Fail Early, Fail Often, Fail Forward

Fail Early, Fail Often, Fail Forward

^This video from Will Smith hits home for me 100%. I’ve learned what he is saying while getting into weightlifting. I’ve been weightlifting for about 5 months now and have learned so much from failing and missing lifts. I can honestly say that I’ve never felt so strong in my life. I’ve always been into gym life and working out, but it felt like it just wasn’t challenging enough or I wasn’t challenging my self enough. I was just going through the motions. Since I started weightlifting, I’ve been pushing myself harder than I ever have before. I am insanely motivated, almost to the point of obsession. As much as I complain about these tough workouts I’ve been doing on social media, deep down, I fucking love them. I guess you can say that i am a glutton for punishment.

DC Bike Ride 2017

 

This past Sunday (Mother’s Day) was the 2nd annual DC Bike Ride. I must say that the Start area and course was such an improvement this year compared to the first year. Last year the Starting Line and Finish Line were both on Pennsylvania Ave right in front of the Capitol. This year the Starting Line was in West Potomac Park, and the corrals lined up in that big field out there. Last year, you were riding elbow to elbow for the first 5 miles of the course, then it started thinning out. This year, everyone was comfortably riding about an arm and a half lengths width away from each other for the first mile and then it thinned out.

Anyways, there is just something about being able to ride around the streets of DC with no cars and being able to ride where bikes normally aren’t allowed. It’s pretty liberating. This ride isn’t a race even though some people would speed through. But that is the beauty about this event. You can go as fast or as slow (as long as you keep a 6 mph pace) as you want.

I’m pretty sure I’ll do this ride every year, hopefully I can get other people to sign up too. I know it was kind of tough this year because it was on Mother’s day, but I still managed to get home by 11am, and treat my mom to lunch.

First SUP Outing for 2017

It was really hot and humid this past weekend and I was lucky enough to have spent it out on the Potomac. Tom had rented a house boat for his birthday and we were able to bring our SUPs. Felt really good being back on the water especially since I finally upgraded my paddle. I’m hoping to paddle at least twice a month this season, only trouble I have is finding fun/new places to paddle.

I’ve been doing research/YouTube on paddling techniques. I’m trying to get out of this novice rut. There are so many things that I want to improve on all at the same time, but I’m just going to have to be patient and focus on one thing first, then move on to my next goal.

2 Week Hiatus

I haven’t posted anything in a little over 2 weeks. This is because I strained my back 2 weeks ago and have been trying to rest. Being inactive for 2 weeks is killing me. My back feels a lot better for the most part, it was ok when I went SUP’ing this past weekend. It is a little stiff today, so I should probably still rest.

4/13/2017

Snatch Barbell Complex

4 Rounds

5 Snatch Grip Deadlifts

5 Hanging Power Snatch

5 Over Head Squat

5 Behind the back Shoulder press

5 Good Morning

Single Arm Dumbbell Press

Set 1: 45# for 10 reps (per arm)

Set 2: 50# for 10 reps (per arm)

Set 3: 553 for 8 reps (per arm)

Chest Supported Wide Grip Row

Set 1: 40# for 10 reps

Set 2: 60# for 10 reps

Set 3: 80# for 10 reps

Landmine Arm Raises

Set 1: Bar only for 10 reps

Set 2: Bar with 5# plate for 10 reps

Set 3: Bar with 5# plate for 10 reps

Lateral Arm Raises

Set 1: 10# for 10 reps

Set 2: 15# for 10 reps

Set 3: 20# for 10 reps

 

 

4/12/2017

HIIT

Spartacus Workout with 30# dumbbells/30# Kettle bell

Weight Training

Dumbbell Incline Bench

Set 1: 65# for 10 reps

Set 2: 75# for 8 reps

Set 3: 85# for 6 reps

Body Weight Decline Push Up & Bent Over Row with Smith Machine (Superset)

3 sets of 12 push ups & 10 rows with 25# plates on smith machine

Jefferson Deadlift

Set 1: 95# for 8 reps (each side)

Set 2: 135# for 6 reps (each side)

Set 3: 185# for 6 reps (each side)

Set 4: 185# for 6 reps (each side)

 

4/11/2017

Snatch Work

Warm Up Routine

Warm Up Set @ 65#: Snatch Grip Dead Lift, Hanging High Pull, Snatch Balance – 3 Reps for each

3 Working Sets @ 85#: Snatch Grip Dead Lift, Hanging High Pull, Snatch Balance – 3 Reps for each

Arnold Presses

Set 1: 35# for 10 reps

Set 2: 40# for 10 reps

Set 3: 45# for 10 reps

Set 4: 50# for 10 reps

Bent Over Single-Arm Cable Fly

3 Sets of 10 per arm at 10#

Hammer Curls

2 Sets of 10 at 30#

Rope Face Pulls & Shoulder Shrugs (Superset)

Set 1: 20# for 10 reps & 45# Shrugs

Set 2: 25# for 10 reps & 45# Shrugs

Set 3: 25# for 10 reps & 45# Shrugs

Cardio

2 Hrs of Basketball

4/10/2017

HIIT

Spartacus Workout with 30# dumbbells/30# Kettle bell

Weight Training

Dumbbell Flat Bench Pyramid

Set 1: 65# at 12 reps

Set 2: 75# at 10 reps

Set 3: 85# at 8 reps

Set 4: 95# at 6 reps

Body Weight Row

3 Sets of 10 reps

Hammer Curls

2 Sets of 10 reps at 30#

Lat Pull Down

Set 1: 100# for 10 reps

Set 2: 115# for 10 reps

Set 3: 130# for 10 reps

Zottman Curls + Standing Tricep Extension (Superset)

3 Supersets:

Curls: 25# for 10 reps

Triceps: 55# for 10 reps

2 Weeks In

I wish I had started these postings 2 weeks ago when I started eating healthy again, but oh well. So I’m 2 weeks into this whole “eating healthy” and “working out” thing. I have one goal: WEIGHTLOSS. I’ve always been on the bigger side, but I’ve always been active and played many different sports growing up. I might not have an athletic looking body, but I definitely consider myself as an athlete. I’m hoping that keeping track and writing about this journey will help keep me motivated and committed to this one goal. I’m giving myself multiple short term goals to make it seem easier/attainable. I’m not giving myself any date deadlines, because I know it will take time.

Two weeks ago, I weighed in at 236. Probably the most I’ve weighed in a while. I started working out 6 days a week for the past two weeks. My workouts have consisted of high intensity interval training, weight training, and Olympic Lifting.  My first short term goal is to get to 230. This morning I weighed in and was pleasantly surprised to see 229 on the scale, goal 1: Complete. I say “pleasantly surprised” because I usually gain a pound or two over the weekend since I have my “cheat day”, especially since this past weekend my “cheat day” consisted of Iron Age AND Chinese food.

Current: 229

Goal 2: 215

New Topic

I have finally decided to blog about my workouts and training that I do all year round. All my workouts are geared towards what sport season I am currently in for the most part. For example, during my snowboard/ski season, my workouts/training is focused on leg endurance, balance training, and functional movements. I’ve also started Olympic lifting(not Crossfit) which is made up of two lifts, the snatch and the clean and jerk.  This will be my outlet for my progressions and I will also be able to keep track and share my daily workouts.