MonStar's Journal: Absolute Dedication

[M.J.H.]

SF- Okay, I can completely understand what your saying. But if you look at the reviews for S1+, most of them report body recomposition. That's why I kind of had my hopes up about tightening up some while still gaining an appreciable amount of size/strength. But I definitely cannot see myself losing any size, at least not in the near future. But we'll see what happens. I really need to see how this S1+ cycle turns out, and just decide what I want to do from there.

 

[X Ring]

keep us updated on that S1+, it is something i am looking to run in july after this tp pt I am doing

Of course it would still have to be legal at that time for me to do it so who knows

 

[Arith]

Howdy Monstar, wondered where you went. I started up a log here too, hope to get more feedback then i was getting on DF. Glad to see things are going well 4 u.

 

[M.J.H.]

X Ring- Oh I am definitely going to keep everyone updated my S1+ man, no questions asked. Most of the time my last paragraph or so in each journal entry I talk about the S1+ and how I feel about it, etc. Just basically ramblings about what I am noticing, etc. I am really hoping that prohoromones are still legal this summer, damn. If I make good gains on this S1+ I would love to do another S1+ cycle. I mean if you look at the reviews it seems to completely dominate in the PH category. Even more than 1-AD, M1T, etc.

Arith- Nice to see you over here at IM man! Definitely a smart move if you ask me, I think you'll like it much more over here. I am definitely going to be checking out your journal man. And IM in general is a much more active forum, so you'll definitely be seeing a lot more responses.

 

[M.J.H.]

Wednesday, 4-14-2004

Diet:
- ham & cheese omlette, whole-wheat toast, apple
- MRP + whey protein + 1% milk
- Gatorade during workout, whey protein postworkout
- tuna + mayo
- breaded chicken fingers, bruschetta, 2 dinner rolls, garden salad, grilled chicken + vegetables + pasta
- Detour bar, Balance Gold bar, fruit popsicle
- whey protein + 1% milk

Good amount of calories today, probably around 4,500 or so. Pretty good amount of protein as well. Right around 300g today.

Sleep: 8.5 hours. Then another 45 minute nap before my workout.

Weight: 220 lbs. Damnit, a bit light today. Going to increase my calories today because my friggin' workout was a LOT of volume. I was drenched in sweat afterwards.

Pull

Support Rows
120x12, 165x10, 210x8, 255x8, 280x4, 190x15

CG Cable Pulldowns
245x1, 245x1, 245x1, 245x1, 245x1, 245x1, 245x1, 245x1, 245x1, 245x1

CG Cable Rows
185x12, 215x10, 245x9

DB Shrugs
100x10, 100x10, 100x10

Standing BB Curls
85x12, 105x10, 135x4

Hammer Curls
Dropset: 50x7, 40x7, 30x7, 20x7

Really really good workout today. Lasted just a bit over an hour. And damn, it was completely exhausting. I really really need to work on my endurance I guess it is. Because I am starting to really get wiped out as I increase my volume some. Oh well. Started off with chest-supported rows, definitely some good sets there today. Worked up to 280 for 4. My lats were honestly not at their peak. I am guessing because of the 8 sets of SLDL yesterday. My upper back was a little tight, oh well.

Moved onto CG pulldowns, OUCH. 10 sets of 1 is definitely intense. Even though it was just one single rep it was honestly a great rep on each set, lol. Perfect form, very slow negative, etc. I actually like this training principle a lot when I am not doing legs, lol. Moved onto CG cable rows which were very intense. All 3 sets were good. Worked up to 245 for 9, all with excellent form. After the rows I hit some DB shrugs, nothing spectacular here, just wanted to stimulate my traps some.

Damn, by the time I got to BB curls my friggin' biceps/forearms were so damn exhausted it was ridiculous. My forearms especially for some reason were just drained. I am guessing from the shrugs, maybe? BB curl strength was definitely down, oh well. Finished up with a nice dropset in hammer curls, holy sh*t, that was intense. Really good lactic acid buildup. Arms were toast.

Finally getting over this sinus infection, after I am on a damn antibiotic. The S1+ is going pretty well I guess. I am about a week into the stuff and have about 3 weeks left. So I am hoping to really start seeing some serious gains. So far I really havn't noticed all that much. But then again most people don't report anything noticeable until about 10-12 days into the S1+. So far all I can say is that I havn't had a bad workout yet. Intensity has been better than ever, and I really mean better than ever. I am getting so intense during my sets now it's such a great feeling. I have been getting into the "zone" much more often in my workouts.

 

[Saturday Fever]

How did the rows feel after your 10 sets of 1?

 

[M.J.H.]

SF- Light, of course. I usually don't go above 215 on pulldowns, and even 215 is a lot on the machine I use. So 245 felt like a godd*mn ton, trust me. But the rows did feel unusually light. And I was surprised because my back was so damn exhausted. After the chest-supported rows and the heavy pulldowns. I am loving this way of training, except for legs!

 

[Saturday Fever]

Legs will adjust, of course.

Glad to hear it's working out for you though.

 

[AnnaDTX]

Hey Babe, I am here! Your workouts are looking great! See ya

 

[PreMier]

Originally posted by MonStar
A few d*cks on this site decided to give me a bunch of sh*t about my form, it was ridiculous.

Just because I questioned your form means I am a dick? ok.

 

[PreMier]

I also gave you props, strong as hell for sure. But I see no point in arguing this, so im out.

 

[Mudge]

You have me beat on barbell curls.

 

[M.J.H.]

SF- Thanks man, yeah it definitely is going to work out very well for me I think. After a few weeks of this I am going to consider the CAT principle, and maybe apply that. And I can't wait for my legs to adjust!

Anna- Nice to see that you made it over here! This is a great forum I really think that you'll fit right in here. You should seriously consider starting your journal here...

PreMier- I didn't realize you were one of the people who was giving my sh*t about my form. No hard feelings man, I was just a bit offended that's all. It's all good man, I am not worried about it anymore.

Mudge- No way man. Don't use today as a gauge of my BB curl strength either, they were very weak today. I have hit 135 before for 7-8. Thanks for the post though, man.

 

[Monolith]

Originally posted by MonStar
I have hit 135 before for 7-8.

You sure this is your first cycle?

 

[atherjen]

oh face it you will never be happy with any lift. Im convinced!

Nice workout!! all those pulldowns look fun!!

 

[Saturday Fever]

Well, I settled all of the rambling in your deadlift video thread. Quoted Dave Tate preaching your form. And I'm pretty sure nobody is going to try to step to anyone from Westside Barbell.

 

[GRIFF]

Westside Barbell? hmmph, what a bunch of pansies, I'd step to all of em given the chance, just close the door and let me fight my way outa there, I mean they arent actually strong are they???

Great workout MonStar, lookin real good, ever consider doing shrugs with a barbell? maybe adding some weight in there? seems like you've been on the 100's for awhile, dont neglect those traps baby! they make a nice pillow during squats

 

[M.J.H.]

Monolith- LOL, yeah man, I am positive. Thanks, though. I would really love to hit 135 for 10 in BB curls to be honest. That might be my goal for the end of this S1+ cycle.

Jen- Yeah, workout was definitely really good. Absolutely exhausting, of course, but an awesome overall workout. The 10 sets of pulldowns were great! Thanks for the support.

SF- Thanks man, I'll definitely check it out. No one here will touch a word that Dave Tate says, if they do they're just stupid. The guy knows his sh*t backwards and forwards. But again man, I appreciate it. I got so much sh*t for my deadlift form it was ridiculous. Was so damn frustrating.

GRIFF- LOL, I am assuming that you're being sarcastic about Dave Tate and the guys from Westside. Yeah, I have considered doing shrugs with a barbell, but honestly I absolutely love DB shrugs. I might give them a shot in the near future. My grip is always a problem though with the barbell, but we'll see. Yeah funny thing is I never really trained my traps directly until a few weeks ago.

 

[Mudge]

Seriously its a great curl. The strange thing is I always had strong biceps, in high school I was doing 110 for reps without too much strain, and yet today I might do 125 for 7 or thereabouts and thats a good day for me. Maybe I have been too easy on the biceps (I am often low sets for them). I need to start doing straight bar curls again.

 

[GRIFF]

haha Monstar, totally kidding about those guys, they are beasts. I use straps when I do the BB shrugs, its the only thing I'll use straps on just because I think it really helps the form when you arent pulling it up with your forearms as much. You can really load the weight on that way and crank the shit out of them.

 

[M.J.H.]

Mudge- Yeah see for me my biceps have never been anything all that special. I mean they have always been okay I guess. 125 for 7 though is really good, that's for sure. Yeah I would concentrate a bit more on BB curls and focus on keeping them extremely intense, etc. Your strength will come up.

GRIFF- Eh, I don't like p*ssy straps for anything, personally, lol. Chalk is about all that I use and I think its great. I really like using chalk it helps your grip out, but still allows you hold the weight yourself. With straps you don't really get a feel of the weight. IMO, if you can't hold the weight yourself with your own grip strength, it's too heavy for you.

 

[GRIFF]

I use straps for everything, bench, bicep curls, rows? forget about it, all of it, my grip is so weak i can barely hold a pencil, but hey thats ok.....

haha j/k I tend to agree, if you cant hold it, you cant lift it. Try tellin that to a couple guys ad DF who swear doing deads with straps is more beneficial.....

 

[X Ring]

I actually do worse with straps on deads or rows (machine or bar). I will only use them for shrugs and some db rows. I feel that if i dont use them I can't hit the targeted muscle as well and my grip is the limiting factor. I just cant hang onto 455 for 12-15 reps shrugs, but my form otherwise is good

 

[M.J.H.]

GRIFF- If you use straps for bench then we need to have a serious talk bro, lol. Yeah I don't even want to think about DF, or what anyone on that site has to say. That's always how I have felt though---about training with straps.

X Ring- I agree man. I absolutely hate lifting straps. Chalk is about all that I use. And I occasionally will use a belt during heavy squats or deadlifts. Shrugs I would rather go a bit lighter and focus more on contracting my traps than go heavier and shorten my ROM, etc.

 

[M.J.H.]

Thursday, 4-15-2004

Diet:
- whey protein + 1% milk, whole-wheat toast
- breaded chicken strips
- whole-wheat tuna & mayo sandwich, apple
- whey protein + 1% milk, 1/2 peanut butter sandwich, apple
- 6" turkey & cheese sub
- MRP + 2% milk

Good amount of food today. Protein intake was definitely good, with 3 protein shakes, lol. Right around 300g again. I might even eat some more breaded chicken before actually going to bed. Ended up taking in around 3,700 calories today.

Sleep: 8.5 hours.

Weight: 218 lbs. Dropped a few pounds. I am not going to really think much of this because honestly, it was before I ate anything today, etc. I ate a lot yesterday and there is no way that I am losing weight taking in 4K+ calories a day... I don't think!

Cardio/Abs

20 minutes interval training on the treadmill, first thing this morning (actually afternoon, lol) before eating anything---alternated one minute of 4.0 MPH with one minute of 8.0-8.2 MPH. This was completely exhausting. Worked up a hell of a sweat, etc. Felt great, though. All I had before this was some coffee, ephedrine, and usnic acid.

Nautilus Crunches
160x15, 180x12, 200x10
Dropset: 190x8, 160x8, 130x8, 100x8

Good sets today of crunches! Really hit my midsection hard. Dropset was definitely intense. Looking forward to getting back into heavy training though tomorrow.

Decided to snap a few progress pics today. I am about a week into S1+, so it's really hard to see anything at this point. But hey, what the hell? Going to attach the pic in a post after this one.

 

[M.J.H.]

Progress pics today.

I am currently one week into S1+. The progress pic from when I started S1+ can be found in my other journal. Now I am roughly 1 week into the cycle. I have 3 weeks left, and I am hoping to see some nice strength gains, etc. So far I think that it's really hard to see much of anything. My weight is about the same. A tad light today, actually.

 

[atherjen]

looking great Mike!! dont ever argue with me and your back again.. LOL open you eyes mister!

woo good to see you did the intervals!

 

[ncgirl21]

Nice, very very nice!!!!!!!! <wiping drool off of chin>

 

[X Ring]

looking damn good man, keep up the work

 

[Monolith]

Lookin good, Mon.

But whats with the blacked out face?