Existence Is Punishment: Grappling Strong

Goddamn broslice, we're 20 kilos apart now! Off you went!
 
Goddamn broslice, we're 20 kilos apart now! Off you went!

At my height bro, it needs to be done. To be a really competitive powerlifter I'd have to be in the 140kg class...Sadface
 
Friday 06/10/2017

Front Squat

Barx3x5
40kgx5
60kgx1
80kgx1
100kgx1
120kgx1
130kgx2 *PR*

Close Grip Bench

Barx3x10
40kgx5
60kgx3
80kgx1
100kgx1
  • Front squat PB but this trapped nerve in neck/trap prevented any benching really
Sunday 08/10/2017

BB Row

62.5kgx3x12

DB Row
27.5kgx3x20

Lat Pulldown

80kgx4x15

Facepull
40kgx3x12

Hammer Curl

8kgx3x20
  • This session felt good but haven't trained since. Currently taking Naproxen & Codeine to try and fix the issue, and seeing sports therapist tonight
DuqBw5m.jpg


1z5uLxK.jpg
 
Didn't train for ten days, took the drugs, got slightly better, did this 190kg squat PB last night after a couple of light workouts. first squat PB since June.



Arm is still a bit fucked, hammy feels slightly better but this aggravated it a little, but MRI is happening soon and rehab is ongoing for the neck. It isn't a disc issue according to sports therapist or doctor so postural work is happening.

xLm6mU3.jpg


8LzWe2p.jpg
 
Wednesday 25/10/2017

High Bar Squat

Barx5x5
40kgx5
60kgx3
80kgx1
100kgx1

Deficit Deadlift
40kgx3x10
60kgx5
80kgx1
100kgx1
120kgx1
135kgx2

BTN Press

50kgx3x6
45kgx6

Lat Pull Down
100kgx3x12

Hammer Curl

8kgx3x20
  • Hamstrings rebelled on deficits (should have been 3x3), all warmups done hook grip which felt quite good
  • Neck/shoulder still fucked, am now on naproxen and amitryptiline
5GZx2W9.jpg


c5syxtZ.jpg
 
Catching up on logging

Wednesday 25/10/2017

High Bar Squat
Barx3x10
40kgx5
60kgx3
80kgx1
100kgx1
120kgx1

Deficit Deadlifts
40kgx3x10
60kgx5
80kgx1
100kgx1
120kgx1
135kgx2

BTN Press
20kgx10
35kgx8
47.5kgx4x10

Lat Pulldowns
100kgx3x12

· Cut deficits short due to hammy pain, the 190 squat PB didn’t help

Friday 27/10/2017

Bench
Barx10
40kgx10
57.5kgx4x5

Overhead Triceps (Rope)
10kgx4x12

Single Arm Tricep Extension
4kgx4x10

Facepulls
25kgx4x15

Hammer Curls
8kgx3x15

Sunday 29/10/2017
BB Row
Barx10
40kgx10
70kgx3x10

DB Row
25kgx4x10

Facepulls
30kgx4x15

Hammer Curls
10kgx4x10

Monday 30/10/2017

Squat
Barx3x5
40kgx5
60kgx1 *belt
80kgx1
100kgx1
120kgx1
140kgx1
160kgx1
180kgx1
200kgx1 *PR*

Bench
Barx3x5
40kgx5
60kgx3x5

Overhead Tricep (Rope)
11kgx3x12

Single Arm Tricep Extension
4kgx4x12

· No fucking clue where that massive squat came from. Thinking the Naproxen (Aleve) is probably helping the hamstring inflammation



ESknR6n.jpg


Lp4xlQh.jpg
 
Congratulations, not bad that soon after 190!

Probably been sandbagging for a while and under performing due to injury, but I will take it.

Wednesday 01/11/2017


High Bar Squat

Barx3x5
40kgx5
60kgx3
80kgx1
100kgx1

Deficit Deadlift

40kgx5x10

BTN Press

Barx10
40kgx5
55kgx3x6 (push pressed 1st rep)

Single Arm Lat Pulldown

40kgx4x12
  • No drama, hamstring in pieces after Monday's 200kg squat
vzdJyKF.jpg


tg1yEjz.jpg
 
Friday 03/11/2017

High Bar Squat
Barx3x10
40kgx10
60kgx10
70kgx3x6
80kgx1 paused
100kgx1 paused

Bench

Barx3x10
40kgx5
60kgx1
65kgx3x5

DB Rows
30kgx4x10

OH Tricep Extensions

10kgx4x10

Hammer Curls

10kgx3x10

Facepulls

30kgx3x12
  • Hamstring a bit painful but no biggie, left tricep not firing properly on last 2 reps but slowly improving
Saturday 04/11/2017

BB Row
70kgx4x8

Single Arm Lat Pull

50kgx4x10

Facepulls
30kgx4x10

Hammer Curls

10kgx4x10

Laterals
6kgx4x10

Side Laterals

6kgx4x10
  • BB assistance. Got a pump, ate a burrito, watched Thor 3, now drinking beer
BOeeZnW.jpg

2lr63Uj.jpg
 
Monday 06/11/2017

High Bar Squat

Barx3x5
40kgx5
60kgx3
80kgx1
100kgx1

Deadlift
60kgx5
100kgx1
140kgx1
160kgx1
170kgx1

Bench

Barx3x10
40kgx5
60kgx1
70kgx1
80kgx1
60kgx10

Lat Pulldowns

50kgx4x12
  • Aborted deadlifts due to hamstring, rest was tough due to nerve pain
h24SszG.jpg


hwxd59uvevwz.jpg
 
Nerve pain came back, got signed off work on sick for two weeks. Been given amitryptiline, codeine and naproxen and it has started to settle down. Done three workouts that were lightish but nothing major. Will start logging again from Weds, but until then...

eFI22aA.jpg


rdDvswg.jpg
 
Been doing not much. Couple of light paused squat stuff 100kg ish high bar, some 40kg overhead presses and 50kg benching. Sumo deadlifts 40-45kg for 4 sets of 12.

Pain in neck is reduced but still weakness and numbness in fingers and tricep. Hamstring injury is still there, I went up to 140kg and it was a 3/10. MRI on neck on December 6th and physiotherapy on December 15th. Still waiting for ortho date for hamstring.

Going back to GP on Monday for resupply of drugs, also going to get antidepressants and private counselling as been struggling to see the point of getting out of bed most days. Sleep for around 14 hours a day and feel very trapped in life, especially job/career or lack of - all hope is gone.
 
Hang in there mate, those times are tough.
And props for getting counselling, that takes a great deal of courage.
 
Hang in there mate, those times are tough.
And props for getting counselling, that takes a great deal of courage.

I'd at it's more desperation than courage at this point. I veer from feeling trapped in my job and that I can do something much more special and meaningful, to feeling like an entitled fuck who should be happy with where I am and just accept the mediocrity, after all I am pretty lucky to be where I am. It's like my ego won't let me be normal and it fucking sucks because I'm entitled AND I feel guilty about it.
 
Not trained in 3 weeks. Sold all my powerlifting gear, music equipment and BJJ gear to clear a load of debts. I have a gym bag and some Adipowers, a lacrosse ball, voodoo floss, resistance band, foam roller and some cheap dumbbells and that's it. Quit my band, split up with the gf (she was the singer in the band) and am now back at work. Pain is pretty bad, tricep is weak, numbness in arm and hand but have full ROM. MRI results are with the doctor and first physio is on Friday. I found someone who does Graston and ART who thinks it can be easily fixed, I am hoping it's not disc related. Chin Tucks and McKenzie methods hurt it, and they are supposed to relieve disc symptoms. Hoping it's muscular and therefore can be cured with rehab, I have zero neck pain so that's suggests it's not a disc.

My boss took me in the office on my first day back, Tuesday 5th, said my sick note wasn't good enough and that everyone in the office didn't like me because of all the extra work I had caused them. Said I could have come in and done something despite the note. While I was off someone had logged onto my PC and seen that I had sent myself a copy of my CV a few days before going off, printed it off and gave it to my boss. I am getting a written warning on the 21st from him and HR, I have gotten my trade union official involved to accompany me.

While I was off sick I was talking to a girl I know who is a support worker your kids with mental problems, she ended up calling the police due to my mental state as she said I seemed in a bad way (she has a duty of care). They came to my flat but couldn't remove me legally, so they asked me to go to hospital. I didn't at the time but on Friday after work we had really cold weather here, and I ended up in a supermarket with a bottle of Jager in my hand - I was going to go and buy it, find somewhere quiet, drink it all and take my coat off and just go to sleep and hopefully freeze. Not sure what happened but I somehow made my way to A&E, and was referred to a clinical psychologist. I think self preservation must have kicked in as I don't remember getting there.

Suffice to say it's not been a good time.
 
What happened man? Just recently you were smashing PBs everywhere. If this has snowballed from the nerve pain I'd be doing as much research on it as possible & trying to find a solution. If you're taking a heap of meds for it be very wary of withdrawals, they can come on fast & will make you feel really awful as you probably know. Take care of yourself.
 
Last edited:
I wasn't really smashing PB's, I hadn't set a squat PB since June and a deadlift PB since Jan. Bench fell off the cliff with the nerve thing. Had an MRI and the physiotherapist gave me a load of exercises to do today. Currently on Naproxen daily and co codamol as needed, off amityptiline at least. Will see how the neck heals over christmas and maybe go back to the gym in the new year.
 
This log gives Teddy the feels.

Two things that probably saved my life as a younger man: quitting drinking (that happened first); getting over the stigma of having issues with anxiety/depression, and actually letting a clinical professional deal with them.

That was years ago, and after doing those two things I've been healthier, more successful, better able to train, and a significantly better person (as cliche as that might sound). I'm only 30 now, but I was real close to being a 19 year old alcoholic that drank himself to death in one way or another.

It gets better. But it takes some acknowledgement and fortitude. You certainly have the fortitude, just need to point it in the right direction.
 
I am waiting for the psychologist appointment and have been doing a rehab programme for my hamstring that I got off Layne Norton's physical therapist. Days are mostly bad, but there are a few OK ones. Just trying to survive.
 
Got through Christmas. I don't feel good but I will hold on.
 
Back
Top