Motivation /Tracking Thread

[R1psycho]

Currently I'm sitting at 237, slowly leaning out and getting more vascular. Still chasing my beginning of year goals. I haven't had the desire to go heavier than 500 on deads, bench is coming along, still far away from my goal by year end. Just been progressing slowly to avoid injury.

[Big A]

It very well may be an issue of weak supporting muscles, but I've honestly not been wanting to push anything lately with those movements, thinking it's something more permanent. The other side of the coin is that I know what I'm able to do to keep up strength, but then again, what's that worth if my core is being neglected almost completely.

I've spent several decades in one frame of mind (get big and strong), and it's hard to think away for that. Even my dieting plan is in line with that, it's hard to let go, until the body forces it, as apparently it has.

[KBScobravert]

I found good mornings and straight leg deadlifts helped my lower back pains go away when doing squats and regular deadlifts.

[SS Junk]

You don't think doing them for reps instead of weight would help?

[Big A]

Not anymore, heavy squats and deadlifts used to be a staple, but I've stopped them completely as not to do any further damage. I'm stuck doing extra sets of relatively light extensions and curls.

[SS Junk]

Do you dead lift?

[Big A]

You ever having issues with the leg you broke?

Not in regards to training or cardio, but I do the elliptical because of the lower impact to the knees and such. I have run plenty in the past though, and didn't have any problems with the broken leg, even as a 255lb fat fuck.

What's killing me these past few years is my lower back, it's constantly at some level of sore, and I haven't done squats or leg sled in a while. It's worse after working around the house all weekend than it ever was after leg day.

[SS Junk]

Running is not for me. Messed up my MCL. My brother-in-law is a marathon runner and thinks the reason is due to heal strikes. I had no idea WTF that was until I looked it up and sure enough I could see my feet way ahead of me when I would run. Bad juju for a 240lb fat fuck. Didn't realize there was technique to running.

I hit a milestone over the weekend,

You ever having issues with the leg you broke?

[Big A]

I hit a milestone over the weekend, so I thought I'd post up an update, and share what's working. I finally got back below 220lbs, and the net loss to this point is 36lbs, with my end goal being 200lbs.

The biggest change for this latest cut has been working out first thing in the morning, which has been helping two-fold. First is the fact that I lift first and then do 40 minutes on the elliptical, so I'm doing fasted cardio with all glycogen depleted, as I only have a pre-workout (C4) beforehand. Secondly is that I'm not able to get to bed any earlier because of the baby, so it's hard to get up in the morning, which makes me a lot les likely to eat junk that will work against me.

I'm averaging less than a pound per week lost, but I'm also not losing any strength, which has always been the first thing to make me derail my diet, nor am I ever feeling super restricted at the dinner table. I'm not in any hurry anymore, Tanya tells me not to lose any more weight actually, but I can say that it is rather frustrating to have come so far, and still see the extra 20lbs to go.

A big motivating factor that keeps me going at this point is how much easier I move today, and I look forward to getting that much more capable of chasing a toddler around, and eventually supporting whatever outdoor activities will come down the road. I'm also looking forward to sleeping in again at some point.

[davbrucas]

Gotcha.

The ranger school prep program is just that. Lots of running and endurance things.

You know what you need to focus on...if you could have passed the PT test then you'd be well on your way to battalion to await a slot in Ranger School. Don't fuck up your second chance if you get one!

[SS Junk]

Weight is slowly coming off. Started at 275lbs and now down to 238. Has taken 2.5 years, but haven't lost any strength as of yet. Also have been a few bumps in the road where weight was gained back, but whatevs...

[D. Lil]

I think what he is saying is, being a beast won't get you through the humps. Big muscles need more oxygen and that means more cardio to move them...maybe.?. Work on endurance at low weight heavy reps above 15-20 for 4 or 5 sets. Work on your core and lower back. A weak lower back and core isn't going to support your spine and adding rucks to your back make it worse. Protect your lower back and spine as much as you can. Older you, will thank younger you, later in life.

Exactly. Still lift, just put the emphasis on rucking and running. Like you said it will suck no matter what but being a PT stud will make it that much easier.

[Big A]

Yep, size and low rep strength will absolutely murder your stamina, as it's not all that cardiovascular in nature. Training for one works against you for the other. Keep your rep ranges higher, 12-16, and eat for lean energy.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using Tapatalk

[Probie]

I think what he is saying is, being a beast won't get you through the humps. Big muscles need more oxygen and that means more cardio to move them...maybe.?. Work on endurance at low weight heavy reps above 15-20 for 4 or 5 sets. Work on your core and lower back. A weak lower back and core isn't going to support your spine and adding rucks to your back make it worse. Protect your lower back and spine as much as you can. Older you, will thank younger you, later in life.

Gotcha.

The ranger school prep program is just that. Lots of running and endurance things.

[KBScobravert]

I think what he is saying is, being a beast won't get you through the humps. Big muscles need more oxygen and that means more cardio to move them...maybe.?. Work on endurance at low weight heavy reps above 15-20 for 4 or 5 sets. Work on your core and lower back. A weak lower back and core isn't going to support your spine and adding rucks to your back make it worse. Protect your lower back and spine as much as you can. Older you, will thank younger you, later in life.