Our Physical Fitness

[Mannahnin]

I'm so glad to see you sticking with it. That said, rest is important, too!

Thanks for the encouragement! I've kept up the habit very consistently for five years now (with a bit of a disruption in Spring 2024 due to extreme personal life drama and stress), including adapting my workouts around injuries rather than stopping because of them, so no question of quitting.

If I do go tonight, I'm going to try to keep it short and not overdo it.

 

[Scribe]

In my pre-covid life, I had core strength for days. We did it every day, both focused, and indirectly by being punched, kicked, or just keeping it engaged as we did drills or sparring.

Then, 2 things happened. I had a surgery that went sideways, couldn't train at all, could hardly move, for 6 months. Then, covid lock downs, no gym, no motivation.

Apparently weak transverse abs can impact not just the lower back but even digestion?!

I just tried to do some Vacuum exercises, which in the past I could really feel. Result?

It's like there's nothing there at all. No pull back, no squeeze, no nothing.

This is going to be a long road.

 

[Evaniel]

Upper 2
Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 6:10 PM

Bench Press (Smith Machine)
Set 1: 245 lb × 8
Set 2: 245 lb × 8

Pull Up
Set 1: 9 reps 45 lbs

Bent Over One Arm Row (Dumbbell)
Set 1: 105 lb × 10
Set 2: 105 lb × 10

Lateral Raise (Cable)
Set 1: 40 lb × 6
Set 2: 35 lb × 9

Incline Curl (Dumbbell)
Set 1: 40 lb × 12
Set 2: 40 lb × 10

Triceps Pushdown (Cable - Straight Bar)
Set 1: 90 lb × 12
Set 2: 90 lb × 12

Chest Fly (Dumbbell)
Set 1: 55 lb × 15

Somehow missed the plate for pull-ups. Dang.

 

[Scribe]

Arms/Shoulders. (Unofficial Weight: 189.6)

I need to increase the exercises. Maybe its just the lack of focus on these areas and I cannot do the 'one working set' approach yet as I dont have the strength or perhaps endurance in these smaller muscle groups to do much? I dont know. Maybe I'm just still recovering a bit from the weekend.

This on top of the fact I apparently have no internal ab strength is a bit demotivating lol

Thursday is a rest day, then Friday back on the Upper, followed by Saturday Legs.

 

[TiQuinn]

What is it with working out after the holidays, and trying to cut some weight that your body does that whole "Oh, wait! You're starving! We need to hold on to every bit of weight possible."

Me: "No, you doofus. We ate too damn much over the past month, and now you don't know what's normal anymore. It's a 200 calorie deficit from your normal. You're not starving."

 

[Mannahnin]

I made it back in last night! For the first time since Dec 22nd. Longest break in a very long time. Also tried out a new PF location; not sure it's really an improvement, but definitely closer to my new apt.

Last weight measurement I'm down to 167.8 from around 173 pre-illness, and I'm not completely over it, so I took this session light, did (almost) no drop sets, and gave myself plenty of rest between sets. That being said, I pushed myself a little harder and took gradually shorter rests across the session. Took about 45min to do three exercises. Avoided ANY coughing fits until I got into the car afterward.

Smith barbell inclined bench: 95x12, 95x13, 95x12
Machine biceps curls: 60x20, 70x17, 60x18
Hammerstrength (different machine than the last gym) overhead shoulder press: 30x20, 50x9 +40x3, 40x15

I feel a little pleasant soreness in my biceps, front delts, and maybe even my chest a little this morning, and it felt like I slept deeper last night too.

 

[CleverNickName]

What is it with working out after the holidays, and trying to cut some weight that your body does that whole "Oh, wait! You're starving! We need to hold on to every bit of weight possible."

Me: "No, you doofus. We ate too damn much over the past month, and now you don't know what's normal anymore. It's a 200 calorie deficit from your normal. You're not starving."

The way my doctor explained it to me: it's a survival reflex. It's triggered by ingesting fewer calories, yes, but also by the time of the year: shorter days and cooler temperatures tell your body "hey it's winter, evolution has taught us that food is going to be scarce for a few months so store up everything you can." It's a pain in the butt now, but it helped us survive an Ice Age not too long ago.

Apparently, sticking to a regular sleep schedule, staying warm, and getting plenty of light are all supposed to help. But I'm not a doctor, and neither is Google.

 

[Scribe]

ARGH.

My Doctor refuses to give me the tests I want. "You would have to pay." "I dont care." "You have no symptoms." "I'm aware" "Listen Scribe, you are fit, healthy, and have no issues, I wont request it."

"...."

 

[Xenolith234]

I started running 3x a week last week for the first time, and got two runs in so far this week (one was in the snow!) Did yoga twice on rest days, and there’s more forecasted snow tomorrow, of course on my run day!

 

[Evaniel]

I started running 3x a week last week for the first time, and got two runs in so far this week (one was in the snow!) Did yoga twice on rest days, and there’s more forecasted snow tomorrow, of course on my run day!

What kind of yoga are you doing?