Well, I Went And Done It, Gunny...

[High_Plains_Drifter]

It's been so hot and humid here that yes, I've been a little inactive. Just too damn hot to do anything hard labor outside, so yesterday when I woke up, I was feeling a little on the lard ass side so I stepped on the scale. Haven't been on it for a couple months, but I about fell over. I was heavier than I've ever been in my LIFE... 219.6. Ain't gonna have it. I freaked out. So today, after sleeping on it I figured why wait, I ordered a new universal gym from Amazon. Got 24 months interest free to pay it off on my Amazon store card so it'll be pretty painless, but I'm excited now. Going to move the dining room table, that I never use, out of the back room here in the house and put it right here under my nose. I'll be on that thing EVERY, DAY.

This is the one I ordered. I had a model under this one saved in my Amazon list. This one was more but has the two side cables for flies and what not, I like that. I figured it was worth the little extra so I got this one... and it gets great reviews from people too... can't wait to get on it. My old Golds universal gym had a leg press but I hardly ever used it. Just do squats... whatever...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001RQT10G/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://image.ibb.co/kd7rk9/gym.jpg
@Gunny (http://www.debatepolicy.com/member.php?u=30)

[LongTermGuy]

~ "Haven't been on it for a couple months, but I about fell over. I was heavier than I've ever been in my LIFE... 219.6." ~


Nice machine...quick question >> (if you dont mind) How tall are you?....( Maybe I missed it...but I didnt see it)

Im 6`4 234lbs...some info I read says I should be at 219-223...but I have a large frame and feel good at 234 with no belly...(I feel tight)

Work out a daily (mostly using light weights (NO HEAVY)) punching and rotation....stretching (for speed and agility)...sit-up`s and large roller Ball I use to stretch and crack my back....I try to eat good healthy food...I do splurge at times but work it off...:laugh:

[High_Plains_Drifter]

~ "Haven't been on it for a couple months, but I about fell over. I was heavier than I've ever been in my LIFE... 219.6." ~


Nice machine...quick question >> (if you dont mind) How tall are you?....( Maybe I missed it...but I didnt see it)

Im 6`4 234lbs...some info I read says I should be at 219-223...but I have a large frame and feel good at 234 with no belly...(I feel tight)

Work out a daily (mostly using light weights (NO HEAVY)) punching and rotation....stretching (for speed and agility)...sit-up`s and large roller Ball I use to stretch and crack my back....I try to eat good healthy food...I do splurge at times but work it off...:laugh:

Used to be a solid 6' 2", but lately when I step on the scale with the height deal on it at the VA seems like I'm shrinking. They put me at 6' 1". Whatever, I'm 63, I guess we all get shorter over time, but I FEEL good, I'm just packing on extra weight that I do NOT need, and I ain't gonna have it. I'm fasting today, and tomorrow, the pop is gone, the ice cream is gone, the fudge cicles are gone, etc. Time to get back on the water and start working out. I've enjoyed working out/pumping iron, ever since Nellis AFB, early 1980. I really got into it there and packed on some bulk. Before that I was a tall, skinny drink of water. But it ain't time to give up now. My health is good, I feel good, and I need to get back to working out on a good gym. I just work around the atrophy in my right arm and such. I regret having to sell my Golds gym but I really needed the room in my shop, it was huge. This new gym is a pretty compact unit, and it has about everything anyone would want. Dang I'm excited to get it now.

[Gunny]

Though I have played the "how much do you weigh?" game as much as anyone, bodyweight doesn't really matter. COMPOSITION of bodyweight IS what matters. Age is a BIG factor. For most people, as you age the body becomes more dense. Same size but heavier. It's REALLY hard to bite that one because we're programmed otherwise by society. I can say this: I was a LOT bigger and stronger at 24 and 175 lbs than I was at 50 and 205.
High_Plains_Drifter I am not familiar with the brand. Looks like it has all the bells and whistles. In a way, I wish on certain days I could work out inside. Like today when it was 98 in the garage. Or when I lived in IL and it was 0 in the garage:laugh: But I got this notion it makes me tougher to just suck it up and deal (since I have no choice to begin with). Gets me outside too. Rolling out of bed and setting up the weights in the living room back in the day DID have its perks. A LOT less different apparel ensembles for one. I have stuff for rain, cold, severe cold, heat, severe heat. In the house it was shorts and a T :)

As long as you do something I'm sure it'll help.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Though I have played the "how much do you weigh?" game as much as anyone, bodyweight doesn't really matter. COMPOSITION of bodyweight IS what matters. Age is a BIG factor. For most people, as you age the body becomes more dense. Same size but heavier. It's REALLY hard to bite that one because we're programmed otherwise by society. I can say this: I was a LOT bigger and stronger at 24 and 175 lbs than I was at 50 and 205.
@High_Plains_Drifter (http://www.debatepolicy.com/member.php?u=3558) I am not familiar with the brand. Looks like it has all the bells and whistles. In a way, I wish on certain days I could work out inside. Like today when it was 98 in the garage. Or when I lived in IL and it was 0 in the garage:laugh: But I got this notion it makes me tougher to just suck it up and deal (since I have no choice to begin with). Gets me outside too. Rolling out of bed and setting up the weights in the living room back in the day DID have its perks. A LOT less different apparel ensembles for one. I have stuff for rain, cold, severe cold, heat, severe heat. In the house it was shorts and a T :)

As long as you do something I'm sure it'll help.
I did not know that about body weight... interesting. I didn't really notice the ole pants getting all that much tighter and I didn't have to let the belt out a notch, but just the GUT... my God it's always the GUT. Seems like if I gain any and all weight right there, period. Course that could be a lot just my imagination but, gonna work on that too. Sit Ups are going to be included in daily workouts from now on.

Yeah at this point in my life, I'm not so much interested in putting on bulk as I am just getting in shape. I don't think at this point in life you can put on bulk real easy anyway, IDK, I just want to start out doing high reps, low weight, to build up the stamina, and then after I'm feeling stronger maybe do a little high weight, low reps, to maybe put on some size. I'll see, but I'm just chomping at the bit now to get that thing. Been probably 6 years now since I sold the Golds gym and I've really missed that thing. Many a day has gone by that I wished I still had it.

[Elessar]

That looks like a good rig, HPD! A lot of purists poo-poo them, but they are very
safe if you work out alone.

In fact, when I was teaching remedial conditioning to officer candidate and recruit
Personal Fitness failures, I would start them off on Universal.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

I did not know that about body weight... interesting. I didn't really notice the ole pants getting all that much tighter and I didn't have to let the belt out a notch, but just the GUT... my God it's always the GUT. Seems like I gain any and all weight right there, period. Course that could be a lot just my imagination but, gonna work on that too. Sit Ups are going to be included in daily workouts from now on.

Yeah at this point in my life, I'm not so much interested in putting on bulk as I am just getting in shape. I don't think at this point in life you can put on bulk real easy anyway, IDK, I just want to start out doing high reps, low weight, to build up the stamina, and then after I'm feeling stronger maybe do a little high weight, low reps, to maybe put on some size. I'll see, but I'm just chomping at the bit now to get that thing. Been probably 6 years now since I sold the Golds gym and I've really missed that thing. Many a day has gone by that I wished I still had it.
Yeah I don't think there's much as far as a part of your body you couldn't work out on that. I'm stoked... can't wait to get it.

I'll post pics when it comes and I get it assembled.

[LongTermGuy]

Though I have played the "how much do you weigh?" game as much as anyone, bodyweight doesn't really matter. COMPOSITION of bodyweight IS what matters. Age is a BIG factor. For most people, as you age the body becomes more dense. Same size but heavier. It's REALLY hard to bite that one because we're programmed otherwise by society. I can say this: I was a LOT bigger and stronger at 24 and 175 lbs than I was at 50 and 205.
@High_Plains_Drifter (http://www.debatepolicy.com/member.php?u=3558) I am not familiar with the brand. Looks like it has all the bells and whistles. In a way, I wish on certain days I could work out inside. Like today when it was 98 in the garage. Or when I lived in IL and it was 0 in the garage:laugh: But I got this notion it makes me tougher to just suck it up and deal (since I have no choice to begin with). Gets me outside too. Rolling out of bed and setting up the weights in the living room back in the day DID have its perks. A LOT less different apparel ensembles for one. I have stuff for rain, cold, severe cold, heat, severe heat. In the house it was shorts and a T :)

As long as you do something I'm sure it'll help.

Weight and size is used and measured with charts along with "build size" It is no game...it is what it is....as one gets older bone density diminishes...(but it can be slowed down)...By doing something about it...working out and eating well and right....

[Gunny]

I did not know that about body weight... interesting. I didn't really notice the ole pants getting all that much tighter and I didn't have to let the belt out a notch, but just the GUT... my God it's always the GUT. Seems like I gain any and all weight right there, period. Course that could be a lot just my imagination but, gonna work on that too. Sit Ups are going to be included in daily workouts from now on.

Yeah at this point in my life, I'm not so much interested in putting on bulk as I am just getting in shape. I don't think at this point in life you can put on bulk real easy anyway, IDK, I just want to start out doing high reps, low weight, to build up the stamina, and then after I'm feeling stronger maybe do a little high weight, low reps, to maybe put on some size. I'll see, but I'm just chomping at the bit now to get that thing. Been probably 6 years now since I sold the Golds gym and I've really missed that thing. Many a day has gone by that I wished I still had it.Sexist of me, I know, but ... the men put weight on their guts and the ladies on their butts. The feminists haven't figured out a way to reverse it or claim discrimination yet :laugh:

I used to get pissed in the Marines because it was ALWAYS (until the very end) height vs weight measurement. And my minimum weight for my height was less than my bones alone weigh :laugh:

I forgot where I read the thing about the density, but it has been over years and more than once (different sources). In hindsight, it appears to be true. In my case anyway, and in general according to the sources. I weigh 185 now and am as big as I was when I was at 205. And I can't lift as much total wise, but I can lift more volume-wise.

[jimnyc]

Dang, Tom, nice rig you're getting! Are you a millionaire bro? :laugh:

Truly nice tho, I hope it gets a ton of good use! When I had one a long time back, one of those "Bowflex" thingies, it didn't take long before those long and huge rubbery bars - and the entire thing converted into a clothing holder on the bench, and a coat/sweatshirt holder on the bows. :coffee:

[Gunny]

Dang, Tom, nice rig you're getting! Are you a millionaire bro? :laugh:

Truly nice tho, I hope it gets a ton of good use! When I had one a long time back, one of those "Bowflex" thingies, it didn't take long before those long and huge rubbery bars - and the entire thing converted into a clothing holder on the bench, and a coat/sweatshirt holder on the bows. :coffee:
Seen THAT before :)

[jimnyc]

Seen THAT before :)

Seriously though, I used the damn thing like 2x, and paid like $2,000 for it on some ripoff plan they nicked me for.

[Gunny]

Seriously though, I used the damn thing like 2x, and paid like $2,000 for it on some ripoff plan they nicked me for.Both my wives were fitness gimmick freaks. Had to have the latest, greatest. Got used once or twice then if I was lucky it folded under the bed. If not, coat rack :laugh:

Didn't do me much good. I don't use machines.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Sexist of me, I know, but ... the men put weight on their guts and the ladies on their butts. The feminists haven't figured out a way to reverse it or claim discrimination yet :laugh:

I used to get pissed in the Marines because it was ALWAYS (until the very end) height vs weight measurement. And my minimum weight for my height was less than my bones alone weigh :laugh:

I forgot where I read the thing about the density, but it has been over years and more than once (different sources). In hindsight, it appears to be true. In my case anyway, and in general according to the sources. I weigh 185 now and am as big as I was when I was at 205. And I can't lift as much total wise, but I can lift more volume-wise.
I'd KILL to be down to that right now, and ultimately that would be about where I should be. I was at around 195 for years and years. Wouldn't go up or down. Then I moved back to Wisconsin and holy shit, I LOOK at food and I gain weight. I need a total reset. I need to do protein shakes instead of chips and dip and a salad instead of a nutty bar and on and on, and I need to get on that gym and get the ole metabolism fired back up.

@jimnyc (http://www.debatepolicy.com/member.php?u=1)... I WISH I was a millionaire, pard... :laugh: My living expenses aren't squat here in Wisconsin, so I have just enough money to get in trouble... ;)

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Both my wives were fitness gimmick freaks. Had to have the latest, greatest. Got used once or twice then if I was lucky it folded under the bed. If not, coat rack :laugh:

Didn't do me much good. I don't use machines.
I talked my wife and her friend into a fitness membership at a local gym in Tampa. I never went to the gym with them when they went, but I found out they'd hit the gym, do God knows what, probably sit on the ass and watch other people work out, and then hit McDonalds when they left. A total waste of money.

Had a girlfriend after I divorced the wife in Tampa that begged me to go to the base gym with me. When I found out I could take her, she and I always went together. Needless to say, she was hot when I met, and she just got hotter. I took this picture of her at Clearwater Beach...

https://image.ibb.co/gXvpoU/Dana_3.jpg

[jimnyc]

I WISH I was a millionaire, pard... :laugh: My living expenses aren't squat here in Wisconsin, so I have just enough money to get in trouble... ;)

I just figured when I saw the sweet new car, and the other sweet looking toys in your garage, and now this. Was gonna ask for a few hundred grand there for a minute. :coffee:

[Gunny]

I'd KILL to be down to that right now, and ultimately that would be about where I should be. I was at around 195 for years and years. Wouldn't go up or down. Then I moved back to Wisconsin and holy shit, I LOOK at food and I gain weight. I need a total reset. I need to do protein shakes instead of chips and dip and a salad instead of a nutty bar and on and on, and I need to get on that gym and get the ole metabolism fired back up.

@jimnyc (http://www.debatepolicy.com/member.php?u=1)... I WISH I was a millionaire, pard... :laugh: My living expenses aren't squat here in Wisconsin, so I have just enough money to get in trouble... ;)Be careful what you wish for, bubba. My "weight loss program" was a month tied to some IVs and couldn't walk when I got out of it. I'm STILL rehabbing myself from THAT.

I went from 205 to 155 in about a week. All you need is an infection in your lung that gets you put on life support then have a stroke and be dead for a couple of minutes. When you wake up VOILA! 155! I spent a year trying to get back around 185 without getting fat. And learning to walk all over.

I think there are easier ways to lose some body fat. Just sayin' :laugh2:

[High_Plains_Drifter]

I just figured when I saw the sweet new car, and the other sweet looking toys in your garage, and now this. Was gonna ask for a few hundred grand there for a minute. :coffee:
The car is pretty heavily financed, bro... :laugh:

It's only about 1/3 paid off right now. The other stuff I've had forever, and I had to finance that too. I guess I do OK. I do side work for the electrician, sell shit online and now trying the metal art. Gotta stay busy.

If I had millions, believe me Jim, we'd be starting a NEW TWITTER. We'd put these leftist fascist out of business... ;)

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Be careful what you wish for, bubba. My "weight loss program" was a month tied to some IVs and couldn't walk when I got out of it. I'm STILL rehabbing myself from THAT.

I went from 205 to 155 in about a week. All you need is an infection in your lung that gets you put on life support then have a stroke and be dead for a couple of minutes. When you wake up VOILA! 155! I spent a year trying to get back around 185 without getting fat. And learning to walk all over.

I think there are easier ways to lose some body fat. Just sayin' :laugh2:
I had a lung fill with fluid. They had to cut the fucker open. I didn't have much weight to lose back then so it wasn't very pleasant. Got a huge scar on the right side of my chest and two smaller scars where they jammed in drain tubes. Can't tell you how much THAT hurt. All I remember is the doctor saying... "FIVE MORE CC'S OF MORPHINE." I don't know how many times he said that. All I remember is the pain the sound it made when he finally got it in my lung... then I passed out. But they weren't done yet, they weren't happy with how far down the tube was in my lung. I think they just wanted someone they could talk into hacking their lung open so they could train the resident surgeons. I wouldn't let them do it now, not after I saw it really didn't make any damn difference at all. Fuckin' VA... I'll tell ya.

Buy like you, that's all the more reason I want to work out and stay as healthy as I can.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Going to quick puffing the cigs when that gym gets here too.

I never smoke in my house, I never smoke in my vehicles, can't smoke in the bars, the only time I ever puff a few is like now when I'm in the shop.

Can't see smoking and working out to get in better shape as going together.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Tracking says the new gym will be here Tuesday. Got a couple pics of my dining room table and chairs, put it on a local buy/sell/trade page on facebook for $40. It's gotta go... can't wait to get the gym put together and start pumping iron. I think about it every day.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Well, just sold the dining room table so I'm ready for the gym.

[Gunny]

Well, just sold the dining room table so I'm ready for the gym.:laugh:

Used to piss my ex off when I'd pull the weights out of the closet every morning and set the "gym" up in the living room. Done THAT more than once. Who needs a table? Got a bench, right?

[High_Plains_Drifter]

:laugh:

Used to piss my ex off when I'd pull the weights out of the closet every morning and set the "gym" up in the living room. Done THAT more than once. Who needs a table? Got a bench, right?
There used to be a dining room table there, now there's going to be a gym... :laugh: I have TV trays to eat on, which is what I always use. I hadn't eaten at the table for over a year, and even then it was when I had company. All the table ever did was collect dust. I think putting the gym there is a much better idea. It'll be right under my nose so I'll use it every day. Tracking says it'll be here tomorrow. Says the shipping weight is 459 pounds, so just putting it together will probably be a work out all by itself. Sure excited to get going though. Haven't smoked for days now, and ain't gonna buy any either. Going to try eating a little healthier too. Going to see if I can actually put some bulk on this 63 year old disabled vet. I know I can at least feel better...

http://www.dpimagehosting.com/images/2018/09/03/20180903_141742.jpg

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Son of a BITCH... now this morning, this shipping company I've never heard of, has changed the due date for delivery from the 4th to the 5th... DAMN IT. I woke up early and couldn't fall back asleep because I was excited about getting the gym today, and now this... PISS, ME, OFF.

[STTAB]

Both my wives were fitness gimmick freaks. Had to have the latest, greatest. Got used once or twice then if I was lucky it folded under the bed. If not, coat rack :laugh:

Didn't do me much good. I don't use machines.

I don't use machines either. Strictly running , swimming, and old fashioned pushups and situps for me, I don't even like to lift weights. At 47 I'm 6' 207 lbs and can still run a sub 35 minute 5 mile pretty much whenever I take a notion to do so.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Probably 98% of the public that works out uses "machines." Nothing wrong with that at all. Purest like the free weights, and many use both.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Getting tired of seeing this not marked "OUT FOR DELIVERY." Possibly it is and this just hasn't been updated, but it does say delivery TODAY. I hope so... they already changed it once, and I'm not the most patient guy...

https://image.ibb.co/i9KBQK/shipping.jpg

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Well, after a dozen attempts to contact this shipper, they finally answered, and now they're saying it's "on it's way" but it won't be here until TOMORROW. Well FUCK... I expected it TUESDAY, then they said WEDNESDAY - today, and now TOMORROW. This is the kind of shit that just torques me to no end.

I'm going to chock it up to all the rain and flooding we've had in Wisconsin and try and be patient, and just be damn glad when it shows up. It is a 400 lb item so, not the easiest thing to ship. More than likely going to show up on a semi. Guess I'll hit the treadmill and burn off a little of my ire energy.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Well, there it is! Going to take a video of opening it all in case it isn't all there, I have documentation. But, right in the middle of mowing my JUNGLE of a yard. I'll get to it in a bit...

http://www.dpimagehosting.com/images/2018/09/06/20180906_144918.jpg

[Gunny]

Have fun. You'll be so tired dragging that shit around and putting it together you'll have to wait a day to work out :)

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Have fun. You'll be so tired dragging that shit around and putting it together you'll have to wait a day to work out :)
You guessed that right. I worked on putting it together until 8:30 last night and finally called it quits. Got all the big stuff done, just a million pulleys and the cables, couple other small things and tighten everything up yet. Going to finish my morning coffee routine and get back at it. Yeah just working on getting this much done was a work out. This thing is BUILT. My Golds gym had plastic pulleys, this has METAL, with BEARINGS, and the steel is heavy duty. Just really happy with it overall, very well made... I have no idea why the board rotates this picture. It is not off on the host site. The board likes to auto rotate pics to landscape, seems it has a problem posting portrait oriented pics...

https://image.ibb.co/bHyfPe/20180906_202716.jpg

[Gunny]

What's the rubber mallet for? In case you get pissed off at all that assembling shit?:laugh:

[High_Plains_Drifter]

What's the rubber mallet for? In case you get pissed off at all that assembling shit?:laugh:
LOL... for putting in some of the end caps... but... here it is... DONE... only took TEN HOURS. VERY pleased though. Can't really think of an exercise you can't do on this thing. The thing right behind the upright seat you throw over your shoulders and do crunches, that's very cool. Doubt I can get the six pack back that I had when I was 30 but I'm going to try... :cool:

http://www.dpimagehosting.com/images/2018/09/07/20180907_151237.jpg

[Gunny]

LOL... for putting in some of the end caps... but... here it is... DONE... only took TEN HOURS. VERY pleased though. Can't really think of an exercise you can't do on this thing. The thing right behind the upright seat you throw over your shoulders and do crunches, that's very cool. Doubt I can get the six pack back that I had when I was 30 but I'm going to try... :cool:

http://www.dpimagehosting.com/images/2018/09/07/20180907_151237.jpgCat don't look very motivated :laugh:

That looks pretty slick.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Cat don't look very motivated :laugh:

That looks pretty slick.
She was wondering why the hell I closed the blinds on her open window... I had to close them for second to get the picture.

Yeah I've used it already. Got a little work out. I am so impressed with this machine. Everything works so smooth, all the adjustments are easy, you can do so many different exercises on it, and it's really built well, super heavy duty, went together really nice, quality finish and materials, I'm going to leave a good review on it on Amazon. Going to have to figure up work out routines though.

[Gunny]

She was wondering why the hell I closed the blinds on her open window... I had to close them for second to get the picture.

Yeah I've used it already. Got a little work out. I am so impressed with this machine. Everything works so smooth, all the adjustments are easy, you can do so many different exercises on it, and it's really built well, super heavy duty, went together really nice, quality finish and materials, I'm going to leave a good review on it on Amazon. Going to have to figure up work out routines though.Glad it worked out for you. I'me extremely leery of things like weight machines because all too often they end up being the quality you find in the apartment complex "gym". Rinky-tink, lightweight BS. If you got quality, heavy duty stuff, probably worth the price alone.

I got the same with my Oly weight bar. I went after market and bought a Rogue 20 kg bar. The "45 lb" bar that came with the budget Oly weight wet I bought did not weight 45 lbs, was off balance noticeably, and the markings on the bar were off. Absolutely unsat and annoying as Hell. The Rogue bar was worth the price alone just because I don't need a slide-rule every time I get my grip on it:laugh:

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Glad it worked out for you. I'me extremely leery of things like weight machines because all too often they end up being the quality you find in the apartment complex "gym". Rinky-tink, lightweight BS. If you got quality, heavy duty stuff, probably worth the price alone.

I got the same with my Oly weight bar. I went after market and bought a Rogue 20 kg bar. The "45 lb" bar that came with the budget Oly weight wet I bought did not weight 45 lbs, was off balance noticeably, and the markings on the bar were off. Absolutely unsat and annoying as Hell. The Rogue bar was worth the price alone just because I don't need a slide-rule every time I get my grip on it:laugh:
I'll tell ya, after the two days it took to put it together, carting all that heavy stuff, and then the work out I got this morning, I've lost 3 pounds already and I noticeably feel better. I can feel my strength and energy coming back with just that little. It's amazing what exercise will do for you. I'll see how this works out for a few months. I can't see needing any free weights. But I am SO GLAD I have this thing now. It's right here under my nose. I don't have to get dressed, walk through snow, heat up the shop and all that this winter to work out now, and I won't sit around on my fat ass letting myself go. I just hate that with a passion. Exercising kinda got under my skin in the military. It can be addicting... ;)

[Gunny]

I'll tell ya, after the two days it took to put it together, carting all that heavy stuff, and then the work out I got this morning, I've lost 3 pounds already and I noticeably feel better. I can feel my strength and energy coming back with just that little. It's amazing what exercise will do for you. I'll see how this works out for a few months. I can't see needing any free weights. But I am SO GLAD I have this thing now. It's right here under my nose. I don't have to get dressed, walk through snow, heat up the shop and all that this winter to work out now, and I won't sit around on my fat ass letting myself go. I just hate that with a passion. Exercising kinda got under my skin in the military. It can be addicting... ;)Eh ... I do ALL that "old school", caveman stuff. I don't use machines at all. I'll use just about ANYTHING too. In Kuwait, we used sandbags and a truck axle :laugh:

As long as that is what works for you is what matters.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Eh ... I do ALL that "old school", caveman stuff. I don't use machines at all. I'll use just about ANYTHING too. In Kuwait, we used sandbags and a truck axle :laugh:

As long as that is what works for you is what matters.
I got so bored and desperate last winter I tried using gallon Arizona tea jugs filled with water... ;)

Yeah whatever works, just do it. The coolest thing about a universal gym is all the different kinds of exercises you can do with it. I've even got a little strap for going around your ankle so you can work the back of your legs and such. You can't forget your legs. Don't want to be all buffed out on top and your legs look like tooth picks. Sitting around getting soft will just get you into an early grave.

And another thing, they started me on a statin to lower my cholesterol, but I've read that the ONE THING you can do, that is the BEST thing you can do to lower your cholesterol, is EXERCISE. So I'm going to stop taking it and just see what happens. If it comes down, which I expect it will, I'm going to tell my doctor that I haven't been taking it, that it's down because I bought another nice gym and have been working out.

[Gunny]

I got so bored and desperate last winter I tried using gallon Arizona tea jugs filled with water... ;)

Yeah whatever works, just do it. The coolest thing about a universal gym is all the different kinds of exercises you can do with it. I've even got a little strap for going around your ankle so you can work the back of your legs and such. You can't forget your legs. Don't want to be all buffed out on top and your legs look like tooth picks. Sitting around getting soft will just get you into an early grave.

And another thing, they started me on a statin to lower my cholesterol, but I've read that the ONE THING you can do, that is the BEST thing you can do to lower your cholesterol, is EXERCISE. So I'm going to stop taking it and just see what happens. If it comes down, which I expect it will, I'm going to tell my doctor that I haven't been taking it, that it's down because I bought another nice gym and have been working out.Speaking of ...

If there's one thing I don't leave out, it's legs. The hardest thing I'm doing right now is Olympic weightlifting. I already KNOW I can power up a LOT more weight. But doing it by the numbers with proper technique is a whole 'nuther ball game. The squat snatch and squat clean and jerk however don't miss many muscles at all. I found some "new" ones as a matter of fact :laugh:

My legs and lower back suffered the most when I was in the hospital which is something I NEVER had to deal with. I was always naturally strong.

Your upper body ain't going anywhere your lower body don't take it.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Speaking of ...

If there's one thing I don't leave out, it's legs. The hardest thing I'm doing right now is Olympic weightlifting. I already KNOW I can power up a LOT more weight. But doing it by the numbers with proper technique is a whole 'nuther ball game. The squat snatch and squat clean and jerk however don't miss many muscles at all. I found some "new" ones as a matter of fact :laugh:

My legs and lower back suffered the most when I was in the hospital which is something I NEVER had to deal with. I was always naturally strong.

Your upper body ain't going anywhere your lower body don't take it.
Exactly... I was wondering if you did squats. I guess you found one exercise I CAN'T do on the gym... the "clean and jerk." I did do some of that way back when, when I was working out at the base gyms. But I'm going to spend a few weeks just building strength, getting used to it again. I don't need to rip anything trying to lift more than I should.

I have the leg curl right in front on the gym, but like on my other old gym I'll use the curl and row bar hooked to the front bottom cable and put a bunch of weight on, because the legs just take it, and do toe ups too. The only part of the leg I couldn't work on with the old gym was the back, but this gym has that soft band that I can hook onto the curl cable in front and do back leg curls. I might even be able to just hook my leg behind the pad in front of the seat and do a reverse leg curl... I'll have to try it. Either way, I spend a whole session working just legs.

[Gunny]

Exactly... I was wondering if you did squats. I guess you found one exercise I CAN'T do on the gym... the "clean and jerk." I did do some of that way back when, when I was working out at the base gyms. But I'm going to spend a few weeks just building strength, getting used to it again. I don't need to rip anything trying to lift more than I should.

I have the leg curl right in front on the gym, but like on my other old gym I'll use the curl and row bar hooked to the front bottom cable and put a bunch of weight on, because the legs just take it, and do toe ups too. The only part of the leg I couldn't work on with the old gym was the back, but this gym has that soft band that I can hook onto the curl cable in front and do back leg curls. I might even be able to just hook my leg behind the pad in front of the seat and do a reverse leg curl... I'll have to try it. Either way, I spend a whole session working just legs.Yeah, I do squats :puke: A-hole to the ground ones. From years of having beat up knees and ankles and doing squats only to parallel, it's a bitch doing a squat clean because my mind may be saying "we're bottoming out on this clean" but my legs and back are saying "my ass you are":laugh: Once I put enough weight on it defaults automatically to a power clean.

So I throw in a few sets of front squats after my cleans; I'll do back squats usually after I bench; and, I will overhead squat when I do snatches because there's not much choice in the matter. I do so much squatting just doing the lifts, that it doesn't take much. Back squats and deadlifts I do about once a weak.

I also walk/run just under 3 miles every day.

And the hardest workout of all: chase a 16 months old little boy around the house all day :laugh:

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Yeah, I do squats :puke: A-hole to the ground ones. From years of having beat up knees and ankles and doing squats only to parallel, it's a bitch doing a squat clean because my mind may be saying "we're bottoming out on this clean" but my legs and back are saying "my ass you are":laugh: Once I put enough weight on it defaults automatically to a power clean.

So I throw in a few sets of front squats after my cleans; I'll do back squats usually after I bench; and, I will overhead squat when I do snatches because there's not much choice in the matter. I do so much squatting just doing the lifts, that it doesn't take much. Back squats and deadlifts I do about once a weak.

I also walk/run just under 3 miles every day.

And the hardest workout of all: chase a 16 months old little boy around the house all day :laugh:
Ya got me here, bro... what's the difference between a front and back squat?

I don't run at all. I do a mile or so on the treadmill and and could run on that... maybe I should. Been just starting back on that too. I was really getting out of shape. Enough so to inspire me to buy that damn gym. I hate feeling soft and out of shape... just ain't me, and getting older is no excuse... :rolleyes:

[Gunny]

Ya got me here, bro... what's the difference between a front and back squat?

I don't run at all. I do a mile or so on the treadmill and and could run on that... maybe I should. Been just starting back on that too. I was really getting out of shape. Enough so to inspire me to buy that damn gym. I hate feeling soft and out of shape... just ain't me, and getting older is no excuse... :rolleyes:Back squat - what most people consider a squat. Bar on the back of your shoulders and squat down.

Front squat - hold the bar like you are going to military/front press it and squat down.

The balance between the two is completely different. The back squat uses the entire legs and back. The front squat pretty much isolates the quads. Everybody likes back squats more because you can lift a lot more weight. Especially when most people who don't know what they're doing usually won't go past parallel to the floor if even that.

I'm beyond the ego thing. It took everything I had at the time to do 10 squats with no weight and holding onto the arms into a chair just to get out of the hospital. I could at one time half-squat 405 with the best of them. Which amounts to being able to hold up 405 and squat down about 3-4 inches which means it amounts to not much at all. I wouldn't even consider touching that much weight now :laugh:

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Back squat - what most people consider a squat. Bar on the back of your shoulders and squat down.

Front squat - hold the bar like you are going to military/front press it and squat down.

The balance between the two is completely different. The back squat uses the entire legs and back. The front squat pretty much isolates the quads. Everybody likes back squats more because you can lift a lot more weight. Especially when most people who don't know what they're doing usually won't go past parallel to the floor if even that.

I'm beyond the ego thing. It took everything I had at the time to do 10 squats with no weight and holding onto the arms into a chair just to get out of the hospital. I could at one time half-squat 405 with the best of them. Which amounts to being able to hold up 405 and squat down about 3-4 inches which means it amounts to not much at all. I wouldn't even consider touching that much weight now :laugh:
Aaaaah yes... makes a lot of sense... I never knew that about squats. I can see the difference big time.

I never lifted anything over 400 lbs in my life. I thought I was bad ass in the military when I finally benched 275. Good Lord have those days gone... maaaaan. Sucks getting old, but you can slow that process down with exercise.

Sounds like you had it pretty bad after that stroke, man. Damn bummer for sure. Hope you get it all back. I have some serious muscle atrophy in my right triceps. I have a thin little strip that still works. The VA told me after they did the discectomy on my cervical spine for crushed nerves that I'd get 95% of that back. Well... no... I didn't. I've put my TENS unit on the muscle thinking it would HAVE to make it jump even if my nerves won't but nope, nothing, but I'm going to see if I can't wake that fucker up. I'm going to start concentrating on working on just that. Imagine if you lay your right forearm across the top of your head, and then your triceps can't lift it off... well that's me. I hate it. I want a fucking miracle. I'm going to see if by some way in hell I can build what is left up to do more. My chest muscles actually take the place of the triceps doing bench presses, but bench presses actually are a chest exercise anyway but still...

[Gunny]

Aaaaah yes... makes a lot of sense... I never knew that about squats. I can see the difference big time.

I never lifted anything over 400 lbs in my life. I thought I was bad ass in the military when I finally benched 275. Good Lord have those days gone... maaaaan. Sucks getting old, but you can slow that process down with exercise.

Sounds like you had it pretty bad after that stroke, man. Damn bummer for sure. Hope you get it all back. I have some serious muscle atrophy in my right triceps. I have a thin little strip that still works. The VA told me after they did the discectomy on my cervical spine for crushed nerves that I'd get 95% of that back. Well... no... I didn't. I've put my TENS unit on the muscle thinking it would HAVE to make it jump even if my nerves won't but nope, nothing, but I'm going to see if I can't wake that fucker up. I'm going to start concentrating on working on just that. Imagine if you lay your right forearm across the top of your head, and then your triceps can't lift it off... well that's me. I hate it. I want a fucking miracle. I'm going to see if by some way in hell I can build what is left up to do more. My chest muscles actually take the place of the triceps doing bench presses, but bench presses actually are a chest exercise anyway but still...Sort of. I was on life support with what basically amounts to a tube running through my back ribs to a dialysis machine sucking the crap out of my lung. I had an infection that had gotten WAY out of hand. The stroke was a result of me coming our of the anesthesia when I wasn't supposed to and yanking the incabation tube out of my mouth. I had no oxygen to my brain for a couple of minutes and flatlined. THAT caused the stroke. In hindsight, they screwed up with their damned anesthesia.

At any rate I was a total mess. I still have some damage I just have to live with but it could be a lot worse. The oddest/weirdest/f-d-up-est thing IS from the stroke. I see people every day but don't remember them. vision is just fine. i know people by what house they come out of/where I see them, but if they walk up to me out of place, I have no clue who they are. I just don't remember faces if I don't see them every day. It's kind of like being high all the time :laugh2: I know it's offended a few of the neighbors but whatever.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Sort of. I was on life support with what basically amounts to a tube running through my back ribs to a dialysis machine sucking the crap out of my lung. I had an infection that had gotten WAY out of hand. The stroke was a result of me coming our of the anesthesia when I wasn't supposed to and yanking the incabation tube out of my mouth. I had no oxygen to my brain for a couple of minutes and flatlined. THAT caused the stroke. In hindsight, they screwed up with their damned anesthesia.

At any rate I was a total mess. I still have some damage I just have to live with but it could be a lot worse. The oddest/weirdest/f-d-up-est thing IS from the stroke. I see people every day but don't remember them. vision is just fine. i know people by what house they come out of/where I see them, but if they walk up to me out of place, I have no clue who they are. I just don't remember faces if I don't see them every day. It's kind of like being high all the time :laugh2: I know it's offended a few of the neighbors but whatever.
Dang brother... I had no idea it was that bad. I apologize for being an asshole here or there and not being more understanding. I won't slip up on that again.

Ya know, have you ever tried hypnotism to see if there's parts of your brain you could wake up like that? You remember that show "Ghost Mine?" If you do, remember the hot little red head, Kristen Luman? Well she's a licensed hypnotherapist, and believe it or not I've had several sessions with her. I contacted her through her facebook and then we get together online, skype or whatever, and she's good. I like what she does. They say the more intelligent you are the easier you are to hypnotize. To tell you the truth, I don't know if I was ever hypnotized by her, but that is what she does, but you do remember everything. She doesn't give you any post hypnotic suggestions that you won't remember anything. But she can help with pain, which is why I contacted her, and whatever else, all kinds of things. She might be able to help you, man. Just a thought. Hypnotherapy is a powerful tool. Don't laugh until you've tried it, bro... all bull shit aside.

http://www.kristenluman.com/

[Gunny]

Dang brother... I had no idea it was that bad. I apologize for being an asshole here or there and not being more understanding. I won't slip up on that again.

Ya know, have you ever tried hypnotism to see if there's parts of your brain you could wake up like that? You remember that show "Ghost Mine?" If you do, remember the hot little red head, Kristen Luman? Well she's a licensed hypnotherapist, and believe it or not I've had several sessions with her. I contacted her through her facebook and then we get together online, skype or whatever, and she's good. I like what she does. They say the more intelligent you are the easier you are to hypnotize. To tell you the truth, I don't know if I was ever hypnotized by her, but that is what she does, but you do remember everything. She doesn't give you any post hypnotic suggestions that you won't remember anything. But she can help with pain, which is why I contacted her, and whatever else, all kinds of things. She might be able to help you, man. Just a thought. Hypnotherapy is a powerful tool. Don't laugh until you've tried it, bro... all bull shit aside.

http://www.kristenluman.com/I don't look at it that way, and there is nothing to apologize for. This may be hard to comprehend given the way I come off, but I am an eternal optimist, and I try to lean something from everything and everyone. God gave me these gifts and when I started taking them for granted/squandering them, he took them away and told me to deal with it or throw in the towel. I had to start over from scratch. Walking, balance -- a lot of simple things we take for granted every day. I was always cock-strong, could go all day, and could analyze anything. So I figure I just got knocked off my perch to teach me a lesson. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away and no matter how good I was or thought I was, I wasn't THAT good. Someone else is the final authority.

I hardly have the worst or most problems of people on this board. I know of at least 4 bad tickers. I never have gotten the actual story on how Kathianne blew out her shoulder but apparently then had to rebuild it with an erector set. Jimbob's always beating himself up for not be perfect. Darin apparently has to hide out from women like he was one of the Beatles in the 60s. Ask him :laugh:

I just have some pain in the ass physical limitations mostly. The memory thing is WAY down on the low end of priorities. My long-term memory is fine. The short term thing apparently coincides with the part of my brain the stroke affected so it's just something to deal with. I laugh at myself a lot. I'll go downstairs to do something and forget why I went downstairs :laugh: Ask a question I just asked 5 minutes ago. I gave up trying to go to the store without a list long ago.

I could completely wire a restaurant without the Code book because I could do that before, but my daughter has to help me fill out simple forms. So it's a short term thing.

I get to see my grandkids every day, for better or worse :laugh: I could be in a LOT worse place in life than I am.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Well I don't know if I slept on my neck wrong or it's from the work out yesterday, but my neck is killing me. I think because of sleeping wrong on it because nothing I did yesterday hurt. I decided to just start from the neck down with a routine, so yesterday I worked the shoulders and upper back. Going to put my TENS unit on it after I use the massage deal. Ain't gonna stop me though, I'll just work around it. Working the arms and chest today. When I get down to the legs I'll just start over again.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Gunny... question... do you do any type of stretches before or after you lift? If so, what kind... benefits?

Not sure if I should be doing some stretches or not.

Feeling pretty good though. Been hittin' it every day.

[Gunny]

@Gunny (http://www.debatepolicy.com/member.php?u=30)... question... do you do any type of stretches before or after you lift? If so, what kind... benefits?

Not sure if I should be doing some stretches or not.

Feeling pretty good though. Been hittin' it every day.I figured either your weights fell on you, or you were down at the local watering hole asking the ladies if they wanted to see your new weight set :laugh:

I'd break something if I didn't stretch. I actually have to "lift up" (pyramid) to my working weight doing Olympic lifts. I do the same with other lifting. Just makes sense. You go into something cold and try a max you're just pushing your luck on tearing, popping, straining, spraining or breaking anything you hit that's cold and doesn't want to play. Easier to do the older you get.

I just do basic leg and back stretches, and use a light bar or broomstick to stretch and warm up my upper body. The idea is to just get the fluid moving and everything loosened up enough to put some stress on it. If you get too carried away, the same injuries listed above can occur and/or your stretch routine can be a workout itself. If I stretched out now like I used to every day in martial arts I'd be done working out for the day :laugh:

Daily 7 I guess is as good as any. You can look up running stretches. I use some gymnastic stretches I've done since HS. I don't think there's any one, right answer.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

I figured either your weights fell on you, or you were down at the local watering hole asking the ladies if they wanted to see your new weight set :laugh:

I'd break something if I didn't stretch. I actually have to "lift up" (pyramid) to my working weight doing Olympic lifts. I do the same with other lifting. Just makes sense. You go into something cold and try a max you're just pushing your luck on tearing, popping, straining, spraining or breaking anything you hit that's cold and doesn't want to play. Easier to do the older you get.

I just do basic leg and back stretches, and use a light bar or broomstick to stretch and warm up my upper body. The idea is to just get the fluid moving and everything loosened up enough to put some stress on it. If you get too carried away, the same injuries listed above can occur and/or your stretch routine can be a workout itself. If I stretched out now like I used to every day in martial arts I'd be done working out for the day :laugh:

Daily 7 I guess is as good as any. You can look up running stretches. I use some gymnastic stretches I've done since HS. I don't think there's any one, right answer.
I didn't hit the gym yesterday, I worked instead. I drug out the new DeWalt miter saw and table saw and bunch of other tools and got to work finishing some trim in my bathroom. The dude that used to own this house refinished the bathroom but he didn't finish it, and a carpenter he's NOT. He can plaster like a pro, but as a carpenter he's a fuckin' HACK. He sunk into the wall the back hinge side of the door jam, so that is an incredible cluster fuck, and the door jam itself wasn't wide enough for the wall, and the wall is crooked so I had to scab some wood onto the jam to even trim it, and that had to be custom cut because NOTHING is STRAIGHT. Took me 4 hours just to get the top and the latch side of the door trimmed. That was my WORK OUT for yesterday.

Yeah I'm going to start stretching. I think that's a good idea. I don't start out lifting heavy though either. I always start with less and add weight as I go. I've always done that. I always have more strength in the second set anyway.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

@Gunny (http://www.debatepolicy.com/member.php?u=30)... well I've had the gym about two weeks now and I've hit it every day except for one. I'm really starting to feel it already. My strength is returning and I can lift with "form," and nothing hurts when I lift. Several spots did when I started. I've already started adding weight.

I did try that stand in front, facing the gym and hook your ankle behind the bottom of the front leg curl and then rest your knee in front of the top pad, and you can do reverse leg curls, works good actually, but it's amazing how weak the back of the leg is. Three sets of 15 of reverse leg curls with 20 lbs will burn.

Oh, and I quit smoking too. Haven't bought any cigs since I put the thing together. I did buy a VAPE though. I got a SMOK, Devilkin. I had a different one a couple years ago and wasn't all that impressed with it so went back to cigs. I'll have to say they've come a LOOONG way since I quit. There's a lot more flavor juices and they taste better, and the new vape technology works so much better too. Yeah vaping may not be completely harmless but still, it's a lot less harmful than smoking, since you inhale BURNING shit and all it's toxins when you smoke, you're not when you vape. Ever tried it, Gunny?

[Gunny]

@Gunny (http://www.debatepolicy.com/member.php?u=30)... well I've had the gym about two weeks now and I've hit it every day except for one. I'm really starting to feel it already. My strength is returning and I can lift with "form," and nothing hurts when I lift. Several spots did when I started. I've already started adding weight.

I did try that stand in front, facing the gym and hook your ankle behind the bottom of the front leg curl and then rest your knee in front of the top pad, and you can do reverse leg curls, works good actually, but it's amazing how weak the back of the leg is. Three sets of 15 of reverse leg curls with 20 lbs will burn.

Oh, and I quit smoking too. Haven't bought any cigs since I put the thing together. I did buy a VAPE though. I got a SMOK, Devilkin. I had a different one a couple years ago and wasn't all that impressed with it so went back to cigs. I'll have to say they've come a LOOONG way since I quit. There's a lot more flavor juices and they taste better, and the new vape technology works so much better too. Yeah vaping may not be completely harmless but still, it's a lot less harmful than smoking, since you inhale BURNING shit and all it's toxins when you smoke, you're not when you vape. Ever tried it, Gunny?Leg curls are NOT good for the ego :laugh: "Yeah, I can squat 300 lbs and leg curl 20!":laugh2:

As far as the "habit" goes, I have done some SERIOUS study on THAT one. It started with the drinking and AA. Disclaimer: I have nothing against AA and found the people to be well-intended and want only what is best for the person and I will state here and now if anyone needs help and that works, get it. It didn't work for me, but that is because of me and the way my mind rolls.

I came to view AA (again, for ME) as replacing one addiction (the booze) with another (AA). I decided if that was the case and I just needed to replace the addiction, I was a gym rat since I was a kid. Had no choice about the gym thing because I couldn't walk. Drinking and working out are NOT conducive no matter what anyone says or thinks. So, I'm a work-out-aholic. I'll get over it. I'd rather a piece of iron do my thinking for me than what's in a bottle.

Moving right along, I got talked into trying that vaping stuff. Another "not for me" thing. The physical addiction to nicotine isn't that big a deal. A week or two and your body's clean. The psychological addiction of having that smoke in your hand and the hit from the smoke is quite another story. It's the habit that is the addiction. I didn't want to trade one addiction for the exact same thing just a different piece of equipment.

When I was in the hospital I survived just fine with the patch. There was nothing to the inpatient lifestyle that worked with smoking. I kick myself in the ass every day for picking up another cigarette. In both cases of addiction, being bored is the bottom line. Most everything bad in my life has boredom as the root to the evil. Smoking is a pain in the ass and expensive. I don't care about any of the rest of the crap about it. Just those two reasons. You'd think if it was such an "evil" they'd have come up with a real cure for it.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Just can't underestimate the benefits of exercise though. I can't believe how much better I feel ALREADY.

Got up this morning and had my coffee, watched some news, the usual routine, and then figured I'd hit the gym quick before I went to a car show at the Chevy dealer where I bought the Camaro, and I did NOT want to quit. Had I not had to get in the shower and get going, I could have spent who knows how long on the gym... it felt that good. Yeah I'm afraid I'm kind of a lift-a-holic like you. I'm getting to the point where it doesn't make me feel tired or wear me out, it makes me feel BETTER as I go. Give me a year on this contraption and I should be a new man. Actually more or less just getting back where I was years ago. I can see the coming winter when it's colder'n a witches tit in a brass bra outside and there's NOTHING else to do, and just spend the DAY working out, and then the next day, and the next, and the next... shit... the gym has 160 lbs of iron but I can upgrade it to 210. Never know, might have to do that.

Best money I've spent in a long, long time. It's an investment in my own health. Sure I'm going to be feeble one day and maybe need a WALKER... :laugh: ... but that day ain't gonna be anytime soon. You can slow down the aging process quite a bit with exercise. My "kinda" girlfriend, Heather, freaked out when I showed her the gym, and now she wants to come over and work out too. She's 46 and pretty dang hot already, not an ounce of fat on the girl, but yeah, she'd just be all that much hotter if she wants to start stopping by to lift too. She made a few comments about... "if I was dating anyone, it would be you"... kinda stuff... well my, my, my... :laugh:

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Well, DEFINITELY feeling stronger. Have added 20 lbs. to just about every exercise except the legs, they seem a little slower to respond. But I'm doing stretches and warm ups before I start now too, and I'm hitting it every day. Definite visual difference too already, starting to see more definition with some minor bulking. Can't wait to see the 6 months difference, or even a couple years. I think the important thing is just STICK WITH IT. Shouldn't be too hard because I look forward to it.

Haven't smoked either. So far the new vape is working, and I don't hit that all that much either.

@Gunny (http://www.debatepolicy.com/member.php?u=30)

[High_Plains_Drifter]

@Gunny (http://www.debatepolicy.com/member.php?u=30) ... so, my only hold back is the atrophy in my right triceps, but I'll be damned if I think maybe, MAYBE, I might be having some effect on what little still works. I think it's actually getting stronger. I don't know if it's possible to build "NEW" nerve connections, but I mean, I don't think any of my nerves were ever SEVERED, they were CRUSHED, but they're still there. So this could be interesting, or not, but even if I can actually build up what little works, that would be a miracle in my eyes. Bench presses, either with the fixed upper gym swing arm or the independent cables are my only weak point. If I had no problems with nerve atrophy, I'd really be going to town. Well, I'm hittin' it pretty hard regardless, I just can't pack on the weight and do bench presses.

But, more muscle means more nerve, right? Could the nerve actually GROW?

This is interesting... maybe my right triceps can "talk" to my left, and help them... https://www.outsideonline.com/2055066/how-and-why-you-should-be-training-your-central-nervous-system

[Gunny]

@Gunny (http://www.debatepolicy.com/member.php?u=30) ... so, my only hold back is the atrophy in my right triceps, but I'll be damned if I think maybe, MAYBE, I might be having some effect on what little still works. I think it's actually getting stronger. I don't know if it's possible to build "NEW" nerve connections, but I mean, I don't think any of my nerves were ever SEVERED, they were CRUSHED, but they're still there. So this could be interesting, or not, but even if I can actually build up what little works, that would be a miracle in my eyes. Bench presses, either with the fixed upper gym swing arm or the independent cables are my only weak point. If I had no problems with nerve atrophy, I'd really be going to town. Well, I'm hittin' it pretty hard regardless, I just can't pack on the weight and do bench presses.

But, more muscle means more nerve, right? Could the nerve actually GROW?

This is interesting... maybe my right triceps can "talk" to my left, and help them... https://www.outsideonline.com/2055066/how-and-why-you-should-be-training-your-central-nervous-systemI really can't say what to do about injuries and/or nerve damage beyond my own experience. Depends on the injury. Some you just aren't getting past surgery to repair. Or you can be hard-headed like me. The nerve damage I have is permanent. I just accept it.

I injured my shoulder falling into a brick post on the porch when I first started trying to walk again and I tore "something". It took forever for me just to raise my arm above my head. I've managed to stubborn my way through most of it but I still don't have some range of motion (negligible). It's taken 2 years and it still hurts.

"How much I can lift" matters only insofar as "how much did I lift last time?" goes. I wouldn't take any bets that I'll ever climb under a 350 bench press again :laugh: As far as the aforementioned injury and bench presses go, I just slowly worked myself up, making sure I worked the supporting muscles. The shoulder held me back until slowly over time it's eeked its way along.

I do believe that once a nerve is crushed it is gone. That you'd have to look up. I'm just going on some vague recollection.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

You ever overdo it a little and then take a day or two off because you're sore?

Or do you still lift even if you're sore?

Most I ever benched before I had nerve damage was 285, at Nellis AFB. I highly doubt I'll ever do that again either... :laugh:
Gunny

[Gunny]

You ever overdo it a little and then take a day or two off because you're sore?

Or do you still lift even if you're sore?

Most I ever benched before I had nerve damage was 285, at Nellis AFB. I highly doubt I'll ever do that again either... :laugh:
@Gunny (http://www.debatepolicy.com/member.php?u=30)Day off? :wtf99:

No, i'm rather insane. It IS advisable but my OCD would burst out of my head or something :laugh2: Hell, I used to run 3 miles AFTER downing a pint of Jack. Lifted with a 102 temp.

I have issues

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Day off? :wtf99:

No, i'm rather insane. It IS advisable but my OCD would burst out of my head or something :laugh2: Hell, I used to run 3 miles AFTER downing a pint of Jack. Lifted with a 102 temp.

I have issues
Wow... :laugh: ... well I pushed it some yesterday. After reading that piece about gaining strength by lifting heavier weight, I decided to kick it up another notch and added another 10 and even 20 pounds to some exercises. Well, now I'm actually a little sore today. I was thinking about taking the day off... :rolleyes:

I do have a trailer hitch that's kinda rusty that I HAVE to get sanded down and painted. I should do that today because Saturday is trash day to take garbage to the dump, and since it snowed my truck isn't leaving the shop. Going to need that trailer hitch on the Suburban for the trailer now.

[Gunny]

Wow... :laugh: ... well I pushed it some yesterday. After reading that piece about gaining strength by lifting heavier weight, I decided to kick it up another notch and added another 10 and even 20 pounds to some exercises. Well, now I'm actually a little sore today. I was thinking about taking the day off... :rolleyes:

I do have a trailer hitch that's kinda rusty that I HAVE to get sanded down and painted. I should do that today because Saturday is trash day to take garbage to the dump, and since it snowed my truck isn't leaving the shop. Going to need that trailer hitch on the Suburban for the trailer now.Take a day off. Most people do. I usually take Sundays off. Been using it as a catch up day since the babysitting gig started. Puts me a day ahead for the week in case I have to miss a day cuz of rugrat.

It won't kill you though :)

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Take a day off. Most people do. I usually take Sundays off. Been using it as a catch up day since the babysitting gig started. Puts me a day ahead for the week in case I have to miss a day cuz of rugrat.

It won't kill you though :)
On the days I do take off, I almost feel guilty... like I'm shirking my duty... :rolleyes:

I been hittin' it pretty hard and it has become a routine. I'm pretty dedicated to it. Big time visible results already, and it is addicting. Even though I'll probably head out to the shop in a little while here, I'll probably do a quick set of something before I leave the house, because the gym is RIGHT THERE... it calls to me... :laugh:

[Gunny]

On the days I do take off, I almost feel guilty... like I'm shirking my duty... :rolleyes:

I been hittin' it pretty hard and it has become a routine. I'm pretty dedicated to it. Big time visible results already, and it is addicting. Even though I'll probably head out to the shop in a little while here, I'll probably do a quick set of something before I leave the house, because the gym is RIGHT THERE... it calls to me... :laugh:

Something I thought of ... I tend to assume everyone knows everything like me, but then I forget y'all aren't Marines at times :) I don't know how you split your workout, but if you split the major muscle groups so that you are not directly working the same ones every day, it helps youtr muscles and joints recover faster and also gives you something else you can do tht veers away from a sore or injured area.

For instance, last Friday I absolutely thrashed my legs doing cleans and front squats. I realized this most Sat morning when I woke up and was in a serious hurt locker from mid-back down :laugh: So I switched gears and Sat did pullups and arms and skipped the run. Sun I worked chest and triceps and did run. Sorta :) Anyway, I gave my lower back and legs 2 days off from any direct work. One thing I never have and do not screw around about is my lower back. I'll pile on the weights, but if it gets too sore for my liking it gets a break. I've never had any back problems and am not encouraging any to show up at this late stage in the game. Not being able to use mine due to atrophy and being immobilized in the hospital was all the sneak preview I needed of THAT shit to reaffirm my stance.

I have to work out 6 days a week. It's like getting a fix, I guess. Same with running/walking. Six days a week. Other people do Mon-Wed-Fri or some such kind of crap but I can't work out like that. Smae amount of time more or less each day works best for me. I'm one of those people that feels myself getting out of shape if I miss a day :laugh2: (that IS bullshit but the mind am a terrible thing)

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Something I thought of ... I tend to assume everyone knows everything like me, but then I forget y'all aren't Marines at times :) I don't know how you split your workout, but if you split the major muscle groups so that you are not directly working the same ones every day, it helps youtr muscles and joints recover faster and also gives you something else you can do tht veers away from a sore or injured area.

For instance, last Friday I absolutely thrashed my legs doing cleans and front squats. I realized this most Sat morning when I woke up and was in a serious hurt locker from mid-back down :laugh: So I switched gears and Sat did pullups and arms and skipped the run. Sun I worked chest and triceps and did run. Sorta :) Anyway, I gave my lower back and legs 2 days off from any direct work. One thing I never have and do not screw around about is my lower back. I'll pile on the weights, but if it gets too sore for my liking it gets a break. I've never had any back problems and am not encouraging any to show up at this late stage in the game. Not being able to use mine due to atrophy and being immobilized in the hospital was all the sneak preview I needed of THAT shit to reaffirm my stance.

I have to work out 6 days a week. It's like getting a fix, I guess. Same with running/walking. Six days a week. Other people do Mon-Wed-Fri or some such kind of crap but I can't work out like that. Smae amount of time more or less each day works best for me. I'm one of those people that feels myself getting out of shape if I miss a day :laugh2: (that IS bullshit but the mind am a terrible thing)
Yep... I work from the top on down in muscle groups divided into different days until I get to my legs, and I did a total burn on my legs the other day too. Did front leg curls until I walked like I had splints tied to my legs, then did rear leg curls, much harder, then toe stands pulling up on about 120-130 on the cable. My legs didn't feel too bad the next day, just told me I can do more I guess, or more often. But yeah, I work like shoulders, upper back, pecks, lats one day, then bis, tris, abs and lower back next, and so on on down. I think I could work the biceps every day. Never seems like they ever get sore. I try and work out every day. Feels like I'm missing something if I don't. I did take today off though. Worked about 5 hours scraping, sanding and wire brushing the rust off the trailer hitch for the Suburban. What a filthy mess that was. Have to finish it tomorrow. But the day ain't over, and the gym is right behind me... I could get in a little late workout... :thumb:

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Started at the top today, shoulders, workin' down, adding weight again doing some sitting on the bench, pull backs, with the upright bench press bar, and I noticed the VEINS are starting to pop a little now too. I'm pretty sure that's to feed muscles I'm unrelentingly working out now. Never had huge, popping veins before, but, things are definitely changing.

I still have some pop and a little bit of chips, but going to do my dang best to cut out ALL sugar, and take it easy on the carbs too. Never was one to eat candy and cake and pies and all that.

You have a special diet, Gunny, or do you just eat whatever the heck you want? You eat before you work out or after?

@Gunny (http://www.debatepolicy.com/member.php?u=30)

[Gunny]

Started at the top today, shoulders, workin' down, adding weight again doing some sitting on the bench, pull backs, with the upright bench press bar, and I noticed the VEINS are starting to pop a little now too. I'm pretty sure that's to feed muscles I'm unrelentingly working out now. Never had huge, popping veins before, but, things are definitely changing.

I still have some pop and a little bit of chips, but going to do my dang best to cut out ALL sugar, and take it easy on the carbs too. Never was one to eat candy and cake and pies and all that.

You have a special diet, Gunny, or do you just eat whatever the heck you want? You eat before you work out or after?

@Gunny (http://www.debatepolicy.com/member.php?u=30)U have no "special diet". Generally, I eat healthy (depending on who you ask). Mostly protein in the form of red meat. Eggs. Some oatmeal. Most veggies. And jalapeno potato chips and Cokes (my secret :laugh:)

Don't listen to me though. If I don't lift weights and eat protein I lose weight. I went from 205 to 155 when I was hospitalized and I manage to stay between 180-185 now but if I slack on eating I'll drop down. And if you don't think chasing a 18 months old 8 hours a day will get you too tired to eat, try it. He's the best weight loss program I've ever seen :) Problem is, I'm not trying to lose weight.

[Gunny]

High_Plains_Drifter

I don't always get on top of everything all the time because the little guy's schedule is definitely not in tune with mine. It's not in tune at all as a matter of fact. if I get lucky, I'm done with everything I need to do AND he decides it's nap time :laugh:

You previously mentioned something about your tricep playing catch up. THAT is pretty-much exactly how I dragged my should kicking and screaming back up. I tried dumbells first trying to just rehab it and that not only sucked, but was really going nowhere. So I hit the Gunny default button and slammed some heavy weights (comparatively) on a bar and went to town doing doubles and triples with as much as my shoulder could take. Of course everything else was compensating, but it STILL brought the shoulder up to a decent amount of strength.

I went after it from all angles as well. Almost every upper body exercise works shoulders to a degree so I would vary them from time to time. To this day, my shoulder STILL is the limiting factor in my lifts, and it STILL hurts. The exercise determines how much. I have managed to go from not being able to lift my arm (when I first hurt it) up to my shoulder to almost a full range of motion.

There's a lot of time and frustration feeling like I'm getting nowhere involved, then I look back at what I was doing even 6 months ago and realize I've progressed. Just too damned slow dammit! :) One day at a time.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

@High_Plains_Drifter (http://www.debatepolicy.com/member.php?u=3558)

I don't always get on top of everything all the time because the little guy's schedule is definitely not in tune with mine. It's not in tune at all as a matter of fact. if I get lucky, I'm done with everything I need to do AND he decides it's nap time :laugh:

You previously mentioned something about your tricep playing catch up. THAT is pretty-much exactly how I dragged my should kicking and screaming back up. I tried dumbells first trying to just rehab it and that not only sucked, but was really going nowhere. So I hit the Gunny default button and slammed some heavy weights (comparatively) on a bar and went to town doing doubles and triples with as much as my shoulder could take. Of course everything else was compensating, but it STILL brought the shoulder up to a decent amount of strength.

I went after it from all angles as well. Almost every upper body exercise works shoulders to a degree so I would vary them from time to time. To this day, my shoulder STILL is the limiting factor in my lifts, and it STILL hurts. The exercise determines how much. I have managed to go from not being able to lift my arm (when I first hurt it) up to my shoulder to almost a full range of motion.

There's a lot of time and frustration feeling like I'm getting nowhere involved, then I look back at what I was doing even 6 months ago and realize I've progressed. Just too damned slow dammit! :) One day at a time.
I hear that, progress is SLOW. Course I'm dealing with a 63 year old body. It's on the DECLINE, and I'm trying to do the opposite. I'm fighting a losing battle. Age will win sooner or later, but I can still slow it down, even considerably, and be a helluva lot stronger and healthier in the meantime. I've noticed that the triceps HAVE picked up a little strength. Not much, but enough to notice, so something is happening there. I use the cables to do the bench presses most of the time, because then that right triceps has to press what the left side is, and sometimes my arm wants to just collapse, but I catch it and work it through. Yeah other muscles do compensate, but I know that little that's left of the right triceps is working. I WILL keep working it. I've only been at it a little over two months now so I shouldn't get discouraged if I don't see enough change. I need to give it a year, or two, or whatever. The gym ain't going anywhere, and I'll keep pumping iron.

I'm starting a total diet change over too. Trying to eliminate ALL sugar and as much unsaturated fat as I can, so I've started reading labels on stuff and it's just mind numbing how much sugar there is in EVERYTHING it seems. The grape juice I like is HORRIBLE, and the Arizona Tea I buy by the gallon is full of sugar too, and those gallons of chocolate milk I like to pound down say they're 1% fat, but that's probably bad for me too, and that Carnation powder creamer I put in my coffee every morning, two or three cups, is loaded with FAT. No wonder I step on the scale, even when I haven't eaten much for a couple days, and wonder why I can't lose weight. I've been doing a lot of stuff wrong with what I eat, what I drink, when I eat and how much I eat. But today is day 6 of a completely overhauled diet, and I just stepped on the scale, lost 4 pounds already... unbelievable. I haven't gone DOWN in weight for so long, I literally had almost given up. I just needed to do some serious reading about proper diet, and then DO IT.
@Gunny (http://www.debatepolicy.com/member.php?u=30)

[Gunny]

I hear that, progress is SLOW. Course I'm dealing with a 63 year old body. It's on the DECLINE, and I'm trying to do the opposite. I'm fighting a losing battle. Age will win sooner or later, but I can still slow it down, even considerably, and be a helluva lot stronger and healthier in the meantime. I've noticed that the triceps HAVE picked up a little strength. Not much, but enough to notice, so something is happening there. I use the cables to do the bench presses most of the time, because then that right triceps has to press what the left side is, and sometimes my arm wants to just collapse, but I catch it and work it through. Yeah other muscles do compensate, but I know that little that's left of the right triceps is working. I WILL keep working it. I've only been at it a little over two months now so I shouldn't get discouraged if I don't see enough change. I need to give it a year, or two, or whatever. The gym ain't going anywhere, and I'll keep pumping iron.

I'm starting a total diet change over too. Trying to eliminate ALL sugar and as much unsaturated fat as I can, so I've started reading labels on stuff and it's just mind numbing how much sugar there is in EVERYTHING it seems. The grape juice I like is HORRIBLE, and the Arizona Tea I buy by the gallon is full of sugar too, and those gallons of chocolate milk I like to pound down say they're 1% fat, but that's probably bad for me too, and that Carnation powder creamer I put in my coffee every morning, two or three cups, is loaded with FAT. No wonder I step on the scale, even when I haven't eaten much for a couple days, and wonder why I can't lose weight. I've been doing a lot of stuff wrong with what I eat, what I drink, when I eat and how much I eat. But today is day 6 of a completely overhauled diet, and I just stepped on the scale, lost 4 pounds already... unbelievable. I haven't gone DOWN in weight for so long, I literally had almost given up. I just needed to do some serious reading about proper diet, and then DO IT.
@Gunny (http://www.debatepolicy.com/member.php?u=30)I'm only 4-5 years younger than you, btw.

It might behoove you to do a little research because I am going to go off memory and I probably have forgotten more than I remember. Don't get wrapped around the axle on reading food labels. They have been allowed to re-name and re-package what "is" is more than Bill Clinton over the years. A LOT of it is half-truths and/or just pure BS, based on fads.

Sugar used to be bad. Now, only processed sugar is bad, so it's okay to have natural sugar. True enough. However, factor in that carbs are currently "bad". Bullshit. HOWEVER, carbs break down into sugars -- simple or complex. So marketing says well, since carbs break down into sugars, we really don't have carbs in our products anymore. Just sugars.

When you get through all of that mumbo-jumbo double talk the bottom-line fact is sugar, protein and fat that is not metabolized and used will be stored as fat.

When I was on active duty, and a commercial electrician, I couldn't eat enough carbs and I was not fat. I carried more visible bodyfat (not much really) but I was burning the Hell out of it. Not to mention I was drinking and alcohol metabolizes into sugar. I was strong as an ox and could go all day.

Potatoes used to be bad for you (fattening). Bread too. Now they're great. Yippee. You pay people enough money for a study to come up with a result and they will spend as much as they can and find the result you desire.

My simple rule of thumb is I don't eat a lot of processed ANYTHING. Drives my daughter nuts :). It REALLY drover her nuts when I was her only parent when she was a kid :laugh: She didn't learn much from me, I can tell you THAT. I get my own food around here.

One thing I rarely eat is fast food. Maybe once a month or so. That and alcohol has a LOT of fat regardless how they're labeled. Anyway, if you don't eat processed food, you don't have a label to read :) It my be worth a read to look it up. I learned all this crap from books. You can probably google it nowadays :)

[High_Plains_Drifter]

I'm only 4-5 years younger than you, btw.

It might behoove you to do a little research because I am going to go off memory and I probably have forgotten more than I remember. Don't get wrapped around the axle on reading food labels. They have been allowed to re-name and re-package what "is" is more than Bill Clinton over the years. A LOT of it is half-truths and/or just pure BS, based on fads.

Sugar used to be bad. Now, only processed sugar is bad, so it's okay to have natural sugar. True enough. However, factor in that carbs are currently "bad". Bullshit. HOWEVER, carbs break down into sugars -- simple or complex. So marketing says well, since carbs break down into sugars, we really don't have carbs in our products anymore. Just sugars.

When you get through all of that mumbo-jumbo double talk the bottom-line fact is sugar, protein and fat that is not metabolized and used will be stored as fat.

When I was on active duty, and a commercial electrician, I couldn't eat enough carbs and I was not fat. I carried more visible bodyfat (not much really) but I was burning the Hell out of it. Not to mention I was drinking and alcohol metabolizes into sugar. I was strong as an ox and could go all day.

Potatoes used to be bad for you (fattening). Bread too. Now they're great. Yippee. You pay people enough money for a study to come up with a result and they will spend as much as they can and find the result you desire.

My simple rule of thumb is I don't eat a lot of processed ANYTHING. Drives my daughter nuts :). It REALLY drover her nuts when I was her only parent when she was a kid :laugh: She didn't learn much from me, I can tell you THAT. I get my own food around here.

One thing I rarely eat is fast food. Maybe once a month or so. That and alcohol has a LOT of fat regardless how they're labeled. Anyway, if you don't eat processed food, you don't have a label to read :) It my be worth a read to look it up. I learned all this crap from books. You can probably google it nowadays :)
Well, I'll tell ya what bro... been talking to my kid, and he was right up there almost 200 pounds about 2 years ago. Then he met this girl, who is now his wife, but she was a nutrition nut and got him going on the proper diet kick and reading labels about what's in food and stuff, but to the extreme, watching videos, reading books, etc, and he's lost almost FORTY POUNDS, and he's KEPT IT OFF. So I am listening to him.

But yeah, back in the day, even up 'til I was probably 40... 45 years old, I could eat ANYTHING, and as much of it as I wanted and never gain a pound. Course I worked my ass off too. I never had a sit down job in my life. But SIXTY... there's where the real problems have started. That's when it's really become a problem. I can be in the same ROOM with a DONUT and GAIN TWO POUNDS. I know part of that was also due to inactivity and I'm changing that, but, seriously, my eating habits were in the toilet. I had basically given up, thought oh what the hell, who cares, and I was eating the chocolate chunk cookies and chips and dip and pop and eating big meals late at night, just horrible. Kinda dumb for me to even wonder why I couldn't lose weight. Just laying back a couple days isn't going to do squat, it has to be long term. Ya gotta make a lifestyle change, and that's where I'm at. Oh, and the kid keeps emphasizing to drink LOTS OF WATER, and put a fresh squeeze and slice of lemon in it, and they buy all the organic they can find too. I don't have the grocery options they do though, not here in this little town.

[Gunny]

I wouldn't listen to any one person. I never have. I have always got as much knowledge as I could and sifted through it, while taking notes in the school of hard knocks. The final arbiter is not going to be another person and/or a degree or not; rather, it will be your body and how well you can listen to it. What I tell you is what works for me. What you do with it is up to you.

Same goes with lifting. I think I've tried every workout under the sun and tossed most on the junk heap. For instance, I HATE bodybuilding. I've been lifting since 74-75 and think I lasted at actual bodybuilding about 3 months. It's too boring, tedious and time consuming for me.

Other people swear by it. Good for them. That means on the rare occasion I go to an actual gym I don't have to be bothered sharing equipment :)

[High_Plains_Drifter]

I wouldn't listen to any one person. I never have. I have always got as much knowledge as I could and sifted through it, while taking notes in the school of hard knocks. The final arbiter is not going to be another person and/or a degree or not; rather, it will be your body and how well you can listen to it. What I tell you is what works for me. What you do with it is up to you.

Same goes with lifting. I think I've tried every workout under the sun and tossed most on the junk heap. For instance, I HATE bodybuilding. I've been lifting since 74-75 and think I lasted at actual bodybuilding about 3 months. It's too boring, tedious and time consuming for me.

Other people swear by it. Good for them. That means on the rare occasion I go to an actual gym I don't have to be bothered sharing equipment :)
I agree with that. I didn't buy the gym to get BULKED UP, I bought it to get healthy. Same with diet info, I agree, do what works. My son has talored his diet around losing weight, only, but since I'm working out every day, unlike him, I might need more protein than he does, or whatever. But one thing is for sure, I'm going to nip my drinking in the bud for awhile. Been reading bad stuff about that, especially hard liquor, and I like whiskey. Not going to throw out what I have, but I'm not going to touch it for awhile either. Word is if you're on any kind of weight loss program, then don't touch booze at all, not even beer. You were right how the body metabolizes it.

Worked the middle and legs today, and I sit backwards on the bench and pull back on the bars, which I can adjust forward and rear, but I can pull my entire stack of 160 lbs with my back doing pull backs. Gets a little hard on the hands though, build up your grip for sure. Doing crunches with 50 lbs now.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Don't know if I asked you this before or not Gunny, but if you rip it up pretty good and some parts get sore, do you still work those parts out?

I got pretty aggressive yesterday on an upper body workout. I'm feeling a lot stronger so I'm still adding weight, but now today I can feel it. The upper back I hit with more weight than ever before, and it's sore. But would you, do you, work out even sore muscles?

I hit the middle pretty good yesterday too, did crunches with 50 pounds. Not sore today. Tells me I can increase that workout.

[Gunny]

While I may sound mostly insane, there IS a method to my madness. Minus a burp here and there, I stick mostly to the "inch my way up" plan. When I DO lift too much, I'll lay off. My lifting is set up that way mostly anyway. My two biggest concerns are legs and lower back, because of the joints, not the muscles. If I hit one or both particularly hard one day, I'll do pullups the next day. If I trash out my shoulders, I'll do something like front squats, squats or dust up on some deadlifts and some curls next day.

I don't separate by upper/lower body per se; rather, by what muscles are being worked directly on a given day vs which ones are not. I won't do back squats or deadlifts more than once a week, nor will I do both exercises in the same week.

I got all crazy a couple of years ago and power cleaned and pressed 205 for the first time in years and it kept my hip jacked up from that point until I was hospitalized. Silver lining, I guess. I couldn't walk, but the hip pain was gone :laugh: I've tended to err toward the side of caution.

Let's be real. One workout isn't going to make or break me for anyone or thing but me. My social event of the day is a 7-11 run and my work out audience is a stray cat and some crows :laugh:

[Gunny]

FUKKIN' A! Ass to the grass squat with 185 (3 times just to make sure I was awake). FINALLY! I weigh 180. I've never been able to go ass to the grass with my bodyweight. Only take a year and a half.

200. YOU'RE next :death:

:)

[High_Plains_Drifter]

FUKKIN' A! Ass to the grass squat with 185 (3 times just to make sure I was awake). FINALLY! I weigh 180. I've never been able to go ass to the grass with my bodyweight. Only take a year and a half.

200. YOU'RE next :death:

:)
I've been slackin'. Haven't done much in the last 3 days and I'm starting to feel pretty guilty. But I've been pretty busy with cleaning, organizing, Christmas shopping and a couple different little projects. I'm busy from after the morning coffee to finally knocking off for the day and watching some TV. Going to put an end to that tomorrow though and start from the shoulders and work down again, get back in the routine. Even though I haven't worked out in a few days, I can still feel the benefits of what I've been doing for the last 3 months.

Congrats on the legs. I think they're the hardest to work out. Even though the leg curls start out easy, it doesn't take long for the BURN to set in. I usually don't keep track in sets, I just curl until the burn is too much, but I try to get to 100 total. Made it to 87 curls last time, I plan to push to 100 next time. The rear leg curls are a bitch.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Up at 5:30 this morning, workin' out by 7:00, Gunny. Going to push it today, but definitely my only hold back is this damn atrophied right arm triceps. I do believe I might be adding a little strength to the tiny bit that works, but it's frustrating. I could lift a hell of a lot more if only the freakin' thing ALL worked. Hard to build up the tri's on the good arm when the right arm holds me back. I won't get discouraged though. Always onward. Who knows what kind of a difference I might make in a year, two years... whatever. It'd be nothing short of a miracle if I actually built it up some.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Holy SHIT @Gunny (http://www.debatepolicy.com/member.php?u=30)... there might be hope for me after all... look at these freakin' animals... older than I am... MAAAAaaaan... I got work to do... :laugh:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENVJ59tY_E0

My greatest obstacle is my weak right side. It's not only my triceps but partial pecks, partial lats, etc. I can feel that the smaller parts of the pecks and lats WORK, they move, I can flex them, they're just lesser than the left. So as long as I can tell they WORK, I'm going to trash them. I figure if they MOVE, then I can build them up. I think I'm going to start working that side double, just to see if I can get it catch up to the left side. When I get pissed, it just makes me double my efforts. I don't like NO for anything, even building muscle. I'll wear that gym out before I quit... and that ain't gonna happen. Lifting is just part of the day now. I look forward to it, and I'm seeing results. I noticed today for the first time that the veins were starting to pop a little on my biceps. Never saw that before. I regret that I didn't start lifting right after I had that discectomy, and they told me I'd get 95% of everything back. I probably would have. Fuck it... I'll make it happen now.

Oh, and I bought a new curl bar. Much better, wider, heavy duty, great bar, angled, makes doing curls a helluva lot more comfortable. Strange that out of all the bits of the right side, arm that were effected by the crushed nerves, my right bicep is normal. It's as strong if not stronger than the left... weird.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001LOQ4GS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Nothing like PINK FLOYD while working out. Bought another JBL Extreme bluetooth speaker, excellent price right now on Amazon, and can pair it with the other one I have and now have stereo, sounds fantastic, is cordless, wireless, perfect, take it anywhere and even run it off your smart phone.

I've lost TEN POUNDS now @Gunny (http://www.debatepolicy.com/member.php?u=30). Hit the scale yesterday at 211.4 lbs. I haven't been down this far for a good 4 or 5 years. Getting some good definition going, and it will be even better losing weight. Target weight loss is down to 190 so, I still have a ways to go but I'll get there. I've changed the diet around completely along with the working out. People are going to look at me next summer when I'm getting the first tan in 20 years and think, what the hell happened to him, is that really Tom? ... :laugh:

[Gunny]

Nothing like PINK FLOYD while working out. Bought another JBL Extreme bluetooth speaker, excellent price right now on Amazon, and can pair it with the other one I have and now have stereo, sounds fantastic, is cordless, wireless, perfect, take it anywhere and even run it off your smart phone.

I've lost TEN POUNDS now @Gunny (http://www.debatepolicy.com/member.php?u=30). Hit the scale yesterday at 211.4 lbs. I haven't been down this far for a good 4 or 5 years. Getting some good definition going, and it will be even better losing weight. Target weight loss is down to 190 so, I still have a ways to go but I'll get there. I've changed the diet around completely along with the working out. People are going to look at me next summer when I'm getting the first tan in 20 years and think, what the hell happened to him, is that really Tom? ... :laugh:

My strength has gone WAY up and I haven't gained an ounce.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

My strength has gone WAY up and I haven't gained an ounce.
I've read that lifting heavier can increase your strength without necessarily increasing your bulk... could be what you're doing.

[Gunny]

I've read that lifting heavier can increase your strength without necessarily increasing your bulk... could be what you're doing.It IS pretty-much what I am doing. I'm not really trying to increase my weight. One thing I DO remember about being 205 is I had to carry 205. I also had a few more issues with joints. I had knee problems for years as in decades "years". My right knee is still obviously messed up but unless I do something to injure it, it isn't painful. Used to have chronic pain in it.

One of my original goals was to fill my skin back out at least. I looked like a bag of bones coming out of the hospital :laugh:

[Black Diamond]

My strength has gone WAY up and I haven't gained an ounce.

Define way up and how long has it taken you to get there

[High_Plains_Drifter]

It IS pretty-much what I am doing. I'm not really trying to increase my weight. One thing I DO remember about being 205 is I had to carry 205. I also had a few more issues with joints. I had knee problems for years as in decades "years". My right knee is still obviously messed up but unless I do something to injure it, it isn't painful. Used to have chronic pain in it.

One of my original goals was to fill my skin back out at least. I looked like a bag of bones coming out of the hospital :laugh:
As I was walking through the store yesterday I noticed that my pants felt BAGGY. Had to buy 38" waist pants when I started putting on weight. Wore 36" waist for the longest time. Want to get back in those. Don't know if getting into 34" is doable or not, but we'll see. The pounds are coming off, more so from the new diet than working out.

I hear ya about the weight though for sure, I FEEL LIGHTER. Imagine carrying around a ten pound dumb bell with you everywhere you went, and then NOT. But the more weight I drop, the more dedicated I get to keep it going. The diet change is permanent, period. NEVER going back to the bad eating habits I used to have. I had basically given up, it was stupid. My cholesterol was going up, my blood pressure was up a bit and I just didn't have a lot of energy. That's all changing. I'm starting to feel like my old self again.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

@Gunny (http://www.debatepolicy.com/member.php?u=30)... hey man, I'll tell ya, instead of just doing my regular routine of working top to bottom, blah, blah, blah, I've started mixing stuff up. Just working totally different parts in one session. Like flies and then leg curls and then crunches, etc, just mixing things completely up.

You ever do that? I've heard of this "muscle confusion" stuff. I don't know if what I'm doing is exactly that, but it kinda makes it a little more fun, just so I don't lose track and not work out a muscle group for too long.

[Gunny]

I gained 2 whole pounds over the holidays :smoke:

Back in the day when he laid claim to everything and anything he could label " Weider", it was called the "Weider Confusion Principle". I've always used it. Didn't know Joe Weider invented it :rolleyes: Well, until I was assured by Weider himself in Muscle & Fitness that he indeed DID invent it :laugh:

[High_Plains_Drifter]

I gained 2 whole pounds over the holidays :smoke:

Back in the day when he laid claim to everything and anything he could label " Weider", it was called the "Weider Confusion Principle". I've always used it. Didn't know Joe Weider invented it :rolleyes: Well, until I was assured by Weider himself in Muscle & Fitness that he indeed DID invent it :laugh:
Yeah after doing it for awhile I've pretty much gone back to my regular routine. Just easier to remember where I'm at, and I like to work close muscle groups. Seems to feel better, why get that muscle group all warmed up and pumped full of blood and then move away from it? Doesn't seem like a good idea.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Hey... another thing @Gunny (http://www.debatepolicy.com/member.php?u=30)... I don't know about you, but my BACK seems to be the strongest part of my body. The exercises seem to be easy, and I've added more weight to my back exercises than any other part. I can just burn my back down and it just takes more, lat pull downs, straight back pulls on the press bar using arms, and pull backs keeping the arms straight and leaning/pulling back with the back, I can do almost the whole stack of 160 lbs, even the shoulders, I can work the holly hell otta that stuff and it just feels GOOD.

You?

[Gunny]

Hey... another thing @Gunny (http://www.debatepolicy.com/member.php?u=30)... I don't know about you, but my BACK seems to be the strongest part of my body. The exercises seem to be easy, and I've added more weight to my back exercises than any other part. I can just burn my back down and it just takes more, lat pull downs, straight back pulls on the press bar using arms, and pull backs keeping the arms straight and leaning/pulling back with the back, I can do almost the whole stack of 160 lbs, even the shoulders, I can work the holly hell otta that stuff and it just feels GOOD.

You?Those are called seated pulley rows. My back is definitely the strongest. Purposefully so. Try not being able to walk or lift anything of significance. I deadlifted 225 a couple of weeks ago just jerking around being bored, but I didn't push it any further. Doing squat snatches and squat clean -n- jerks twice a week, I get plenty of back work in.

Have a pullup bar in my bedroom door. I can single a pullup +20 lbs. Haven't pushed that one either. I always do 20 pullups. If I can do it in 1 set like I could when I was in the Corps, fine. If it takes me 20 x 1, so be it. I get my 20 and Chesty don't get his :)

The reason I don't push deadlifts that hard is I'll just ease up to it. I could at one time hit 405. Never used straps. If my hands can't hold it, it's too heavy for me to be lifting. But ... it puts a LOT of pressure on every piece of soft tissue in your body from your neck to your toes. No reason to push that. I've got the rest of my life to increase the weight but only one spinal column :laugh:

I don't have machines. The lat pull down was the only one I usually ever used. Used to pull the whole stack. Another jarhead would have to grab my traps and push me down to the floor to do it or I'd have been just dangling from the end of the bar :laugh: I forget how much it was. Crap like that was just our toxic masculinity kicking into competitive overdrive :rolleyes: More often than not I just do pullups with a wide grip. Same movement.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Those are called seated pulley rows. My back is definitely the strongest. Purposefully so. Try not being able to walk or lift anything of significance. I deadlifted 225 a couple of weeks ago just jerking around being bored, but I didn't push it any further. Doing squat snatches and squat clean -n- jerks twice a week, I get plenty of back work in.

Have a pullup bar in my bedroom door. I can single a pullup +20 lbs. Haven't pushed that one either. I always do 20 pullups. If I can do it in 1 set like I could when I was in the Corps, fine. If it takes me 20 x 1, so be it. I get my 20 and Chesty don't get his :)

The reason I don't push deadlifts that hard is I'll just ease up to it. I could at one time hit 405. Never used straps. If my hands can't hold it, it's too heavy for me to be lifting. But ... it puts a LOT of pressure on every piece of soft tissue in your body from your neck to your toes. No reason to push that. I've got the rest of my life to increase the weight but only one spinal column :laugh:

I don't have machines. The lat pull down was the only one I usually ever used. Used to pull the whole stack. Another jarhead would have to grab my traps and push me down to the floor to do it or I'd have been just dangling from the end of the bar :laugh: I forget how much it was. Crap like that was just our toxic masculinity kicking into competitive overdrive :rolleyes: More often than not I just do pullups with a wide grip. Same movement.
Yeah that's it, ROWS, I start with 80, then second set 90, then finish with 100 pounds. I use the bench press bar because it has an adjustment where I can move it way forward or backwards, so I sit on the seat facing backwards and do rows with the bench press bar. I started out with 50 pounds 3 three months ago. I actually could sit and use the curl cable on the front to do rows too. I bought a new curl bar on Amazon, works great, must weigh 10 pounds by itself...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001LOQ4GS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I wonder if the weight is the same on cables as it is with free weights... IDK. But I don't try and kill myself. I do push it but haven't been trying to SEE HOW MUCH I CAN LIFT. I do what feels good and do increase the resistance, but I get a good burn. I know "form" has a lot to do with what good you're getting out of your exercises. If I don't break a sweat, then I'm not working hard enough. I have started wearing my sweats when I work out now.

I should try a pull up. I haven't been able to do even ONE for a long time. Got too damn fat, but, I'm losing weight. Down to 207 from 221. About half way to my target. About the only way to keep losing is to fast... A LOT. Been drinking protein drinks and taking my vitamins. I'll get there. I'm actually wearing a pair of my 36" waist jeans. Haven't been able to even PULL A PAIR OF THOSE ON for ages. Gets me real motivated to see those changes. I had given up.

[Gunny]

Yeah that's it, ROWS, I start with 80, then second set 90, then finish with 100 pounds. I use the bench press bar because it has an adjustment where I can move it way forward or backwards, so I sit on the seat facing backwards and do rows with the bench press bar. I started out with 50 pounds 3 three months ago. I actually could sit and use the curl cable on the front to do rows too. I bought a new curl bar on Amazon, works great, must weigh 10 pounds by itself...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001LOQ4GS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I wonder if the weight is the same on cables as it is with free weights... IDK. But I don't try and kill myself. I do push it but haven't been trying to SEE HOW MUCH I CAN LIFT. I do what feels good and do increase the resistance, but I get a good burn. I know "form" has a lot to do with what good you're getting out of your exercises. If I don't break a sweat, then I'm not working hard enough. I have started wearing my sweats when I work out now.

I should try a pull up. I haven't been able to do even ONE for a long time. Got too damn fat, but, I'm losing weight. Down to 207 from 221. About half way to my target. About the only way to keep losing is to fast... A LOT. Been drinking protein drinks and taking my vitamins. I'll get there. I'm actually wearing a pair of my 36" waist jeans. Haven't been able to even PULL A PAIR OF THOSE ON for ages. Gets me real motivated to see those changes. I had given up.The "free weights vs machines" argument is as old as the first machine. It's also like the proverbial asshole -- everybody's got one.

A few things I know. One it depends 100% on what you want. Lifting is you vs the weight, not you vs anyone else's opinion and/or capability. Chasing someone else's capability unless you are a professional competitor is dumb and usually non-or-counter-productive.

I get caught up in the mentality of comparing what I used to lift to what I am lifting and calling it "baby weight". In context, I am stronger than the average man. I never remember that part when I'm looking to 1 rep max with a weight I used to use for a warm up :laugh:

What I know about the argument is this: There has been one, professional weightlifter/bodybuilder/power lifter that I know of that claimed to build his body with machines. That was Casey Viator back in the 80s, a competitive bodybuilder and Top 10 in pro events for a few years. The claim was he built his body using nothing but the Nautilus weight machines. A LOT of people were skeptical. For one, Arthur Jones who invented both the Universal and Nautilus machines was footing his bill to pimp his stuff :laugh:

From personal experience, I was a regular at pushing over 300 on the bench on the Universal. First time I tried free weights (heavy ones), I got 185. Serious ego crush :laugh:

The science behind it is free weights require a lot of auxiliary muscles machines do not. You have to balance the weight in free weights. On machines, you have only to move the weight along the predetermined track. If you drop it, it makes a lot of noise but you can jump away from it and no harm no foul. The free weights you have to be in control of from start to finish. You can seriously injure yourself or someone else if you drop a weight/miss a lift with free weights. So you have to also add in the mental stress of knowing that. And stress DOES matter when lifting.

As far as who decides what equates to what, who knows?

[Gunny]

Here's another one. Try doing your entire routine with dumbbells instead of barbells. You got weights going everywhere, one in each hand in different directions and if you have a flaw/one side compensates for the other with the bar, the dumbbells will tell you REAL quick. It's an excellent way to try and "even" your body but it too is an ego killer. Especially in heavy pressing movements.

Then you have kettlebells. They're even wilder because the weight swivels in your grip.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

The "free weights vs machines" argument is as old as the first machine. It's also like the proverbial asshole -- everybody's got one.

A few things I know. One it depends 100% on what you want. Lifting is you vs the weight, not you vs anyone else's opinion and/or capability. Chasing someone else's capability unless you are a professional competitor is dumb and usually non-or-counter-productive.

I get caught up in the mentality of comparing what I used to lift to what I am lifting and calling it "baby weight". In context, I am stronger than the average man. I never remember that part when I'm looking to 1 rep max with a weight I used to use for a warm up :laugh:

What I know about the argument is this: There has been one, professional weightlifter/bodybuilder/power lifter that I know of that claimed to build his body with machines. That was Casey Viator back in the 80s, a competitive bodybuilder and Top 10 in pro events for a few years. The claim was he built his body using nothing but the Nautilus weight machines. A LOT of people were skeptical. For one, Arthur Jones who invented both the Universal and Nautilus machines was footing his bill to pimp his stuff :laugh:

From personal experience, I was a regular at pushing over 300 on the bench on the Universal. First time I tried free weights (heavy ones), I got 185. Serious ego crush :laugh:

The science behind it is free weights require a lot of auxiliary muscles machines do not. You have to balance the weight in free weights. On machines, you have only to move the weight along the predetermined track. If you drop it, it makes a lot of noise but you can jump away from it and no harm no foul. The free weights you have to be in control of from start to finish. You can seriously injure yourself or someone else if you drop a weight/miss a lift with free weights. So you have to also add in the mental stress of knowing that. And stress DOES matter when lifting.

As far as who decides what equates to what, who knows?
Yeah there's no way I'm going to be able to get as much good out of free weights as a universal gym, for one, because of the near total atrophy in my right triceps, and two, even when I use the front, bottom cable on the gym and do curls, I can feel a little catch in my back sometimes if I'm not consciously flexing my core to stand straight. The other thing about a gym for me was the ability to virtually get a total body workout on one machine.

And it's pretty obvious at this point that I'm not going to pack on a lot of bulk, although I will put some on, I just enjoy the workouts, it feels great and it's healthy.

Going to get a workout today shoveling SNOW... holy cow we got it good yesterday, and it's COLD.:thumb:

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Here's another one. Try doing your entire routine with dumbbells instead of barbells. You got weights going everywhere, one in each hand in different directions and if you have a flaw/one side compensates for the other with the bar, the dumbbells will tell you REAL quick. It's an excellent way to try and "even" your body but it too is an ego killer. Especially in heavy pressing movements.

Then you have kettlebells. They're even wilder because the weight swivels in your grip.
Been looking at barbells. I used to have a nice set, lost it somewhere after moving a dozen times. I might pick up another set. I know there's a lot of exercises you do with them, and them being free weights would be good.

[Gunny]

Yeah there's no way I'm going to be able to get as much good out of free weights as a universal gym, for one, because of the near total atrophy in my right triceps, and two, even when I use the front, bottom cable on the gym and do curls, I can feel a little catch in my back sometimes if I'm not consciously flexing my core to stand straight. The other thing about a gym for me was the ability to virtually get a total body workout on one machine.

And it's pretty obvious at this point that I'm not going to pack on a lot of bulk, although I will put some on, I just enjoy the workouts, it feels great and it's healthy.

Going to get a workout today shoveling SNOW... holy cow we got it good yesterday, and it's COLD.:thumb:


Been looking at barbells. I used to have a nice set, lost it somewhere after moving a dozen times. I might pick up another set. I know there's a lot of exercises you do with them, and them being free weights would be good.I went with the barbells to force my injured shoulder to keep up. I use dumbbells to isolate it and work it alone to build its strength up. Doubt it'll ever catch up, but if I focus on just rehabbing the injury I see a LOT of spinning my wheels. I literally started with 5 lbs and have worked my way up. The overload from the barbell weight has forced it to come along.

Gives me something to bitch about and blame :laugh:

I lift how I always have. At least since about 81. I used machines before that because that's mostly what was available to me. I don't knock them. And on a day like you described today being, I'd be sitting INSIDE at my weights watching it snow OUTSIDE :). Regardless the weather, I'm in the garage. It was bad when I lived in IL. I would have on long johns, sweats, clothes, heavy ass gloves, hat, snow boots and STILL have to run inside about every 20 minutes and thaw my hands. I was so bulked up it's a wonder I could move to lift :laugh:

It's still cold here insofar as that steel bar goes. I wear gloves between sets. But generally get away with just sweats and a hoodie.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

I went with the barbells to force my injured shoulder to keep up. I use dumbbells to isolate it and work it alone to build its strength up. Doubt it'll ever catch up, but if I focus on just rehabbing the injury I see a LOT of spinning my wheels. I literally started with 5 lbs and have worked my way up. The overload from the barbell weight has forced it to come along.

Gives me something to bitch about and blame :laugh:

I lift how I always have. At least since about 81. I used machines before that because that's mostly what was available to me. I don't knock them. And on a day like you described today being, I'd be sitting INSIDE at my weights watching it snow OUTSIDE :). Regardless the weather, I'm in the garage. It was bad when I lived in IL. I would have on long johns, sweats, clothes, heavy ass gloves, hat, snow boots and STILL have to run inside about every 20 minutes and thaw my hands. I was so bulked up it's a wonder I could move to lift :laugh:

It's still cold here insofar as that steel bar goes. I wear gloves between sets. But generally get away with just sweats and a hoodie.
That's why I put the gym in the house. There's some days I don't come out to the shop, and if it was out here and if I had to shovel snow, turn up the heat and all that just to work out, if I'm feeling lazy I won't, but when it's right in the house just a couple feet from me, I don't have an excuse not to workout. I still have to make myself START sometimes, but once I'm into it I'm gung-ho. Other days I can't wait to get to it.

Stepped on the scale this morning and I was 206 even, so I've officially lost 15 pounds. Slow but sure. Was wearing 38's," but I have on my 36" waist jeans and they're not even tight. Maybe I'll even have to go buy some 34" because I plan on losing another 15 at least. Six pounds to go to 200, and I haven't weighed under that for a good 10 years. I'll be makin' history... :laugh:

[High_Plains_Drifter]

@Gunny (http://www.debatepolicy.com/member.php?u=30)... I remember somewhere in this thread you said that you'd even lift sometimes after downing a bottle of Jack, that you "had issues,"... :laugh:

I'll tell ya brother, as much as I've been hitting it, I HAVE even came in from the shop a time of two after having a couple, and I'll have to tell ya, it just doesn't work for me. You gotta be an animal... :laugh:

IDK... the strength ain't there, the energy ain't there, seems like I'll hurt my damn self if I pushed it.

I will tell you this though, bro, I'm on my second bottle of Prime Labs testosterone boosters, and I swear they are helping. I was ripping some curls the other day and FINALLY the next day my biceps were a little sore, whereas before it never seemed like how hard I pushed the bis, they never got sore. Same with the lats, but they were a little sore too. So the pills might be helping build bulk, and that is the idea.

[Gunny]

@Gunny (http://www.debatepolicy.com/member.php?u=30)... I remember somewhere in this thread you said that you'd even lift sometimes after downing a bottle of Jack, that you "had issues,"... :laugh:

I'll tell ya brother, as much as I've been hitting it, I HAVE even came in from the shop a time of two after having a couple, and I'll have to tell ya, it just doesn't work for me. You gotta be an animal... :laugh:

IDK... the strength ain't there, the energy ain't there, seems like I'll hurt my damn self if I pushed it.

I will tell you this though, bro, I'm on my second bottle of Prime Labs testosterone boosters, and I swear they are helping. I was ripping some curls the other day and FINALLY the next day my biceps were a little sore, whereas before it never seemed like how hard I pushed the bis, they never got sore. Same with the lats, but they were a little sore too. So the pills might be helping build bulk, and that is the idea. @High_Plains_Drifter (http://www.debatepolicy.com/member.php?u=3558) I've been looking for this thread because I remember you responded in it. Leave it to you to put it in Science and Health :laugh:

I wouldn't recommend drinking and lifting to anyone. I was certainly setting no personal records at the time. I definitely wasn't lifting near my max. Thing is, I had to limit my lifting so I had "A workout". It was a Jack of All Trades, Master of none workout. In the early 80s I got too big for my uniforms. Twice. Expensive. Then I went on independent duty where I had to where charlies every day so my uniform had to fit every day. Plus, I had to be able to run 3 miles in 28 or less (28 is minimum to graze in with a pass). Then there's the time itself to work out.

My workout for years was tailored to fit me in my uniforms. When I retired, it was more about the time because suddenly I wasn't working out on the Corps' dime, and I was getting a Hell of a workout just being an electrician.

SO ... I could go through the motions, drinking or not. The difference between then and now is I have to actually concentrate and apply effort now.

Something else you've mentioned a couple of times I've really not commented on. I don't have an ab workout. I do different crap whenever the mood strikes for my abs. The abdominal wall is a muscle. It grows just like an other muscle with exercise. I used to do 400 situps every day before work (way back when) and wonder why I wasn't getting abs like Rambo (First Blood was new back then and suddenly put the demand on all of us to sport six packs).

Mostly, I'll do hanging leg raises from my pullup bar and it keeps my abs strong, which is my primary goal in working them.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

@High_Plains_Drifter (http://www.debatepolicy.com/member.php?u=3558) I've been looking for this thread because I remember you responded in it. Leave it to you to put it in Science and Health :laugh:

I wouldn't recommend drinking and lifting to anyone. I was certainly setting no personal records at the time. I definitely wasn't lifting near my max. Thing is, I had to limit my lifting so I had "A workout". It was a Jack of All Trades, Master of none workout. In the early 80s I got too big for my uniforms. Twice. Expensive. Then I went on independent duty where I had to where charlies every day so my uniform had to fit every day. Plus, I had to be able to run 3 miles in 28 or less (28 is minimum to graze in with a pass). Then there's the time itself to work out.

My workout for years was tailored to fit me in my uniforms. When I retired, it was more about the time because suddenly I wasn't working out on the Corps' dime, and I was getting a Hell of a workout just being an electrician.

SO ... I could go through the motions, drinking or not. The difference between then and now is I have to actually concentrate and apply effort now.

Something else you've mentioned a couple of times I've really not commented on. I don't have an ab workout. I do different crap whenever the mood strikes for my abs. The abdominal wall is a muscle. It grows just like an other muscle with exercise. I used to do 400 situps every day before work (way back when) and wonder why I wasn't getting abs like Rambo (First Blood was new back then and suddenly put the demand on all of us to sport six packs).

Mostly, I'll do hanging leg raises from my pullup bar and it keeps my abs strong, which is my primary goal in working them.
Well hey... ain't workin' out about HEALTH? ... ;)

For the past month or so I've kinda slowed to working out every other day, sometimes 3 or 4 days in a row, and I've gained a lot of strength. I notice the benefits of lifting a lot with things I do, like running my chain saw. Last year before the gym I noticed that it felt heavier than usual, but when I recently got it out to start getting rid of an old pile of wood from trees cut down, it felt a hellova lot lighter. I enjoy more reps with less weight usually, like three sets of 20 for each exercise. My problem is the damn right triceps. I do believe I've made the tiny little bit that works, a LITTLE bit stronger, but I haven't woken up anything significant. I think those nerves and muscles are just dead for the rest of my life, and that does hold me back. I'd like to do some benches with some heavy weight, but that just isn't happening. I have to settle for doing lots of reps with less weight.

I haven't paid much attention to abs work outs. I notice that I'm usually always flexing my core all the time doing other stuff anyway. But for the most part, I have been sticking with it. I do enjoy it. Kinda turns into a habit. I knew if I put the gym in the house right under my nose, I'd use it. This Fall will be a year since I bought it. I think there's a big difference is my build already. Not so much bulk, some, but getting good definition. It'll be interesting so see the difference a year has made. I bet if I was 30 years younger and hadn't crushed nerves in my neck, I'd have packed on quite a bit of bulk already. But I'll tell ya something else, I notice that I'm in a hellova lot better shape than most guys I know my age, and in a lot better shape than a hellova lot of young people I see. So many FAT people, lard asses, just look like a friggin' bowl of jello.

[Gunny]

Well hey... ain't workin' out about HEALTH? ... ;)

For the past month or so I've kinda slowed to working out every other day, sometimes 3 or 4 days in a row, and I've gained a lot of strength. I notice the benefits of lifting a lot with things I do, like running my chain saw. Last year before the gym I noticed that it felt heavier than usual, but when I recently got it out to start getting rid of an old pile of wood from trees cut down, it felt a hellova lot lighter. I enjoy more reps with less weight usually, like three sets of 20 for each exercise. My problem is the damn right triceps. I do believe I've made the tiny little bit that works, a LITTLE bit stronger, but I haven't woken up anything significant. I think those nerves and muscles are just dead for the rest of my life, and that does hold me back. I'd like to do some benches with some heavy weight, but that just isn't happening. I have to settle for doing lots of reps with less weight.

I haven't paid much attention to abs work outs. I notice that I'm usually always flexing my core all the time doing other stuff anyway. But for the most part, I have been sticking with it. I do enjoy it. Kinda turns into a habit. I knew if I put the gym in the house right under my nose, I'd use it. This Fall will be a year since I bought it. I think there's a big difference is my build already. Not so much bulk, some, but getting good definition. It'll be interesting so see the difference a year has made. I bet if I was 30 years younger and hadn't crushed nerves in my neck, I'd have packed on quite a bit of bulk already. But I'll tell ya something else, I notice that I'm in a hellova lot better shape than most guys I know my age, and in a lot better shape than a hellova lot of young people I see. So many FAT people, lard asses, just look like a friggin' bowl of jello.I've been into fitness since as far back as I can remember, in one form or another. One thing has always stood out like that neon billboard in Times Square to me:

People will do the stupidest, most unhealthiest and dangerous things in the name of fitness and health. "Gym 'tards" at best are comical and at worst annoying and/or dangerous to themselves and everyone around them. I can't say I actually ever measured up to the "gym tard" level, but I have definitely done both unhealthy and seriously dangerous stuff. I would definitely include lifting and drinking in the latter.

The weight training until the past couple of years was always secondary to functional strength and endurance to me. I practiced martial arts, played basketball, kickboxed, rock-climbed, swam, ran, and just about anything that presented a physical challenge, not to mention all the Marine Corps crap I had to do The entire time I was on active duty. When I retired and decided to be an electrician, I was always hanging off crap, climbing ladders all day, humping conduit and other materiel, so I was getting my functional exercise.

My functional exercise now consists of chasing a soon-to-be 2 years old all day and if you don't think that'll do it for ya, give it a shot :) I have always been of the opinion that muscle that doesn't work isn't worth much. Kinda like having a 350 under the hood and a a transmission from an AMC Pacer. If you can't get that power to the ground it's just a lot of noise.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

I've been into fitness since as far back as I can remember, in one form or another. One thing has always stood out like that neon billboard in Times Square to me:

People will do the stupidest, most unhealthiest and dangerous things in the name of fitness and health. "Gym 'tards" at best are comical and at worst annoying and/or dangerous to themselves and everyone around them. I can't say I actually ever measured up to the "gym tard" level, but I have definitely done both unhealthy and seriously dangerous stuff. I would definitely include lifting and drinking in the latter.

The weight training until the past couple of years was always secondary to functional strength and endurance to me. I practiced martial arts, played basketball, kickboxed, rock-climbed, swam, ran, and just about anything that presented a physical challenge, not to mention all the Marine Corps crap I had to do The entire time I was on active duty. When I retired and decided to be an electrician, I was always hanging off crap, climbing ladders all day, humping conduit and other materiel, so I was getting my functional exercise.

My functional exercise now consists of chasing a soon-to-be 2 years old all day and if you don't think that'll do it for ya, give it a shot :) I have always been of the opinion that muscle that doesn't work isn't worth much. Kinda like having a 350 under the hood and a a transmission from an AMC Pacer. If you can't get that power to the ground it's just a lot of noise.
I took a little Martial Arts when I was in the Air Force, but I've probably forgotten more than I learned... :laugh: I was always pretty active too. Played all the different phases of baseball from old enough to play up to Little League. Never played Pony League which included ages up into their twenties. I was too preoccupied with being a hoodlum. I thought that was the cool thing to do because they all liked cars and motorcycles. But, that was just a phase. My favorite was Wrestling. I wrestled for six years in high school. What I found so appealing was that you got matched up with someone that weighed the same as you.

My life changed when I joined the Air Force. That kinda put most things in perspective, but I sure did my share of partying and drinking, but at the same time, that's when I first started lifting. I didn't always have a gym or weights available after the AF so there were years when I didn't, but it was always on my mind. I never had a "sit down" job in my life though. I worked, physically, construction, the rail road, maintenance, all the way up to my last job with Harley Davidson. Never once did I have a job that was to go in and sit my ass down in a chair at a desk. That would have drove me crazy. I really liked helping my electrician buddy. Good honest work, and you're right, it's a lot of up and down on ladders, and squatting down and getting back up.

My lifting now is more to just stay in shape and keep what I have. I know though I can push it and probably could bulk up a bit. I don't think I'm too old not to. After seeing the gains I've made in the last six months, I know it just depends on how hard I want to hit it. And I agree about the 350 and a shitty transmission. I always figured there's two kinds of muscle, the kind you build from working your ass off, and the kind you build from pumping iron. I don't think they're the same.

[LongTermGuy]

Blessed with Good genes and height ...lean...in shape...Light weights for speed...stretching for agility and balance....

http://40.media.tumblr.com/a7339eefb0933995ab83309aae88d5ed/tumblr_mhcnxvZM5p1rbc568o1_500.jpg

:coffee:

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Gunny Well, I'm always reading and learning about lifting, and recently about importance to not lift the same muscles every day. They need a day off because that's when muscle growth happens. Also that if you want to put on size you really need to push it. You need to lift heavy and completely burn down your muscles to the point where you can't lift any more. There's a word for that state of your muscles but it escapes me right at the moment.

But I'll tell ya, if I was 25 years old again, with the amount of lifting I've done in the last year and half, I'd be starting to look like AHH-nold. But, at 64, it's pretty freakin' hard to pack on size. That's not to say I haven't though because I have. You just have to work twice as hard to get half as much. I can feel it though, and it's pretty obvious this old fuck lifts. Gettin' cut pretty well and getting stronger. Stronger than I thought I'd be able to also. Been adding weight and surprised I can lift it.

Lift for life.