My current playlist: The heavy hitters - Part 2

It's been a while since I posted my first playlist, and even though I am a person of habit that likes repetition, I still tend to renew myself every now and then. So, here's a brand spanking new list of what's currently being played heavily at the gym.

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Training Day Ninety Two

This has not been a good day as far as energy and strength is concerned. My girlfriend and I have been out sightseeing, and my mood has been rather low. Heading towards the gym felt like a long drive and I didn't really think things would change when arriving - even though today is a favorite workout of mine.

Today's calves and delts workout:
- 6x12 Standing calf raises (On plank)
- 6x12 Standing calf raises (Smith machine - on Plank)
- 3x8 Seated calf raises (10 sec rest between sets)
- 4x8 1x7 Behind-the-neck shoulder press
- 3x8 Front dumbbell delt raise
- 3x8 Lateral dumbbell delt raise
- 3x8 Bent over reverse dumbbell fly

Front pic taken at home prior to heading to my workout.

I was surprised to find out that things were actually quite the opposite of what the day had to offer prior to heading towards the gym. The energy was pretty decent and the weights were fairly heavy. To be honest, I had a pretty good workout and I felt rather rejuvenated after leaving the gym and heading home. This is an awesome example of how much I love what I do. No matter how poor of a day I've had, how tired I am, or how disgustingly warm the gym is, I still love being there.

Training Day Ninety One

This is my last work day of the week and I celebrate that by putting a big juicy stake on the grill. But first, hamstrings and triceps are on the menu.

Today's hamstrings and triceps workout:
- 3x8 One-legged seated leg curl
- 6x8 Seated leg curl
- 2x12 Standing leg curls using leg extension machine
- 4x12 Stiff-legged deadlifts
- 6x8 Triceps cable pushdowns (Horizontal bar)
- 1x10 2x8 Dips
- 1x8 1x6 Overhead dumbbell triceps extension

Triceps pic taken after my workout.

Today's hamstrings workout was in fact exceptionally good. The single reason for this was due to me being able to push myself further than usually, and especially during stiff-legged deadlifts. The triceps part had to suffer a bit due to this, since the energy supply was rather drained. But then again, this was probably the only time I had a better hamstrings workout than a triceps one.

Training Day Ninety

The only pace that I got right now is maximum pace. Today I worked early morning, after which I went home, showered, ate my food, made new lunch boxes for tomorrow and then headed off to my other work place. Straight after my second shift it was time for a back workout.

Today's back, trapz and forearms workout:
- 8x8 Lat pulldowns
- 3x12 Bent over rows (in chest press machine)
- 2x20 Back extensions machine
- 2x12 Bent over cable pullover
- 6x12 Dumbbell shrugs
- 3x8 Reverse barbell biceps curl
- 3x12 Standing supinated barbell wrist curl (10 sec rest between sets - no letting go of the bar)

Back double biceps pic taken after ending my first work shift.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't tired now. Somehow there's still energy left in my once I hit the gym. Today's workout was planned with the idea of targeting the entire back, but keeping the strain for each individual muscle at a medium. I need to be smart about my workouts since I'm having a hectic period right now.

Training Day Eighty Nine

Finally, I got my girl back home. Got a phone call earlier this morning where she told me that I could go pick her up in the afternoon. I made all my lunch boxes and headed off to the gym in Halmstad, just before it was time to bring her home.

Today's chest and biceps workout:
- 5x8 Cable-cross machine chest flyes
- 3x8 Incline dumbbell chest presses
- 3x12 Cable flyes
- 3x8 Barbell biceps curl (EZ-bar)
- 3x5 Dumbbell biceps curl
- 3x12 Biceps curl machine

Pic taken at the gym while working out.

It's been quite a ride this weekend, and today's workout was done in haste since I wanted to get my ass to the hospital. Had a good pump and a pretty high intensity throughout the entire workout.

Cheat Day Twelve

For those of you who read my training day entry earlier, you know that today was spent with my girl at the hospital. That meant that today's cheat day had to be practical rather than what I really wanted. Bringing a pizza to the unit she was in didn't really seem fitting, and, I didn't really have time to think things through. Hence, I went with a safe bet: Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie.

A practical choice this time, rather than what I was craving...

This is the third time I'm having this for my cheat day so I really should know the calories contained by now. In any case, this little bucket is filled with exactly 1050 calories and I intended on enjoying them all.

As for tonight's entertainment, we had to spent the evening at the hospital in a section that didn't have any TV. On top of that, the staff were not able to supply us with a wireless Internet connection due to it being a weekend. Hence, we spent the evening sitting outside as well as in her room (which she shared with another lady). Not the best of cheat days, but at least I got to spend it with my girl.

Training Day Eighty Eight

...and the troubles continue. For those of you who read my initial post a few weeks back (found here), you know that me and my girlfriend (her especially) went through a rather bumpy ride with the health care service here in Sweden. It seems as if it continues. This very Friday she calls me from work saying she has some sort of chest pain. We call the health service number and they tell us to go to the emergency unit. She decided that she can still work her last couple of hours before doing so. As for myself, I have to work all evening and all night, so I can't go with her. Luckily, my mom is able to go with her as support. When I come home from work later at night I get a new phone call. The blood clot that she had in her leg is now in her left lung - either that, or she's got a new one. Naturally she's worried and wants me there, so I drive back to work in the middle of the night, make sure I get the Saturday off and drive back home again to get some sleep. Saturday morning I wake up, make all my lunch boxes and head off to Halmstad. When arriving she seems to be in a pretty good mood. However, it turns out that the new medicine we've been getting - and that's cost us about 1000 SEK (~145 USD) - isn't even working. So, in turn, we have to go back to the medicine they wanted to give her in the first place. Only reason we didn't take it is because she's afraid of needles. The only problem is that they told us that the "needle-free" medicine was equal in every way, and that it should treat it without a problem. So now, it's a new ride, with new costs, AND, she has to take the needles. Adding to the already disappointing situation, she doesn't even get to go home tonight. On top of that she's been transferred to a new section where I'm not even allowed to stay longer than until 9 o'clock. This is what was going on while quads and abs were on the menu.

Today's quads and abs workout:
- 8x8 Squats
- 6x8 Leg extensions
- 6x8 Ab crunch machine
- 6x12 Cable crunches

Quads pic taken this morning after waking up.

There's one way to describe today's workout: Pissed off! I was pissed off that my girl was at the hospital, having to deal with a condition uncommon for her age. I was pissed off that I couldn't be with her when she was informed about her condition. I was pissed off that my girl wasn't allowed to come home, and that the most rewarding day of the week had to yet again be spent at the hospital. I was pissed off that the upcoming week meant that I'd have to work double shifts most of the days when all I want is to be home with my girl. I was pissed off about a lot of things, and I couldn't care less if I'd collapse in the process of doing my workout. The weights were just to be lifted, no matter what. Luckily, I had the gym entirely to myself, which meant that I could have the music at an extremely high level.

I'll keep on doing this until things blow over. I'm not stopping because things are changing their direction. I'm just taking a minor detour while I'm making sure my girl pulls through.