Make sure you aren't wearing it too low. I also wear mine slightly tilted, where it is higher on my back than it is on my stomach.
This morning was the first time I had squatted heavy since I pulled the hammy. It felt pretty good, although I think I'm still a few days away from heavy deads. I tried the hack squat machine for accessory work for the first time and think I'm in love. Someone please tell me that this thing is helpful and not just a fun waste of my time.
Yesterday I was in the mood to do a ton of lunges. Which made Bent-over BB rows nearly impossible today.. I could barely bend down to grab the bar Had to switch to chest-supported rows because my entire PC was absolutely fried. Not sure how effective they are, but I really like doing high-rep rows laying into an incline bench. I'll do sets of 15-20 and I seem to get really good lat activation doing them.
I've been missing the volume on candito but I found it today. Squats 10 reps 295 10 sets 3 reps of 285 Snatch grip DL 200 3x8 Accessory work That was a lot of squats after the warm up. Definitely feel better on heavy squats doing two sets a week rather than three.
That's my fear and why I've always avoided it. But I did it both directions, and when you are facing the machine, it has a very "powerful" feel to it, like you are about to lunge to make a tackle. For the record, this was after my squat day on 531, so it was just accessory work.
Confession time: I've managed to unfasten one of those Velcro strap belts with a big enough breath. I wasn't sure if I felt like a beast or a beached whale..
I wouldn't go that far. You want it tight, but not so tight your eyes pop out. If you know how to properly perform the Valsava maneuver, you fill your belly with air and push out against the belt. Your belt doesn't have to be constrictingly tight for that to happen. Suck your gut in, tighten your belt as much as you can with only your hands (not by holding it on a corner or post) and you should be good. I usually have mine one notch less than maximum tightness. Also, if your belt is too tight, it can restrict your range of motion, especially for deadlifts.
I spent almost 2 years squatting with no belt and using the Valsava method (though I didn't know it had a name or that I was even supposed to do it....I honestly thought it was going to cause a hernia or something). Looking back I should have gotten smarter sooner. I still regret getting a belt sometimes but I'm hooked on it now. I do have a few power lifters in my gym who act like putting on a belt is a three man job like they're strapping in for a bull ride. Having to rush a lift because you can't inhale seems a bit much.
The belt is a good tool, I like only using it for the last heavy warmup and work weight squats now. Gives me plenty of warmup reps to practice the valsava method and then I put the belt on and get instant feedback feeling the gut hit the belt. Feeling solid before the lift makes it mentally easier too imo.
I only use it for lifts that are about 85+% of Max. The hard thing is on this new program there's high volume days that don't fall into that category. I struggle to get those last sets in but part of me says it's worth it to go without. Anything over three plates is a belt though. The feedback I get from the diet is more accountability too. I have a lot of belts and different pants so I can't just "listen to my clothes instead of the scale". Based on going down 4 holes in the belt to the point where I had to buy the next size down I'm pretty pumped. I still went with the prong over the lever but I'm having second thoughts.
missed 280 squats for reps again today. Time for a slight deload there. The deload on deadlifts has improved the form though so that's nice. 1 step forward and two steps back. I'll take less weight and proper form though
Set volume PRs this morning on squat and DL Squats: a good amount of warm-up volume followed by 3x6 @ 285 lbs. These felt great except for 1 rep where I got pitched forward a good bit. Just didn't stay tight. Corrected it on the next set. Everything went up nice and fast. My bar positioning felt awesome. I think I found the spot on my back and my hand positioning is such that my pinkie is just inside the knurl ring. I also stretched my wrists for a little while before. Deads: Pulled sumo today and got 2x6 @ 335 lbs. Thumbs felt really nice today... didn't cut my nails short. I realized after my final set that I never locked the lever on my belt, so I did the final set beltless by accident. Legs were a bit fried by the end from the squats, but felt pretty good. I wanted to film these to judge the form but there was a guy doing some stuff next to me. Twas a good session this morning. Cheers, gents.
This happened to me on squats Monday. Got in the hole on my first rep of 5 and realized I was all loosey goosey. But I repped it out anyway, cause I'm a fuckin rockstar.
So you do eat fish but no other meat? Is that right? If so, I'd eat the fuck out of fish for protein/fats, eggs for the same, tons of beans, rice, oatmeal, bananas, and peanut butter jelly sandwiches among other things. If you eat fish, that opens up a lot for you. If you don't, you should increase egg and dairy consumption, IMO. Prayers sent
I eat fish, but in central pa it's usually expensive, low quality or fried. Eggs have been my go to but that can get old quick. I've been reading that as a vegetarian it's more about getting enough calories that your body doesn't turn protein into energy rather than overall protein intake. I've also read keeping workouts short can do the same. Thanks for the input.
Running the Arnold Blueprint to Cut from this week until thanksgiving. Did 2 weeks of it just to see if I liked it back in May right before a beach trip. Lots of volume and little rest time. Pumps are pretty damn solid and really sore in my chest for the first time in a long time. Also I need something that gets me in the gym with a set something to do 6 days a week. 5x5 the last few weeks ended up having 3 lift days and maybe 1 cardio day a week. 3 off days makes me feel fat and lazy. Today was the first leg day. 8 sets of 12 squat was a magnificent way to wake up in the morning. Decided to do 5x12 normal and then 3x12 pause. Like it.
That is a solid amount of volume to do while cutting. Imagine that will get very hard once your calories are down.
Had to cut my accessory workout short bc I had to take a huge shit. Gym is small, bathroom is literally 3 feet away from the co-owners desk. Morning owner is a chick and I felt awkward blowing that shit up next to her.
Going back to the doc tomorrow morning. Hoping for some good news and I can get back to squatting on Monday.
The main gym I go to has 2 bathrooms that share a wall. And the wall is basically I piece of 1980's paneling painted grey. If I had a nickel for every time I'd heard someone dropping anchor in the other bathroom only to see them do the Buster Bluth head hanging walk once they realized I heard every grunt I'd be rich. Especially the lesbian trainer who apparently eats zero fiber.
I haven't in over a month. No interest. Might just let my body deteriorate so I can see progress again. dear diary
Mostly MWF, but might get a day off here and there b/c of work. Do 2 sets of tabata afterwards, then usually jog 2-3 times a week.
Did legs this morning. Thinking about rotating my heavy squat and deadlift days on weds and just do one of them every other week. I feel like I'm not getting the most out of doing them both on the same day with also not eating. I'm happy with my totals but think I would have more in me.
After finishing week 2 of Candito I'm unhappy with it so far. I will withhold final thoughts until I actually test maxes but overall it doesn't feel like enough. As in I feel like maybe my spreadsheet was messed up.