Yeah, I think I’m done.

Time is precious, and the one thing we really can’t get more of — so don’t waste it. I’ve learned that once I’ve become certain (enough) that something isn’t working, there’s no point in continuing to do that thing – (re)assess, formulate new plan (or refine the old one), and move along. I do this in all areas of my life, but here in the gym is one place that I don’t always apply that – because there’s something about sticking-with and following-through. But that’s not really the right way to be. Yeah, there’s a time and a place, and I’ve done that, but I’m basically to a point where this just isn’t happening.

Yes, I’ve gotten a lot out of the past 5 weeks, but it’s evident I’m not achieving my primary goal and this road isn’t getting me there. So, I’m pretty certain after tomorrow I’m going to cap this off. I’m going to bring my carb intake back up — not huge amounts, but enough so I’m not flat. Let myself eat like that, and have gym sessions that well… are a bit more free-form and what I want to do for a while. I can’t really get back on my 3/4/5 goal just yet because there’s still arm pain issues (very rare, but still there). To that, part of what I want to do is start to poke that with a stick and see exactly where I am and what I can perhaps do. So I’m not neglecting the 3/4/5 goal, just another detour to help me get back on that horse.

But that all said, I’m also giving serious contemplation to getting help again. I had great success when I had 1-on-1 coaching with Renaissance Periodization. I’m thinking about doing coaching again, both diet AND exercise tho — having a complete setup. Will I go RP? Likely. But I’m giving thought to some other people too, like Paul Carter (if he’s still taking clients). So, spend about 6 weeks maybe “normalizing” again, then see about getting some help. It’s evident I don’t have quite enough knowledge to run diet-related things on my own, and I also know I cannot afford to gain much more bodyweight. So yeah, if it derails my work towards 3/4/5 — then so be it. I must always remember my primary objective, and it’s more important to keep my body in check that bench press 315 (tho I still really want to do that).

I don’t think this whole thing was a bust tho. No question my work capacity is up significantly. I expect I’ll stick with the 20-30 minutes of cardio post-workout. And I’m even thinking about keeping chin-ups around, at least in part. It’s been a good experience, it just didn’t achieve what I was wanting.

5/3/1 Prep & Fat Loss Program

Bodyweight: 243
Rest Period (seconds): 70

• Incline Bench Press – bar x whatever
• Incline Bench Press – 90 x 5
• Face Pull – 65 x 25
• Incline Bench Press – 110 x 5
• Face Pull – 65 x 25
• Incline Bench Press – 135 x 5
• Split Squat – BW x 15e
• Incline Bench Press – 145 x 5
• Split Squat – BW x 15e
• Incline Bench Press – 165 x 5
• Pull-up – BW x 5
• Incline Bench Press – 190 x 5
• Pull-up BW x 4
• Incline Bench Press – 145 x 5
• Pull-up BW x 4
• Incline Bench Press – 145 x 5
• DB Row – 65 x 20e
• Incline Bench Press – 145 x 5
• DB Row – 65 x 20e
• Incline Bench Press – 145 x 5
• KB Swing – 40 x 25
• Incline Bench Press – 145 x 5
• KB Swing – 40 x 25
• KB Swing – 40 x 25
• KB Swing – 40 x 25