Driven2Lift Battles Gravity, One Plate at a Time

Driven2lift

Driven2lift

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It's been a long while AM.

Time I get back into more than recipes on my pages.
Just launched my new IG account driven2lift, recipes will all be on Whey2Bake.

This will be a mashup of:
Meals, nutrition
Training, log
Supplement Science talk
Supplement review/log as I go
Daily randomness
Anything you guys have to ask

Why did it take you so long?

Skip this section to the next bold if a long story will bore you.

Not too long after joining up here my life took a few bad turns. It used to be a taboo topic with me (depression) but I'm comfortable with it now, I'm all for using my experiences to help out any other member here who is having a rough time, ever. Just ask here, PM, email, anything.

Strait to it,
I fell ill on what should have been the best week of my life. On my honeymoon (in Cuba) my liver began to fail. My kidneys struggled with chronic and acute onset pitting edema my first day there (almost 30 pounds of fluid overnight, before eating anything there). We later determined that I also had damage to my pituitary gland. That resulted in me needing synthetic hormone replacement (pituitary makes most of your testosterone, not your testes)
It is also why my thyroid hormones fell off,
And my antidiuretic hormones (hence the edema)

To this day the best theory is that the pituitary went first, possibly on the flight.
They've scanned every inch of me now, 2-3 times each lol.
2 internal medicine specialists, a cardiologist, nephrologist, 2 GP's, a gastroenterologist, and one of the best endocrinologists in the country.

Between the hospital and bedrest I spent over a year on disability and still struggled to train through a newly developing chronic pain issue.

My deadlifts will probably never get to where they were with my back pain. Partly my own choosing, as I refused opiate and strong narcotic pain medications. I use low dose hydromorphone, only as needed.

With a now scarred liver and past addictive tendencies (alcohol) I won't risk it.

Anyways, next up my marriage fell apart.
I don't know if I blame her; she signed up for something other than a disabled and depressed partner. I ruined what should have been the best time of her life too.

Life, like gravity, can hold you down; but if you fight back long enough you can adapt and come out stronger.

I figure it can only get better from there, right?


Now

I'm medicated back to full functioning other than the pain (mostly both upper/lower back)

I am working a new job 10 hour shifts at ungodly hours making cakes & desserts, I train 6 days a week as soon as I get home. Home gym is the only way I find time right now.

Which is fine, home gym has grown to:
-Weider basic 4-sided station
-Smith Machine
-Bench
-Treadmill
-Stationary cycle/Rowing Machine
-Dumbells 3-60
-OLY Plates for days haha
-Standard bar loaded with my comfortable deadlift max (even belted my back feels it)
-Pullup Bar
-Belts
-Resistance Bands

Still looking to add more

Stats, Goals

Weight-182
BF% - 14-15%
Deadlift- Low, I don't 1RM this ever, I stick to volume and slow weight jumps. I'll get there.
Squat- 315
Bench- 260

Recently gained another few pounds as the new job was getting bad on my joints. Always achey when I'm low BF%

Goal is to maintain for fall, lean growth would be welcome.

Routine

Compressed and Customized PHAT

-Heavy Legs
-Hyper Posterior Chain
-Heavy Chest, accessory
-Hyper Legs
-Heavy Posterior Chain
-Hyper Chest, Accessory
-OFF-

(Repeat)

My hypertrophy days are similar to a GVT lift, 10x10 gets thrown in a lot


Diet

Maintaining on 2350 calories,
185-220g protein daily
Carbs and fats vary but my average day is about:

200p, 255c, 70f



Follow along and help keep me Driven AM
 
Driven2lift

Driven2lift

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Dinner Tonight was interesting,
Jana stopped for our Taco Friday ingredients and she grabbed a boxed kit on sale...

=the 1/2 size wraps

IMG_1474065509.487895.jpg


Lol couldn't fit a damn thing on them but I had 5 and a shake to hit some macros

Sour cream, taco spiced chicken, lettuce, tomato, red onion, texmex cheese, mango salsa, jalapeno hot sauce seeds in
Then struggle to close

Other training notes...

-I don't program any direct bicep work, though I do program chin-ups which I guess is bicep-heavy

-I always belt for deadlifting anything over 150

-I would say my biggest weakness is obviously my back.

-At 182 I am 7 pounds heavier than my typical off season, 175 is a "good while still healthy" look for me. I turned a lean bulk into a pure bulk recently lol.
 
jswain34

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Bud...hydromorphone is a narcotic.

With that said, your story is crazy and you're a huge part of the forum here, so I'm subbing in on this! Im glad you're finally feeling slightly back to normal and coming to terms with and adapting from the huge pile o' **** life through at you.
 
Woody

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Ooo boy Dilaudid. That's the good **** lol
 
Driven2lift

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Hydro is way less than I was recommended, I chose poor phrasing. its just starter dose 10mg and I only use them when I absolutely need to. Some days now I can go with none at all

Nothing addictive about them to me
 
Driven2lift

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Welcome bros!
 
Woody

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Hydro is way less than I was recommended, I chose poor phrasing. its just starter dose 10mg and I only use them when I absolutely need to. Some days now I can go with none at all

Nothing addictive about them to me
I'd chose Dilaudid over morphine 10/10.

Pro Tip: don't chase back pain. You'll end up dosing more to catch up. I didn't want to use pain meds after surgery and it took a while to finally get relief where as a half dose or so could keep it at bay.

Also had no withdrawal no dilaudid vs morphine fwiw
 
Driven2lift

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Also Luna's Birthday today so of course she gets a present, she turned 3!

IMG_1474069496.457438.jpg


Today was heavy PC, but I'll start the log tomorrow as I've taken longer online tonight than anticipated, family time!
 
FireTitan

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Dude, bad times for sure, but you've done the hardest part. Moving on. Dont know you but proud of you, and I find it inspirational. For sure Im in here for the motivation and hoping to give some
 
Driven2lift

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Thanks to all who jumped on board, pre workout is down and heading to hit chest/accessory!

Off work today, place is closed on weekends for most positions, beautiful for me to actually sync up with my friends again here

I have a tray of "kitchen sink" protein krispies setting, swinging by the hospital later to drop those off and visit our friend. (Recently paralyzed, in recovery another month or so)

After that I'm honestly hoping to just crash and play the new Fallout expansion on XB1... But it's likely plans will come up. Alphamine will get me through haha
 
Jebrook

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Sorry to hear about your troubles bro. Life is a real b*tch sometimes. Only you can fix you but I'm in for support:).
 
RugbyBaller91

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Wow bro you've been through a hell of a lot man glad to see you didn't throw in the towel a lot of people would your a strong guy I'm def subbed
 
Hyde

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Wow bro you've been through a hell of a lot man glad to see you didn't throw in the towel a lot of people would your a strong guy I'm def subbed
You never find out how much gut you really have til you have to truly strain harder than you ever have to keep moving at all. That goes for lifting and life.
 
Driven2lift

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Alright plans did arise, went to the fair!
Rained all night but that will just mean shorter lines for us we don't mind

IMG_1474162823.985211.jpg


While there we stopped off for some Bavarian Beer Nuts, one of the better booths, been here for years and everyone here waits for it annually. Grabbed classic, chocolate, and cajun

IMG_1474162890.202000.jpg


Lift was solid, I named it super bro day as it is chest hypertrophy and accessory

IMG_1474162795.108479.jpg


It feels good to be comfortable with my self image again.
That being said I'll never take offence yo a critique. If you have a suggestion for me speak up!
I'm not looking to compete in any foreseeable future, I'm after happy, healthy, confident.

Hyper Chest/Accessory:

Supersets have 60 second rests between movements.

Active Warmups, 2 minutes

Superset 1
Dumbell Flies - flat: 12, 12, 12
Rear Delt Raises: 12, 12, 12

This gets me well stretched out and ready, opposing motions to fully warm up my shoulders as well.

Superset 2
Decline Press: 12, 12, 12
Side Raises: 12, 12, 12

Pyramid Flat Bench Press
(2 minute rests between these)

155x 12
180x 12
205x 12
230x 10- had to rack and breath at rep 8
245x 4
230x 8- to failure
205x 10
180x 12
155x 12

I like to rep up to my 3 rep max here, I hit 4 today so soon I'll be bumping the weights

Finisher superset
Dumbell Incline press SS with Pullups, 30 seconds rest between, 5 rounds

A Day well done all and all
 
RugbyBaller91

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You never find out how much gut you really have til you have to truly strain harder than you ever have to keep moving at all. That goes for lifting and life.
That's why I love it! Wifey always complains about me going downstairs to lift blah blah just spend time with me this and that lol and I just look at her and say I could have a different hobbie like smoking crack haha
 
RugbyBaller91

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Alright plans did arise, went to the fair!
Rained all night but that will just mean shorter lines for us we don't mind

View attachment 140346

While there we stopped off for some Bavarian Beer Nuts, one of the better booths, been here for years and everyone here waits for it annually. Grabbed classic, chocolate, and cajun

View attachment 140347

Lift was solid, I named it super bro day as it is chest hypertrophy and accessory

View attachment 140345

It feels good to be comfortable with my self image again.
That being said I'll never take offence yo a critique. If you have a suggestion for me speak up!
I'm not looking to compete in any foreseeable future, I'm after happy, healthy, confident.

Hyper Chest/Accessory:

Supersets have 60 second rests between movements.

Active Warmups, 2 minutes

Superset 1
Dumbell Flies - flat: 12, 12, 12
Rear Delt Raises: 12, 12, 12

This gets me well stretched out and ready, opposing motions to fully warm up my shoulders as well.

Superset 2
Decline Press: 12, 12, 12
Side Raises: 12, 12, 12

Pyramid Flat Bench Press
(2 minute rests between these)

155x 12
180x 12
205x 12
230x 10- had to rack and breath at rep 8
245x 4
230x 8- to failure
205x 10
180x 12
155x 12

I like to rep up to my 3 rep max here, I hit 4 today so soon I'll be bumping the weights

Finisher superset
Dumbell Incline press SS with Pullups, 30 seconds rest between, 5 rounds

A Day well done all and all
Look good no homo and your numbers are great bro ps. Yals fair looks ten times nicer than ours lol your lucky if you don't get tetnis at ours lol
 
Driven2lift

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Thanks a lot all!
<3

Always know I can feel at home here on AM

Legs are up today, as are some Tuxedo Protein Krispies

IMG_1474233712.641089.jpg


Wait until you see the slice cut out
 
Driven2lift

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Oh and just to get some American envy:

IMG_1474234234.539454.jpg


This is my stash getting low
GNO you have a reserve as well?
 
Hyde

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Dang that's some tasty looking treats! And I can get ephedrine over the counter here in IL, thankfully. When I'm having allergy issues like today nothing helps training more than one lil HCL tab stacked onto my usual White Flood. Just opens everything up some and the extra horsepower is appreciated when the allergies make me a little draggy.
 
Driven2lift

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Definitely^
I will occasionally do the same through winter

Right now I'm using none but come spring I'll be back on 2-3x a day almost strait through to the end of summer

Stack right now is
Ergonine
High Volume
Alphamine
Orange Triad
Orange Oximega
Protein

On odd days I may use up a sample, scoop a different pre, etc.

Basics until I add ABE for winter, maybe something new to try
 
Hyde

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How long do you run ABE? I've only used a bottle one time long ago and don't recall noticing anything. What is it really? Seems like it's marketed somewhere between a GDA and natty anabolic.
 
Driven2lift

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I'd wager its partitioning ability is a big part of the natural anabolic effects. It is marketed as a natty anabolic. With cistanche in play it also carries many hormonal benefits, and just strait up preferential partitioning to lean mass once you factor Forskolin and Anacyclus

The hunger is even more notable in the newest version as carmaf is saying, definitely

I would run 8 weeks to really gauge it
 
Hyde

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But would 12 weeks be better? I have never needed a hunger boost, but jw.
 
FireTitan

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Ummmmmmm, I saw protein Krispies. Im gonna need someone to forward that recipe, in detail to me.
 
Driven2lift

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^just landed on all my media pages, headed to the baking with whey thread here soon too

On another note, small refeed after legs yesterday (late update coming)

IMG_1474316376.953918.jpg


Gourmet popcorn is pure win for refeeds.
Can find low fat options, and the food volume is great for the cals.
This bag was about 500 cals
 
Driven2lift

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Sept 18. Heavy Legs:

Active Warmups:

5 minutes between hydraulic stepper, knee-ups, jumping jacks, weightless lunges.

Goblet Squat:
90x 15 - 3 sets, 2 minutes rest

Sumo Squats:
135x 10
180x 10
225x 10

Weighted Lunges:
10m "laps" with 50lb dumbells
Done slowly for a stretch and a burn, never near failure.

Standard Squats:
(Break length det. By heart rate, 1-3 minutes)

135x 10
180x 10
225x 10
-Belted up, lower back getting tight
250x 10
275x 10
300x 4
275x 6 -legs on fiyaaa
250x 8
180x 10 (full depth + pause for final set)

Repeat Active Stretch

Smith machine calf raises:
3 sets - 225x 20

Leg extensions SS with Lying Leg curls:
3 rounds of 12 reps each

My aim with these is just bloodflow and pump to finish off the lift, never to failure.

/legs.
 
Driven2lift

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Sept 19: Hyper PC

Active Warmups:

Jumping Jacks, reverse pushups (pull yourself up to a fixed bar while horizontal)

Warmup Deads:
120x 12 - 3 rounds, 2M rest

Chin Ups & DB Rows Superset:
10 chin-ups after each set rows
40x 15
45x 15
50x 15
40x 20

Deadlifts: All belted, rest 2-3 mins
120x 12
145x 12
145x 12
170x 10 - painful, but same as ever
170x 10
145x 12
120x 12

Smith bent over Rows:
100x 10
135x 10
160x 10
135x 15

SLDL:
145x 10 - 3 sets

Sorry for the random weight increments, I have a lot more 25's than 45's at home.

Didn't plan on sharing my DL numbers but there's a glimpse of my curse

IMG_1474323559.577634.jpg


At least it was done in style haha
 
Jebrook

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Sept 19: Hyper PC

Active Warmups:

Jumping Jacks, reverse pushups (pull yourself up to a fixed bar while horizontal)

Warmup Deads:
120x 12 - 3 rounds, 2M rest

Chin Ups & DB Rows Superset:
10 chin-ups after each set rows
40x 15
45x 15
50x 15
40x 20

Deadlifts: All belted, rest 2-3 mins
120x 12
145x 12
145x 12
170x 10 - painful, but same as ever
170x 10
145x 12
120x 12

Smith bent over Rows:
100x 10
135x 10
160x 10
135x 15

SLDL:
145x 10 - 3 sets

Sorry for the random weight increments, I have a lot more 25's than 45's at home.

Didn't plan on sharing my DL numbers but there's a glimpse of my curse

View attachment 140427

At least it was done in style haha
You're looking fit and strong bro! Great work. Any comparison photos on how far you've battled back to good health?
 
Driven2lift

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You're looking fit and strong bro! Great work. Any comparison photos on how far you've battled back to good health?
I deleted a lot of my past photos but I like the idea of getting some up here if I can find them

There will be a 15-20 lb. weight difference as well though, leading to my wedding I was pretty lean.
Then depressed me got fat.
& Now I'm feeling good again


Scrawny 2012
IMG_1474324945.085031.jpg

IMG_1474324975.001494.jpg



Bulked too much, training fell off due to health
IMG_1474325026.312430.jpg

IMG_1474325129.679261.jpg


Starting to feel good
IMG_1474325155.209478.jpg



Consistency = 99% of the battle

I stick to my macros, refeed as I feel it's needed, and I think I've missed only 2 scheduled lifts this year.



I do have legs lol, relative to my frame at least.
Once I get better at the selfie thing I will toss in front/back leg shots as well
 
Jebrook

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I deleted a lot of my past photos but I like the idea of getting some up here if I can find them

There will be a 15-20 lb. weight difference as well though, leading to my wedding I was pretty lean.
Then depressed me got fat.
& Now I'm feeling good again


Scrawny 2012
View attachment 140429
View attachment 140430


Bulked too much, training fell off due to health
View attachment 140431
View attachment 140433

Starting to feel good
View attachment 140434


Consistency = 99% of the battle

I stick to my macros, refeed as I feel it's needed, and I think I've missed only 2 scheduled lifts this year.



I do have legs lol, relative to my frame at least.
Once I get better at the selfie thing I will toss in front/back leg shots as well
Wow. Way to rebound!
 
Driven2lift

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Muscle memory exists 100%

I made huge strides fast when I was able to hit the gym again

+ I needed to eat more.

I was definitely a novice in those initial photos, just training to pop abs
I weighed 165 (162 was my lowest weigh in)
 
Driven2lift

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I will weigh again soon but last checkin was 182
 
Driven2lift

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I'd like to think it's all muscle ;)

Definitely had a bit of a pump in the photos too

I've been up and down in weight a few times but my last cut stopped at 170. I think I'd look solid at 175 right now.

I have my log books since 2010 and monitor long term progression, I've been moving steadily in the right direction
 
booneman77

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In! Had to catch up since someone didn't bother to tag anyone

Incredible ups and downs and not just the weight. I'm another one who has yo yo'd up and down in weight (40-50lb) used to be my standard summer to winter swing ha)... that's. itching compared to the life battles tho. As hard as a solid diet is, life can be way nastier any day of the week.

You're looking better than ever tho so kudos to you for the hella hard work.

Also, I'll trade a few lbs off my deads for some of your bench haha
 
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Late to the fiesta. Glad everything seems to be back on track after some rough patches. Progress is coming along nicely
 
Driven2lift

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How to tell if Jana used my laptop last:

IMG_1474403080.658605.jpg


Lol
 
RegisterJr

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Subbed and all caught up. Looking good Dylan
 
Driven2lift

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Subbed and all caught up. Looking good Dylan
Glad to have you on board brother



My A/C is now officially turned off, Lucky you guys will get to see a Canadian winter in the snow belt of SW Ontario as the log continues.
(Nothing new to a few of you though)

I also have a chunk of family in Darthmouth, Nova Scotia that I will share some photos from for your amusement.
If you've never seen Canadian East Coast winter photos... It will shock you these places still operate at all.

Anyways I just wrapped up legs after another 10-hour shift essentially standing still all day. Not great on my joints, which is rare they bother me.
I'm going to grab some Genoflex but if anyone knows a trick to lessen the discomfort from standing in a fixed position all day... Lemme know

I'll write up yesterdays and todays logs soon, I'm all pen/paper when I lift. I see a lot of guys logging it into their phone between sets when I'm at the local gym but that's not for me... I'd definitely get distracted and lose focus as I got texts/whatever. Stays in the locker
 
Hyde

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Ballin' geriatric shoes or at least badass inserts, like the most primo ones you can get. I have very small arches and adding some Dr. Scholl's to my steel-toed work shoes back when I was a mechanic was a lifesaver. Pain and fatigue lessened significantly.
 
Driven2lift

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Sept. 20

Heavy Chest/Accessory:

Active Warmups, 2 minutes

Superset 1
Dumbell Flies - flat: 12, 12, 12
Rear Delt Raises: 12, 12, 12

Superset 2
Decline Press: 12, 12, 12
Side Raises: 12, 12, 12

Pyramid Flat Bench Press
(2 minute rests between these)

155x 12
180x 12
205x 12
230x 10
245x 4
260x 1
245x 2, 2
205x 10
155x 12

Superset 3:
Arnold Press SS with Pullups, 30 seconds rest between, 3 rounds

Smith Seated OHP:
125x 10
180x 6 -3 rounds

Front Raises:
20x 12 -3 rounds
 

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