Day 205

I have today and tomorrow off work too. So I'm pumped about that. Got out and tried to get up some leaves. That was a big bust due to all the rain we've had this morning. Was going to train today, but I didn't get much sleep and I just decided to get a nap, and enjoy the day. We hung out with some friends this evening for a while and played some games. It was good to see some old faces. I got the best friends in the world.

Happy New Year!

Day 204

My wife and daughter slept in, I couldn't sleep. So I got up and had some daddy time this morning drinking coffee and building us a fire.  We sat and watched TV and were lazy all day. It was cold as the mischief outside so we weren't especially motivated to get out.

Later we did go pick up some supper at Wendy's and go out to Grand National to watch the Christmas light show.  It was fun.  We just spent time together. It was a great day. 

Day 203

Headed back home to Auburn this afternoon, and my niece joined us for the drive. We took our time... I've gotten to where I drive a lot slower that I used to, precious cargo, and there is too many idiots on the road. Just call me Old Man Zac.  

Day 202

Not much to report, got out with dad and piddled around town with some errands, the weather is just awful (cold and rainy) so more sitting around watching bad football and getting some reading done. 

Day 201

Took the drive from Hoover over to Vernon, My hometown. There is no place like home, everything seems to move at a slower pace and I'm thankful to spend some time with my folks.  Gonna sit by the fire and relax.

Day 200

Trained at the Hoover Rec Center, every gym stereotype was there, it makes me so thankful that I have my own place to train.

Squats
Bar x 5
135 x 3,3
225 x 2,2
315 x 2
365 x 2
405 x 1,1,1
315 x 3,3

Standing push press
Bar x a lot
135 x 8
185 x 3
205 x 3
225 x 3
235 x 1
245 x 1
225 x 3

Hammer strength high pull down
90 x 10
180 x 10
270 x 10
360 x 10

Db triceps ext
35 x 10
45 x 10,10

Day 199

Merry Christmas! Rebekah woke up super early (imagine that), I built a fire and we opened presents. Then the storms rolled in and we left to drive up 280 to Birmingham to visit my In-Laws. Hoping to get some training in while away. 

Day 198

Working most of the day, Merry Christmas Eve to me. We still had time to build a fire this evening, and salvage a little Christmas cheer. I sure so have a little girl that is excited about tomorrow morning.

Day 197

Got up early, glad I didn't have to work today. Drank a little coffee, then church with the family. Got a nap in this afternoon, and then me and the little girl went to Tractor Supply to look for last minute gifts for Paw Paw. Didn't find one but I did find some horseshoes to give a try at bending. My beautiful bride fixed a big fancy Christmas dinner, a day early because I have to work tomorrow.  It was delicious!

Day 196

Had to work today, so there is that.  Gonna try and get some rest this evening, looking forward to Christmas.

Day 195

Deadlift
bar x 5
135 x 5
225 x 3
315 x 2
365 x 1
405 x 1
455 x 1
500 x 1
545 x 1
575 x 1
-just a nice little progression to my contest opener, the weather was cold and I wanted to take my time and I tried to pull the 575 with no emotion, it grinded a little bit more than I would have liked, but hey, I'm losing weigh and maintaining a deadlift so I can't complain.

Keg Carry
150lbs. x 150ft w/ 4 turns
240lbs. x 120 w/ 3 turns and then a rest and carried it back to the place we keep it. another 40ft.

Bench press
bar x 10
135 x 10
225 x 5
245 x 5
275 x 2
300 x 2,1 ( I wanted to do several sets with 300 for full pause doubles, but on my second set I had some pain in my left elbow and got that tendinitis feeling, and so i called it quits)

70lb kettlebell throws for height. x two handed 3 swings and a throw x 3
Got pretty good height on these. Really felt like I was letting them sail and get that "long" feeling I hear throwers talk about. But on my 3rd throw i got a sharp pain in my left buttcheek and so I called it a day here too

Shrugs 405 x 25 x 2

Barbell Rows 225 x lightening shot throw my left elbow when I tried these, went home for some grub and some Christmas rest.

Day 194

Took too long a nap after work today. Then took the family and my niece Georgia to see some Christmas lights, we ate at Jack's, and I got a big 'ole hamburger.  I did get the chance to weigh today and I weighed in at 299lbs. haven't been in the 200s in a long time, still a long way to go.

Day 193

Log Press (clean once)
empty x 5
155 x 5
205 x 3
225 x 4,3 ( just did 2 sets of as many as I could)

Barbell Press
115 x 10 (strict)
165 x 10 (strict)
215 x 4

Standing Axle Lockouts
218 x 1
228 x 1
238 x 1
248 x 1

Rope Pulldowns
208 x 17,17,12 (just went for as many as I could do)

To press a lot, you have to press a lot, or so I've been told.  My new strategy on pressing day is to just press til you can't press no more.

Day 192

Today was an especially crappy day...  I can't really begin to describe it 99% was work related, but I try to refrain from even mentioning the "w" word.

Whole family took a nap then went outside to play, that lasted about ten minutes, but then my sweetie made some tacos and we let the little girl swim and play in the hot tub.  It was a good night. 

Day 191

Stone Trainer
100 x 5
145 x 5
190 x 5 x 3
(I lightened up on these, my left elbow is giving me fits, so I kept it easy this week.)

Squat
135 x 5
225 x 3
315 x 2 x 6 (30 sec rest b/w sets)

Standing Calf Raise w/ barbell
225 x 12 x 4

Log Press (strict/speed)
135 x 3 x 8

Wrist Roller
90lbs x 4 sets

The weather kept me from throwing the kettlebell so I'll move that to Friday. This left elbow thing has got me down.  But in the word's of Shug Jordan "Dammit anyway!"  I'll compete in January, I don't care if it is from a wheelchair.

Day 190

Church, home, cooked lunch, nap, Sunday School Christmas party, wore out... Night, Night.

Day 189

Aubie says "Merry Christmas"

Went to a Christmas parade with the little lady..  It was... Very Long.

 Then came home and helped with a few chores.

About 2pm we went and watched friend and ABBC member Ben Steele get married to his honey.  He had a great spread at the reception.  All bets were off on the diet once I saw all the treats. I did opt for water over sweet tea... So there you go.

Got a short nap, and then Allison's sister came in for a visit.  It's been a busy but fun weekend so far.

Day 188

Went and did a little Christmas shopping this morning and then had lunch at our favorite mexican place. Went to the gym this afternoon, it went something like this.

deadlift 245 x 3,3
335 x 2,2
425 x 2
475 x 1
525 x 2
425 x 3 x 3

Keg Carry
150lb. x 90ft. (turn at halfway)
240lbs x ditto
240lbs. x ditto

Bench Press
135 x 10
185 x 10
225 x 10
275 x 5,5

Pulldowns
165 x 10,10

light curls on the bad arm. x 25lb DB

Day 187

Took tomorrow off work since we are slow, looking forward to a 3 day weekend with the family. Built a fire in the fireplace, which is very therapeutic for me. Glad to sleep in a little in the morning. 

Day 186

Log Press
empty warmup
155 x 3,3
205 x 1
225 x 1
245 x 2 (cleaned both reps)
205 x 6, 4 (clean once)

Axle lockouts
86 x a few
152 x a lot (can't remember)
218 x some
238 x a couple
I honestly can't remember I just went from can to can't

Barbell strict press/push jerks (all in the same set, tried to break it up half and half
135 x 6,6
185 x 3,3
205 x 2, 2
225 x 1pj and fail in sp

My goal today was to get my numbers on the log press, and then exhaust my shoulders and triceps with as much pressing as I could stand.  I didn't have time for the upper back work I wanted to do, but it was good to focus on just one thing.

My old left elbow injury has come back around and now I'm having pain doing any curling exercise. I fully expect the bicep to detach any time now.

Day 185

Had to work a little late today, then the family went and had supper with our 95 year old neighbor. She can make some mean spaghetti...  It wasn't a backload day, but I just couldn't help myself, I tanked up.  Oh well, I'll get back on the wagon with the diet tomorrow. 

Day 184

Stone trainer
100 x 5
145 x 5
190 x 5

(no tacky)
210 stone x 5
240 stone x 5,3

Then I made this plate stone trainer thing with the plates standing vertical and the bottom plate was a plate with handles. So I would grab the bottom plate by the handle, hug all the other plates to my chest and then extend up like a stone load. Very similar to the bumper plate loaded stone trainer but the handles on the bottom help me work on extension and give better grip.

Anyway, this working up to 275 for a couple of singles.

Pulldowns using fat rope 198 x 10,10,10,15

Wore out.

Day 183

Skipped Sunday School, went to big church. That was good. Then Me and Rebekah played with the dog while mommy took a nap. Also got to take some stones to the gym. One of them got loose on the trip over and almost broke the back gate of my trailer. So that was fun.

Now catching up on a little Sunday Night Football and getting ready for the work week.

G'night!

Day 182

Great night sleep, watched cartoons with the little one, then got outside and cut down a few magnolia trees, still so much back yard cleaning out to do. It was good GPP dragging all that stuff to the road.  Then mommy went shopping while Rebekah and I went on a walk, and fixed some lunch.  Top it off with a long nap and some Christmas present wrapping. It was a good day.  

Day 181

Lots of distractions at the gym today. I think I train much better alone, I think I focus better. Anyway.

Squat
135 x 5
225 x 5
315 x 3
365 x 2
405 x 2

Deadlift
315 x 2
405 x 2
455 x 2
500 x 2
425 x 2,2,2

Bench (close grip, pause reps)
135 x ?
185
255 x a bunch x a couple sets
275 x 3 x 3

Lat Pulldown
198 x 12,12,12

Day 180

Took the family out to Chick-Fil-A for dinner. I ate two chicken sandwiches dripping with Polynesian sauce...  It was mighty tasty. Rebekah had to hug the cow mascot several times. I think she is proud that she has conquered her fear giant cow macots...

Day 179

Log Clean and press every rep
warmup x a lot
155 x 3
185 x 3
225 x 1
235 x 2,2

Biceps were still cooked from stone trainer on Monday, lots of pain, so I was glad to just get my numbers on this

Barbell push press from rack

bar x a lot
135 x 5,5
Add 1 set of chains
135 x 5
155 x 3
175 x 3,3,3,3
135 x ? (just went until i quit)


"to press a lot, you have to press a lot" - somebody a long time ago

Day 178

Biceps are cooked from yesterday.  Came straight home from work and my wife and I took the little lady the Dr., No ear infection thankfully, but still not feeling too good. We stopped off at Sonic for a little treat wich seemed to help.

Day 177

Stone Trainer (going for a max)
115 x 5
150 x 5
195 x 3
205 x 1
225 x 1
245 x 1
260 x miss, almost, almost

Front Squat
135 x 3,3
225 x 2
255 x 1
245 x 5,3,3

Narrow Grip Pulldown
175 x 12,12,12

70 Kettlebell Throw
x  9 (3 swings and a throw, 3 throws w/ two hands, 3 throws with right, 2 w/ left)

Hoo! I'm tired.

Day 176

Went to Sunday School and skipped out on Big Church. Got a short nap in, and did some playing around outside. We got two, yes TWO Christmas trees put up, lighted, and decorated.  It was a good day. Glad Christmas is coming.

Day 175

Great day with family and friends, had some people over to watch the SEC Championship game. Got a few chores done and enjoyed the beatutiful weather.