In 2010 I found Mehdi's "Starting Strength" and did it for a few months and really liked the results, but I fell off the program because of my training tempo and "team/platoon/company pt" in the Marine Corps. In November 2011 I was deployed to Afghanistan, although we had a fairly rigorous op tempo, there was always down time, which means gym time. In January I decided to start another round of Starting Strength, or SL 5x5. I started all exercises with the bar, as advised, but added weight fairly quickly until my form was challenged, backed off a few pounds and started rocking. I didn't log the first time I squatted 225, but I believe it was late January, early February. 275 3x5 on May 4th, 315 1x5 for the first time on June 2nd. Took a month off in July and then began again with Madcow on September 24th, so I've just finished my 5th week and already gained 15 pounds on my squat, and deadlift.

I love the progression. I love that I'm doing something different than the social norm. I couldn't care less how my body looks, or what other people think of me. The only reason I work out is to gain strength and continue to set personal records. I constantly look forward to my next workout. Friday is the worst day. I get so excited about killing it on the heaviest sets, and then I look forward and see that I have 2 whole rest days until my next workout, and it frustrates me, but I don't want to stall myself by adding more exercises or training other body parts. Swimming wouldn't be too bad, but I'd rather eat and eat and store up calories to repair the muscles to get stronger. Size means nothing to me. I love watching a guy get under a squat bar and let his knees shake all over as he tries to pump out a few reps of 225, only doing partial squats. "Can I warmup now bro?" Don't act hard if you're not hard, and if you are hard, don't act hard because you'll only look like a douche.