Here are my pictures for the week:

Left side view:

Back view:

Right side view:

Front view:

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I was really looking forward to today's workout.  I never enjoyed working my chest before, but I'm starting to see some changes in that area and it pumps me up.

Incline DB flye (ss)
30×12; 35×10; 40×8(f)
DB press (ss)
45×12; 50×10; 55×10(f)

DB pullover (ss)
30×12; 35×10; 40×9(f)
Bench press (ss)
135×11; 135×9; 135×7(f)

Twisting crunch (ss)
14; 12; 10
Lying leg raise (ss)
12; 10; 8

I really focused on the chest muscles and how they felt during the exercises.  It was an intense feeling.

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Today I moved on to my back exercises.  This is the second week and I can definitely tell that these workouts are killer.

Twisting DB row (ss)
45×12; 50×10; 55×10(f)
Wide lat pulldown (ss)
110×12; 120×10; 125×10(f)

Close grip cable row
120×12; 135×10; 150×8(f)

Bent over row (ss)
95×12; 115×10; 115×8(f)
Close grip lat pulldown (ss)
105×12;120×10; 134×8(f)

What I notice about this progressive overload of the body is that as the rest time decreases I need to also decrease the weight I'm pushing. 

I've also been noticing that my energy levels are up.  I'm not sure why that is, but it is the truth.

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Leg day is avoided by alot of people with alot of various excuses for that.  I personally have always loved my leg workouts.  Today was no exception.  I love seeing if I can go heavier than my previous workout.  At this point in my program (Optimal Anabolics), I think I will start to lift lighter rather than heavier because the rest period between sets has been reduced by 30 seconds.

My workout today:

DB lunge (ss)
30×12; 30×10; 35×8(f)
Lying leg curl (ss)
90×13; 110×11; 130×8(f)

Standing calf negatives (ss)
160×12; 200×10; 240×13 (f)
Deadlift (ss)
95×12; 100×12; 110×9(f)

Seated calf negatives (ss)
90×12; 100×10; 125×13(f)
Squat (ss)
115×12; 185×10; 205×8(f)

The squats were my personal best.  205 x 8 is awesome and bigger than my 1 rep max was 10 weeks ago!

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Last night I was reading an article that claims if you focus on the muscle you are working during the workout you increase the growth potential.  I've always done that, but I was extremely aware of it today when working my arms. 

Todays workout was fun, but somehow it didn't seem as intense as it could.  I'm going to remember that for next week.  I did get a nice pump though.

DB concentration curl (ss)
20×12; 25×10; 25×8(f)
Overhead cable tricep extension (ss)
85×12; 90×10; 105×14 (f)

BB curl (ss)
65×12; 70×9; 70×7(f)
Lying DB french press (ss)
25×12; 25×10; 25×8(f)

Bent leg crunch (ss)
13; 11; 9
Lying leg raise (ss)
12; 10; 8

I just didn't feel really strong today.  I did manage to finish my weight workout in 50 minutes.  I think part of my problem was nutrition this morning.  I workout first thing in the morning and I always have a protein shake and some type of carbohydrate (usually oatmeal or fruit or both).  Today I left the house and forgot my carbohydrate portion of my meal.  I believe that is why I had less strength.

At the same time, I didn't feel like the workout was as intense as it should have been.  I believe this also might have been related to how my body was feeling.

Does anyone have any ideas on pushing every set to failure?  I've heard many different concepts and would love to hear what you all think about it.  Another question:  Why does it seem that my triceps don't burn out no matter how high I push the weight?  I seem to be able to just do rep after rep.  I always feel the triceps two days later, but I just feel like I can go forever during the workout.  Ideas?

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