Fitness Safari

Ever since Martin's new blog post mentioned me and the FB group I started, we've nearly tripled in size. We're also getting a lot of newbies who just don't know where to start. I remember when I first stumbled on www.leangains.com - there's a TON of detailed science in those posts and it was a bit overwhelming. I can still go back on any given day and learn something new from his posts and I am thankful for his generosity in literally giving away his intellectual property freely and to anyone. That said, one newbie asked "What is Reverse Pyramid Training?" I know the basics - start at heaviest weight, limited sets, low volume, high-rest, etc...and this is how I've been training since about February. But it wasn't until I went back to Martin's blog to get the link to his description of RPT to post for the group when I realized I wasn't doing it quite right. So, for all of you who think you're doing it right - as well as for those of y...

I logged in to add an update and saw that this is my 100th blog posting. I can't think of a better way to celebrate than to take a look back at where I started back in January (top photo) and compare to where I am today, August 30, (2nd photo) - almost 9 months later. I have to say it's been a long road, and I have not yet reached my destination, but my progress since January is unmistakable. I've already learned a lot from my journey through IF and Leangains - patience, determination, the importance of setting goals (both big and small), and how much it helps to have a support network to help you when the road gets bumpy. So, thank you Martin Berkhan for Leangains and your continued encouragement and support to all of those people who are changing their lives by applying what you've learned; Thanks to Scott Black for your constant support, honesty and so many laughs; Thanks to my FFF ladies - you are hands down the BEST group on Facebook...

No time to write - got a plane to catch. Here are some pics from the beginning of Day 9 of my PSMF experiment. More to come...stay tuned!

Ok, I know it's not Wednesday - your traditional "hump day," but it is day 6 of my 12-day PSMF experiment. It's all downhill from here...I hope. I've made it 6 full days so far without a carb or fat fest. My weight is slowly creeping down as is my BF% according to my crappy Tanita. 113.6 lbs, 26.0% bodyfat. I still think that's off, and I know it has a lot to do with water retention, etc., but I am still carrying a lot of softness in my belly still, so it's probably, sadly, accurate or at least close. Anyway, as an aside from my boring protein-rich meals, I wanted to share with you all an email I received in response to my last blog. It's from a man named David. Now, David, if you are reading this, I hope you are not upset that I posted your email. I mean, if you are going to question the validity and necessity of what I'm doing and writing about in a public forum, I thought I would open the floor for debate starting with your letter. ...

It's Day 5 of Jenny's road to fat loss via the PSMF highway and I wanted to give you all an update on how I'm feeling and how the "diet" is working out. Day 4, yesterday, was a definite test of my mental fortitude. I was hungry most of the day - even shortly after eating 10 oz boneless pork, piles of fibrous veggies, and a 2-scoop casein shake. In the afternoon, I met a friend at the local fairgrounds where he was working a horse show. His company was one of the sponsors, so we got to hang in the VIP tent which, btw, was loaded with FOOD. Cheese, crackers, fruit, those giant cookie and brownie squares, pasta, sausage and peppers, and some kind of crabcake sliders...and I couldn't eat ANY of it. On our way out, I grabbed a teeny square of cheese which my dear friend, bless his sole, immediately wresteled from my hand and promptly threw away. It's so good to have support! For dinner I had chicken and broccoli and then went out to meet friends at the...

It's day 3 of my PSMF experiment and I don't feel any different than I have been feeling prior to beginning this diet. Hunger Level - moderate at wake up - as always! Abs Progress - tummy honestly feels tighter and more compact already...but that could just be wishful thinking. Took pics today and posted here - I'm going to try to take pics every few days and will also post all at once at the end of this to compare progress as time goes on. Training Report - Did chest and shoulders yesterday and was able to maintain on my max bench (100 lbs x 4 without a spotter); added reps with incline DB press (40 lbs each hand x 6); DB military fell in weight, but I think it's because I killed my shoulders with the incline DB press; and dips jumped bigtime to bodyweight +20 lbs x 7. *These are all first set numbers. I completed two sets of each and three of dips RPT style. I made my 170g protein for food intake yesterday thanks to a pound of boneless country style pork ribs and a pa...

Ok....This week I will use the very last page of Jenny's LG Training Log - Volume I. I started back in early January and my log outlines what started as a convoluted journey full of twists and turns as I experimented with different routines and pushed to find my limits and has since straightened out to a nice, consistent routine of compound movements and heavy weight, low volume sessions with a few supplementary exercises added in at different points to help round out my weaknesses. So, the other night, I was thumbing through the numbers to see just how far I've come. The first picture here was of my log about three weeks after I started fasting and was trying to settle into a routine. It was also the beginning of my deadlifts which were very low - not because I couldn't lift more, but because I wanted to ensure I didn't hurt myself while I was feeling out my limits. The second photo (right) was taken just the other day. You'll see that my deads went from 115 x ...