I wanted to document my first serious foray into lifting having only messed about on and off for a few years. This thread will serve as motivation and hope to get advice when I move into more challenging weights in the next few weeks/months.
So a little about me. Age 41. 6ft. 158 lbs. Already in good physical health as I do a lot of running. So no gut to shift. If anything it is the reverse in that I need to bulk up more.
The running to date has served two main purposes. Firstly I use it for meditation. I run a small business which can get stressy at times. Running gets rid of that and allows me to sleep somewhat normally. Secondly, it is social as I use a local club. Also, I'm quite good at it and I love getting out on the trails.
I know that running and lifting aren't typically compatible but I like a challenge. I have seen plenty of lean runners but there is also a class of runner normally doing ultras like me who have a bit of mass and are essentially by default shredded. That's my long-term aim. So I am hoping the lifting will benefit my running in the long run too.
My first aim is to get to around 180 lbs and then reassess.
With running a business and running 3 to 4 times a week time away from home is difficult, so joining a gym isn't going to work. So I have bought a power cage and free weights and set up in the garage. I now have great flexibility in that I can either get up an hour early / nip out an hour before bed and get a session in.
I've also looked at my diet and started tracking calories via myfitnesspal. Essentially I haven't been eating anything like enough. I have added in a high-calorie shake into my morning breakfast so I start the day with at least 1000 in the bank. Looking to get some homemade premade snack packs together at the weekend to optimise a morning and afternoon snack for next week going forward.
As I am new to proper lifting I have decided on the 5x5 stronglifts routine for the first 6 months before I reassess. I am sticking to the book on this as much as possible. I am not skipping to heavier weights, doing more session or doing extra weights. The only complication I have is that I am also running 3 times a week.
First 2 sessions done all very easy but I am currently concentrating on form and technique for now.
Session 1
Squat 5x5 @ 44
BP 5x5 @ 44
Row 5x5 @ 66
Session 2
Squat 5x5 @ 50
OH Press 5x5 @ 44
DL 1x5 @ 88
So a little about me. Age 41. 6ft. 158 lbs. Already in good physical health as I do a lot of running. So no gut to shift. If anything it is the reverse in that I need to bulk up more.
The running to date has served two main purposes. Firstly I use it for meditation. I run a small business which can get stressy at times. Running gets rid of that and allows me to sleep somewhat normally. Secondly, it is social as I use a local club. Also, I'm quite good at it and I love getting out on the trails.
I know that running and lifting aren't typically compatible but I like a challenge. I have seen plenty of lean runners but there is also a class of runner normally doing ultras like me who have a bit of mass and are essentially by default shredded. That's my long-term aim. So I am hoping the lifting will benefit my running in the long run too.
My first aim is to get to around 180 lbs and then reassess.
With running a business and running 3 to 4 times a week time away from home is difficult, so joining a gym isn't going to work. So I have bought a power cage and free weights and set up in the garage. I now have great flexibility in that I can either get up an hour early / nip out an hour before bed and get a session in.
I've also looked at my diet and started tracking calories via myfitnesspal. Essentially I haven't been eating anything like enough. I have added in a high-calorie shake into my morning breakfast so I start the day with at least 1000 in the bank. Looking to get some homemade premade snack packs together at the weekend to optimise a morning and afternoon snack for next week going forward.
As I am new to proper lifting I have decided on the 5x5 stronglifts routine for the first 6 months before I reassess. I am sticking to the book on this as much as possible. I am not skipping to heavier weights, doing more session or doing extra weights. The only complication I have is that I am also running 3 times a week.
First 2 sessions done all very easy but I am currently concentrating on form and technique for now.
Session 1
Squat 5x5 @ 44
BP 5x5 @ 44
Row 5x5 @ 66
Session 2
Squat 5x5 @ 50
OH Press 5x5 @ 44
DL 1x5 @ 88