The Path of Aloneness @thepathofaloneness - Tumblr Blog

Short recovery run with Quang. Took it easy and walked in places. Good to just have a day just running at an easy pace.

Weight: 82.6Kg

Workout: Recovery Run

Weights day on Thursday followed up by a long run today. Felt really tired during todays run and suffered a stitch half way through. Tried taking some Gu Energy chews before heading out which may have caused the upset stomach. I should really let my shake settle a bit before running. The run was just under 9km but felt like a bit of a struggle towards the end. I really couldn't keep my cadence up at all. It's runs like this that make me nervous for the marathon.

Weight: 82.6Kg

Workout: Long Intervals

First go at running intervals. Even though it was only 8 x 400m at 12.5km/h, it still felt pretty tough. Also received my tester batch from Gu Energy

Weight: 84.2Kg

Workout: Running Intervals

Heavy back squats for a change. Barely managed to squeeze out three reps of 120kg. Disappointing.

Weight: 85Kg (Switching to metric!)

Workout: Weights Day (Greyskull LP)

Because I normally spend Saturday nights playing Starcraft and reading, I end up going to bed late then waking up just before lunch time on Sundays, meaning I don't have time to workout. I'm just going to pencil Sundays in as a rest day from now on.

Weight: 187lbs

Workout: Rest

As I received my London Marathon place I've begun running a bit now. As my ankle can play up I'm easing myself slowly into it. After a bit of reading and watching videos on YouTube I'm making a conscious effort to run more efficiently. Today I did a run with a metronome going at 180bpm the whole way to increase my cadence. Certainly made a big difference compared to running without it:

Before and after metronome:

Weight: 185lbs

Workout: Running - Tempo Run

Even though I'm cutting calories I'm determined not to make the mistake of moving to a more cardio based program while trying to lose weight. So keeping the weights high. Been experimenting with my macros and I definitely respond better to low carb and high fat. So I've been playing around with that and reached a new low of 189. This past weekend was really bad diet wise so that's set me back a bit but I should soon settle back down again once I've flushed some of this water and carbs out my system. Just a bit of a pain week as I'm out a lot too.

Have been mixing in some cycling too. Rather than ride my motorbike to my girlfriends I've been riding the bike. Seems like an easy way to get some cardio in without having to sacrifice anything else. Means I'm a little bit tired for my morning workouts on Wednesday and Friday, but I should adjust soon enough.

Weight: 192.5lbs

Workout: Weights Day (Greyskull LP)

Still here. Still lifting. Still trying to lose weight.

I've signed up for a 5 mile run as well as next years London marathon. Hoping to get a sub 35 minute time on the 5 miler. If I start training now then I should be able to do it fine.

Weight: 193lbs

Workout: Weights Day (Greyskull LP)

Managed to keep my weight around 190 for most of last week which was great. Ate large on Sunday which means my weight is up a little bit today but no biggie.

After seeing this video of my deadlift I made some tweaks to my form. Mainly making sure I get my hips low down when starting. This had the knock on effect of reducing my weight to 140kg but I'm still feeling it in my glutes a day later. It's hard on the ego but will be better for me in the long run.

Weight: 193.5lbs

Workout: Rest Day

Been doing a really bad job of keeping this blog updated. I see it's been over two weeks since my last update. Started dieting on the 2nd April and it's slow and difficult. I'm playing with ~1800 on rest days and ~2300 on workout days but I'm finding it a real struggle to stay in that range. I normally end up going over by 100-200 calories. Even though my weight is hovering around the same I think I'm looking a tad bit leaner in the mirror, but that could just be my eyes playing tricks on me.

Weight: 192lbs

Workout: Rest Day

Had absolutely no energy today. Every lift was a real struggle and fell short of my normal numbers. Probably down to a bad nights sleep and low calories yesterday. Thankfully it's a long weekend which will be a good way to rest up and recover.

I noticed someone waiting for the boxing class this morning. They were all ready to go, but I assume they got the times mixed up as they just stood there for a good 20-30 minutes, waiting. Why would you ever do that? Why not do something? Shadow box, stretch, warmup, jog or even walk on the treadmill. Be productive with your time in the gym. Someone using the machine you want, wait a minute or two perhaps, if it doesn't look like they're going anywhere soon, do something else. The universe won't implode if you don't follow your exact routine or order. If you've only got a limited amount of time maximise the usage of it.

Weight: 192.5lbs

Workout: Weights Day (Greyskull LP)

Got a bit carried away yesterday with eating junk. Not to worry, back on track again from today though.

Weight: 194.5lbs

Workout: Rest Day

Updates have been lacking recently sadly, but on the flip side workouts have been good. For quite a few years I followed Starting Strength, which shot my squat numbers up through the roof (180kg Squat PR) but I'd generally not feel tired or exhausted at the end of it, plus my upper body development was pretty rubbish. For years I would scoff at people doing curls thinking "Pfft, so vain, you can't even squat shit", but as time went on I realised that all that was happening was that they'd look good and I'd just have big legs. This year is the first year I've added upper body exercises including bicep curls and triceps extensions. It might be vain, but if I'm honest with myself I go to the gym to look good. What's the point in spending so much time in the gym if I don't even look like I do. As a result of my program being more rounded and full body I end up feeling like I've really worked out. It's good and I enjoy it a lot more.

Previously I mentioned a PT getting their client to do front squats and how horrible it looked. I saw the same PT getting a client to do the most bastardised version of an overhead squat the other day, followed by mental jumping split cleans. It's obvious the client couldn't handle the weight and their form was suffering because of it. Why not start your client with no weight before giving them a barbell? Aren't you supposed to put your client's health first? Making them do dangerous and unsafe shit doesn't sound like you are.

Recorded my Sunday workout:

Weight: 193.5lbs

Workout: Weights Day (Greyskull LP)

First week of my 12 week challenge didn't really go as well as I had hoped, mostly down to eating out a lot for Mother's day. But my weight is still hovering around 195 so that's alright.

Workouts have been really good recently. Been pushing myself really hard and I can really feel the results. Feeling physically tired, but in a good way.

Recorded my Saturday workout:

Weight: 194.5lbs

Workout: Weights Day (Greyskull LP)

Decided enough is enough. Starting a 12 week "diet challenge". Rather than waiting until the end of March to start I'm going to start a bit early by reducing my workout day calories. I am going to cycle between ~2100 and ~2500 calories and see where that leaves me at the end of the month. If I've lost weight then I'll continue those calories for a while longer, if not, then I'll cut a bit more from both days. Just need to lay off the pies for 12 weeks. Just 12 weeks!

Weight: 197.5lbs

Workout: Weights Day (Greyskull LP)

I went for a BJJ lesson after a few months and now my knee is killing me. It often "pops" when rolling and just ends up being tight for a few days. Hopefully it'll pass.

I can't believe that I've gone from 194.5 yesterday to 199.5 today. Weight is such a fickle thing! Still had a good day in the gym. Going to have to skip squats for a while until my knee loosens up again.

Weight: 199.5lbs

Workout: Weights Day (Greyskull LP)

Sometimes I feel like I don't understand my body at all. This time last week I was 198 now I'm 193 again. It's just a roller coaster. I just couldn't resist getting back to the weights after tweaking my back a little last week. Going to have to pay more attention to my form from now on. I'm going to give front squats a bit of a rest as that's what did my back last time, so it's back squatting for a while.

My left hip-flexor is really bugging me. I'm going to have to do something about that for sure.

Weight: 193lbs

Workout: Weights Day (Greyskull LP)

Trending Blogs

Recently Viewed Blogs

The Path of Aloneness