NROL Strength II: Week 5 Results!

• Weight - 14st 3lb (no change from last week)
• Body Fat % - 6.8% (no change from last week)
• Waist - 34.25 inches (no change from last week)

In terms of results it's been a stagnent week. This is especially annoying when you consider that I've cycled about 70 miles this week communting to and from work, completed 2 heavy strength II sessions in the gym and played 80mins of rugby at the weekend (yesterday in fact). So for there to be no movement and no visual improvement within the photos then yes I am disappointed. Until I played rugby yesterday weight for some reason was elevated to about 14st 5 or 6lb, so unless this is a direct byproduct of the strength sessions then I must be doing something wrong. The only trouble is is that I really don't know what that could be. I honestly feel that I'm doing enough to warrant much better returns than I'm currently achieving. I'll have to push on and keep a more watchful eye on things to see if I'm just being complacent.

I had intended to go circuit training at work this week but it had been cancelled so I'm booked in for tomorrow lunchtime. The rugby games will only be every now and again as I am not able to do every week and obviously there are a number of conflicting interests what with work, family etc. I am not going to get drawn into a position where I feel pressured in turning up week in week out - I just cant do that. I have to be able to play when I want to and not feel like I have to.

Anyway I'll get going. I'll try to keep you updated on how things go and if I spot anything that I'm doing wrong.

Cheers, BustaGut!

NROL Strength II: Week 4 Results!

• Weight - 14st 3lb (down 2lb from last week)
• Body Fat % - 6.8% (digi-callipers - down 0.7% from last week)
• Waist - 34.25 inches (no change from last week)

Been training hard this week and because I was aching from playing rugby I waited until Wednesday to do my first gym session of the week. I did however do my usual cycling to work which I noticed was greatly improved on the return journey home (even though I was tired going there). Strange, but I was really pleased with the way I cycled up the big hill. It doesn't seem to get any easier although I did notice this past week that I did make better progress. Unfortunately as I was down in London again on Thursday and took Friday off work as part of my leave it meant I only cycled the first three days of the week.

Gym training was productive as well. I'm trying to push the maximums each time to move fractionally forward, I'm trying to develop a closer link with the effort my body puts in and know when to push and when not to. Delaying the sessions until Wednesday this week is a good example of that since it would appear that both the cycling and the lifting has benefited from the extra rest following the rugby game the previous week.

The results above have shown some rebound back to lower levels but these are still elevated in my opinion. I would prefer it if the BF% fell along with the waist measurement too. As I'm at the half way level of these Strength II sessions I need to be careful that the eating aspect of the plan doesn't get out of hand. I went to watch the First XV play rugby this week and whilst there was some good play in patches I wasn't that impressed with the set pieces. Anyhow, I was approached for my number by the coaches who watched a video of the game I played in the previous week. I'm a little apprehensive about being pulled into a set regime again as I made it clear that I can only play now and again. I've been there and done that and quite simply cannot commit the amount of time required. I thought that they understood that. I also don't want to waste my time sitting on a sub bench either so I sloped off at the end of the game before I was asked again. I suppose I'll have to think harder about how I want to play this since I don't want to be continuously pestered on the phone and also lead them into believing I can do more that what I can. Also I definitely don't want to feel pushed into something I'm not going to enjoy. It's essential the right balance is struck with enjoyment and my current commitments taking precedence.

Sorry for the rant. One thing that did surprise me was how tired I was during the game. Especially in the last 20mins. I know that it was probably a big shock to the system, I was having to do more work as I was now lighter than when I last played (pushing much more than my body weight now). Luckily the ground being firm was in my favour but it was unusually warm that day so I suppose that also played a part. I thought that I was much fitter than that and so feel like this is something that I need to work on. I've thought how best to add additional CV work into my day and one of the obvious ways is to do some circuit training once a week since it is run at the offices I'm now located at. I could do this on a Monday's during lunch and keep the rest of my training week the same. This seems like a good idea but I'm not sure whether to start it this coming week or not. We'll see how I feel.

Anyway that's all for now I'll keep you updated on how things go.

Cheers, BustaGut!

NROL Strength II: Week 3 belated results!

• Weight - 14st 5lb (up 2lb from last week)
• Body Fat % - 7.5% (digi-callipers - up 1.1% from last week)
• Waist - 34.25 inches (up 0.25 inches from last week)
  

Although this post is a little late the pictures and measurements are all from the weekend. I'll be honest I'm very disappointed. The expected rise in weight that I thought would happen last week has actually surfaced this week. Most worryingly the body fat % has shot up by more than a whole percentage point with a corresponding rise in the waist measurement as well. I know last week was disrupted by a couple of days away due to work but I'm struggling to see where I've veered off to this degree. I also realise that the type of training that I'm doing is encouraging mass and strength but this gain appears to be an increase in fat not muscle. I cycled to work 3 days last week and even played 80mins of rugby on Saturday for the first time in a very long time (body still aching and recovering now). I also think the weight gain etc is noticable within the photos, which is another kick in the teeth.

Strangely enough the gym sessions have been going really well. I'm putting in lots of effort and trying to nudge the weights up each time. I've completed 6 of the 16 sessions so at 2 per week that's another 5 more weeks to go before I change the workouts. If my composition continues in this direction I'll have to revert back to the Fat Loss sessions once the Strength II workouts are complete. I'll keep track of things and see how it goes.

Again this week I have a scheduled meeting out of the office so my training plan is disrupted this week as well. I suppose all I can do is press on as planned whilst keeping an eye out for things that would / are being disrupted. One factor may well be sleep. I've let this aspect slip of late so haven't been getting the required rest. I mean I have noticed that I've been more tired than I usually am. Perhaps it's all catching up to me. Anyway, I'll keep you updated the best I can.

Cheers, BustaGut!

NROL Strength II: Week 2 Results!

• Weight - 14st 3lb (no change from last week)
• Body Fat % - 6.4% (digi-callipers - up 0.6% from last week)
• Waist - 34 inches (fraction down from last week)
  

A bit of a mixed bag this week. I mean training has gone well and the effort has been very good so I've no complaints there. Weight hasn't moved which is the one thing I had expected to rise slighty so I'm a little surprised. The waist measurement has reduced fractionally, so is a positive but this is tempered by a sharp increase in the BF% which I must admit didn't really anticipate. Not sure if this is just a blip, a return to normal after a large drop last week or not I suppose I'll have to take a measurement next week and see if a pattern is emerging.

I feel encouraged by how my muscles are feeling and am certain that the training is having a positive effect. I just need to create a momentum and then keep it going. Next week will be disrupted a little with work and meetings out of the office so I'll have to do my best to work around that. Being away also makes eating to plan more difficult as well so I have that to contend with this coming week as well. I'll let you know how it all goes.

Cheers, BustaGut!