Becoming the Iron Lion

[Montego]

Pull y'day. Good session on short rest.

Pulled a set from each exercise again but, this is just a test run for back. The volume I've been doing for the past couple years on back has worked better then this lower volume approach did in the past so, I'm just seeing how things feel and progress, most likely will bring volume back up.

Xplode pull-down 2 sets
Arsenal multi grip row 2 sets
Arsenal mid back row 2 sets
Arsenal pullover 2 sets
DC rows 2 sets

Biceps thrown in there as well. Bad wrist side bicep is behind a good bit. I'm getting a good pump there and strength wise it's fine, just hasn't responded like I figured it would.

Drugs are still the same. I'll run out of npp here soon so I'll switch over to Deca for the remainder of this blast.

 

[Montego]

Trained legs today. This fucking knee ... I was so excited the last 2 days because it was absolutely pain free and I had legs scheduled for today.

Wake up, it's aching. Fuck right off. Arthritis is a cunt.

So the session blew in terms of weight moved but, had a decent pump at least.

Trained in the old gym since there was a train at the intersection on the way to the new one and the old gym is literally right there.

Lots of extensions to try and warm up the knee, helped, but still uncomfortable.

3 sets of Glute kick backs 12-15
4 sets of single leg hip press in the 15-20 rep range
4 sets of hypers 12-15
3 sets of hip hacks 15-20
2 rest pause sets of extensions
2 sets of split squats
2 sets of bodyweight squats

I fucking hate training like this ..... Legs used to be my favorite day but now I don't even feel like going because I can't train the way I enjoy.

If I was twenty years older I would just get a knee replacement and say fuck it so I could train again.

 

[samgraves82]

Pull y'day. Good session on short rest.

Pulled a set from each exercise again but, this is just a test run for back. The volume I've been doing for the past couple years on back has worked better then this lower volume approach did in the past so, I'm just seeing how things feel and progress, most likely will bring volume back up.

Xplode pull-down 2 sets
Arsenal multi grip row 2 sets
Arsenal mid back row 2 sets
Arsenal pullover 2 sets
DC rows 2 sets

Biceps thrown in there as well. Bad wrist side bicep is behind a good bit. I'm getting a good pump there and strength wise it's fine, just hasn't responded like I figured it would.

Drugs are still the same. I'll run out of npp here soon so I'll switch over to Deca for the remainder of this blast.

Thick back havin ass boi

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[Montego]

Thick back havin ass boi

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As much as I've pounded away it, it better be lol.

 

[samgraves82]

As much as I've pounded away it, it better be lol.

Mission accomplished

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[Montego]

Been rolling along.

Last couple sessions were great, the reduced volume is showing in the physique already. Just feel and look fuller overall. Weight sticking better, don't feel as beat up.

I slept a lot the last two days trying to catch up from work. Probably 30 hours. It was great.

Knees were feeling good today so I didn't over do it on legs tonight. I'm done fighting the knees, I'm just going to train so I'm pain free and if I turn into a beach house, so be it.

Adductors, glutes, extensions super sets as an active warm up.

Leg press mid stance mid platform 2 sets of 20
Belt squat similar stance, weight forward onto quads 3 sets of 20
Hack squat shorter ROM 2 sets of 20
Extensions rest pause 19/10/8

Did some hypers and DB stiff legs between

Push tomorrow

 

[Montego]

Push late last night.

Got to the gym around 3am and it was dead, just how I like it.

Dedicated some volume for triceps, some close grip machine presses and a push down with a vbar type attachment.

Arms aren't awful yet, it's been a struggle with the right arm especially. I'm convinced there's nerve damage somewhere from the wrist fusion because it just doesn't want to feel right.

Either way, my first set, incline machine, I struggled to hit my previous reps but, I progressed everything after. Just needed a little more to get the CNS firing.

Xplode incline 2 sets
Xplode flat press 2
Arsenal vertical press 2 sets
Arsenal flat press close handles 2 sets
V bar press 2 sets
Cable rear laterals 5 sets
Arsenal shoulder press 2 sets

Drol strength is fading a tad but, overall I still feel very strong and the drive to train is high when I get going. Good signs.

 

[ERock5]

How do you like the elbow sleeves?

 

[Montego]

How do you like the elbow sleeves?

They're good.

I've had these for a few years so they don't offer any support now, just help keep things warm.

They're neoprene (I believe) so they don't leave crazy ass marks all over my arms and, they're not the really long ones either, enough to cover the elbow and a little on each side.

If I ever buy another pair, it would be the same ones. I used their villain wraps until my wrist fusion as well and they were good too.

 

[Montego]

Pull last night was great.

Since I decided to pull volume across all the sessions, and pull was something that actually benefits to higher volume for me, I switched up a couple exercises to more of a "compound" lift then a focused area in the back.

Xplode pull-down 2 sets
Arsenal multi grip row 2 sets
Arsenal mid row 2 sets
Xplode seated row 2 sets
One arm cable pull-down 2 sets super set with Arsenal pool over 2 sets

This was a good order and selection. My lats were absolutely fried after the pullover and pull-down super sets. Crazy burn and stretch from super setting those two.

I'm going to train legs tomorrow and hope to not cripple myself.

 

[Montego]

261 this morning

Little heavier then I expected, definitely holding some extra water, probably more fat too but, I'm strong as fuck right now on anything upper body so, I'll continue to follow the strength and food path until it gets almost out of hand.

Old gym for push, really good. Weight or rep increase across the board.

Incline Smith 2 sets, I low balled the first set so the second was heavier and still hit my 6 rep bottom so, it'll start there next session

Hammer wide chest press 2 sets

Plate loaded flat 2 sets

Plate loaded shoulder press 2 sets

Machine lateral 4 sets

Cable lateral 3 sets

Pec deck 2 sets

Almost out of npp so I need to decide what I'm gonna do. I've got a bunch of tren calling my name but, I dunno..... Have a good bit of Deca here as well but, I didn't account for the laps in time there will be if I switch and don't wanna have a swing in the ole hormones. I like both together in small doses but, I'm getting old.... Gotta cut that shit out sooner or later.

 

[Montego]

Pull y'day was good. Adjusted some grip positions and where I loaded certain machines to see how it would go. Some changes were good, some were not. Gotta try new ideas though when you start maxing out machines in your rep ranges.

Legs today. Just continuing on the "don't blow your fucking knees apart" strategy.

Adductor machine/extension/bodyweight squat working warm up 3 sets

Leg press 2 sets
Single leg press 2 sets
Goblet squat 2 sets
Belt squat 3 sets
V Squat 3 sets
Extensions 2 sets
Lying hamstring curl 1 set

I built my legs with heavy ass weight and I still think for most, that's what it takes but, since I just can't physically handle the loads on my knees anymore, I'm gonna continue to scrape and claw these pussy ass training sessions to try and not have twigs.

I can see the loss of tissue, especially in the quads and adductors but, I'm doing what I can.

 

[Montego]

Might train push tonight, might not. Depends on if I can sleep at a normal hour.

Went out to the property today to work.

A couple days back I was out there for a few hours doing some odds and ends.

Went back today and got a lot done.

Cleared a section of fence.
Cleared some brush that was in the way of where we're going to park the RV. Found a hoard of cinder blocks and junk in there.
Gathered up a bunch of junk to burn along with the brush I cleared.
Dug out the septic access (a hole my dad knocked in this thing 40 years ago and covered with bricks) to get it ready to install the pipe.

I've got the fill dirt for the RV pad already, just need to get some washed gravel and weed barrier when I have it put in.

Met the electrician the other day and got a price for setting up an RV pedestal from the existing breaker box, fucking 2k which is double what I anticipated. Waiting on him to get back with me on when he'll get out there.

Things are picking up since we are closer to the loose deadline. Plenty of time to get everything done that I want to do before though.

 

[Montego]

Yeah, went ahead and trained.

Not bad, I did feel a bit of fatigue from the extra work at the property though. Still made some progress but I could tell the muscle got fatigued quicker then usual. Had some reps that, even though they were past a PR, I feel like I could have moved if I was fresh. Just that last quarter of the rep wouldn't move.

Xplode incline press 2 sets
Xplode flat press 2 sets
Arsenal vertical press 2 sets/1 drop on second
Arsenal shoulder press 2 sets
Dip machine 4 sets
Cable laterals 4 sets
Pec deck 2 sets

Body is starting to get a bit of the hardness back that I have been missing the last year after the wrist surgery. Getting back to my roots with what worked and, not being scared to blow the wrist up, is starting to pay off.

 

[Montego]

Took an extra rest day. Had a lot to do at "The Compound" and I didn't expect to be able to train as needed. Boy was I right...

Cleared a whole lot more brush. Started looking at where our dog fence was going to have to go and how much room we didn't have so, I took everything about ten feet farther back into the woods and about 150ft across.

This area is covered in yopons and these fucking pinky thick thorn vines that grow up into the trees so, it's a giant pain in the ass to get in there and I have to do it in steps. Go in with a hedger, cut the vines off at the ground without cutting myself to all hell, then pull the vines out of the trees without punching holes through the gloves and my palms, then after they're cleared out, go in and cut out the yopons. It just takes a long time and it's annoying.

Also, during this fun time playing in the woods, I happened upon a huge pile of fucking concrete blocks that had been overgrown in the vines, trees and pine needles. My dad was a road construction foreman most of my life and when they test concrete they will pour a "core" to make sure the concrete is mixed well and up to par. Well he would bring these fucking things home every time because you never know when you'll need 200 30lb blocks .... So I picked up about 150 12*8*8 solid concrete blocks (I figure they weight about 40-45lbs each) loaded them in the truck, drove them to a spot where I've collected other bricks and pavers and such, unloaded them and stacked them over the course of 5 trips... My back was on FIRE.

While I was uncovering said blocks, I just fucking KNEW a copperhead was going to nail my ass and, I was almost correct.... Twice. First one was probably a foot and a half, second one was over two feet. The weather here today was pretty cool this morning thankfully so they weren't very active because if they had been, I for sure would have gotten bit both times, literally brushed them with my hand. Gloves, kids.

So, fuck the devil worms, when I started the fire to burn the brush I torched that entire area for good measure and hopefully any that were left moved out.

After I got that cleared out I tied into the septic for our RV sewer hose. I had dug down and found where there was an existing hole in the tank that was covered in bricks a couple days ago. Picked up some 3' PVC , a 45 degree elbow and the access cap to make my dump site. I didn't get a 90 elbow because I didn't want to run the chance of it getting stopped up but, the existing hole wasn't as "tall" as I thought and after putting the pipe in it wasn't straight up and down, a touch leaning away from where the RV will sit. I think it'll be fine but I may have to run the house a bit higher so it's not up hill. Laid down some of the bricks around the opening then put about a third of a bag of QuickCrete in there to keep everything from moving.

Had my friend come over and shot grade on the spot where I'm putting the pad for the RV. We made one of the corners that was highest our "zero* and there's just one quarter of the site that will need a good amount of fill dirt. It's 11 inches low but drops off within 15 feet so it's actually a smaller area. The other corners are 2&4 inches low respectfully and there's a little hump in the middle so, not a crazy amount of work.

This coming week I should be getting the pedestal installed for the electricity, get a lot of this scrap metal hauled off and cut back the quarter mile drive on the sides. Limbs are hanging out into the road and they will tear the RV up on the way in, plus it looks like shit. I've got a ton left on my plate before the end of March and that's not even scratching the surface on EVERYTHING that needs to be done after we get out there. Just gotta go on days where I'm not working and get as much done as I can.

Time to rest and get back to it ASAP!

 

[Montego]

Trained pull today.

Had a lot on my mind and I let it all out in the gym.

I also impulse bought a new can of smelling salts last week so I gave them a whirl. Got the bear down flavor from zone. I used the Steel Blood flavor last time and it was good but, I was bad about leaving it in my bag in the car so it didn't last as long as I had expected.

This one's good. It hurts but it's got a cooling type of afterburn... It's also root beer scent.

Made progress, extra rep here and there on everything, added some weight to the Arsenal mid row and still got an extra rep. Keeping the progress rolling.

Xplode pull-down 2 sets
Arsenal multi grip row 2 sets
Arsenal mid row 2 sets
Xplode low row 2 sets
Single arm pull-down 2 sets

Biceps between everything.

 

[Montego]

Push.

I skipped this rotations leg day. Between my back being nickered up and the knees actually feeling good and not wanting to fuck that up, I decided to wait.

Did some work at the compound today. Loaded up a trailer full of scrap and took it to the recycle place. Made an easy $200, gave half to my son for him helping and pulling the trailer for me. $200 is cool but, GD it was a lot of scrap metal lol.

Did little odds and ends jobs out there while I waited on him. Changed a fuel filter on the baby mule (a riding mower we use to do all kinds of shit with ), sharpened the chainsaw which I will have to redo because my file was shit, aired up the tires on an old camper that someone is supposed to come and get, piled up more scrap that will get hauled in a few days after I load the trailer up again and my son has a free day to pull it. If I have time tomorrow I have to go cut back trees and brush the length of the driveway. It's overgrown and my son's truck gets scraped, so it'll tear the RV to pieces when we get it out there.

Push tonight though.

Not a ton of progress since I was short on sleep and did the work at the compound before training. No regression, slight improvements.

2 sets on incline Smith - hard to gauge here because last week I undershot my top set and increased the second. This week I took the 3.5 plates a side for 6 on the first set compared to 5 on the second that I got last week.

2 sets Decline machine - the wide grip press I usually use was taken so had to pivot. 5 plates a side for 6 here, last session on the wide press I did 5 for 9 I think. I can't keep my ass in the seat on the decline when it's this heavy plus, the handle being at an angle makes it harder for the bad wrist to keep stable.

Flat pro Max press - 4 plates a side for 7 vs 6 last week.

Subbed my plate loaded shoulder press for a pin selector so no real comparison.

Bunch of DB laterals, cable laterals with a cuff and reverse pec deck. Only 4 working sets of triceps using the neutral grip pull-down bar.

Hopefully I have some extra time off tomorrow so I can get the work done at the property and still have time to train.

 

[Montego]

No training today. Worked at the compound again.

Started cutting back the driveway in the worst section.....I looked at it the last an and though "meh, it won't be too much", fucking wrong again dickhead.

After I started looking, the majority of the brush that was hanging in the driveway started deeper in the woods so, it was way more then I thought. Worked non stop for 5 hours besides water breaks, fuel for the saw and fighting to keep the fucking chain on the piece of shit.

I'm not a logger, but I've had my fair share of time on a chainsaw cutting down shit and I've never had a saw that would get loose this easy or sling a chain that often. It's a Stihl but man it's annoying. It doesn't have a traditional screw adjustment for the chain tension, it's got a little knob type wheel that refuses to turn unless the chain cover is almost completely loose. I think it's just worn out and I don't use it enough to spend the money to fix it yet.

I do have this little handheld battery operated Stihl saw, and that little fucker is the tits for smaller stuff. It cuts fast, it's small and I haven't had a single issue out of it.

Anyways, got most of the driveway done before calling it quits. I have to take my pole chainsaw out there next time because the Stihl pole wouldn't reach everything.

Posted a picture of the hand saw, it's worth every penny of the $200 I spent a couple years ago.

Two giant brush piles I'll have to burn and the before and after.... Doesn't do the amount of work justice lol

 

[Montego]

Pull.

Worked this morning but went to train after.

Good session. Progress across the board and one scary moment.

I decided to add deadlifts back in on this pull day a couple sessions back since I feel like my posterior chain has gotten weak. Could be old age but, regular lower back pain from doing normal stuff and semi laborous work is messing with the back more then it ever has, so, deadlift make strong, pain go away, me strong, was the idea.

Last week a single set of 6 at 315. Easy reps, just testing out how I would feel after and everything was fine.

This week, 405 for the same 6, the FIRST rep, my fucking knees buckled harder then they ever have in all my years of training. I knew the arthritis/tendinitis in my knees wasn't getting better and I'm just babying them but, this actually scared me. I thought I blew my shit apart. After I set the weight back down I actually hesitated a couple seconds before the next rep because I thought I blew my knee out. There wasn't pain, just fucking buckling.

I've tried everything to strengthen the tendons and rehab the knee but, I'm at the point now where it's just too far gone. Any negative from quad extension just shakes like crazy. Extensions, leg press, hacks, bent over row, and now deadlifts to. It is what it is though. I'll continue to train and we'll see what happens.

 

[Montego]

Man, I haven't been training much lol. It's been over a week since I've trained legs and boy do my knees feel fucking awesome. I guess that's why it feels like I haven't been training because other stuff has been pretty close to normal frequency, maybe a touch behind.

This should be considered a "deload" but, diet hasn't been perfect and I've been busting my nuts at the compound so, I'm just off plan.

Getting a lot done though. More scrap hauled today, the last of the drivewayv is now cleared and had someone came out and chip it all up and hauled it away. Cleared a section of fence that had some trees fall in it during a tornado. Tomorrow I'll be getting power ran for the RV and mid month the pad is scheduled to be put in. Now I'm just waiting till end of the month when I'll go purchase the RV, finish moving everything we won't take to storage then have the contractor come in and freshen to the house so we can put it on the market.

Trained push tonight and despite the shitty diet and plan, we progressed. Won't bore anyone with the details but it was heavy and violent.

Weight has dipped about 7lbs this week from working at the compound on top of regular work. Trying to keep up with hydration has been tough and, even though diet sucks, the extra food I've eaten is getting churned through. Flat and fat but, winning in the manual labor game currently

 

[Montego]

Compound work.

Before and after of the first two scrap loads. That pile goes from the front about 50 feet back then runs to the right in the picture.

The brush pile is everything that came off that section of fence. I'll have to get on the other side to finish pulling everything back to straighten to fence up again. I was smoked after this section today though so it'll have to wait.

Killed another copperhead today. That brings the venemous snake kill count up to 3. Hopefully I don't have to off anymore of the little fuckers and they'll stay out in the woods and eat the rats and mice like they're supposed to.

 

[ERock5]

No

Compound work.

Before and after of the first two scrap loads. That pile goes from the front about 50 feet back then runs to the right in the picture.

The brush pile is everything that came off that section of fence. I'll have to get on the other side to finish pulling everything back to straighten to fence up again. I was smoked after this section today though so it'll have to wait.

Killed another copperhead today. That brings the venemous snake kill count up to 3. Hopefully I don't have to off anymore of the little fuckers and they'll stay out in the woods and eat the rats and mice like they're supposed to.

No wonder you down 7 lbs been working your ass off lol

 

[Montego]

No

No wonder you down 7 lbs been working your ass off lol

Yeah, been a busy bee!

These 100+ hour weeks are starting to beat me up a bit between the compound and work though.

Thankfully, I've got pretty much everything I personally HAD to get done to get the move accomplished done at this point. Still have to get the pad put in which I have set up with my buddy already and, burn a big ass pile of brush which, I will do after the rain we're scheduled to have the next 3-4 days. As far as manual labor though, I'm in the clear for a bit.

And of course ...... Moving.... Fuck.

Another load today and finally got the RV pedestal put in. Very happy with where it is and the unit they got. We're able to hook up to it and then close the panels so rain doesn't get in there.

I'm hoping I don't have to work in the morning and if not, I plan to go train pull before I go in in the afternoon.

 

[ERock5]

Yeah, been a busy bee!

These 100+ hour weeks are starting to beat me up a bit between the compound and work though.

Thankfully, I've got pretty much everything I personally HAD to get done to get the move accomplished done at this point. Still have to get the pad put in which I have set up with my buddy already and, burn a big ass pile of brush which, I will do after the rain we're scheduled to have the next 3-4 days. As far as manual labor though, I'm in the clear for a bit.

And of course ...... Moving.... Fuck.

Another load today and finally got the RV pedestal put in. Very happy with where it is and the unit they got. We're able to hook up to it and then close the panels so rain doesn't get in there.

I'm hoping I don't have to work in the morning and if not, I plan to go train pull before I go in in the afternoon.

I’m assuming they got power from that meter on the building? I can’t remember the price you had quoted but I remember it being really high. Especially if that’s all they had to do

 

[Montego]

I’m assuming they got power from that meter on the building? I can’t remember the price you had quoted but I remember it being really high. Especially if that’s all they had to do

Yeah it ran from the house panel to there, around 100ft.

$1800 bucks total. I used an electric company that's owned by a family we've known for 35 years. I was really good friends and went to school with the son, who now Co owns the company, from kindergarten to graduation so, I trust they would do a good job and, I will help a small business if I can.

I probably over paid, they put in a new 50 amp breaker or whatever it is they do in the panel, had to hand dig the trench, and the pedestal itself was around $400 I think. Just the peace of mind that it was done right by someone I trust and it's good stuff, I don't mind ponying up the dough.... I'm cheap as fuck in every other aspect of life though

 

[ERock5]

Yeah it ran from the house panel to there, around 100ft.

$1800 bucks total. I used an electric company that's owned by a family we've known for 35 years. I was really good friends and went to school with the son, who now Co owns the company, from kindergarten to graduation so, I trust they would do a good job and, I will help a small business if I can.

I probably over paid, they put in a new 50 amp breaker or whatever it is they do in the panel, had to hand dig the trench, and the pedestal itself was around $400 I think. Just the peace of mind that it was done right by someone I trust and it's good stuff, I don't mind ponying up the dough.... I'm cheap as fuck in every other aspect of life though

Yeah that’s not bad at all honestly

 

[Montego]

Operation "Make sure I can still walk at 60" started yesterday

Since not training legs has improved the knees so much, I've decided to move leg training to a more functional approach.

I'll be working a lot on isometric holds and overall mobility and health. That doesn't mean I won't train legs like a bodybuilder anymore, it just means for a while I'm going to work out a plan to see if I can improve this tendinitis significantly.

Since I haven't trained legs in a couple weeks, this first session was more to start the process of actually finding the limits on what I can do in a preventative approach. I'll slowly increase how challenging the exercises I choose to use are and just be sure I'm not doing more harm then good.

This first session was rather short but, enough to get things rolling.

6 sets of leg extensions with fifteen count eccentrics, increasing weight each set.

4 sets of wall sits for 30 seconds each

4 sets of step downs, focusing on slow eccentrics, balance and keeping tension through the knee

4 sets of hip press, same idea as the step downs

3 sets of split squats, same idea, but, forcing the knee way out over the toe.

The wall sits were actually the most challenging. Twenty seconds in the legs would start to shake but, after each set the knees felt more stable so, itb was a good choice to add these.

I've got a few more things I'm going to add in, sled drags, reverse treadmill, and static holds. Knees feel good today and I'll just bump up the work load each session until I get to the uncomfortable part, and then adjust to hopefully see the progress.

 

[Montego]

Well..... Fuck.

Trained push today, might have torn my pec, might have partially torn it, might have a really bad strain.

I'll actually list my working weights here too give an idea.

10 minutes of warm up with laterals and stretching. Mostly static stretches, nothing dynamic since I get that on my warm up sets.

Incline hammer strength press

Warm up - 1pps*12, 2*8, 2.5*6, 3*4
Working - 4*9, 4*7

Hammer strength wide grip press -

Warm up - 3*4, 4*3
Working - 5*8, 4*11

Pro maxima flat press -

Warm up - 3*4
Working - 4*1 felt the pop

And I didn't even unrack the weights.

Went into the bathroom to see if the chest was balled up, and it wasn't but a couple inches below where it attaches at the shoulder looked swollen already.

Definitely some inflammation there, no bruising yet and it's tender but it's only been a couple hours. I'll see how it looks in the morning and go from there.

Really hope it's just some bound up tissue that let loose but, with my luck lately, it's probably at least a partial tear. Fingers crossed

 

[McPriimate]

Damn man - that really sucks, either way.

That said, I hope it’s just a strain and you heal up quickly


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[Meetketchup]

Damn it. Hopefully it's not a tear. Hang in there man.