For many years, I have been including farmers walks in some way, shape or form in my training.

Thinking back, I actually can’t recall when I first started to utilize them, but I do remember when I did give them the due diligence that they deserve.

It was probably about 8 years ago.

I would load up 2 adjustable dumbbells to the hilt.

100, 120, 140 #’s, 150 #’s and just “grit” as far as I possible could, fighting to add more weight, more distance, more agony.

Top-end farmers are a truest testament of will.

I have performed them in my basement, outside, even in the commercial gym–which adds an element of responsibility to not drop the bells on a unsuspecting paying member’s foot as they do dumbbell flyes.

This morning, I decided to pay homage, but not so much in weight, but more so in time.

Here was the session:

Farmers:

15’s x 3 minute carry.

20’s x 3 minute carry.

25’s x 2 minute carry.

30’s x 2 minute carry.

35’s x 1 minute carry.

40’s x 1 minute carry.

45’s x 1 minute carry.

50’s x 1 minute carry.

Light weight, but semi-challenging in terms of time under tension. I’m going to push this idea in the coming weeks.

Why I Quit Intermittent Fasting In Late-2017.

Have you ever found yourself on the path, going about your business, pushing hard, getting results and seeing some progression, but instinctively, intuitively had a recurring thought or voice in your head that may be faint initially, but is increasingly, persistently telling you to change your course?

It could be something very crucial in the scheme of things, it may be minutia, but nonetheless, the internal voice and the message just won’t go away…….

For the better part of this past decade, I have utilized what I consider an awesome tool of calorie management and weight loss, that being Intermittent Fasting.

Like any diet technique worth its “weight,” Intermittent Fasting is ultimately effective because it helps those that are compatible with its norms and parameters to control calories.

While there are a ton of other physiological and possibly psychological benefits, every single diet is inevitably successful due to either being in deficit (weight-loss) or excess (weight-gain) dependent upon goals in place.

I used IF for all I could.

I enjoyed the benefits, the flexibility, the structure. It was exactly what I needed to get to and maintain 10%,– single-digit body fat percentage,  year-round, as a natural strength and aesthetic enthusiast.

But, as I have advanced in age and have made IF a lifestyle, through my own experimentation as a regular working stiff in this real world, I have noticed subtle changes.

The changes, while faint, were obviously and unequivocally progressive.

My body fat percentage was consistently low, hovering around the range I mentioned above for years. I was enjoying success in my sphere, but gains were becoming increasingly difficult despite my experience, effort and application. I pushed, pulled, lifted, carried, but just couldn’t bring what I knew I could. My heart, my spirit, was eclipsing my true effort. I reached for more, but my usual, dependable reserve was nowhere to be found.

Was I washed-up?

Plummeting over the hill?

Father time waiting at the very bottom to kick my ass?

Maybe.

Aging is inevitable, you are never going to be younger than you were yesterday.

But, I believe as a natural trainee, the regression is certainly somewhat proportionate to a function of not only your heart, your effort, but also application.

Intuitively, even though I was/am an advocate of IF, I knew in my current life situation, my demands, and my body fat percentage, if I was to take things to a next level, at 46, I needed a change.

It sort of hit me out of the blue.

At my current state of nation, homeostasis, and body fat percentage, I needed fuel.

On November 2, 2017, I ate breakfast before training, something I haven’t done for several years.

Nothing heavy, just a protein shake and a piece of multi-grain toast, but early returns are very encouraging. I had one of the very best sessions I have had in years.

And the pump. WOW!

To be continued…….

 

 

Woke at the ungodly hour of 4:44 a.m.

Water, BCAA’s, Black Coffee, then right to fasted training.

Wide-grip pull-ups BW+2.5x 19,16,14,13,13

alt/with

Dips BW+5×20,20,20,20,20

Then

Clean/Press 60×5 70×5 75×10

A little bit later…….

2 mile run (15:16)

 

Stay tuned.