Starting Nov 1
Replies
-
Just wondering how you all are going about your push-up progressions?
Mine aren't :laugh:
Truthfully, it depends on the day. Saturday I was able to do 25 out of 30 regular pushups. This morning I had to do 25 out of 30 on my knees. I think this morning I was totally spent from the sqauts.0 -
I did knee pushups today and they were still brutal. Curse you, pushups.0
-
I can do a whopping 3 regular ones, and then I usually just use the weight bench after that - pushups and lunges are my downfalls
On to B3 today! Got my 20 minutes of HIIT in last night - aiming to get another 20 minutes in on Friday. Have a great humpday all!0 -
Just wondering how you all are going about your push-up progressions?
Mine aren't :laugh:
Truthfully, it depends on the day. Saturday I was able to do 25 out of 30 regular pushups. This morning I had to do 25 out of 30 on my knees. I think this morning I was totally spent from the sqauts.
Squats are killer. To be fair, I am only using dumbbells at this point, because that is all I have. i think I should have planned this a little better before jumping in!0 -
Sounds like you are doing great!!
I am in the late phases of stage 1...and what I did this past Monday called for 8 reps...I can do 15 on full body...but I would like to do 10 really good ones - go really deep...and also have less of flaring out arms..maybe even military, diamond, one arm pushups in the future (lol! Right)...I think I will work on that..small steps..start with going deep :drinker:Just wondering how you all are going about your push-up progressions? I started with 15 regular push ups for 1 and 2. For 3 and 4 I am doing 12 with the side plank. Not sure what to do next.0 -
Morning ladies! Just checking in here...
Completed B3 last night and happy to report that I am still able to increase my weight even though I took a week or so off! Of course the lower amount of reps helps too
Here is where I am at:
Deads: 60 lbs
Wide Lat Pulldown: 60 lbs
Shoulder press: 15 lbs
Lunges (still hate them): 10 lbs
Swiss ball crunches: 10 lbs, but probably could have upped it
Feeling a little pathetic in my cardio lately (I haven't been running more than 2 miles at a time since I started NROL4W) so I am hoping to up my mileage every week to where I can comfortably run 5 miles at a time again.
Hope you ladies have a good rest of the week - I'm off to California tonight for hubbies work Xmas party!0 -
Work Christmas party in California?? I want to work there! :laugh: although my hubby's company does a retreat in the mountains in the spring for their party so I can't complain Tonight we're going to a comedy club for the regional party. :drinker:
I know there will be lots of food and drinks so I did a bit longer cardio before B6. I'm actually quite surprised I've stuck it out this long! I didn't think I'd enjoy it as much as I do.
We leave for vacation on the 19th - I will be done B8 on the 18th but I won't have time for the specials until I get back and then I plan on starting stage 2 on January 6. Going to give my body a break and just do light cardio over the holidays.0 -
A7 this morning! 3 sets of 8 was a piece of cake!0
-
Where is everyone!? So quiet around here, at least you're around blue
Finished A4 last night. Increased my weights again, although the 20lb dumbells for step ups was a challenge. How are you guys dealing with grip issues?
Here is where I am at:
Squats: 60lbs
Rows: 60 lbs (barely)
Pushups: Still at 45 degrees
Step-ups: 20 lb dumb bells
Prone Jackknives: still only to shins
I wish I was seeing better results, but I know I am getting stronger. I always feel discouraged at the beginning of weight training bc I always gain weight first. I really need to work on my eating, then I know I would start to see much better results.
Happy Monday everyone!0 -
I really need to work on my eating, then I know I would start to see much better results.
Me too! Especially this time of year - it's so hard staying away from all the goodies. I have pretty good willpower at work but I'm a boredom eater - if I get bored LOOK OUT! It's chips or something salty with a chocolate chaser :laugh:
We won't even talk about the drinks! :drinker:0 -
Ditto on the drinks... haha.0
-
I was feeling like putting a straw in a bottle of wine today--that banner an afternoon. But I went to the gym instead. A5--three sets of everything. I too am having grip issues for step ups--I tried the 25lb dumbbells, and they were just way too heavy an d sliding out of my hands. Gloves, maybe, would help?
So, squats 3 sets 10--started at 45, then did the rest at 50lbs (bar + five pounds)
pushups--still knee pushups, but better form
forward rows--tried 70, couldn't cut it. back to 60.
step ups--tried 25, couldn't cut it, back to 20.
swapped jackknifes for crunches.0 -
Yay for you!!
For the step ups, I too find it hard to hold the dumbbells, so I do them with the 25 lb plates. I find them easier to grip.I was feeling like putting a straw in a bottle of wine today--that banner an afternoon. But I went to the gym instead. A5--three sets of everything. I too am having grip issues for step ups--I tried the 25lb dumbbells, and they were just way too heavy an d sliding out of my hands. Gloves, maybe, would help?
So, squats 3 sets 10--started at 45, then did the rest at 50lbs (bar + five pounds)
pushups--still knee pushups, but better form
forward rows--tried 70, couldn't cut it. back to 60.
step ups--tried 25, couldn't cut it, back to 20.
swapped jackknifes for crunches.0 -
I bought the book some time back and have just had a hard time gettng started. Too be honest - I feel a little awkward at the gym since I really don't know what I'm doing yet. We have a small space here at work with some dumbells and I was thinking that I would start the program here and modify it to use dumbells. With my hope that I will start to feel more comfortable going to the gym after that. It seems like most of the exercises could be modified to use dumbells.
Wish me luck in getting started!0 -
Have you guys ever had that night at the gym where everything (equipment) is taken, people are getting in your way and you just want to scream at everyone!? It took me almost 10 minutes to find parking, which is unusual for my gym and I almost turned around and went home. GRRR. Happy to report I stuck through it... Really starting to consider working out in the AM.
Bepee- I definitely thought about the plates, but I need to wait until I can do 25 lbs... maybe next go around?
Sleepy - I definitely felt the same way yesterday. I felt like the world was against me in getting to the gym as well. Way to power through it!
Jchrisman - good luck! All of the workouts in stage 1 can definitely be modified to use dumb bells. Do you have anyone that really knows what they are doing that could show you? I've had my husband help me, and it was really effective.
I finished B4 last night - not looking forward to starting the 3 sets of everything, mostly because of the time it will add to my workout I've gotten spoiled with being in and out of the gym in 40 minutes.
Here's where I am at:
Deadlift: 60 lbs
Lat Pulldown: 55 lbs
Shoulder Press: Did 20 lb dumb bells but really struggled
Lunges: 10 lbs
Crunches: 10 lbs0 -
not looking forward to starting the 3 sets of everything, mostly because of the time it will add to my workout
I haven't found it added a whole lot of time to my workouts. I have limited time in the mornings as I do mine before work and I haven't been late yet
I may be pushing the time between reps tho! Workouts 7 & 8 are 3 reps of 8 - so not too bad. I found the 3 reps of 10 a killer!0 -
Ugh I forgot it goes back up to ten...0
-
Yay for you!!
For the step ups, I too find it hard to hold the dumbbells, so I do them with the 25 lb plates. I find them easier to grip.
You lift the plates? Wow. I can't even imagine gripping a 25lb plate in each hand. I guess I could hold the 50 pound weight to my chest or something for similar effect. I think your hands are probably much stronger than mine!
B5 is next for me, either tomorrow or Thursday. I tried to run this morning. It wasn't too cold, but ice was all over--black ice, which you often can't see on top of it. I cut it short rather than fall on my rear or get hit by a car while running in the middle of the road. 0 -
I meant to ask last night--I've been using just the back of a treadmill as my step for step ups--it can't be more than 8". If I lower the weights but use a bench (so, what, 14"), that might be a better workout and I won't be liable to drop the dumbbells on my toes. Any thoughts? Tomorrow I'll do B5, so I'll likely be doing step ups again on the weekend.0
-
I meant to ask last night--I've been using just the back of a treadmill as my step for step ups--it can't be more than 8". If I lower the weights but use a bench (so, what, 14"), that might be a better workout and I won't be liable to drop the dumbbells on my toes. Any thoughts? Tomorrow I'll do B5, so I'll likely be doing step ups again on the weekend.
I think this would be fine, as long as the bench is stable. You could really injure yourself if it tips on you with weights in your hands.0 -
I've just been using a rubbermaid stepstool for my step ups - not sure how high it is tho. High enough for me to feel it for sure
I finished B7 this morning. I'm finding the workout A much tougher than the B - anyone else finding that?
So I finish B8 on Monday and I leave for vacation on THursday - that only leaves Tues and Wed for the 'specials' - should I do one each day or take the day off inbetween and do as much as I can on Wednesday? I've been diligent about only doing cardio on the days between lifting but I'm going to have lots of recovery time while I'm on vacation. So maybe lifting three days in a row wont' hurt?0 -
I meant to ask last night--I've been using just the back of a treadmill as my step for step ups--it can't be more than 8". If I lower the weights but use a bench (so, what, 14"), that might be a better workout and I won't be liable to drop the dumbbells on my toes. Any thoughts? Tomorrow I'll do B5, so I'll likely be doing step ups again on the weekend.
I think this would be fine, as long as the bench is stable. You could really injure yourself if it tips on you with weights in your hands.
It's one of those serious benches that you can lay on and do flies and presses, so I think it'll be fine. We'll see how it goes tomorrow!0 -
I meant to ask last night--I've been using just the back of a treadmill as my step for step ups--it can't be more than 8". If I lower the weights but use a bench (so, what, 14"), that might be a better workout and I won't be liable to drop the dumbbells on my toes. Any thoughts? Tomorrow I'll do B5, so I'll likely be doing step ups again on the weekend.
I think this would be fine, as long as the bench is stable. You could really injure yourself if it tips on you with weights in your hands.
It's one of those serious benches that you can lay on and do flies and presses, so I think it'll be fine. We'll see how it goes tomorrow!
Are you working out at a gym? You can always grab a step from the cardio room. Most of the gym ones can be stacked up to make them as high as you want. But it sounds like the bench you have in mind would work fine also.0 -
It's the university gym so I have no idea if/where they keep those 0
-
Here's my experience so far:
Signed up for a gym, went to check it out and try workout A1. I asked one of the staff to help me with the squats. The guy showed me how to do it, but then didn't let me actually try it. Instead, I got placed in a corner somewhere with a light bar and was told to practice the move. Okay, not necessarily a bad thing, but with nobody watching and correcting you not very useful? He did tell me there would be instructors available at specific times, so I figured it would be best to do my next workout then.
Then I went on a trip for a few weeks, so I went back to the gym to give A1 another go. This time while an instructor was available. The guy was nice and was surprised that I wanted to try this specific program, since he mentioned that women are often scared of getting bulky. So I showed him the workout and figured we'd be heading to the squat rack. Nope, figured wrong. He put me on the squat machine (where you lay down). So I ask him, when I can do actual squats? He tells me to work with the machine for several weeks first. For the seated rows he showed me another machine (with chest support). I was a bit disappointed with myself for not speaking up, but I assumed the instructor knows his stuff. Right?
So I go back to do workout B1. No instructor this time. I head into the free weights room. I think I spent about 15 minutes just standing there and looking at the bar lol. But then I just picked it up and did my deadlifts. It felt pretty good :-)
Today I got in workout A2. I thought to myself, screw the squat machine! I'm going to try the real thing. It was super busy in the free weights room. Some guy was using the squat rack so I had to wait a while. Then asked me if I needed it. I said yeah but it's going to be my first time squatting and I'm not sure if I can lift that bar. That was my fear, toppling over backwards if it turned out to be too heavy! So the guy says, oh come on, you can handle that bar. I said smiling, well, I think so :-) So I set it up at the correct height and did my 15 reps without too much trouble. Turns out it was a 70lb bar so it was quite a bit heavier than I thought it was. (Since the Olympic bars are 50ish?).
I felt really good walking out of that gym today. I don't know why I doubted myself. It does make a bit angry that apparently these instructors didn't think I could handle it. They didn't even let me try, I might be 5' but I'm not that fragile! I doubt that if a guy had asked these same questions that they would get stuck on machines!
Now I can't wait to get to that point where I'm piling on the plates on the bar and see the looks on those faces change as I lift them. :devil: lol0 -
Yes, I do. It used to be hard, but once the reps were lowered I thought to up the weight...
Black ice? Yugh! Glad you got to run and be safe!Yay for you!!
For the step ups, I too find it hard to hold the dumbbells, so I do them with the 25 lb plates. I find them easier to grip.
You lift the plates? Wow. I can't even imagine gripping a 25lb plate in each hand. I guess I could hold the 50 pound weight to my chest or something for similar effect. I think your hands are probably much stronger than mine!
B5 is next for me, either tomorrow or Thursday. I tried to run this morning. It wasn't too cold, but ice was all over--black ice, which you often can't see on top of it. I cut it short rather than fall on my rear or get hit by a car while running in the middle of the road.0 -
I completed A6 this morning and will do B6 on Saturday, then next week it is on to A7. I am not sure what I am going to do at this point. I still have not purchased a bar and plates. I am hoping that Santa will bring me one, or I will buy one after Christmas, I just can't justify the expenditure on myself right now. My heaviest dumbbells are 25 lbs each, which I am using for everything except the shoulder press. Any ideas on how to step it up for 7 and 8 without purchasing any new equipment? If I can make it through these next 4 workouts with what I have, I plan to invest in more equipment after Christmas.0
-
So after a death in the family, a dog attack, sickness from rabies treatment from attack and a move I am finally lifting again! I'm doing stage 1 workout b tonight and am so nervous. I'm still sore from lifting Monday and feel so week from my time off0
-
Jorean - WHAT!? So sorry to hear about everything. Good for you for getting back into it. You'll do great, and get stronger every time you get in the gym.
lporter - I don't really know what to tell you. Have a 60lb dog to lift? Haha. The hard thing about doing squats with higher weights is that you really need a rack or something to set up your squat. I guess my only advice is to find really heavy things to lift around the house, find a gym that will do a free week or two trial, or just do the rest with lower weights. Good luck!
Did A5 last night -
Squat - 65lbs
Row - 40 lbs
Push-up - all at 30 degrees
Step-ups - Couldn't do all three at 20, so did one set of 20 and 2 of 15lbs
PJ - BW
Have a great rest of the week ladies!0 -
So I just started this program last night. I used to be in shape... I have no idea what happened. I thought I was going to die. I had to modify some stuff and couldn't do the jacknifes... at all... so I did planks instead. I figured that was better than nothing. My quads are killing me today.
I still feel incredibly intimidated lifting ... even in the women's area. There are so many women in there who are incredibly buff... its inditimidating! I was going to use the squat rack... but I chickened out so I just used a light 15 lb bar.
Maybe next time. I just hate not knowing what I'm doing... maybe I'll YouTube it before the next A workout... 0
This discussion has been closed.