I just realized how little progress I have made from new years until about a month ago.
I’ve made more progress in both strength and size during the last month than the last 4-5 months. This month also happens to be when I’ve logged all my workouts and made sure to push more weight/more reps each workout, and made absolutely sure getting 3500kcal, even if not as “clean” as desired, every day.
I started out at 142lbs last summer, now I am standing at the same height of 5’10 at 168lbs, probably slightly fatter but also a tad bigger and stronger. My weight gain has however been more in spurts than steady, because inconsistent training and diet. Haven’t measured BF%, don’t really care about a little fat as long as strength and size comes with it. My upper 3-4 abs are visible, if that gives you a picture.
It’s also pretty darn embarrassing to sport some pygmy 35-36cm (14-14.5’) arms with almost one year under my belt. My legs measure 62cm, chest 106cm, shoulders 122cm.
My diet still needs some work, as I tend to have “gaps” during the day, most particularly during school where I am not eating much, only to chug down the remaining 50% of the calories that day during 2-3 hours in the evening. I will try to solve this by always bringing at least 1000kcal worth of decent food to school every day.
My usual day looks something like this;
Meal 1 (breakfast) oatmeal, milk and fruit, 1000kcal~
Meal 2 either 100g nuts or two slices of bread with animal liver (don’t know what you call this in english, but rich in protein and fat), 500-600kcal~
Meal 3 omelette, 500-600kcal~
Meal 4 shake with whey protein blended with milk. 300kcal if it’s only that, 500kcal if it’s my post-workout shake which also consist of more milk and carbpowder.
Meal 5 steak, pasta, pork chops etc. Usually around 1000-700kcal, depending on which.
Last meal can be an additional shake if I’ve eaten a lot of carbs during the day, some nuts, or whatever to fill out the remaining cals that’s at least half decent nutritional wise. In total 3400-3600kcals.
This obviously needs some work, so feel free to criticize.
I am also not shy of eating an extra burger or pizza should the opportunity arise.
Anyway, I’ve set myself three very distinct goals to meet within the end of 2009.
Achieve an arm circumference of at least close to 40cm.
Deadlift 200kg
190lbs bodyweight
Currently, my deadlift max 140kg. Which means to be I must add at least 10kg, in addition to about +1cm arm circumference every month.
I’m maybe aiming too high, but it’s better to go full throttle for something seemingly impossible, than shortchanging yourself on setting too low goals.
During the last month I’ve done a traditional 4-way split, the usual chest/triceps, back/biceps, shoulders/traps, legs. Made very good progress on this, compared to other programs I’ve used (I’ve tried all that full body “beginner” stuff, 5x5 etc, didn’t work out too good for me).
I will try to mix up with chest/biceps, legs, shoulders/triceps, back/traps, to see how I respond to training arms two times per week, one directly and one indirectly.
Logs will start from next workout.