Buckfever's General Progress Log

I added the additional 5 minutes when I started working with the smaller tube because of what I perceived to be the additional friction and was using less vacuum. If I were to run it with higher vacuum or the larger tube I would go back to the 2 sessions. I shoot for 7 days but will miss a day when I have a conflict. I thought the EQ was even better with the lighter vacuum.

7/18/2024

5 minutes @ 4.5 hg
2 minute rest
5 minutes @ 4.5hg
2 minute rest
5 minutes @ 4.5 hg

Length: 7-1/8+"
Pack 3-1/4+"

The measures are understated especially on the pack because the sides had packed up high but in the center where I take the reading, there was a dip today, so the shorter reading.

Weight: 182

Unhappy with the weight, had extra carbs yesterday, just a lack of discipline. Was able to run 8.9 miles yesterday, torturously slow to protect the hamstring but at least I got it in. Should go better from here.

7/19/2024

5 minutes @ 4.5 hg
2 minute rest
5 minutes @ 4.5hg
2 minute rest
5 minutes @ 4.5 hg

Length: 7-1/4"
Pack 3-1/4+"

A little more length in the tube. As far as the packing similar pattern, it’s packing up the sides with a dip in the center where I’m taking the measure. Amazon sent the wrong item so a delay on the oil.

7/20/2024

5 minutes @ 4.5 hg
2 minute rest
5 minutes @ 4.5hg
2 minute rest
5 minutes @ 4.5 hg

Length: 7-1/4+"
Pack 3-1/4"

Back to the pattern, a hair more length in the tube a little less packing. I have not been sexually active this past week so no assessment of EQ, maybe tonight. Amazon sent the wrong item so have to reorder the massage lotion.

Weight: 182.6 @ 19.2% bodyfat

The extra ice cream is catching up with me have to stop that it’s becoming a habit. I was able to run 8.9 miles yesterday a little faster but the hamstring was complaining so I had to limit the stride to not reinjure it.

7/21/2024

5 minutes @ 4.5 hg
2 minute rest
5 minutes @ 4.5hg
2 minute rest
5 minutes @ 4.5 hg

Length: 7-3/8"
Pack 3-1/4+"

Definitely a little more expansion continues in the smaller tube, it’s very slight day to day, but definitive enough as the increments add up over time. I would say that the progress is faster than what I anticipated, but that is based on nothing really. Is there such a thing as newbie gains in the pump? I would imagine this must plateau soon enough and I do not know what this expansion means..

Weight: 182.8@19.3% bodyfat.

I eliminated the ice cream at the end of the day and stuck to the meal plan yesterday but the weight was on an upswing. We will stay disciplined and get that going in the right direction again. Blood pressure readings have been terrific this last week. Once the hamstring heals and I can push the pace and fitness I think things will improve even more.

Some people claim their weight never varies, or changes only very slowly, year after year. In my case, it might change as much as two pounds a day. Some of that might be scale repeatability, but I’ve learned not to worry about a specific number; I look at the last several weights in my log and observe the trend.

Same thing with BPEL, which is highly dependent on EQ. Due to mild ED, my EQ isn’t great, so individual measurements can vary quite a bit. Even knowing this, it’s still disappointing when the ruler says I’ve "lost" length since the last measurement.

7/22/2024

5 minutes @ 4.5 hg
2 minute rest
5 minutes @ 4.5hg
2 minute rest
5 minutes @ 4.5 hg

Length: 7-3/8"
Pack 3-3/8"

Maybe a hair less length in the tube but packed a little more. That seems to be the pattern. Reordered the massage lotion we’ll see if Amazon get’s it right this time.

Weight: 181.4 @ 18.9%

Surprised about the weight because I went to a party and it’s a little harder to be certain about the intake. Ran 8.9 mile yesterday but very, very slow to not strain the hamstring. Feels better today.

I need to see a lower number on the weight soon. Need to stay on this thing. Seeing the overweight condition of all those folks many of whom I had not seen in some time, affects me. I think it saddens me. Was talking to a guy who was on Wegovy. and lost weight but was lamenting the muscle loss. Maybe it’s the time issue. I think it’s just an hour a day of exercise, I know with me its a time issue. And watching how much of the deserts were consumed, that looked like some kind of release of anxiety.

I need to make sure, I’m not doing the same.

I like to eat this low cal, high protein ice cream called "Halo Top." Depending on the flavor a pint is about 200 kcal and it has 20 grams of protein. If I’ve made my protein intake requirement for the day from my previous meals sometimes it’s all I eat it for dinner and then just call it a day. So I treat it as nutrition that just happens to double as an ince cream treat.

My wife likes to make what she calls "protein ice cream." She has an array of Quest brand proteins of different tasty flavors, reconstitutes them to a a paste density in a little jar, puts the lid on and sticks them in the freezer for a few hours. About 30 minutes before she is ready to eat them she puts them in the refrigerator so they are the consistency she prefers. She’s a fitness trainer so has a carefully planned diet and usually makes them the day before or in the morning as she eats a couple of servings of them each day as part of her planned protein and calorie needs.

Finally, my bodybuilder friend got a Ninja Creamy to make protein ice cream with and he can’t stop talking about how much he loves it.

Just throwing out some ideas about how you can keep enjoying something on the ice cream spectrum that might help your fitness goals rather than interfere. Not as good as ice cream, but still really enjoyable as a frozen treat.

You’ve inspired me to do something similar - I just got a new pump, though will have to take a few days off due to being over-eager with it.

What does pack mean in this context?

I can’t edit, but I’ve read through the whole thread and assumed you mean, 3" inch or so of the tube is completely packed, that makes sense. I was trying to work out how you were measuring increases to girth.

Have you considered adding red light therapy into the mix?

That’s an interesting question. I thought about the use of heat. I have the Totalman IR heat pad and titleist suggested to use heat. I would have to explore the effect on edema and the red dot formation. Also I’m not considering longer duration to reach therapeutic heat so not considering right now.

7/21/2024

5 minutes @ 4.5 hg
2 minute rest
5 minutes @ 4.5hg
2 minute rest
5 minutes @ 4.5 hg

Length: 7-3/8+"
Pack 3-3/8+

The very slight incremental progress continues. When we started this, given the initial readings the idea of getting to 7.5" in the tube seemed out there but now I’m expecting it will happen. And now the idea that eventually seeing 8" in the tube who knows, maybe that can happen, although that seems really insane from where we started.

Weight: 183 @ 19.2

Very disappointed in the weight. I guess the weekend did come back to bite me. Hamstring feels better..

7/24/2024

5 minutes @ 4.5 hg
2 minute rest
5 minutes @ 4.5hg
2 minute rest
5 minutes @ 4.5 hg

Length: 7-3/8+"
Pack 3-3/8"

Not quite 7.5", a little less packing, maybe starting to level off? We’ll see.

Weight: 182.6@19.2%

I need to make a run at the weight.

7/252024

5 minutes @ 4.5 hg
2 minute rest
5 minutes @ 4.5hg
2 minute rest
5 minutes @ 4.5 hg

Length: 7-3/8+"
Pack 3-1/4"

Not quite 7.5" of length in the tube a little less packing. I think it’s leveling off now, which makes sense, it couldn’t keep going as it was.

Weight: 181.2 @18.9% body fat

Ran 10.9 miles yesterday, still very slow, hamstring is better but am being cautious. Thinking avoiding injury and just getting the runs in is more important. I need to see a 180 posting soon.

A staff member almost lost a client because she repeated the wrong statement multiple times and the client literally said to her "are you kidding me?" Fortunately I was an earshot away and was able to step in and correct the staff member and personally attend to the client. The client actually was sympathetic when she saw how embarrassed the staff member was when she realized. I’m not personally against alcohol, but the cognitive decline that I have seen over the years with even moderate use, especially in women is astounding. The thing with that is that there is this notion that a couple of drinks is fine and it is but not if you weigh 140lbs and you drink every day. There’s a cumulative effect.

It is known that fluid intelligence falls off as we get older, doing things to hasten it doesn’t sound like a good idea to me.

It’s a weird time right now and I don’t want to have diminished expectations, but at this point if people could just stop fucking up all the time, that would be great. I want to shoot for something better, but all I’m doing is putting out fires. IMO some suffering is necessary to progress in life. It’s the unnecessary suffering that’s frustrating, especially when it’s repeated.

Some years ago, I came to the realization that it wasn’t just that so many organizations fail, but that it’s a miracle they don’t fail sooner.