100%

Most of the time we are operating at what amounts to about 50% of our actual capacity. If we really focus and work hard, we may be able to get up to 80%. But, generally we drift along being "good enough".
We always keep something in reserve. That may be a habit rather than a necessity. Sure, we cannot operate at 100% all the time or we may burn out. But, think about the times when you really focused yourself on the tasks at hand and cranked out something you were really proud of. Or simply a time when you focused properly so that what you accomplished was quality rather than simply "done".
Now imagine doing that more often. What could you do if you simply made it a habit to focus properly and completely on what you are doing? You would have a lot more to be proud of.
If you simply work on the habit of performing at 80% rather than 50% you will in the next few weeks produce better results, enjoy better experiences, and perhaps extract more results from your time than ever before.
That sounds good to me. A little more focus for a much larger reward. Time to put some more life into living...

Workout 26

My 531 and Convict Conditioning foray starts today.
The 531 bodyweight template is my starting point for this. I only tweak the bodyweight portion to fit in with the CC progressions. So, it's not strictly Jim Wendler's 531, but I think it's close enough to still work if I give it beans.

Press Day

Warmup: Mobility, Stretching
Workout:
  Shoulder Press: 40x5, 42.5x5, 45x6
  Chinups: 5,5,5,5,5,4
  Handstand Pushup: Crow Stand: 2x30sec

I think it should work out. My Maxes on the exercise have taken a massive dip in the last 6 months.
Hopefully that strength comes back fast. Otherwise waking up at 6am on a sunday morning to train might become a bit of a chore...

The Adventures Of Cord Caldragin: 1.11

Cord moved quickly along the passage, all senses tuned to preventing someone finding him exposed in the corridors. He realised that it would become extremely difficult if he had to go much further into the palace. At any moment a servant could appear out of a bedroom or side passage, and that would create more problems than he wanted to deal with. He arrived at the first side-passage, and keeping his back to the wall quickly glanced around the corner. He was surprised to see the assassin strolling nonchalantly down the middle of the passage as if he had no care in the world. That was when Cord realised that there were no servants or guards about. And that could only mean that someone with a great deal of influence in the palace had organised it so that the assassin would be able to move freely in these apartments. But, with Cord now determined to prevent the assassination, that arrangement would be the downfall of the plan. Cord only had to avoid detection by the assassin. Making sure that the assassin was still looking the other way, Cord moved into the passage. The thick carpets helped him to be silent as he quickly sought to get as close as he could to the assassin.
It had been a strange evening so far, and Cord was sure that there was something brewing in the palace if an assassin could walk around in the royal apartments without fear.
Well, without fear currently. Cord would put some fear into him soon enough...

Workout 25

My bench arrived today, but I haven't put it together yet. Besides, I'm still rather stiff, so need to loosen up first. After today's workout I'll go put it together.

Warmup:
  Mobility: rolls and rocks
Workout:
  Kettlebell Complex: 24kg [swing + Snatch + neg Press (l,r)] : 5x3
  Heavy Swings: 32kg : 6x10

That was quite tiring. I will do these types of sessions in my back-off week during my quasi-531 routine.
So, one more Kettlebell session this week, then from next week, it'll be 531 (sort-of).

The days are flying by here, so I seem to be missing out on posting all that I want. I will have to try post more over the weekend again.

Old Men And Sport

Once again, I am in the agony of DOMS.

I skipped workouts last week so that I could try to prepare myself for a football(soccer) game on the weekend. I avoided lifting heavy, and rather did some shuttle runs and kicking to try get ready.
Failed!
If it had been a bit of a run, and some social play it might have been ok. I was unprepared for two full 45min halves of sprinting, tackling and marking. My body is not happy.
There are men wiser than I who realise that you cannot just plunge into the competitive arena and come out unscathed. But, they're no fun.
Yes, I'm suffering at the moment, but it was fun to run around like a kid again. I will be doing it again.
But, I will definitely be much better prepared the next time. Guaranteed.
I could sit back and mellow like so many do when the get near middle-age, but where is the fun in that. I don't feel like I've peaked just yet, so I will keep at it until I simply can't run with the boys anymore.
By then there might be a pill that will make me younger anyway...

Workout 23 - 24

It's been such a busy couple of days, I forgot to post the workouts...

Workout 23 (14 Oct)
Usual Warmup
Deadlift: 90x2,3,3,2
Rear Foot Elevated Squat: bodyweight x10,10
Pushup: 10,8
One-Arm Press: 10kg x 10,10
Lying Bent Knee Raise: 20,15
Hip Thrust: 10kg x 10,10

Good solid work, easy. No soreness this week.

Workout 24 (17 Oct)
Warmup
Headstand: 2min
Dips: bodyweight x 10,10,10
Short Bridge: 20,20
One Leg Deadlift: 16kg x 10,10,10
Inverted Row: bodyweight x 4,4,4,4,4
One Arm Band Rows: band x 10,10,10

Starting to get the weight and CC combination going, but I need to get everything a bit more organised.
I need some solid way to track progress and get the benefit of the work.
Wendler's 531 idea worked very well for me before, I may use that again...

The Test

It's agonising. It sucks the life from your bones. It makes you wish you were not in the middle of it. And therefore it is terrific.
What is it? A 2-week detox.
No, not some cabbage-chomping water-only self-denial and "cleansing" ritual. Simply two weeks of cutting out the problem areas in dieting. All stimulants, refined carbs and processed foods are excluded for 14 days.
It's good for two reasons
1. You get a chance to avoid foods that can cause inflammation, and give your body a chance to revitalise.
2. It takes guts. It's not easy to cut out sugars and refined foods. It's easier said than done to stop drinking coffee if you are a bit of a coffee addict.
Some jump right into the 2 weeks, others ease into it. I'm one of the latter. I find it very difficult to go 'cold-turkey'. I am progressively cutting things out. It's a bit slower, as I'll probably be on the detox longer, but I think it's better for me. I'm struggling just cutting a few things. I have an inner rebel, and if I push him too far, I'll end up with a muffin in one hand, a coffee in the other and a chocolate in my mouth. He will not allow himself to be pushed. I must ease him into it. When each part becomes a habit, I'll move to the next. Slow and steady wins the race.
What is a few extra days if it helps me to make a long-term change? They were onto something when they said that patience is a virtue...