[Drew]

Thank you very much Sam and AJ!

Really appreciate the comments, I’ll try to correct over the forthcoming weeks.

[Drew]

At the bottom of the movement

[Drew]

Who’s the coach mate? Sounds like you’re going to lock it all in now, which is good

[Drew]

@Hilly thank you very much for the detailed feedback. Lots of points for me to take on board there, much appreciated.

@mdeblois how are you finding your progress as you get older? I love training more than ever, just need to be careful with recovery.

[Drew]

Peak Kevin Levrone for me. Strong asf too

[Drew]

Thanks @Hilly really appreciate the feedback and advice.

Will increase output significantly

[Drew]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all the feedback and encouragement, it means a lot.

I’ve been working consistently during lockdown and enjoying being back at the gyms.

Wanted to give an update and if possible any additional advice on how hard I should push for the next 8 weeks.
See picture attached- aim is to be 12% by mid June. Cals at 2,300 and 20 mins hard cardio after weights, 6,500 steps on off days. Following an upper lower split.

How hard should I push with the deficit and cardio/steps now? Cals are already low but dropping a bit further and/or increasing expenditure is a good move?

Thank you so much for your much appreciated advice.

[Drew]

I would never take it within a few hours or the gym.

My anxiety tends to come at night so I have it then, or before an event which would make me anxious.

I’ve used all sorts in the past, but I feel it works well. So hope it helps you my man

[Drew]

I’ve been on it for about 2 years pretty much consistently on.

For me, it has no negative effect on strength whatsoever. I do suspect it may make losing weight a little harder, although I don’t have any official evidence for this.

Anxiety is a horrible thing to have, hope it gets better soon.

[Drew]

Thanks for the replies, very much appreciated. Given me lots to think about…

I’ll find an alternative for V squat, as my legs need bringing up in a major way due to lack of training them properly through lockdown.

The goblet squat is a funny one, I agree it’s not optimal, but for some reason I connect with them like crazy and they really pump up my quads.

Fantastic replies in here, thank you very much

[Drew]

Yeah I think I will go for that option.

Thanks for pointers Mike

[Drew]

Thanks guys, does reflect my initial thoughts too.

I can try back squat will just have to build up very slowly and not take 50/50 reps due my mental block (past torn ligaments).

Other than that can look into another gym which has Cybex hack, pendulum etc

[Drew]

I’m not sure of the cause, but I have exactly the same thing myself.

I think it may be the angle of dips, do you lean forward a fair bit? I say this because I get the same thing from any decline presses, making me think it’s the angle at the shoulder/chest.

Feels like a slight popping/issue with the sternum?

It’s a weird feeling and a bit off putting.

I’m swapping out all dips and substituting with close grip bench. I also get the same feeling on decline.

[Drew]

Now in a deficit looking to diet much harder for my wedding in June.

Training is still upper/lower, 4x per week. I will increase this to 5x over the next few weeks.

Can’t wait for gyms to open ?

[Drew]

Personal preference IMO.

For me it takes a lot of energy to get heavy Dumbells into place, so I’d rather hit a barbell strict press.