I went back through my training logs this morning, looking for where I had made the most progress during busy or high stress times.  What I found was during the majority of 2009, when I was using Jim Wendler’s 5/3/1.  It allows for adjustments when it’s not a good day, the training sessions can be as short or as long as you like, and there’s really no thinking involved.

So, given how much I’ve struggled this year, I decided to go back to basics.  Slow steady progress is better than none, and while I’d rather train using a more conjugate/”Westside” approach (and find that my best strength progress has come on such a program), I just can’t focus enough on training to get that right.  Maybe next year.

So, I’ve taken a shot at what my maxes are, adjusted them to 90% training maxes, and plugged them in to the magic 5/3/1 formulas.  I know this approach works, I just need to stay motivated and focus on making the time and keeping my life in balance.

Off we go.