Monday, March 24, 2014
Update
Training is going OK - I finished up my "intensification" phase and am in a lower intensity phase for the next few weeks. I unfortunately failed at 345 on my 3rd rep, though the fact that I got it for 2 was, in and of itself, a victory, as it's a PR. I also hit 275x3 on bench. The diet is going OK. The scale is, ever so slowly, moving down, and I am, ever so slowly, getting leaner. It's a treacherous process, as the rewards are not immediate, and not a day goes by when I look down and don't think any progress has been made. But I must stick with it and move forward, modifying as necessary going forward. I should upload progress pics sometime soon, and I might.
Monday, March 10, 2014
Training & The Inflexible Mind
Training still going well. This will be the final week of 5x5 coming up. I normally have been doing T/Th/Sat as my lifting days, however, due to scheduling this week I'm going the more traditional M/W/F. 345x3 on squat tomorrow, which hopefully won't be too bad (should be doable based on what I've been hitting lately), and 275x3 bench on Friday (eminently doable, and if I'm feeling good, may go for 5). Diet is still going. Again, I don't feel like I'm as lean as I should be, but it's only 5 weeks in. Patience...
I was recently listening to Dan Carlin's podcast. I first became familiar with Dan from Joe Rogan's podcast. Dan is a really smart dude, who's very into history and politics. He's an independent with an eye toward figuring out how to simply make the world a better place (and pointing out why politicians aren't doing so). In the podcast I was listening to, which was a year and a half old, Dan was talking about the need for a flexible mind when discussing the necessary changes in order to bring about a better world. Essentially, most people will simply reject his ideas because "they could never happen." If you're operating under the mindset that, for instance, we must have a 2 party system, or that revolutions can never happen, then you are absolutely correct. Many of the policies could never be enacted. But when you actual look at the whole of history, and realize that almost anything is within the realm of possibility, then you realize that change can happen. As usual, I related it to training very easily.
In the world of training, particularly for sport, the popular line of thinking is that of a separation of "sport practice" and "strength and conditioning." Under these umbrellas, then, there are discussions of the "best way" to get stronger, or more explosive (or whichever trait you deem necessary). This was the line of thinking I subscribed to for a while. While reading guys like James Smith, it made some sense to me, but not too much, because I couldn't possibly comprehend what he meant. Now that I have a much firmer grasp, and an understanding that training is training, it makes much more sense. The idea of strength or power for the sake of it is ridiculous. Everything must have a context. And it opens up a world of possibilities because you are not confined to traditional ways of thinking.
I was recently listening to Dan Carlin's podcast. I first became familiar with Dan from Joe Rogan's podcast. Dan is a really smart dude, who's very into history and politics. He's an independent with an eye toward figuring out how to simply make the world a better place (and pointing out why politicians aren't doing so). In the podcast I was listening to, which was a year and a half old, Dan was talking about the need for a flexible mind when discussing the necessary changes in order to bring about a better world. Essentially, most people will simply reject his ideas because "they could never happen." If you're operating under the mindset that, for instance, we must have a 2 party system, or that revolutions can never happen, then you are absolutely correct. Many of the policies could never be enacted. But when you actual look at the whole of history, and realize that almost anything is within the realm of possibility, then you realize that change can happen. As usual, I related it to training very easily.
In the world of training, particularly for sport, the popular line of thinking is that of a separation of "sport practice" and "strength and conditioning." Under these umbrellas, then, there are discussions of the "best way" to get stronger, or more explosive (or whichever trait you deem necessary). This was the line of thinking I subscribed to for a while. While reading guys like James Smith, it made some sense to me, but not too much, because I couldn't possibly comprehend what he meant. Now that I have a much firmer grasp, and an understanding that training is training, it makes much more sense. The idea of strength or power for the sake of it is ridiculous. Everything must have a context. And it opens up a world of possibilities because you are not confined to traditional ways of thinking.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Update
As usual, I've been terrible about updating. To be honest, I've been pretty scattershot in the rest of my life, so it's not surprising that I haven't been consistent with this, either. The weight on the scale is going down (albeit slowly), and the weight on the bar is going up (though squats yesterday were harder than I had hoped). 335x3 yesterday was a PR, and 345 next week will be as well. I have 270x3 this Saturday on bench, and 275x3 the following week. All PRs. That said, a lighter phase can't come soon enough. While I've been able to train fairly hard in a deficit, this week has seemed especially tough for some reason. No matter, onward and upward.
While listening to O&A one day, as they were talking about the ridiculousness of the PC bullshit we see surrounding us, Opie referenced a quote from Joe Rogan talking about kids; essentially that, when you have kids, you want to "Nerf" the world. That is, make it as non-threatening as possible. But he also realizes that we can't possibly do that. Because, as a parent, you never want to see your child suffer. When they're babies, I have no doubt that all (or at least a very large majority) have high hopes and dreams for their child. They will go on to be great, undoubtedly. Of course, reality is not so kind, and for a myriad of reasons, not all have such luck. And I continually find myself wondering just what kind of a world I've brought my son into. Every day we're inundated with stories of just how shitty the world is becoming. And while I try to block this out, the fact is, there's a lot of fucked up shit going on. And it doesn't seem to be getting any better (of course, it could simply be the way it's presented).
But finally, tonight, it hit me. All I can do is make his immediate world, our world, as great as possible. No, this doesn't mean completely insulating him from the ills of the world. But it does mean that I can at least give him this sanctuary. Give him this "home base." The world will not be so kind, and not everyone has any home base to which to return. But I know that's all I can do. And it's all anyone can do, save for a select few who have the gifts and power to make a far bigger imprint (positive OR negative, unfortunately).
So realize your limitations, but strive for the best you have to give and offer. Similar to the axiom, "know what you know, know what you don't know, and try to close the gap every day," realize you're not perfect, realize why you're not perfect, and try to close the gap every day. Perfect is a mirage - it is unattainable. But it can be pursued. Every day will bring its challenges and obstacles. And we can do all we can to eliminate as many as possible. But we're going to slip up somewhere. But tomorrow is a new day, and even after we've made a mistake, we will have another opportunity to do things right mere moments later.
While listening to O&A one day, as they were talking about the ridiculousness of the PC bullshit we see surrounding us, Opie referenced a quote from Joe Rogan talking about kids; essentially that, when you have kids, you want to "Nerf" the world. That is, make it as non-threatening as possible. But he also realizes that we can't possibly do that. Because, as a parent, you never want to see your child suffer. When they're babies, I have no doubt that all (or at least a very large majority) have high hopes and dreams for their child. They will go on to be great, undoubtedly. Of course, reality is not so kind, and for a myriad of reasons, not all have such luck. And I continually find myself wondering just what kind of a world I've brought my son into. Every day we're inundated with stories of just how shitty the world is becoming. And while I try to block this out, the fact is, there's a lot of fucked up shit going on. And it doesn't seem to be getting any better (of course, it could simply be the way it's presented).
But finally, tonight, it hit me. All I can do is make his immediate world, our world, as great as possible. No, this doesn't mean completely insulating him from the ills of the world. But it does mean that I can at least give him this sanctuary. Give him this "home base." The world will not be so kind, and not everyone has any home base to which to return. But I know that's all I can do. And it's all anyone can do, save for a select few who have the gifts and power to make a far bigger imprint (positive OR negative, unfortunately).
So realize your limitations, but strive for the best you have to give and offer. Similar to the axiom, "know what you know, know what you don't know, and try to close the gap every day," realize you're not perfect, realize why you're not perfect, and try to close the gap every day. Perfect is a mirage - it is unattainable. But it can be pursued. Every day will bring its challenges and obstacles. And we can do all we can to eliminate as many as possible. But we're going to slip up somewhere. But tomorrow is a new day, and even after we've made a mistake, we will have another opportunity to do things right mere moments later.