Keeping Motivated!!

[Incognito]

Originally Posted by Astigos

I'm actually having trouble being motivated for the deadlift. When I simply look at the weight I have to do now and I'm filled with fear and anxiety. It's a weird problem to have. Starting have this problem with all my heavy lifts but deadlift is the worst.

Get over that fear now, deadlift is one of the most beneficial lifts there is. Start low and work up obviously; no one comes out of the womb lifting 300+. I look at that weight and know I'm going to knock that shit out, that once I get past that weight, I'm charged to take on more.

[Astigos]

Originally Posted by Incognito

Get over that fear now, deadlift is one of the most beneficial lifts there is. Start low and work up obviously; no one comes out of the womb lifting 300+. I look at that weight and know I'm going to knock that shit out, that once I get past that weight, I'm charged to take on more.

For the record I lift 355lb and I weigh 180lb. I started deadlifting at 200 and added 10 everytime I successfully lifted. I'm well acclimated.

I look at the bar and it's not fear of hurting myself, just anxiety of the immense stress that is to come. Before the lift I normally just listen to a good song, take a walk around the gym and go right up to a mirror, stare myself in the eyes and think positive affirmations. Doesn't seem to be working well in psyching myself up. I really could use a drill instructor type of person to shout angry things at me.

[Incognito]

Originally Posted by Astigos

For the record I lift 355lb and I weigh 180lb. I started deadlifting at 200 and added 10 everytime I successfully lifted. I'm well acclimated.

I look at the bar and it's not fear of hurting myself, just anxiety of the immense stress that is to come. Before the lift I normally just listen to a good song, take a walk around the gym and go right up to a mirror, stare myself in the eyes and think positive affirmations. Doesn't seem to be working well in psyching myself up. I really could use a drill instructor type of person to shout angry things at me.

The moment you let anxiety and worry (or anything generally negative), it's going to affect you much more and you won't surpass that plateau. Look at it as a challenge, that you are going to lift that weight and go beyond it. It's like with any situation that you feel initial unease about; the moment you worry about the negatives and what is to come, your brain is going to amplify it and you won't go as hard.

But also, maybe you need to work out with someone who will verbally slap some sense into you to get you pumped.

[DWarrior]

Isn't your squat in the 200s? That may be the mental problem. My Squat was like 320 at 360 DL, so there wasn't as much fear factor.

So squat more!

Also, look at youtube videos of people DLing 500+ at <180.

[Astigos]

Originally Posted by DWarrior

Isn't your squat in the 200s? That may be the mental problem. My Squat was like 320 at 360 DL, so there wasn't as much fear factor.

So squat more!

Also, look at youtube videos of people DLing 500+ at <180.

I just completed Squat 280 5x5. Although I haven't seen my own squat, I suspect that I'd be ashamed of my technique because of the weight. I'm probably barely hitting parallel and am leaning too far forward (causing ever so slight lower back pain).

Pretty certain that I can't really do deadlifts anymore is because I'm at the limit of my recovery ability even though I'm eating a surplus (although I'm not counting). Squatting personal bests every 2 days is no bueno. Nothing left in the tank for deadlifts. I've had to deload deadlift to 315. I fucking better make it past 355 next time around.

I refuse to give up on Stronglifts 5x5 however.

Side note: I hate bent over barbell rows in the 5x5 program. I find technique too difficult to master and as a result almost never feel like I've worked my back/lats whatsoever. What are your thoughts on replacing them with chinups+weight?

Also, pull-ups vs chin-ups? I believe that I've read chinups hit less muscles more intensely and pullups the opposite, making chinups better for the back/lats.

[Incognito]

Originally Posted by Astigos

Also, pull-ups vs chin-ups? I believe that I've read chinups hit less muscles more intensely and pullups the opposite, making chinups better for the back/lats.

Chinups work the biceps more whereas pullups work the lats more. Both however will work the shoulders and back well. You also have to take in consideration the separation in your grip; closer together will work the biceps more and vice-versa.

But why not just do both? The differences in them in terms of what they affect and the results will be so minimal, it doesn't matter. I usually start with pullups with a slightly wider than shoulder width grip. Extending all the way down, legs straight down, like a normal person does it.

You'll find what works best for you through changing grips and if you're adding weight.

[marykae]

Last Wednesday I got myself a minor concussion. I am unable to return to derby until next Wednesday, however I was told I can work out again immediately. Unfortunately, my head did not agree. In the first week (after the first two days) I would walk for 4 miles, which is my common active rest activity.

My head finally stopped feeling extra weird on my walks, so yesterday I hopped on the elliptical and took it easy. Today I upped the resistance, unfortunately my head felt it. Fortunately, it was actually the part of my head that I hit, instead of the random parts that had previously been feeling weird.

I'm going to keep using the elliptical at that level until I feel better, after that I am going to attempt to run. After that, I am going to return to my regular work outs where my head does a little more moving around. I hope this all happens for me before next Wednesday because I am going crazy not being able to participate in practice.

I had to replace my helmet of course, and this time I actually did the reading before buying. If there's anyone here who participates in roller derby or similar sports, here are the results of my research.

[Astigos]

Sorry to hear that Marykae. Hope you feel better soon.

I'm going to be starting up another 3 month weight cut from Sept 1 through Nov 30. Who wants to join forces for a motivational group/weight loss competition? We can share our day to day activities, ups and downs, food accountability and bi-weekly weigh-ins. I'll be happy to share all my knowledge on nutrition and exercise to help anyone get started.

[marykae]

Success. I spent an hour and a half on the elliptical watching Ghostbusters. Tomorrow I try running again. Additionally, I am inspired for the art on my new helmet.

[ssgtballard]

Originally Posted by Astigos

Sorry to hear that Marykae. Hope you feel better soon.

I'm going to be starting up another 3 month weight cut from Sept 1 through Nov 30. Who wants to join forces for a motivational group/weight loss competition? We can share our day to day activities, ups and downs, food accountability and bi-weekly weigh-ins. I'll be happy to share all my knowledge on nutrition and exercise to help anyone get started.

I would be in. I need some motivation to get back to the weights, running and cardio are under control because of marathon training but I need to add lifting mainly for upper body.