Anyone want to shape up in 2018? A continuing journey.......

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  • rgambs
    rgambs Posts: 13,576
    My entire upper body has seen a size and strength increase from this challenge, I'm very happy with my progress. 
    Huge releases of growth hormone from all that heavy compound work.
    Now I just need to cut down about 15 lbs to reveal it all.  That's the hard part, working hard is easy and fun. 
    Avoiding Reese's Cups after working hard...now that's a real challenge.
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
  • tempo_n_groove
    tempo_n_groove Posts: 41,471
    rgambs said:
    My entire upper body has seen a size and strength increase from this challenge, I'm very happy with my progress. 
    Huge releases of growth hormone from all that heavy compound work.
    Now I just need to cut down about 15 lbs to reveal it all.  That's the hard part, working hard is easy and fun. 
    Avoiding Reese's Cups after working hard...now that's a real challenge.
    Dark Chocolate my man.  85% minimum!
  • rgambs
    rgambs Posts: 13,576
    tempo_n_groove said:
    rgambs said:
    My entire upper body has seen a size and strength increase from this challenge, I'm very happy with my progress. 
    Huge releases of growth hormone from all that heavy compound work.
    Now I just need to cut down about 15 lbs to reveal it all.  That's the hard part, working hard is easy and fun. 
    Avoiding Reese's Cups after working hard...now that's a real challenge.
    Dark Chocolate my man.  85% minimum!
    That's my main strategy actually lol
    I keep a bar of super dark and a bar of regular Hershey's Special Dark.  Anything over 70% doesn't satisfy the sweet tooth, and doesn't have enough fat to signal satiation (as if there was ever such a thing) and keep me from going back again and again.
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
  • tempo_n_groove
    tempo_n_groove Posts: 41,471
    rgambs said:
    tempo_n_groove said:
    rgambs said:
    My entire upper body has seen a size and strength increase from this challenge, I'm very happy with my progress. 
    Huge releases of growth hormone from all that heavy compound work.
    Now I just need to cut down about 15 lbs to reveal it all.  That's the hard part, working hard is easy and fun. 
    Avoiding Reese's Cups after working hard...now that's a real challenge.
    Dark Chocolate my man.  85% minimum!
    That's my main strategy actually lol
    I keep a bar of super dark and a bar of regular Hershey's Special Dark.  Anything over 70% doesn't satisfy the sweet tooth, and doesn't have enough fat to signal satiation (as if there was ever such a thing) and keep me from going back again and again.
    Lindt 85% for me.  2 squares is my limit.
  • curmudgeoness
    curmudgeoness Brigadoon, foodie capital Posts: 4,130
    tempo_n_groove said:
    rgambs said:
    tempo_n_groove said:
    rgambs said:
    My entire upper body has seen a size and strength increase from this challenge, I'm very happy with my progress. 
    Huge releases of growth hormone from all that heavy compound work.
    Now I just need to cut down about 15 lbs to reveal it all.  That's the hard part, working hard is easy and fun. 
    Avoiding Reese's Cups after working hard...now that's a real challenge.
    Dark Chocolate my man.  85% minimum!
    That's my main strategy actually lol
    I keep a bar of super dark and a bar of regular Hershey's Special Dark.  Anything over 70% doesn't satisfy the sweet tooth, and doesn't have enough fat to signal satiation (as if there was ever such a thing) and keep me from going back again and again.
    Lindt 85% for me.  2 squares is my limit.
    Yep. I buy the 85% or 90% bars. Less sugar, more chocolate. :-) Trying to keep sugar intake manageable without ignoring my chocolate addiction.
    All those who seek to destroy the liberties of a democratic nation ought to know that war is the surest and shortest means to accomplish it.
  • rgambs
    rgambs Posts: 13,576
    The sugar and fat are what make it chocolate though.  I could eat straight cocoa, but it wouldn't be very good lol

    I like it dark, but 85% and over isn't dessert, it's like eating coffee beans.  Still like it, but doesn't help the sweet tooth.

    Curmudgeoness, why are you limiting sugar to such an extent?  At your calorie expenditure and body fat %, it needn't be much of a concern, should it?  It seems unlikely you would be insulin resistant, but that wouldn't be impossible.
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
  • oftenreading
    oftenreading Victoria, BC Posts: 12,856
    I am a big fan of dark chocolate. I stay away from big manufacturers like Lindt et al and go for the bean to bar producers. It’s amazing what different flavour profiles you will taste if you go with small batch producers. The complexity, depth and sheer yumminess means you will be satisfied with one or two squares, rather than being tempted to gnarble the whole bar. 

    My favourites tend to have between 72% and 85%ish. 
    my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
  • curmudgeoness
    curmudgeoness Brigadoon, foodie capital Posts: 4,130
    rgambs said:
    The sugar and fat are what make it chocolate though.  I could eat straight cocoa, but it wouldn't be very good lol

    I like it dark, but 85% and over isn't dessert, it's like eating coffee beans.  Still like it, but doesn't help the sweet tooth.

    Curmudgeoness, why are you limiting sugar to such an extent?  At your calorie expenditure and body fat %, it needn't be much of a concern, should it?  It seems unlikely you would be insulin resistant, but that wouldn't be impossible.

    Well, I do have multiple autoimmune issues, so monitoring sugar makes sense in that way. But beyond that, I have a massive sweet tooth and would eat nothing but ice cream and cookies all day long, were it not so bad for me. I have no self-control when it comes to sweets.

    I do burn so many calories that my trainer says I'm the only client he's had whom he has told to go eat a donut. But given all of the new research about the dangers of sugar, I work hard at staying within recommended daily limits. Unless it's donut day. :-D
    All those who seek to destroy the liberties of a democratic nation ought to know that war is the surest and shortest means to accomplish it.
  • rgambs
    rgambs Posts: 13,576
    curmudgeoness said:
    rgambs said:
    The sugar and fat are what make it chocolate though.  I could eat straight cocoa, but it wouldn't be very good lol

    I like it dark, but 85% and over isn't dessert, it's like eating coffee beans.  Still like it, but doesn't help the sweet tooth.

    Curmudgeoness, why are you limiting sugar to such an extent?  At your calorie expenditure and body fat %, it needn't be much of a concern, should it?  It seems unlikely you would be insulin resistant, but that wouldn't be impossible.

    Well, I do have multiple autoimmune issues, so monitoring sugar makes sense in that way. But beyond that, I have a massive sweet tooth and would eat nothing but ice cream and cookies all day long, were it not so bad for me. I have no self-control when it comes to sweets.

    I do burn so many calories that my trainer says I'm the only client he's had whom he has told to go eat a donut. But given all of the new research about the dangers of sugar, I work hard at staying within recommended daily limits. Unless it's donut day. :-D
    Ah ok, for some reason I read your comment to mean you don't eat sugar at all, but I don't know where I got that from your post now that I reread it lol

    Sugar is not the best thing for you, but those no-sugar nuts get on my damn nerves lol
    Live a little or else what's the friggin point??
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
  • tempo_n_groove
    tempo_n_groove Posts: 41,471
    rgambs said:
    curmudgeoness said:
    rgambs said:
    The sugar and fat are what make it chocolate though.  I could eat straight cocoa, but it wouldn't be very good lol

    I like it dark, but 85% and over isn't dessert, it's like eating coffee beans.  Still like it, but doesn't help the sweet tooth.

    Curmudgeoness, why are you limiting sugar to such an extent?  At your calorie expenditure and body fat %, it needn't be much of a concern, should it?  It seems unlikely you would be insulin resistant, but that wouldn't be impossible.

    Well, I do have multiple autoimmune issues, so monitoring sugar makes sense in that way. But beyond that, I have a massive sweet tooth and would eat nothing but ice cream and cookies all day long, were it not so bad for me. I have no self-control when it comes to sweets.

    I do burn so many calories that my trainer says I'm the only client he's had whom he has told to go eat a donut. But given all of the new research about the dangers of sugar, I work hard at staying within recommended daily limits. Unless it's donut day. :-D
    Ah ok, for some reason I read your comment to mean you don't eat sugar at all, but I don't know where I got that from your post now that I reread it lol

    Sugar is not the best thing for you, but those no-sugar nuts get on my damn nerves lol
    Live a little or else what's the friggin point??
    Then all you have is Bark and Tofu...
  • rgambs
    rgambs Posts: 13,576
    Pull-up challenge month is officially over.
    Original goal: 1,000 total and a set of 20 consecutive chin-ups, plus 10 consecutive truly strict form pull-ups. (Pull-ups are palms out and chin-ups are palms toward you, but I counted all grips as pull-ups for the total.)

    Final Tally: 2,125 pull-ups, a much coveted set today of 25 consecutive chin-ups, and 12 strict form pull-ups.  Fuck.  Yeah.  Challenge met.

    I finished May early so that earned the right to start on June today.  
    Goal: 5,000 lateral raises per side and 6 total shoulder workouts.  
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
  • tempo_n_groove
    tempo_n_groove Posts: 41,471
    rgambs said:
    Pull-up challenge month is officially over.
    Original goal: 1,000 total and a set of 20 consecutive chin-ups, plus 10 consecutive truly strict form pull-ups. (Pull-ups are palms out and chin-ups are palms toward you, but I counted all grips as pull-ups for the total.)

    Final Tally: 2,125 pull-ups, a much coveted set today of 25 consecutive chin-ups, and 12 strict form pull-ups.  Fuck.  Yeah.  Challenge met.

    I finished May early so that earned the right to start on June today.  
    Goal: 5,000 lateral raises per side and 6 total shoulder workouts.  
    Congrats.  You're gonna bulk up like Ferigno.

    Purple pants and green makeup for u this Halloween!
  • oftenreading
    oftenreading Victoria, BC Posts: 12,856
    rgambs said:
    Pull-up challenge month is officially over.
    Original goal: 1,000 total and a set of 20 consecutive chin-ups, plus 10 consecutive truly strict form pull-ups. (Pull-ups are palms out and chin-ups are palms toward you, but I counted all grips as pull-ups for the total.)

    Final Tally: 2,125 pull-ups, a much coveted set today of 25 consecutive chin-ups, and 12 strict form pull-ups.  Fuck.  Yeah.  Challenge met.

    I finished May early so that earned the right to start on June today.  
    Goal: 5,000 lateral raises per side and 6 total shoulder workouts.  
    Well done! Impressive work. 

    Meanwhile, I continue to have no fitness goals other than to climb as much as I can and have a great time doing it :lol: 
    my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
  • rgambs
    rgambs Posts: 13,576
    I wish I could climb!  No gyms and no crags within an hour drive.
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
  • oftenreading
    oftenreading Victoria, BC Posts: 12,856
    rgambs said:
    I wish I could climb!  No gyms and no crags within an hour drive.
    Bummer. 

    Honestly, I have no idea how I would have gotten through the last two years without climbing. 
    my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
  • rgambs
    rgambs Posts: 13,576
    oftenreading said:
    rgambs said:
    I wish I could climb!  No gyms and no crags within an hour drive.
    Bummer. 

    Honestly, I have no idea how I would have gotten through the last two years without climbing. 
    You find ways to climb metaphorically.  You set goals that have to be tackled one move at a time and you make sure there's a crux that will take several attempts to master.
    But actually climbing is much more fun lol
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
  • mcgruff10
    mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 29,130
    Nice job gambs!!
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • markymark550
    markymark550 Columbia, SC Posts: 5,218
    rgambs said:
    Pull-up challenge month is officially over.
    Original goal: 1,000 total and a set of 20 consecutive chin-ups, plus 10 consecutive truly strict form pull-ups. (Pull-ups are palms out and chin-ups are palms toward you, but I counted all grips as pull-ups for the total.)

    Final Tally: 2,125 pull-ups, a much coveted set today of 25 consecutive chin-ups, and 12 strict form pull-ups.  Fuck.  Yeah.  Challenge met.

    I finished May early so that earned the right to start on June today.  
    Goal: 5,000 lateral raises per side and 6 total shoulder workouts.  
    Wow. Good job!

    And damn, that's a lot of lateral raises. Are you not a little worried that your front or rear delt will be lagging in development? I would be concerned primarily for the rear delt as a lot of chest work recruits the front delt.I


    As for me, I've kept on with my normal lifting schedule, but I've lost my motivation. Just seem to be going through the motions lately. Tried switching up exercises, but still blah.
  • rgambs
    rgambs Posts: 13,576
    markymark550 said:
    rgambs said:
    Pull-up challenge month is officially over.
    Original goal: 1,000 total and a set of 20 consecutive chin-ups, plus 10 consecutive truly strict form pull-ups. (Pull-ups are palms out and chin-ups are palms toward you, but I counted all grips as pull-ups for the total.)

    Final Tally: 2,125 pull-ups, a much coveted set today of 25 consecutive chin-ups, and 12 strict form pull-ups.  Fuck.  Yeah.  Challenge met.

    I finished May early so that earned the right to start on June today.  
    Goal: 5,000 lateral raises per side and 6 total shoulder workouts.  
    Wow. Good job!

    And damn, that's a lot of lateral raises. Are you not a little worried that your front or rear delt will be lagging in development? I would be concerned primarily for the rear delt as a lot of chest work recruits the front delt.I


    As for me, I've kept on with my normal lifting schedule, but I've lost my motivation. Just seem to be going through the motions lately. Tried switching up exercises, but still blah.
    Do the pull-up challenge lol

    I don't bench heavy, I weigh 175 and I usually bench my way up to 210 for 2 sets of 4.  So my front delts aren't as overdeveloped as many people, so the balance is not terrible.
    The lateral raises will include bent-over for rear delts and I will include dropsets on the fly machine as part of the total shoulder day.
    The goal is to bring the medial delts out nice and wide this month and get that nice sloping cut that looks so good.
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
  • rgambs
    rgambs Posts: 13,576
    I'm 2.5 lbs from my 50lb weight loss goal, so that's good.
    I'm picking up my good friend from Brazil at the airport tomorrow morning and all hope of diet diligence flies out the window at that point, so that's bad. 
    I either need to cut 2.5 lbs between now (and I already haven't ingested anything but water today) and tomorrow at 10am, or I will have to wait until July sometime to hit that milestone.
     I don't know what to do.  If I skip eating entirely for the day I think I will make it, but even a very light dinner is going to make that pretty iffy.  And I'm hungry. 
    Is it really that important to see 170.0 on the scale?
    Yes.
    And no.
    Who knows lol

    I've been chasing that milestone for 3 years, I've been within 4 lbs 3 times...  It's become a thing.  I think I'm all in.  
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?

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