Last Visit: Jul 2, 2009 2:40pm Last Forum Post: Mar 19, 2009 2:21pm Last Photo Upload: Jan 19, 2009 10:01am Last Profile Update: Jun 30, 2009 9:59am Last Blog Post: May 11, 2009 2:03pm
Overall Goal: Finished recovering from some elective surgery and now I'm ready to push it hard again.
Fit Status:
Hard to push it hard when you max out the hotel gym... Guess it's time for high reps...
Motivation Level: 7/10
Personal Info And Background:
Real Name:
Jeff Couillard
Sex:
Male
Age:
39
Location:
Michigan, United States
Occupation:
Program Manager/Citizen Soldier
Personal Website:
Gym:
Gold's Gym
Gym Location:
MI
When I Started:
Jan, 2008
How I Started:
I was ordered to active duty to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Prior to this deployment I was sent to Ft. Meade, MD for a Public Affairs Qualification Course, where I began working out (again) with a friend who I was going to deploy with.
Why I Love It:
I enjoy the post-workout burn as well as the strides that I've been able to make over the last year.
How I Stay Motivated:
By challenging myself with goals and reading about the incredible changes that others have made... That and a swift kick in the ass from Rock23 and Stryka...
BB Accomplishments:
** On the way to 350 lbs, I was able to hit 320 lbs during one session.
** Recently, I hit my Iraq deployment goal of benching 305 lbs. Time to raise the bar and go for 350 lbs.
** I've gained 30 lbs of muscle in the last year.
** I've gone from 135 lbs on the flat bench to 298 lbs.
** I've gone from about 180 lbs on the leg press to 704 lbs. And while I think that I still have a long way to go, I had someone tell me the other day that they wish they were cut like me.
jcouillard updated Fit Status "Hard to push it hard when you max out the hotel gym... Guess it's time for high reps..." - 5:23 am - Comment
jcouillard updated Motivation Level from 10/10 to 7/10 and said: "Back to working out at the hotel gym... I really don't like hotel gyms..." - 5:22 am - Comment
Finished recovering from some elective surgery and now I'm ready to push it hard again.
Goal (Long):
By September I will hit 350 on the flat bench, and will shoot for 400 by December.
I will get my run down to a seven minute mile by July and will hit six minute miles by October (2009 Army PT test). As well as a 5k in November with some friends
I will (although I've no idea how right now) get my body fat down to 10% this year (hopefully this is realistic).
I will do this while remaining at 200lbs.
How has bodybuilding and fitness helped and/or changed your family life?
Not sure yet. I've been deployed to Iraq for a year, so when I get home I'll need to make some adjustments to fit back in. However, I think that my family may also need to make some adjustments to the lifestyle that I've adopted.Not sure yet. I've been deployed to Iraq for a year, so when I get home I'll need to make some adjustments to fit back in. However, I think that my family may also need to make some adjustments to t...more
- Updated Jan 11, 2009 1:55am
Are you a parent?
Yes
How has bodybuilding and fitness helped you to be a better parent?
Not sure yet...
- Updated Jan 11, 2009 1:55am
How has bodybuilding and fitness helped you in your career?
Last week went by pretty quickly and it was over before I realized it. While I did manage to post something last Monday, I completely ran out of time after that. On Wednesday I checked my max for Squats. I was able to get up to 330lbs before I decided that I just wasn't feeling stable...
Hope the recovery is going well, glad to hear you're ramping back up. Things are good here, no sugar for 40 days, (a record for me), still trying to train as hard as I can. Leaving for the Great White North 2 weeks from today. Stay Strong Jeff.
Thanks for joining. I now have a second group. It is based on improving the bench. Things are good with me, just busy. What kind of surgery did you have?
It's no "special" diet. I simply decided to tighten up at my last prog pics, due some "softness" from being lax for several mths. It's really just eat clean, w/ a MAX of 1 cheat per wk.
Thx Jeff. I originally planned to stay pretty strict with the diet thru May, but I think I'll extend thru June. I "feel" better & already see a little leaning, in only 2-3 wks. How's the w/o's? BTW, Happy early Mem Day. Thx for your service amigo.
330, nice work Jeff, good idea to take it easy. I am going stay at 440 for a while with them and try and increase the reps rather than the weight. Tried 460 last week but could only lower it about 2 inches.
Yup, Home Depot it is! I can still workout with my free weights but I do a lot of exercises w/ the machine so I'm screwed for now. I hope it doesn't take me forever to figure out how to fix it. I'll think of something...I'm really good that way :)
Thanks for the compliment :) My training is good but my multi-station gym broke yesterday so I'm stifled in terms of what I do with that till it's fixed (it's just a cable but I still have to figure out how to fix it). It seems as though it's always something! Grrrr!
Hi Jeff :) I just read your blog saying that you're done with you 8 wk program (that's the GVT thing, right?). I'm wondering if you're happy with the program and it's results. I hope all is well :)
I did not go crazy with me eating post comp just enjoying many more carbs. You are looking at a good amount of water weight with some muscle gain and of course body fat. I start my contest prep for 7/18 this Sunday so the weight will begin its drop again. -Jeff
Thanks for the comment Jeff. No I didn't use a spotter for bench, there was no one in the gym so I slid a bench into the rack and set the pins so they were below my chest line.. I would really have to deflate to get out. But I didn't want to take a chance w/o some protection. Keep pushing hard this week.
