Eric, I can't tell if that's sarcasm or if you're offended. (Actually I'm sure it's the later) I truly appreciate all your help and advice. We both know I wouldn't be as far along as I am with out your help, especially the injury stuff. I know I don't have it all figured out, but at the same time I'm trying to also figure things out on my own. It may not be the most efficient way at times, but lately I've been feeling like a level set every month or so has been working.

I'll start posting weekly. I really didn't want to give the impression that I don't need anyone. I'm not that way at all. I'm trying to be a good student and figured I didn't need to bother you so often.

I was going to PM this reply, but I thought other should know my thoughts on this. Sorry man.

What, are you kidding? :) Notice I don't have a journal? I meant everything I said sincerely because what you said shows that you are please with your progress and you MUST feel good. You are caught up in the satisfaction of having things come together and to me that is GOOD NEWS. I only joked around about you updating because I care about how things are going for you and I want to know :)

The journal is for you. I just wanted to know as a friend. A lot of people posts journals as a crutch so that everyone can tell them how great they are doing. Sorry, folks but you know it's true.

I can totally see by the way I worded that how it sounded. See, to me, needing nobody but yourself is a GOOD thing, because is shows that you synthesize what you "learn". But I re-read it out loud and it sounds totally sarcastic, lol. And I was trying to be sincere. I'll have to turn in my writer's license.

I am nothing but impressed with what you are doing and what you've come up with. You take on board what you learn about yourself and you are thinking and experimenting. Frankly, I think people should look to this, and what has come before, as something they can learn from. You know how often I come into journals and say, "I like this"?

Sarcasm from me is always obvious, lol, and followed by smileys! I mean what I say and I'm hurt you think I would be passive agreesive! (j/k, not really, misunderstandings happen :)).

If I've helped you then I would hope that this well thought out and balanced approach you are using would say more about me than anything else. That's the difference between me and the "program a month" internet gurus. They get the glory for handing out fish, I get the satisfaction of watching people realize their goals and catching fish all by themselves.

WOW, am I ever embarrassed. Could I have misinterpreted that any worse? I should have known better. Thanks for the words of encouragement.

Nah, it was really worded badly. As I read it I can see that someone else might have said the very same thing meaning to be sarcastic. It is totally cool. When someone misunderstands you you just clear it up.

I mean, people might say to me that for a long time I've acted like I don't need anybody else. But my response would simply be "I'm happy and full of ideas" :biglaugh:

I had a special workout yesterday, so I thought I'd put it in my journal.

I finally got up the nerve to find my 1RM for Squats, Deads, Bench, and 3RM Chins. I was so stoked at the numbers I put up, I had to share them with you guys and gals. Not huge numbers, but way more than I've ever had on the bar. But I was confident I was ready to try this since I spent the last month or so getting ready. I viewed it as my own little meet. :)

Squat --------- 265 1RM
Bench Flat ----- 245 1RM
Deadlift -------- 315 1RM
Chins ---------- +45 3RM

As a reminder, my stats are 51 years old, 178 pounds, lifting for about a year and a half. (I lifted about a half year before that, but without purpose and without a clue)

I was surprised it took almost an hour to complete the four exercises. After warmup sets, there were a lot of 1 rep sets because I had no idea what my limits would be. I increased by 10 pounds at a time.

By far I am most proud of the Deadlift. 300 pounds was my goal and at 285 I thought I had maxed out. But I pulled 295 real clean, then 305 and 315. I think I had 320 or 325 in me, but I had already done a lot of 1 rep sets and I think it was affecting me.

I left off in this journal doing my Lower/Upper split. I kept doing that up until the middle of April. Then I tried "The New Rules of Lifting" by Alwyn Cosgrove. I thought I'd go for a change of pace and try a hypertrophy routine. I hated it because it was too high rep and short rests between sets. It was more like a cardio routine, as a matter of fact, they turned out to be intense HIIT sessions. All the NROL routines are strictly timed rest periods, so I stopped.

In the middle of May, I went back to the Lower/Upper split trying out different exercises, especially lower body accessories. I gravitated back to basic compounds without too much programming except to keep it balanced and challenging.

That brings me up to now. Now that I have 1RM maxes, I'm anxious to start a routine with the intention of improving them. It's Obvious I've been reading Maximum Strength, but I'm not sure that's the routine for me. I plan to start it and see what happens.

Great job man. Glad to see that your lifts are going up even after 50. Definitely an inspiration.

Awesome work. That's very impressive. Way to have an "I can" mentality. The majority of people over 40 (99.9%) think they'll never be able to get in shape again. I don't care who you are...those are impressive numbers. :) Keep it up!

i didnt even know you were over 50. yeah those are good numbers for anyone and even better since your 50. keep up the good work my man

Thanks guys. Yeah, I started late in life . I wish I would have started when I was your ages. That extra testosterone would sure come in handy. :biglaugh:

Sweet!