This weekend kinda sucked. I was sick. But such is life. I think it had to do with my eating though… I was a bit under my calorie goal. Even my goal was lower than I should have gone. Thanks to my buddy Kuh, I got a nice calorie calulator that lays out my goals for amount of protein, carbs and fat to intake as well. I’m back on top!

So to get this out of the way real quick, as far as my workout goes — still seeing increases across the board. My weighted standing press is pretty challenging now though. Ugh. I had a slipup with bench pressing this last week too, but that might have had to do with my calorie intake. We’ll see tomorrow how that goes.

What I really wanted to talk about is a couple sources of new inspiration. I’ve been pretty damn vocal EVERYWHERE with what I’m trying to accomplish, pretty sure my friends are getting sick and tired of it. Hahahaha. But you know, it keeps me going, so I’m hoping that they’ll put up with it ;) First off, the other day I was chilling in Turntable, and a internet buddy of mine drops by. I happened to have him added on facebook, and he’s been following my progress. What I didn’t know, was that once upon a time he was in the same boat. He was where I am at now. He’s currenly where I WANT to be. It was inspiring talking to him. Especially about how I will feel at the end of the journey. It just makes me excited. I feel like I’m on the right track, and I’m starting to get some pretty awesome support. Then thre’s Kuh. She convinced me to switch gyms, and I’ve been working out with her since the beginning of Feb, when I started Stronglifts. We seriously sit and talk about working out and eating right just about every day all day at work. That’s just a kind of support you can’t ever buy. Thanks :). Then.. Sarah. She’s awesome. Calls me every workday at 6am to get my ass out of bed. While I admit, somtimes I go back to sleep, I’ve been making it a point to stay up more and more and more. This is helping my cardio. Got up and went for a good run this morning. Woohoo :) She’s amazing for looking out for me like that, and it pushes me even farther. She’s been crazy busy and still finds time to do this for me every morning. Don’t know what I’d do without you. As far as goals go, Serpy plays a huge inspiration for what I want to be able to list. It’s because of him alone I haven’t completely stalled out on the standing press yet. Don’t worry bud, I’ll be right on your tail soon enough. Muahahaha! Then there’s Randi and Brian. Some friends Kuh and I made at the gym. Randi is the queen of unsolicited but SUPER AMAZING advice. Thanks for not being afraid to just walk up and give me some constructive critisism. Both you and your husband have made things much easier on me. My form has improved a TON. :)

Last but not least, all the friends that put up with my non-stop talking about fitness. That’s all of you following here on tumblr included for sure. I love the support I’ve been getting, and without everyone mentioned, I wouldn’t be going strong like I am.

It’s my meditation, for serious. Any problems I have? Pop in a couple of tunes that are relevant to the situation and it just sucks the venom right out. So good.

I got 6 weeks left of this program. I’d be a week or two further, but I missed a couple workouts here and there. It feels awesome though. I dig this program more than anything I’ve done before. The gradual but steady increase in lifting has helped to keep me motivated, as well given me a boost in self esteem. I didn’t start with much, but it’s starting to look impressive. I’ve lost about 15 lbs straight up (I haven’t been measuring body fat or my actual inches, but that changed this week), in addition to noticing some significant muscle gain (My shoulders and quads especially)

This week will be a challenge. I have to accurately log all my food for the next couple of weeks. If I rock this and keep up, it will become the norm. It’s what I want. I plan on staying more heavy on the protein, and since I’m taking a new suppliment (Redline Black on Blue), I’m going to give Intermittent fasting another go.

Here’s for hoping!

Let’s compare this week’s to my first week’s results. Keep reading!

This week:

Barbell Squat:

• 65 lb x 10 reps (+42 pts)
• 105 lb x 10 reps (+55 pts)
• 135 lb x 10 reps (+68 pts)
• 155 lb x 5 reps (+66 pts)
• 155 lb x 5 reps (+66 pts)
• 155 lb x 5 reps (+66 pts)
• 155 lb x 5 reps (+66 pts)
• 155 lb x 5 reps (+66 pts)

Barbell Bench Press:

• 95 lb x 10 reps (+59 pts)
• 135 lb x 10 reps (+77 pts)
• 155 lb x 5 reps (+75 pts)
• 155 lb x 5 reps (+75 pts)
• 155 lb x 5 reps (+75 pts)
• 155 lb x 5 reps (+75 pts)
• 155 lb x 5 reps (+75 pts)

Pendlay Row:

• 95 lb x 10 reps (+44 pts)
• 115 lb x 10 reps (+51 pts)
• 140 lb x 5 reps (+51 pts)
• 140 lb x 5 reps (+51 pts)
• 140 lb x 5 reps (+51 pts)
• 140 lb x 5 reps (+51 pts)
• 140 lb x 5 reps (+51 pts)

First week (Feb 6th):

Barbell Squat:

• 45 lb x 10 reps (+25 pts)
• 45 lb x 5 reps (+17 pts)
• 45 lb x 5 reps (+17 pts)
• 45 lb x 5 reps (+17 pts)
• 45 lb x 5 reps (+17 pts)
• 45 lb x 5 reps (+17 pts)

Barbell Bench Press:

• 65 lb x 10 reps (+38 pts)
• 65 lb x 5 reps (+25 pts)
• 65 lb x 5 reps (+25 pts)
• 65 lb x 5 reps (+25 pts)
• 65 lb x 5 reps (+25 pts)
• 65 lb x 5 reps (+25 pts)

Bent Over Barbell Row:

• 65 lb x 10 reps (+21 pts)
• 65 lb x 5 reps (+14 pts)
• 65 lb x 5 reps (+14 pts)
• 65 lb x 5 reps (+14 pts)
• 65 lb x 5 reps (+14 pts)
• 65 lb x 5 reps (+14 pts)

Fun stuff first, then the workout talk. So, as I was starting my lifts — this song came on. Lyrics were comical, given the fact I was in the middle of gettin’ my swole on:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3KU03-jyug

Also, this song has been stuck in my head. Ah life, why?:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UVNT4wvIGY

So in less then a month, I get my new tattoo — pretty stoked about that. It’s going to be of a sparrow perched upon an apple blossom. Might seem odd, but there’s definitely a purpose behind it. Got an artist coming in town for the tattoo convention, and praying he has room for my tattoo.

Okay, heading into week three, after Saturday — I’ll be a fourth of the way done, for the math resistant. I’m excited to see my progress!

I accidentally jumped ahead in weight for squats the other day by about 10 lbs, but I’m thinking I’ll live. Here’s what I discovered so far:

• I’m doing my overhead presses COMPLETELY wrong. Holy shit. I’m spending all this week practicing my form.
• With my current belly, doing normal deadlifts is a little tough — as far as not arching my back. Took to sumo deadlifts rather well though. Sticking with those.
• Cardio has been hard to keep up on. I’m always too damn hungry by the time I finish my workout. May have to go back to morning cardio again.
• Intermittent fasting isn’t working out too well. I think I might not be taking enough calories this way. Switching back to 6 small meals a day.

So here’s my workout just for today. I love deadlifts day! I want to lift ALL the weights!

Kobeer earned 871 points for:

• Barbell Squat:
  • 45 lb x 10 reps (+37 pts)
  • 45 lb x 10 reps (+37 pts)
  • 85 lb x 5 reps (+41 pts)
  • 85 lb x 5 reps (+41 pts)
  • 85 lb x 5 reps (+41 pts)
  • 85 lb x 5 reps (+41 pts)
  • 85 lb x 5 reps (+41 pts)
• Standing Barbell Shoulder Press:
  • 65 lb x 10 reps (+54 pts)
  • 65 lb x 10 reps (+54 pts)
  • 80 lb x 5 reps (+51 pts)
  • 80 lb x 5 reps (+51 pts)
  • 80 lb x 5 reps (+51 pts)
  • 80 lb x 5 reps (+51 pts)
  • 80 lb x 5 reps (+51 pts)
  • This was freakin hard today :/
• Sumo Deadlift:
  • 85 lb x 10 reps (+38 pts)
  • 85 lb x 10 reps (+38 pts)
  • 115 lb x 5 reps (+40 pts)
• Pendlay Row:
  • 65 lb x 10 reps (+36 pts)
  • 65 lb x 10 reps (+36 pts)
  • By accident…
• Plank:
  • 75 sec (+26 pts)
  • 45 sec (+15 pts)