Hyde’s Strength Odyssey

[Hyde]

4/22/25

4 min Assault Bike
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dog
SS Stretch
Hacksquat warmups

Paused Squat, Giant Cambered Bar
85 2x5
175x5
+belt
265,315,355x2
360x5,3

KB One-leg RDL

Deadlift
45,135x8
185x5 nope

Reverse Hyper
90,180,230x20

Back is just not getting better; seems like it’s getting worse. Was getting some pain on the paused squats if I set it too hi bar, but then I started getting it on the second set of 360. I smoked the first set, but pain on the second had it quickly feeling max effort so I racked it.

The good news is I’m not generally in pain just living. I can pick up light things, 100lbs and such, no issue. But there seems to be an issue with any real sheering load. Not sure what the answer is, but not going to keep doing the same thing expecting different results. I have bench and the diet to focus on, and I can do more machine stuff for legs & back for now.

 

[Hyde]

Reverse Hypers also feel good as ever now that my stomach is shrinking; beginning to feel stronger on those paradoxically. So I will probably try to drive those as well. Again, I’m not in any general pain, so it’s not like I get any temporary relief from them. They’re just a posterior machine I can do safely it seems.

 

[SkRaw85]

Sorry man, the struggle is real, and fuggin constant! At the end of the day you still have your fam and bench, that’s all a guy really needs lol

 

[Hyde]

Sorry man, the struggle is real, and fuggin constant! At the end of the day you still have your fam and bench, that’s all a guy really needs lol

Lol yeah I mean I was definitely on a roll, so I know I can get it back - just flew too high too quickly. You start getting strong and pain-free and just want to let the throttle wide open. But I’m starting to think that’s almost never the right call, all-out.

You know when I got home from the gym I was looking at these little water pistols my son just got for Easter, getting excited to take him out in the yard so we can blast each other. He really is getting to be so fun! Yesterday we were doing these balloon punching bags and he was going wild

 

[SkRaw85]

Lol yeah I mean I was definitely on a roll, so I know I can get it back - just flew too high too quickly. You start getting strong and pain-free and just want to let the throttle wide open. But I’m starting to think that’s almost never the right call, all-out.

You know when I got home from the gym I was looking at these little water pistols my son just got for Easter, getting excited to take him out in the yard so we can blast each other. He really is getting to be so fun! Yesterday we were doing these balloon punching bags and he was going wild

They are a hoot! Enjoy every moment too. It’s cliche I know but this year the kiddo turned 10 and it was mind blowing lol.

 

[AnfoAjax]

Sorry man, the struggle is real, and fuggin constant! At the end of the day you still have your fam and bench, that’s all a guy really needs lol

Reminded me of this meme lol

 

[gphagan1]

Sorry you’re still battling the back issues when lifting. Sometimes back injuries are some of the hardest to pinpoint and know what to do. It is good you’re figuring out ways around it.
Glad to hear your wife is better, and enjoy the little guy. It’s always a blast when you get to play with your kids, and really as men we all tend to be big kids with the the things we enjoy. The toys just get more expensive.

 

[MrKleen73]

If anyone here can find a way to work through this and come out better on the other end I believe it is you. Just keep doing what you do and we will keep watching and learning.

 

[Hyde]

Thanks everyone!

View attachment 251295
Reminded me of this meme lol

Love it! Cracked me up.

 

[Hyde]

Decided to finally shear my upper body yesterday after a haircut & beard trim/shave.

Figured with us heading to the beach this Sunday evening, it’s as good a time as any to take the winter coat off. When I got done, there was a literal toupee’s worth of hair in the sink

When he saw me shaved, my 4-year-old said to me, “Oh Dad, you look so good!”

 

[Hyde]

BW 241.2 - Current Composition:

Not great, not happy with things, but they are continuing to improve with steady effort - and I am pleased with the progress I’ve been actively making these last 5 weeks.

 

[Dustin07]

for a white boy coming out of winter who just removed his protective coating, you already look tanned enough for the beach lol

 

[gphagan1]

BW 241.2 - Current Composition:

View attachment 251316

View attachment 251317
Not great, not happy with things, but they are continuing to improve with steady effort - and I am pleased with the progress I’ve been actively making these last 5 weeks.

Probably about 10 more pounds and your abs will start popping through, because the upper abs look like they are starting to come through now. I’m always impressed with your shoulders and traps……if you ever decided to go the bodybuilding route, you already got a great start on muscle fullness.

 

[sammpedd88]

for a white boy coming out of winter who just removed his protective coating, you already look tanned enough for the beach lol

That’s just redness from the clippers scraping across his skin…..trust me, I have the same hairy problem

 

[Dustin07]

Probably about 10 more pounds and your abs will start popping through, because the upper abs look like they are starting to come through now. I’m always impressed with your shoulders and traps……if you ever decided to go the bodybuilding route, you already got a great start on muscle fullness.

I was thinking the same thing which is crazy impressive at his weight/height!

 

[Hyde]

Things start looking pretty decent in the 220s a couple years ago. Not sure I have any interest in getting that low, but we’ll see.

 

[Hyde]

4/23/25
BW 241.2

5 min Incline Walk
Lat Pulldown warmups

NG Chin-ups
14,13,13

Hoist RocIt Mid Row
125,205x5
285x10
305x12

Plate-loaded Shrug Machine
90,180x10
270x6
+straps
360x15,17

CS Cable Low Row
50,60x20

Standing Calves
100x8+6+5+4 rest pause
45 sec stretch

GHR, 3 holes showing
2x10 RPE10

Hatfield Extensions on GHD
BWx12,25,25

Leg Extensions
45 4x25

Reverse Pec Deck
70,100x15
130x12

Just a bunch of bodybuilding BS. Also took a 25 minute walk at lunchtime.

 

[MrKleen73]

Looking like a solid and thick 241!

 

[Hyde]

4/25/25

McKenzie Pushups
2 min Assault Bike
Scap Pushups
ATG SS
Cat Camels
Band Shoulder, Tri, Lat warmup

Bench, powerbar
45x10
95x5
+doubled minibands
45,95x5
145,195,225,245,265,285,295x1 (20lb PR)

Bench, powerbar
225x3
265x6,6,6,3

Miniband Flyes
50

Had a big ham dinner last night for sister-in-law’s birthday in prep for this, took on extra salt as well yesterday & this morning - and felt really damn strong, accordingly. Easily made 2 fat PRs compared to a month ago, so shut it down out of common sense.

On that same topic, waved from 3x8 to 4x6 on rep work for safety as weights creep up, but on rep 3 of last set felt a sharp little twinge in my right pec so I racked it & called it good. Very minor, with zero discomfort since, but I am getting entirely too strong too fast while in a caloric deficit to be taking any chances. Muscle memory is real!

Mixed up gear for this week, going to 300/300 test/mast (probably over 8 days since I won’t be traveling with anything).

 

[gphagan1]

4/25/25

McKenzie Pushups
2 min Assault Bike
Scap Pushups
ATG SS
Cat Camels
Band Shoulder, Tri, Lat warmup

Bench, powerbar
45x10
95x5
+doubled minibands
45,95x5
145,195,225,245,265,285,295x1 (20lb PR)

Bench, powerbar
225x3
265x6,6,6,3

Miniband Flyes
50

Had a big ham dinner last night for sister-in-law’s birthday in prep for this, took on extra salt as well yesterday & this morning - and felt really damn strong, accordingly. Easily made 2 fat PRs compared to a month ago, so shut it down out of common sense.

On that same topic, waved from 3x8 to 4x6 on rep work for safety as weights creep up, but on rep 3 of last set felt a sharp little twinge in my right pec so I racked it & called it good. Very minor, with zero discomfort since, but I am getting entirely too strong too fast while in a caloric deficit to be taking any chances. Muscle memory is real!

Mixed up gear for this week, going to 300/300 test/mast (probably over 8 days since I won’t be traveling with anything).

Congrats on the PR….good call pulling back after feeling that twinge in your pec. Sometimes that’s the hardest thing to do, when the cycle has you going good and strong, and you have to pull back in to prevent any setbacks. But it’s like you say it’s always better to leave a little in the tank.

 

[akboom87]

Sorry to hear the back is still bothering you. Sounds like having a great time with the kiddo that is awesome!! Also man looking great at 241!!

 

[Hyde]

Thanks gang. Noticed today at the park I can feel a little something in that pec, like a 1/10 pain, when I flex it. So it definitely wasn’t a fluke or figment, & I’m extremely happy I racked it immediately to avoid a real issue.

Remembered I had a 5mg vial of TB500 in the freezer, so I’ve mixed that up and will administer half today/half tomorrow before leaving for vacation for a little insurance.

 

[Hyde]

4/27/25
BW 241.4 yesterday

6 min Incline Walk
One-leg RDL
ATG SS
Suitcase Carries
Glute Bridges
Bird Dogs

Trapbar Deadlift, low handles
60x10
110,110,150,200x5
250,300x3
+belt
335,370x3
400x5

Nautilus Hacksquat, feet low
+90,180,270,320x10
370x8+3 RP

Legpress
+270x10
360x15
450x20

GHR, 3 holes showing
2x12

45* Back Extension
2x30

Hoist Roc-It Pulldown
65,145x15
205,225x8
245x9

So turns out not trying to pull after squats already messed my back up, and using the Trapbar low handles to squat the weights with less sheer force, is totally fine on my back. Big win today, pulling an easy 5 reps from the floor with 400. Probably stick with Trapbar for a little and string together some pain-free productive training.

Really happy with this session! Building lots of things well.

Heading to the airport shortly for family vacation

 

[Dustin07]

Have a great trip!!

 

[gphagan1]

4/27/25
BW 241.4 yesterday

6 min Incline Walk
One-leg RDL
ATG SS
Suitcase Carries
Glute Bridges
Bird Dogs

Trapbar Deadlift, low handles
60x10
110,110,150,200x5
250,300x3
+belt
335,370x3
400x5

Nautilus Hacksquat, feet low
+90,180,270,320x10
370x8+3 RP

Legpress
+270x10
360x15
450x20

GHR, 3 holes showing
2x12

45* Back Extension
2x30

Hoist Roc-It Pulldown
65,145x15
205,225x8
245x9

So turns out not trying to pull after squats already messed my back up, and using the Trapbar low handles to squat the weights with less sheer force, is totally fine on my back. Big win today, pulling an easy 5 reps from the floor with 400. Probably stick with Trapbar for a little and string together some pain-free productive training.

Really happy with this session! Building lots of things well.

Heading to the airport shortly for family vacation

Nice workout…..glad the “easy” 5 reps at 400 didn’t mess with your back…..hope you and the family have a great vacation.

 

[SkRaw85]

4/25/25

McKenzie Pushups
2 min Assault Bike
Scap Pushups
ATG SS
Cat Camels
Band Shoulder, Tri, Lat warmup

Bench, powerbar
45x10
95x5
+doubled minibands
45,95x5
145,195,225,245,265,285,295x1 (20lb PR)

Bench, powerbar
225x3
265x6,6,6,3

Miniband Flyes
50

Had a big ham dinner last night for sister-in-law’s birthday in prep for this, took on extra salt as well yesterday & this morning - and felt really damn strong, accordingly. Easily made 2 fat PRs compared to a month ago, so shut it down out of common sense.

On that same topic, waved from 3x8 to 4x6 on rep work for safety as weights creep up, but on rep 3 of last set felt a sharp little twinge in my right pec so I racked it & called it good. Very minor, with zero discomfort since, but I am getting entirely too strong too fast while in a caloric deficit to be taking any chances. Muscle memory is real!

Mixed up gear for this week, going to 300/300 test/mast (probably over 8 days since I won’t be traveling with anything).

Nice big boy banded bench PR!

 

[SkRaw85]

And have a fun vacation man!

 

[Anabolic66]

4/27/25
BW 241.4 yesterday


Heading to the airport shortly for family vacation

Hope you all have a great time on vaca!

 

[MrKleen73]

Congrats on that bench PR, and I hope you and the family are enjoying yourselves!

 

[Hyde]

Thanks everyone! Trip was good; everyone had a nice time and it was pretty relaxing (as much as family vacation with a 4-year-old can be). Nice to just take a full week off work, put the phone down & disconnect somewhat. Didn’t read any emails or forum stuff. Pretty much spent the time at the beach, pool & eating on the shoreline with family.

Allowed myself quite a bit of liberty with diet, but I bought 3 tubs of plain fat-free Greek yogurt I kept in the refrigerator to supplement my intake over the 4 days gone. Between that and Lean GLP, did a good job enjoying myself without desiring to overconsume calories for my output (which was pretty high, as I was swimming a lot daily). Ended up losing a couple pounds! Weighed in at 239.4lbs this morning after some coffee had moved through me.

 

[Hyde]

5/2/25
BW 240.0 postWO

2 min Assault Bike
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Glute Bridges
Side Plank Activations
Shoulder Dislocations & Circles
BW Squats

Squat, Texas squatbar
55 3x6
121,165x5
209,253,297x3
+belt
330 2x3
363 2x3, 1x7

16” Boxsquat, SSB
65,155x5
245x3
265 3x12

Reverse Hyper
230 3x12

Had Friday off work to get back in the gym and get caught up on stuff like groceries & mowing the lawn. Didn’t do any training Mon-Thurs, besides some rear delts while I did a little mobility at the hotel gym Wednesday. Just used the active rest/swimming to heal the pec.

Decided it’s time to get back into lowbar squatting. Been so long that I really need to relearn some technique - especially since I’ve been losing the belly (which changes everything). Belt was fitting looser from last week as well, as I’ve lost a solid 10lbs now. Kept the loading to weights I can actually think through & focused on re-learning a groove.

 

[Hyde]

5/4/25

5 min Incline Walk
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Side Plank Activations
Glute Bridges

45* Incline DB Press
15,22.5,30,37.5,45x15
55 2x30

Rolling EZBar Skullcrushers
45x8
80x5
100 2x10

V-bar Cable Tri Pressdown
55 2x25

WG Barbell Rows
45,95,135x8
155,175x12

Incline DB Rows
60,65x15

Seated Calves
45 2x20 w/ paused stretch at bottom

Standing Calves
90 3x10

BB Shrugs
45,225x5
+belt & straps
315,365x3
415 2x15 PR

Reverse Pec Deck
50 3x35 w/ 60 sec rests

“You’ve got to keep watering that dream. But when it finally starts to happen for you, they stop laughing!”
-Les Brown

 

[gphagan1]

5/4/25

5 min Incline Walk
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Side Plank Activations
Glute Bridges

45* Incline DB Press
15,22.5,30,37.5,45x15
55 2x30

Rolling EZBar Skullcrushers
45x8
80x5
100 2x10

V-bar Cable Tri Pressdown
55 2x25

WG Barbell Rows
45,95,135x8
155,175x12

Incline DB Rows
60,65x15

Seated Calves
45 2x20 w/ paused stretch at bottom

Standing Calves
90 3x10

BB Shrugs
45,225x5
+belt & straps
315,365x3
415 2x15 PR

Reverse Pec Deck
50 3x35 w/ 60 sec rests

“You’ve got to keep watering that dream. But when it finally starts to happen for you, they stop laughing!”
-Les Brown

Congrats on the Shrugs PR…..you already have those Grizzly Bear traps, got to feed them shrugs every now and then.

 

[Dustin07]

Thanks everyone! Trip was good; everyone had a nice time and it was pretty relaxing (as much as family vacation with a 4-year-old can be). Nice to just take a full week off work, put the phone down & disconnect somewhat. Didn’t read any emails or forum stuff. Pretty much spent the time at the beach, pool & eating on the shoreline with family.

Allowed myself quite a bit of liberty with diet, but I bought 3 tubs of plain fat-free Greek yogurt I kept in the refrigerator to supplement my intake over the 4 days gone. Between that and Lean GLP, did a good job enjoying myself without desiring to overconsume calories for my output (which was pretty high, as I was swimming a lot daily). Ended up losing a couple pounds! Weighed in at 239.4lbs this morning after some coffee had moved through me.

My biggest fear is you decide you like the cut, become a body builder and leave us all in the dust you already have the build for it!!


Glad you guys had a good time, always good for the soul to deload the fake life and upload the real one. Hope the kiddo and momma bear are doing well too-

 

[Hyde]

My biggest fear is you decide you like the cut, become a body builder and leave us all in the dust you already have the build for it!!


Glad you guys had a good time, always good for the soul to deload the fake life and upload the real one. Hope the kiddo and momma bear are doing well too-

I could never be a good bodybuilder; genetically I always had a thick waist, but now after all the weight I’ve lifted my trunk tapes at something like 43” at the navel

I will definitely look like a cut down powerlifter, no doubt.

They are doing well. Wife is prepping for America’s Strongest Woman in July and my son is his usual crazy self!

 

[Dustin07]

Mark Bell is one of those guys who built a pretty shredded PL physique, IMO. I think he's a bit on the smaller skinnier side now but the dude definitely got cut and still held that PL look more than BB look

 

[Segansational]

Glad you had a fun trip! Remind us, where'd you go again? Always great to be able to take some real down time. It's kind of crazy that here in the US we rarely will take vacation, much less a full week. Meanwhile in Europe people take a month off at a time.

 

[Hyde]

Glad you had a fun trip! Remind us, where'd you go again? Always great to be able to take some real down time. It's kind of crazy that here in the US we rarely will take vacation, much less a full week. Meanwhile in Europe people take a month off at a time.

We went down to Fort Lauderdale area, specifically Hallendale Beach & Hollywood, FL. Never been down there, and overall I liked it more than Miami (which isn’t too far south of that), but where we stayed in particular was just too swanky & city for me. We waited too long and ended up in a really nice beachfront condo at resort that was valet parking-only. Which was nice, but I’m a little more into a beachfront cottage where you get some sand on the floor. I think I prefer the less bustle of northern Florida, where it’s not meshed into a big city.

Yeah, we were gone Sunday-Thursday, but I took the full week off work to actually take a 9-day break for once, and I think I need to start doing that more (stringing the weekends together for a longer break). I like my work, my coworkers, and my employer - but stepping away for a full week of downtime is important for restoration.

I think too many people in America, as a society, get caught up worrying about what they have or own - when they should be more concerned with how they spend their time & acquiring life experiences. They will take higher paying jobs they don’t like to work overtime to pay for more expensive things they don’t actually need, instead of having the freedom & time to find more balance in life by doing more of what pleases them.

It’s almost like people are conditioned to have car payments and house payments forever.

 

[Hyde]

5/6/25
BW 239.4 yesterday

5 min Assault Bike
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Side Plank Activations
Glute Bridges
One-leg Deadlifts

Deadlift, powerbar
45x10
135x6
225x5,3
275x3
+belt
275,315x3
335,345 2x3 each
355x3

4.5” Blockpulls
300 2x12 +straps on 2nd set

3” Sumo Blockpulls
275,295x10

Thoroughly pleased with today: everything felt heavy, but I was able to pull on a barbell without pain. So now I should be able to keep stringing more pulling together that will get easier as my brain takes the governor back off with continued pain-free work.

Rest of the accessories will be done tomorrow night.

 

[Dustin07]

We went down to Fort Lauderdale area, specifically Hallendale Beach & Hollywood, FL.

I have never been to Florida, how was it cost wise? I mean you dno't have to tell me what you paid, just curious if it felt expensive. did you guys drive? I know you tend to put the miles in rather than fly at times. I have looked at Florida many times but it's so far away that once I figure in flights and expensive places to stay I usually find its less expensive and a shorter flight for me to go to Mexico. Florida is on my list though...

I think too many people in America, as a society, get caught up worrying about what they have or own - when they should be more concerned with how they spend their time & acquiring life experiences.

I read that the stages of wealth are:

1. you mow your own lawn
2. you pay someone to mow your lawn
3. you mow your lawn.

I feel like this is relevant. I'm growing to really appreciate simple joys like feeding my fish and watching the wild rabbits out in the yard.

horoughly pleased with today: everything felt heavy, but I was able to pull on a barbell without pain.

that's great news, maybe break did you some good!

 

[Hyde]

I have never been to Florida, how was it cost wise? I mean you dno't have to tell me what you paid, just curious if it felt expensive. did you guys drive? I know you tend to put the miles in rather than fly at times. I have looked at Florida many times but it's so far away that once I figure in flights and expensive places to stay I usually find its less expensive and a shorter flight for me to go to Mexico. Florida is on my list though...



I read that the stages of wealth are:

1. you mow your own lawn
2. you pay someone to mow your lawn
3. you mow your lawn.

I feel like this is relevant. I'm growing to really appreciate simple joys like feeding my fish and watching the wild rabbits out in the yard.



that's great news, maybe break did you some good!

This was a more expensive trip to Florida, primarily because of the location. FL more than any other state, even moreso than TX & CA, is truly its own country with extremely diverse microcosms spread throughout it. It would be several countries easily in Europe. Different climates, ethnicities, political skew, traditions/culture. The farther north you are, the more Southern it feels. Miami is extremely Cuban, and by extension Fort Lauderdale felt like a city where folks with big money come from New York, Italy, Spain, the Middle East to vacation with a lot of local Cuban/ethnic working class as the majority. This whole southern tip is where you want to go if you want to tour the Everglades or really get into more exotic nature. You want to get down towards the tropical climate for that.

I really like the Gulf coast where we were married. It feels very blue-collar relaxed, and other than high tourism times is pretty chill. The Tampa/St Pete area is also pretty nice, more expensive but I like it a lot too. Bradenton on the west coast is lovely for a getaway around there. Jacksonville area on the NE coast was cool, and Daytona is an older cheaper tourist destination with great beaches, but north and west of that in the north center of the state gets almost more like Appalachia really. Orlando is basically a big swamp with no airflow from the coast to cool anything, primarily Hispanic, dangerous traffic with everyone carrying & always hot & pissed off, plus all the dense Disney tourism. Basically, if you’re not going to Disney or the Olympia, skip it. Go to the water.

All I’ve seen of the Keys is it’s really the place to go if you truly love to fish, but never been.

 

[gphagan1]

This was a more expensive trip to Florida, primarily because of the location. FL more than any other state, even moreso than TX & CA, is truly its own country with extremely diverse microcosms spread throughout it. It would be several countries easily in Europe. Different climates, ethnicities, political skew, traditions/culture. The farther north you are, the more Southern it feels. Miami is extremely Cuban, and by extension Fort Lauderdale felt like a city where folks with big money come from New York, Italy, Spain, the Middle East to vacation with a lot of local Cuban/ethnic working class as the majority. This whole southern tip is where you want to go if you want to tour the Everglades or really get into more exotic nature. You want to get down towards the tropical climate for that.

I really like the Gulf coast where we were married. It feels very blue-collar relaxed, and other than high tourism times is pretty chill. The Tampa/St Pete area is also pretty nice, more expensive but I like it a lot too. Bradenton on the west coast is lovely for a getaway around there. Jacksonville area on the NE coast was cool, and Daytona is an older cheaper tourist destination with great beaches, but north and west of that in the north center of the state gets almost more like Appalachia really. Orlando is basically a big swamp with no airflow from the coast to cool anything, primarily Hispanic, dangerous traffic with everyone carrying & always hot & pissed off, plus all the dense Disney tourism. Basically, if you’re not going to Disney or the Olympia, skip it. Go to the water.

All I’ve seen of the Keys is it’s really the place to go if you truly love to fish, but never been.

That’s actually a really good description of it. I have a lot of family down in Florida so we’ve actually been all over the state and you nailed the different demographics description of it perfectly.
My oldest sister lives in Sebring and they go to the Keys every June for Scuba diving and fishing, and in the fall they come up here to Georgia to go to the mountains when the leaves are changing.
Sounds like you guys had a great time and really made the most of it.

 

[Dustin07]

man that all sounds pretty cool, the cuban food has me sold Although beyond watching a couple seasons of Dexter I know very little of the region, lol.

I'm also curious about that Floribama coastal area, I hear the beaches are amazing but with my limited research I wouldn't even know where to start.

 

[MrKleen73]

Sounds like a great time with the family.

 

[Hyde]

I'm also curious about that Floribama coastal area, I hear the beaches are amazing but with my limited research I wouldn't even know where to start.

The Floribama area is the gulf coast I was referring to where we were wed. The beaches are really nice up there, great fine sand and the water is calmer rolling up from the Gulf of America, as opposed to the open coast on the east or the south. But being so much farther north, it’s a lot cooler the rest of the year than the south. Probably ideal for many not on vacation, as the summer is less extreme and winters ideal, but not many people swam in the ocean besides me when we were there in December! You still need heated pools in the off-season.

I will say if you ever end up in Orlando, Cocoa Beach is less than a 2 hour drive east, so it made for a good day trip to get some breeze and beach time in.

 

[MrKleen73]

The Floribama area is the gulf coast I was referring to where we were wed. The beaches are really nice up there, great fine sand and the water is calmer rolling up from the Gulf of America, as opposed to the open coast on the east or the south. But being so much farther north, it’s a lot cooler the rest of the year than the south. Probably ideal for many not on vacation, as the summer is less extreme and winters ideal, but not many people swam in the ocean besides me when we were there in December! You still need heated pools in the off-season.

I will say if you ever end up in Orlando, Cocoa Beach is less than a 2 hour drive east, so it made for a good day trip to get some breeze and beach time in.

Yeah the Floribama beaches IMHO are some of the nicest in the continental US. Not only fine white sand but clear emerald green water too. I can't wait for our trip there mid-June. We will be at a resort right on the water, so similar to what you just did in that aspect. However, my wife loves it, and I don;t mind showering my feet before heading up to the room.

Also, I can definitely believe you were one of the only people swimming in December. Me, not interested in that at all. LMAO! We actually traded times for our anniversary trip. It has always been in December but Jo hates the cold. So we decided to buy the trip for our anniversary present but not take it until early Summer. Wanted to get there after the water warmed up but before the July and August heat.

 

[Dustin07]

It has always been in December but Jo hates the cold. So we decided to buy the trip for our anniversary present but not take it until early Summer. Wanted to get there after the water warmed up but before the July and August heat.

I'm with Jo on this one

 

[Hyde]

Yeah the Floribama beaches IMHO are some of the nicest in the continental US. Not only fine white sand but clear emerald green water too. I can't wait for our trip there mid-June. We will be at a resort right on the water, so similar to what you just did in that aspect. However, my wife loves it, and I don;t mind showering my feet before heading up to the room.

Also, I can definitely believe you were one of the only people swimming in December. Me, not interested in that at all. LMAO! We actually traded times for our anniversary trip. It has always been in December but Jo hates the cold. So we decided to buy the trip for our anniversary present but not take it until early Summer. Wanted to get there after the water warmed up but before the July and August heat.

We do always get a place on the water; the time & convenience to just go up & down from the room to the beach is worth it with the kids. My issue with Hallendale was more the noise from the traffic, too much big city bustle too close. Where you’re headed should be excellent. Water was already great as well, so that should be perfect for you guys.

I'm with Jo on this one

Try stacking another 20lbs each of muscle and blubber on and you’ll be amazed what kind of temps you can endure!

I have been amazed lately how well I’ve been tolerating our house with no AC yet. Eating less and losing some weight have really made tolerating the rising heat here much easier this year.

 

[Hyde]

5/7/25
BW 238.4

7 min Incline Walk
BW Squats

Legpress, deadlift stance
+90,180x10-15
360x6
540x3
680 3x10 w/ 3-sec eccentrics

Lat Pulldown warmups

V-Grip Chin-ups
15,14,12

DB Hammercurls
20,32.5x6
40 2x12

Reverse Hyper
250 3x15

Farmer’s Suitcase Deadlift & Carry
94x3, then 30ft down & back

Deadlift accessories. Down another pound; getting better one brick at a time. I have the vision!

 

[gphagan1]

5/7/25
BW 238.4

7 min Incline Walk
BW Squats

Legpress, deadlift stance
+90,180x10-15
360x6
540x3
680 3x10 w/ 3-sec eccentrics

Lat Pulldown warmups

V-Grip Chin-ups
15,14,12

DB Hammercurls
20,32.5x6
40 2x12

Reverse Hyper
250 3x15

Farmer’s Suitcase Deadlift & Carry
94x3, then 30ft down & back

Deadlift accessories. Down another pound; getting better one brick at a time. I have the vision!

That’s some good leg press work….finishing with 680x3x10. I’m always impressed with how many pull-ups you can do at your body weight, even though I know your weight is coming down, still impressive.