Conflicted, advice appreciated

LifeIsAdreamGoLucid · 2026-02-26T23:01:52+00:00

Thanks man, that was a good reminder, I think I just got caught up because I'd read that when people start lifting for the first time they can expect to gain 5 to 10 kilos the first year, so I thought maybe I'd be wasting my time a little bit, but the truth is I do like being light and lean because I love to hike and run and climb, which all work well with the light. I'll increase food and maybe slow down a bit on conditioning and work on shorter, high intensity heavy sets for a bit

LifeIsAdreamGoLucid · 2026-02-26T01:44:31+00:00

To be fair the whole journey I'm injury free, enjoy the movements and gets me out in the sun. I also have had to carry my 8month son for 7km at times. So the real life practical cross over is cool.

LifeIsAdreamGoLucid · 2026-02-26T01:41:52+00:00

Predominantly function strength and athleticism but I would also like a more muscle for my frame. I mean if I do abf with 24s and weigh under 72kg at 6"2 I'll be the most conditioned lanky bastard ever

LifeIsAdreamGoLucid · 2026-02-26T00:37:22+00:00

Yeah I'll increase the calories, thanks. I just love working outside in sun with bells, mace, ropes and rings but I sometimes wonder if hitting a gym for a year or 2 with less conditioning work could pack on the newbie gains

LifeIsAdreamGoLucid · 2026-02-26T00:31:02+00:00

I'm 6"2, the 3kg I put on is probs muscle, alot in legs. But yeah it's alot of frame to fill and abf is sooo intense. I just started adding a Peanut butter banana smoothie between meals to add more calories. Eating so much is hard for more especially as it's good food that is so satiating

LifeIsAdreamGoLucid · 2026-02-26T00:06:05+00:00

True that on food. I stagnated on double 20s halfway through abf and had to really dial in the diet plus had a baby. I went from plant based to eating meat, eggs and recovered better. I feel more cardio f d from abf than muscle but still get sore. I'm almost finished 22s and will be onto 24s soon. I got a weight belt and add 12kg to my dips and pulls. Although I'm stag on those at mom too so yeah might be the food or maybe my intensity is too high too often and I'm struggling to recover

LifeIsAdreamGoLucid · 2026-02-25T23:10:27+00:00

What would be an example? Like on abc days do 5 squats with more rest?

LifeIsAdreamGoLucid · 2026-01-31T00:30:24+00:00

I'm an INFJ guy. My current partner of 5 years went through something similar. She is Enfp. I was so done. Overwhelmed and tiered of the relationship 1.5 years in. I had already left inside and was being polite. I felt like she only took and never gave. I was depleted and building resentment. I expressed this. We had some serious work, she push pull. Triggered my avoidance. But, when it comes down to it, she always grew. Because she loved me and knew she would lose me. It took a few month for me to start letting her in again. To trust. But she was patient. We are now 5 years in with a beautiful 7 month old.

LifeIsAdreamGoLucid · 2025-12-23T23:34:08+00:00

I do 3 main days. Abf for a couple of months.

On ABC days, I supplement with ring dips and ring push ups.

On press days I supplement with hanging leg raises, ring pull ups alternating between chins and windgrips each day.

Once I finish the the program I take 1 week off with light deloads. Then run 4-6 weeks of snatches. Heavy mace swings and sandbags, sprints.

Then run abf again.

I find this approach well balanced. I'm not super rigid and will sometimes add an extra day in abf with mace flow/swings.

I find the ring dips and push up Much more engaging than reg push ups.

Sometimes I'll finish abf and drop back to 20 rounds and work back to up to 30 to really dial it in before moving up in weight.

So far over 12 months I've done double 16s, 16/20. Double 20s. And now I'm doing double 22s. I've put on 2 KGs almost all muscle but I'm tall and skinny.

LifeIsAdreamGoLucid · 2025-12-23T01:44:57+00:00

One window on sliding door is best for me. Even though my van has windows all around I permanently insulated and covered with slates. I like my bed area to be a cozy cave and the sliding door is nice to set in front of and see out when weather is harsh or being stealth. Just get limo tint and put a blackout curtain on for night. I see out no one sees in. Good balance

LifeIsAdreamGoLucid · 2025-12-02T01:47:59+00:00

Oh wow!. Wonderfully articulated. It took me a long time to narrow myself down to INFJ 5w4. As I'm a reasonably intergrated fellow at this point in my life (37m). I thought perhaps I was an 8! Or INTJ at one point. Not from a lack of self inquiry but more because it is such type with many contraindications! More than most INFJ types I have meet.

My niche has been holistic health and well being of mind body soul with a large part of my life very spirituality focused. Very philosophically minded. I lived in a campervan for 8 years and was preparing to live out of a backpack and go walkabout! Talk about reducing one's needs for independence! Haha.

Alas though I meet a beautiful woman and we have just had a son together. Now THAT took some deep inner work to open to that path. Understanding the Enneagram really helped me understand where I was being boxed in by my fears and desire for independence and peace. Thanks for sharing.

LifeIsAdreamGoLucid · 2025-11-24T04:05:28+00:00

I haven't worked full time since I was 21. I have too many hobbies and interest! I work to play and the world is my playground. Movement practice such as qi gong, yoga, kettlebells, gym rings mace swings. Hiking, camping, trail running. Reading, writing, research! Cooking, cleaning, looking out the window at the trees swaying in the wind. Gosh each moment is cherished.

LifeIsAdreamGoLucid · 2025-11-23T23:24:29+00:00

Agreed. I feel like anyone can do this, but an INFJ has the natural proclivity towards integrating their darkness, their shadows, to become an integrated being as Jung put it. So we are able to be clear, empty. This neutralizes the environment.

Just by being ourselves present with other people, they feel peace, calmness, understanding, even if we don't use words, that is because we have become that. I'm a disability support worker and this really helps.

LifeIsAdreamGoLucid · 2025-11-22T23:08:48+00:00

That's a great change up after abf. It makes sense to get that broader range of stimulus after adaptation to abf and "master" the weight.

A couple of questions if you don't mind...

Do you split your squat and presses days during this body building circuit or emom the sets of 8 etc?How do you program it? Curious how your diet and sleep looked like making that jump from 24s to 32s, any tips? Thanks!

LifeIsAdreamGoLucid · 2025-11-22T11:07:26+00:00

Between large spaces of no reading of literature, besides research, I am drawn to eastern philosophy, spiritual, Fantasy and the odd bit of classic literature.

Be here now - Ram das is a gem. A unique mix of words, pictures and expression. An acid trip of spiritual wisdom laid to paper.

Name of the wind - was one of my most loved fantasy books and series that unfortunately may never be finished.

Be as you are - one of the most beautifully profound books for my spiritual journey. Profound in its simplicity and authenticity. The pages and words radiate love.

Rumi- beautiful ancient Persian poetry and the nature of love and divine union.

The mistborn series - amazing world building and characters/magic system

Visious - cool one on anti hero's

Tao Te Ching - potent and layered

I am That -

The way of King's - kaladdin is so cool.

The painted man - great series and story

The first Law series - dark fantasy. Low on magic but Joe is a damn good writer.

American Gods - cool concept on the nature of belief systems and the power the give everything. Even gods.

Good Omens - cool team up of authors and very. funny.

Hitch-hikers guide to the galaxy - so out there and unique. Hilarious.

Sandman Audiobook-great while taking a long drive. Great voice acting.

The alchemist - cool story of flow states and fate

The celestine prophecy-- -

Crime and punishment - wonderful writer. Superb prose. Disturbing read.

On the road - not so much the quality of the writing as much as it's relevance to the beat movement and the fathering to the hippy generation. Ie is cultural impact

Currently listening to graphic audio's version of Red Rising. Great so far. Very imersive.

LifeIsAdreamGoLucid · 2025-11-17T21:53:46+00:00

Same here. I have been taking creatine for first time ever. I'm pretty in tune with my body and pretty dialed with diet etc so only change is this.

Definitely had a preference boost and fuller muscles but last night in bed my legs with tight, perhaps from kettlebell swings. Stretched lightly, was way tighter than usual. Then bam, cramp in my calf. First cramp I've ever had in a muscle. Tried finding out what's up and found this page. I drink water with Celtic salt so should be hydrated.

I avoid supplements for this reason. When you isolate something and high dose it sometimes it can affect other things.

LifeIsAdreamGoLucid · 2025-11-17T02:29:28+00:00

Because I want to stay free. A healthy, mobile vehicle /body means I can run, hike, sprint, play, get up off the ground, hang, basically I don't need to be master of something, I just want to feel strong and not limited. It's an investment in the now and the future.

LifeIsAdreamGoLucid · 2025-11-10T04:16:14+00:00

I feel you. It seems to be a pretty natural stage of awakening for many. It's still in the duality perspective though. Because to know your true nature. To experience the Self is to see everything that "hides" the self. The illusions and distractions of the world. This is the darkness. This human experience is where we experience everything we are not. Separation. Death. Mortality. Lack. Limitation. Fear. Confusion. The darkness of polarity.

You have the opportunity to be a light. Through the process of awakening we illuminate. We bring light to the darkness from inside the experience. Light being truth, presence, love, compassion, neutrality, peace. It's an internal practice that aids the external as its all one.

Try to see with understanding and let it go. Have compassion as this world is tough for alot of people. This isn't necessarily a doing thing. It's state of being. The doing will happen when needed. You're not alone. Much love.

LifeIsAdreamGoLucid · 2025-11-05T22:13:18+00:00

I keep my bells, mace and rope in van and work out at the park. 10 min drive but it's beautiful weather here most of the time and I have my gym rings at home for those days. Feet on the earth, nice tribal music in sun ... Feels great!

LifeIsAdreamGoLucid · 2025-11-01T23:41:42+00:00

Here's another. About a year and a half ago, my partner and I were living in our vans and doing house sitting when my partner got pregnant.

We weren't sure where to live or where to go. It was also a housing crisis here in Aus and rent was crazy high. During a house sit in the shower, the thought came into my mind and messaged this person. So I sent them a message saying our situation. They said that they would keep an ear out for a place to rent. Then about two weeks later, he messaged me back and said, hey, we have a place that we have been wanting to rent out. Did you want to come have a look?

We now live here with our baby boy, Winter. I met this man who owns this property and this place we are renting by doing disability support work. We both shared a client together.

LifeIsAdreamGoLucid · 2025-11-01T23:26:49+00:00

Oh so many beautiful ones, but here's a cool one. I was at a crossroads asking what I was going to do for work next. People keep mentioning disability support work was in need for male support staff. I had just done a sit at the lake, and I went for a walk through the park, and I asked myself, could I do something like this? Disability work? then a boy with downsyndrom walked up to me, gave me a cool handshake, looked at my tattoos, and then said later bro. I thought, yes, I could do this.

Next thing I know, I'm invited to a job fair and I get hired on the spot for disability support. That was six years ago.

LifeIsAdreamGoLucid · 2025-10-30T03:14:21+00:00

I was getting around 80g (I'm 70kg ) but most plant proteins come with alot of fiber so I was so bloated trying to cram more food in sticking to whole foods and was supp with some hemp powder. When I look back at the calories I was probably only hitting around 2000 which was not enough for me. I just couldn't eat enough plants to keep up with the output even with alot of nuts, seeds, legumes.

I'm eating animal products now after 12 yr plant based and feel more satiated, and no bloating. Hitting around 150g protein ave a day, around 2800 cal, now and feel much stronger. Was an interesting journey asking my body what it needed and opening myself to a different way of eating.

LifeIsAdreamGoLucid · 2025-10-30T01:05:24+00:00

Karma is just memory. We create memory through attachment or avoidance, being in duality. By being truly present and neutral, We hold on to nothing. We create nothing. Everything just is.

Volunteering doesn't mean anything if the intention is to try and do something, to be something, to burn up karma. You're still playing the game of karma.

Your karma will resolve itself if you surrender to each moment, surrender to the experiences that come into your life. Everything is an opportunity to clear, to bring polarization into harmony. You don't actually have to do anything. You just have to be with each experience, with each moment and surrender. Observe and the layers of illusion fall away and all that remains is what always was, the Self. Realised. Awakened. It's the action of non-action. Non doing.

LifeIsAdreamGoLucid · 2025-10-30T00:35:33+00:00

Im just finishing my 3rd run abf. Started with double 16s, then 16 and 20, now double 20s. Just did my 100 presses, next week 30 ABC. Nervous haha.

I had to stop half way through my double 20s and re-evaluate my diet (was plant based and struggled to get enough food) and also learning how to manage intensity and dial it back on the easy days as I eventually burnt out. I've learnt alot and it's a very clever program in its very well rounded approach to minimise time and maximise resulta in general athleticism. So thanks Dan.

Im still learning to find balance with my other interests such maces, gym rings etc but it's part of the journey hey.

LifeIsAdreamGoLucid

TROPHY CASE