I have been competitively powerlifting for over 20 years. Within that time I have competed raw, single ply and multi ply. I hold the highest all time total of 1930 at 148, the third highest total of 2045 at 165 and have broken over 35 world records, over 25 of which I still hold. Through the years in this sport I have learned a great deal from various training methods, met and formed long lasting friends, as well as learned the importance of balancing life, work, and training.
Elitefts accepted me as a team member over ten years ago and I am currently the longest standing still competing powerlifter on the site. I appreciate Dave Tate and Elitefts for giving me the opportunity to learn from and teach others through the Q&A and my training log.
In 2005 I opened Orlando Barbell – a 24 hour powerlifting friendly gym. As well as running Orlando Barbell I designed and sell the Home GHR , the The OBB Power Handles and the Doorway Home Gym, wrote the 12 Weeks to a Bigger Bench EBook, and produced the 12Weeks to a Bigger Bench DVD.
My latest contribution was writing the M2 Method EBook, designed to be the quintessential Raw Powerlifting training manual for beginners to advanced lifters looking to get stronger and prevent injury while incorporating the powerlifts.
A couple laps around the building for a warm up:
Prehab
PVC rolled on:
Lower back, shifted to right and left
Upper back, shifted to right and left scapula w/hips up
Armpits
Hamstrings
Glutes
Adductors
Face Pulls w/Spud Straps-
90x12x3
Grip work w/gripper-
25x12
60x12x2
Close Grip Cable Rows-
120x12x3
Hypers on GHR- BWx12x3
Single Arm Cybex Curls-
30x12
40x12
50x12
I’m still on prednisone to reduce my inflammation while in-between potential UC meds. The prednisone makes me feel like crap and more injury prone for muscle tears. Between that, not training as much, not being able to train as heavy due to the autoimmune issues and the herniated discs I suffered from getting rear ended just over a year ago, and the strength loss that the Humira seemed to cause my training is hardly worth posting. Although prednisone makes most people gain weight, for some reason it makes me lose. We’ve also been basically eating paleo to avoid sugar, gluten, and processed foods so my weight is the lowest it’s been since I had H-Pylori about three years ago and probably even lighter than when I last dropped to 148 years ago. It’s depressing.
I had about 15 vials of blood drawn and provided a urine sample for the functional doctor on Friday (12/9/16). I’m hoping that he’ll be able to give me a diet to start working with by the middle of next week. I’m also hoping to start a new UC med sometime soon. My thought is to use the meds to manage the symptoms and the functional doctor’s diet and supplement recommendations to get to the cause of the problem, then hopefully reduce the meds.
Following Vincent Dizenzo’s lead I hope to do the opposite and start an “Operation: Be less skinny” starting sometime soon. I know that there are just as many, if not more, lifters who have trouble gaining weight as losing. Due to my autoimmune issues my situation may be a little different, but I’ve always had issues gaining weight. I’m also going to be starting on a very restrictive diet and working my way back incorporating more foods from there.
Thank you for continuing to read my log through all of this. I hope that my experience and road back can help provide useful information for some of you.
If there’s one piece of advice I can give it’s that nothing, nothing ever goes as planned. You can do your best to plan out every aspect of your life, but you don’t control all of the factors. Plan for the best, but be prepared for the worst.
The M2 Equipped Training Ebook
The M2 Method Raw Training Ebook
The Affordable and Effective Floor Based Home GHR
Buy your own Doorway Home Gym and never miss out on your accessory work again
12 Weeks to a Bigger Bench EBook
