Hyde
Legend
GW is fantastic for health from a bloodwork perspective - it just has the possibility of being carcinogenic to some degree. But 10mg daily for a month will cause some big fast positive shifts in lipids and trigs.
Hyde’s Strength Odyssey
- Thread starter Hyde
- Start date
sammpedd88
Well-known member
Awesome. I’ll start it today. Also, your numbers are looking great man. Keep at it and set your sights on that meet!
Hyde
Legend
Dropping to 9-day micros this week and next to help recover from EFS. This also let me go watch the third week of my son’s new gymnastics class last night, and next week is Christmas Eve. My son is improving so rapidly, but more importantly he is having a blast (we both were too watching him)!
I had a personal goal to deadlift 600lbs this year, originally wanting to do it at a New Year’s Eve lifting party. However, that number in & of itself is not special to me - it’s not a deadlift PR, only something I feel I need to be able to do to be on track to set a lifetime PR in 2026. But given I’ve already pulled 584 last comp, routinely hitting AMRAPs that indicate 600lbs is possible now, and especially with the meet looming in 10 weeks… I just don’t feel the need to. I know what I’ve got, and I know that I will be pulling 600 around the beginning of February.
Just need to keep my eyes on the prize!
I had a personal goal to deadlift 600lbs this year, originally wanting to do it at a New Year’s Eve lifting party. However, that number in & of itself is not special to me - it’s not a deadlift PR, only something I feel I need to be able to do to be on track to set a lifetime PR in 2026. But given I’ve already pulled 584 last comp, routinely hitting AMRAPs that indicate 600lbs is possible now, and especially with the meet looming in 10 weeks… I just don’t feel the need to. I know what I’ve got, and I know that I will be pulling 600 around the beginning of February.
Just need to keep my eyes on the prize!
sammpedd88
Well-known member
When you know, you just know. No need to waste a heavy pull too soon. Smart move. Stay the course!
Hyde
Legend
12/19/25
BW 244.0 yesterday
2 min Assault Bike
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Band Warmup
Push-ups
Widegrip Bench, Texas powerbar
45x10,15
95,145x15
185x10
210x25
215x24
Swissbar JM Press
35x8
125x3
145,155x10
Vbar Cable Tri Pressdown
50,80,110x3
130 2x8
Lat Pulldowns
100,150x12
200 2x15
HS CSR
180,270,340x3
360 2x8
Band Pullaparts
Mini 3x35
Swissbar OHP
35,65,75x15
Really dominated 210lbs, but 215 after was juuuust out of reach: lowered rep 25 so fast I let my shoulders collapse, so when I reversed it got stuck 3/4 of the way up with no base to grind it to out. Still, a solid day with progress all around - definitely got more jacked today.
BW 244.0 yesterday
2 min Assault Bike
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Band Warmup
Push-ups
Widegrip Bench, Texas powerbar
45x10,15
95,145x15
185x10
210x25
215x24
Swissbar JM Press
35x8
125x3
145,155x10
Vbar Cable Tri Pressdown
50,80,110x3
130 2x8
Lat Pulldowns
100,150x12
200 2x15
HS CSR
180,270,340x3
360 2x8
Band Pullaparts
Mini 3x35
Swissbar OHP
35,65,75x15
Really dominated 210lbs, but 215 after was juuuust out of reach: lowered rep 25 so fast I let my shoulders collapse, so when I reversed it got stuck 3/4 of the way up with no base to grind it to out. Still, a solid day with progress all around - definitely got more jacked today.
gphagan1
Legend
I know your chest was pumped and full after all those reps. I think I might add in some JM Presses to my next Chest/Tri/Shoulder day.
sammpedd88
Well-known member
At least you know where it went wrong and it was on the 25th rep. You’ll get it next session. I so bad want to do JM presses but I’m afraid it’s going to aggravate my elbow. It’s been feeling good lately especially since I’m only on my TRT dose of 110 mgs. So nothing to speed recovery or cushion my joints at the moment. Maybe I can just feel them out with the bar then start adding a little weight to ease into them. It just looks like a great accessory to increase your max bench.
Hyde
Legend
JMs direct advice in the video he made to demonstrate the movement was that the stronger you are, the more important it is to start ultralight with very high volume and just slowly condition the elbow tendons. Try throwing in a few sets of 20 with the barbell or so at the end of an upper body day initially, to flush & strengthen connective tissue, and creep the weight up over time. When it gets heavy enough you can move it to a more serious exercise slot.
sammpedd88
Well-known member
I’m thinking that approach would probably really help my elbows in the long run.
Hyde
Legend
12/21/25
BW 246.2 yesterday
2 min Assault Bike
Mace Swings
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Side-Plank Activations
Plank
Glute Bridges
RFE SS
Foamroll thighs
Squat, Rogue Squatbar
55x5
165x4
253x3
+doubleply sleeves & deadlift belt
341x1
+belt
385,407x3
430 3x3, 1x6
Woke up with a sore throat, stuffy nose and body aches. My son has been congested so it jives. Knew I was going to struggle to do a bunch of work with 468lbs, but putting things off until Tuesday meant a strong chance of only feeling worse in 48 hours. Sucked it up & told myself if I can just manage some triples around 70%, that will be enough to maintain my squat until next week.
Everything hurt; I had to dig down deep to pull this off. Almost bagged it 340 felt so bad, but I cranked the Metallica to commit to the work. Told myself get 5 on last set to be done, but every rep of the set had perfect technique so I grabbed the sixth to finish with some great practice despite the misery.
Earned the right to squat and leave today; mission accomplished. We’ll see what Tuesday brings.
BW 246.2 yesterday
2 min Assault Bike
Mace Swings
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Side-Plank Activations
Plank
Glute Bridges
RFE SS
Foamroll thighs
Squat, Rogue Squatbar
55x5
165x4
253x3
+doubleply sleeves & deadlift belt
341x1
+belt
385,407x3
430 3x3, 1x6
Woke up with a sore throat, stuffy nose and body aches. My son has been congested so it jives. Knew I was going to struggle to do a bunch of work with 468lbs, but putting things off until Tuesday meant a strong chance of only feeling worse in 48 hours. Sucked it up & told myself if I can just manage some triples around 70%, that will be enough to maintain my squat until next week.
Everything hurt; I had to dig down deep to pull this off. Almost bagged it 340 felt so bad, but I cranked the Metallica to commit to the work. Told myself get 5 on last set to be done, but every rep of the set had perfect technique so I grabbed the sixth to finish with some great practice despite the misery.
Earned the right to squat and leave today; mission accomplished. We’ll see what Tuesday brings.
sammpedd88
Well-known member
As you already know, hydrate and step up the vitamin C, D and zinc. Elderberry and echinacea are good for illness too. Hope it runs its course soon.
gphagan1
Legend
Man, hate it you’re feeling so bad…it’s that time of year. Good job getting some good squats even though you’re sick. Hopefully you’ll get well soon.
Segansational
Well-known member
Dang. Illness is hitting hard these days everywhere! Rest up and come back stronger! Good work though getting something decent in.
Daughter is complaining about a sore throat and I'm starting to feel it too. We always do elderberry, but I might double dose my Vitamin C to knock this out.
Daughter is complaining about a sore throat and I'm starting to feel it too. We always do elderberry, but I might double dose my Vitamin C to knock this out.
Dustin07
Legend
hopefully staying active and lifting anyways has a positive result on the bug you're fighting. By the end of last week I was starting to feel like a million bucks again, and then my wife went down HARD. It made me realize that all my exhaustion bs i was fighting was probably the same cold she finally succumbed to, but I do believe that when I can be reasonably active I recover faster. this cold is everywhere right now. all her relatives showed up next door from Cali and they're all giant snot factories.
Hyde
Legend
Down for the count from this one for sure, pretty sure I’ve been running a low fever off and on since yesterday evening. Lots of spells of chills and violent shivers & body aches. Been wearing my winter outside flannel inside constantly and slept in long pajamas & socks last night (I normally do just briefs and a sheet with a fan on me). Hacking a lot of yellow up from my lungs this morning with stuffy/runny nose. Inflammation seems pretty bad.
Was in bed 11 hours with no progress; haven’t eaten anything but salting my water and using Focus XT & Creatine HCL to try to stay somewhat hydrated. Definitely no training tomorrow but hopefully things will be over by Friday. Glad I got the squats in.
Was in bed 11 hours with no progress; haven’t eaten anything but salting my water and using Focus XT & Creatine HCL to try to stay somewhat hydrated. Definitely no training tomorrow but hopefully things will be over by Friday. Glad I got the squats in.
gphagan1
Legend
Man that really does suck, especially this time of year. Hopefully with some rest and keeping hydrated you’ll heal up.
Hyde
Legend
Gonna have my family bring me some chicken stock later to heat up & replenish sodium.
Dustin07
Legend
oh man good on you for attacking it, definitely sounds like the legit one you're gonna have to fight. Something about this time of year really nails people to the wall between holiday busy lifestyles and short cold days.
my buddy used to get mad if we didn't celebrate birthdays. He said "not celebrating a birthday is a wasted opportunity to party with your friends!" well, that's my take on pho. Being sick is a great opportunity to endulge in that magical Vietnamese miracle drug lol.
sammpedd88
Well-known member
Man pho is the magic potion whether it’s being sick or just wanting to warm your soul!
Hyde
Legend
I don’t understand the scenario where I’d be sick enough to need hot soup but also feel good enough to go eat it?? I haven’t left the house since Sunday lol. You guys crack me up.
Woke up sweaty in the night, then froze the rest of the night. Fever again this morning, took 800mg ibuprofen, fever took a couple hours to break but then sweat through my shirt and feeling a bit better currently. Had diarrhea 3 times now, so I got that going for me.
I did sign up for the meet on March 1st last night. A buddy who always drags his feet who said he would sent me a screenshot with his name on the roster, saying “Sign the contract”
So I made good on my word, and we will have several lifters from our gym doing it.
Woke up sweaty in the night, then froze the rest of the night. Fever again this morning, took 800mg ibuprofen, fever took a couple hours to break but then sweat through my shirt and feeling a bit better currently. Had diarrhea 3 times now, so I got that going for me.
I did sign up for the meet on March 1st last night. A buddy who always drags his feet who said he would sent me a screenshot with his name on the roster, saying “Sign the contract”
So I made good on my word, and we will have several lifters from our gym doing it.
Dustin07
Legend
I actually believe there is an evolutionary backing to this! My opinion is in early development but we all know the benefits of fasting and there is a part of me that thinks sometimes that if we dont' want to eat maybe its cause the body needs to save those resources for healing (assuming hydration and electrolytes are on par)
gphagan1
Legend
Man that just sounds rough. I hate it for you, but you’re doing all you can to battle it. That’s great that you signed up for the meet, and you’ll have some of your gym bros competing as well.I don’t understand the scenario where I’d be sick enough to need hot soup but also feel good enough to go eat it?? I haven’t left the house since Sunday lol. You guys crack me up.
Woke up sweaty in the night, then froze the rest of the night. Fever again this morning, took 800mg ibuprofen, fever took a couple hours to break but then sweat through my shirt and feeling a bit better currently. Had diarrhea 3 times now, so I got that going for me.
I did sign up for the meet on March 1st last night. A buddy who always drags his feet who said he would sent me a screenshot with his name on the roster, saying “Sign the contract”
Dustin07
Legend
taking hyde down for a couple days is natures way of creating balance so the rest of us have a small chance to catch upMan that just sounds rough. I hate it for you, but you’re doing all you can to battle it. That’s great that you signed up for the meet, and you’ll have some of your gym bros competing as well.
gphagan1
Legend
taking hyde down for a couple days is natures way of creating balance so the rest of us have a small chance to catch up
Hyde
Legend
Another bad day, 100* fever keeps coming back after the 800mg ibuprofen clears out. 3rd day in a row of fevers. So I can’t go to my in-laws tomorrow for Christmas like we always do, which sucks that I’ll be home alone for Christmas but especially that my son is upset. He will have more fun going overall, but it’s still a bummer.
I was reminded if this is COVID, Ivermectin is worth a shot, so I added 24mg on an empty stomach this evening about an hour after my evening dose of 800mg ibuprofen. Will take more each morning the rest of the week, ‘cuz smoke ‘em if you got ‘em right? It’s not going to hurt me if it’s just a flu/cold virus.
I was reminded if this is COVID, Ivermectin is worth a shot, so I added 24mg on an empty stomach this evening about an hour after my evening dose of 800mg ibuprofen. Will take more each morning the rest of the week, ‘cuz smoke ‘em if you got ‘em right? It’s not going to hurt me if it’s just a flu/cold virus.
gphagan1
Legend
Man that really does suck….that fever shows your body is continually battling it. But with the fever not going away, it very well could be COVID, so it probably is a good idea to try Ivermectin while it’s still early.
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Dustin07
Legend
yes. and its weird how everyone suddenly has an ivermectin hookup lol. But my wife came across some last week when the sniffles were getting real bad on her. I am not sure if she checked for a fever but the day after we did the pho she got on the ivermectin and was running on all 8 cylinders again within 24-36hrs. No idea if she had covid or not, but she treated hers the same way. just dont' let that horse dewormer turn you green like it did Joe Rogan
Hyde
Legend
Decided to start it last night. No fevers last night and woke up feeling best I have easily. Took another dose a bit ago.
Could be pure coincidence that the virus was already running its course after 3 days, but as Ivermectin is an antiviral just made sense to add it.
There’s no illicit hookup; you just order it from India & it takes about 5-6 weeks to arrive and clear customs. Legitimate pharmaceutical medicine, sealed blister packs in brand name boxes, medical inserts, lot numbers & expiration dates.
Customs is worried about things that can hurt people or screw the government out of big money. Personal use amounts of legitimate health medicines that cost dimes are something they generally pass through. Every package has been opened, checked, and approved.
gphagan1
Legend
Hyde
Legend
No fevers Wednesday but I was obviously still contagious, so had to stay home solo Christmas Eve. Cozied up with some warm green tea & watched Ricky Bruch: The Soul Is Greater Than The World on YouTube.
If you’ve never watched that old gem, it’s about a Swedish discus thrower who is trying to get back to his best numbers at 38 to qualify for the Olympics one last time - he knows he has more in him. He throws a perfectly good qualifying distance of 63m, but the Swedish Olympic sporting commission refuses him because of past beef with him calling out their politics. So then he trains like a madman on pure spite, until he is throwing what would be an Olympic gold medal every single training day, for months in a row. He sets a bunch of unofficial ATWRs & indisputably becomes the greatest discus thrower ever at that time, while the Swedish team bombs at the Olympics.
Family came back yesterday and we celebrated our Christmas at home, felt great all day finally. Just some squirts and snot now.
If you’ve never watched that old gem, it’s about a Swedish discus thrower who is trying to get back to his best numbers at 38 to qualify for the Olympics one last time - he knows he has more in him. He throws a perfectly good qualifying distance of 63m, but the Swedish Olympic sporting commission refuses him because of past beef with him calling out their politics. So then he trains like a madman on pure spite, until he is throwing what would be an Olympic gold medal every single training day, for months in a row. He sets a bunch of unofficial ATWRs & indisputably becomes the greatest discus thrower ever at that time, while the Swedish team bombs at the Olympics.
Family came back yesterday and we celebrated our Christmas at home, felt great all day finally. Just some squirts and snot now.
Hyde
Legend
12/26/25
BW 243.6 yesterday
2 min Assault Bike
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
KB Suitcase Carries
Glute Bridges
KB One-leg DL
Paused SSB Squat
+lifters & deadlift belt
65,155,245,335,385,410x3
Deadlift, Texas Powerbar
45,135x5 RDL
225,315,365x3
+powerbelt
415,455x3
495x2,5
RDL
+belt & straps
385 2x8
First session back after losing 3-4lbs this week. The SSB Pauses felt hard, so kept it to a triple instead of trying to do 5. Back had a good amount of inflammation in it still from the virus, so my goal for today was just to pull a set of 5 at 5 plates without getting hurt. It was a good, tough quality set that will maintain my strength this week and set me up to push harder next time. Added 5lbs to my RDLs as well.
Today went well, so I feel confident getting back to serious training now.
BW 243.6 yesterday
2 min Assault Bike
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
KB Suitcase Carries
Glute Bridges
KB One-leg DL
Paused SSB Squat
+lifters & deadlift belt
65,155,245,335,385,410x3
Deadlift, Texas Powerbar
45,135x5 RDL
225,315,365x3
+powerbelt
415,455x3
495x2,5
RDL
+belt & straps
385 2x8
First session back after losing 3-4lbs this week. The SSB Pauses felt hard, so kept it to a triple instead of trying to do 5. Back had a good amount of inflammation in it still from the virus, so my goal for today was just to pull a set of 5 at 5 plates without getting hurt. It was a good, tough quality set that will maintain my strength this week and set me up to push harder next time. Added 5lbs to my RDLs as well.
Today went well, so I feel confident getting back to serious training now.
sammpedd88
Well-known member
On the road to recovery! You forgot to list how many times you had to run to the bathroom in between deadlift sets to keep from shitting your pants
Hyde
Legend
That was the best part: because I was emptied out last night, when I went for my morning preWO dump it was just some dry gas, totally clean. There was just nothing left in me. That’s when I knew I was set up for successOn the road to recovery! You forgot to list how many times you had to run to the bathroom in between deadlift sets to keep from shitting your pants
Hyde
Legend
I kept my salt intake up, mainly got my fluids and creatine in, and focused on processed foods as I could to keep calories over 3,000 besides Monday. That last part is especially important when you can’t really taste, because junk foods still help trick your brain into overeating even when you can’t taste them. And I have more discipline than most to force feed.
So instead of meet and rice/potatoes, it was mainly shakes, cookies, pizza, Cheetos, soda pop, and McDonalds eventually.
sammpedd88
Well-known member
Perfect timing!That was the best part: because I was emptied out last night, when I went for my morning preWO dump it was just some dry gas, totally clean. There was just nothing left in me. That’s when I knew I was set up for success
Hyde
Legend
Thank you sir! The former is a direct consequence of the latter. If I hadn’t forced in some calories and lost much more weight, I would have definitely lost more tissue & strength. Belt was a tad loose today, but not bad enough to warrant tighteningGlad you’re feeling better….. and had some good numbers in your workout considering how much the sickness took out of you. That’s a cool little trick, eating the junk food to keep forcing calories in. I’ll remember that next time I get sick.
Hyde
Legend
12/28/25
Mace Swings
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Band Warmup
Bench, Texas Powerbar
155x5
221,265,293,315x3
293 3x3
EFS Shouldersaver
304x4
298x6
Very Low Incline DB Bench
90x21
100x12
DB Laterals
25 2x15
20 3x15
Seated DB Rear Delt Flyes
30 5x15
Push-ups
2x25
Been 14 days since my last bench day at Elite, but I was felt ‘on’ from the start. Been 2 weeks now with 200mg mast e added in, so that can’t hurt, nevermind this virus. I’ve definitely figured out my self unrack finally, so not hurting my shoulders is also pretty huge for getting things going the right direction. Seemed like I had the energy to train as much as I needed, with body & mind in alignment.
9 weeks out today.
Mace Swings
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Band Warmup
Bench, Texas Powerbar
155x5
221,265,293,315x3
293 3x3
EFS Shouldersaver
304x4
298x6
Very Low Incline DB Bench
90x21
100x12
DB Laterals
25 2x15
20 3x15
Seated DB Rear Delt Flyes
30 5x15
Push-ups
2x25
Been 14 days since my last bench day at Elite, but I was felt ‘on’ from the start. Been 2 weeks now with 200mg mast e added in, so that can’t hurt, nevermind this virus. I’ve definitely figured out my self unrack finally, so not hurting my shoulders is also pretty huge for getting things going the right direction. Seemed like I had the energy to train as much as I needed, with body & mind in alignment.
9 weeks out today.
Dustin07
Legend
still fighting it a bit?
Hyde
Legend
Lot of yellow snot & a cough from the drainage still, and a bit of the runs occasionally, but otherwise feel strong.
Dustin07
Legend
it does sorta feel like a bit of a covid run, kinda like OG covid. my wife was just barely starting to get it into her chest but the ivermectin seems have done the trick. she's about where you are today it sounds like. much better, but nowhere near 100%. probably only the second time I've ever seen her having to use kleenex tbh. Although its very normal for her to get sick around or just after Christmas, I think she's just prone to beating her self down for 6 weeks of holidays.