Holy Daze.

Christmas is here. This is going to be a weird one for me. Previously Christmas was all about trying to normalize being a social outcast within my family. The one that everyone kind of liked, but never really figured out. Sort of like a nice person who barely speaks the same language as you. This year, it's mostly going to be our little family of three. We'll visit the in-laws for a while, but the kid has to get to bed, so it won't be the long late night of previous. I'm looking forward to it a lot.
It's strange, I feel more in touch with all of the meanings of the holidays this year: the passing of the darkest parts of winter (solstice) , the birth of the savior of mankind (Duh), hope and light when it should have run out long ago (Hanukkah). All of these thoughts/ideas run together. I can't really explain why, could be the kid. Could be that I'm on the shady side of my mid-30s and am more comfortable with myself and my mortality. I don't really know, but I wish you and yours salvation, hope, light, and quickly returning spring.

I lifted today, some deadlifts, rows and floor presses.. nothing earth shattering. I'm taking a break to have some treats for Christmas this weekend. My palate has changed so much that I don't think I'm going to indulge too much. I had part of a scone, and a couple cookies. I'll have a scone on Christmas morning.. some dessert here and there, and hop back on the wagon till Valentine's day.

I was awarded my purple belt on Wednesday. I had a long roll with the professor on Monday. I guess I really did impress. For me the belts mean less than the improvement in my game. I'm getting better, people have noticed, that feels good.

Mahalo.

So there's that.

Busy times.
Christmas is just around the corner, being a new home owner, and parent of a very active 7 month old, I just haven't had much to write about and no time to write it.
I've been lifting:
Tuesday is split squats, chins, and presses.
Thursday is deadlifts, rows and bench (high volume low weight on both presses).
All if which is going pretty well. My body weight is comfortably under 210 for the first time in a long time thanks to the whole paleo thing. I have been doing BJJ at least 2-3 times a week. Just rolling along.
A couple weeks ago I went down to Portland for work and got some training in at Team Quest. Great stuff. The classes are short and very tight. No space. Really changes the work rate and conditioning requirements of the athletes. Also they start everything on the feet, which is a game changer as well. It was really interesting to see how a slight shift in attitude changed training very significantly.
I'm going to get a couple posts in before the new year, so keep your eyes out.
Have a great Christmas if you don't come by before then.
Mahalo.

Just some hard work.

Training yesterday:
Deadlift: (cluster sets)
worked up to 405
x3
rest 30 sec
x2
rest 15 sec
x1
full rest
x2
rest 15
x1
full rest
x1

BW rows with feet elevated
x10
x8
x8

bench:
135x15
155x10
high reps because my shoulders complain with heavy benching.
This is the start of a progressive overload cycle, so I'm starting light.

Pallof Presses:
some

Mahalo.