Gary F. Zeolla

Author of Christian, fitness, and politics books, websites, and newsletters. Bible translator. Holder of All-time powerlifting world records.

[Gary F. Zeolla @gzeolla]

Since I've acquired many new followers recently, the following is copied from the top of my personal website:

My Life Highlights

Author of Christian, fitness, and politics books, websites, and newsletters
(written from a conservative Christian and politically conservative perspective)

B.S. in Nutrition Science; Denver Seminary Attendee

Founded Darkness to Light ministry in 1991

Bible Translator and Commentator

Holder of fifteen All-time powerlifting world records and over 100 federation records

I thank the LORD I have accomplished so much despite dealing with a multitude of health problems throughout my life.

Life Bible verse: “the Lord stood by me and gave me strength” (2Tim 4:17; ALT3).

For much more about me, see personal website:
https://t.co/6BSdoOCvaT

Note: I will not follow and will unfollow anyone who posts messages with obscene or offensive language or pictures or videos of scantily clad women. That includes a woman’s own pictures, such as bikini pictures and cleavage shots. I do not want my timeline cluttered with such indecencies.

#Bible #Translation #Author #Christian #SpiritualPractices #Theology #Apologetics #Politics #Conservative #Dating #Singleness #PremaritalSex #Health #Fitness #Exercise #Diet #Nutrition #ChronicIllness #StrengthTraining #Powerlifter #Powerlifting #Records #Covid #Coronavirus #CovidVaccines #Books #Audiobooks #Kindle #Ebooks

[Gary F. Zeolla @gzeolla]

2026 Week 24 Powerlifting Workouts

Stats: Age: 65. Height: 5’0”. Weight: ~122 pounds. Format: pounds/ reps. The Powerlifts and Rows and variations thereof are done with gear (belt, wrist wraps, knee sleeves or wraps). For them, I record the top two sets. For all other exercises, I only record the top set.

6-7, Su: Conv 2 Boards (1-1/2”) Deficit Deadlifts: 315/6, 330/4, 345/2. Video:
https://t.co/kHVXMS1Vtn

Dip Bars Twisting, 1 Leg Rev. Crunches: 3s/15, 3s/15, 5s/10. No video.

Neckstrap (Front): 6.5/12, 7.0/10, 7.5/8. No video.

The DL sets were harder than I had hoped. But that was probably due to a lack of enthusiasm, not a lack of strength.

6-8, M: Decline Benches: 120/6, 125/4, 130/2. Video:
https://t.co/B0WHxSRw6z

Curl Bar Rows: 110/6, 115/4, 120/2. Video:
https://t.co/zMwRXL9WOA

Wrist Curls (Underhand): 12.0s/10, 12.0s/8, 12.0s/8. Video:
https://t.co/gbLqbD5GCQ

This was the first time I did Declines in a couple of years, so I went a bit light. I’ll bump the weights up next time.

6-10, W: 3/4” Extra Low Squats: Sleeves: 225/6, 237.5/4. 2.5m THP Wraps: 260/2. Video:
https://t.co/PtupRGZp5p

Crunch, Side Bend Combo: 0/12, 1.25/10, 2.5/8. Video:
https://t.co/XGxb68AqVm

Very rough day on Tuesday had me too wiped out to do my rehab exercise in the morning, but I felt okay by the afternoon. I was disappointed I had to drop my weights 10-pounds more than I had planned, but my adductor was bothering me on warmups. With that adjustment, the workout went as planned, but it means I will not be entering a contest anytime soon.

6-11, Th: Close Grip Benches: 120/6, 125/4, 130/2. Video:
https://t.co/y4Lc8McfLa

Close Grip Super Curl Bar Rows: 110/6, 115/4, 120/2. Video:
https://t.co/9F3x75RRHd

Abductor (out), Alternate Legs: 0/11, 0/11. No Video.

Problems just as I was planning on starting this workout delayed it three hours, until the evening. It went okay, except I was scatter-brained, repeatedly misloading, losing count, and forgetting what set I was on.

With all of the problems, this will be my last workout post. I think will be taking a break from lifting, at least until all of the issues in my life calm down, if they ever do. No point in posting messages complaining about not being able to work out.

#Powerlifting #Powerlifts #Squats #Benches #Deadlifts #StrengthTraining

[Gary F. Zeolla @gzeolla]

New Training Plan – June 2026

I’ve cancelled my June 19 contest plans. I’m undecided if or when I’ll compete again, but I will keep training.

I’m returning to the program I used from 2001 through my 2021-22 shoulder surgeries: four days per week – Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday – rotating Squats, Bench, Deadlifts, Bench Assistance (BA).

I’m also returning to my old sets/reps scheme: most warm-ups raw, then final warm-up + three work sets with gear for 5-6, 3-4, and 1-2 reps. If my adductor is irritated on raw squat warm-ups, I’ll use sleeves as needed.

Squats & Wraps: Chains didn’t work well at replacing wraps this cycle. But wraps for every work set makes for overly long and tiring workouts. New plan: final warm-up + first two work sets in sleeves for 5-6 and 3-4 reps, then one top set in wraps for 1-2 reps. This mirrors a meet: sleeves for warmups and opener, wraps for second/third attempts.

Deadlifts: Sumo aggravates my adductor more than conventional. I’ll reluctantly switch to conventional only.

BA Day: Back in rotation. Traditionally I did “non-flat Bench assistance” - Inclines, Declines, Overhead Presses, and Dips. With shoulder issues, OHP and Dips are out. I’ll use either Inclines or Declines; start with Declines.

Since I last did Squats and Benches, I will pick up this new plan with Deadlifts then BA. I’ll reduce loads ~5% from my last sessions and rebuild gradually. My morning rehab exercises will continue at current intensity, as I was just getting into working a bit hard on them.

I will use a three-week rotation. For Squats and Deadlifts, alternate between the regular lift, then with ¾” (1 board), then 1-1/2” (2 board) extra low or deficit, respectively. For Benches and Declines, I will alternate the regular lift, with a 3-count pause, and close grips. For Rows, I will continue with six variations split between my Bench and BA day: 2 overhand, 2 neutral grip, 2 underhand. Staggered so that I do not do a similar variation back-to-back. Plus various abs and calves. And that’s it.

This 4 day per week/ 3-week rotation will hopefully allow me to train around my shoulder and adductor issues while keeping all the main lifts. No maxes, no meets on the calendar. Just consistent work to stay strong and healthy at 65.

#Powerlifting #Powerlifts #Squats #Benches #Deadlifts #StrengthTraining

[Gary F. Zeolla @gzeolla]

https://t.co/vI4jtPxYDx

[Gary F. Zeolla @gzeolla]

Contest Cancelled

I am canceling my plans to compete in the powerlifting contest on June 19, 2026.

Today, Saturday June 6, 2026 – just two weeks out – I received an email from the meet director stating:

“There will be food trucks and multiple vendors. On top of the powerlifting meet there will also be a strongman competition as well as a Hyrox style competition occurring at the venue.”

Had I known this was part of a larger athletic event, I would not have entered. In fact, I passed on a USPA contest last month for the same reason: it was part of a Fit Expo with multiple events in the same venue. I discussed that decision in my article on choosing a powerlifting contest (link in first comment). My health sensitivities make that type of atmosphere very problematic.

I’m disappointed, as there were other meets I could have entered and would have chosen if I’d had full information. Over the past nine weeks I’ve also been managing personal and health issues. I’ve been trying to hold training together for this meet, but given these new circumstances, it’s not workable.

I’ve requested a refund and cancelled my registration. Training will continue, but I’ll reset my plans once my health stabilizes.

#Powerlifting #Powerlifts #Squats #Benches #Deadlifts #StrengthTraining

[Gary F. Zeolla @gzeolla]

@Eman5695 People who ask such inappropriate questions as head to our 250th birthday. You should be asking what makes it so great? Freedom!

[Gary F. Zeolla @gzeolla]

2026 Week 23 Powerlifting Workouts

6-1, M: Regular Sumo Deadlifts: Gear: 342.5/6! 362.5/4! 382.5/2! Video:
https://t.co/VGqihkHOSI

Adductor (in)/ Abductor (out), 1 Leg at a time: Skip

Neckstrap (Side, left): 2.5/12, 2.75/10, 3.0/8. Video:
https://t.co/BNcSg2zx59

I slept very well over the weekend and felt very good the morning of this workout, even though my rashes got worse. I was looking forward to a good workout, and it went very well. However, problems before and after left me once again in a significant allergic reaction. If you look closely, I am not wearing my necklace. That is because the last time I wore it, my neck started itching all around. I cannot fathom that I am sensitive to the stainless steel of the chain, but nothing about my recent problems makes sense.

I was going to stop my morning rehab exercises, along with my afternoon minor ones. But the neck work requires little energy, and my neck is still problematic, and so is my grip. In fact, I was losing my grip on the last rep of the second set, so I set it down too quickly. That means, I will continue with my grip/elbow exercises and neck work for maybe another week.

6-2, Tu: 3-Count Pause Benches: Gear: 125/5*, 130/3*, 135/1*. Video:
https://t.co/2ZwLwNsDTh

Super Curl Bar Rows: Gear: 105/6, 110/4, 115/2. Video:
https://t.co/GUEsMVICiN

After a very rough night due to those mentioned problems and getting up very late, I skipped my morning rehab anyway. I still did not feel right for this workout, and it predictably did not go well.

6-4, Th: Squats with Wraps: Gear: Pioneer: 290/2*, THP:300*/1*, Pioneer: 305*/1. Video (all three sets):
https://t.co/W4srzPvSOB

This was my first time using wraps since my last contest almost two years ago and the first time using my new Pioneer and THP 3.0-meter wraps. But it was a very disappointing workout, with me doing less than I had planned and much less than I had set out to do months ago. But after nine weeks of non-stop problems, a troublesome adductor, and little sleep this week, it was expected. I just need to reframe my goals and plans for my upcoming contest and accept it as it is.

My adductor only bothered me slightly during Sumo DLs on Sunday, but it bothered me greatly here, starting with my warmup set with the bar. After that I used sleeves, and that mostly alleviated the pain. I was hoping wraps would do so even more, but it got worse. Consequently, I am not sure if I will use sleeves and/ or wraps at the contest. I will see how my final two Squat workouts go and decide from there.

6-5, F: Regular Benches: Gear: 127.5/5, 132.5/2*, 137.5/1. Video (all three sets):
https://t.co/XffBXqNeHA

T-Bar Rows: 110/5*, 115/3*, 120/2. Video:
https://t.co/8dEJJHQ4Ce

Wrist Roller (Overhand): 5.5/6, 6.0/4, 6.5/2. Video:
https://t.co/On49ywWy4F

Still not sleeping, but pressing on as best as I can. Which wasn’t good enough. A predictably bad workout; missed a rep on half of my sets.

#Powerlifting #Powerlifts #Squats #Benches #Deadlifts #StrengthTraining

[Gary F. Zeolla @gzeolla]

@TrumpsHurricane Keeping Biden in office. Republicans knew if they impeached him, you'd take office and be even worse.

[Gary F. Zeolla @gzeolla]

https://t.co/SeK5sefCT3

[Gary F. Zeolla @gzeolla]

“Trump and RFK Jr. Overhaul U.S. Health Policy: Part Three: Sugary Drinks and Artificially Sweetened Beverages” is a new article on my fitness website:

Link in the first comment!

Are you trading “bad” sugar for “worse” chemicals? It’s not just the high-fructose corn syrup that’s destroying our health—the “diet” alternatives are keeping us trapped in a metabolic mess. With the Trump and RFK Jr. administration pushing a clean-label agenda, it’s time to stop drinking your way into chronic disease. Read the latest FitTips to learn how to break the sugar addiction for good.

#MakeAmericaHealthyAgain #MAHA #NutritionTips #HealthPolicy #MetabolicHealth #SugarFree #CleanLabel #RealFood #HealthyLiving #FoodTruth #DietCulture #ChronicIllness #CorporateFood #HealthyLifestyle #PalateReset #InsulinResistance #HealingOurNation #FoodIndustry

[Gary F. Zeolla @gzeolla]

To view it: https://t.co/zx3lgcbz6Z

[Gary F. Zeolla @gzeolla]

I just sent out the latest issue of my FitTips newsletter.
FitTips for One and All – Vol. XXIV, No. 3

Trump and RFK Jr. Overhaul U.S. Health Policy:
Part Three: Sugary Drinks and Artificially Sweetened Beverages

Link in the first comment!

Are you trading “bad” sugar for “worse” chemicals? It’s not just the high-fructose corn syrup that’s destroying our health—the “diet” alternatives are keeping us trapped in a metabolic mess. With the Trump and RFK Jr. administration pushing a clean-label agenda, it’s time to stop drinking your way into chronic disease. Read the latest FitTips to learn how to break the sugar addiction for good.

#MakeAmericaHealthyAgain #MAHA #NutritionTips #HealthPolicy #MetabolicHealth #SugarFree #CleanLabel #RealFood #HealthyLiving #FoodTruth #DietCulture #ChronicIllness #CorporateFood #HealthyLifestyle #PalateReset #InsulinResistance #HealingOurNation #FoodIndustry

[Gary F. Zeolla @gzeolla]

My Training Schedule

For upcoming powerlifting contest (all sets with gear: belt, wrist wraps, knee sleeves or wraps)

Today (5/31, Su): OFF
6/1, M: Sumo Deadlifts, regular workout: 6,4,2 reps
6/2, Tu: 3 Count Pause Benches, 6,4,2 reps
6/3, W: Off
6/4, Th: Peaking Squats with Wraps, 4,2,1 reps
6/5, F: Benches: 5,3,1 reps
6/6, Sa: Off
6/7, Su: Peaking Conv Deadlifts, 4,2,1 reps
6/8, M: CGBP, 6,4,2 or 5,3,1 reps
6/9, Tu: Peaking Squats with Sleeves, 4,2,1 reps
6/10, W: Off
6/11: Peaking Sumo Deadlifts, 4,2,1 reps
6/12, F: Peaking Benches, 4,2,1 reps (begin cutting if decide to go 114s)
6/13, Off
6/14, Su: Light Squats (opener only), with wraps or sleeves, depending on which I plan on using at the contest for my opener
6/15, M: Light Benches (opener only)
6/16-18, off
6/19, F: Weigh-ins
6/20, Sa: Contest

#Powerlifting #Powerlifts #Squats #Benches #Deadlifts #StrengthTraining

[Gary F. Zeolla @gzeolla]

2026 Week 22 Powerlifting Workouts

5-24, Su: 1B, 3/4” Extra Low Chain Squats: Gear: 305/3^, 320/1^. Raw: 230/8. Video:
https://t.co/oWj4J0gCew
Crunches: 22.5/11^, 25/9^, 27.5/7^. Video:
https://t.co/TS79FJENvA

Neckstrap (Side, right): 2.5/12, 2.75/10, 3.0/8. Video:
https://t.co/yrsbhD58w4
An excellent workout. This was my last time squatting with chains and squatting to an extra low depth. From here out, it will be strictly Squats with Sleeves or Wraps to legal depth to prepare for my upcoming contest.
5-25, M: 3-Count Pause Chain Benches: Gear: 132.5/4, 137.5/2. Raw: 105/8. Video:
https://t.co/vtp3cUe7ny

Close Grip Super Curl Bar Rows: Gear: 120/3.8*, 125/1.9*. Raw: 102.5/8. Video:
https://t.co/ttxeMc2208

Chain Benches went well, but not Rows. I might need to change my plan on the latter. But this will be the last time I use chains on Benches. With competing raw, they make little sense at this point.

5-26, Tu: Conv 2 Boards (1-1/2”) Deficit Stiff Leg Deadlifts: Gear: 265/4, 277.5/2. Raw: 220/8. Video:
https://t.co/H8ZLhg5qXk

Dip Bars Rev. Crunches: 3s/23, 3s/23, 5s/15. Video:
https://t.co/VwsToQK6eA

Wrist Curls (Overhand): 9.5s/10, 9.5s/10, 9.5s/10. Video:

https://t.co/J0SQam522e
This was my last SLDL workout and last deficit work. From here out, it will be strictly Conv and Sumo Deadlifts from the floor to prepare for my upcoming contest.

5-28, Th: Regular Squats with Sleeves: Gear: 275/2*, 260*/4. Raw: 205/skip. Video:
https://t.co/UtTaA2GXUk

Rocking Barbell Calves: 150/11^, 157.5/9^, 165/6*. No video.
I still haven’t figured out what is causing my rashes and itching. And that has caused another health issue to flare up, leading to a couple of sleepless nights, hence no morning rehab. But after a nap, felt okay for my main afternoon workout. But it went terribly. After feeling better for my last two workouts, my adductor bothered quite a bit on my raw warmups but a bit better for my geared warmups. But my first geared set was supposed to be for four reps, but it felt very heavy, and I only got a double. Rather than going heavier like I had planned, I dropped to what I figured I could safely get for those four reps. That’s important, as my opener at a contest is what I do for four reps. And this sets me up to try 267.5 for my peaking workout in a couple of weeks, again what I need for the record. But then when I walked out the weight for my backoff raw set, I could just tell my adductor would bother me too much to even attempt a rep, so I racked it.

Since sleeves help some, I am hoping when I squat with wraps next week, that will further alleviate stress on the adductor. If It does, that will change my plans and cause me to use wraps at the contest for warmups and all three attempts. I was planning on doing what I did at my last contest, sleeves for warmups and opener, then wraps for second and third attempts. That saved energy but might not be plausible this time.

5-29, F: Regular Benches: Gear: 125/6, 130/4, 135/2. Video:
https://t.co/tMAMhOQoP5

Barbell Rows: Gear: 115/6!, 120/4!, 125/2! Video:
https://t.co/N2qQ258ceq
My monthly co-op trip in the morning, so I wasn’t feeling quite right for this workout. But I will take the weekend off. Hopefully, by Monday I will be feeling better. It will then be two weeks of hard training, then a break the week of my upcoming contest. That said, I eliminated the raw work set altogether and went back to a previous plan that worked well for me, three sets with gear of 5-6, 3-4, 1-2 reps.

But I must say, I am rather discouraged. As I said previously, I should have entered a contest a couple of weeks ago or even last month. If I had, I would have totaled more than I will at my upcoming contest. I won’t make that mistake again of trying to run a training plan so long without entering a contest or backing off at some point.

#Powerlifting #Powerlifts #Squats #Benches #Deadlifts #StrengthTraining

[Gary F. Zeolla @gzeolla]

Put up my patriotic decorations for Memorial Day today, Flag Day next month, and Independence Day the next month. Many thanks for those fought and died. As Trump said at Arlington today, “Without Memorial Day, there would be no Independence Day.”

#MemorialDay #FlagDay #IndependenceDay #TrumpArlington

[Gary F. Zeolla @gzeolla]

@GlobalMAGA_ Not even close. Melania, followed by Jackie.

[Gary F. Zeolla @gzeolla]

2026 Week 21 Powerlifting Workouts

5-17, Su: Sumo 2 Boards (1-1/2”) Deficit Deadlifts: Gear: 345/4! 362.5/2! Raw: 260/8. Video:
https://t.co/TBNL9QwAJh

Dip Bars Twisting, 2 Leg Rev. Crunches: 3s/10, 3s/10, 3s/10. Video:
https://t.co/tCpLJ8MVWt

Wrist Curls (Underhand): 11.5s/10, 11.5s/10, 11.5s/10. Video:
https://t.co/lFvWl6tcFl

I only had to drop the weights for geared sets slightly and a bit more for the raw set. And with that, I got my planned reps. However, my adductor bothered more than I had hoped, messing up my form. I was basically stiff-legging it, which is not good. I cut back a bit on the ab work also for that reason. Plus, I was getting rather tired.

5-18, M: 3-Count Pause Benches: Gear: 132.5/4^, 137.5/2. Raw: 105/8. Video:
https://t.co/hIAM9B4NcL
Close Grip Barbell Rows: Gear: 112.5/4! 117.5/2! Raw: 97.5/8. Video:

https://t.co/dOfuTWeFHz
A surprisingly good workout. Maybe that break did me some good.

5-19, Tu: 2B, 1-1/2” Extra Low Squats: Gear: 255/3, 267.5/1. Raw: 190/7. Video:

https://t.co/7X0thqd1DS
Barbell Calves: 145/12, 152.5/10, 160/8. Video:

https://t.co/YIrwF0swRi
Neckstrap (Back): 5.5/12, 6.0/10, 6.5/8. Video:

https://t.co/ZVOQxAthk6
A problem in the morning left me in an allergenic state and exhausted the rest of the day. And my adductor was bothering me somewhat. But I still managed to do the same as Sunday in that I only dropped my originally planned weights slightly, but this time, I only got the lower reps in my prescribed rep ranges. But that still had me topping out at 267.5. That is significant, as that is what I need to break the all-time record (raw+wraps; 65-69 age), if I cut to 114s, according to Open Powerlifting https://t.co/okgzz0pKSZ

Doing that here gives me the confidence I could get it at a contest, even if I am feeling terrible, so terrible I have to use sleeves rather than wraps, and even if the judges are sadistic and expect Squats to be extra low. That confidence could factor into my decision whether to cut or not.

5-21, Th: Regular Conv Deadlifts: Gear: 362.5/4! 382.5/2! Raw: 280/8. Video:

https://t.co/Wme0H5GwWo
Adductor (in)/ Abductor (out), Alternate Legs: 0/10, 0/10. Video:

https://t.co/p5jK5JAqHB
An excellent workout. My adductor did not bother me at all, until I did the rehab exercise. I think I will just skip doing it, at least until after my upcoming contest.

5-22, F: Close Grip Benches: Gear: 135/3*, 140/1.5*. Raw: 112.5/7*. Video:

https://t.co/j4fx2BRSW5
Curl Bar Rows: Gear: 122.5/3*, 127.5/2. Raw: 105/7*. Video:

https://t.co/PA5Nqgx7ni
Wrist Roller (Underhand): 3.5/6, 4.0/4, 4.5/2. Video:

https://t.co/Fq0HgWd3of
A terrible workout. I shouldn’t have tried the second rep on the second set of CGBP, but the first rep was so easy, I thought I could get a second. And I would have, if I had been in the mood to push it. But stressors throughout the day had me in a defeated mood, not able to get psyched up. Off day Saturday. Hopefully, by Sunday I can get my act together.

For details about my powerlifting and much more about me, see my autobiography:

https://t.co/ON0oxUmCmW
#Powerlifting #Powerlifts #Squats #Benches #Deadlifts #StrengthTraining

[Gary F. Zeolla @gzeolla]

Health and Workouts Update

The rashes cleared up after three days. The dentist appointment might have been coincidental, as it might have been a reaction to a supplement (lutein) my eye doctor recommended. Either way, it left me wiped for three days. That led to lost work time and two missed workouts. There’s also been construction outside my home for weeks causing me problems with noise and diesel fumes getting into my home. That looks to last a few more weeks.

However, I think I got my newly discovered lactose intolerance figured out as to what I can and cannot eat, and I got some Lactaid in case I want to eat something I shouldn’t. But most off all, for weeks, ever since my 65th birthday, I have been feeling bloated and gaining weight, while eating less and less. I just couldn’t figure it out. It was like all at once my metabolism had slowed. It turned out to be the switch from whey isolate to whey concentrate I made a while back.

I made the switch as the latter is less expensive. But it also contains more carbs and thus more lactose, five grams for the concentrate versus just one for the isolate. Once I switched back and eliminated other lactose containing foods, the bloating stopped, I lost weight, and I was able to go to eating as much as previously.

With all that figured out, I felt good enough by Sunday to start training again. That means I took four days off, Wednesday through Saturday. That is the longest break I’ve taken from lifting since my break the week after my last contest back in September ’24. But this time, it was with a contest in five weeks. Hopefully, it won’t mess me up too much.

After the break, I made a minor change in my workouts in light of my raw set wiping me out for my more important geared sets in my last workout on Tuesday. I moved that raw set to after the geared sets. I hesitated to do that, as it means I need to add another raw warmup set before my geared sets, at least on Squats and Deadlifts, adding to my workout time. Also, it is a bit awkward to do a raw set after four geared sets (two warmups and two work sets).

However, I think not being tired for my geared sets, especially with the soon upcoming contest, is worth those inconveniences. Specifically, my sets x reps are now: Gear: 2 x 3-4, 1-2. Raw: 1 x 7-8. I have used this pattern often previously. I call it “Drop reps with back off set” in my powerlifting book, written back in 2010:

Starting and Progressing in Powerlifting:
https://t.co/jrb1GbCXj4

With the days off and the health issues, I figured my strength would be down some. And with moving the raw set, I dropped the weights somewhat for it. But hopefully, without it tiring me out, I can keep the weights the same for the geared sets or least close to what I originally planned. That means, I won’t be getting 60s PRs for the raw set for a while, but maybe still for my geared sets.

#Powerlifting #Powerlifts #Squats #Benches #Deadlifts #StrengthTraining #LactoseIntolerance #AllergicReaction

[Gary F. Zeolla @gzeolla]

I just sent out the latest issue of my Christian newsletter.

Darkness to Light - Vol. XXIV, No. 3

Sexual Sin Words in the ALT: Part One

In the first installment of this multi-part series, we examine the primary Greek terms for sexual sin used in the Bible. Discover why “fornication” is the most biblically accurate term for sexual activity outside of marriage, and how modern translations have obscured the gravity of this moral transgression.

To subscribe: https://t.co/x9zL7aoDz8

To view it: https://t.co/7S2mV6fhCc

#Bible #Sex #Fornication #BiblicalTheology #SexualEthics #AnalyticalLiteral #Truth

[Gary F. Zeolla @gzeolla]

@mr_muskxnews Shame such a beautiful body has to have a head attached to it with nothing in it.

[Gary F. Zeolla @gzeolla]

2026 Week 20 Powerlifting Workouts

5-10, Su: Conv Stiff Leg Deadlifts: Raw: 245/8! Gear: 285/4, 300/2. Video:
https://t.co/mpu3KzOUr9

Adductor (in)/ Abductor (out), 1 Leg at a time: 0/12, 0s/10, 0s/10. No video.

Wrist Roller (Overhand): 5.5/5, 6.0/3, 6.5/1. Video:
https://t.co/c6TJJTU0A3

5-11, M: Chain Benches: Raw: 112.5/8! Gear: 135/4^, 140/2. Video:
https://t.co/DEBXBdMg7s
Triceps Bar Rows: Raw: 100/8. Gear: 115/4^, 120/2^. Video:

https://t.co/JK8RdHkn3C
Neckstrap (Front): 6.0/12, 6.5/10, 7.0/8. Video:
https://t.co/mAB7AEAfLX
Another rough night, but a good workout.

5-12, Tu: Chain Squats: Raw: 260/8! Gear: 320/2*, 335/skip. Video:
https://t.co/75jzgukKG1

Twisting Sit-ups (reps to each side): 0/8*, 0/6*, 0/5*. No video.

Terrible workout for multiple reasons. First, I had a dentist appointment in the morning, which always leaves feeling quite off. Second, I am still trying to figure out what I can eat and not eat with my newly discovered lactose intolerance. I thought I could eat yogurt, but a serving before this workout left me bloated throughout it. Third, my adductor was bothering me during my warmup sets, but it felt okay for my raw work set. But that led to fourth, I stupidly grinded out the eight rep on it, and that left me wiped for the rest of the workout.
I wanted 3-4 reps on my first geared set but only got a double. I really wanted to try a single with 335, as that is my goal for my upcoming contest, and I have found Chain Squats’ weights are equivalent to Squats with 3.0-meter wraps’ weights. But I was leery about grinding out as max single and hurting my adductor, even though it felt fine on the double, so I skipped it. Good thing too, as the adductor bothered me a bit on the Sit-ups, so I held back a couple of reps on each set.

5-13, W. My normal off day from lifting, and I normally wait until Saturday to post my workout logs. But I wanted to post about what is happening early.

I woke up this day with rashes on multiple places on my body and itching all over. And I just feel awful. I think I was exposed to something I was very allergic to at the dentist’s office yesterday. My adductor is also bothering me a good bit. I might have to take a day or two off of lifting, probably the rest of this week to recover. That really messes up my training schedule heading into my contest next month.

The worst part is I could have entered a contest this weekend. In that case, I wouldn’t have worked out yesterday, as my final workout would have been Sunday or Monday. I also might have delayed the dentist appointment. For that matter, I could have entered a contest last month. I debated back in February and early March about what contest to enter, and differences in gear rules led me to wait for the RPS contest in June.

Expense was another issue I didn’t mention previously. But the RPS’s lack of a membership fee renders its contests less expensive than others, and that was another consideration in waiting for the only RPS contest in my area.

But I feared that with waiting that long for a contest something would go wrong, and it has. If nothing else it was just too long of a stretch of trying to train heavy. But now I am stuck with trying to hang on for another month of training.

#Powerlifting #Powerlifts #Squats #Benches #Deadlifts #StrengthTraining #AllergicReaction