The Path of Daggers

[Robert Ellis]

So, this is my first of weekly posts, at least for the time being. Why am I subjecting you to this, you might ask? So that I will keep excercising is why!:sinister:

Okay, so here is week one. I am currently using the G.U.T.S. Military Push-Up variation.

WEEK 1

Deep Breathing from PYTP

Warm-Up from PYTP

Military Push-Ups - 15 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 10 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 15 Reps
Tiger Bend Squats(with feet flat) - 55 reps
Military Push-Ups - 15 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 10 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 15 Reps
The Milo - 4 & 3 (4 on R then L, then 3 on R then L)

God bless!

Robert

[Robert Ellis]

I'm still amazed at how good this routine makes you feel. Every excercise falls right into place, preparing you for the following one.

Week 2

Deep Breathing from PYTP

Warm-Up from PYTP

Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 15 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Tiger Bend Squats(with feet flat) - 75 reps
Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 15 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 12 Reps
The Milo - 4 & 3 (4 on R then L, then 3 on R then L)

Until next week. . . .

[logain]

I missed a few days because of finals, but it's been going really well.

WEEK 3

Deep Breathing from PYTP

Warm-Up from PYTP

Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 15 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Tiger Bend Squats(with feet flat) - 75 reps
Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 15 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
The Milo - 4 & 3 (4 on R then L, then 3 on R then L)

God bless!

[inertia]

Great work on the Military-style GUTS routine.

I wondered if you were a Robert Jordan fan too when I first saw your Logain alias. As a matter of fact, I just finished the Path of Daggers. I'm trying to pace myself so there won't be a long delay before Sanderson finishes the the final book. It's a fantastic series. So right now I've switched to Raymond Feist for a while then I'll jump into Winter's Heart.

I officially started GUTS this past Sunday. I spent a couple weeks ramping up my volume before starting. I feel the situps are going to be the biggest challenge to making it to the elite level.

[Robert Ellis]

Inertia,

Thanks and good luck on your routine. I find this forum to be a great place for encouragement. Indeed, the sit-ups have by far been the most difficult for me too.

It is great to see another WOT fan on here! I started the series in '02, so pacing wasn't an option. I settled for re-reading(laugh) By the way, I just read the latest WOT by Sanderson--he did a great job. I've heard of Feist, but haven't read any of his. You should also read "The Name of the Wind," by Patrick Rothfuss, it's a great book too.

[Robert Ellis]

WEEK 4

Deep Breathing from PYTP

Warm-Up from PYTP

Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 15 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Tiger Bend Squats - 75 reps
Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 15 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
The Milo - 4 & 3 (4 on R then L, then 3 on R then L)

Missed a few more days, so I intend to continue with these reps through this next week. I've cut all of the rest periods between excercises—really makes it harder. I've also been working on perfect form.

[Robert Ellis]

Things stayed much the same through this week. I went snowboarding, which I found to be quite its own form of exercise; hence, I took a couple of days off.

I will increase reps tonight. Wish me luck.

May you all have a Blessed and Merry Christmas!

[Robert Ellis]

WEEK 6

Deep Breathing from PYTP

Warm-Up from PYTP

Military Push-Ups - 25 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 15 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 25 Reps
Tiger Bend Squats - 100 reps
Military Push-Ups - 25 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 15 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 25 Reps
The Milo - 8 & 5 (8 on R then L, then 5 on R then L)

Well, six weeks is past and I already see a marked improvement. Thanks for all the encouragement!

Robert

[duff]

You're doing great, Robert! I just recently started G.U.T.S. as well:
http://www.transformetrics.com/forum/showthread.php?p=34157#post34157

Nice improvement in pushup numbers especially! I find that's one of the hardest things for me to improve reps in.

[Robert Ellis]

Thanks. Good work on the Step-Ups!

[Robert Ellis]

WEEK 7

Deep Breathing from PYTP

Warm-Up from PYTP

Military Push-Ups - 15 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 15 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 15 Reps
Tiger Bend Squats - 100 reps
Military Push-Ups - 15 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 15 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 15 Reps
The Milo - 8 & 4 (8 on R then L, then 4 on R then L)

You probably noticed that my Push-Up No.'s went down. This was purposeful, as I realised that I wasn't quite touching my chest to the floor while descending. After switching it thus, I could really feel exertion in certain muscles that I hadn't been hitting before.

God bless,

Robert

[Robert Ellis]

WEEK 8

Deep Breathing from PYTP

Warm-Up from PYTP

Military Push-Ups - 18 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 15 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 18 Reps
Tiger Bend Squats - 125 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 18 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 15 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 18 Reps
The Milo - 8 & 4 (8 on R then L, then 4 on R then L)

Reps are moving up slowly but inevitably.

Robert

[Robert Ellis]

WEEK 9

Deep Breathing from PYTP

Warm-Up from PYTP

Military Push-Ups - 18 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 15 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 18 Reps
Tiger Bend Squats - 125 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 18 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 15 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 18 Reps
The Milo - 8 & 4 (8 on R then L, then 4 on R then L)

Missed quite a few days because of college beginning, thus the reps stayed much the same.

Robert

[Robert Ellis]

WEEK 10

Deep Breathing from PYTP

Warm-Up from PYTP

Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 15 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Tiger Bend Squats - 125 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 15 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 15 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 15 Reps
The Milo - 8 & 4 (8 on R then L, then 4 on R then L)

[Robert Ellis]

WEEK 10

Deep Breathing from PYTP

Warm-Up from PYTP

Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 15 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Tiger Bend Squats - 100 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 15 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 15 Reps
The Milo - 8 & 4 (8 on R then L, then 4 on R then L)

[Robert Ellis]

WEEK 11

Deep Breathing from PYTP

Warm-Up from PYTP

Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 15 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Tiger Bend Squats - 100 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 15 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
The Milo - 8 & 4 (8 on R then L, then 4 on R then L)

Progress is slow, but steady.

[Robert Ellis]

WEEK 12

Deep Breathing from PYTP

Warm-Up from PYTP

Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 15 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Tiger Bend Squats - 125 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 15 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
The Milo - 8 & 4 (8 on R then L, then 4 on R then L)

[entrma]

Robert are you doing this workout every day? If so how long does it take & how much rest do you take between sets?

In your opinion would it be helpful to do this abreviated workout twice a day?

[Robert Ellis]

entrma,

I try to do this every day, but usually only average 5-6 days a week. These sets that I post are just the rep numbers for the week. It takes about 20-25 minutes, including the deep breathing and warm-up. I don't usually take any rests at all, but sometimes have to take a 10-20-second rest right before the last set of push-ups.

If you can handle it twice a day, go for it. For me, once a day has been working peachy.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

Robert

[Robert Ellis]

WEEK 13

Deep Breathing from PYTP

Warm-Up from PYTP

Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 15 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Tiger Bend Squats - 125 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 15 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
The Milo - 8 & 4 (8 on R then L, then 4 on R then L)

[Robert Ellis]

WEEK 14

Deep Breathing from PYTP

Warm-Up from PYTP

Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 15 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Tiger Bend Squats - 125 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 15 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
The Milo - 10 & 5 (10 on R then L, then 5 on R then L)

Had a cold latch on to me, so I've had to miss a few days:(

In Christ,

Robert

[Robert Ellis]

WEEK 15

Deep Breathing from PYTP

Warm-Up from PYTP

Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 15 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Tiger Bend Squats - 125 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 15 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
The Milo - 10 & 5 (10 on R then L, then 5 on R then L)

Missed quite a few days because of a cold, but will get back on track here. Arrggghhh!

In Christ,

Robert

[Robert Ellis]

The worst yet. I missed TWO WEEKS because of a cold and . . . well, no excuses. Back on track now though.

God bless,

Robert

[Robert Ellis]

Well, I know that I havn't posted now in close to a month. Don't worry though, I've still been exercising! Things have just gotten busier as it gets closer to finals. Posting my workouts has been low on my priority list, unfortunately.

My push-ups and sit-ups havn't really been improving, but I havn't been able to devote as much time as I'd like.

Here are my current reps on a good day:

Deep Breathing from PYTP

Warm-Up from PYTP

Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 15 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Tiger Bend Squats - 160 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 15 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
The Milo - 10 & 5 (10 on R then L, then 5 on R then L)

I've also been doing Hanging Leg Raises and Close-Grip Pull-Ups and Chin-ups.

All the best,

Robert

[Robert Ellis]

Well, I'm back. I've had a stressful last 2 months with a 6-week summer class and work and a whole bunch of other stuff. I'm ashamed to say that I only exercised a few times during that period. Oh well, only the future to look towards now.

Here's my routine from tonight. Man, I feel so great!

Deep Breathing from PYTP

Warm-Up from PYTP

Military Push-Ups - 20 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 15 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 15 Reps
Tiger Bend Squats - 60 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 15 Reps
Atlas Sit-Ups - 10 Reps
Military Push-Ups - 15 Reps
The Milo - 7 & 4 (7 on R then L, then 4 on R then L)

Good night and God Bless!