I am training strength for maximum strength. As I am stronger than most in my age I have also been so my entire life. I decided for years back that I wanted to become stronger, one of Sweden's strongest men. Although until the last year I've had training and still improve over the months with great results.
In the following years to come I hope to raise my strength to the elites and start competition for fun. For me it's important to be strong, not only in body but in lifestyle. To stand for your views and stand up against ignorance, unnecessary hate and prejudices. So if I after about 4-5 years compete when I feel ready and if I indeed reach the finals of Sweden's Strongest Man (SSM). I will wear the goth.net logotype on my shirt as I have quite enjoyed my time here. Only wish I wrote more frequently.

Just an FYI...I decided to start a blog of tips and tricks, now that I've finally found the "magic formula", so to speak. Wanted to share with all. You may find that one or two things do not quite work for you, but the basis is there.

http://2012healthandfit.blogspot.com/

I've been trying to lose weight lately. eating as healthy as possible and going for walks (...around the mall) every day. I still can't lose weight. it's fucking annoying.

I totally know what you mean (going through it right now as well). Hang in there! Plateaus happen, unfortunately, as your body starts to get used to the changes you're making. Also, it doesn't help when water weight can vary in the neighborhood of five pounds each day. Try not to let this get you down and just keep moving forward.

I'm stuck with water weight right now. It's getting frustrating. I have no appitite anymore all I want is water and it's making me bloat.

I do eat, just not much lately. And they are healthy and well rounded meals. It's probably my meds killing my appitite, huh?

I thought I was fairly fit, but found out I was wrong. Three laps around a yard with a bicycle and I was panting. (Granted it had a hill.) I need more aerobics, or possibly roomier lungs.

-- Tue Jan 24, 2012 5:22 pm --


HopelessRomantic: Bloating could just be temporary, thought water retention was more likely to happen with a lot of salt? Or maybe it's a medication side effect?

It might be partly the medication, or maybe i'm just stuck temporarily. I don't think the bloating is from salt, I keep an eye on sodium intake. Blah. Maybe it's from my heart problems, who knows? I just hope it goes away soon. I'm tired of being asked if i'm pregnant. :/

Igorina, maybe your bike is in the wrong gear?

To loose body fat you don't need to starve or eat less. Change what you eat, add more salad, no sauce to your portion of meat and potatoes. I start my day with a protein-drink and nothing else, two hours later I drink a glass of milk and green tea. I wait about two hours and not more than three hours between meals. To lunch I consume mostly salad and some slices meat and pasta. Because I am in school I have to wait four hours before my next meal. I get home drink a protein-drink with more scopes than in the morning as my body is more hungry and I also add newly cooked coffee (I've heard fast coffee is milder on your stomach). I train right away and not more than 45-60 minutes. 3 set per exercise with 6-8 reps with 70-80% of RM (Repetition Maximus) First day: Chest and arms (Benchpress, incline benchpress, standing military press, standing dumbbell curls) Second day: Back and belly (Deadlift, Latspull/Cablepull, any stomach machine) Third day: Legs (Knees, legpress alt. legcurls) Fourth: Rest (alt. grip-training). I vary between barbell and dumbbell exercises every week, but the important lesson is to train only one musclegroup every day; like arms and chest or legs. The strongest muscles first and the weaker last. The weight should be heavy that you can do 6 reps and not more than 8 reps in the last set. First set should give a challenge but you should be able to do all reps and the second you most try hard to succeed and the last should feel like a killing.

I vary from week to week with dumbbell for the basic exercises but do them relativity the same. It is important to raise the weight using small weight like 1,25, 2,5, 5 or 15. So that you may increase your effort and increase your strength. If you barely manage the last reps than you train right and the last one should be difficult to do and you most keep it for a while to succeed using and iron will and determination. Never drop the weight, you only do that if you have no choice. There is always some strength when you feel drained, to try bring it out.

For the elites among us, we train differently. I vary between the set and reps above and those that I am going to list. This way you can build strength and grow stronger. Remember that discipline is important but self determination is way more. My days are the same as above but I add different exercises like pull-ups for lats and back. What I change is the set and reps. Because here you use (80-97% of RM):
set 4 (remember to warm up, no stretching before training) reps 2 (raise the weight for each set, until the
last set is nearly impossible to do)
set 4 reps 2 (do these with smaller weight but still more than 76% of RM, these are supposed to be explosive so throw them up but do it correct and drop them)
set 2 reps 10-15 (to end the exercise do pump sets, you should you smaller weight and they should be enough heavy to give a challenge and make the last reps difficult. Pump set is exactly what the name tells you, fast reps, fast breathing and make your arms feel like they should explode).

You most eat before an hour after training, take a snack or something on your way home from the gym I usually drink another protein-drink with less portions like in the mornings. Because then I get home I eat about a kilogram of chicken, for snacks if I am traveling and can't eat regular meals I eat a can of tuna. (chicken and tuna is great for protein) if you're vegetarian you should consume more beans, lenses and other protein rich food and try to keep the carbs balanced if you want to have a good precent with body fat and build strong muscle than help burn fat and keep you fit and able. When you eat make sure you body really needs it and deserves it.

The strongman way. Building for strength not beauty.

Like Magnus Samuelsson says ''I train to be the best I am, to be stronger than everyone else, when again I am already pretty''.

Link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-aSxBTOJBw
Link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehiV_I9u ... re=related

Dark Zorloreh, I WISH I were strong enough to do even one pullup. The closest I can get is pulling down 90 lbs holding onto the lat pulldown bar (hands close together, palms facing forward) and can do 5 reps on a good day.

Well, I ran (more like dragged) 17 miles last Saturday. Ran 4 yesterday and was still sore. Today is the first day on which I don't feel like a truck ran over me.

I checked out a small local gym because my condominium complex gym has too little (no room for a squat cage, even). Said local gym had a screeching sound (barely could be defined as techno) blasting through it accompanying a boxing/aerobics class that was held out in the open (the gym was like a big warehouse). Only one squat rack/bench press, two flat benches for dumbbell pressing, one bench with raised back. And a few machines (I'm more interested in improving on the free weights though). And some dumb kid was stepping up and down on one of the benches meant for pressing!
I think I'll stick with the condo complex gym for now. At least it's quiet in there.

The only problem with bench press is that the rack holds the bar too high above me to reach it. Could be it doesn't have enough pins to hold the bar at other positions. Am I going to need a spotter for barbell bench pressing? Same with dumbbell bench press, getting into position by lying down on the bench with the weights in hand is the hardest part.

Dark Zorloreh, you seem very dedicated. Good job.

Harpy, I've installed a chin-up bar and it's been very helpful even if I do more dangling than actual chin ups. Maybe if you can find one and can install it, that could cut down a little on your gym time?

I'm not quite as out of shape as I feared, since I went back and rode for about an hour without problems. It's just that that hill is very steep and covered with thick grass.

Sounds like that was a tough workout if you were dealing with that rough surface.

I should do that, put a chin-up bar in one of the doorways of my place. Start with negative pull-ups (get to the top with a stepstool, hold myself up there as long as possible, slowly lower myself).

I wish I lived closer to town. I would like to sign up for a gym again. Where I'm stuck now... it's just too far away and I can't run outside because of the reckless drivers. I have 2, 5, and 10lb weights. I do a lot of yoga, aerobics, walking and dancing.

My diet right now is mainly veggies, protein shakes, whole grains, lean meat (fish, chicken), beans, pasta, and clear soups. I don't get salad very often becuase the ones at the store always look old or brown, the veggies are frozen and bought in bulk.

Anyone know any fun(easy) workout videos on Youtube or something to spice up my routine? I'm willing to try anything new.

Bleugh. My lower back has been bothering me for the last few days. Got a deep tissue massage last night that almost killed me, but it should help. I may swim today instead of running. BAH

I just did some carb loading (probably doesn't help any, but it's been my tradition) in preparation for my first half marathon of the year! (Third one in my entire life) I've been feeling sluggish a lot lately while running, so we'll see if the trend continues tomorrow morning or if I finally get back into the more usual swing of things. Regardless, I'm excited as always!

*waiting to hear how Rogoth did*