So I was just going to wait until the 12 weeks is up to report my progress, but I'm excited, and I don't really have anybody else to tell who would care really, so a group of strangers will have to do .
Today I weighed in at 164.2 lbs. Down from 245 lbs. at my max, and down from 235 lbs. since June 2011. Most of that weight loss occured from fixing my diet and by doing compound body weight excercises. Eventually I got a bench and some adjustable weights and started doing various presses and lifts.
Two weeks ago today I started SL5x5. I started all exercises with just the bar, except for the bench press; my upper body strength was much greater than that of my lower body, as that is what I'd been focusing on (I didn't like doing dumbbell squats). This was a mistake, as squatting and deadlifting are my favourite excercises now! The other changes I made was to start doing all five exercises each day (I started that just this week), instead of having a workout A and B (I know this will have to change once the squats and deadlifts become heavier), and I'm doing 5x5 deadlifts, instead of 1x5. Here is my progress as of today:
Squat - 5x5x100 lbs.
Overhead press - 5x5x70lbs.
Barbell row - 5x5x105 lbs.
(I accidentally increased this too much one work out, but I completed it, so I increased from that weight next work out)
Bench press - 5x5x135lbs.
Deadlift - 5x5x135lbs.
Now, I am excited about the progress I've been making, but what excites me more is how different I feel during the day. I get euphoric. Waves of pleasure. My head is clearer. I have more energy. I'm not as tired. I get to sleep easier. I wake up easier. Too me, so far, the mental improvements are bigger than the physical ones.
Also, and you guys'll probably shit on me about this, I'm a pothead. Not the ounce a week kid I was 5 years ago, but I still go through 1/4 oz. in a week. The last two weeks since I've been lifting I've went through half that still. I'm so used to being high before doing anything. Finally! FINALLY I've found something where I don't want to be high while I'm doing it: LIFTING WEIGHTS. This is SUCH a good feeling.
I only have one regret: that I didn't start SL5x5 when I started fixing my diet. A workout that includes back and legs is such a totally different feeling at the end of it.
I could go on, but I'm having trouble describing the way I'm feeling with words, as I can't remember ever feeling this way. I'm in the best shape of my life, and while that's not saying much yet, it's only going to get better from here.
I also want to add that the progress I've made in the last weeks on the lifts, I've still been cutting at between 2100-2400 calories per day, 60% fat, 35% protein, 5% carbs. I can't wait to see what kind of progress I can make when I start consuming more calories!!
Today I weighed in at 164.2 lbs. Down from 245 lbs. at my max, and down from 235 lbs. since June 2011. Most of that weight loss occured from fixing my diet and by doing compound body weight excercises. Eventually I got a bench and some adjustable weights and started doing various presses and lifts.
Two weeks ago today I started SL5x5. I started all exercises with just the bar, except for the bench press; my upper body strength was much greater than that of my lower body, as that is what I'd been focusing on (I didn't like doing dumbbell squats). This was a mistake, as squatting and deadlifting are my favourite excercises now! The other changes I made was to start doing all five exercises each day (I started that just this week), instead of having a workout A and B (I know this will have to change once the squats and deadlifts become heavier), and I'm doing 5x5 deadlifts, instead of 1x5. Here is my progress as of today:
Squat - 5x5x100 lbs.
Overhead press - 5x5x70lbs.
Barbell row - 5x5x105 lbs.
(I accidentally increased this too much one work out, but I completed it, so I increased from that weight next work out)
Bench press - 5x5x135lbs.
Deadlift - 5x5x135lbs.
Now, I am excited about the progress I've been making, but what excites me more is how different I feel during the day. I get euphoric. Waves of pleasure. My head is clearer. I have more energy. I'm not as tired. I get to sleep easier. I wake up easier. Too me, so far, the mental improvements are bigger than the physical ones.
Also, and you guys'll probably shit on me about this, I'm a pothead. Not the ounce a week kid I was 5 years ago, but I still go through 1/4 oz. in a week. The last two weeks since I've been lifting I've went through half that still. I'm so used to being high before doing anything. Finally! FINALLY I've found something where I don't want to be high while I'm doing it: LIFTING WEIGHTS. This is SUCH a good feeling.
I only have one regret: that I didn't start SL5x5 when I started fixing my diet. A workout that includes back and legs is such a totally different feeling at the end of it.
I could go on, but I'm having trouble describing the way I'm feeling with words, as I can't remember ever feeling this way. I'm in the best shape of my life, and while that's not saying much yet, it's only going to get better from here.
I also want to add that the progress I've made in the last weeks on the lifts, I've still been cutting at between 2100-2400 calories per day, 60% fat, 35% protein, 5% carbs. I can't wait to see what kind of progress I can make when I start consuming more calories!!