Hey everyone!
My name's Alasdair Nicoll. I have been training under AJ for the best part of 5 months now.
Age - 26
Height - 6 foot
Starting Weight - 149lbs
Current weight - 173.6lbs
I have just ended a much needed reload week as both physical and mental fatigue was high. A major part of my check in with AJ this week was discussing mental state and over thinking. Having been out of routine and off work this week I have had SO much time to think about the impending mini cut we are planning.
This is something that I have heavily underestimated in the past, however, routine is something I absolutely 100% crave on a daily basis. Although I highly value routine this does not mean that I will sacrifice going out for food or drinks and enjoying myself.
It is definitely a learning curve that has taken some time but knowing how to adapt around these types of situations is something that I will continue to work on to enhance training, nutrition and other aspects of life.
That aside I'm really, really looking forward to getting back into normal training this week and seeing more progression.
Hope everyone is loving the forum.
Alasdair.
Hey everyone!
Well that's another week of training completed and on the whole it has been a very productive one.
A week like this where there have not been any major progressions, but more of a progression in execution and overall contractions is what I would call a solidifying week.
Making sure that the weights and reps you are doing are essentially being mastered. Now, weeks like this I feel really help me with ensuring that I'm not just chasing numbers, but also make sure that the previous weeks lifts were completed to a higher standard.
The week ahead is going to be filled with progression, I can just feel it.
One thing I have been poor with in the past is drinking enough water. I think a lot of us are unless we make it a routine, which, I feel I now have. I get up, shower, check my weight and immediately get 500ml down. From there I aim to nail 2 litres by midday, and ensure that I'm sipping on water leading up to my sessions at around 7pm. By the end of the day I aim for 3.5-4 litres minimum. This has translated massively in to both my sessions and my overall physique.
So hope your all having a great weekend and enjoying your sessions this week.
It feels almost like a new movement, simply being able to do the movement pain free is something I won't be taking for granted. Most definitely, keeping myself accountable to that is going to be vital to prevent injury.
nice that you can start pressing again👍shoulders are really sensible and me too I have some issues which are better now and I know how it feels to finally be able to do certain movements again!
regarding focussing too much on adding weight: this is completely normal, everyone has this at some points in time! it is not a bad thing to have but you certainly need to be able to realize yourself if and when you went overboard and neglected the contractions
Hey guys!
This week has been extremely positive. Progress across the board on almost all lifts :)
One thing to note is that my delt issue seems to have 90% reseeded meaning I can now get back to both barbell and dumbbell shoulder pressing which feels phenomenal.
The week was topped off with finally hitting 100kg on deadlift for 4 clean sets of 6. It feels like forever since both power and stability have felt this good.
A couple of things I have taken from AJ's feedback is really focussing on the fact that to grow my physique I can't focus on the numbers 100% of the time, and that contracting and working the muscle groups is vital.
I think we all tend to do this, its knowing when to take those bigger jumps in choice of working weight and when to ensure that the current load is being standardised.
The other thing is to give myself some slack. I tend to over critique myself to the point where It doesn't do me any favours rom a mental stand point in the gym. Taking a step back and looking at where I have came from will really help to focus on the current sessions I'm doing which is the best thing for longevity.
Very excited for this week and looking forward to some productive sessions.
Hope everyone is doing good and have a great week!
Hey people,
So this week started totally unplanned! Had a disgusting stomach bug for 2 days which not only pushed my training back but I dropped 6.5lbs.
Got back to training on Wednesday this week and was EXTREMELY apprehensive about hitting the numbers I had hit in the week previous to my reload. Upper A was reasonably well maintained despite still being a bit out of it.
Thursday was Lower A, and deadlifts were comfortably maintained and even progressed my hack squat by 2.5kg.
Friday was Upper B. This has always started with seated Barbell OHP, an exercise i have had a lot of trouble with recently, due to a deltoid niggle. Got 35kg for 8,8,7,7 which although is nothing to shout about I was happy as there was no niggle in my shoulder and , it was 2.5kg of my best to date.
After a busy couple of days I am about to go finish my week with Lower B and Squats. Looking to at least equal 60kg for 4 sets of 9. Wish me luck people.
Can honestly say after a reload week and being ill, I am hella motivated to go out and not only smash my numbers but actually add as much tissue as I can before a mini cut at the end of the month. Really looking forward to next week and being back to a normal training schedule.
Have a great week guys.
Following! Looking forward to updates
following, have a good training week
Exactly mate, the taking your medicine part of a training cycle ;)
Hey man!! FOLLOWING :)
Re-loads suck. As we talked about today, longevity is key ;)