1-11-16 HY: BB-Bulk: Chest + 06Abs-P2: L8 + Splits + TCF.

1-11-16 HY: BB-Bulk: Chest + 06Abs-P2: L8 + Splits + TCF.
Today was similar to yesterday in feel, but I was a little more active today in that I actually got some work done and I actually left the house for a bit with my daughter. I was relishing the fact that today is a national holiday!
Started my workout a little earlier today. Today begins week 4 or the Bulk Block. I upped my weights last time so I stuck with that weight. Even though I am a little more confident with the chest routine than I am with other routines, the challenge for me is to actually activate my chest muscles. When doing chest work, I can get heavy weights up, but I tend to use other muscles to help get the weights up and the chest is a little left behind not getting worked as much as it could or should. So activating the chest is always a challenge and a focus. Weights were the same as last time so no notation today, but I did do one thing a little different. On the Combo Set (set 4), I did the extra set as usual, but this time I did it like a drop set, the first of the drop set being the higher weight and the second of the drop set being the lower weight. Everything went well, but I was a little concerned about one thing. When putting the weights down, I felt a little tweak in my right shoulder, in the muscle just being my collar bone. It didn't get any worse as the routine progressed, but it was clearly there. Probably some residual strain from the Bulk: Shoulders yesterday. Also, the additional move, the Band Uppercuts, I still used the red bands, but today, I tried to hold the band at the top for an extra second for some isometric work. Really nailed my chest with that move. But here again, I'm clearly seeing the difference between my left and right. I am able to move my right exactly where and how I need to to activate my pec, but it took some time for me to find that sweet spot on my left.
Again today, I wanted to do a double level, but was only able to do level 8. There was definitely some residual soreness from yesterday. Once I started doing the Swiss Ball Roll-Outs, I immediately felt the strain in my abs. But today, I was able to control the sag in my core until the second set. From the third set, I could feel the sag coming on, and I couldn't go straight through the time, I had to take a quick, one breath break. By the fourth set, I had gotten back to the groaning and moaning to get through. No second level today. I may have to stay on level 8 longer than anticipated. But as yesterday, got a great pump and burn. As I write this, several hours after, I can still feel that core burn.
I really pushed the splits today and I got really low. Finally getting back to that point. Rolling my heel and legs to open up the hip flexors and everything in that area. Stretching all the muscles and tendons that are connected to the splits. Then, when I finished and stood up and did a forward fold with my feet shoulder width apart, I was almost able to kiss my shins! I was like, "WHOA!". Felt the pain, but in a good way. I feel really good about the splits.
The Flow was also good, clean and smooth all the way.
In the end, I torched a good 772kcals. Awesome pump and burn today. I actually saw my chest dancing when doing some chores. LOL! YEAH BABY! smile emoticon