hope so mate

Team "Show Pony"

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

Back n bi's

Chins
12-10-8
Gone back to doing these hyper-extending at the bottom as shoulder seems a bit better and they are definitely better for lat. recruitment.

Hammer Strength High Pulldown.
120kg x 12-10-8

Close Grip Pulldown
77kg x 12-10
84kg x 8

Oly Curls
50kg x 10PB -6-5

Incline Db Curls
16kg x 11-10-8
First time on that weight

Seated Curl
35kg x 11-9-7
Felt soooo heavy after the increases above

Calves
84kg x 12 x 6 sets

Pleased with the curls and the fact that I was the only one who made it in, thereby winning massive bonus points for this month's trophy race. On the downside, I now feel as rough as f*ck and distinctly 'odd' ....which is pretty darned odd for me to notice.

Team "Show Pony"

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

Indeedy fine curling there.....not so fine about feling'odd'..although I seem to manage feeling odd on a daily basis with little ill-effect.

Vis a vis Mr Jackmans blog, I happened to find it entertaining....he is vair easy on the eye....

My competition journal: http://www.muscletalk.co.uk/Diamante-Warrior-AmazoniaChoosing-Your-Battles-Wisely-m2398177-p149.aspx

ChrissieG

....not so fine about feling'odd'..
Vis a vis Mr Jackmans blog, I happened to find it entertaining....he is vair easy on the eye....

Not to worry I've tracked the 'odd' feeling down to
...pain.

As for Jackman being easy on the eye
...you wouldn't believe how many trophy points that just cost him.

Team "Show Pony"

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