Thrival Mode

I used to go to the gym bright and early 3 days a week, lifting heavy weights on a barbell like squats, deadlifts, bench press, and overhead press. I remember wanting to be able to squat 1x my bodyweight (i.e. if I weighed 220 lbs then I wanted to be able to squat with 220 lbs on my back). I eventually achieved this. I remember following the 5x5 program: warmup to and then complete 5 sets of 5 repetitions. I remember having to eventually cut back to a 5x3x1 program in which I did 3 sets - first one was 5 repetitions, then 3, then 1. I was putting on muscle during this period, but I also got big. I remember barely fitting into my pants because my thighs were so big! Although all 4 exercises were fun, I remember thinking that the overhead press was the most satisfying.

Around that time I remember quitting the gym because they changed their pricing structure and conveniently left me paying the higher rates. I remember being very determined to get in even better shape - but without the gym! I wanted to lose some weight but maintain my strength. I found a nearby park that had a pullup bar, some dip bars, a place to do decline situps, and so on. Working out outside is sooo much better than in a stinky gym. I remember I wanted to bump up my cardio as well, so I did some jump rope in between sets. I even had a good routine going:

Workout A included chinups, dips, squats, jump rope, and balance exercises. Every other day I'd do Workout B: pullups, pushups, assisted one-legged squats, jump rope, and balance exercises. I also made sure to do some gripper exercises at home - just holding those grippers for 30 seconds a day was perfect.

I also remember eating a little healthier: steamed veggies for breakfast (or dinner), salads for lunch, etc. I ended up losing some weight, maintained or even gained in strength, and I was eventually able to do 10 pullups in a row! My forearms got bigger and stronger. I was like PopEye!

I write that down because I'm interested in getting back into "the best shape of my life" again. I'm interested in returning from survival mode (which I was in during the pandemic even until now) to thrival mode. Here's what it means to me: