Journey of a newbie lifter

[Dustin07]

I hate how females think saying you look skinny is a compliment. One year I was juiced up, on gh, 205-210ish, lean with veins in my head lol, and my girl says wow your getting skinny. Instantly irritated me

my wife's so funny, I know sometimes she's patronizing me but hillariously she will think and pick her words to figure out which ones she thinks I want to hear. It probably comes from her spending a decade in an xfit gym and raising a son who was a bit of a gym rat, lol. The other day I was like fully sodium and glyco pumped getting dressed in front of the mirror and I'm like 'holy ****, my muscles look huge, where did that come from' and she's like 'yeah I was just thinking that too' ahahaha

 

[Smont]

my wife's so funny, I know sometimes she's patronizing me but hillariously she will think and pick her words to figure out which ones she thinks I want to hear. It probably comes from her spending a decade in an xfit gym and raising a son who was a bit of a gym rat, lol. The other day I was like fully sodium and glyco pumped getting dressed in front of the mirror and I'm like 'holy ****, my muscles look huge, where did that come from' and she's like 'yeah I was just thinking that too' ahahaha

She sounds like she's one of the good ones

 

[Dustin07]

She sounds like she's one of the good ones

no argument!

 

[Calebd91]

Good morning, just doing quick check in.
Been a busy busy past several days with storm passing thru, my best friends wedding, and then getting stuff ready to go to hunting camp, on top of work and regular day life things.

Still on the search for a bench/bar setup on marketplace as the one I was suppose to pick up was sold kinda out from under me even tho I had arranged a day to go pick it up, oh well.

Last 2 Workouts have been tougher just do to already being exhausted and fitting them in my schedule when I had the extra time. But I still managed to PR a few lifts. I won’t be getting my normal Friday routine in because after work today I’m heading straight to the camp, but I’ll be doing plenty of labor to semi make up for it.

Also meal prepped last night to get me thru the weekend at camp so not tempted to do my normal sloppy eating when up there.
Nice combination of grilled chicken and grilled lean pork chop, sweet potato, green beans and rice.

Thanks to all for the continued support and encouragement. Keep on pushin!

 

[Dustin07]

Your meal prep looks great. having good options to stay balanced so that you don't find yourself starving and desperate definitely helps avoid bad decisions. there are some pretty decent beef jerkeys out there that are reasonable on the protein:fat ratio for macros that make a nice pocket item if you're doing much hiking on the hunt. The past few deer hunts I had were pretty rigorous hikes so I'd pack in some food with me which always seemed to help.

 

[Calebd91]

Your meal prep looks great. having good options to stay balanced so that you don't find yourself starving and desperate definitely helps avoid bad decisions. there are some pretty decent beef jerkeys out there that are reasonable on the protein:fat ratio for macros that make a nice pocket item if you're doing much hiking on the hunt. The past few deer hunts I had were pretty rigorous hikes so I'd pack in some food with me which always seemed to help.

I certainly like variety but not to much to be overwhelmed. Somewhat creature of habit but it’s easy to burn out on the same meal over and over. I’m starting to find more and more recipes that I’m saving to build off of for some more options.

I usually do carry some beef jerky with me, I need to stock up on some good stuff for later season long hunts. My biggest hurdle will be when all the guys are up we tend to do lots of fried foods and cobblers/desserts. But I think I’ve established a good change of eating lifestyle I won’t give in…..too heavy! Ha

 

[Dustin07]

LOL thats funny. I've never been surrounded by a lot of dudes with sweet toothes, but what would be more likely for my hunting/fishing buddies to bring would be beers, chips, and all the fattiest types of meats and other foods you can possibly pack on a camping trip lol. no sugar really, but lots of fats and carbs for sure. My brother and I were usually pretty good about packing tho, he'd usually bring like deer heart or something from last year that we'd cook up as a traditional meal for soft tacos, eggs every breakfast, but usually with sausage/bacon etc.

 

[Hyde]

I certainly like variety but not to much to be overwhelmed. Somewhat creature of habit but it’s easy to burn out on the same meal over and over. I’m starting to find more and more recipes that I’m saving to build off of for some more options.

I usually do carry some beef jerky with me, I need to stock up on some good stuff for later season long hunts. My biggest hurdle will be when all the guys are up we tend to do lots of fried foods and cobblers/desserts. But I think I’ve established a good change of eating lifestyle I won’t give in…..too heavy! Ha

You can eat a legitimate cheat/trash type meal once a week if you’re not trying to lose weight (and sometimes even then). People get into trouble when they rampage for the whole weekend or trip like you said. You can’t eat a bunch of crap daily and expect it not to add up.

It’s helpful for me to save that special meal for the last one of the day if possible. It’s also good to call your shots - have ONE good slice of cobbler, but don’t keep going back. The point is to enjoy sharing delicious foods with others, but it’s not like you’re going to actually feel meaningfully happier eating multiple extra helpings.

 

[Calebd91]

Yea it’s comical some of the guys act like Betty Crocker at the camp but won’t lift a spoon when they at home with their old lady!
I prefer to do the grilling side of things mainly. Got a coon ass that can fry fish, backstrap, frog legs, you name it better than anyone. And then 2 retired fellas that do the cobblers/pies and one that does breakfast almost every day with big loadouts or his “famous” breakfast soufflé.
Makes for a good time even if the hunting is bad! I just enjoy being out in nature and away from the hustle and bustle of work

 

[Hyde]

Yea it’s comical some of the guys act like Betty Crocker at the camp but won’t lift a spoon when they at home with their old lady!
I prefer to do the grilling side of things mainly. Got a coon ass that can fry fish, backstrap, frog legs, you name it better than anyone. And then 2 retired fellas that do the cobblers/pies and one that does breakfast almost every day with big loadouts or his “famous” breakfast soufflé.
Makes for a good time even if the hunting is bad! I just enjoy being out in nature and away from the hustle and bustle of work

The “men” who act like it’s only women’s work to cook crack me up. You think early men out on the hunt waited until they got home so their wives could feed them like helpless children? They ripped that flesh from the bone and got to it. Cowboys didn’t have ladies out on the range, sailors and soldiers don’t get mom or wives feeding them in the field - a man has to be able to feed himself!

 

[Dustin07]

Cowboys didn’t have ladies out on the range

regardless of what you might have been told, I wouldn't consider brokeback mountain to be a historically accurate story.

 

[Hyde]

regardless of what you might have been told, I wouldn't consider brokeback mountain to be a historically accurate story.

I didn’t say they were slapping cheeks; I said they were SOL as far as women taking care of them lol

 

[Calebd91]

Back from the camp and back to the grind.
Put in some MAJOR work over the weekend so don’t feel too bad for missing my Friday workout.
Planted 12 plots, got 9 feeders going an filled. About 13-1400 pounds worth in 50# bags. Had to cut up a big ass oak tree that fell across road an loaded an unloaded it for firewood.

Tons of leg and arm work, had me little exhausted and sore for today but still got up early enough before going in to work tonight to get my regular workout in. Also meal prepped just a few meals for next 2 days until I’m off again an can reload up on groceries.

Think I’m going to try an up my calories another 200-300, I’m maintaining my weight at 158-160. But it could be that I’m losing fat still while gaining muscle so I’m more re-comping then straight bulk/gaining.


Upper B
Monday, Oct 19, 2026 at 12:06pm

Floor Press (Dumbbell)
Set 1: 35 lbs x 12
Set 2: 35 lbs x 14
Set 3: 35 lbs x 16
Set 4: 35 lbs x 16

Bent Over Row (Dumbbell)
Set 1: 37.5 lbs x 14
Set 2: 37.5 lbs x 16
Set 3: 37.5 lbs x 16

Shoulder Press (Dumbbell)
Set 1: 35 lbs x 8
Set 2: 35 lbs x 8
Set 3: 30 lbs x 10

Lateral Raise (Dumbbell)
Set 1: 12.5 lbs x 12
Set 2: 12.5 lbs x 12
Set 3: 12.5 lbs x 14

Triceps Extension (Dumbbell)
Set 1: 30 lbs x 12
Set 2: 30 lbs x 12
Set 3: 30 lbs x 14

Hammer Curl (Dumbbell)
Set 1: 30 lbs x 12
Set 2: 30 lbs x 10

 

[Dustin07]

Planted 12 plots, got 9 feeders going an filled. About 13-1400 pounds worth in 50# bags. Had to cut up a big ass oak tree that fell across road an loaded an unloaded it for firewood.

I really need to priortize this type of behavior, and some practice shooting with the bow. still have 2+ months left out here to shoot but they will disappear fast.

 

[Hyde]

Not gaining weight over the trip is a great thing!

 

[Calebd91]

I really need to priortize this type of behavior, and some practice shooting with the bow. still have 2+ months left out here to shoot but they will disappear fast.

I didn’t have much practice this year, but I love to just shoot a bag every now and then. Our season opened on the 1st of this month and runs until Nov 20th. It’s a hit or miss on early season catching the bachelor groups of bucks still. Then a lull a late season if you get in the hardwoods after acorns drop heavy it gets good. With my work schedule this past weekend might be my only bow hunt time so I only went Friday and sat morning before doing my work. I was by myself so I had to really hit it hard till dark each day.

Not gaining weight over the trip is a great thing!

Taking my meals I prepped and being by myself really helped! I made breakfast bowls with sausage eggs a potatoes for mornings and for dinner I went and got 2 footlong subway sandwich’s. Only cheat I did was got white chocolate macadamia nut cookies lol

 

[akboom87]

Sounds like a great time! I had big plans of trying to get out with my bow this year but I’m not going to make it just haven’t shot enough to be able to make an ethical shot. So I’ll be patiently waiting rifle season!

 

[Calebd91]

Sounds like a great time! I had big plans of trying to get out with my bow this year but I’m not going to make it just haven’t shot enough to be able to make an ethical shot. So I’ll be patiently waiting rifle season!

It certainly takes time, and the right setup in the woods to. Most of my spots are really setup best for rifle season, but with a climber or ground blind I can easily transition to hunt by bow. Years of scouting the same woods I’ve learned most of the travel patterns. But it’s still luck of the draw (no pun intended) on a big buck cruising thru. They are incredibly smart, an we don’t give them enough credit in my opinion, on knowing when their domain is infiltrated and throws them off.
But I am eager for rifle season as well! I’m due for a decent buck, I’ve been humbled the last 2 years.
But it’s ok, I don’t hunt for the kill, I enjoy the calmness of watching the woods wake up at daybreak, the life that’s hidden in plain sight that most don’t experience, the one place I can not think about anything and be immersed fully into the experience. The harvest is just a reward to fulfill the dedication and perseverance put into outsmarting nature, and being blessed and thankful for the meat it provides my family.

 

[Dustin07]

Sounds like a great time! I had big plans of trying to get out with my bow this year but I’m not going to make it just haven’t shot enough to be able to make an ethical shot. So I’ll be patiently waiting rifle season!

I have to keep reminding myself that the time I spent raising chickens this summer was the time I would have spent preparing for a hunt, but that I did put 200lbs of chicken in the freezer and a blacktail would likely be substantially less... still... I want some venison lol.

But it’s ok, I don’t hunt for the kill, I enjoy the calmness of watching the woods wake up at daybreak, the life that’s hidden in plain sight that most don’t experience, the one place I can not think about anything and be immersed fully into the experience. The harvest is just a reward to fulfill the dedication and perseverance put into outsmarting nature, and being blessed and thankful for the meat it provides my family.

amen to all that. its very therapeutic. I truly believe all my senses, including my eyes and beat up ears improve a LOT when out in the bush away from society and traffic and noise.

 

[Rockslide]

I have to keep reminding myself that the time I spent raising chickens this summer was the time I would have spent preparing for a hunt, but that I did put 200lbs of chicken in the freezer and a blacktail would likely be substantially less... still... I want some venison lol.



amen to all that. its very therapeutic. I truly believe all my senses, including my eyes and beat up ears improve a LOT when out in the bush away from society and traffic and noise.

Just go to the coast and shoot a Roosevelt and you can put about 600 lbs of basically beef in the freezer !

Hopefully I get a whitetail this year. Let a good meat buck walk last year on opening day , because I had a monster coming around but wasn’t able to get him.

I have also been making a point to try to get a deer with my kiddo with me as he’s just getting interested in it. Definitely has an increased element of difficulty trying to keep the little dude quiet lol

 

[Dustin07]

honestly I think whitetail are the best tasting deer. I'll take any deer, but in our state our whitetail are lowlands and typically are apple or corn grazing. the mulies of course are highland/mountain deer and the blacktails are west (wet) side forested so those whitetails have all that awesome apple/corn diet in them.

Just go to the coast and shoot a Roosevelt and you can put about 600 lbs of basically beef in the freezer !

LOL piece of cake

 

[Calebd91]

Quick update, last few days workouts. Still feeling it from the camp work so feel like workout suffered some this week, but pushed hard as I could comfortably.
Scale is up as of yesterday morning 164# even. Will trend it over the week to see if it’s true gain, I’ve upped my calories about 200ish per day for most of the week, so that may have pushed me to a slight surplus. Which I felt I needed.
Have another lead on a bench and bar setup so maybe I can get a hold of this one before it sells.
Would love to maximize what I can do at home until I find a gym (and the time to go).



Upper A
Wednesday, Oct 21, 2026 at 3:57pm

Bent Over Row (Dumbbell)
Set 1: 37.5 lbs x 14
Set 2: 37.5 lbs x 14
Set 3: 40 lbs x 14
Set 4: 40 lbs x 12

Floor Press (Dumbbell)
Set 1: 40 lbs x 10
Set 2: 40 lbs x 12
Set 3: 40 lbs x 10

Hammer Curl (Dumbbell)
Set 1: 27.5 lbs x 14
Set 2: 27.5 lbs x 10
Set 3: 27.5 lbs x 10

Rear Delt Reverse Fly (Dumbbell)
Set 1: 20 lbs x 14
Set 2: 20 lbs x 14
Set 3: 20 lbs x 10

Shrug (Dumbbell)
Set 1: 40 lbs x 14
Set 2: 40 lbs x 18

Triceps Extension (Dumbbell)
Set 1: 30 lbs x 12
Set 2: 30 lbs x 12


Upper B
Friday, Oct 23, 2026 at 4:57pm

Floor Press (Dumbbell)
Set 1: 35 lbs x 14
Set 2: 40 lbs x 10
Set 3: 40 lbs x 10
Set 4: 40 lbs x 8

Bent Over Row (Dumbbell)
Set 1: 40 lbs x 12
Set 2: 40 lbs x 12
Set 3: 40 lbs x 14

Shoulder Press (Dumbbell)
Set 1: 35 lbs x 8
Set 2: 35 lbs x 6
Set 3: 30 lbs x 10

Lateral Raise (Dumbbell)
Set 1: 10 lbs x 12
Set 2: 10 lbs x 12
Set 3: 10 lbs x 14

Triceps Extension (Dumbbell)
Set 1: 30 lbs x 12
Set 2: 32.5 lbs x 10
Set 3: 32.5 lbs x 12

Hammer Curl (Dumbbell)
Set 1: 30 lbs x 12
Set 2: 30 lbs x 10

 

[Hyde]

Life definitely can impact training, but what’s important is that you still do it to the best of your ability! Great job with that.

Maybe start setting aside a little scratch to buy a bar & rack, in case something doesn’t pop up for a bit. $20/wk is something most people can set aside, but that’s $240 in 3 months - and you definitely want to be getting under a bar by then.

 

[Calebd91]

Life definitely can impact training, but what’s important is that you still do it to the best of your ability! Great job with that.

Maybe start setting aside a little scratch to buy a bar & rack, in case something doesn’t pop up for a bit. $20/wk is something most people can set aside, but that’s $240 in 3 months - and you definitely want to be getting under a bar by then.

I’m def pushing to stay consistent on my days, even if I can’t push as hard as I have in the past. It’s really dictated on when I get to workout being either, after a 12hr shift, wake up early before shift, or when it falls on my off day that I usually am tied up doing other errands. But I do it!

Yea I got a little extra cash stash I’m going to use to buy used, or I’m going to bite the bullet and just order one. This part of the year is extra busy for me so it’s really been a time thing. But I feel like I’m ready to advance some

 

[Rockslide]

A lot of options on new racks in the $200-$400 range. I mean they aren’t the same quality as a Rogue Monster , Sorinex, fringe etc but unless you plan on doing rack pulls with 500+ loaded on the bar it’s not going to matter. Budget quality stuff gets the job done just fine, just doesn’t look quite as pretty in the garage when friends come over.

I would recommend getting something you can bolt down though or a half rack you can bolt to the wall. Full rack would be safer though than a half rack if lifting without a spotter.

Used bars are easy to find or get a cheap Olympic bar on Amazon for $100 or so.

Budget grade utility benches are $80-100 on amazon

Set of 45s, 25s, 10s- cap brand 160 at walmart

Rack - $250-300
Bench- $80
Bar- $100
Weights- $160

Would be about 600-650 for all of that. You may or may not be able to beat that used. I would say used premium stuff probably will go for more, used budget stuff maybe 1/2 that if you can find it. In a perfect world someone moving and just wants to give it away to get rid of it but that may be hard to find .

Anyways would unlock

Bench, incline , close and wide grip variations, shoulder presses , pull-ups , rows, squats, front squads, split squats, deadlift, stiff leg deads, Romanian deads in additional to all your dumbbell stuff. Depending on the rack you could add pulleys and attachments for pulldowns, flies , push downs etc down the road

 

[Calebd91]

Morning update!
Today’s my one off day so I capitalized big time on it. Worked days yesterday and prioritized after getting home relaxing a preparing for spending today with my son (4 months old). I got some the best sleep I’ve had in awhile and got up this morning with a plan to get a workout in before he woke up an it all went great.
Started with my 1 cup oatmeal an 2 tbsp of peanut butter, and v8 mango drink. About 48-50carbs for a pre workout snack. Got everything set up an killed it! (atleast in my opinion) PR’d every final set of every exercise and PR’d every set volume for every exercise.

I focused heavy on extra rest time since I didn’t feel rushed, also I think I kept strict form throughout the whole routine except for maybe the rear delt flys last set last 2 reps I didn’t get the weight pulled back as far for that full stretch but enough to count. I knew the next one I was about to use some swing to get it going so called it off there.

I work nights tomorrow night but my plan is to rest good again tonight/early morning. Get up early and kill it on legs again!

I attribute most of it from a good nights rest and good pre workout meal timing. I wish I had a schedule that would allow better consistency with that but I do my best to maximize when I can.

Here’s this mornings workout:
Upper A
Monday, Oct 26, 2026 at 7:18am

Bent Over Row (Dumbbell)
Set 1: 40 lbs x 14
Set 2: 40 lbs x 14
Set 3: 40 lbs x 14
Set 4: 40 lbs x 16 PR 1RM
PR set volume

Floor Press (Dumbbell)
Set 1: 40 lbs x 14
Set 2: 40 lbs x 14
Set 3: 40 lbs x 16 PR 1RM
PR Set volume

Hammer Curl (Dumbbell)
Set 1: 27.5 lbs x 14
Set 2: 27.5 lbs x 14
Set 3: 27.5 lbs x 16 PR 1RM
PR Set volume

Rear Delt Reverse Fly (Dumbbell)
Set 1: 20 lbs x 14
Set 2: 20 lbs x 14
Set 3: 20 lbs x 16 PR 1RM
PR set volume

Shrug (Dumbbell)
Set 1: 40 lbs x 18
Set 2: 40 lbs x 18
Set 3: 40 lbs x 20 PR 1RM
PR set volume

Triceps Extension (Dumbbell)
Set 1: 32.5 lbs x 12
Set 2: 32.5 lbs x 16 PR 1RM
PR set volume

And update progress pic for craps an giggles:

 

[Hyde]

Nice work man. Keep pushing those boundaries as you can! Inch by inch, one rep here, 5lbs there, maybe an extra set at times - that’s how it’s done. Rome wasn’t built in a day, but every brick adds up eventually.

It’s fine if the last rep or two has a little English on pulling/rowing movements like rear delt raises and rows - that’s just how they go, becoming partials before failure.