LIFTIN

One of my favorite things to do, lifting weights. Research shows exercising releases endorphins into the brain, causing happiness. That might be the reason I do it. Or maybe I just like throwing around weight that most people just look at and shake their head. Maybe I do it because it's healthy, or maybe because of the goal setting/discipline required that falls over into other aspects in life and helps me out. I might do it for the muscle, na, that's a little too narcissistic for me. For strength? That might be, I'm trying to become strong in mind as well as body. Maybe I read too many comic books when I was little and watched too much wrestling and Arnold Schwarzenegger movies. Maybe I'm preparing for that one time, when I might have protect myself or someone I know. Most likely it's a combination of all these things. Or maybe I'm just weird.

Why do we lift? (need some motivation?)

I've been lifting since the end of 8th grade I believe. Mostly on and off so I didn't make too much progress. I didn't know half of what I know now either, so that didn't help. I got serious about it beginning of 2001. Did good until summer hit, basically took that off. I'm back at it now though and don't plan on stopping. Oh, by the way, that isn't me in the pic, that's an insane amount of weight.

 

For you guys who know weightlifting I'll talk a little about my lifts and what not. First off, I'm 170lbs, at about 10% bodyfat(actually a guess, I can kinda see my abs). My Personal Bests for the Big 3 are Bench-255 (was around 270 but hurt my shoulder before I could max out at the end of our cycle) Squat - 365 and Dead - 405.

 

I'm going for a 295 Bench, 385 Squat and 455 Dead by end of this semester. With a little luck I should get to these. My longtime goals are Bench - 405, Squat - 585, Dead - 635. These would easily put me in competative powerlifting totals at my bodyweight. I should even be able to clean up with these. Of course, they're at least 2 years away, and I might not even reach them. I'd be happy with a 315 bench, 405 squat, and 495 dead. But I'm going by this quote:

- Aim at perfection in everything, though in most things it is unattainable. However, they who aim at it, and persevere, will come much nearer to it than those whose laziness and despondency make them give it up as unattainable.

Since I consider myself a weightlifting guru, I'm going to make a 'DK's Weightlifting' site with the knowledge I've attained and experienced to help you guys out. Hopefully it won't take too long before some of it is up, but if you got a question, go ahead and send an e-mail and I'll help you out. A good site for info though is T-mag, best weightlifting/nutrition site I've found.