That's my face at the gym...too bad it isnt my bod! Cool little face app at https://www.changefaces.com/

Perhaps I should say gym recovery instead of gym progress.

Today was my first visit to the gym since 3/31. It is also only the third time this year that I have been. I also went on 3/27.

Prior to that, I hadn't been to the gym since early November in 2018; I quit due to the gastro problem I had been having for years. I had my EDG (EGD?) in February, but I let excuses prevent me from going more this year. Last year, I was averaging 3 times a week.

The great thing? I don't think I have lost all that much strength. Looking at my peak from last year, I am only down about 85-90% between weight and reps. I was going easy too, starting at 60% of max. I didn't want to hurt myself coming back. Even funnier? I beat my deadweight lift w/o realizing it. OTOH, I may have been doing them wrong, too.

Some changes from last year.

• I start paying attention to my maximum heart rate; last year, I was trying to keep pushing my effort ( staying over 90%), and I think it helped improve my health overall, but damn I was exhausted all the time. Today I kept an eye on it, and only went over 80% when doing a couple of minutes of cardio at the end.
• I started a keto diet 3 weeks ago. I haven't lost any weight yet (I am still overeating, but not carbs). I feel much better overall on the keto diet. I even bought a breathalzyer to keep me on the keto track.

Today

• Warmup; 5 minutes on stationary bike; hit 80% max heart rate
• Deadlift; Set 1- 115 lbs(total) @ 8 reps, Set 2- 125 @ 8, Set 3- 135 @ 8
  May have done these wrong; going to spend some time watching vids
• Seated Calf Raise; Set 1- 40lbs (total) @15 reps, Set 2- 60 @ 15, Set 3- 70 @ 18
• Chest Press; Set 1- 70 lbs (total) @ 8 reps, Set 2- 75 @ 8, Set 3- 80 @ 10
• Back Row; Set 1- 70 lbs (total) @ 8 reps, Set 2- 75 @ 8, Set 3- 80 @ 10
• Seated Bicep Curl; Set 1- 15 lbs (one arm at a time) @8 reps, Set 2- 20 @ 8, Set 3- 20 @ 8
  Had to "cheat" on last 2 of left arm
• Seated Tricep Dip; Set 1- 90 lbs (total) @ 10 reps, Set 2- 110 @10, Set 3- 130 @ 10
  I don't know why, but I have always liked this exercise
• Seated Shrug; Set 1-45 or 90 lbs (total) @ 8 reps, Set 2- 55/90 @ 8, Set 3- 55/90 @ 10
  Was there one plate, or two, on this machine? I'll have to look next time /derp
• Ab Machine; Set 1- 80 lbs @ 10 reps, Set 2- 100 @ 12, Set 3- 110 @ 12

Notes - I'm just happy I'm still on the big boy plates for most of these! My energy level today AFTER the gym? 3 posts across my different social media platforms!

Thanks for reading, Have a great weekend!