Driven2Lift Battles Gravity, One Plate at a Time

True, I never walk up to a bar fresh and try my 1RM...

Always within a lift so I'm fatigued some amount
 
Y'all have to yell at me if I miss a log haha.

It was a pretty hectic weekend, I got in my lifts and had my rest day on Friday. We were at my uncle's surprise 60th birthday party with my Irish side of the family, and lots of food...

My aunt is Maltese and the best cook I know,
Home made pastizzis were insane.

I failed on photos, and dont feel right sharing my family's Facebook shots...
Next time!


Update points of note:
-Deadlifts maintaining
-Bench PR test is tomorrow
-Last squat session had knee pain in my 8th set, by the 10th I couldn't hit depth. Not a common thing for me and I plan to keep it that way. Going to swap my next leg day in for some extra mobility and low impact cardio.
Gives me 6 days off squatting, should be plenty.
 
Glad you had a great weekend!

Squatting frequency really beats my knees up. More than volume or intensity, seems like I can never sustain more than once a week long before I start pissing them off.
 
Hyde said:
Glad you had a great weekend!

Squatting frequency really beats my knees up. More than volume or intensity, seems like I can never sustain more than once a week long before I start pissing them off.
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Same for me, especially if one of them I go heavy. I can sometimes get away with two variations, but even that doesn't seem to last too long. My best bet has always been 2 leg days, one squat -centric, and the other leg press or lunges
 
Day off today gents,
Morning walk with my new Poke-buddy
(Expect at least a few nerdy interludes in my log)

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Just my regular circuit while walking Luna, apparently it's 3.3 km, thanks Pokemon Go lol

Came back to some very colourful cinnamon berry proats
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Berries are out of season already, $5/small tray at local grocers. So I'm back to frozen berry mixes, this has 1 full cup of Costco's 3-berry mix: Blackberries, Blueberries, Raspberries.

Easy to use frozen berries in oats you're heating anyways and it's a win for me as a snack. Fast, tasty, filling, with protein, fibre, and micros.


Ran errands, Hit the grocery store for supplies, have a few baking requests now and I'm expected to bring cheesecake's to both family functions this weekend.

I will get pictures of the Thanksgiving eats for you all, foodporn is ahead.

For Chest today I plan on just warm ups, a set of double-banded bench press to get a full stretch in,
then see if I can press up a PR.

Long rests and heavier weights overall today after that, I'll log it!
 
Also do me a favour and drop your social media accounts if you have IG/FB

I want to follow every AM member I can from my personal/fitness account
❤️
 
Driven2lift said:
Also do me a favour and drop your social media accounts if you have IG/FB

I want to follow every AM member I can from my personal/fitness account
❤️
Click to expand...

I never use my IG but i believe its dbjuice
 
Oct. 5

Heavy Chest/Accessory:

Active Warmups, 2 minutes

Warmup before 1RM test:
Flat DB press: 50 x 10
Double-Banded Bench Press: 120 x 10

Felt pumped up and ready, started with a 5 lb. PR attempt then my 275 attempt after rest.



265- smooth descent to chest, elbows wanted to flare but I kept them in check. Pushed off with all I had, ascent was slower than anticipated and I definitely was red-faced by the end lol but I hit it.
Core stayed braced and down, no forearm pain ( Hyde knows this is an issue I was having not too long ago)


275- smooth descent to chest, elbow strain at the bottom. Could not lift the damn bar an inch.

Happy with it overall.

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
(I already hit 165, I was tired here)
245x 4
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
 
How the hell does one take a good leg shot solo? Lol

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I'm sitting at 186 today, as you can all see I'm probably right in my 15% guess for BF

At 175 I tighten up real quick and the vascularity game gets going. I'm happy staying around this level through fall/winter though.

Here is my basic support belt for when I get heavy enough to need a core brace

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Sturdy, gets the job done for me, prong style


Legs today, and knocking out 2 baking requests
bdcc gets to try some gluten free cookies
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Pretty sure the solo leg shot requires a tripod and timer haha. Just no way to make it look good
 
Glad you hit a big PR! When the elbows flare uncontrollably immediately off the chest, it's doomed - they flare often because your lats isometric strength to hold can't quite tolerate load, so the body tried to recruit extra pec and delt, but now you're in a compromised position to get the weight onto the triceps.

So it's either just too heavy (which is fine), or some extra upper back strength from say a 4wk cycle of heavier chest-supported rowing might let you display the rest of your anterior strength a bit better next time.
 
So my Aunt I said was a great cook the other day,

Just told the family she's going to appear on Master Chef.

She deserves it, and will no doubt be bringing some Maltese flare when she appears!

Technically they are second cousins, but they've been an aunt/uncle to me forever, my godparents too.

Wishing her the best of luck and if anyone watches I'll let you know the broadcast date!
 
Damn thats awesome man! Definitely let us know. And congrats to her!
 
That's pretty awesome
 
Stocked up on some bulk buys:
8 kg chicken breast
4 dozen eggs
6x eggwhite cartons
2x frozen berry bags
2x large bags brussels
1x large bag asparagus
2x bags potatoes
2x bags milk (x3 each)

Peppers, tomatoes, spinach, baking supplies

I only ever need a few odd things from grocers after hitting up Costco, place is dangerously easy to over-spend in though.

Heavy Posterior Chain today, rest will be tomorrow or Monday.

2 Thanksgivings this weekend, very ready for some feasts
 
You know, if you ever want someone to take some shots for you I hear you live with a pretty dope lady who'd gladly take some for ya ;)
 
KlutzyLifter said:
You know, if you ever want someone to take some shots for you I hear you live with a pretty dope lady who'd gladly take some for ya ;)
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today is your turn to get under the bar once you're back here :P
 
Oct 7.

Heavy PC

Active Warmups:

Jumping Jacks, reverse pushups, pushups.

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 10
145x 10
170x 10
195x 8
210x 4
170x 10
120x 10 -active "rest set"
210x 4
120x 8

Smith bent over Rows:
100x 10
160x 10
190x 7
135x 15

SLDL:
145x 10
180x 10 (Deaddd as of here)
120x 10

Lower back was definitely done, but I stayed belted to get some more DB rows in to finish up pushing my arms quick

DB Rows:
50x 20
50x 15
(No rest here, set to failure)
50x 12

/Done

I need heavier Dumbbells

Oh and here is a Luna interlude for no reason


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Have a great weekend all!
Canadians, enjoy the Thanksgiving festivities!
 
booneman77 said:
Pretty sure the solo leg shot requires a tripod and timer haha. Just no way to make it look good
Click to expand...
Just put your phone down somewhere at a decent height (not too low), and put it on video. Hit whatever poses you want, then take screenshots from the video. If you don't mind a little worse quality, you can use the front-facing camera as a mirror when taking the video.
 
muscleupcrohn said:
Just put your phone down somewhere at a decent height (not too low), and put it on video. Hit whatever poses you want, then take screenshots from the video. If you don't mind a little worse quality, you can use the front-facing camera as a mirror when taking the video.
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Genius.

Now my only issue is how damn hairy I am
 
Driven2lift said:
Genius.
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Haha, thanks. It also lets you take better "pictures," since you can pull a screenshot from any time. It's a good way to experiment with different variations of poses to see what works/looks best for you. I remember my ex asked me how I kept taking those pictures; it took a little explaining that no, I wasn't having someone else take pictures of me half naked.
 
Do you have any bands? Even a miniband can provide tremendous resistance in conjunction with those dbs provided you rig it to get the tension you desire. Loop it around something sturdy and with the other end in your palm keep moving away from it til it weights up how you need!

Also, nice work - I see you up into the 200s!
 
Hyde said:
Do you have any bands? Even a miniband can provide tremendous resistance in conjunction with those dbs provided you rig it to get the tension you desire. Loop it around something sturdy and with the other end in your palm keep moving away from it til it weights up how you need!

Also, nice work - I see you up into the 200s!
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I do have bands, a few light resistance ones.

I may try looping them under my bench which I'm putting weight on anyways, do you just hold the band centred under your hand on the dumbbell? I guess you must

I have no idea what my max is, but I was comfortable with these lifts and that is a lot of progress since even a year ago.
There was a while where I bet I couldn't have pulled 125 off the ground
 
muscleupcrohn said:
Am I the only one who thinks that shaved legs look weird unless you have pretty big and ripped legs?
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I tried it one time, lol.
I doubt I ever would again, unless I had a photoshoot or a show or something...

It's just hard to try to show definition of any kind when your body hair is all black, and plentiful lol

I do usually trim my chest/back as needed though, it's a real easy aesthetic boost IMO
 
Driven2lift said:
How the hell does one take a good leg shot solo? Lol

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I'm sitting at 186 today, as you can all see I'm probably right in my 15% guess for BF

At 175 I tighten up real quick and the vascularity game gets going. I'm happy staying around this level through fall/winter though.

Here is my basic support belt for when I get heavy enough to need a core brace

Invalid Link Removed

Sturdy, gets the job done for me, prong style


Legs today, and knocking out 2 baking requests
bdcc gets to try some gluten free cookies
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Click to expand...

It would only take a very small amount of editing to make that leg photo look like it belongs in a porno.
 
Woke up at 188 after a lot to eat last night. Mainly water I'm sure but I'm taking it easy today as tomorrow will be a solid feast by the sounds of it.

I'm bringing a dessert naturally, was asked for a pumpkin cheesecake so that will be happening today and setting overnight!

Legs are up today and tomorrow will be an off day. Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend so far.

Oh and these were a request, recipe coming soon to the regular places

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Woody how'd I do?

138 cals:
14.5 p, 13 c, 5 F, 4g fibre each square
 
Protein Rice krispy squares was the request

Went with PB flavoured, no PB used (all peanut flour) and with Protein Brownie chunks for appeal

Really good fresh, and a day later,

Starting to dry out on day 3 in my fridge though so I added a touch of oil to the recipe. Or if you have the macros you can swap in some real peanut butter
 
Driven2lift said:
I do have bands, a few light resistance ones.

I may try looping them under my bench which I'm putting weight on anyways, do you just hold the band centred under your hand on the dumbbell? I guess you must

I have no idea what my max is, but I was comfortable with these lifts and that is a lot of progress since even a year ago.
There was a while where I bet I couldn't have pulled 125 off the ground
Click to expand...

You've got the idea! And I was at a point this spring with my back where I was the exact same. Couldn't lift a 135 barbell. A month ago I pulled 584 in comp without pain. I'm not saying your back isn't likely worse than mine (I never had to get narcotics after all) but I am saying that you CAN get it healthier and stronger than ever, most likely. It takes brains and patience and hunger.
 
I'd be stoked to start moving up on deadlifts.

I hit my 275x 10 squatting today without my belt and I felt good, which has me excited enough as it is. Not near a leg PR yet but the fact it's tweaking out my back less has me pretty happy

I think if I keep strengthening my core and support groups it will just keep getting easier/feeling better

Trying to use my belt as little as is necessary, might even add in some weighted core work again
 
Driven2lift said:
I'd be stoked to start moving up on deadlifts.

I hit my 275x 10 squatting today without my belt and I felt good, which has me excited enough as it is. Not near a leg PR yet but the fact it's tweaking out my back less has me pretty happy

I think if I keep strengthening my core and support groups it will just keep getting easier/feeling better

Trying to use my belt as little as is necessary, might even add in some weighted core work again
Click to expand...

You are on the right track. I have been doing all my squat beltless hi bar, as well as front squat - it forces you to build ab strength and the fronts build upper back strength as well to help maintain thoracic posture during pulls and rows. Trap bar pulling is easier on the back too.
 
Coming with me today:

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Pumpkin pie cheesecake

Just wrapped up my lift, will try to get caught up on log/recipes/shares on the drive to Jana's parents' place
 
I was recruited to drive as the only sober one so updates were on hold lol

Very small family function (still not used to how small her family is in comparison sometimes) but classic Thanksgiving eats so I was happy

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Turkey, stuffing, squash, mashed potatoes, sausage, mixed veggies, brussels for days, breads and of course dessert

Leftovers came home with us so turkey will be filling a chunk of my protein quota today



Woke up at 189.5 so...
Thinking lower carb today/tomorrow just to get some water off and get a better idea where I am right now

Also it was strait up the best pumpkin pie cheesecake I've made, and this was my 10th or more lol. I swear it's my new cinnamon, I'll never buy generic again
 
I thought about posting my accessible supp stash to IG but then thought better of that, my fam would call me an addict no doubt lol

You guys can have it instead:

Supp cupboard:
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Protein in current "open" rotation:
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More in my closets of course but I'm really trying to whittle the stash down to basics and just a couple things to play with at a time lol
 
Still have some SNS RK-extreme and TTA-500 in the back there too; Spring will be fun
 
You're almost on my level there haha. Think I've whittled down to 22 open flavors
 
Im open to taking in these extra tubs!
 
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