0915 - Rollers:
a. 5 min in 39x16 @ 70-75% HRmax @ 118 rpm
b. 10 min in 39x16 @ 70-75% HRmax @ 108 rpm
c. 25 min in 39x16 @ 75-80% HRmax @ 112-114 rpm
Didn't really want to do ANY cardio today (was still feeling far too uncomfortable still from yesterday's binge). Nearly an hour later than I should have I got on the rollers. Started out at a fast pace, since I wanted to punish myself for being bad. Legs didn't like that pace so I dropped it back to something that didn't hurt so much. After a further 10 minutes, decided that the pace was too slow and that HR needed to be higher, so took it up to a happy medium between the cadences already used. Body managed ok. At 20 minutes I was ready to get off and call it quits. However, stubbornly dug my heels in and stayed on to finish 40 minutes. Fcuk I HATE LONG cardio sessions; anything more than 20 minutes is a complete BORE (and UNnecessary)!!!
1019 - Stretch 20 min.
1100 - Arms (1 min recovery between supersets):
Superset A -
1. CG PU 4 x 8, 7, 5, 4 @ 110% b/w - Going to be doing these TWICE a week henceforth; but on Arms' day I will be doing them as 'half-reps' (i.e. only lowering eccentrically until my elbows are at 90 degree flexion, before concentric action) to target my biceps more than my back (which makes sense). Interestingly enough, I actually find doing half-reps HARDER than lowering myself to complete elbow extension and doing full reps; not sure why, since theoretically it should be the OTHER way around (but maybe because my biceps are weaker than my back?) Managed 8 reps the first time, 7 the second. Disappointed that I didn't get 6 reps out for the third time; and settled for only 4 reps on the last set. With Arms' day I WON'T be doing negatives on this, but just doing as many reps per set as I can.
2. Dips 4 x 12, 12, 10, 10 @ 110% b/w - Did my first set with my left hand in a fist on the bar. First 4 reps were ok, and then the pain kicked in, hitting most when I pushed up concentrically. Aimed for 12 reps per set, since that's what I managed for the first, and was ok - JUST - for the second set. From the second set I bravely did the exercise properly (i.e. no fist), and again, hesitated before the start of each set (because of the pain). Only managed 10 reps for the last 2 sets; and the last 2 reps per set were done very slowly, with me wanting to throw a tantrum afterwards because of the pain.
Superset B -
3. Dips 4 x 8 @ 110% b/w - Determined not to let this exercise beat me, I included it in the next superset. Only managed 8 reps on the first set before I was almost crying. Left it at 8 reps per set. I must have blanked out the pain by the last set, because it was minimal and nowhere near what it had been on all the rest.
4. CG BB BC 4 x 8 - Started out with the 33lb BB for the first set. Since I was only 'matching' what I'd done with Dips for reps per set, I only did 8 reps; and that was easy. Went up to the 38.5lb BB for the second set; that was a little more difficult, especially on the last rep. Stayed with the 38.5lb BB for the last 2 sets. Will go up to the 44lb BB next week. Vascularity through biceps and down forearms was something else.
Superset C -
5. DB FP 4 x 12, 8, 8, 6 - Used a 41.8lb DB for the first set; 12 reps easy. Since I wasn't really going for high reps this week, increased the weight to a 44.44lb DB. Only managed 8 reps (about right). The last set the last 2 reps were a struggle, and almost didn't get the last rep done. Vascularity was exceptionally strong in my right arm after these.
6. Inc. DB BC 4 x 12, 8, 8, 8 - Only used 15.4lb DBs, and for the first set they were enough; with the last 4 reps a slow struggle. Stayed at that weight, and 'matched' DB FP for reps per set, making 8 reps easily.
Superset D -
7. V-Bar TPD 4 x 10, 10, 10, 30 - Since I was fine at 60lb last week, increased the weight to 70lb. However, after 7 reps my arms gave out on me, and I (surprised) dropped the weight back to 60lb for the last 3 reps. Happened again on the second set; my arms must have been quite fatigued from the rest of the session. Dropsetted the weight again for the third set. Decided on the last set that I would keep dropsetting the weight (as I had been) until I had completed 30 reps; ended up doing 4 reps at 70lb, 3 reps at 60lb, 5 reps at 50lb, and 18 reps at 40lb.
8. Cable BC 4 x 10, 10, 10, 30 - Started at 50lb. Arms were feeling weak (and I was NOT happy at how V-Bar TPD were going), and I had to dropset with 40lb for the last 5 reps. Managed 8 reps before dropping back to 40lb on the second, third, and fourth sets. As with V-Bar TPD, I decided on doing 30 reps for the last set, completing the last 18 reps at 30lb. Forearms were well and truly shattered from the twelfth rep on the last set, but I kept pushing through until I had completed my quota.
Sleep - Time and Quality: ~2330-0711 (waking at 0330 and 0425), So nearly 7.75 hour sleep. Resistance training as late as it was yesterday definitely makes it a little harder to get up early the next day. Sleep was deep. Dreams were disturbing and taking weird paths...
Mental Alertness/Focus: There for the morning. Not much in the mood for a lot of thinking in the afternoon...
Energy: Although it was there for the rollers, I honestly DIDN'T want to be on them and couldn't be bothered doing them. In the gym I was fine (never have any problems wanting to do weights).
Motivation: I have the commitment, drive, motivation, and the time to train when (and as long) as I want, to achieve my goals...But I no longer see the point of beating my body into the ground and pushing myself as hard as I can with training; why, if I let myself down with my diet??? Then DON'T!!!
Mood/Aggression: Aggressive...
Stress: A 7 on the 1 to 10 'stress scale'.
Libido: If you know the right triggers...
Joints: Pushing through the pain (for the most part)...
Endurance: Excellent.
Strength: Making PROGRESS!
Quality of Training: Good. Dips are becoming less painful (barely), and I at least can do them without having to make a fist with my left hand (although I still hesitate slightly before each set because of the pain). Starting to look forward to Arms' day again; beat that body into submission...
Pump and Vascularity: Pump in arms from the first set (great stuff)...Vascularity strong; more in right side than left (maybe because my right side was working more than my left with many exercises, and lifting the weights etc.?)...
Muscle Hardness/Density: Glutes and legs. Arms.
Body Composition and Look: Still looking soft. NOT very comfortable today. GRRR; I hate looking average!
Overall Sense of Feeling: See "Motivation" comment.