Our Physical Fitness

[AlexofBarbaria]

I finished up 3 months of consistent training last week, took a week off, now starting a new routine!

I gained 18 pounds Bit more than I was expecting. The first 8 or so was just getting back to my normal/maintenance weight though.

Before and after pics:

I've definitely put on some fat, but according to the Navy calculator (the one that uses waist and neck size) I'm at 16%, not terrible. So I've decided to bulk 3 more months and try to put on another 10lb or so. Then I think I'll get a DEXA scan to get an accurate bodyfat percentage reading. Never had one before.

I've also been doing something new this past week: an isometric contraction routine to strengthen the elbows (and hopefully add some arm size). I simply press one hand against the other (contracting the triceps of the top hand and the biceps of the bottom) as hard as I can for 30 seconds. I do 3 sets for each arm, one round each at 3 elbow angles: about 120°, 90° and 60°. With a 1 minute rest between rounds, it takes 5 minutes total. I do this twice a day, skipping the evening one on days I workout.

Also have an update about this isometrics routine. I gained 3/8" arm size. Based on how fast they typically grow (not fast), much of that must be due to the isometrics. My curling strength has also shot up. So I'm going to continue with this for 3 more months (even though it's getting tedious, tbh). The tendon gains I can't really measure, so I'm just going to assume that's happening as a bonus.

 

[Scribe]

Made it to the gym today as planned.

Everything was mostly light, slow, full range of motion, almost stretching kind of stuff. Came home, quick recovery drink then Sauna, and I only lost a few pounds, even though I sweat a ton. Its a bit weird. I used to be able to lose easily 5-8 pounds of fluid, and now its like 'no sorry, here's 2 tops' which I dont get but whatever I guess.

Sun finally came out but looks like we are going into a week of rain? Not cool.