Scrawny-to-not's picture
Scrawny-to-not
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+ 1 Balancing career labor with gym progress

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Due to circumstances both horrid and saving I had the rare opportunity to be off work for about the past 9 months. Atleast 6 of which were spent training hard as possible, eating clean and on schedule, and sleeping plenty (ie no alarms, frequent naps).
Well all good things come to an end and I'm back to a 2hr commute and 40-50 hours a week of labor. Lots of walking up and down mountain sides, carrying chainsaws and supplies, wielding the saw, that kind of stuff.
I know for an absolute fact this kind of work has hindered my progress before, even causing regression. It eats up the recovery reserves, calories, energy to train and limits sleep to some degree.
So I ask myself now, how do I keep my gains, and push on through this?
The current plan is to really push the calories, bigger dirtier breakfast, then theres only 1 opportunity to eat properly during a work day, but ill keep nuts, protein bars, chocolate, dried fruit in my pockets and try to keep hammering calories a little at a time.
Im cutting back my volume in the gym and cutting in gym cardio out. Approx 12-16 total sets per workout at max intensity.
I'm already on a sleep stack but lately I've found a few hits of cannabis 2hrs before bed helps put me out.
What else can be done?

CHIMAIRA75's picture

How I've always worked out it, considering I've worked on some sort of heavy construction whole life was to eat a heavy breakfast to start. I'd pack my pockets with calories extra protein whether in the form of scoops of powder in a bag that I could mix with a bottle of water on the fly, to pocket sandwiches, protein bars, nuts, whatever I could find. A solid lunch, solid dinner when I got home and something clean before I crashed out and you're golden.
Knowing I was going to be cooked by the days end, I would lift early (like 4am early) to avoid any possibility of talking myself out of the days session. Over and done with before my day began, which enabled me to still get my 5 days in a week.
Cardio? Yeah, that's what work was for! Lol! I utilized employment as cardio. Also helped me face the day as my job also doubled as an extended cardio session.
Balance is possible and your success in that rides on your determination and mindset. Your willingness to make that shit happen no matter what kind of day, week, month that you're up against. It's alot easier achieved once you've programmed yourself to do so.
As far as sleep goes, so long as you've got your session in early, utilized your workday to it's Max as cardio, there shouldn't be much issue in winding down. Even if that means firing one up when you get home. Good luck brother man! You got this

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flounder's picture

Great plan. Balance is the key. When confronted by the same l had to also switch my works to the morning when I was fresh. The challenge there was try to limit my workout volume cuz I was fresh. Most days were compound movements with less reps, 6 to 10 cuz of so much movement during work.
The other biggy was meditation 20 min /day. I got so good at it that I could meditate a few minutes during work between movements. Rhythmic breath and repeating the word RELAX on exhale and always conscious of not unintentionally hold my breath during exertion. There is a thing called walking mediation where you get your movement in rhythm with your breathing. Dont get angry and always think calm and positive. Not only did this work well for gains but I was more productive and had lower heart rate and overall lower bp. No doubt it limits the enemy , cortisol! My coworker noticed and commented on how muscular, calm and energetic I seemed. It worked so good I seem to now do it unconsciously throughout any day even between workout sets, and when biking, hiking paddle boarding etc. it does take a little practice though. oh yeah limit alcohol.

Darkhorse777's picture

Eat you have to eat and if you come off all the way then maximize your natural production maybe some peptides like mitochondria support ... Either way food you got to get protein and I've seen dexatrose mentioned but shakes with carb powder add your own fat macadamia nut oil ... Nut butters keep protein high carbs are muscle sparing but they go in and out quick thas why supplementing with extra healthly omegas helps with inflammation and gives you the sustainable energy...to be honest that kind of work is so hard on the body trt or a cruise is probably beneficial with hgh ...like they proved that with the tour de france the dopers were more healthy they are low of course

0newheelup's picture

Ur doing it right. I've had to balance the mess of work, family, and fitness for years. Its hard. Work schedule was 80+ hard labor hours weekly, with 1-3hr daily commutes. My bosses learned to give me my peanut butter break or Pay the Piper... Might want to add some beef/turkey jerky to the mix.

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bigrick2017's picture

This has always hindered my gains I get caught up in the rat race of working long days stacking money and to tired to train when I get off of work SMH its great to find balance

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Milfpounder's picture

Fuck work. @kamalaharris2028

Scrawny-to-not's picture

Cackling Kamala
Yes this is furry anime porn

Milfpounder's picture

I'd smash.

press1's picture

The Dextrose powder you have ordered will help massively here mate, this is what I was previously talking about. You can now always keep your simple carb reserve high and full - if you do that then in theory you will not lose any muscle at work as the body will use the glucose for energy constantly instead of dipping into your muscle stores for energy. Take a clear small bag of as much as you need whilst out at work and add it to your drink through out the day. If you use it properly it will make a huge difference to the daytime energy reserves and also the amount of stored carbs you now have to train with on a night time.

I think you should also look at other possible work you can do that isn't labourus - doing any kind of physical job WILL impact your training some what because your body will simply be more tired and won't be able to recover as quickly from lifting, if lifting means that much to you then you will be willing to look at other more suitable work possibly in an office. I have always done office based work for this sole reason rather than being stood on my feet all day.

Scrawny-to-not's picture

Hell ya press, I'm going to put a baggie of dextrose in my fanny pack with the nuts and stuff so I can keep topping off

press1's picture

Another of those Hilarious American sayings - 'A Fanny pack' LMAO

Mate over in the UK a Fanny is actually a slang term for Vagina or Front bottom LOL

Janefonda's picture

Fanny here in the US ive always considered a booty. Lol. Yeah fanny packs u wear like a belt were a thing years ago. I think they are coming back in style. I may need to look into 1.

Scrawny-to-not's picture

Im canadian for the record Biggrin

press1's picture

Isn't that classed as worse????!! LMFAO

Scrawny-to-not's picture

Its like america but more gay and communist

Aggieguy's picture

Use the chainsaw as a piece of gym equipment.

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Scrawny-to-not's picture

Instructions unclear, I now i have 4 fingers left

Aggieguy's picture

Thats ok, keep going less protein needed with less parts

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Khandum's picture

Can always transition into a new career / job that ain’t so taxing

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Scrawny-to-not's picture

Hoping to do that for sure

Khandum's picture

If this is your hobby that you love, and wanna optimize every aspect you can for growth. Then you also gotta optimize your life outside of the hobby, to coincide and to be synergistic with lifting and growing.

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Scrawny-to-not's picture

The eternal quality of life vs income struggle.
This job pays the bills and for the goodies, but I pay for it. A cushy job will earn less but I'd probably be happier and healthier.

Khandum's picture

I’ve turned down position and money before just so I can have more of a life.

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Scrawny-to-not's picture

Thats admirable