Striving for Strength and Consistency

**GentleOx** · November 11, 2020, 04:25 PM

The days roll by, one into another. Something major happened here that's changing my future plans (not like I had many to begin with); I may end up moving back to Canada.

In the meantime, I'm going to have to keep myself sharp and walk the beam.

Back day again. I eschewed the deadlift (tired today), and stuck with more conventional exercises.

Barbell rows (one-handed): 4 x 6
Underhand grip barbell rows: 4 x 6
Machine pulldowns (I love the feel of these!): 4 x 8
Alternating dumbbell rows: 4 x 16
Cable rows: 4 x 6

So tired. I think it's the medication I've been taking: a portion of it has been reduced starting from tonight, so I'll see how I feel going off it.

Goodnight, Bees, and good luck!

I was jamming to

**AnnieW** · November 11, 2020, 08:42 PM

Thanks for the video! A year before the Montreal concert I saw Queen live in Leiden, it was marvellous! The video brought back some memories.

**GentleOx** · November 12, 2020, 04:15 PM

AnnieW I never had the pleasure of seeing Queen live, but I'm sure it was amazing! Roger Taylor is a real inspiration for me as a drummer.

The medication didn't work as well as I'd hoped. I still had trouble taking breath today. I had no choice but to power through it.

Arm workout:

Close grip bench press: 5 x 8
Wide grip barbell curls: 5 x 8
Skullcrushers: 5 x 8
Concentration dumbbell curls: 5 x 5
Rope pressdowns: 5 x 8
Hammer curls: 5 x 16

My mind is honestly a mess today. I think it's a combination of things... the medication, my disorder, the crappy political situation, having to move from my home of 25 years, and having a crush on a girl who's already spoken for... among other things. Thankfully, I had dnd tonight with my mates (the striking blonde I have a crush on being one of them), and we encountered a dragon and several will o' wisps. I snapped a neat pic from the outside garden we played at.

I also got me a leather jacket!

And with that, I'm off to bed. I will say a prayer to my Higher Power and know that whatever happens, I will fight on.

Take care of yourselves, Bees.

At the gym, I listened to...

**Trbrat75** · November 12, 2020, 07:40 PM

**Baryl** · November 13, 2020, 03:00 AM

Nice jacket bro. Keep up the good fight and take care of yourself. Things will work themselves out in the end.

**VacTom** · November 13, 2020, 11:51 AM

Keep on fighting

**Manuela** · November 14, 2020, 07:44 PM

Nice jacket! But better than that is you keeping up your fight, stay strong!

**GentleOx** · November 17, 2020, 11:56 AM

Thank you all for your kind wishes and responses.

It was a tough few days. I'd been unable to sleep more than four hours, and had trouble breathing. I didn't have the energy to do much other than eat, play video games, and watch movies. This has been going on for three months in a lesser fashion and it got worse recently. I spoke to my doctor and adjusted my prescription, so I'm going to see how this week goes. I felt sufficiently invigorated by hitting the hay last night that I went to the gym. I didn't hit any new records, but it's good to get back in there.

Bench Press: 120, 122.5, 125, 127.5 x 3
Shoulder Press: Maxed at 62.5 x 5
Incline Press: 5 x 6
Decline Press: 5 x 6

It's a step in the right direction, but I think it'll take a few days for me to feel normal again.

Take care of yourselves, Bees!

At the gym, I listened to...

**AnnieW** · November 17, 2020, 02:56 PM

Kuddos for taking action!

**GentleOx** · November 19, 2020, 12:38 PM

Oops, I forgot to writeup my workout from yesterday.

Back day. Still loving it, but I decided to make a tweak or two to my exercise selection.

Combined deadlift + row: 4 x 5 (I love this compound movement! The goal wasn't to lift heavy, but to get used to the movement)
Underhand barbell rows: 4 x 6
Overhand machine row: 4 x 6
Alternating dumbbell rows: 4 x 20
Cable rows: 4 x 5
+ 25 minutes of cardio.

I also did Spellbound Chapters 7 and 8.

The meds situation has slowly gotten better. I actually lost some weight - I'm down to 77.7 kg, but I've never really been keeping track.

I didn't actually do anything today. Just took a nice walk in the strangely unseasonable warmth and grabbed some milk tea. Also saw a city doggo!

Have yourselves a good week, Bees!

During the workout, I listened to...

**GentleOx** · November 20, 2020, 02:34 PM

So today I was supposed to work my arms. Ran into a major problem - for the second time in two weeks, my right elbow gave out on me. Any extension motion + pressure = pain! So I had to abandon the triceps part of the workout. I looked up this problem and it's called weightlifter's elbow - triceps tendonitis. It's the result of overwork and too much heavy lifting... so I'm going to have to take it easy in the days to come.

Barbell curls: 5 x 8
Incline dumbbell curls: 5 x 8
Concentration curls: 5 x 8
Incline dumbbell curls (hammer): 5 x 8
Close-grip hammer curls (ie you put two dumbbells together and curl them in front of you): 5 x 6

In other news, it's said that a fourth wave of infections is going to hit HK - I'm prepared for the gyms closing. I'll stack another program onto Spellbound and do what I can. I do feel better ever since I cut down on the medication - there are minor breathing difficulties, but I can sleep again, and my breathing impairment isn't as bad as it was a few days ago. I passed by a store celebrating its grand opening and the invitees were out in force sipping booze, smoking, and congregating. I don't think there's going to be much socializing in the weeks to come.

Stay safe and sane, Bees.

I rediscovered this song and pumped iron with it:

**stephenphillips42** · November 21, 2020, 01:44 AM

Yeah COVID waves are coming everywhere -- stay safe! Maybe you can get a sandbag and try the Military Fit program? I hope to try that someday.

**GentleOx** · November 22, 2020, 04:46 PM

stephenphillips42 Thank you for the kind thoughts! I think Military Fit would beat me raw! Might have to work up to it. I used to have a sandbag I kept in my home - as in, one of the ones you use at construction sites. Naturally I got sand all over the place.

I did all the squats today. My quads are crying for mercy.

Barbell Squat: 5 x 5
Front Squats: 5 x 6
Zercher Squat: 5 x 5 (starting to collapse at this point)
Calf raises: 5 x 10

Normally I finish my workout and do some bodyweight squats at the end... couldn't really handle that. The zercher squats (you hold a barbell in the crook of your arms) were surprisingly useful and tough.

I've been quite moody as of late, so I need to focus on keeping myself busy. Really need to go back to writing...

Have a nice Sunday, Bees!

I remembered this old gem and blasted it while working out.

**GentleOx** · November 24, 2020, 04:14 PM

Augh, my elbow injury is killing me. What should've been a great heavyweight session turned into a much lighter one, while I give myself time to recover.

Benchpress: 5 x 5
Incline Press: 5 x 5
Decline Press: 5 x 5
Shoulder Press: 5 x 5

Can't lift heavy for the time being, so I'm just going to go back to working the fundamentals. Until tomorrow, when I pound my back with exercise after exercise.

I got some work coming in and I'm not sure I'm up for the challenge. Going to have to dust off that part of my brain that used to teach and see if I can learn a few new things.

But it's not all gloom - I chilled out at a friend's home playing Dead of Winter and getting to know her two kitties. Or trying to, rather (the peanut butter/chocolate one wasn't very friendly, and the white 'n brown one was pretty shy.)

I hope your week is going well, Bees.

I listened to this song at the gym...

**CaptainCanuck** · November 24, 2020, 04:44 PM

+1 for board games

Striving for Strength and Consistency

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