MaxStr. III, Day D, Workout 4

I tried to do a two-rep set of really heavy Pin presses without a spotter, but after bombing out twice (thank God for the pins), I took out the 10lbs. I added over last week's attempt and finished the sets on my own. Afterwards, I decided to put back the extra 10lbs. and redo the exercise I started with but with a spotter who helped me unrack the bar, and this time I was able to do it without any additional assistance.

Unfortunately, I think I got a bit flustered from the whole thing, and for my next exercise I picked up a mismatched pair of dumbbells (in my defense, the fonts on the numbers made them look alike). And there I was wondering why the heck my right arm was having so much trouble with the Push presses I did OK with last week, but at least I know I could've done them heavier than I would have thought.

MaxStr. III, Day C, Workout 4

Back then, I discovered whenever I was wearing a weight belt I wasn't going as low as I ought to with my heavier Squats, and today this was reaffirmed. Thing is, there are times that I can't not wear the belt, like when I'm playing it safe with my back or when I'm going for broke.

On another matter, I thought I could improve on last week's Rack pulls, but alas, it was not meant to be. One consolation though is that I did the same weight but with better technique and control.

MaxStr. III, Day B, Workout 4

Pushed my workout a day early so I can take the entire Wednesday off. The past two weeks had been crazy for me at work, and I thought I'd take a mini-breather at home for a change.

MaxStr. III, Day A, Workout 4

Almost had a mishap at the power cage this morning when I missed the left hook while returning the bar. Good thing I was able to keep the bar aloft until somebody helped me put it back.

MaxStr. III, Day D, Workout 3

Got home late last night after watching "Confessions of a Shopaholic" and having dinner with a friend (who's a girl, btw; no prospects yet, LOL) at a Greek restaurant (Opa!), and I'm thankful I still got a good night's rest especially after yesterday's brutal workout which I'm still feeling now.

Also, got surprised at having lost a pound after skipping a couple of cardio sessions this week and complaining about the pound I gained last week.

MaxStr. III, Day C, Workout 3

Yesterday, I had the hardest workout I've had in a long time thanks to the Rack pulls where I reached a new personal record of 374lbs. for 5 reps (and no straps!). I'm glad the problems I've had with my lower back recently didn't become an issue.

MaxStr. III, Day B, Workout 3

Even though it will happen later than sooner, I'm going to have to figure out what to do when I need dumbbells heavier than 100lbs. I've been fairly consistent with the DB bench press and inclines at that weight and with low reps as I'm slowly getting used to stabilizing the DBs on my own. I even got a funny comment this morning from one of the trainers who asked after I finished my sets what the heck I've been eating to get stronger.

MaxStr. III, Day A, Workout 3

Had a good but very exhausting workout that started with me Goldilocksing my Front squats, that is, they weren't too heavy, weren't too light, but just right. Can't say I missed them, but I'd actually rather do them over Snatch-grip deadlifts now.

MaxStr. III, Day D, Workout 2

Even after all the cardio I did this week, I gained a pound. Guess I should've expected it having finished half of Phase III, which is the designated "Growth" phase in the program. Or maybe last week's weigh in was just a fluke.

On another note, I think today was the first time a trainer at the gym has asked me to spot him. He's really been helpful with me, and it was cool to return the favor for once.

MaxStr. III, Day C, Workout 2

Of the four "Days" in this phase, this one wipes me out the most as it involves my heaviest lifts and has the most number of isometric exercises. Next week should even be more fun since it's the Heavy week.

MaxStr. III, Day B, Workout 2

I'm going to miss the Barbell floor press. It was a great way to lift heavy and train to work past one's sticking point without the fear of the bar ever crushing you. Too bad I only got to do it twice this entire program, but I do try to stick with the routine as much as I can. Sometimes substitutions aren't all that up to snuff.

(Hmm, lots of "2s" today: 622, "B", Workout 2, February is the second month, and 11 -> 1+1 = 2. If I were Harvey Dent, I'd have a field day.)

MaxStr. III, Day A, Workout 2

Took 20% off my Snatch grip deadlifts so I can work on the explosiveness, rather than just being able to lift the bar off the ground, but even though the exercise was lighter, it was in its own way more tiring than going slow.

MaxStr. III, Day D, Workout 1

Every "Day" of this Phase starts me off with low-rep heavy lifts, which I enjoy, then switches to exercises that start to tire me out (more reps per set) until finally it bludgeons me into submission with core-work and isolations. And I've got 3 more weeks of this.

MaxStr. III, Day C, Workout 1

Workout yesterday went better than expected. Thought my lower back would prevent me from doing deadlifts, but I've been playing it safe by wearing a belt.

MaxStr. III, Day B, Workout 1

Seven push-up reps is a pushover, but put a elastic band into play, and the exercise turns into push-comes-to-shove.

MaxStr. III, Day A, Workout 1

Good news and bad news today. The good news is that my Thursday evening freed up, and I'm on a M-W-F-Sat schedule again. Really didn't want to lose my weekends again like before. The bad news is I peeled open one of my callouses from the Snatch-grip deadlift that's killing my the grip of my ring finger and pinky. Luckily the rip wasn't too deep, and it ought to be OK in a couple of days.

MaxStr. II, Day D, Workout 4

Taking that week off did wonders for my bench press as the last day of Phase II yesterday had me test for my 1RM, and I'm pretty happy to have added 20lbs. to my previous record. The weight loss I've had though has affected my other exercises, but we'll see how everything turns out come "Moving Day" at the end of Phase IV.

Height	5'3"	Jan 09
Weight	183 lbs.	-4.5 lbs.
Chest	42.5"	-0.5"
Neck	15.5"	-0.25"
Upper Arms (unflexed)	15"/14.75"	-0.25"/-0.25"
Upper Arms (flexed)	15.5"/15.25"	-0.25"/-0.25"
Forearms	11.875"/11.625"	+0.125"/-0.125"
Waist at navel	37"	no change
Hips	42"	-0.5"
Thighs	26"/26"	no change/no change
Calves	15.875"/15.875"	no change/no change

I'm just a couple more pounds away from my first target of 181 lbs., and I'll try to go a bit lower than that so I can have some leeway in that weight class. I wasn't surprised at how much smaller I've been getting having lost 9 lbs. since I started this program 2 months ago, and I've still got a lot more fat to lose so I ought to expect even more compacting if I keep this up.