#had this 90% of the way done yesterday and then spent all day today fiddling with it lmao

[soysaucevictim]

It’s Gladiator Training Plan time.

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Sept. 21

I woke up a bit after 11AM.

I started on some exercise after a bit of gaming/YouTube.

First, today’s DD. 40 single leg bridges with EC. Not much to say other than this was very doable! :P

Second, 2′ Warmup Workout. That felt very nice for some tight neck/shoulder muscles from those katana workouts.

Third, Day 1 of my Gladiator Training Plan, focusing on strength and tone. I did the “Robin Hood Workout” at Level 1, but with EC (resting only 1′ in between sets.) That got me pretty bushed, not helped by wearing long sleeves in the summer, but I’m happy I got through it.

Last, Day 12 of the B&CP, with Dad. Mods abound, as expected. Though I encouraged dad to try to make the uneven knee planks a bit tough by creating a straight line from knees to head to get more engagement since he remarked them to be too easy that way. Didn’t do that - but there’s always next time.

After making dinner, doing a bit of the usual downtime, and getting mad at my computer... I did spend a bit of time drawing again, tonight.

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Sept. 22

I woke up around the same time as yesterday.

First, today’s DD. 2′ overhead punches with EC. I counted 220 reps by the end. This got a bit tough with sore shoulders, but still quite enjoyable! :D

Second, Classic Warmup Workout.

Third, Day 2 of my GTP. Today’s workout was “Ab Attack“, as “casual training”, done at Level 1, but with EC. I did all the flutter kicks with head up as illustrated. Ooof, my abs really barely put up with that last set of knee-to-elbow crunches (I opted to stay balanced on the butt for full engagement throughout). And neck still wasn’t a huge fan of high crunches, but I was the one who picked this workout in the first place, pffft! :,D

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Sept. 23

I got up a bit after 11AM.

Outside of a few moments of downtime - I felt I was pretty busy today. But that’s Mondays for you.

First, today’s DD. 60 shoulder taps with EC (30/30). This was doable but certainly got pretty tough near the end. Loading one side than the next is always a different experience to alternating every rep. Ooof. :U

Second, 4′ Warmup Workout.

Third, Day 3 of my GTP. Today’s workout was “Hardgainer“, for upper-body strength, starting with 10 lbs weights per arm, before realizing I had to take the weight down to 8 lbs after the upward rows. Shoulder presses and tricep extensions suucked, but they’re no less important exercises. Deadlifts are deceptively intense - but more fun to get though.

(After taking a shower, putting laundry in the wash, and more downtime...)

Last, Day 13 of the B&CP with Dad. Yoga Day, like last time, this kicked his ass. But we managed to get through it, with various mods. One being reclined cobblers instead of reclining heroes. Another being instead of pigeon, we did a sitting posture with rear leg bent to 90° or front leg also bent instead of tucked in - I think dad’s ankles and hips need to get a bit more flexible.

Got to bed a bit too late, showing pops some YouTube vids before getting to bed, afterwards.

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Sept. 24

I woke up a bit before 8AM.

Got to the facility, socialized, went to Seeking Safety, had breakfast at the diner, and did some drawing while there. My triceps, and generally my arms/shoulders have been so sore from recent workouts, too. :.D

Got home and was really busy, despite so badly wanting a nap. orz

I picked up my meds, baked some take ‘n bake pizza, did the dishes, packed the pizza, filled some pill cases and emptied some wastebins. All before starting on some exercise.

First, today’s DD. 5 reverse grip push-ups without EC. Did them with dumbbells and way too sloppy form to count for EC. This variation is... frustrating and awkward, not helped by requiring the hands planted below waist rather than shoulders. Always felt like I'm going to face-plant and psyche myself out. :/

Second, 2′ Warmup Workout.

Third, Day 4 of my GTP. Today’s workout was “Muscle Factory Lowerbody“, for lower-body strength, done with 10 lbs weights per arm (except I did the goblet squats with 15 lbs on the bar). I looked at this going, "Looks like the calf raises, single leg deadlifts, and the wall-sit will be the easy parts."

I was only right about one of those (calf raises.) I think the fact I did normal deadlifts yesterday meant my lower back was a bit stiff/sore - to add the balance work involved on one leg was quite the test.

I can normally sail through a 2' wall-sit when I have fresh quads and/or enough fucking sleep. That wasn't the case today. Wound up bracing with my arms for the last minute or so. The mat was also sliding away from wall precariously, too. Normally having something funny like Sanders Sides helps - but man I was running on fumes at that point. orz

Despite a tired back, I did get around to putting away my laundry after that.

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Sept. 25

I got up proper at about noon, decided I needed a bit more rest for how sore I was and catch up on some sleep a bit.

After a bit of gaming, I got going with my exercise again.

First, today’s DD. 30 circle crunches with EC. This was fun and my abs felt that, but it was also a nice massage for some very sore trapezius muscles.

Second, Day 5 of my GTP. Today’s workout was “Ab on Fire“, as “casual training” done at Level 1 (no EC, wanted to keep things relatively chill). Ah yes, I forgot I picked a workout that required hollow holds - arguably the least favorite part. But I got through it. I did and do enjoy knee-to-elbow crunches!

Third, Classic Warmup Workout... okay, I slotted this AFTER the main workout. Mostly because I forgot to switch tabs, but still felt it was worth doing as a bit of cool-down. :,D

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Sept. 26

Been up since a bit before 8AM.

Got to the facility, debated on whether to take a nap but decided I would spend the time leading up to WRAP Group drawing some more. Group went well enough, did debate on doing something crafty with the beads and strings in the art room.

But I decided to do the DD instead. 60 balance side swings with EC. This was a pretty fun and doable! :D

Spent a bit of time playing Solitaire, waiting for my ride. Got home a bit cranky about silly stuff, before spending some time with YouTube, playing games, and the rest of my exercise.

First, Quick Warmup Workout. I like all the warmup routines - but I like this one a lot for the half jacks. =w=

Last, Day 6 of my GTP. Today’s workout was “Ravager“, for overall strength, done at Level 1, with EC. I also mixed up alternating sides and doing things half/half throughout the workout. I definitely looked at this with hesitation due to being so sleep deprived and recklessly drinking too much coffee. So it took a bit of a willpower dig to get through that, but I managed well enough. Liked about half the exercises, too. :P

I spent the rest of my night fiddling with that art project a bit before getting to bed. Which was so needed at that point.

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Sept. 27

I woke up a bit before noon.

I spent most of my day on the usual, including music binging (I was looking at LGBTQ+ artists and then looking at Middle Eastern Folk Metal bands... fun, if overstimulating.)

But I did get around to my exercise, if quite late.

First, today’s DD. 1′ squat hold with EC. This was pretty brutal, the last 10" being the worst. Pffft! :U

(After updating my DD log and whatnot...)

Second, Day 15 of the B&CP with Dad. A balance & coordination day, so it was pretty chill. We did use the wall  for assist and reps/counts instead of timing intervals.

Third, Classic Warmup Workout. I know, in some respects, doing that program would count a little bit.

Last, Day 7 of my GTP. I decided to do more old DDs with EC as “casual training”. As usual, I did make attempts at others but deemed I wasn’t up for EC’ing them just yet (therefore unrecorded).

December 14, 2015 - 4′ side splits. I warmed up with 50 half jacks, as recommended, which was DEFINITELY a good call. I think my depth was somewhere between A & B - it was pretty intense in my knees. Watching some SaSi was reasonably helpful and this is a fun exercise, but it did take some digging in to get through that last minute.

December 17, 2015 - 20 tricep extensions. Oooh boy, that was brutal. The first 10 or so was alright, but it took some willpower to keep the arms synchronized (up/down planks are easier, being driven by one side then the next, and almost did a couple reps like that).

January 5, 2016 - 3′ uppercuts, swapping sides at 1′30″. I counted 121 reps and oh MAN was that aerobic - because of all the squatting. Probably one of  the most intense kind of punch, but managing 40/minute was pretty satisfying.

January 19, 2016 - 1′ single arm plank, interpreting as the standard 30″/30″. It was a bit awkward keeping my timer on my computer, craning the neck to check where I was. And I did get to trembling there. But mission accomplished!

January 30, 2016 - 120 side leg raises (lateral decubitus; 60/60.) That really made some hip tendons burn good. I enjoyed it though! :D

February 12, 2016 - 40 dead bugs. I remember when coordination for these were tripping me up a lot. So it’s nice having the procedural memory down and I do consider it a favorite.

February 24, 2016 - 80 back leg knee strikes (40/40). This was a lot of fun - but then combat exercises are my bag. I was also starting to feel the accrued fatigue, at that point.

February 25, 2016 - 45″ single leg hops, I decided to double the time and do it with both legs. I counted 171 hops in total and oh that was tough and winding. The last 10″ or so per side meant heavy thuds to the ground due to calf fatigue - but I got through it.

I did 8 additional DDs for a reason - so I can hit a nice 1,300 total ECs (out of 1368 completed). \o/

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I think this training plan was kind of a mixed bag - did pick workouts that had less-favored exercises in them, but it all was still worth doing!

With that, I'm set up for a week of the Fighter Training Plan, tomorrow!

(Aaand... I’m gonna post this now and try to wind down soon...)