Stonglifts 5x5: 8 week challenge COMPLETE! Unofficial results and teaser..

Today was the day. Thank god. Exactly 8 weeks ago today my wife and I decided to try out the Stronglifts 5x5 program, giving it everything we have with no excuses. Now, neither of us are new to the gym, and thanks to the Army I have been in the Iron game for several years now.

 

With that said, this was one of the roughest programs I have ever completed. Not exactly due to the weight, although the past couple weeks has been very difficult in that aspect, but more due to the constant strain on large muscle groups and never ending soreness.

 

For now, my wife and I are taking a deload week until either Thursday or Friday of next week, and then we will max out to see our new 1RM's for: Squat, Deadlift, Bench Press, and possibly overhead press. However, I am expecting some nice results as my personal stats are:

 

Before 5x5:   Squat 1RM: 350 lbs, Bench 1RM: 315 lbs, Deadlift 1RM: 430 lbs as seen in my recent 1,000 club success

 

 

After (as of today):  Squat 5x5 reps: 300 lbs, Bench 5x5 reps: 275 lbs, Deadlift 1x5 reps: 375 lbs

Of course these are weights i used for the final 5 sets of 5 rep exercise and the total 1RM now is unknown until next week, but I am very positive it will be a good increase over 8 weeks ago!

 

Please come back next week and check out my final review results in video form!! See you then!

 

~ D

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Don't be fooled by Photoshop and set unrealistic fitness goals

In the spirit of opening every ones eyes to the amount of photoshop and other corrections which take place on magazine and online fitness ads, I have decided to spend NO MORE than 15 minutes editing one of my own photos.


Original self progress shot

As you can see above, here is my original picture. This was taken to use on Bodybuilding.com's Bodyspace site as my before progress picture for a 8 week cutting cycle. No edits, poor lighting, and raw.

However, with just 13 minutes (I didn't use the whole 15) and a free online photo editor, I was able to edit the picture drastically.

Edited Photo



Yes, I know with a zoom tool you might be able to find some jagged edges, etc. But remember, I am just an average guy with average IT skills. Imagine what a magazine editor or professional photographer might be able to do.

Notice I have removed my tattoos, enlarged my biceps and triceps, modified my neck and chin line, and finally got rid of that excessive mid section fat. In 13 minutes!

Do not be fooled by professional shots of fitness professionals and models. Yes, there are plenty of people with absolutely gorgeous bodies in this world. But we all have imperfections!

~ D



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Summer is here, and beilive it or not....You CAN burn fat AND build muscle

   As a Soldier, fitness is always on the list of top priorities. No matter what unit you serve in, in what capacity, doing whatever job you are doing, you MUST remain fit. For a lot of us, as young men maturing while serving our Country this means muscle size and strength. The problem is, as young Soldiers become more interested in the size of there muscles and how much they can bench presss, they tend to put on weight in the mid section.

 

Great article from Bodybuilding.com

 The reasons for this are numerous, but for me has always boiled down to the old belief that you cannot burn fat without risking losing a lot of muscle mass.

THIS IS NOT TRUE!!

There are various studies which debunk this theory and have excellent resources for one to plan an appropriate diet and exercise regime set on the goal of losing stubborn belly fat but still adding muscle mass.

I also have personal experience with this and have been able to add significant mass while shredding my core down to a "6-pack". It works trust me, and it is not that hard.

~ D

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What is Soldier Fitness?

  

  A new little spoof intro video I put together to help promote the page. Please share with your friends, and give it some love by leaving a like or comment!

Look forward to some great new motivational and How To muscle building videos in the very near future!

Twitter: @Soldier_Fitness

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