Bro, do u even lift?

I always thought I didn't like lifting weights. I think the reason for this is I was always doing those dumb machines at the gym when I wanted to do weights and not loading plates on a bar.  It is just so different seeing the difference instead of moving a little pin up.  I've been lifting for about a month now, and I realized I LOVE it!!!  There is such a satisfaction of complete baddass-ery throwing the bar to the ground after lifting something you took all your strength and focus to get up.  I love having trainers to teach and ensure each time you are doing the correct technique.  I am behind everyone else but it is really motivating to see everyone doing so much and I can't wait until I'm there.  Right now starting I am at 155 deadlift, 55 press (65 push press) 115 squat and I think I can power clean about 55 but not sure exactly if I can do more since I've never tried to do them by themselves.

I can't wait to build more arm muscle, I am hoping by the end of the year I will be able to do pull ups and chin ups without the band helping.  I have been going between 4-6 times a week (Saturdays are extra long) so I think I will be able to build muscle pretty well.

Jenna took pics of me doing chin ups

The only downsides is the injuries accompanying.  I bruised my collar bone doing front squats and it hurts so bad if I bump it...which is often...and bumping a bruise with a 55 lb bar is the worst.

Also, although I'm getting callouses, my hands hurt so bad that it is often the hardest part of any work out on a bar to just hold my weight up being in such pain.  My other hand actually had a bloody spot!  They are so swollen!

Hopefully having tomorrow off will help my hands recover!  Today was rough, we had to do the below and it was HARD on the hands (HSPU is handstand push up, T2B is hanging from the bar and bringing your toes up to it) after this we did 4 minutes of planks.  The best part is everything you can modify so for T2B I can just bring my knees up and HSPU I can put my feet on a box until I can do the full moves.

I am so glad I decided to sign up for my gym!  It is so fun with everyone there, and I look forward to it every day.