Thread: Jersey's "Me Too" Journal

I am curious, do you honor your commitment to the first job, and make less, or drop them for the job that comes later for more?

Oh God, did you just hit a nerve Pre. A little history... I was lured away from a job, by the last company I worked for. Great pay, great benefits, great working conditions. Then about a year and a half later, they got into export violations and laid off 40 people, including me at the first of the year. So in other words, I didn't see it coming and right after Christmas they said... "sorry, but we have to let you go". For someone my age, with a wife and two kids to support, this was DEVASTATING news.

So I have been interviewing for months. During this time, I have been jerked around, lied to, taken advantage of, all because companies could care fucking less about you, only about about their bottom line. They take full advantage of the high unemployment rate, which I know is 'good business'. I had interviewed with companies that called me back 2, 3, even 4 times, just to say later they went with someone else. One company, I spend 2-1/2 hours interviewing with the decision maker, he told me I was a lead candidate, decision would be make next week. Didn't hear anything, so I left him a message on his voice mail. Did he call me back? Nope. About two weeks later he leaves me a message asking if I could come in tomorrow to meet some people. Interviewed with 3 people, spent another 4 hours. Told me I would know next week..... A MONTH FUCKING LATER, after totally dissing my calls, I call him and he actually answers the phone, and sounds like my best buddy. He then tells me although they were impressed, they went with another candidate. This was a 3 month process. I understand corporate decisions, but don't let me hang for 3 fucking months, just to kick me in the ass.

Ok, what did I learn. If the shoe was on the other foot, this company would probably dick me just as quickly if they felt it was to their benefit. Times have changed. If a company comes along and offers me a better deal, then FUCKING A, I'm out of there! I must do what is best for me and my family. Realize it's not just money. This second company is a lot more progressive, and I feel in the long run it's a MUCH better opportunity.

Sorry to rant, but like I said, you struck a nerve.

Friday, September 3rd

Speed Box Squats
185 x 2
185 x 2
185 x 2
185 x 2
185 x 2
185 x 2
195 x 2
195 x 2
205 x 2
205 x 2

Box set to 3"-4" below parallel. RI = 30-45 seconds. Focused on exploding off the box. Speed seemed to be the same with 185 and 195 sets. Sets with 205 were too slow.

SLDL
135 x 8
185 x 5
225 x 5
275 x 3
275 x 3
225 x 10

Incline Press
bar x 10
135 x 10
155 x 15

How in the heck did this get in here? I must have blanked out and tried incline presses! Elbow felt great, although when I squeeze my hands around then bar, I can still feel it. Doing the reps though, no discomfort at all.

Crunches
50, 50, 50

Wanted to do hypers after the crunches, but was pressed for time and right before I went to use the machine, some heffer jumped in front of me. I decided to pass...

Hey JD

Thanks so much for your kind words in my journal. I really appreciate them, and believe me, I do look for guidance in your journal sometimes. I just haven't been able to read much lately.
I'll catch up with it later, post hurricane.

Have a great day!!

Jersey - Are you throwing in some Westside Training ??

Speed squats? Nice work.

Originally Posted by fantasma62

Thanks so much for your kind words in my journal. I really appreciate them, and believe me, I do look for guidance in your journal sometimes. I just haven't been able to read much lately.
I'll catch up with it later, post hurricane.

Hopefully, you and your family are ok. From what I saw, there is a good chance you lost power. If so, hope you get it back soon!

Originally Posted by yellowmoomba

Jersey - Are you throwing in some Westside Training ?

Yeah I have been incorporating some of the Westside principles. Have done close grip flat bench forever, but recently started CG inclines and declines. Rack pulls, SLDL's, box squats, good mornings, spread eagle situps, and weighted hypers are other movements I've recently started after reading some of Dave Tate's articles. I really like this way of training, but generally go with higher reps.

Originally Posted by MonStar

Speed squats? Nice work.

Thanks for dropping by Mike. I never felt like I got a whole lot from doing speed bench. Now with my forearm injury, I won't be doing those for awhile anyway. Speed box squats on the other hand seem to help alot. I will be doing more of these.

Saturday, September 4th

Bench
bar x 10
135 x 8
155 x 8
185 x 8
205 x 8
225 x 8

Incline
135 x 10
135 x 10
135 x 12

Pushdowns
30 x 20
50 x 15
50 x 15
60 x 15

One Arm Extension
15 x 10/10
20 x 10/10

To be referred to as 'Black Saturday'. Decided to try a regular bench workout today (a day earlier then planned), and it didn't go too well. I should have just stayed with light weight, but after each set the arm felt fine so I upped the ante. A few minutes after my last set, my arm started to hurt. Once I got home, it hurt a lot. I applied ice for 15 minutes, then again 45 minutes later. I definitely set myself back at least a week... My doc told me if I rest for two weeks, and it still hurts when weight training, he would refer me to an orthopedic doc. Not sure what they are going to do different. Cortizone?

What I'm hoping is that it heals back to where it was relatively quick, and I'll try really light weights for awhile. Not sure at what point I try something heavier, because the light weight felt fine yesterday. Good news is with the original injury I couldn't bend my arm back and touch my forehead. Right now, that doesn't bother me at all. But it feels like the forearm muscles are inflammed. Sorry to rattle on, but I'm totally bummed.

Sorry about that. But hey, wait the FULL 2 weeks this time. Everytime you "tried" it out you set yourself back another 2 weeks. DO NOT TOUCH A WEIGHT UNTIL THE 18TH THIS TIME!!! I don't mean to be preachy and I know it's a bitch but I also know it doesn't magically go away and you NEED the time to really heal. 2 weeks is being VERY gracious, should probably be longer. Make sure your taking anti-inflams in the meantime! 4 ibuprofen and 2 extra strength tylenol 4 times a day will do it.

As for the next step, they might do an MRI, possibly cortizone though I never recommend that. If you go to a good sports DR. there are a number of treatments that could help- massage, ultrasound, electromagnetic stimulation, deep heat, etc...

Rock, I was afraid you would see this . Yeah, that sounds like good advice. I have been taking Bextra (valdecoxib) which is a NSAID. It's about to run out. I had a question about that. Since I've been taking large doses of it for two weeks, is it ok to continue taking 2,400mg of ibuprofen a day?

Thanks for your advice. I appreciate it!

Don't take the pain killer. pain is there for a reason, to tell you something is wrong. If you don't feel the pain you automatically think that everythign is okay when it might not be. I try and never take pain killers because I want to always know what is happening. Quite lifting upper body, listen to the DOC.

Has your stomach been upset at all? If not then it's fine to take. If I'm not wrong valdecoxib isn't very hard on the stomach like ibuprofen (go figure). The thing to look for is upset stomach or black tarry stool. If you have either then back off the ibuprofen. Everyone has different stomach thresholds of what they can handle. I can take that stuff continously for months with no problems at all.

Originally Posted by P-funk

Don't take the pain killer. pain is there for a reason, to tell you something is wrong. If you don't feel the pain you automatically think that everythign is okay when it might not be. I try and never take pain killers because I want to always know what is happening. Quite lifting upper body, listen to the DOC.

I agree with the pain killer but an anti-inflammatory is a MUST. If not it will take much longer for the inflammation to go down. It usually needs a push. Unfortunately most all anti-inflam meds have anelgesic properties too. Just KNOW that your not going to even THINK upper body for at least 2 weeks

Originally Posted by P-funk

Don't take the pain killer. pain is there for a reason, to tell you something is wrong. If you don't feel the pain you automatically think that everythign is okay when it might not be. I try and never take pain killers because I want to always know what is happening. Quite lifting upper body, listen to the DOC.

Thx P. I did listen to the doc. I did 'test' it after 7 days, and then on Friday. But other then those, which were light, I did what he said. It obviously needs more time. So I need to listen to you, and the ROC .

Originally Posted by rock4832

Has your stomach been upset at all? If not then it's fine to take. If I'm not wrong valdecoxib isn't very hard on the stomach like ibuprofen (go figure). The thing to look for is upset stomach or black tarry stool. If you have either then back off the ibuprofen. Everyone has different stomach thresholds of what they can handle. I can take that stuff continously for months with no problems at all.

Stomach has been fine. Yeah, valdecoxib doesn't inhibit COX-1 enzymes like ibuprofen so it is much easier on the stomach lining. I'll switch to ibuprofen until and if, the doc gives me something else.

Hey Jersey - I think you need to pick up a "two week hobby" to keep you out fo the gym!! REST is your friend. You should know that by now.

Get better. I like reading your journal.

JD,

Man you need to listen to Dr. Rock ! And everybody else, I can say that 'cos I'm not the one who's elbow is hurting. I'd be doing the same as you probably if it were me

Relax guys, already committed to taking 2 weeks off (upper body). I am as committed to taking two weeks off, as much as Monstar is committed to his latest journal . Just kidding. Seriously, two weeks off it is. I plan on doing a ton of squats, good mornings, abs and a lot of cardio in the meantime.

Thank all of you (Rock, P-funk, YM and the Garmeister), for your support .

No problem, I want you better buddy! I know how frustrating this is, trust me! Good luck

Originally Posted by JerseyDevil

Relax guys, already committed to taking 2 weeks off (upper body). I am as committed to taking two weeks off, as much as Monstar is committed to his latest journal . Just kidding. Seriously, two weeks off it is. I plan on doing a ton of squats, good mornings, abs and a lot of cardio in the meantime.

Thank all you (Rock, P-funk, YM and the Garmeister), for your support .

LOL That "monstar" comment made my laugh out load ... (sorry Monstar)

Sunday, September 5th

Powerwalk outdoors for 50 minutes.

I really like doing these walks. Good way to exercise the heart, burn fat, but low even intensity as not to burn lean mass (I hope).

Monday, September 6th

Warm up: Exercise bike for 5 minutes

Squat
135 x 8
185 x 5
225 x 5
275 x 5
315 x 2
335 x 0

Concentrated on form, and depth of squat. Definitely getting well below parallel with all sets. A bit disappointed in missing 335, but it will go up next time. Just barely missed it... Maybe should have either omitted the 315 x 2 set, or only done 315 x 1 before attempting a max.

45 Degree Leg Press
225 x 10
315 x 8
405 x 6
500 x 4

Yeah, I know. This is the first time doing leg presses in months. Much prefer squats, but since I'm doing wide stance squats, I need something to work quads more directly.

Hyperextensions
+60lbs x 12
+60lbs x 12
+60lbs x 12
+60lbs x 12

Crunches
50, 50, 50

Tuesday, September 7th

Another boring Powerwalk....

I always list these as a 50 minute walk, because that was the time it took me the first time out (and I was trying to walk fast). I timed myself today, and did it in 46:06.

Made an appointment with a sports medicine orthopedic doc for this Friday. I think just rest, and getting back into it to slowly is all I need, but it won't hurt to get their opinion. For now its squats, AM's, leg presses, leg extensions, hypers, abs, etc until I can resume upper body. I hate this...

Iron Junkie !

Hang in there man , You 'll be back in the gym full force before you know it ! Probably before PreMier

Originally Posted by PreMier

I knew you'd see that!