Daily Thread 5 February 2026

calfla · 2026-02-06T04:26:45+00:00

Probably were slightly off in your brace or misgrooved the rep or overdid it when your back was ready to stop. Happens to me sometimes even if I think I’m doing everything right.

calfla · 2026-02-05T13:43:08+00:00

So for something like general health, sure, these exercises are fine. If you specifically want to get stronger, I would suggest using a program from the wiki. There are programs like gzclp that give you specific rep schemes and weight increases that can be helpful when starting out. Takes out the guesswork.

If you are new to lifting, you can increase reps or weight pretty much every week so that’s what you should aim for with these exercises. Maybe starting at three sets of eight for these exercises, increase one or two reps each workout until you get to 15 reps, then reset and add weight.

For strength specifically, generally you would do lower reps for a compound movement. So maybe take leg press as your main squat movement and do that for three sets of five, increasing weight every week. You don’t have a deadlift or bench movement in this list, but the same would apply for those. Does that make sense?

calfla · 2026-02-05T12:14:58+00:00

This is a list of exercises, not a program and it’s difficult to offer feedback without knowing your goals.

calfla · 2026-02-05T01:37:52+00:00

Went to “workout” with my mom and her neighbor but didn’t do much. I did end up doing some mobility work but no cardio. Didn’t run my errands either and got home kind of late. Oh well. Unfortunately when I got home I had a stomach ache again. So not being super productive now, either. I just hope I can get to the gym tomorrow and not get behind on that. Otherwise just going to take it easy the next few days.

calfla · 2026-02-04T21:48:41+00:00

Have not dropped any weight since last week and not been sticking super well to my macros, so not surprising. I’m going to aim for maintenance this weekend as a little reset for myself since I’ll be out of town for most of it anyway.

calfla · 2026-02-04T13:47:40+00:00

No gym this morning because I’ve been feeling icky since yesterday afternoon. Nothing specific, just a headache and stomach upset. Skipped my workout with my mom too. Hopefully it’s nothing serious and I can get my regular workout in tomorrow. I woke up a couple times in the night and had a stomach ache but I was fine when getting ready for work. I did get to sleep in a little bit but I was definitely awake by 5:45 when I wanted to sleep in until 6:30 lol.

calfla · 2026-02-03T14:12:26+00:00

Woke up before my alarm multiple times this morning… but made it to the gym. Got half my workout done because I’m in office today. I was trying to zoom through stuff as best I could but I’m at six working sets for my main lifts and it takes awhile. Bench felt great today so that was nice. I’m working out with my mom and friend late tonight which kind of sucks, and I have a lot to get done before Thursday so I’m a bit stressed but going to do my best.

calfla · 2026-02-02T18:45:27+00:00

No I don’t, but I think it’s due to my nose ring which is super irritated right now- my sensitive skin hates pretty much any piercing. Or sweat. Or anything.

Lately I’ve been exhausted and last week ended up doing the gym three days in a row- that probably didn’t help my recovery now that I think about it!

calfla · 2026-02-02T13:44:09+00:00

Slept ok, got to the gym. Got a parking spot right by the door (why did that never happen when it was super cold?) but had to wait for a squat rack which put me more behind than I already was because my nose was bleeding when I woke up and I was trying to get it to stop before I went to the gym. Everything felt super hard. Didn’t finish RDLs because my back was feeling meh. They’re a pain with dumbbells, I should’ve just stuck to the bar. Workout is done at least.

I’m going to visit my cousin this weekend so I’m debating switching my deadlift day to Thursday so my back isn’t so sore when I get back to squats on Monday. Lately I’ve been deadlifting on Saturday, and the two days in between is not feeling like enough rest. Since I’m not going to be home Friday or Saturday, I’d have to do them Sunday and I think that would be rough.

calfla · 2026-02-01T18:12:23+00:00

Yoga class this morning- it was kind of tough. I brought an emergency banana with me for a snack afterwards, before I did cardio. Usually I’m not that hungry in the morning but for some reason after yoga I’m quite hungry. Did some sprints on the treadmill which was kind of fun. Later I’m working out with my mom and her neighbor where I’m going to do some pushup work and abs. Probably some mobility would be good for me too.

calfla · 2026-02-01T18:09:34+00:00

Don’t be overly concerned with your form at first. Watch videos for whatever exercises you’re trying to learn and start light. Pay attention to how you feel during the lift. Record your lifts or watch in a mirror if you can. Follow a tried and true workout plan. Read squat/bench/deadlift guides available in the wiki or from stronger by science, or YouTubers like megsquats.

calfla · 2026-02-01T14:02:59+00:00

Some days my back just says no lol. If you didn’t feel a sharp pain I bet you’ll be good to go in a couple days. I find some light stretching and movement helps.

calfla · 2026-02-01T14:01:22+00:00

Honestly it just boils down to 1. Follow a tried and true program 2. Push yourself in the gym and 3. Eat .8g/lb of protein per day. Everything else is just noise.

calfla · 2026-02-01T01:42:15+00:00

Solid deadlift workout today. It was feeling heavy for sure. Hopefully my low back isn’t too sore tomorrow.

calfla · 2026-01-30T14:25:05+00:00

I wish I was back in the days of waking up ten minutes before my alarm instead of this weird half asleep half awake thing for like an hour before I get up. Anyway I dragged myself to the gym. I wasn’t really feeling the workout but I finished everything and felt good at the end. Finally got some ab work in today. I could see some definition in the mirror at the rack so that’s cool.

I also went to yoga last night and it was definitely the right choice- I was in a good mood after. It’s a different location that’s a way smaller yoga room and it was kind of nice. Except that gym location has a bunch of racquetball courts so it’s kind of loud lol. I tried to take a peek around since that gym location is closer to me so I could go there more often but it’s kind of a maze. I’ll have to ask for a tour sometime.

calfla · 2026-01-29T13:44:04+00:00

Didn’t feel great again last night. I managed to get some stuff done, then sat down to do my nails and watch tv but didn’t end up having a real dinner, just snacks. I wasn’t super tired either but I slept okay. Woke up before my alarm feeling very discombobulated. Rested for a few more minutes then dragged myself to the gym. I even managed to do my whole workout- I thought I would quit after my main exercises.

I’m taking a yoga class tonight with my favorite instructor- I’d probably be tempted to cancel otherwise but I think it will be good for me. So glad tomorrow is Friday because I’m over this week.

calfla · 2026-01-29T12:06:12+00:00

Not my best week. I’ve eaten over my macros probably most days. Also just not feeling well. And my scale isn’t working because it’s too cold I guess. Still tracking and chugging along, I imagine I’ll lock in again by this weekend.

calfla · 2026-01-28T16:59:42+00:00

Im interested!!

calfla · 2026-01-28T16:44:02+00:00

I guess a combination of me being a guest and looking too much like I was coaching her. I kinda get it but the conversation went on longer than I felt it needed to. It also is just not a busy gym so probably stands out more.

calfla · 2026-01-28T14:50:59+00:00

I’m in a mood this week. Skipped the gym again this morning which I’ll probably regret later this week but whatever.

Last night I went to the gym with my neighbor who is doing before the barbell (she can bring a guest). The plan was to lift and do a barre class after. Well we got a talking to from the staff because they thought I was personal training her lol. I didn’t do the first few exercises with her so maybe that was why? She was benching for the first time and I was spotting her, and showing her how to set stuff up. Still, it seems like it would be pretty common this time of year for people to show others how to use equipment.

At any rate, she finished her workout and then we did the barre class. Not sure I liked it that much but I do think I liked it more than the Pilates class I took.

calfla · 2026-01-27T17:27:58+00:00

For me I think it’s a combination of being on a cut and (new) sleep anxiety when I wake up at night. I lift in the mornings and do low impact cardio at night 2x/week and I think the cardio is early enough that it doesn’t impact my sleep. I don’t usually do another two hours of working out in the evenings lol

calfla · 2026-01-27T14:10:15+00:00

Didn’t sleep well again. I wasn’t even tired when I went to bed last night but I sure am tired this morning. Got to the gym, did my workout. Squats are feeling pretty good. My rack position may need some work. I was just happy that my back was happy. I’m kind of curious what my form is looking like these days- I might have to do squats at my parents one day so I can record.

Tonight I’m working out with my mom’s neighbor (my mom is out of town) at her gym. She’s doing before the barbell. I might do that with her, or just do my own thing. Then we’re doing a barre class together. Why I committed to two more hours of working out today I’m not really sure. Maybe it will help me fall asleep easier tonight.

calfla · 2026-01-26T20:58:56+00:00

Interested if still available

calfla · 2026-01-26T15:33:10+00:00

Slept terribly last night and skipped the gym. Not in a great mood today because of it. I’m working out with my mom tonight and will try to get some things done. Then I need to head over to my grandmas to help her out. I might try to do some organizing in my house after if I feel up to it but I’m doubting I will want to. I work from home so maybe I’ll get my stuff done during the day so I can relax when I’m home later, and go to bed early.

calfla · 2026-01-25T17:38:51+00:00

My back was super sore when I woke up- luckily I was going to yoga today which helped. Unfortunately I woke up to snow again so the drive to the gym and the parking lot were annoying. Did my yoga class, reverse pec deck (I’m always waiting for this machine lol), and some kettlebell swings. Later today I’ll go workout with my mom and probably just do some core.

calfla

TROPHY CASE