"Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment."


"I don't think there are any gimmicks that work, and I don't think there are any secrets other than learning to do lifts correctly and working very, very hard."


****

Couple of things...

1. Here's an interesting blog: Steroid Nation

2. Had a great workout yesterday that went a little something like this:

(staying light and sticking with mostly rest pause and slow eccentrics)

BB Drag Curls - 65x10, 8, 5 RP
DB Hammer Curls - 35x12 straight set
Hack Machine Calf Raises - 200x3 sets of 12
Sumo Leg Press - 4p + 25 x 15, 10, 6 RP
Leg Press - 8p x 6, 2p + 25 x20

Felt really good afterwords.

I plan on going for a run later this afternoon for 20-30 minutes.

3. The stock market sucks and it's cold outside.

amen to the gimmicks part... wasted a lotta years and a lotta dollars on gimmicks...

that blog is interesting - t thought it would be based on the title but it's not the same author as the book who came out last year under the same title...

Good morning Steve! I wanted to stop by and see what was new around your diary... and to say that I hope you're having a good day!

Thanks Beth

Nothing terribly new.

Hi Steve!

Just hadn't said hello since I got back. Hope things are going well.

I see there are new posts in the blog to read.

Welcome back! And thanks for reminding me, I have to prep the next installment of that interview.

Hey Steve

Your right the stock market does suck right now. I hear my dad complain everyday that his portfolio is getting raped... He decided to drop his contributions into his 401K down a bit and take that extra money and put it towards extra on his house payment. I'm no expert but I thought it sounded kinda smart. I think he's a pretty smart guy. I'm scared to get my 401K statement here in a week or two... Hopefully everything will eventually bounce back.

Good luck with your run later today. I had one last night that felt pretty good, and I'm probably going to do another tonite.

-Sam

Hiya Sam...

Yea, it's pretty damn rough right now. You're young though, so I wouldn't even open your 401k statement. Make sure you're diversified and keep contributing. Sure, you're most likely down a good bit but if you continue contributing throughout the downturn, it will make the rise back up much quicker.

I like to think we're close to the bottom, but I definitely don't think we're going to have anything spectacular for a while yet.

ya'll are young... no where to go but up...

Yuppers.

And if Armageddon is truly upon us as some loonies would like us to believe, well...

Then it's time for survival of the fittest.

And I've been training for that my entire life.

so you've got the water stockpiled in the basement? and the generator and a years supply of gas to run it?

Ammunition coming out the wazoo?


I lived and worked thru the 80s... it's a cycle... better hair though some of the fashion is just as bad...

I've got a new home with a stream in my back yard, surrounded by trees, and 3 fire places.

Most people don't even know my house exists b/c of how 'hidden' it is.

My dad has a gun collection that would put most to shame.

I think I'd be okay for a little while.

That said, I've been an economist almost as long as I've been a trainer. Not quite, but close enough to know how the market works. There's always a catalyst to the bear cycles and each time something like this happens it's the end of the world.

I will say, however, that I was talking with our senior partner earlier today about his take. Mind you, he is a pioneer in the financial planning industry... he's 77 years old and still practicing.

He and a few others (older advisors who have been around the block) all agreed that this is the worst in terms of negative publicity and pessimism, which certainly doesn't help the situation.

I'll add though that each and every single one of these guys are dropping money into the market as fast as they can make it.

I'll say too that since I've been in the industry I haven't seen anything like this. I've seen huge drops in the market but never so many people pulling investments out to go into cash.

But my experience means little compared to the former gentleman.

the media is definitely not helping the situation... when i graduated from college -the economy was pretty bleak -many many many people were staying in school either changing majors and going for the 5- 6 year plan or going on to grad school because the job market sucked eggs royally...

24 hour news they like reporting on how bad things are... it'll get worse before it gets better... but it will get better...

And that's what people refuse to see.

I'll admit that it's tough for those who are retired living off their 'pots.' Hopefully they had appropriately planned and had wise people helping them to minimize the risk.

This is what the market does.

It does well for a bit, then it cleanses itself.

You graduated in the 80s? I'm assuming it was the S&L crisis?

i graduated in 86... i can't even remember back that far -I just know that jobs were few and far between...