New to the forum, though I’ve lurked around T Nation for the best part of my short lifting life. Brief background to give a little context, I’ve come from an endurance background which started in my teens, spent most my 20’s as a 17min 5k runner and was handy on a bike, too. Injuries, extra dose of talent, and not really wanting to suffer more in races than I already was, cost me stepping up a level.
I had just turned 27, rather than taking advantage of what should’ve been my running prime, I turned my S + C for running in to being that skinny guy wanting to look more like that big guy in the gym, and to look good in a t-shirt. Whilst messing about ego lifting, and still dabbling with some running, I took the time to read in to Starting Strength (borrowed a copy of the book) and your typical 5x5 routines. I got proficient and confidence on the lifts, but I found it so boring, I never stuck to it for long. In a nutshell, I wanted to lift big weights and chase a pump with my not very big muscles. I settled in to a basic PPL and started to make progress and feel pretty damn good.
2.5 yrs and 20kg later (unfortunately no photos of me at 92kg, though I can dig one out at 70kg), Covid hit, gyms closed, I couldn’t get hold of kit nor do I have space for a home set up. I started running again, it made me feel good, and though I missed lifting, I needed to move.
April this year, I was almost, but a few kg heavier, back to where I was at 27, running 60-70 miles a week, with no desire to be competitive. Gyms opened, hopefully for good this time (they did reopen briefly last year in the UK). So I set out my stall again to look jacked.
Trouble is, I program hopped, name a program and last six months I probably spent 2/3 weeks doing it. Chasing numbers on “the big 3” will be cited to me here I’m sure, variants of 5/3/1, or upper/lower, or full body … but I’m a strong believer in commitment to a routine and hard work trumps all of that. Do I look and feel better about myself than I did earlier this year? Yes. Have I made as much progress as I would have liked? Probably not. Hence the log, for some accountability, hopefully some guidance on this forum, and to save pen and paper…
I am a few weeks in to Clay Hyght’s Tried and True routine. Legs later this morning, more coffee needed first…