Shred Matrix Journey

This is a log of Shred Matrix based on the 8 stages it claims to provide.

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Lifting 270lbs ain't good photo material...but there was my trainer with his phone. :P New personal best, and as Hugh Jackman says "If the bar ain't bending then you're just pretendin'" ;)

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Day 29-33 - August 11th-15th

Work picked up making it next to impossible to blog about Shred. I also didn't take notes :( BUT! I have each days' workouts! Monday August 11th

Game Time - Sprints followed by basketball and ultimate.

Played for my friends' baseball team after work.

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Tuesday August 12th

Personal Training

15 minute basketball warm up (I don't really like basketball all that much, but I can shoot...and I won the warm up - which made my training partner run - it would have made our trainer run too but my partner argued that the rules were we had to beat the trainer...and that because I had finished didn't mean he had to run because he hadn't lost yet...didn't work out so well in the end :P)

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Back Squats & Box Jumps (30") 5x5

Set 1 - 95lbs || Set 2 - 125lbs || Set 3 - 145lbs || Set 4 - 165lbs || Set 5 - 185lbs . Followed by: 2 laps of the soccer field

5 Pull-ups

10 Push-Ups

15 Squats

By 5 rounds

2 laps of the soccer field

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Wednesday August 13th

Industrial Strength

Deadlifts 4x6

Set 1 - 135lbs || Set 2 - 185lbs || Set 3 - 205lbs || Set 4 - 225lbs || Set 5 225lbs

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Grip strength (4 Rounds)

Carry a 15lbs plate in each hand away from the body (essentially by the finger tips) up and down the halls twice.

10 push-ups.

3 Sets

10 single arm shoulder press (each arm) - 35lbs

10 bent over row (both arms) - 55lbs

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Thursday August 14th

Overload - this was a bit of a surprise...I was supposed to play beach volleyball but the other team cancelled on my team. :( .

3 Rounds (40lbs) 20 Thrusters

20 Bent Over Row

20 Reverse Lunge

20 Bench Press

20 Clean and Squat

1 Set of Stairs (5 flights)

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Friday August 15th

Personal Training!

Single Arm Snatch (10 each side)

Set 1 - 40lbs || Set 2 - 45lbs || Set 3 - 50lbs

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4 Rounds

Half Turkish Get Up (w/ 16kg kettlebell) 3 each side Max Full Push-Ups (about 8-12)

Push Press (w/ 16kg kettlebell) 10 each arm

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Lastly we finished with a lovely sled exercise

I don't really know what to call the sled...it was like one of those things people jump onto...but really small...only about 10" high.

Anyways inside it was about 120lbs.

Which I pushed down the corridor, my partners pushed it back, and the third guy who joined us just for today brought it back to me. I did 5 lengths (they did 4 ;)) My quads felt like lead...I'm sure by length 5 the only thing keeping me going was putting one foot in front of the other and not thinking.

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Notes on Shred Matrix - I didn't really get any negative effects this week - just more of the same, you know? Light headache once or twice. I also upped my dosage to 3 caps each time.

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Day 26 - August 8th

Shreds’ 8 Stages - How I felt today about them.

Stage 1 & 2 - ‘Energy & Fat Metabolism’ - Felt pretty mediocre throughout the day; training was push back till 4 because of an event the gym was running - but throughout the workout I felt pretty good.

Stages 3 & 4 - ‘Appetite Balancing & Weight Management Control’ - Wasn't overly hungry, but had my meals.

Stage 5 - ‘Anti-Stress Mood Balancing Matrix’ - Stress wasn't a factor today, even with work moving in a fast and furious pace.

Stage 6 - ‘Brain Power Matrix’ - I'm not sure, I get really absorbed in my work...and I was almost late for training...does that mean high brain power for the work...or low brain power that I was almost late...

Stage 7 - ‘Diuretic Complex’ - Yes.

Stage 8 - ‘Sugar Stop & Enzyme Aid Matrix’ - *shrugs* I still like sugar.

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Today’s Workout;

Today's workout was yet another personal training session with the same trainer as on Tuesday, so of course our warm up included Junkyard Dog. :D

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3 Pose Clean - Power, Hang, High Hang - Split Jerk after the high hang.

Set 1 - 65lbs || Set 2 - 85lbs || Set 3 - 105lbs || Set 4 - 115lbs

High hang was cut from set 4, and instead I went from hang clean to split jerk.

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Deadlift;

2x5

Set 1 - 125lbs || Set 2 - 155lbs

2x3

Set 1 - 205lbs || Set 2 - 225lbs

2x1

Set 1 - 250lbs || Set 2 - 260lbs (Personal Best)

(Felt pretty awesome about the 260...cause one of the trainers was giving me a hard time cause I got my last PB (250) using straps, but this time I got it without straps)

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Lastly was 'Fight Gone Bad' (2 rounds)

Wall Ball (14lbs)

Push Press (55lbs)

Box Jump (16")

Sumo High Pull (55lbs) Row (Tension 10)

Set 1 - 95 reps || Set 2 - 100 reps

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Notes on Shred Matrix - No negatives effects again, so I'll count that lucky. Also during the end of training in fight gone bad I surpassed my training partners' totals by quite a bit...whether this was Shred's energy giver, or me just wanting to do better than him...who knows.

But after we were finished he was dead tired and I wasn't.

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Day 25 - August 7th

Shreds’ 8 Stages - How I felt today about them.

Didn't take Shred today because I didn't have a workout, and I also didn't feel like taking them just to take them.

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Today’s Workout;

No real workout today just a competitive match of Beach Volleyball.

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Notes on Shred Matrix -

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Day 24 - August 6th

Shreds’ 8 Stages - How I felt today about them.

Stage 1 & 2 - ‘Energy & Fat Metabolism’ - A blah day...I felt more awake as usual after the workout, but still sleepy.

Stages 3 & 4 - ‘Appetite Balancing & Weight Management Control’ - Hard to say on a blah day.

Stage 5 - ‘Anti-Stress Mood Balancing Matrix’ - Blah Day!

Stage 6 - ‘Brain Power Matrix’ - Blah day.

Stage 7 - ‘Diuretic Complex’ - Yes.

Stage 8 - ‘Sugar Stop & Enzyme Aid Matrix’ - I still enjoy sugar on the occasion I have it. I honestly don't think anything will stop you from eating sugar if you want it.

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Today’s Workout;

Today's workout was run by a different trainer as the regular one is still on vacation, but all the same it was still industrial strength:

4x8

Back Squat (130lbs)

Bent over row (75lbs)

Push-up Pyramid - Chest to Floor

1 to 8 to 1.

3x10

Tricep Pull (Set 1 - 60lbs || Set 2 - 70lbs || Set 3 - 90lbs)

Bicep Curl (20lbs) (10 each arm)

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Notes on Shred Matrix - No negative effects today, not much else to say about it.

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Day 23 - August 5th

Shreds’ 8 Stages - How I felt today about them.

Stage 1 & 2 - ‘Energy & Fat Metabolism’ - I think it's more the workouts that wake me up, as I'm taking this as a pre-wod I can't really say it gives me a pep in my step, but I certainly don't feel tired after my workouts.

Stages 3 & 4 - ‘Appetite Balancing & Weight Management Control’ - I'd say this is working, I'm not hungry as often, and when I am less food is doing the trick of filling me up.

Stage 5 - ‘Anti-Stress Mood Balancing Matrix’ - No anti-stress balancer thing is going to de-stress my job...but this could potentially be helping.

Stage 6 - ‘Brain Power Matrix’ - Sure, I'm finding my memory is a bit sharper.

Stage 7 - ‘Diuretic Complex’ - Yes.

Stage 8 - ‘Sugar Stop & Enzyme Aid Matrix’ - Like I've said before...it's not like I see a cookie and I'm like "ewww cookie", nah, I'm just like "I don't really fancy that cookie right now".

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Today’s Workout;

Why write when you can post a picture! Courtesy of the temp trainer while our regular trainer is on vacay. This trainer is a Crossfit junkie, and this was one excellent workout we did today. The warm up was even pretty intense; I think one of the warm-ups we did was called junkyard dog...man, Crossfit has some weird names for stuff.

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All I gotta say for this is...100 lunges....100 bleepin' lungues with a 25lb plate....it was a good time.

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Notes on Shred Matrix -Another awesome day; headache free and excessive sweating! All right!

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Day 19 - August 1st

Shreds’ 8 Stages - How I felt today about them.

Stage 1 & 2 - ‘Energy & Fat Metabolism’ - Friday's are a hard day to judge for this...but I suppose I didn't really feel burnt out.

Stages 3 & 4 - ‘Appetite Balancing & Weight Management Control’ - No. Was hungry. Food; yes please.

Stage 5 - ‘Anti-Stress Mood Balancing Matrix’ - Same as yesterday, bunch of stressers, but didn't get down and out.

Stage 6 - ‘Brain Power Matrix’ - When you have a job like mine your brain power is constantly tested...I'd say today was a pass.

Stage 7 - ‘Diuretic Complex’ - Yes.

Stage 8 - ‘Sugar Stop & Enzyme Aid Matrix’ - Sugar still tastes like sugar, but there are no cravings for it.

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Today’s Workout;

Personal Training day! .

Deadlifts

3x3

Set 1 - 225lbs ||| Set 2 - 235lbs || Set 3 250lbs

1x1

255lbs (With this one, I thought I was fully extended but my trainer said no...so basically I was about an inch away from a new PB ...Next Time!!)

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3 Sets

10x Seated Shoulder Press (25lbs)

10x Seated Row (90lbs)

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3 Sets

5 Push-ups

Sprint 2 Lengths

5 Squats

Sprint 2 Lengths

5 Jumping Squats

Sprint 2 Lengths

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Notes on Shred Matrix - I've been mentioning the thermogenic a lot lately...guess my body is finally accepting it and just letting the sweat fly. I can now understand why the bottle warns to drink so much water...between the diuretic complex ("pissing like a race horse" as my co-worker calls it), and the thermogenic ("sweating like a beast" as another co-worker calls it) you release a lot of water.

No headaches or negative repercussions today.

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Day 18 - July 31st

Shreds’ 8 Stages - How I felt today about them.

Stage 1 & 2 - ‘Energy & Fat Metabolism’ - Energy levels were running at optimum levels...but my high energy is probably some peoples low energy.

Stages 3 & 4 - ‘Appetite Balancing & Weight Management Control’ - Was super busy, did not have time to eat really...

Stage 5 - ‘Anti-Stress Mood Balancing Matrix’ - Another day in the office another 10 stressful situations, but I suppose they weren't so bad.

Stage 6 - ‘Brain Power Matrix’ - Yeah, I kept focused during the workout - despite just absolutely pouring sweat.

Stage 7 - ‘Diuretic Complex’ - Yes.

Stage 8 - ‘Sugar Stop & Enzyme Aid Matrix’ - No. Give me sugar.

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Today’s Workout;

Thursday is Overload - which is generally circuit work:

3 Sets: Set 1 - 30lbs || Set 2 - 35lbs || Set 3 - 40lbs

10x Backsquat - Left Reverse Lunge - Right Reverse Lunge

10x Bent over row

10x Clean and Press

Stairs

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3 Sets - All at 40lbs

20x Romania Deadlift

10 Leg Raises (Holding the bar over chest in a bench press fashion)

15 Bench Press

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20 Sit-ups

40 ball taps (20 each side)

10 Partner Leg pushes (straight down) 20 Partner Leg pushes (side, or straight down)

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Notes on Shred Matrix - Thermogenic was in effect...like really in effect. I've never really had the sweat dripping off under your chin before...so that was new. Again I got a small headache, and a little lightheaded...but as usual it passed in about 2 minutes.

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Day 17 - July 30th

Shreds’ 8 Stages - How I felt today about them.

Stage 1 & 2 - ‘Energy & Fat Metabolism’ - Not today...lethargic all day.

Stages 3 & 4 - ‘Appetite Balancing & Weight Management Control’ - Hardly ate anything all day, but after hockey I was absolutely starving - but that was fixed with a stop at subway for an egg white omelette.

Stage 5 - ‘Anti-Stress Mood Balancing Matrix’ - Today...today was just brutal; at one point in the day I had 5 people lined up around my desk waiting to get my attention for their problem/task - and the emails were just non-stop demanding my attention...I suppose I felt less stressed/anxiety that previous times this happened

Stage 6 - ‘Brain Power Matrix’ - I got my work done no problem. I felt clear minded too.

Stage 7 - ‘Diuretic Complex’ - Yes.

Stage 8 - ‘Sugar Stop & Enzyme Aid Matrix’ - No. Give me sugar.

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Today’s Workout;

Wednesday is a double whammy; Industrial Strength at lunch, and Ball Hockey after work. Got a new PB Deadlift during Industrial Strength (not only that, but a PB for 3), and scored 2 goals, and assisted on 4 other goals during hockey. .

Industrial Strength;

Deadlifts 5x3 - I got to use my new straps today; they certainly saved my hands from being torn open again.

.Set 1 - 135lbs || Set 2 - 165lbs || Set 3 - 225lbs || Set 4 - 235lbs || Set 5 - 250lbs

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Followed by 3 Rounds of:

10 Chest to Floor Pushups

10 TRX Rows (vertical to floor)

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Followed by 3 rounds of:

7 Assisted Pull-ups (I am so far off doing unassisted pull-ups...aye...) 10 Single arm overhead press Left Arm

10 Single arm overhead press Right arm

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Then as mentioned I played Ball Hockey after work for 2 hours (our normal play time). We won by 3 goals - super intense game...so much cardio.

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Notes on Shred Matrix - That thermogenic...oh man, that thermogenic - I was sweating so much during hockey...and was very annoyed when one of the guys stole my towel at halftime! Felt good today; no headaches.

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Day 16 - July 29th

Shreds’ 8 Stages - How I felt today about them.

Stage 1 & 2 - ‘Energy & Fat Metabolism’ - After the first hour of being awake I felt pretty good (be honest, nobody is a morning person...nobody...if you say you are...I'm pretty sure you're lying). As normal I felt awake and alert after my workout. As for the fat metabolism; I'm unsure if it's related but I'm starting to think my muscles are getting a tiny bit more define.

Stages 3 & 4 - ‘Appetite Balancing & Weight Management Control’ - Another day for relatively little food; small bowl of cereal for breakfast, then a handful of trail mix for a snack...then nothing until dinner at 5:30 - which wasn't very healthy: a pulled pork sandwich on a kaiser bun...man I struggled to finish this.

Stage 5 - ‘Anti-Stress Mood Balancing Matrix’ - Yeah, I mean..sure...I feel pretty good.

Stage 6 - ‘Brain Power Matrix’ - Working OT tonight I thought I'd be checked out considering I did some pretty mind numbing tasks all day - but I was able to think quite clearly and discover the root of a problem.

Stage 7 - ‘Diuretic Complex’ - Yes.

Stage 8 - ‘Sugar Stop & Enzyme Aid Matrix’ - Good try shred....but...sugar still tastes good.

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Today’s Workout;

Tuesday...Tuesday...Tuesday; Personal Training day

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Back Squats; 5x5

Set 1 - 105lbs || Set 2 - 125lbs || Set 3 - 145lbs || Set 4 - 165lbs || Set 5 - 175lbs

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Circuit x2

10 Burpees

2 Lengths of the gym

1 set of stairs (5 floors)

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Upper Body x3

Seated Shoulder Press x10 (25lbs)

Seated Curls x10 (20lbs)

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Ended the session with suicides. Except they weren't your conventional suicides. Our trainer would call 1, 2, 3, or, 4 and we'd have to sprint there and back.

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Notes on Shred Matrix - Oh boy...did I ever get a headache today, but luckily for me mine rarely last long and it was gone in 800ml of water and 10 minutes later. Thermogenic was at it again, my under armour shirt was starting to show signs of being sweat on (impressive since it's a dri-fit). As mentioned above I'm noticing my appetite becoming smaller and smaller - things I used to eat no problem are becoming a struggle to finish.

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Day 15 - July 28th

Shreds’ 8 Stages - How I felt today about them.

Stage 1 & 2 - ‘Energy & Fat Metabolism’ - Yeah, today was another doozy...yawning at my desk and wishing I was still in bed asleep. After my workout, and of course Shred, I felt much more awake...is this attributed to Shred or the Exercise...not sure.

Stages 3 & 4 - ‘Appetite Balancing & Weight Management Control’ - Was a good food day - had my meals, felt satisfied...passed on ice cream...ICE CREAM for goodness sake.

Stage 5 - ‘Anti-Stress Mood Balancing Matrix’ - I have a high stress job - deadlines, a team of 70, and all the fun things that comes with it (I love my job...let's not think otherwise), so the gauge something like this is hard. I haven't snapped at anyone or been to a boiling point in recent times. But this kind of thing can be so mental (all in your head). So maybe Shred is an acting placebo, or maybe it's working.

Stage 6 - ‘Brain Power Matrix’ - I felt pretty focused today after my workout/shred.

Stage 7 - ‘Diuretic Complex’ - Yes.

Stage 8 - ‘Sugar Stop & Enzyme Aid Matrix’ - Nope...I did skip ice cream, but I just didn't feel hungry.

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Today’s Workout;

Today's class was, as usual, Game Time. We spent time running laps around the soccer pitch and then moved into the roller hockey court for some sprints and warm up.

We then played soccer (the one sport I struggle with :P), and handball. Team that got scored on did punishment exercises - squats seemed to be the punishment of choice today.

I agreed to help my friends' softball team play their double header, so that was a good 3 hours of fun after work.

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Notes on Shred Matrix - It was pretty hot out today, and Game Time was outside - but I'm sure some of the sweat was helped along by Shred's thermogenic. Also...the giant pill turned sideways in my throat and....that wasn't fun. Luckily large gulps of water got this fixed.

[lcosta1973-deactivated20181219]

18:20 I’m in such a bad shape.

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Half turkish getup? Is this doing the full motion but then not reversing back to the floor? (And if you're in bad shape...I don't know what that classifies me as...haha)

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Doing the work...but where are the results. This is something everyone feels...but at the same time it's still disappointing.

(Meant to post this Wednesday...but forgot)

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Day 12 - July 25th

Shreds’ 8 Stages - How I felt today about them.

Stage 1 & 2 - ‘Energy & Fat Metabolism’ - I was yawning all day; even after shred I was sleepy. (I'm naturally pretty lethargic...but this was just silly)

Stages 3 & 4 - ‘Appetite Balancing & Weight Management Control’ - I enjoyed my 'fat Friday' but noticeably I ate much less.

Stage 5 - ‘Anti-Stress Mood Balancing Matrix’ - Sure, I guess so. (haha)

Stage 6 - ‘Brain Power Matrix’ - I was doing hang cleans, and my trainer suggested that I hold the bar too low to start...so I went on and held it where he said, but for some reason my brain couldn't comprehend the motion despite the fact all I'd done is raise the bar up about 8 inches; it took me a good 20 seconds of thinking to get my muscles moving...so I dunno about this...

Stage 7 - ‘Diuretic Complex’ - Yes.

Stage 8 - ‘Sugar Stop & Enzyme Aid Matrix’ - I'm still not really getting this to be honest..

Today’s Workout;

Due to a scheduling mix-up I ended up training with two guys who I usually do industrial strength with. Both of them are working on bulking up...so it was a different workout routine.

We started with bench presses...my press is terrible:

5x5 at 95lbs

Next we moved onto med ball work; I worked with a 16lb the 2 guys a 20;

Chest pass x10

Side Pass x15 (Both sides for 30 total)

Then we sat on the mats feet in air and chest passes the ball around changing between power and height.

Then we went to our knees and power passed the ball to each other.

Then we used that wheel thing...no idea what it's called...but you grab the handles on either side and extend out then retract...anyways 3x6 of that.

Then because of the schedule mix-up I was offered an extra half hour...which I gladly took and I moved onto hang cleans.

5x3

Set 1 - 85lbs || Set 2 - 95lbs || Set 3 - 105lbs || Set 4 - 115lbs || Set 5 - 115lbs

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Notes on Shred Matrix - I was sweating a fair amount, but I just don't sweat like my coworkers who also take Shred do...not even close. If I ever formed a puddle...I'd be concerned. Shortly after taking shred I got a massive headache, luckily it passed in about 1 minute - I think it was just a signal to drink more water.

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Day 11 - July 24th

Shreds’ 8 Stages - How I felt today about them.

Stage 1 & 2 - ‘Energy & Fat Metabolism’ - Energy was fine - better than yesterday; that's pretty much it on this front.

Stages 3 & 4 - ‘Appetite Balancing & Weight Management Control’ - Missed breakfast again, and lunch...took shred and went right to my workout. I made chili the previous night and brought a small portion to work - seemed to fill me up fine.

Stage 5 - ‘Anti-Stress Mood Balancing Matrix’ - Sure, I guess so. (haha)

Stage 6 - ‘Brain Power Matrix’ - I suppose I felt pretty focused, but I'm not even truthfully sure what this is actually referring to.

Stage 7 - ‘Diuretic Complex’ - Yes.

Stage 8 - ‘Sugar Stop & Enzyme Aid Matrix’ - Though I haven't had a craving for sweets, I did have a few piece of chocolate in this trail mix that the PC put in the kitchen today. Some people say while on Shred sweet things start tasting bland...I have not experienced this.

Today’s Workout;

Overload today, the exercise was fairly basic: Do as much as your can of the below circuit (I finished 5 sets, weights below)

20 Bent Over Rows

20 Deadlifts

20 Thrusters

Set 1 - 30lbs || Set 2 - 35lbs || Set 3 - 40lbs || Set 4 - 45lbs || Set 5 - 50lbs

Notes on Shred Matrix - I was sweating pretty good during overload, my energy was back up compared to yesterday. No headache today, so that was a bonus.

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Day 10 - July 23rd

Shreds’ 8 Stages - How I felt today about them.

Stage 1 & 2 - ‘Energy & Fat Metabolism’ - I felt I lacked energy today.

Stages 3 & 4 - ‘Appetite Balancing & Weight Management Control’ - Missed breakfast and supplemented a protein shake at lunch. Overall wasn't feeling too hungry.

Stage 5 - ‘Anti-Stress Mood Balancing Matrix’ - Sure, I guess so. (haha)

Stage 6 - ‘Brain Power Matrix’ - I was tired today; even after taking Shred I was still yawning despite getting 7 hours of sleep.

Stage 7 - ‘Diuretic Complex’ - Yes.

Stage 8 - ‘Sugar Stop & Enzyme Aid Matrix’ - Again, there is plenty of sugary snacks in the kitchen at work...yet none seem all that appealing and don't create the "I WANT THAT" urge.

Today’s Workout;

Industrial Strength - today since the class was smaller than normal the trainer of this class, whom personal trains a fellow class goer and myself, took into account what we'd done yesterday and split the class based on it. So, I did deadlifts while the othe two did back squats.

5x5

Warm up - 95lbs || Set 1 - 185lbs || Set 2 - 195lbs || Set 3 - 205lbs || Set 4 - 215lbs || Set 5 - 225lbs After completion of dead lifts; Push press (10 reps) w/ inverted row (10 reps) by 3 sets.

Set 1 - 45lbs || Set 2 - 55lbs || Set 3 - 65lbs

Lastly; lat pull down (15 reps) w/ push-ups (10) by 3 sets. The pull downs were with resistance bands looped on top of the lifting rack. (About...8 or 9 feet tall)

After work I went and played for a friend's softball team. I had to get a pinch runner because my ankle couldn't take round the bases.

Notes on Shred Matrix - Thermogenic was noticeable, but I felt my energy was missing - I was struggling with a 225lbs deadlift when I know I can do more...maybe it was just an off day.

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Day 9 - July 22nd

Shreds’ 8 Stages - How I felt today about them.

Stage 1 & 2 - ‘Energy & Fat Metabolism’ - I felt exhausted this morning, but after my workout (and after Shred) I felt more awake and alert.

Stages 3 & 4 - ‘Appetite Balancing & Weight Management Control’ - Today was an OK day for this feeling - but due to the above mentioned feelings of exhaustion I did not have breakfast, my lunch consisted of long grain and wild rice and a banana. Dinner was a chicken burger...and that was it for today. I'm really interested in weighing myself tomorrow to see if any weight has been shed.

Stage 5 - ‘Anti-Stress Mood Balancing Matrix’ - Sure, I guess so. (haha)

Stage 6 - ‘Brain Power Matrix’ - I did feel more alert during my workout - I was able to successfully recognize I was about to fail an exercise and was able to bail out safely.

Stage 7 - ‘Diuretic Complex’ - Yes.

Stage 8 - ‘Sugar Stop & Enzyme Aid Matrix’ - There is a lot of temptations at work - and with working 12 hours a day sweets start getting more and more tempting, but I still have this thought every time I see sweets and basically I just become disinterested. Thinking about them...I do want them, but seeing them changes that.

Today’s Workout;

Personal training today; solo again as my training partner strained his back over the weekend. (Yup, my training partner is a guy - I find we really push each other despite our natural differences)

Today's sets included: Power Clean to Squat 4x5 (The weight is being purposely kept light due to my ankle)

Set 1 - 65lbs || Set 2 - 85lbs || Set 3 - 105lbs || Set 4 - 115lbs

From there I moved onto back squats (145lbs) supplemented with 45 second front planks; 3 rounds.

Lastly, we moved to the gym corridor to do this circuit: 4x 5 push-ups

10 rows (each side; 16kg kettle bell)

15 kettle bell swings

2 sprint lengths of the corridor

During this last bit I twinged my ankle...got over the pain and finished...but man, it felt like someone stabbed my leg.

Notes on Shred Matrix - Thermogenic was definitely kicking in today; my grip was getting slippery while doing the cleans. I once again got a headache after taking Shred, but as with the previous it was small and quickly forgotten once I started exercising.

I also started taking BCAA Pro Reloaded (aminos, glutamine...basically muscle repair stuff), so we'll see how that goes.

But I can say that I definitely won't add as much water next time - the glutamine is very very forthright in its taste and...oi vey, I want to end my taste buds' suffering faster.