It's Happening!

Me 122 pounds

Me 127 pounds

Hell yeah!

It has been just at four weeks since I started my serious quest to gain muscle weight. So far, I have put on 5 pounds. And hell yeah, it shows!

However, what is really cool is that I am already noticing strength increases as well. Not only am I absolutely

DILIGENT about eating enough, I am lifting heavy and often.  

Two weeks ago, I sincerely attempted a 150 lb backsquat and failed at 3 attempts. Today, I PR'ed at 165. Indeed, 150 was relatively easy.

I daresay, whatever your opinion of my physique, I definitely look and am stronger in the pic on the right. And getting stronger is going to get me where I want to go--skinny be damned.

Several things are working (for anyone struggling in their own attempts to put on muscle weight):

1. Getting enough sleep. 

I notice that I can lose 1-2 pounds easily if I don't sleep enough for several days in a    row.

2. Being diligent about eating enough protein and fat.

(I am following Robb Wolf/Performance Menu Suggestion, see blog entry #2). If I "cheat" and don't eat,  I lose the meat.

3. Consuming extra protein in my post WOD meal.

I've put on 2 pounds in the last few days. This began since I started consuming an additional 50% in protein (derived from my daily allotted blocks) in my post workout WOD. I usually use whey protein in a shake. I also add glucose per the recipe in The Paleo Diet for Athletes.

4. Lifting heavy.

Lifting weights is a relatively new phenomenon in my life. I didn't really start tinkering with this much until January of this year, and it's only been since March that it became clear to me I wasn't going to advance as a CrossFitter if I didn't learn to lift heavy. 

5. Having a good sit down meeting with my coaches--Le Clair, Ortiz and Robinson, setting up a schedule and sticking to it.

From here I hired Coach Robinson for the month of August to do 2 1:1 sessions weekly. He has been kicking my ass, improving my form and challenging me to go places I was afraid of before.

6. Chiropractic.

Yes, this is still controversial, but I believe that integrity entails saying what is true for you. Chiropractic works for me--specifically Dr. G. Before I went to Dr. Gary Vitullo, every time I lifted heavy above my head, a certain place in my spine hurt. A spot in my vertebrae stuck out further than the rest. This is no longer the case, and the pain no longer happens.

When I tweak, I go see him. He fixes it, and I get to go right back to lifting the next day. Works for me.

That's it for the "Adventures of Franklin" for now.

Signing off.