New Measurements

Right, bit of a delay since my last write up as I’ve been short of time. I’ve done a few workouts since I last wrote. I’ve started using my dip belt and I’m now up to bodyweight plus an additional 10kg’s. I haven’t improved on squats or deads as I wanted to get my form spot on with the heavier weight before trying to up it again. I have also started to alternate these each session.
On Saturday I had a bit of an alcohol induced accident and bruised my shin badly so I just had to do an upper body session last night which was a bit annoying. Hopefully it will be back to normal for my next session on Thursday though.
I managed to take some measurements on Saturday too and although I can’t be sure I have measured in exactly the same place as last time I have tried to be as accurate as possible. My stats as of 19.01.08 are as follows:

Chest: Relaxed 37'', Tensed 38.5''
Left Arm: Relaxed 12.5'', Tensed 13.5''
Right Arm: Relaxed 12.5', Tensed 14''
Waist: 32''
Neck: 15''

Going by these new measurements I have gained an inch on my chest and half an inch on each arm which isn’t bad but I would have liked more. I think I could have made better gains but as originally I was trying to cut I wasn’t eating enough to put on more muscle. Now I’ve decided to go for a bulk I need to get more food down my neck and hopefully I should see some better gains!

Stats Update

Ok, I did want to post up my latest measurements and stats etc but I forgot to take them last night. I’ll have to wait until Wednesday now as I’m going to the gym tonight and I don’t want to take measurements when I’m pumped as that won’t give me a fair comparison to my last set that I took.
I have taken some new pics but I really can’t see much difference so not sure if it’s worth posting them! I feel stronger and I think my measurements will have got bigger but I can’t see any physical difference yet! I will post my current stats though as I do have those to hand.

My PB’s to date:

Squats – 6 x 95kg
DB Bench Press – 13 x 28kg per arm
Deadlifts – 12 x 80kg
Dips – 20 x Bodyweight
Chins – 11 x Bodyweight

I have just got a dip belt so I’m going to start adding some weight to my dips now since my reps have got a bit high. I’m also thinking of splitting my routine up a little so I can add in wide grip commando pull ups and cable fly’s. The pull ups just because they’re an awesome compound exercise, and the fly’s as I feel my chest is the main thing that’s lagging behind. I’m tempted to alternate days for squats and deadlifts too so I can go heavier with each exercise and cut down on my workout time a little. I’ll also post a days diet on when I add my measurements in case anyone’s interested. So I should next update again on Wednesday with some more details.

Quick PB Update

Although I said that I’d wait until the end of the week to do an update I had a good session on Friday so wanted to do a brief update. I managed personal bests on 4 lifts which I was chuffed about.
- Now up to 28kg’s per arm on dumbbell bench press
- 70kg Deadlift
- 18 Bodyweight Dips (time to get a dip belt for weighted dips me thinks!)
- Upped weight on seated row’s too

I had to do squats last as the rack was taken at the start of my workout so I did not have the energy to up the weights for these too! I was quite chuffed though as a pretty big guy that had previously been using the rack when I wanted it (he was squatting 170kg last I saw) commented on how good my squat form was which was nice to here!
I also did a HIIT session at the weekend too. Going to the gym tonight for a FB session then HIIT tomorrow so will write up later in the week.

After Xmas Write Up

Well this is my first write up since before Christmas and New Year. As expected the diet went out of the window and gym time was lacking. I made it to the gym four times over the last two weeks which wasn’t great but better than nothing I guess. Diet wise I really didn’t worry much and ate all the usual festive rubbish and drunk my own body weight in alcohol! Anyway never mind, New Year, fresh start and all that!
I did a FB session yesterday and I have lost a bit of strength which was to be expected really. I have dropped 5kg’s on squat and couldn’t do so many reps on bench press, other than that I had pretty much stayed the same. Oddly enough I managed 10 reps of bodyweight chins which was a PB!

Just trying to get myself sorted now for the New Year and the new Men’s Health 2008 three month challenge of losing body fat and bulking up. My main concern at the moment is my diet which I need to get back on track after the break. Going shopping at the weekend and will try to do some cooking in bulk for the next week. I also want to have all my exercises back up to the strength I was at by the end of next week.
I’ve set myself a few extra goals for the New Year which are as follows:

- Prepare foods in advance for work
- Eat more vegetables
- Make sure I’m up in time for an early breakfast rather than waiting until I get to work
- Do at least 2 HIIT sessions per week

I’ll do another write up around the end of next week when I hope to be completely back on track!