November check-in and chat
lwoodroff
Posts: 1,431 Member
I was trying to think of a Mo-vember kind of pun like OH-p-Vember but it was all too awkward and my brain on holiday can't hack it!
be impressed I'm doing this on holiday though
I just love you all so much!
be impressed I'm doing this on holiday though
I just love you all so much! 0
Replies
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You are so sweet. I had pizza for dinner after a very big thinking day at work. Thinking burns so many calories - at least a whole seafood pizza's worth. I'm sure you'll all agree. Anyways, all I've done today is think, eat, drive and talk, so I'll let the fit people in the group talk now. 0
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I'm actually participating this month (yay!) after taking a month off from lifting. I've done 2 workouts using the Texas method, and so far, I like it a lot.
I registered for a squat clinic that is being put on by my local (and only one I know of) power lifting gym. It's free and open to the first 25 people that register. Registration opened at midnight and I sent mine in at 12:01, so if I'm not one of the 25, I'll be bummed. I'm super excited about it!
@zany: thinking burns a massive amount of calories. It's how I justify my calorie overages.
Seriously though, I started a new job about a month ago and it's a complete change for me. I have a lot to learn and process and I go home at the end of the day exhausted and starving and all I did was read some reports and go through some presentations. 0 -
CC - that clinic sounds awesome!
Lydia - doing ANYTHING on holiday is impressive, let alone giving us somewhere to chat. Thanks!
Deload week for me, and since the little person is sick, I took it mostly all the way off. It also coincided with TOM, so it was the perfect recipe for laying around on the couch and eating a lot. I needed the rest though - today was the first day I felt like lifting since Saturday!
Deload week, all lifts:
Squats 1x5 @ 85, 110, 130
OHP 1x5 @ 45, 45, 55
Deadlift 1x5 @ 95, 115, 135
Bench 1x5 @ 50, 65, 75
Dumbbell rows 3x10 @ 20
Then I did a 20 minute walk, 3.8 mph, incline 4
Figured I wouldn't push it much farther, just in case my lethargy is my body fighting off whatever little bit has. Have a good weekend, all!0 -
Hello darlings,
sorry I've been so antisocial but as it turns out the grieving took longer than expected and I've been a lot more depressed than I realized. Anyway, I wrote up a program and am back in the weight room in earnest, as of this morning. Been lifting, but just kinda hacking at it once or twice a week with no real plan or motivation. Lessee if I can drop those grief pounds and actually lose weight during the holiday season. :bigsmile: Of course, leave it to me to do everything backwards; put on weight in the summer, drop it in the winter. But hey, that's life. :drinker:
@chubby: What's a squat clinic? Sounds intriguing.0 -
@chubby: What's a squat clinic? Sounds intriguing.
As far as I can tell, it's a coaching session. They're having a bunch of people in so I'm not sure if they're doing one-on-ones or demonstrations, or what. There wasn't much of a description. It sounds like they're going to be doing others as well. I'm hoping to get some form critique out of it. I'll keep you guys updated!0 -
Checking in with you awesome badarse women!
Yes, Lydia- thanks for getting this up and running- I didn't even remember that it was November.
Dani- Sorry you are hurting- nothing really helps that, just takes time to dull the pain a bit.
Zani- good reminder. *off to join a think-tank for the calorie burn
Checker- let us know how it goes
Kira- you need a t-shirt that says "My deload week is your max workout" or something of the sort. You are killing it.
So... doing Wendler 5/3/1 with the triumvirate assistance work. LOVE it as I and my body were ready for a change up from SL 5X5. Today will be OHP or Bench Press Day, then one more workout and I start week 2.
and... the scale is moving ever so slowly downwards as I also feel stronger. And, I have been eating more and more and feel close to satisfied with the calories I am able to eat, so hopefully that will continue to improve. Let's hope I don't ruin it with those damned mini-Twix that I seem to be drawn to.
I can't tell in my clothes or measurements quite yet, but I'm trying to trust the process and be patient. I hope to have a body I am proud of by the spring and definitely by the summer.0 -
Zany- I agree thinking burns a lot of calories. And listening to my teenage boys drone on and one burns a lot of calories, too I have decided.
Lydia-thanks for posting our holiday months! Keep us from giving into turkey and candy comas.
CC yay for participating after your break!
Kira-I agree, you need that t-shirt! Half your deloads are more than my max lifts!
6550- yay on the moving scale and feeling STRONGER! I was gonna just do squats for awhile, but I decided to do barbell rows, too, and might ended up at all,lifts again...cuz they make me feel STRONG!
My Lifts Today: Squats 1x5 at 50#,55#,60# + 3x5@65# + 2x5@ 70#...... Bicep curls 1x7 @15# each arm + 2x7@23# w/curling bar + 2x7@25# w/ curling bar (never do them, did them as a silly request, my friend called out to me as I was leaving the store "do some bicep curls for me while you're at it!)
Barbell Rows. 2x5@50# / 2x5@60# / 2x5@ 70#
Hope to do some body weight too, Russian Twists and Hip Drops.....later, maybe.0 -
Hey, ladies! I guess I've lurked long enough and should officially join the conversation.
I've been interested and curious about lifting heavy for awhile now and finally decided to jump in. I bought New Rules back in September and planned on starting it the first week in October, after I got back from a cruise. While on the cruise, hubby and I worked out several days and I used the weights to do some of the lifts. I wasn't 100% sure NR was the program I wanted to follow and after a lot of back and forth, I decided to do SL, so here I am!
I joined a gym and signed up for 3 sessions with a PT to help get me familiar with the gym and the lifts. I officially started SL last Sunday and I'm really loving it. Between the PT sessions and SL, I'm already seeing changes in my body. I've been trying to get rid of my pesky last 15 lbs, but at 57, it's not as easy to lose weight as it used to be! I've decided I'm going to get strong and healthy, and if that weight comes off, that'll be a bonus. I don't want to be one of those weak, bent over old ladies on a walker.
I admire all of you ladies and hope to be lifting as much as y'all before long. Right now, I'm working on form, etc., before I focus on heavy. I can squat, bench press and DL the Olympic bar, so I'm not a total weakling. :happy: I'm not quite getting to parallel on squats, though, so any tips you have to share, I'd be happy to try them. I've already learned a lot from reading all of your awesome posts. Hopefully, someday I'll have my own knowledge to share.0 -
I agree! Kira you are amazing!! I'm deloading as well. I have been very achy for a while, all over but especially my knees. I have been pushing through it and I feel better while I'm working out then I feel worse after the workout. Sooo yesterday rather than skip the workout completely I stretched a lot before hand as usual and then did:
Squats: just the bar down from 110lb
Bench 90
P Row: 85 down from 90
Then I stretched a lot after and I feel much better today!! I think I may have to include the post workout stretch even though it is going to extend the workout even longer. That isn't the worst thing I suppose but I already feel that maybe I am neglecting my other duties. .... Ha Ha Ha !! So what!!! I have been looking at a lot of squat form videos wondering if that is the problem. My Squat feels like it is fine but I guess I will have to get another video to make sure.
3foldchord I hear you!! I too have a very chatty teenaged aspie boy. Listening must burn thousands of calories per day!!! (we homeschool so it is intense sometimes)0 -
Thinking totally burns calories. I started my current job in April and in like April-June when I was learning everything I was freaking starving ALL THE TIME.
Today I lifted things. This included Squat 180x3, Bench 135x3, and row 95x5 because I forgot I was supposed to be doing 3. I skipped them on monday though so I suppose this makes up for it. I also skipped accessories all this week, but I'm feeling improved so I'll start back with them on monday. I also did 30 minutes on the arc trainer.0 -
AND...drum roll please...your brain thinks using CARBS!!
I did not lift this week...was a $hita$$ week and couldn't get to where I needed to be. Next week will be better. Next week better be better...:explode:0 -
I didn't lift for 2 weeks.. I took a break for my birthday and such... I should be back next week You ladies are kicking much *kitten*. :bigsmile: 0
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Joined the new gym! Had it to myself! Free chalk and everything! Exciting
So that was my first sesh back after a week off eating too much of the wrong stuff (sugar, carbs, nuts!), coming home to a burgled house, taking the kids swimming at lunch time today and being nearly a stone heavier than my lightest. So I'm logging again, but my lifts showed it..
Squat 55kg 1x3 60kg 2x3
OHP 30kg 553
Deadlift 60kg 1x5 but my tweaky backside is still tweaky. Boo.0 -
I've decided I'm going to get strong and healthy, and if that weight comes off, that'll be a bonus. I don't want to be one of those weak, bent over old ladies on a walker.
I admire all of you ladies and hope to be lifting as much as y'all before long. Right now, I'm working on form, etc., before I focus on heavy. I can squat, bench press and DL the Olympic bar, so I'm not a total weakling. :happy: I'm not quite getting to parallel on squats, though, so any tips you have to share, I'd be happy to try them. I've already learned a lot from reading all of your awesome posts. Hopefully, someday I'll have my own knowledge to share.
Hello there! The fact that you decided to get happy with barbells at 57 is AWESOME. I'm right there with you about the hunched over walker shuffle, and that's one of the main reasons I've taken up barbell training, actually. I'm 46 and plan on spending out the second half of my life strong and awesome. :drinker:
As far as the squat depth, a lot of that has to do with a) practice and b) flexibility. Check into some stretching programs and just stay with it. What really helped me was squatting without any weights at all. I just kept practicing it until I got things right. It's an ongoing process, really.
I also do yoga regularly, and that certainly helps with the flexibility. That's an individual preference, of course, but to me, fitness includes strength, endurance and flexibility so that's what I focus on. :flowerforyou:0 -
I started the SL 5x5 September 30, and just had a week off due to vacation, but back at it this past week. I am not progressing as fast as I would like on my squats, and have just decided that I have to be patient. In the past, I've squatted up to 90 pounds, but am currently stuck at 65. I know it takes time to build up strength. Today at the gym, I tried to bump up to 67.5 pounds, and my form went all wonky. I pitch forward, and it just feels awful. A guy offered to look at my form, and with just the bar, it is good. This tells me I just need more practice without overloading the bar.
I was, however, able to get up to 50 pounds on overhead press after weeks at 47.5, so that was a victory. I'm also progressing on the deadlift, which is at 105 pounds today. I'm not sure I've ever attempted to deadlift over 100 pounds, so that was pretty cool.
I don't seem to be losing any weight (says the scale), but my clothes are fitting better. I wore a pair of jeans yesterday that I couldn't get into a few months ago. I don't give a hoot what the scale says as long as I feel strong and my pants fit!0 -
That's encouraging deb! What shoes do you wear? That might have something to do with it. Also I'd give the heavier weights a couplebof goes as you need to adapt to them. The first time may look shocking but the next time your strength will have increased. There is a fine line between ensuring perfect form, and working on form while improving. Girls tend to err too much on the former and not improve quickly (i offer my squat history as a lesson in this!).0
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Hey,
I'm finally joining this monthly chat early enough to follow!
I've been doing SL since April now, although I'm starting to feel the need to move to an intermediate programme as my deadlift is stalling.
Last working weights:
Squat: 75kg (165lb)
Bench: 50kg (110lb)
Deadlift: 80kg (176lb)
Ohp: 35kg (77lb) - although that has been up to 40kg (88lb)
Row: 45kg (99lb)
I've scaled back to 3x5 but I'm struggling to do both heavy squats and deads on the same day.0 -
I didn't think about the shoes! Thanks for reminding me that I need to find my Converse and stop wearing my running shoes to lift. I didn't figure it would make a difference until I got up to heavier weights, but it might help.0
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I didn't think about the shoes! Thanks for reminding me that I need to find my Converse and stop wearing my running shoes to lift. I didn't figure it would make a difference until I got up to heavier weights, but it might help.
Even with just bodyweight squats, the right footwear makes a difference. I'm planning to buy some proper weightlifting shoes in the next month or so.0 -
Hey,
I'm finally joining this monthly chat early enough to follow!
I've been doing SL since April now, although I'm starting to feel the need to move to an intermediate programme as my deadlift is stalling.
Last working weights:
Squat: 75kg (165lb)
Bench: 50kg (110lb)
Deadlift: 80kg (176lb)
Ohp: 35kg (77lb) - although that has been up to 40kg (88lb)
Row: 45kg (99lb)
I've scaled back to 3x5 but I'm struggling to do both heavy squats and deads on the same day.
A couple months after I switched to 3x5 I started doing front squats on DL day, and it made all the difference. Doesn't hurt to give it a shot. They require much more core strength, and help out your other lifts quite a bit. At the same time you can't go as heavy so they give your hips and butt a break.0 -
Hello there! The fact that you decided to get happy with barbells at 57 is AWESOME. I'm right there with you about the hunched over walker shuffle, and that's one of the main reasons I've taken up barbell training,
actually. I'm 46 and plan on spending out the second half of my life strong and awesome.
As far as the squat depth, a lot of that has to do with a) practice and b) flexibility. Check into some stretching programs and just stay with it. What really helped me was squatting without any weights at all. I just kept practicing it until I got things right. It's an ongoing process, really.
I also do yoga regularly, and that certainly helps with the flexibility. That's an individual preference, of course, but to me, fitness includes strength, endurance and flexibility so that's what I focus on.
Thanks, Dani. :drinker: to strong and awesome! I do like yoga, used to do it pretty regularly. In fact, I have a gift certificate from the studio I used to go to. Now to get off my butt and use it!
Im sitting here feeling guilty, because I didn't go to the gym with my hubby. I did a fun run last night and didn't get home until almost 11, and I'm just not feeling it this morning. I need to get out my foam roller, but the coffee is slow to kick in.0 -
Hey,
I'm finally joining this monthly chat early enough to follow!
I've been doing SL since April now, although I'm starting to feel the need to move to an intermediate programme as my deadlift is stalling.
Last working weights:
Squat: 75kg (165lb)
Bench: 50kg (110lb)
Deadlift: 80kg (176lb)
Ohp: 35kg (77lb) - although that has been up to 40kg (88lb)
Row: 45kg (99lb)
I've scaled back to 3x5 but I'm struggling to do both heavy squats and deads on the same day.
A couple months after I switched to 3x5 I started doing front squats on DL day, and it made all the difference. Doesn't hurt to give it a shot. They require much more core strength, and help out your other lifts quite a bit. At the same time you can't go as heavy so they give your hips and butt a break.
I'll give that a go. I've been wanting to do more front squats.0 -
Hi! I haven't posted here in ages--I had to cease all lifting for 3 months due to injury. Until that point, I had been lifting for a year and a half, so yes, it was torture. :sad:
I finally got the green light to put a bar on my back and I've been doing a hybrid of SL with dumbbells, barbells, bodyweight, more accessory work, and PT stretches. I'm only at 70lbs with my back squats, but I'm able to drop lower (ATG), so that's good. Everything in me wants to hurry up and get back to my heaviest lifts, but I'm going to crush that impatient streak and earn those heavy lifts by doing this the right way. Still seeing a PT twice a week; I report all my lifts to him and he gives his disapproval or approval. He thinks I should be able to progress with my squats normally as long as I use a low bar position--which I do anyway--when the bar is on my back.
It's good to be back. Love hearing about all your hard work! :flowerforyou:
~Cheryl0 -
Well my workout was awful today. Even with my extra hour of sleep I still didn't want to get up and workout, but I did. Should of stayed in bed...
Squats...115. WTF? Last workout I hit 130 and felt great. Today I got one rep at 130 and knew it wasn't going to happen. I deloaded until I felt comfortable, but it still felt heavy.
OHP Decided to stick with 60, first set was good, then went up to 62.5 then 65 (doing 3x5). Only bright spot in the day.
Deads. 172.5 last workout, thought I'd stay at that weight. Ha. I couldn't even move the bar. Deloaded several times until I got to 135. Felt crappy so just gave up after that.
Don't know why my legs were so weak. The soreness I had in my right glute returned yesterday, today it was both glutes. I think that was the main problem. Perhaps my cardio workout yesterday was too challenging on my legs/glutes (at least that's the theory I'm going with!).
I think I need to get a foam roller, but still looking for advice on wether I should get the regular kind or the one with knobs on it. Hopefully today's struggles were just an anomaly!
Interesting reading about shoes helping squats. I usually lift barefoot. Do shoes really make that much difference? I mean other than when you drop a plate on your toes...0 -
Hm, I think what they meant was *proper* shoes, vs trad running shoes (which have a raised heel and are squishy). Barefoot means you're already level and have no bouncy cushioning, but other than that maybe there is a secret benefit to shoes.Interesting reading about shoes helping squats. I usually lift barefoot. Do shoes really make that much difference? I mean other than when you drop a plate on your toes...
Yes!!! I would totally wear that, but the inverse. "My max workout is Kira's deload week".Kira- you need a t-shirt that says "My deload week is your max workout" or something of the sort. You are killing it.
Today's workout:
Squats 5x5 @ 40kg (repeat)
OHP 5x5 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! @ 20kg Yeah *****es, yeah!!! I know it's peanuts to some of you Kiras, but I've been working on that since I started SL in August. I think I fixed something in my form about 3 B sessions ago (keeping my forearms vertical instead of collapsing elbows in) and it made it a lot easier. Also, as silly as it sounds, i'm convinced my pre-workout banana helps me. I will keep working on this for a while, but it will blow my mind if I ever manage to put weight on the bar.
DL: 1x5 @ 62.5kg deloaded. I was stuck at 70kg (117% BW)... I think my upper body was the limiter. Any quick tips?0 -
Back to the gym at last. I ended up turning my week off in to 3 weeks off with one thing and another.
I had a shot at my work out from thinner leaner stronger which I bought last month. Basically it works a specific area each day, the exercises are largely the same just more focus on one area so today was chest and abs.
I did 10 minutes on the arc which is just all kinds of horrid! Followed by
bench
Warmup 2 sets - 10 @ 12.5kg 1 set 10 @ 17.5kg
then 3 sets of 8 @ 25kg. These work as supersets with the ab stuff in between, abs is cable crunches at 23kg to failure - about 15-20, captains chair leg lifts to failure 15-20 again and then bicycle crunches to failure.
next incline bench, 2 sets of 8 and 1 of 6 at 2.5kg.
Finally assisted dips to failure (they don't have to be assisted but I think you have to do at least one for it to count lol. So 23kg on there and I did 15 dips.
Not technically strong lifts but I am just playing about for a bit of variety. I was quite done in afterwards, had a protein blueberry and banana smoothie for breakfast and now having my lunch I am all kinds of hungry!0 -
Texas Volume day today.
Squats: 135lbs 5x5
OHP: 60lbs 5x5
Deadlifts: 190lbs 1x5
Shaky leg syndrome: rest of the day.
Roxy: that workout sounds interesting. How many days a week do you lift?
Kira is my weight lifting inspiration. All kinds of awesome comes from that woman.
Macy: sorry you had a crappy workout. I'm betting it was the cardio the day before. Don't take it too hard, just try again the next time.
Grande: congrats on your OHP! That sucker is a *****!
cpiton: glad you're back!
Off to eat a bunch and maybe take a nap under my desk. 0 -
hehe I have shaky arms!
It is pretty flexible, in theory I should be in the gym for between 45 and 60 minutes 6 days a week for best results. 5 days of lifting with cardio and 1 day of cardio with 1 total rest day. I did get everything including my cardio in under an hour today.
Or I can do 3 days a week for maybe a bit longer and combine some days - for instance do chest and back monday, legs and arms wed and some other stuff friday (I don't have my book here).
Personally I am having a bash at working it over a 2 week cycle so I get my 6 days in over the 2 weeks as I just don't have the hours for more. If I do fit more in I can do back to back as I am targetting different areas each lifting day. There was a whole ton of download stuff that came with it much was advertising for other stuff but it had details of progressing the weights too.
It uses all the big lifts - bench, squats, deads, the OHP is seated but I am hard and so will do it standing lol.
The extra reps is tough and my abs are feeling it now so much! I shall keep you posted for when I next make it to the gym (back day I think) It's tough as I just cannot make myself get up before 6 just so I can lift. If I even try I end up giving myself 5 more minutes so many times I not only miss the gym but the dogs miss their walk too. So I alternate the dogs with a gym day. The dogs don't miss a day just some mornings while it is light enough I can get them out for an off lead walk. That will change again in the next few weeks though
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I took my shoes off to squat today, and it did make a difference! I was able to lift the weight I couldn't do Saturday, with decent form on all reps! No more lifting in my running shoes!0
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Been lifting, but have had little online time.
Lifting at home is still the best thing ever. On days when I don't want to, the equipment stares at me and makes me get my butt in gear and do it.
Plus, I finally noticed that I have sets of odd weights, 35 lb, 22 lb, 11 lb, 5.5 lb, so I've been increasing in smaller increments and it really helps.
Deadlifts are stalled at 200 though, I think mostly due to an old back injury, but I'm working through it.
OHP: 86 pounds!
BP: 106 (going up to 110 next workout)
BBR: 106 (also going up to 110 next time)
Squats: 122 right now, going up next time.
So, I'm moving ahead, but way slower than I'd like.
Oh, and I lift barefoot too. Shoes just seem to throw my balance off something terrible.0
