I’m a 38-year-old who’s been pretty strong throughout my life but without ever having trained it in any systematic way. I have two kids, a wife, a huge dog, a couple of cats, and I teach anything that can’t get you a job at the college level: philosophy and religion. I exist in a general state of sleeplessness (my little bastards are under 4). I’m about 260, 23-24% bodyfat (likely not accounting for the fat surrounding organs), and I need to cut down to 240 or so at least. One step at a time.
This coming week, 5/13-5/20, I’m projecting to finish up with LP. I’ve done one reset, the results of which I believe weren’t necessarily worth the extra 3 weeks or so. That’s actually one reason I’m here. I started reading and listening to Barbell Medicine content, and they articulated some things that I found interesting. As such, I’ve been contemplating what to do for my intermediate programming, and I’m going to try the Bridge 1.0, using GPP days for jiujitsu, which I’ve been longing to get back into. If anyone has any suggestions here, I’m all ears. I don’t want to overtrain, but I’ve got get my face back into some sweaty crotches.
My first and last LP logs are below, and I’ve been logging my data on Starting Strength: https://startingstrength.com/resourc…ml#post1680295
I’m really pleased with the progress I made, and I’m looking forward to making some more. I’m fairly confident BBM can deliver.
First LP log:1/17/18
Squat: 185x3x5
Press: 115x3x5
Deadlift: 155x5x1
(Bench, not a part of this workout, was 205x3x5)
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Last LP log-with a few more to go: 5/11/18
Bench: 290x5x3 (I had to bench alone, so I went with five sets of three for precautionary reasons. They started off around RPE 8 and ended around 8.5. I think I could have done three sets of five with a spotter, but the chance is not worth it.)
Squats: 395x3x5 (PR territory again. All RPE 8.5 - 9. The body’s getting tired. I’m going to try to squeeze out another week of this and get myself to 405x5x3, after which I’ll refuse to wear anything but a speedo around home and while gardening as a celebratory gesture. Chicks dig massive white thighs. I made a good call on the switch to light squats for Wed. I will be wrecked tomorrow and will have to make a judgment call as to whether to perform light squats on Monday or stick to the once-per-week rule. I’ll likely stick with once-per-week for the week or two I have left.)
Chins: Bodyweight, 8x6x5 (I’m getting better at these, but my bodyweight is moving back down slightly as well. I couldn’t do any more with good form, although I’m loathe to rate these in terms of RPEs given the variance in the amount of swingage, accidental leg-momentum, etc.)
(Press, not a part of this workout, is 182.5x3x5)
(Deadlift, not a part of this workout, is 405x1x5)
If I’m reading my body right, I will be finished with LP by the end of next week. I’m more or less in the same position in terms of body fatigue where I stalled last time, and I don’t intend to move toward another reset or milk LP in terms of intensity. I’m moving on.