Do SS then. It's a solid program and lots of people have done it so you can get information readily. It's not set in stone, later down the track you can mix things up. Just get started and try your best to do it on a reasonably regular schedule.

Plus I hate the initial learning curve and it felt like I was walking around with a clipboard more than working out when I was doing all the additional stuff. I hate to be a nuisance to others and I would have to (largely) have the weight room to myself to really feel comfortable. Being able to lift at any time I want now (bc of my new role) alleviates that ftmp.

The other issue I had previously was the neurosis of maximum efficacy of fun. If I lifted and a game became available, my shot would be all off. That's relaxed now that I've aged. I still play when a game becomes available, but I'm not as fixated on creating one. To clarify what you were referencing earlier Johnny: I'm 37, I'm also 5'9 on the button. Because I used to play 20+ hours a week for multiple years my lower body is still very defined (they're not just fat guy calves). When I lost weight before, I looked very fit with a shirt on, I looked like a soccer player/lightweight. I have a chest and broad shoulders, I have the build to put on mass and it's just being wasted from the waist up.

I don't know that I'll ever look like Johnny, nor is that my goal, but I was fast as the wind in the 160s. The thing about me and sports is that I have very fast hands, a very fast mind, and a motor that doesn't stop. I can't wait to join a men's league. The situation with my daughter has interrupted my routine, but that's really my goal: to get fit again and just ball out (in my little world) before I'm too old.

I landed where Rexx did on SS up until I read this post. It seems you do have a pretty defined goal, and SS is not really in line with that focus, but you can absolutely find a program that is more in line with what you are trying to reach that won't require much more puzzling out.

Before I make too many assumptions though, let me see if I have it right.

You want to lose some extra weight you have gained, get lighter and faster again, up your conditioning and then once you can get back to competitive ball I am weight training will be a supplement, not the main dish.

Also, you are talking hoop, right?

If this is the case, I would recommend finding a program that is less strength focused, and more overall conditioning focused. I can for sure help you find some that will not have an enormous learning curve.

Also, knowing more about your history, and body type composition I think you can look forward to some pretty rapid changes once you get going, and that is always motivating.

Tell me if I misread or there are any blanks to fill in such as injuries, limitations, things you hate doing, or things you love doing. Also, it sounds like you have a gym membership already and can take advantage of the slower times, how well is it equipped?

It's the local YMCA, I can't answer that question in detail currently bc I'm both ignorant to the location, as well as the specifics to describe. I assume it's more than adequate tho. I've just been playing ball, not excessively bc I haven't wanted to stress my heart too much at this weight.

No you're not missing anything, I have great balance and body awareness/control, so I assume I'd take to most things without issue. I have zero injury history until my piriformis started acting up, which has now all but evaporated. Just the normal callouses on the feet.

I would like to build some muscle in my upper body. Years back I was benching near bw after a couple weeks of lifting, I don't know if that's good or bad. I have no definition in my biceps, I realize that mainly just takes curls but I've never really been motivated by aesthetics much as I've never had problems attracting women. Taking a 9 year sabbatical from dating allowed me to finally grow enough to be very selective on things beyond the surface and reciprocated interest.

04/19 2160

4/20 244.4

04/20 2145

4/21 242.6

I was in the steam room yesterday and there was a conversation between two dudes going on. One was a young guy who was saying he just started training for the fire department and needed to gain weight and strength. The other guy is a super fit bro who was giving him advice on what to do and what he did, with pretty much the frame and athletic build for sports you are shooting for. He was recommending 5x5 to him and said that's what he did to get stronger, gain some weight and get in better shape for competitive soccer. After the younger guy left I asked the soccer guy if he stuck with 5x5 and how he felt it works for training for soccer and he was all about it--he doesn't do 5x5 anymore but still stays in the lower rep ranges. He also does HIIT conditioning 2 days a week in the form of sprints, for 20-30 minutes at a time, and then lifts heavy three days a week. The lower volume leaves him enough to do his other training and actually playing.

Now one big difference is at the start he was coming from the other direction of trying to gain weight, not lose it. That is the main reason I think that a less strength focused protocol might be more effective for you. Something where you are doing moderate weight-still focusing on compound movements for the vast majority, with more time under tension and shorter rest periods to keep your heart rate up rather than heavy weight with longer rest periods and lower volume.

How experienced are you with the big lifts? Do you feel pretty confident doing bench, deadlifts, squats rows and presses with good form (once you are ready to start)?

I'm not experienced at all. Bench yes, but the others I've done in very few trials.

If you're asking if I feel confident that I'll be able to do them with good form, once getting going, yes. I know a lot of people are confident out of sheer arrogance, I don't feel I fit in that category and am just trying to answer honestly. My buddy who was an experienced lifter was encouraged/impressed/whatever word in those single instances I went with him. (He now lives in another state.)

I've always been drawn to HIIT, as opposed to steady state cardio.

I've read that HIIT is really good to combat depression and generally can have a good impact on your mood etc so that would be a big plus if you're drawn to it anyway.

Well it's a facsimile of sports, whether it be: futbol americano running/covering routes, soccer, or basketball. (Baseball is closer to bowling than the former.)

HIIT is also a facsimile of hunting/evading wildlife and the like, along with war, but I digress.

04/21 1785

04/22 240.4

Good luck with your avatar prop bet! Do you have any ideas for what you will make MLYLT use if you win? Or perhaps you don't want to give the opposition any extra motivation lol. Either way hopefully it keeps you both motivated and on track

PM'd

04/22 1120

Dang, how can you go so low on cals?

Good job!

Glgl. Hey did you take a beginning progress pic? If not, get one for yourself ASAP. I wish I had done.

Ya, I did.

Thank you.

This isn't sarcasm, I don't eat much. I've completely eliminated fast food, drink mainly water, and cut way back on alcohol.

I eat carbs all day but try to focus on eating protein and fat. Half-sandwiches are my go-to meal. I eat much slower now. Food tastes so much better.

I like the music you link! Good luck looking better naked and stuff

Anxiously awaiting your calorie log today

Good, I'm glad. And thank you.

Wait no longer.

04/23 1113

On the plus side of news for you, I was up a pound from my weigh-in yesterday. Please pardon the pun.

04/24 1317

04/25 1175