Not easy. I've taken a few days off, got out of London and am back up with my folks until Thursday. I'll get to the local gym which is pretty decent and I'm sure there'll be plenty of aggression.

Alex wrote:Mate, really feel for you.

Things sometimes happen for reasons we don't really understand at the time but at some point you'll look back and see some positives from it. If I hadn't made some hard choices or had relationships go regarding women in the past then I wouldn't have ended up with what I have now so I view them all as good things even if they felt anything but at the time.

Hit the gym, not the bottle

Definitely hear you. The thing that makes this tough is that it's the only time I've split it with someone and not actually wanted to end, even if it wasn't me who initiated it. Everything was so good...it's very odd. Still had no contact from her and will just wait to see what happens. I'm pretty sure it's over though.

Aren wrote:
Anyway, this brilliant article by Henry Rollins might help - even if only just a tiny fraction. It certainly spoke to me:

http://www.oldtimestrongman.com/henryrollins_iron.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you think being repeatedly punched in the stomach might help, then again- I'm here for you.

Tuesday 15th February - Upper A

A1: Incline DB press [3-1-X-0] 50kg x 11 / 50kg x 10 / 50kg x 9
A2: DB row [2-0-X-0] 60kg x 9 / 60kg x 10 / 60kg x 8

B1: EZ military press [3-0-X-0] +57.5kg x 10 / +57.5kg x 10 / +57.5kg x 8
B2: Chin up [3-0-X-0] +15kg x 10 / +15kg x 9 / +15kg x 8

C1: CGBP [3-1-X-0] 100kg x 12 / 105kg x 12 / 110kg x 10
C2: DB curl [3-0-X-0] 24kg x 12 / 26kg x 10 / 26kg x 8

So, last night was pretty tough. I fell asleep three times, woke up about an hour later and was sick a couple of times. Reckon I caught about 3 hours in total, but that was very light sleep. Had a text from her at 5:45 this morning - I was awake so read and replied. It's given me clarity over what happened and I feel like a new man today

Awesome awesome session this morning. Felt really focussed. Probably the best session I can remember in fact. Feel so much more positive today. Obviously what's happened is shit, and there will no doubt be ups and downs to come, but I feel like I've broken the back of it. Glad I took a few days off work - definitely a good move.

Onwards and upwards from here.

Great news mate, and finishing off with 110kg * 10 reps on CGBP is bloody strong pressing by anyone's standards.

Get on the test and tren and forget the ****.

Wednesday 16th February - Lower A

A1: ATG front squat [2-0-X-0] 120kg x 5 / 125kg x 5 / 125kg x 5 / 125kg x 5 / 125kg x 5

B1: Trap bar deadlift [1-1-X-0] +140kg x 5 / +160kg x 5 / +180kg x 5 / +190kg x 5 / +200kg x 5 / +200kg x 5

C1: Leg extension [2-0-X-0] 90kg x 10 / 92.5kg x 9 / 92.5kg x 8 / 92.5kg x 8
C2: Leg curl [3-0-X-0] 70kg x 10 / 70kg x 9 / 70kg x 8 / 65kg x 10
C3: Calf raise [2-3-X-1] L17 x 12 / L17 x 11 / L17 x 11 / L17 x 10

PWO cardio 15 mins @ 155bpm

Another good solid session.

The gym near my folks house is pretty good. DBs up to 65kg with just about everything you need. I found a trap bar lying around. It wasn't the greatest (no knurling on the handles, sleeves too small) but it did the job. No idea what the thing weighed either. Shame my gym in London doesn't have one as I'd use it a lot.

Off back to London this afternoon.

I wish my gym had a trap bar. Look like a great deadlift variation and I expect would have very good carryover/assistance onto conventional deads.

65kg dumbells is impressive too. Only go up to 50kg at mine. Not quite there yet though, heaviest I've used are 46kg so probably a good 6 months or so before it becomes a potential issue...

Not sure about carryover to conventional deads. They seem harder on the quads and much easier on the back as a result of the neutral position - you're not forced to extend your back to get the bar up. They feel a lot better in terms of injury risk than conventional deadlifts too.

Might suggest it and see what they say.

Friday 18th February - Upper B

A1: DB shoulder press [3-1-X-0] 38kg x 11 / 38kg x 10 / 38kg x 9
A2: Chin up [3-0-X-0] +20kg x 10 / +20kg x 10 / +20kg x 8

B1: Flat bench press [3-0-X-0] 100kg x 8 / 110kg x 8 / 115kg x 8 / 120kg x 7
B2: T-bar row [3-0-X-0] +80kg x 10 / +90kg x 10 / +90kg x 10

C1: Dip [3-1-X-0] +40kg x 11 / +40kg x 10 / +50kg x8
C2: DB curl [3-0-X-0] 26kg x 9 / 26kg x 8 / 24kg x 9

Happy with that. Starting to lean out now but still gaining strength at the moment. Reckon 7lbs off and I'll be around 10%, which is easily doable in 4 weeks. Training seems more fun again since the breakup and my rest periods have come down, so I'm working harder.

Excellent strength Ollie. Are the Shoulder Presses standing?

Crazy dips too.

They're seated actually, at 80 degrees and very strict.

At one point I was dipping with 50kg for 3 sets of 10, so that's the goal I'm working towards at the moment. I'll get there

Feeling a bit shit about things again today. Gym now so hoping it will sort me out.

Just read what happened, I think you should have stayed at work and got through it by burying yourself in work, but we're different generations.

Find something to focus on and keep up with it.

As Alex said things work out for the best.

She's probably done you both a favour.

Don't be gay.

Wish i could have done but I couldn't function and I was no good being at work. I went in for 3 hours on Monday and was doing more harm than good.

Better now than later and things will be fine. It's just going to take some time to get over.

ollie wrote:Wish i could have done but I couldn't function and I was no good being at work. I went in for 3 hours on Monday and was doing more harm than good.

Better now than later and things will be fine. It's just going to take some time to get over.

Good stuff mate, I know I sometimes seem callous and hard, but all I know is that things do get better as long as you pull your socks up and get on with life.

If you need a good firming bumming, I'm sure Rab will fly down for you

Strength is right back up on your pressing movements. Looking good.

Saturday 19th February - Lower B

A1: ATG squat [3-0-X-0] 140kg x 3 (x10) [45s rests]

B1: RDL [4-1-X-0] 150kg x 3 (x10) [45s rests]

C1: Leg extension [3-0-X-1] 70kg x 12 / 70kg x 12 / 70kg x 10 / 70kg x 9
C2: Leg curl [3-0-X-0] 70kg x 10 / 70kg x 9 / 70kg x 8 / 65kg x 10
C3: Calf raise [2-3-X-1] L17 x 12 / L17 x 11 / L17 x 11 / L17 x 10

PWO cardio 15 mins @ 155bpm

Yesterday's session. Not bad - completing the 10x3 was definitely easier than last time for some reason.

Appetite is still pretty shot, but that kind of suits me at the moment so I'm not too worried. Weird as even when I'm feeling fine I don't really feel like eating much.

Tuesday 22nd February - Upper A

A1: Incline DB press [3-1-X-0] 50kg x 11 / 50kg x 10 / 50kg x 9
A2: BOR (strict) [2-0-X-0] 80kg x 12 / 80kg x 11 / 80kg x 9

B1: Chin up[3-0-X-0] +20kg x 9 / +20kg x 8 / +20kg x 7

C1: EZ military press [3-0-X-0] +55kg x 10 / +57.5kg x 8 / +57.5kg x 8
C2: DB curl [2-0-X-0] 24kg x 10 / 24kg x 10 / 24kg x 9

D1: Dip [3-1-X-0] +40kg x 12 / +50kg x 10 / +50kg x 8
D2: EZ curl [3-0-X-0] +40kg x 12 / +40kg x 10 / +40kg x 8

Decent enough session. I've not really eaten that much over the last 4 days as my appetite is a bit fucked. On the mend now though and as fat loss is my goal at the moment it's not the end of the world.

Thursday 24th February - Lower A

A1: ATG front squat [2-0-X-0] 120kg x 5 / 125kg x 5 / 130kg x 5 / 130kg x 5 / 130kg x 5

B1: Deadlift [1-1-X-0] 140kg x 5 / 180kg x 5 / 200kg x 5 / 210kg x 5 / 210kg x 5 / 210kg x 5

C1: Leg extension [2-0-X-0] 92.5kg x 9 / 92.5kg x 9 / 92.5kg x 8
C2: Leg curl [3-0-X-0] 70kg x 10 / 70kg x 9 / 70kg x 8
C3: Calf raise [2-3-X-1] L17 x 12 / L17 x 11 / L17 x 11

PWO cardio 10 mins @ 155bpm

Great session tonight. Felt really strong, especially on front squats. Now off work for 10 days, mate's 30th tonight, then off on a lads snowboarding holiday on Sunday. Couldn't have timed it better

Thursday 24th March - Upper B

A1: PHC2PP [1-1-X-0] 60kg x 5 / 70kg x 5 / 75kg x 5 / 80kg x 5 / 80kg x 5

B1: DB shoulder press [2-1-X-0] 38kg x 10 / 38kg x 10 / 38kg x 8
B2: Chin up [3-0-X-0] +20kg x 10 / +20kg x 10 / +20kg x 8

C1: Flat bench press [3-0-X-0] 100kg x 10 / 110kg x 8 / 115kg x 8
C2: T-bar row [3-0-X-0] +80kg x 10 / +85kg x 10 / +90kg x 10

D1: Dip [3-1-X-0] +40kg x 10 / +45kg x 8 / +50kg x8
D2: DB curl [3-0-X-0] 26kg x 9 / 26kg x 8 / 24kg x 9

Been a bit rubbish at keeping this up to date as I've been stacked with work (got promoted on Tuesday ), best mate's wedding and life. Been a hectic time since the breakup but loads of good things have happened.

With the boarding holiday a few weeks ago and the 2 day hangover this week, training has been a bit sporadic. Back on it now.

Congrats on the promotion mate, glad to hear things are well and truly on the up after recent shite events. Strong lifting as always dude, I remember when you were a little bitch on MP

Cheers blud. I remember those days too, back when I was struggling to bench more than 60kg

Friday 25th March - Lower B

A1: ATG squat [2-0-X-0] 140kg x 10 / 140kg x 10 / 140kg x 9
A2: Pull up [5-0-X-1] BW x 10 / BW x 10 / BW x 10

B1: RDL [3-1-X-0] 150kg x 10 / 150kg x 8 / 150kg x 8

C1: Leg extension [2-0-X-0] 87.5kg x 10 / 87.5kg x 10 / 87.5kg x 9
C2: Leg curl [3-0-X-0] 70kg x 10 / 70kg x 9 / 70kg x 8
C3: Calf raise [2-3-X-1] L17 x 12 / L17 x 11 / L17 x 11 / L17 x 10

Didn't really feel up for this tonight but pulled it out of the bag.

Now I have to pack my shit as I'm out all day tomorrow and am moving house on Sunday...

ollie wrote:Cheers blud. I remember those days too, back when I was struggling to bench more than 60kg

Watch your whorish mouth, thats me now!

Saturday 26th March - Upper A

A1: Incline DB press [3-1-X-0] 50kg x 12 / 50kg x 10 / 50kg x 10
A2: BOR (very strict) [2-0-X-0] 85kg x 12 / 85kg x 11 / 85kg x 9

B1: Pull up [3-0-X-0] +20kg x 10 / +20kg x 9 / +20kg x 8
B2: EZ Military press => push-press [3-0-X-0] +55kg x 9+3 / +55kg x 8+3 / +55kg x 7+3

D1: CGBP [3-1-X-0] 105kg x 9 / 110kg x 8 / 110kg x 8
D2: EZ curl [3-0-X-0] +42.5kg x 12 / +42.5kg x 10 / +42.5kg x 8

Monday 28th February - Lower A

A1: ATG front squat [2-0-X-0] 130kg x 6 / 130kg x 5 / 130kg x 5 / 130kg x 4 / 120kg x 6

B1: Deadlift [1-1-X-0] 140kg x 5 / 180kg x 5 / 200kg x 5 / 210kg x 5 / 215kg x 5 / 215kg x 5

C1: Calf raise [2-3-X-1] L17 x 12 / L17 x 11 / L17 x 11 / L17 x 9
C2: Renegade row [1-1-X-0] 22kg x 10 / 22kg x 10 / 22kg x 10

PWO cardio 10 mins @ 155bpm

Strength is good at the moment. Very pleased with front squats in particular.

Wednesday 30th March - Upper B

A1: PHC2PP [1-1-X-0] 60kg x 5 / 70kg x 5 / 75kg x 5 / 80kg x 5 / 80kg x 5

B1: DB shoulder press [2-1-X-0] 38kg x 10 / 38kg x 9 / 38kg x 8
B2: Chin up [3-0-X-0] +20kg x 11 / +20kg x 10 / +20kg x 8

C1: Decline bench press [3-0-X-0] 105kg x 10 / 110kg x 10 / 120kg x 7
C2: T-bar row [3-0-X-0] +70kg x 12 / +70kg x 12 / +70kg x 10

D1: Dip [3-1-X-0] +40kg x 10 / +45kg x 10 / +50kg x8
D2: DB curl [3-0-X-0] 26kg x 10 / 26kg x 8 / 24kg x 9

This morning's session. First time I've trained before work in months. Forgot: deodorant, hair paste, change of underwear. Good skills Ol.

Shit is good at the moment. Single life is more fun than I remember it. Hooked up with my housemate's friend at the boat race on Saturday (seeing her tonight), then she went home and I met a Finnish chick whilst out (seeing her on Friday). Sacked off the teacher as she was boring and draining my wallet.