June 20 & 22, 2014 Training Logs

Hey all,
Here is the training logs for this past Friday and This morning. Great challenging workouts.

Friday was a heavy squat day. It felt good pushing heavier weight. I had set out to keep all rest periods to 60 seconds but due to allergy congestion it happened to be around 90 seconds on most sets. This workout includes me doing 8 reps with 315 lbs. The last two reps were grinders made me work for every inch. The last set of lunges I went until I couldn't continue and then dropped the weight to finish the set. Then the last set was supposed to be doing 50 reps with 135 lbs without racking the bar. I only made 45 reps and it took all that I had to make it there. Afterwards, I kicked myself because I missed it by 5 reps. This is something I will continue to try and improve on. I warmed up with squats and the bar and doing five 10 second pauses in the hole to stretch out. Followed by 135 lbs with two 5 second pauses and then repping out 8 reps. I went up quarter/plate until 225 lbs then I went up to 315 lbs for the start of my working sets.

This morning I got to the gym and decided that I wanted to do a higher volume overall than what I had been doing  so I modified what I was supposed to do by adding in 2 extra shoulder exercises, 1 extra biceps exercise, 1 extra triceps exercise. I warmed up with some bar weight shoulder presses and stretching. All rest periods were 60 seconds. The only thing not in my logs is at the end of the bench dips I dropped the weight and repped out with body weight until failure.

So after today's workout I have decided to stop the program I am on due to the fact that I don't feel like I am getting enough overall volume. I am still going for a power lifting goal of increasing my Bench, Squat, and Deadlift but I am going to use the program that I started the year off with and that is Down and Up Mass by Jim Stoppani. I saw great growth in my legs and overall strength during this program. Remember, feel free to ask me questions and let me know if you like the picture logs or when I type them out.

God Bless and Get Swole

Travis

Training Logs for June 17-19, 2014

Hey all,

Going to have three of these logs inside this post because I did not take the time to write them down. The past three days of training have been really good. Let us not beat around the bush and get to it.

Tuesday the 17th was heavy dead lift day. It felt really good and boosted my motivation towards the Cube Method that I am following.

Warm up
Stability Routine from my previous log here.

4" Block Pulls
135lbs X 10 Reps
185lbs X 7 Reps
225lbs X 5 Reps
275lbs X 5 Reps

Working Sets
4" Block Pulls (Approximately 90 secs rest)
385lbs X 2 Reps for 5 Sets

Snatch Grip Dead lifts(60 second rest the rest of the workout, These kicked my butt good)
285lbs X 8 Reps for 2 Sets

Dumbbell One Arm Rows
70lbs X 12 Reps
70lbs X 11 Reps
70lbs X 10 Reps

Dumbbell Shrug
70lbs X 20 Reps
70lbs X 20 Reps

Like I said it was a really good workout...short and sweet.

Wednesday the 18th was bench press repetition day. Another good day and on my accessory exercises I was trying to ensure to contract the muscle targeted before moving the weight

Warm up
Internal/External Rotation
20lbs dumbbells 15 reps for 2 sets

Floor Press
Bar only X 40 Reps
135lbs X 8 Reps
185lbs X 5 Reps

Working Sets
Floor Press
205lbs X 3 Reps for 8 sets

Dumbbell Incline Bench Press
50lbs X 18 Reps
60lbs X 15 Reps
60lbx X 12 Reps

Cable Triceps Push-down
50lbs X 100 Reps

Dumbbell Standing Shoulder Press
30lbs X 10 Reps for 3 sets

Machine Fly (Really focused on contracting the muscle here. Did much better on the second set)
13 X 16 Reps
13 X 12 Reps
13 X 15 Reps

I had a pretty good pump at the end of this workout in my chest and my triceps. The focused contractions help a lot with the pump.

Today was a new routine for me and isn't part of the Cube Method. This is a circuit style workout called a barbell complex that is designed to tax the entire body and to increase fat burning capabilities. I got this idea from Vince Del Monte. Try it out if you would like. It is a kick butt routine that will push you if you push yourself.

Warm up
From my stablility workout

Half lunge into a knee to chest stretch with toe raise 5 times each leg

Half lunge into a glute hip stretch optional toe raise 5 times each leg

Half lunge into a standing opposite arm quad stretch 5 times each leg

Half lunge with torso twist (twist both directions each lunge) 5 times each leg

Working Sets

20 Min AMRAP (As Many Rounds as Possible, No Rest) 

Start with 45lbs to 65lbs barbell (I did just the 45lbs barbell)

10 Reps Each in one Giant Set (repeat until time)

Standing Military Press

Front Squats

Bent Over Rows

Romanian Dead Lifts

Back Squats

I made 7 rounds even. After this workout, I was drenched in sweat, completely exhausted, but I felt really good. Next week I am going to try and beat 7 rounds and then the following week I will move the weight up to 55lbs or 65lbs.

Any questions hit me up!

God Bless and Get Big

Travis

Training Logs for June 10, 2014

Hey all,

Yesterday was yet again a rest day until evening when I went to Taekwondo practice. It was a really good night and I am seeing great improvement in my mobility and flexibility. Still have a long ways to go though.

Today started week 2 of the Cube Method. Today's workout was explosive work for deadlifts. I enjoyed it immensely while getting my butt kicked. I did notice that while doing the explosive reps I was not focused on my form as well as I should have. I will make sure to correct that for future training sessions. On to today's workout.

Warmup
Deadlifts
135lbs x 10 reps
185lbs x 5 reps
225lbs x 3 reps

Working sets
Deadlifts (explosive 15 second rest periods)
285lbs x 3 reps x 8 sets

4" Block Pulls with Snatch Grip (These Kicked my butt!!)
245lbs x 12 reps
245lbs x 12 reps
245lbs x 12 reps

Safety Bar Squat
225lbs x 8 reps
225lbs x 8 reps
225lbs x 8 reps 

Barbell Shrug (Make sure to squeeze)
225lbs x 12 reps
225lbs x 12 reps
225lbs x 12 reps

Back Hypertensions (I cannot do a straight set so I do 10 second rests before continuing. I will make it through eventually)
1 set of 50 reps

Wide Grip Lat Pull Downs (Nice Slow Reps Under Complete Control)
150lbs x 15 reps
150lbs x 15 reps
150lbs x 15 reps
150lbs x 15 reps

At the end of this workout I was completely exhausted and drenched in sweat. Like I said I really enjoyed this workout because it was a challenge. It will make me stronger. Tomorrow is Rep work on Bench Press.....Exciting

God Bless and Rip It Off The Floor

Travis

June 4, 2014 Training Logs

Today's workout was a heavy day for Bench Press training. It goes as follows.

Warmup
Floor Press
Bar Only 40 reps
135lbs x 15 reps
185lbs x 10 reps
225lbs x 8 reps

Working Sets
Floor Press
265lbs x 2 reps
265lbs x 2 reps
265lbs x 2 reps
265lbs x 2 reps
265lbs x 2 reps

Bench Press
165lbs x 15 reps
165lbs x 15 reps

WideGrip Lat Pulldowns
190lbs x 13 reps
190lbs x 12 reps
190lbs x 11 reps

Cable Tricep Pushdowns
90lbs x 25 reps
90lbs x 25 reps
90lbs x 25 reps
90lbs x 25 reps

Dumbell Shrug (2 second Sqeeze)
80lbs x 15 reps
80lbs x 15 reps
80lbs x 15 reps

Barbell Shoulder Press (Seated Smith Machine)
50lbs x 10 reps
50lbs x 12 reps
50lbs x 14 reps

It was a really good workout and the Shoulder presses were so light because I am still trying to rehab my right shoulder. I think I am going to have to get it looked at. This was also my first time doing floor presses and the working weights are based off of percentages. A whole new animal to me but like I said it was good.

God Bless and Get Swole

Travis

Power Lifting

Hey All,

I am back again with another post from my workouts. I know that I haven't been keeping this up to date but I plan on it being more of a regular thing now that I am devoting myself to power lifting more. I have been following a few power lifters for a while now and I have been drawn to the work ethic of one Brandon Lilly. Brandon has been through a rough year and with his performance this last weekend, I have to say congratulations to him and to thank him for being an inspiration. It takes courage to get up on the platform in a power lifting meet and to call out 110lbs for your squat. He did post a 705.5lbs Deadlift and 501.7lbs Bench Press. To give a quick back story, Brandon collapsed under a squat in January and had to have multiple surgeries to repair his knees. Brandon is a beast and an inspiration.

That being said, I have decided to follow Brandon and his method for power lifting which is called the Cube Method. This program has been used by Brandon and his clients with great success. I hope to use it and increase my personal bests on all my lifts. The basic cube method is that you work your 3 main lifts each week but each week it is rotated to what type of training for that lift. Whether it be repetition work, explosive work, or heavy work. I don't want to go into too much detail because it is his method and his work.

Today, I did my first day of the cube method and here is what it looked like. Today was dead lift repetition work. Started off with a warm up and then into the working sets.

Warm Up
1" Deficit DeadLift
135lbs x 15 Reps
185lbs x 10 Reps
225lbs x 8 Reps
275lbs x 8 Reps

Working Sets
1" Deficit DeadLift
355lbs x 8 Reps

4" Block Pulls
405lbs x 3 Reps
405lbs x 3 Reps

Saftey Squat Bar Olympic Squats
225lbs x 8 Reps
225lbs x 8 Reps
225lbs x 8 Reps

Cable Squat Pull Throughs
70lbs x 10 Reps
90lbs x 10 Reps
110lbs x 10 Reps
130lbs x 10 Reps

Hyperextensions (Back Extensions)
1 Set of 50 Reps

I left the gym with a huge pump in my lower back and soreness in the glutes. I absolutely loved today's workout and cannot wait for future ones. If you have any questions feel free to hit me up.

God Bless and Lift Strong

Travis Miller

Update

Hey all,

Just wanted to give you an update on my power lifting. Today I got to lift with a couple friends as a fun day. We had a deadlift party. This was an idea I got from Metroflex Long Beach. They had posted earlier in the week that they were going to do one on Thursday morning. The gym I go to was closed on Thursday, so I decided to see if people wanted to do on on Friday. Another reason that I wanted to do this is that Jim Stoppani offered a challenge on his Facebook page for people to do 25 reps on deadlift with 250 lbs. Deadlift, of course, happens to be my favorite lift so I could not pass up the challenge. He also stated that if you recorded it and posted it on his Facebook page that he would give you a lifetime membership to his personal website www.jimstoppani.com. This was just more motivation for me to try it out. I also decided that if I made the 25 reps that I was going to go for a PR on the deadlift at 500 lbs. My previous best was 475 so it is a good jump up in the 3 weeks that I have been focusing on maximal strength. Below is both videos, I hope you enjoy them.

God Bless
Travis Miller

Power Lifting Status and Goals

Hiya,
So last time I posted that I was shifting my focus from aesthetics to strength based goals. This was because I am not really an aesthetic kinda guy, but I really love the feeling I get lifting heavy weights. So, I also mentioned that I was going to be testing where my current lifting status is by performing a simulated power lifting meet and then I would reevaluate my goal for January 3, 2014.

Today I went to the gym feeling a little under the weather because of head congestion. but I wasn't going to let it stop me from getting the results I wanted. Yesterday, I did some research on the order of a power lifting meet and what a typical warm up progression for 1RM (rep max) would consist of. The meet would consist of the lifts in the order of Squats, Bench Press, and Deadlift. The typical warm up for testing 1RM is as follows:

50% 1RM for 8 reps followed by 2 minutes rest
60% 1RM for 5 reps followed by 2 minutes rest
70% 1RM for 3 reps followed by 3 minutes rest
80% 1RM for 1 rep followed by 3 minutes rest
90% 1RM for 1 rep followed by 5 minutes rest
100% 1RM for 1 rep followed by 5 - 15 minutes rest
+2~5% increase followed by 5 - 15 minutes rest
Continue until unable to complete rep

Today I went with my approximate 1RM and based my test off of those. In the order of Squat, Bench Press, and Deadlift. The only thing I didn't do that would have been allowed in a meet would be 3 attempts at a given weight. I decided that because of time that when I hit my first failure I was done. So where do I sit as a power lifter?

Squat at 355 lbs - I was estimating 400 lbs
Bench at 285 lbs - I was estimating 315 lbs
Deadlift at 475 lbs - Previous best was 455 lbs
Total at 1115 lbs

I was a little disappointed on the squat and bench but it is understandable because I had been focusing on aesthetics instead of strength. I am totally excited on breaking my personal best on deadlift and that makes up for the squat and bench.

So here is where I am at for my goals. Deadline is still January 3rd, 2014. I am still setting my eyes on the 1300 lbs total with Squat at 425 lbs, Bench at 350 lbs, and Deadlift at 525 lbs.

Many people will tell you that it is an unrealistic goal but The question isn't if their opinions are going to let me but rather who's going to stop me!

God Bless,

Travis

Going Good

I started on the 20th of August a complete strict following of the Bizzy Diet created by Cory Gregory. I re measured my body stats last night to show where I was beginning. I am pleased that I have lost an inch around my waist from when I started out one month ago. This is exciting and motivating for me. Follow the link below to my BodySpace where I am uploading pictures and my stats. http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/TravMillr
I would like to give props to Muscle Pharm on their Muscle_Gel product. They seem small and possibly bad tasting from the initial reaction to the packaging and the flavors listed. However, when I tried them the flavors are awesome and when you drink the recommended 12oz of water with them they help curb your appetite and the are packed with 22grams of protein with no sugar. The workouts for days 1 and 2 were great looking forward to tomorrow's workout. Check out my BodySpace and leave comments and or questions or suggestions.

Good night and God bless
Travis

Tougher Week than last

Hi all, <br>
So this last week was pretty tough on me both physically and mentally. I started the week off in high hopes with a new workout plan that is a great bet to get me started in burning fat and toning the lean muscle that is currently in my body. The program is called the bizzy diet that was created by Cory Gregory the President of Muscle Pharm. With budget limitations I knew that the perfect meal plans and supplements were not going to be there but I did my best with the food and I used the supplements that I had at my disposal. So I started off Monday with a Combat Powder protein shake when I woke up and about 40 minutes before my workout. I followed it by taking Assault powder 15 minutes before the workout. When I got to the gym to do bizzy diet workout A which consists of 20 minutes of high intensity interval training (HIIT) 1 minute slow, 1 minute fast on the elliptical machine. Then you proceed immediately into a 5 workout weight circuit 20 reps each then repeat, where workout A is upper body. Then again no rest you go back to Cardio for 5 minutes slow and 5 high intensity. Follow that up with the exact weighted circuit as before and you are done. <br>
I was feeling great after this workout which I followed up with Recon powder. I showered had 3 eggs for breakfast, took my multivitamins and went to work. Had good high protein lunch with 2 small high protein snacks and finished the day with no issues. <br>
Tuesday is when the challenges started. I woke with the same routine as Monday and hit the gym for bizzy diet workout B which is pretty close to A with the exception of the circuit is designed for lower body. This started well but as I progressed through the lower body circuit I struggled to complete the reps for a couple of the exercises and also on the second circuit as well. This was a lot of mental weakness as well as physical. I didn't get down on myself because I understand that I am no where near peak physical for. I cannot expect to be at Cory Gregory level of fitness. Same routine after the workout and my daily meals were pretty close to Monday's. Work on Tuesday consisted of working inside a vehicle which equates to a steel box with no air conditioning in 113 degree heat. I drank plenty of water and took some cool air breaks but it was very tasking on my body. To finish Tuesday off I went and helped move a lady from one apartment to another one. By the end of Tuesday I was beat and completely exhausted. I took my dose of ZMA Pills which I also took Monday, and went to sleep.<br>
Wednesday when I woke up to go to the gym I couldn't get moving and decided to swap my Wednesday workout with my Thursday rest day so I could recover from the taxing Tuesday. My meals were pretty good the rest of the week but Thursday I didn't make it to the gym because mentally I wasn't ready to get in the gym but I told myself that I needed another day of rest. I then proceeded to blow Friday off as well.
I did finish the week strong and went to the gym Saturday morning and did workout A and then spent the day at the water park running up the stairs to the slides with my son. Today was a rest day to prepare for tomorrow which will be another workout A but also a strong start to next week.
One thing I learned is that all the motivation I have to stay working in the gym to accomplish my goals is not as strong first thing in the morning. I do know that I will overcome that weakness and I will conquer this goal and I will be cut, ripped, and stacked.

Good night and God bless
Travis

Back in the Saddle Again

Hello again, I am back writing to you because I am back at the quest. I have started working out at our new local gym which is a Planet Fitness. I am pleased with it because it is open 24 hours and that the membership fee is only $10 per month. I weighed in on the 13th of July at a whopping 275 lbs. I will be posting my before picture taken on the same day. I have worked out 12 of the 16 days since that day and am enjoying it immensely.
I found an android app called Jefit that helps create and track exercise programs as well as body stats. On the 24th I again weighed on this time at 269lbs and then my scale does a body fat test and calculates me at 37% body fat which I did not like at all. I have started taking a GNC Amp Ripped Vitapak and I tried the same brand pre workout supplement and their Wheyabolic 60 protein power as an after workout supplement. I didn't see much of an improvement in my workouts but I did notice some increased toning of the muscles I was working. Due to cost I think I am going to try Musclepharm Assault and Recon which runs half the cost of the GNC supplements and my friend highly recommends them.
My current exercise program consists of Monday Wednesday Friday weight training and Tuesday Thursday and Saturday as Cardio and Abdominal training. As I refine my program to be more efficient with the facility that I am working out at I will post the exact routine. I also plan on regularly posting some of my body tracking stats so you can see my progress in text along with the pictures that I have will be posting. The initial stats were taken by my wife on the 24th.
The pictures below. Are as follows the initial on the 13th, which is a self portrait of and the other two that were taken on the 24th by my lovely wife.
Cheers and God bless

Good Evening,
So after a week of shift change and coming down with something, I am back at my workouts. I tried something a little different on my Xbox game tonight. Instead of doing cardio-boxing, they have a work out or "class" that is called Boot Camp. I was expecting something pretty tough when I saw that it had 3 red bars for difficulty but I pressed start anyway. It was fun and it royally kicked my butt. It had me doing squats, double knee & double kick combos, running in place, what I would call hopping double knees (think of grabbing someone's head and delivering a jumping knee to the face). So I enjoyed it naturally. Then it had me do something I had not done in quite some while, push ups. This really put me back at to where I am physically. I need to work hard to get back into shape. I only could do at maximum half of the push ups that the work out was programmed for. This is not a bad thing because I am not taking it negatively. It is motivation! I will overcome, I will succeed, I will kick my butt back into shape. This motivation has got my brain working overtime on how to get things moving even faster. I have been given a bow-flex to work out with all I have to do is go and get it. This will add a great strength work out in between my cardio days on the Xbox. The other thing that I did tonight on the Xbox as a warm-up and cool down was something they label as Zen Energy, if you read the description it is a cross between Yoga and Tai Chi. It was great for getting my breathing started and it also allows you to work on your balance and focus.

Back into the game

Well It has been a while but I have not given up on my goal. I had a small hiatus but that has now been resolved. I just got done swimming laps in the pool. Right now it is warm enough to be swimming after work in the evenings. Soon it will be warm enough to swim both before and after work.

Right now I think in the mornings I am going to start with core exercises using plank work outs. The plank position, of course, is where you are in a push up position but instead of being on your hands you are resting on your elbows, with your elbows directly underneath your shoulders. Just holding that position with your back straight is a work out. Then you work on balance and strengthening your core muscles by lifting different limbs individually or together as opposite foot/hand combinations.

I plan on swimming after work on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I should be in the pool quite a bit with the kids on Saturday and Sunday. This should give me plenty of rest and plenty of exercise.

Well, I will keep updating this as much as I can. I look forward to showing progress and sharing my story. Tomorrow I might post a before picture and some basic starting stats to give me and you a beginning base line.

Good Day to all

Quest Day # 10

So I have not been progressing. I haven't even been posting to tell you that I am sucking at this weight loss thing. Right now I am kinda off kilter because I have some sorta pain coming from the tubes that drain the ears. I am going to start going at it again tomorrow starting slow. I am going to get up and stretch and continue to stretch throughout the day. Tomorrow night I plan on riding the stationary bike for a little bit. Definitely need to cut my calorie intake, portion control. Sometimes can be harder than getting up and exercising.

Goodnight for now

See ya soon

Quest Day # 4

So today did not turn out to be what I wanted it to. I didn't get to bed as early as I had planned and so I did not get up early to run. The day was pretty busy. I drank lots of water and ended up this evening taking a quick, hard ride on the exercise bike. Food intake was not horribly bad but I did eat a little more than I should have.

I can see that I need to keep the motivation up or else I am going to slack off too much. But on ward and up ward. I will continue and I will not stop.

See Ya Later

Quest Day # 2

So how does day 2 start. Success! Alarm went off, I got up shut it off and dressed for the run. My original goal was to do a 15 min split. i.e. 15 min out and 15 min in. So after stretching and some jumping jacks to get my heart pumping a little. I was off.

Physically the run didn't feel too bad. Left knee was a little loose and the right one was a little tight. Ankles didn't feel bad. Breathing was ok but not very rhythmic (according to the pace of my feet.)

Mentally, I felt good during the run, I made it 10.5 minutes before I let myself take a short (20 sec) break, this was also where I decided my turn around should be.

So instead of 15 minutes I ran 10 then turned around. The return trip was 12 minutes but felt pretty good. I don't know the distance of the run as of yet but will measure it later this morning and post it this evening.

So the run ended 30 mins ago and I have showered so I can get ready for work. My lungs aren't happy, but part of that is the congestion that I have had recently. I will update on the rest of the body's reaction later this evening.

See ya soon

UPDATE: This mornings run was 1.4 Miles. It took me 23 minutes. I have had a better day with eating and with drinking water. (I actually did today). My legs are a little sore but not as bad as I had anticipated.

Tomorrow no running but maybe some exercise before prayer at the Church.

Thanks for the support Lance. Good to hear from you. Thank you for your service! Hurry Home.

Quest Day # 1

So how does day #1 start. FAIL. So I set the alarm for 4:45 and decide that it is the perfect time to get up and start my first day of running. Well at 6:00 when I woke up, I had the realization the 4:45 pm was going to do me no good. So the problem will be corrected and tomorrow will be the first day of running.

Well the rest of the day was pretty busy with work and leadership. I did manage to eat 3 meals: Breakfast = bowl of cereal (generic capt crunch) in 2%. Lunch = Chicken & Cheese enchiladas with bell pepper Dinner = BRCC (Bean, Rice, Chicken, Cheese) Burritos.

So I can definitely eat better but I think quantity here was a little much. i.e. 1 serving of cereal would have been better than 2, lunch ok, dinner was 3 should have been about 1.5

No soda today but I did have some raspberry tea, sweet tea and coffee. I know water belongs in there some where just didn't make it today.

So if you are out there, it is still early on in the quest. I will make it to the goal. Keep the faith.

Side note: I did take my daily vitamins because my lovely wife reminded me too. Thank you darling.

The Quest for 220

So I have gotten sick and tired of being tired. Tired of finding out my clothes are too snug and soon to be too small. I am at ends with buying bigger clothes and I do want to buy more clothes but I prefer them to be smaller than the current set. I have come to the realization that my lack of quality sleep, my daily motivation, and some of my self-image are caused by my weight. I am a 32 year old former Marine who currently weighs 280 lbs. My ideal Marine Corps weight was 196; however, I always fought with that weight when I was in the best shape of my life so I don't feel that as a realistic goal. I choose 220 lbs. this means 60 of my current lbs. has to disappear.

So What is my plan of attack? Well I was going to make a small blog about running. I loved to run back in the day, but my physical body did not. So I am going to go with a "Quest for 220" I am going to start running tomorrow. I am going to pay closer attention to what I am putting into my gut. I am going to do what I have to reach my goal.

So Why am I writing about it? Well I have been saying I am going to start running for about 3 weeks now. Have I? Nope. I have a co-worker who is trying to keep me to my want to run by asking me everyday if I went. So I feel that if He can do this, I can rely on you to do this too. This is part of my accountability to my Quest. I cannot guarantee a post everyday but I will keep up with this quest.

So one other note, if my running legs keep good on the ability to run. I also have a goal to run in a local half marathon in November.

So keep checking in, Comment if you want I welcome it.