a_welch503 WORKOUT JOURNAL - Page 21

abarlament · 07-Dec-04, 03:15 PM

Do you have the option of using steroids?

**.V.** · 07-Dec-04, 03:33 PM

Yes, Decadron or solu-medrol - for immunosuppression to reduce frequency - just very bad side effects.

Or - nandrolone decanoate - for cortisol reduction and anabolic support to build strength to overcome the MS induced weakness. Way too much risk there too. I can't risk the liver damage and other problems that go along with this stuff.

My doc brought both of these courses of action up - and I have decided against both. I sometimes consider the decadron or solu-medrol but then when I remember the side effects, I always reconsider. I will keep just using those for those emergency cases when I'm having a really severe attack that doesn't go away for several weeks.

**.V.** · 08-Dec-04, 11:16 AM

12-08-2004

Legs

Squats..........220x3x6
SLDL............220x3x6
Calf Raises.....280x3x6

Well, the left side problem didn't go away. My left leg buckled on the way down on the last rep of the last set of squats. I caught it way too low and didn't think I would get back up. I never go past paralell because of balance problems. I made it about 3/4 of the way up and hit a sticking point - took a deep breath and pushed on up. I guess this counts as making 3x6 on my own - because I have no one to spot for me. I wonder how I'm going to drop the weight if this happens again and I can't get up? Since I got 3x6 - it is time to raise the weight. I should go for another 10lb. But may only do 5 more next time - it all depends on how cooperative my legs are.

The SLDL went pretty good - another 10 on these should be no problem - but I will go for the same weight that I use on the Squats - I don't want one part to pass the other on strength.

Calf raises - going up another 10 next time. Got to remember to get some new pins for the rack first. My rack is not the best designed thing in the world. It is simply 2 4x4's bolted to the roof support beam and to the floor with lag bolts in it to support the bar (one pair at squat height, and one pair at shrug height). The old bolts were some old skinny ones I had lying around the house - they are starting to bend a little.

Klinger · 08-Dec-04, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a_welch503

I wonder how I'm going to drop the weight if this happens again and I can't get up?
...
My rack is not the best designed thing in the world. It is simply 2 4x4's bolted to the roof support beam and to the floor with lag bolts in it to support the bar (one pair at squat height, and one pair at shrug height).

I rigged the same setup. Here's the squat solution: Put pins at a height where, if you had to, you could rack the bar from a kneeling position. So if you get stuck at the bottom fo the squat, lower yourself to your knees (on a mat, preferably) and rack the bar. I do this at the gym, too. They don't have power racks - just straight racks with adjustable pin positions.

abarlament · 08-Dec-04, 12:32 PM

Well ****, we can't take any more advice from a_welch, he's juicing!

**Firehawk** · 08-Dec-04, 03:06 PM

LOL, well, juicers know a hell of a lot about getting big. They still have to know what they're doing

.

**.V.** · 08-Dec-04, 03:20 PM

Problem is I don't juice - or know how to get big. I just could if I wanted to - with a doc's supervision. Although I was thinking about trying juice plus - the vitamin made from freeze dried vegetable juice - then decided it was pretty much useless. I will just stick to my green foods.

**.V.** · 08-Dec-04, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klinger

I rigged the same setup. Here's the squat solution: Put pins at a height where, if you had to, you could rack the bar from a kneeling position. So if you get stuck at the bottom fo the squat, lower yourself to your knees (on a mat, preferably) and rack the bar. I do this at the gym, too. They don't have power racks - just straight racks with adjustable pin positions.

Thanks - a simple solution - it should work for my simple mind - I should have thought of that already. :confused:

SurfinAmy · 09-Dec-04, 08:53 AM

Andy, I am glad you decided against those 2 courses of treatment, geez, and you sound like you're dealing with it so well, I would be all depressed and hopeless feeling I know I would.
I think you have a very strong mind and admire that in you. You know how they say you need to have a positive outlook and it does wonders for your body. Well, that is a lot easier said than done, but it seems to me you're doing it.

On the squats my brother has that same problem, but I guess if he puts the pins too low, how are you going to get the bar on your back? Unless you buy more pins I guess. I do want to give him that suggestion to buy another set of pins.

Right now when he squats heavy it is also w/out a spotter, his plan is to just fall backwards if ever he was in a pickle. Pretty scary stuff.

-Amy

**Firehawk** · 09-Dec-04, 10:01 AM

Why not just let the weight slide off your back if you really get stuck? What kind of floor do you have?

**.V.** · 09-Dec-04, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firehawk

Why not just let the weight slide off your back if you really get stuck? What kind of floor do you have?

Concrete floor now - I'm still lifting outside. I have the new metal building ready and have just not moved the weights out there yet. It has a wooden floor. I believe that a dropped bar would just fall through it. I may take a couple of sheets of plywood to provide extra support under the weights.

abarlament · 09-Dec-04, 01:05 PM

Throw down some cheap rugs or something to pad it a bit.

**.V.** · 10-Dec-04, 07:07 PM

12-10-2004

Arms

BB Curls.................120x1x5, 2x6
Skull Crushers.................95x3x6
DB Curls.......................50x3x6
Cable Pressdown..........100x1x4, 2x5

Singles
BB Curls................125, 130, 135
Cable Pressdown.........105, 110, 115

I was happy with today's workout. My left side is still giving me a problem with weakness and that includes the left arm - but it has always been a little weaker than the right. I still managed to meet all my goals and even exceed some of them for today. I had planned to repeat 3x6 on DB curls instead of raising the weight today - I had much more control with it today - but still lost control on the last couple of reps 3/4 of the way down on the negative (on the last set) - so I will repeat it again next time. I had planned on doing singles on skull crushers but my arms were really feeling today's workout by the time I got to that point and was afraid I would really crush my skull so I did cable pressdown singles instead. I was happy with the results. Did as far as 115 well. Tried for 120 with a spectacular failure - almost got it then lost the bar just short of lockout and the whole stack came slamming down - don't want that to happen again - but it was a nice loud crash. Hey, you gotta find something good in everything if you can - ya know.

SurfinAmy · 11-Dec-04, 09:42 AM

It seems like you are taking a lot of risks w/out a spotter. That is exactly what I see a lot of guys at the gym doing. Some guys are benching really heavy weights w/ no spotter, same on skull crushers, all kinds of stuff. It makes me really nervous. At least you didn't keep going on those skull crushers!!!

Well, I hope you will invest in a squat rack when you move to the building w/ the wooden floor or even sooner if you can.

-Amy

SurfinAmy · 11-Dec-04, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a_welch503

05-04-04

Pull ups 3x6 again - still can't get #7. Keep trying.
Military Press 4x8 - 75.2 lb.
Squat/Calf raise 3x12 - 110 lb.
Deadlift/shrug 3x12 - 110 lb.
Upright row 4x8 - 75.2 lb.
Bent Over row 4x6 - 100 lb.
Bench Press 4x6 - 100 lb.
Bicep Curls 4x6 - 26 lb.
Tricep Extension 3x6 20.

Hey, remember these lifts??? Lot of progress

:
-Amy