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Hyde’s Strength Odyssey

It’s easy to understand him thinking that with the muscle you’ve added the last couple of years.

Uhm... I wonder why.... You are a massive dude with off season bodybuilder body fat levels. Lets not even get into your ridiculous shoulders...

Love those front squats 🤤🤤



Wait, you're not?

Well, I guess it’s 3:1 here so maybe it’s just my perception, but his comment did surprise me. I do have a lot of brawn, but usually I just get asked if I play football by old people!

He’s very handsome 😌 Buuuut he was cuter as a puppy - now he’s become more fun instead.
 
Well, I guess it’s 3:1 here so maybe it’s just my perception, but his comment did surprise me. I do have a lot of brawn, but usually I just get asked if I play football by old people!


He’s very handsome Buuuut he was cuter as a puppy - now he’s become more fun instead.
I actually have no idea if he was. He is a trained service dog, and I got him when he was like 4.
 
Been thinking about where I need to take things next with diet, supplementation, and goals.

With the recent quad pull, I don’t really want to crank the weights too soon on squatting, so I am not really in position to begin making another run at 1,700 right now.

Also, summer is coming. The prospect of getting bigger & being even fatter, hotter, and eating lots of food is not appealing. Especially considering I don’t even like how fat I am right now, I think the sensible move is to go down, not up.

Last time I competed at 220 was March of ‘23. Honestly, although I felt small, I really liked the way I looked with my shirt off. And it set me up for the fall meet where I got to 268lbs and did my biggest total ever (1,653). And I wasn’t THAT fat, so I think getting leaner first provided a solid rebound.

I am not sure I want to start any real deficit without anabolics on board. This isn’t really about weightloss, but FAT loss, so I want to retain all the muscle possible. I’ve only been cruising for 6 weeks come Sunday, so nothing may really happen yet. But I am getting the itch to get leaner.
 
losing size is such a mind F. I think I'm on my 4th or 5th cut in the last 4 years of cycling up and down and this is the first time that I feel pretty good in the smaller version of me. I would bet money that cutting to 220 or whatever you decide, would leave you feeling better and thicker than it was last time after 3 years of growth. I know for me, my arms still fill out my sleeves real good this time after 20+lbs cutting, and my lats MUST be far larger because just walking on the treadmill I can tell everything is filled out as triceps rub lats even deep into the cut.

damn, pretty soon @Smont be the only one left bulking around here 😂 😂


Hyde at the Christmas Classic 2026:

1775764358801.webp
 
losing size is such a mind F. I think I'm on my 4th or 5th cut in the last 4 years of cycling up and down and this is the first time that I feel pretty good in the smaller version of me. I would bet money that cutting to 220 or whatever you decide, would leave you feeling better and thicker than it was last time after 3 years of growth. I know for me, my arms still fill out my sleeves real good this time after 20+lbs cutting, and my lats MUST be far larger because just walking on the treadmill I can tell everything is filled out as triceps rub lats even deep into the cut.

damn, pretty soon @Smont be the only one left bulking around here 😂 😂


Hyde at the Christmas Classic 2026:

View attachment 259955
I want to bulk, but I've been in limbo for weeks lol
 
Been thinking about where I need to take things next with diet, supplementation, and goals.

With the recent quad pull, I don’t really want to crank the weights too soon on squatting, so I am not really in position to begin making another run at 1,700 right now.

Also, summer is coming. The prospect of getting bigger & being even fatter, hotter, and eating lots of food is not appealing. Especially considering I don’t even like how fat I am right now, I think the sensible move is to go down, not up.

Last time I competed at 220 was March of ‘23. Honestly, although I felt small, I really liked the way I looked with my shirt off. And it set me up for the fall meet where I got to 268lbs and did my biggest total ever (1,653). And I wasn’t THAT fat, so I think getting leaner first provided a solid rebound.

I am not sure I want to start any real deficit without anabolics on board. This isn’t really about weightloss, but FAT loss, so I want to retain all the muscle possible. I’ve only been cruising for 6 weeks come Sunday, so nothing may really happen yet. But I am getting the itch to get leaner.
I'm out here inspiring everyone to get lean this year. Love to see it.
 
Ordered bloodwork for next Thursday. With needing to donate blood the Monday before the last meet & then cutting weight, I didn’t have time to pull them final week of blast like I prefer to (to show worst case scenario at end of the course). Then we went to the Arnold a few days later, so I have deferred them to just check health in this off-time.

Things should all be looking good now, but I’d certainly like to know otherwise BEFORE I add gear back in.
 
4/10/26

3 min Assault Bike
Tspine Mobility
Scap Pushups
Mace Swings

Incline Shoulder-saver Bench
45x a lot
95,145,185,225x3
235x4,2 pain

Brachialis Preacher stretches

Band Pullaparts
Monstermini x25,25,35

ss w/ Rope Cable Pressdowns
40 4x25

Plate Front Raise
55 2x15

Incline Y, T & Rotators

Incline DB Bench
35,55,75x10
85x15
95x12

Flat DB Bench
105x12

DB Flies
40x20

Elbow was not having the touches today on incline, and ended up in a lot of pain on top sets that forced me to shut it down. Which cooked my elbow for a while, so I just tried to do whatever I could. Effectively deloaded this session a week early, but it’s alright. I’ll be changing my movement on this day for sure. Ended up with a good pump at least.
 
Ordered bloodwork for next Thursday. With needing to donate blood the Monday before the last meet & then cutting weight, I didn’t have time to pull them final week of blast like I prefer to (to show worst case scenario at end of the course). Then we went to the Arnold a few days later, so I have deferred them to just check health in this off-time.

Things should all be looking good now, but I’d certainly like to know otherwise BEFORE I add gear back in.
Will be doing the same post-vacation (sometime in June, probably) to prep for a cycle. If my T is low (it had dropped a ton since my last test when I did my annuals in Feb this year, but a lot of sleep deprivation and calorie restriction which could have had a role), then I may finally be on the TRT wagon.

Otherwise, might just cruise anyway lol, but think I'd prefer to have insurance cover it. I pay through the nose for the damn coverage anyway, so they might as well start paying for something.
 
4/10/26

3 min Assault Bike
Tspine Mobility
Scap Pushups
Mace Swings

Incline Shoulder-saver Bench
45x a lot
95,145,185,225x3
235x4,2 pain

Brachialis Preacher stretches

Band Pullaparts
Monstermini x25,25,35

ss w/ Rope Cable Pressdowns
40 4x25

Plate Front Raise
55 2x15

Incline Y, T & Rotators

Incline DB Bench
35,55,75x10
85x15
95x12

Flat DB Bench
105x12

DB Flies
40x20

Elbow was not having the touches today on incline, and ended up in a lot of pain on top sets that forced me to shut it down. Which cooked my elbow for a while, so I just tried to do whatever I could. Effectively deloaded this session a week early, but it’s alright. I’ll be changing my movement on this day for sure. Ended up with a good pump at least.
What's the root cause of it, you think? Should too bound up which forces a bunch of pressure on the bicep tendon?

Or just pure overuse?
 
4/10/26

3 min Assault Bike
Tspine Mobility
Scap Pushups
Mace Swings

Incline Shoulder-saver Bench
45x a lot
95,145,185,225x3
235x4,2 pain

Brachialis Preacher stretches

Band Pullaparts
Monstermini x25,25,35

ss w/ Rope Cable Pressdowns
40 4x25

Plate Front Raise
55 2x15

Incline Y, T & Rotators

Incline DB Bench
35,55,75x10
85x15
95x12

Flat DB Bench
105x12

DB Flies
40x20

Elbow was not having the touches today on incline, and ended up in a lot of pain on top sets that forced me to shut it down. Which cooked my elbow for a while, so I just tried to do whatever I could. Effectively deloaded this session a week early, but it’s alright. I’ll be changing my movement on this day for sure. Ended up with a good pump at least.
Man that sucks the elbow got you again, but good job working around it.
 
Will be doing the same post-vacation (sometime in June, probably) to prep for a cycle. If my T is low (it had dropped a ton since my last test when I did my annuals in Feb this year, but a lot of sleep deprivation and calorie restriction which could have had a role), then I may finally be on the TRT wagon.

Otherwise, might just cruise anyway lol, but think I'd prefer to have insurance cover it. I pay through the nose for the damn coverage anyway, so they might as well start paying for something.

Well I wouldn’t necessarily get on TRT unless you really want to be, if that makes sense. I mean, if you stop coming off and recovering your natural production, you will likely destroy it within a year or so. So it is a commitment for life generally.

I can tell you that I’m very happy never coming off steroids, but I PCT’d for 10 years prior to cruising, until I had my son.

What's the root cause of it, you think? Should too bound up which forces a bunch of pressure on the bicep tendon?

Or just pure overuse?

Because my left elbow is bone-on-bone doesn’t have much flexion, certain areas like my left brachialis get overly worked as I try to stretch them beyond their limits when trying to force ROM. So this creates unilateral tissue adhesions from the excess trauma that further shorten ROM over time. And then it will do things like yank on my forearm sharply when all the tissue becomes fully bound.

In a sense it is overuse, but in reality I wish I could do so much more! There will never not be compensatory movement, so it’s key to try to find and stay on top of the tissue adhesions.

Man that sucks the elbow got you again, but good job working around it.

Thank you; I just have to focus on trying to get productive work in however I can!
 
4/12/26
BW 245.2

Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Hip Stretches
Tspine Mobility
BW Squats

Squat, Buffalo Bar
50,160x5
270x3
+doubleply sleeves
336x3
+belt
380x2
425,469,502x1

Deadlift, stiffbar
135x5
225x4
315x3
405x2
+belt
455,495x2
525x1
465x5

Devotions
+deadlift belt & straps
365 2x5

Trained with a buddy who has a great garage setup this morning. Door was open so we could enjoy the beautiful spring day. Squats felt great & grooved really well with no issues. Goal was to get up to 500, then get some heavy pulls in. All the pulls were moving slow, so I didn’t push them too hard. Just got some quality work in to wrap up this block.

Hit 500/350/525 this week in training.
 
Some good training going on in here. hate to hear about the elbow, but we already know this is a constant battle for you, and one you will persevere through.

I for one am definitely interested to see what 220 looks like on you. I am sure it will be a pretty big difference from the last time. Each time you push up and come back down you have a little more muscle when you get back into the 240's and end up a bit leaner so I think you might even surprise yourself at 220.
 
Quad feeling back to 100%?

I think so. After Easter’s high squat volume (with low %) the strained area was a bit sore the next day, but now a week later and doing almost no volume it does not seem to be. So absolute load seems to be probably easier on it than total workload, which is encouraging. Should be good to try to get back on the horse after deload.

Some good training going on in here. hate to hear about the elbow, but we already know this is a constant battle for you, and one you will persevere through.

I for one am definitely interested to see what 220 looks like on you. I am sure it will be a pretty big difference from the last time. Each time you push up and come back down you have a little more muscle when you get back into the 240's and end up a bit leaner so I think you might even surprise yourself at 220.

I remember feeling pretty small and weak last time, but I think that is more a virtue of body dysmorphia and the fact that I simply wasn’t in as strong of a place last time. I had pulled my adductor the day after I signed up for a meet 8 weeks out, my back hadn’t been letting my deadlift really go well, and I was working my bench up from the basement (I remember a 315 single needing elbow sleeves & a prayer to make at one point). So I hit 529/347/567 at that meet after getting down to ~224. After pulling the 200/200 test & mast and the LGD/S23 blend I came into the meet on, I was 218 a week later after fasting. 2 weeks out from the meet I worked up to a 485 squat and pulled 530 to try to prepare.

But looking at pics retroactively, it was definitely a better aesthetic. I remember some kids telling me at a hotel pool during the Arnold I was jacked. Although clothed pics from the same event, I look small 😂 Guess you can’t have both!
 
Yeah, I think you will be a different beast at 220 this time. You have definitely added some muscle tissue in the last couple of years.
 
I remember feeling pretty small and weak last time, but I think that is more a virtue of body dysmorphia and the fact that I simply wasn’t in as strong of a place last time.
too bad we don't know exact lean mass then vs now from like a dexa etc. I would suspect 220 is going to be larger this time, you've had lots of time to build since then. I mean I'm considerably smaller than you in the 180s again now, but I feel far larger than the last few cuts into the 180s.
 
Yeah, I think you will be a different beast at 220 this time. You have definitely added some muscle tissue in the last couple of years.
The prospect of losing 25lbs is intimidating! I know I can do it, but what it will do to my strength I’m not sure. I know I can get it back regardless eventually though, so I’ll need to remember that whenever I get discouraged.
 
The prospect of losing 25lbs is intimidating! I know I can do it, but what it will do to my strength I’m not sure. I know I can get it back regardless eventually though, so I’ll need to remember that whenever I get discouraged.
As long as "strength loss" is mostly due to changes in leverage and not actual muscle tissue loss things should be good, and set you up for a serious rebound. :)
 
4/14/26
BW 244.0 postWO

3 min Assault Bike
Mace Swings
Band Warmup
Incline DB Bench
Tspine Mobility

Bench, powerbar
45x10,5
135,185,225x5
245 3x5

DB Side Raises
30,35x12

DB Rear Delt Flyes
35,40x15

CG Shouldersaver
235 2x15

HS CSR
90x12
180x6
270x3
320x10
340x8

NG WG Seated Cable Low Row
160x10,11

Pulldowns
160x15
190x12

Deload bench session, plus hit my upper back work a day early & only with machines - just cardio tomorrow night since I have bloodwork Thursday morning.

Plan is no food Thursday or Friday to pull off a 60 hour fast. Been a long time since I’ve had one, and that’s a great easy sweetspot to jump in & let my body do a little overdo cleanup. Friday morning will be easy cardio only.

Switched to keto diet yesterday so I can drop into ketosis by the time I’m fasting. Hopefully make for a bit easier run/better self-fueling.
 
HMMMM... I might have to think about that myself before doing one. Then again I have been OMAD for a little bit so I am probably already relatively fat adapted. Especially compared to your situation.
 
The keto thing has been really easy the last 2 days. I thought it would be more difficult switching from carbs as long as it’s been since doing the cyclic keto last fall, but I’ve felt great. Pretty sure I was in ketosis by start of day 2 yesterday. Seems like I made some lasting adaptations to more nimbly switch between fuel sources?

I’ve also been shooting for ~3,300-3,500 calories, what I expect to be around maintenance, so that’s certainly helpful compared to just cutting carbs and undereating. I’ve had 4 pieces of cheese and 4 servings of nuts daily, 3 eggs, 9 cooked oz pork loin, some lean beef or sardines, chicken or turkey sausages, a Quest bar, protein powder & Greek yogurt or Fairlife milk, and some cucumbers & lettuce with Ceasar dressing. This has been around 40g net carbs.

Anyway, need to stop eating by 8:30 tonight for bloodwork tomorrow. Then the plan is to fast for a couple days.
 
Some really bad news. Met with the ortho Wednesday afternoon for X-rays of my son’s forearm 9.5 weeks post break. Said everything looked great, no need to wear a brace during activity, ready for full return to service, even full gymnastics that evening.

He got through the entire class with no issue or discomfort, cartwheels, handstands, dropping from spins over the bar, etc. Last 5 minutes of class they usually play tag or similar. My son fell running when he got lightly pushed, broke his fall with his arm, and re-snapped both bones all over again. He was screaming in pain & disbelief that this could have happened to him again when we were all told he was healed & safe to play full throttle. It was pretty traumatic for a lot of the moms & kids honestly.

So we went to the ER at 8pm and didn’t get home until 2am. The intake nurse said it was the busiest she’s ever seen it in 5 years there. Good news is, xray showed the bones weren’t fully snapped & not displaced this time - no sedation or procedure to set the bones required, and no surgery. Just had to wait 6 hours to get it splinted. Went to the ortho yesterday morning so they could X-ray and put a new cast on.

The part that is so upsetting is that we were given bad medical advice that has & will cost my son so much unnecessary suffering. The bones didn’t fail during gymnastics, rather a simple fall that could just as easily happened on the playground the next day. We would rather have just held him back more for a few more weeks if we knew it was still risky (as we told them multiple times, we wanted to do it right the first time). It’s better to come back a month late than a day early!

Anyway, we all know what we’re doing now at least. It is what it is, and we can’t undo it. But we’re going to keep him in a brace for much longer when this cast comes off.
 
I also missed my last meal before I needed to start fasting for bloodwork, so I haven’t eaten since before 5pm Wednesday. That’s been going pretty well. Just salt, a little potassium, and some black coffee besides my water.
 
oh man I'm sorry to hear that. I'm really relieved that it's not a complete snap or displacement though. especially for such an active little guy its going to be hard on him to pull in the reigns. I hope though that it doesn't put any level of fear in him to once again go full throttle when he's healed up.

I assume the breaks are basically in the identical spot then? I know with metal plates like my clavicle, the higher risk is actually breaking at the end of the metal and the original break is stronger than ever. I have no idea with his arm if thats true with normal scarring/bone healing.
 
oh man I'm sorry to hear that. I'm really relieved that it's not a complete snap or displacement though. especially for such an active little guy its going to be hard on him to pull in the reigns. I hope though that it doesn't put any level of fear in him to once again go full throttle when he's healed up.

I assume the breaks are basically in the identical spot then? I know with metal plates like my clavicle, the higher risk is actually breaking at the end of the metal and the original break is stronger than ever. I have no idea with his arm if thats true with normal scarring/bone healing.
There’s definitely going to be fear now, for him and us. We are taking gymnastics off for the entire summer to heal & focus on swim later, which he has been loving the last 3 weeks.

It’s actually a myth it turns out that bones heal stronger/less likely to rebreak a healed bone - they just get back to full strength after a year or so. I’ve always heard that too, but haven’t found anything that supports that. But yes exact same spots, and like you said no metal to promote breaking elsewhere.
 
It’s actually a myth it turns out that bones heal stronger/less likely to rebreak a healed bone - they just get back to full strength after a year or so. I’ve always heard that too, but haven’t found anything that supports that. But yes exact same spots, and like you said no metal to promote breaking elsewhere.
yeah I just meant with mine the metal creates a leverage on the the outer sides of the where my plate is so it would be hard to break the bone under the plate, but the bone at the ends of the plate are likely not as safe as they were naturally since there is zero flex there now.

that is wild, I had always heard that bones build extra around those breaks. how is his pain doing a day later? poor guy, honestly my condolences in a way to you and your wife as well, I know how heart breaking that must have been to see him go through that. I know he'll bounce back but what a terrible experience.
 
Some really bad news. Met with the ortho Wednesday afternoon for X-rays of my son’s forearm 9.5 weeks post break. Said everything looked great, no need to wear a brace during activity, ready for full return to service, even full gymnastics that evening.

He got through the entire class with no issue or discomfort, cartwheels, handstands, dropping from spins over the bar, etc. Last 5 minutes of class they usually play tag or similar. My son fell running when he got lightly pushed, broke his fall with his arm, and re-snapped both bones all over again. He was screaming in pain & disbelief that this could have happened to him again when we were all told he was healed & safe to play full throttle. It was pretty traumatic for a lot of the moms & kids honestly.

So we went to the ER at 8pm and didn’t get home until 2am. The intake nurse said it was the busiest she’s ever seen it in 5 years there. Good news is, xray showed the bones weren’t fully snapped & not displaced this time - no sedation or procedure to set the bones required, and no surgery. Just had to wait 6 hours to get it splinted. Went to the ortho yesterday morning so they could X-ray and put a new cast on.

The part that is so upsetting is that we were given bad medical advice that has & will cost my son so much unnecessary suffering. The bones didn’t fail during gymnastics, rather a simple fall that could just as easily happened on the playground the next day. We would rather have just held him back more for a few more weeks if we knew it was still risky (as we told them multiple times, we wanted to do it right the first time). It’s better to come back a month late than a day early!

Anyway, we all know what we’re doing now at least. It is what it is, and we can’t undo it. But we’re going to keep him in a brace for much longer when this cast comes off.
Man I hate this happened to him and you and your wife. Dr’s these days just aren’t hitting on much anymore. Well you guys know what to do know and swimming will be much less impact but great physical activity for little man. Prayers for some speedy healing!
 
Dang, really sorry to hear this about your boy. As a parent I honestly can't imagine the immediate reaction and not being able to do anything to help. But hopefully it heals quickly again, since it seemed like it was on good track before.
 
Thank you guys!

yeah I just meant with mine the metal creates a leverage on the the outer sides of the where my plate is so it would be hard to break the bone under the plate, but the bone at the ends of the plate are likely not as safe as they were naturally since there is zero flex there now.

that is wild, I had always heard that bones build extra around those breaks. how is his pain doing a day later? poor guy, honestly my condolences in a way to you and your wife as well, I know how heart breaking that must have been to see him go through that. I know he'll bounce back but what a terrible experience.
Pain is not bad at all, just some acetaminophen to control it without disturbing the initial healing response. Seems better than last time. He is a tough kid though too honestly, pain-wise.
 
Some really bad news. Met with the ortho Wednesday afternoon for X-rays of my son’s forearm 9.5 weeks post break. Said everything looked great, no need to wear a brace during activity, ready for full return to service, even full gymnastics that evening.

He got through the entire class with no issue or discomfort, cartwheels, handstands, dropping from spins over the bar, etc. Last 5 minutes of class they usually play tag or similar. My son fell running when he got lightly pushed, broke his fall with his arm, and re-snapped both bones all over again. He was screaming in pain & disbelief that this could have happened to him again when we were all told he was healed & safe to play full throttle. It was pretty traumatic for a lot of the moms & kids honestly.

So we went to the ER at 8pm and didn’t get home until 2am. The intake nurse said it was the busiest she’s ever seen it in 5 years there. Good news is, xray showed the bones weren’t fully snapped & not displaced this time - no sedation or procedure to set the bones required, and no surgery. Just had to wait 6 hours to get it splinted. Went to the ortho yesterday morning so they could X-ray and put a new cast on.

The part that is so upsetting is that we were given bad medical advice that has & will cost my son so much unnecessary suffering. The bones didn’t fail during gymnastics, rather a simple fall that could just as easily happened on the playground the next day. We would rather have just held him back more for a few more weeks if we knew it was still risky (as we told them multiple times, we wanted to do it right the first time). It’s better to come back a month late than a day early!

Anyway, we all know what we’re doing now at least. It is what it is, and we can’t undo it. But we’re going to keep him in a brace for much longer when this cast comes off.
Man, I’m so sorry….poor little guy. Glad it didn’t snap completely, but the Doctors should have been more cautious in their advice, especially as young as he is. And they wonder why we question them. It’s definitely smart to keep the brace on longer just to be safe this time.
I know when it’s gonna be time to eat, you will be ready. Going through a trauma like that is tough enough, so I’m sure an empty stomach it didn’t help any.
 
Woke at 241.2 yesterday then 236.8 today, from 244.0 Wednesday.

Broke my fast at 64 hours.

Carb up today, possibly into tomorrow.

Breakfast was ~160g carbs, including 13g fiber. Greek yogurt & berries, guacamole toast, big bow of frosted mini wheats in Fairlife 2%, and a warm cup of chicken stock.
 

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Woke at 241.2 yesterday then 236.8 today, from 244.0 Wednesday.

Broke my fast at 64 hours.

Carb up today, possibly into tomorrow.

Breakfast was ~160g carbs, including 13g fiber. Greek yogurt & berries, guacamole toast, big bow of frosted mini wheats in Fairlife 2%, and a warm cup of chicken stock.
That’s a perfect breakfast to break a fast. 8 lbs in 64 hours is impressive, those carbs should hit the spot. Glad the little guy isn’t in as much pain as before, he is definitely a tough one.💪😎
 
4/19/26
BW 241.2

6 min Incline Walk
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Tspine Mobility
Bird Dogs
KB Suitcase Carries
RFE Splitsquat

Frontsquat
45x10
95x6
165x3
255x2
+deadlift belt
305,345,365,385,405x1

Deadlift, weightlifting bar
225x6 RDL
295x4
365x1
+belt
415 4x3

Snatchgrip 4” Rackpulls
225,275x3
+straps & deadlift belt
325,355x8

Nautilus Hacksquat
+90,180,230x5
+deadlift belt & tripleply sleeves
+270 (350) x20

Frontsquat was impromptu, but always happy to be able to take 4 plates without issue. Speed pulls were not feeling speedy at all, until I figured things out for the 4th set & finally smoked them. Which drives home the benefit of just practicing, even when you don’t intend to pull heavy. Snatchgrips were too light, which is fine for the scope of today, but glad I feel stronger on them than they used to. Finished out with a 20-rep set of hacks.
 
glad is pain isn't too bad!!

Broke my fast at 64 hours.

Love it. 64hrs is a legit step up. for a family man thats where the logistical part of not having dinner becomes a bigger challenge than the hunger and routine lol. Its actually inspiring in a bit, makes me want to throw down a longer one like this maybe in May.

Frontsquat
45x10
95x6
165x3
255x2
+deadlift belt
305,345,365,385,405x1

😂 😂 405 is so legit for a frontsquat
 
That’s a great overall leg workout….that’ll put some beef on the quads, especially that 405 front squat.💪😎👍

Honestly probably did nothing for my leg size, BUT I do believe very heavy training builds & maintains total body power. Strengthens connective tissue, CNS firing, and not the least cultivates a stronger mentality - definitely had to check my gut before the last one.

glad is pain isn't too bad!!



Love it. 64hrs is a legit step up. for a family man thats where the logistical part of not having dinner becomes a bigger challenge than the hunger and routine lol. Its actually inspiring in a bit, makes me want to throw down a longer one like this maybe in May.



😂 😂 405 is so legit for a frontsquat
Getting into keto prior, hunger was minimal by comparison to usual. So that was definitely a wise move. I also seemed to really lose a LOT of fat on this one. I am every bit of 3lbs lighter now, post carb-up, plus I look leaner. Woke up at 240.6lbs today.

I didn’t find routine or hunger to be issues at all. We went to McDonald’s & grocery shopping etc which didn’t bother me at all - what is hard is the general fatigue & brain fog. Even being keto, taking in electrolytes, having black coffee, nothing undoes the weakness of not eating for extended period. By day 3, I found myself in the morning not hungry, but SO excited to eat because I wanted to feel useful again! I was tired of being tired. I wanted my brain to operate on all cylinders. Just mowing the grass on day 2 wiped me out! And I was forgetting things at the grocery store.

I’ve done 520lbs on the Frontsquat using a reversed SSB (the pad keeps you from getting choked out & losing consciousness).
 
Getting into keto prior, hunger was minimal by comparison to usual. So that was definitely a wise move. I also seemed to really lose a LOT of fat on this one. I am every bit of 3lbs lighter now, post carb-up, plus I look leaner. Woke up at 240.6lbs today
any loose skin? could be cause I'm a few years older than you but I noticed the rapid loss from a prolonged fast briefly made my skin look a little loose but it tightened up fast. It was one of the things that made me realize it might be smart for me to not bulk too far beyond control if I'm losing elasticity already.

general fatigue & brain fog. Even being keto, taking in electrolytes, having black coffee, nothing undoes the weakness of not eating for extended period. By day 3, I found myself in the morning not hungry, but SO excited to eat because I wanted to feel useful again! I was tired of being tired.

yeah I get that. sorta the upside in a weird way when the fasting leads me to a little more fatigue is that its easier to fall asleep and not crave food, grab that extra 8hrs of free fasting lol. I know some people struggle to sleep when fasting but I believe thats the change to ketosis, so being keto before you go into it probably helps. The first time I did a long fast, I struggled to sleep the first night, but havent had that issue since. now days I'm more like what you describe, less energy and ready to hit the hay at night.
 
any loose skin? could be cause I'm a few years older than you but I noticed the rapid loss from a prolonged fast briefly made my skin look a little loose but it tightened up fast. It was one of the things that made me realize it might be smart for me to not bulk too far beyond control if I'm losing elasticity already.



yeah I get that. sorta the upside in a weird way when the fasting leads me to a little more fatigue is that its easier to fall asleep and not crave food, grab that extra 8hrs of free fasting lol. I know some people struggle to sleep when fasting but I believe thats the change to ketosis, so being keto before you go into it probably helps. The first time I did a long fast, I struggled to sleep the first night, but havent had that issue since. now days I'm more like what you describe, less energy and ready to hit the hay at night.
No loose skin, but I wouldn’t expect to notice that from only a few lbs - I would think that would take more substantial loss in a shorter period, like if I kept hammering a cut for the coming month.

Honestly keto doesn’t help the sleep at all; I fell asleep the first night when my last meal was at 4:30 because I was at the ER until 2am to get my son’s arm in a splint. Then up at 6:30am with him Thursday when he woke from pain. So when I finally got to bed 9pm Thursday, I slept 9 hours straight from exhaustion). But Friday night, tired as my body was, my mind started racing over food forever - and that normally happens to me on an extended fasts. You can be dead tired but the mind won’t stop suddenly dreaming about food, mouth watering. Not even hungry, just crazy appetite. So Friday night was tough to sleep, with lots of waking.
 
Man, really sorry to hear about Lil Man's arm. Sounds like it should be a quicker recovery this time, but will have a longer period of caution afterwards. Totally understandable even if the Doc says otherwise.

Sounds like the fast was good to you, even dealing with everything going on.
 
that normally happens to me on an extended fasts. You can be dead tired but the mind won’t stop suddenly dreaming about food, mouth watering. Not even hungry, just crazy appetite. So Friday night was tough to sleep, with lots of waking.
LOL so true. thats usually when people start posting food pics too and I start craving a ceasar salad for some reason haha
 
4/19/26
BW 241.2

6 min Incline Walk
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Tspine Mobility
Bird Dogs
KB Suitcase Carries
RFE Splitsquat

Frontsquat
45x10
95x6
165x3
255x2
+deadlift belt
305,345,365,385,405x1

Deadlift, weightlifting bar
225x6 RDL
295x4
365x1
+belt
415 4x3

Snatchgrip 4” Rackpulls
225,275x3
+straps & deadlift belt
325,355x8

Nautilus Hacksquat
+90,180,230x5
+deadlift belt & tripleply sleeves
+270 (350) x20

Frontsquat was impromptu, but always happy to be able to take 4 plates without issue. Speed pulls were not feeling speedy at all, until I figured things out for the 4th set & finally smoked them. Which drives home the benefit of just practicing, even when you don’t intend to pull heavy. Snatchgrips were too light, which is fine for the scope of today, but glad I feel stronger on them than they used to. Finished out with a 20-rep set of hacks.
That's a solid session for sure! I am always amazed at you guys who are able to put up big numbers on two major lifts in one session. The way my training is set up I only ever hit really one big lift or at least heavier weight attempts on one per session. I think it'd just be too taxing on my CNS and recovery otherwise.
 
That's a solid session for sure! I am always amazed at you guys who are able to put up big numbers on two major lifts in one session.
I agree, I think PL comps are pretty impressive especially when dudes go in there and PR multiple lifts. when I did xfit comps all the time we'd have 3-4 events, and then maybe 5-7 when we made top 10 chasing podium, but the weights were rarely 1RM territory, that was more a game of endurance and strategy. pushing heavy 1rm all day long in a PL comp is a serious feat of strength, IMO.
 
Front squat is huge. Sorry to hear about your kid breaking arm again. That is horrible. Get better and heal up just for it to happen again.
 
4/21/26
BW 240.6 yesterday

3 min Assault Bike
Tspine Mobility
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
Mace Swings
Band Warmup
Push-ups

Bench, powerbar
45x10,5,5
135,185x5
225x3
275x2
295 4x2, 1x7

1-Boardpress
205,210x12

Good bench day: only down one rep on my AMRAP from 6 weeks ago (which was a week post-meet). So holding onto muscle & strength quite well this offseason, which I believe the mirror reflects this as well. Gym owner hit 435 in the F8 Raven 2.0 band this morning, which was the biggest bench he’s ever done. So that was really cool, & hopefully the next few weeks we can drive that up further. There’s more than enough pop from the gear, so it’s just the process of conditioning the rest of his body around it to manage the overload.
 
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