Curt Griffin Musclemania Pro

Never quitting! Got a 10 year old who's about to start training with Mommy and Daddy so I got to keep going so the little monster can never beat me!

Started with Incline and happy to still be able to get a couple with 315, TBH I think it could have been 5 had we not done the volume leading up to it. Also quite happy that 315 moved on flat on the 4th set after all that incline and flat benching leading up.

Total chest sets 9 maybe 10 including warm-up. Less is more when you put more into Less! Also tackled some delta and biceps.

As I approach 46 what are the things if tell my younger self.

1. Train to stimulate not always try to annihilate!

2. Train hard and smart and always listen to your body, most of the time if you're in touch with your body you'll know when to back off before that strain or injury occurs. Downtime from injuries can mainly be avoided. And I'd the biggest deterrent to success and motivation.

3. Learn to push a few sets to failure.

4. Don't over do volume, but ramp up intensity on those failure/ exhaustion sets. We all got it in us, just got to learn to tap in.

5. 8-12 rep range has always been great, but 4-6 reps with the right weight stimulus can be just as good.

6. Recovery is one of the most important aspects of any training. Go to sleep get those 8 hours when you can!

7. If you want to add muscle calories consumed must be sufficient. We don't actually need as much protein as so we people consume but if you are lifting heavy and often I'd lean towards at least 1g/lb of body weight. I was guilty if over dieting often.

8.Trainig is fun, dieting is where the work is. A simple plan and some basic knowledge can go a very long way.

9. Never stop, it's the fountain of youth, no matter how hard life gets training in some manner whether with weights, plyo, kettlebells, bands (resistance). If you don't use it you'll lose it!
Stay young and active!

10. Final one.... Ask for help, we don't all need a trainer every session, but a few lessons and a good plan can go along way to proper progress and staying injury free!

Progress check..... Down to 248, caloric deficit is on point, expenditure also increased. Weight coming off strength is not going anywhere.

Training intensity and technique. One thing that has changed for me now is that I'm definitely more Intune with my body. I love lifting heavy but now I play the game smarter, with the goal to really minimize downtime with injury. I'll often catch myself really applying strict form with a decreased load when the body is telling me no (bad sleep too much going on) and other times I'll be a little looser with the form to move some big weights. I feel both are very useful and also I love training to calm the brain, so throwing around some heavy weights feels great. What do you prefer super form or heavy with some sway/swing? Which will give the best result?

The cut has officially begun (defluff time) macros sitting 250-260 protein 685 carbs and 90 fat, we slowly come down from there and see what's left.....my heaviest stage weight dry was 230 and carbed up about 234. I'd love to sit in the 240s 10 years later. Accountability .camillec can't keep saying I'm gonna do it and not do it!

At the young age of 45, I'll be turning 46 next month and my son asked to see me try my hand at competing in physique/bodybuilding one more time. I love the idea of going through the journey with my family to teach my kids discipline, hard work and perseverance! Hopefully the time I have will continue to be there, work can always get in the way! This is definitely a different game than the one I played a decade ago. With age wisdom and knowledge have increased, strength is still there but now it's understanding training volume based on the body's tolerance to stress and recovery!

In the process I will also try to maximize my overall fitness since I've gotyen back into basketball and squash, and a lot of other family activities including Skiing. Injury prevention and function are Also major goals. Doing sports at a bodyweight of 255lb is hard in itself!

Game on!