Big Bear: Cant hold me down forever

[bigbear6708]

thanks again ordo! i am progressing very nicely on this routine so far...im gonna take it as far as I can!

Cardio today: 15 min stair stepper, level 7
(if u have never done steps, TRY IT!!!)

[Commander]

Boots or barefoot is the way to go (I personally go barefoot)....what were you wearing before? something with raised heels like regular sneakers?

And why the 3 sets of deads instead of the regular 1 on SS?

[bigbear6708]

yeah, commander, i usually just wore my running shoes..but i lifted later in the day yesterday, and kept my uniform on, and it finally just clicked..because on occassion i lift in my boots and looking back at it, those squat workouts are usually better!!! im not gonna dig my old boots out just yet, im gonna try barefeet (socks on) tomorrow morning..see how that feels..and the deadlift thing was just a typo..i only did one set

[Commander]

cool, once you go barefoot (I wear socks too) you'll never go back to sneakers.

[bigbear6708]

Squats:
135x8
205x5
225x3
305x5,4,3
BB Sh. Press:
115x5
140x5,5,5
BB Row:
135x5
185x5,5,5
Pullups:BWx8,7,4
Chinups:BWx9,8,6

-Squats: SUCKED TODAY...its the end of my workout week, and my body is drained, I will resume Tues @ 305 and continue to progress, i just went thru the motions today..i was really physically drained, did all I could from just leaving and writing the workout off

[Commander]

You can always throw in a back off day (or week) and take 10% off the bar to deload. Then come back fresh, either way, you've been killing SS, great work.

[bigbear6708]

commander, i may throw in a back off week where I will drop 10% and go from there. I will give myself this coming workout week to guage where my body is after 2 rest days...if I am able to progress tomorrow, Ill just stick w/ the program as is...i will only make changes once i stall twice in a row

Today: 20 minute stair stepper

[bigbear6708]

BW: 197.8 lbs
Squats:
135x8
205x5
225x3
275x2
305x5,5,3
Bench:
135x10
185x5
215x5,5,5
Deadlift:
135x5
225x5
315x2
365x5
Dips:
BW+25x12,10

-Deads FELT GREAT!!! still no straps, made a major jump today, went for broke..and GOT IT! too easy
-I think I have officially stalled on squats

My Plan of Attack will be in the next post, check back later for it, I have to get to work....

[bigbear6708]

Time to Analyze, re-plan my attack...
6 complete weeks of Starting Strenght complete and I must say ITS BEEN GOOD! Here is my progress laid out for all to see...in this format..(category-start-end-net gain)
BW- 188-197.8- +9.8
Squat-195-305- +110
Bench-160-215- +55
Dead- 225-365- +140
Sh.Press-105-140 +35
Row- 115-185 +70

I am very happy with my results this far. I am seeing overall gains in every aspect of my body, i have done no direct arm work (unless you count pullups and dips) and even my biceps and triceps are growing. It seems I have officially stalled on my squats. I thought my bench would give me the problems, but it seems now I have got my form back and my bench will progress nicely.

My NEW PLAN!!!...
-Taking a week off, will be traveling for a long holiday weekend, want to spend time w/ family, so NO HEAVY LIFTING (im holding myself to that). I may end up doing some kind of cardio and maybe a session of just body weight exercises..nothing more.
-Contemplated about startind DC again, but SS gave me such good results, that I am giving it another cycle (i dont think my next one will be able to last 6 weeks..right now my goal is 4 weeks..then its DC time)
-Will make my starting weight next cycle 10% lower than my current weights for my working sets and build from there each week

Again, I am overall very impressed w/ what this program has done for me..does anyone who has done this program in the past have any other input for me?? (commander, ordo...) Thanks!

[Commander]

Your plan sounds solid to me, I am sure with a week off and a 10% deload you will be fresh and by the end of your next 4 week attack will be flying past the numbers you are using now. And your body will be more than ready for the next DC blast.

How is the abdominal region healing up?

Enjoy the Thanksgiving weekend!