I seem to have difficulty maintaining forward progress when it comes to working out. I’ve started a lot of programs, made progress, but ultimately stopped. Usually sickness, or holidays, or some other “reason” gets in the way for a day, or a week. And that week becomes a month, and then a year. Not this time.

It’s easier to say that - especially since I’ve already been working out with some consistency for 6 months. One of the things that have made the most difference has been the guys at work. We try to keep to a schedule - and we’re fortunate to have a relatively nice gym at the office. Instead of lunch - weights. And the peer pressure and light competition helps with motivation.

At first, we stuck to standard 5x8 programming, on a three day rotation:

• Chest and triceps
• Back and biceps
• Shoulders
• occasionally, legs

But, after a while (and a break of another month or so), we picked...

I didn’t know how long it had been since i’d written a post. My last go round didn’t work so good - or at least i didn’t stick with it long enough. Time to try again?

But this time a bit different. i’ve been back into lifting for a few months now. So far, keeping things going at least in the gym. Lets see if we can keep up the commentary too.

Today was squat day. Had a pretty good day. Topped out at 385 successfully, and failed at 405. Still, thats a lot more than I ever thought i’d lift.

Here’s to getting back on the horse.

Since I’m still getting over the cold that impaired the end of last week, I’ve decided to do the “Veterano” workout as prescribed, limited to one exercise a day. I’m hoping this won’t tax my body too much, but will let me maintain some progress throughout the week.

As its Wednesday, I’ve done three of the exercises: Pullups, Bridges, and Handstand Pushups (Crow’s). Here is a quick review on progress and thoughts.

Pullups

Pullups have been the most painful after the fact. Even today, i still feel Monday’s workout, which wasn’t all that impressive to start. Given the gym I am using at work, there isn’t any way to actually do the second step, so i skipped to the third step. The gym does have a pullup assist machine, which i’m using to offload the weight and help me get a good cadence. This will let me measure improvement in terms of reduced “help” which you couldn’t do if you were using...

I can’t wait to start seeing progress in the numbers, which of course means I need the numbers!

I’m using a modified Veterano workout - basically doing 2 moves a day (instead of the recommended 1 move a day) to hopefully speed up the initial progression through the steps. I’ll likely settle back into the one move a day once they get more taxing. At least, this is the original plan. As i mentioned last post, my first week ended in illness, which slowed me down a bit…

Workout A: Pullups & Leg Raises : Monday & Thursday

Workout B: Bridges & Squats : Tuesday & Friday

Workout C: Handstand Pushups & Pushups : Wednesday & Saturday

First Week Report

Pullups

12/15 Step 1 - 40, 40, 40

12/18 RESTED

Leg Raises

12/15 Step 1 - 21, 25, 23

12/18 RESTED

Bridges

12/16 Step 1 - 30, 25

12/19 RESTED

Squats

12/16 Step 2 - 35, 35, 25

12/19 RESTED-

Handstand Pushups

12/17 Step 1 - 2 mins, Step...

It always seems to happen. You get all pumped up to start working out, and then you get sick. At least it seems like it happens to me every time I start!

On the fourth day, I got terribly sick. Rather than pushing it, I decided to take a break and let my body fight off the infection. So, three days on, four days off. But I’m starting again tomorrow. Hopefully I’ll make it through the whole week!

I’ll post my performance for last week soon, but there isn’t much there. I was still very sore after the first three days, so at least it is doing something!

It’s not even a week. It’s literally only three days. I’ve done each of the exercises once. Not even full sets for most of them.

And I hurt.

The hardest part of the workouts is the cadence. But I am surprised by how sore I am already given how little work I’ve actually done, and how little time that took.

The worst is the hip flexors. They flat out hurt. Probably underused with regularity, and the squats and leg raises really did a number on them and the quads.

I’m sticking with it, but I’m not sure I’ll be sticking with the two per day… I’m not as fit as I thought I was… and I didn’t think I was at all fit to start!

Tomorrow will mark a return to the first workout. Pull ups and leg raises. Given that I am moving on to step 2 in the pull ups, I expect that there will be some associated soreness in the days to come!

Here is my approach to getting started with Convict Conditioning. I’m also hoping that I can convince my wife to also start the program with me to provide some additional support and motivation.

I’ve built a notebook to use to help track my progress. I also printed and inserted the following picture into my book to help illustrate the form for the six moves. I wish I made it, but actually just found it on a google image search. Still, when printed on an 11x17, it is readable.

The Schedule

I’ll be using a modified Veterano workout as described in the book. For reference:

2014 has been a tough year in a lot of ways. Also an amazing year, especially when I consider the growth of my children (now 1 and 3). But there have been many setbacks, which has largely led me to write off the year and start planning for an amazing 2015.

But I didn’t want to push off all the major planned changes into 2015, since new years resolutions seem so destined for failure for most who undertake them. So instead, I’m starting the workout portion of my 2015 plan a few weeks early.

I will be starting with the Convict Conditioning workout, which is a relatively simple set of exercises that doesn’t require a gym or too much time. I can use the gym at my office for free, and since most of the exercises are body weight, if schedule precludes it, I can catch up at home.

I plan to start on level 1 of most exercises, and work my way up. The goal is primarily improvements in health...