2 week challenge
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Very good point Aschief. Constructive criticism is always welcome, whether it's about our eating/exercise habits or our forum posts.0
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shan - I'd take that HRM back and spend the $20 on New Rules of Lifting for Women - I REALLY think this is AWESOME for beginning lifters....and, from there, you can watch youtube videos (Mark Rippetoe) on "form" for your squat, deadlift, etc.
I totally think the book makes sense from a nutrition standpoint, from a "get your form down - THEN up your weights" standpoint, and from a "progress, not perfection" standpoint.
I'm a convert. And I'm not even half-way through it (almost, though...)
There are 2 groups on mfp you should consider joining: "NROL4W" and "women strength training" - I spend QUITE a bit of time over there.0 -
I didn't buy the HRM yet
I knew I wanted to buy something on Amazon! thanks for reminding me I have a kindle app on my phone so I might buy that version since it's only 9.99!! I just joined those groups too, I guess I have a lot of reading to do tonight!! 0 -
shan, about your question on assisted pull ups, I think you can start with a lot-close to bodyweight, to warm up and then try backin goff the weight. I have heard they are not the best for building up to a real pull-up, anyone know why? I can't remember, I just remember hearing that if I can't do a pull up I should just grab a stool and start from the top and lower yourself slowly.
I forgot to ask you how are you liking the gym?0 -
I have to say, I got Starting Strength the ebook but I wish I had the hard-copy! It was the difference between $9.99 and $29.99 though, so I went with the ebook.0
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shan - on the NROL4W forum, some of the women who bought the ebook went out and bought the hard copy, eventually - because you can flip back-and-forth with the hard copy from the schedule to the demonstration of the lift (for example). So, just be cautious! (I love my paperback version - I carry it everywhere I go!)
Amy, Stage 6 of NROL4W is the "pull-up" stage and, yes, I think most of the work is doing "negative pull-ups" (i.e. starting with your body up at the bar and SLOWLY going down - repeat). I'm not at Stage 6, so I haven't done an UBER-thorough review, but that's my recollection.0 -
Hey all! Just wanted to check in real quickly - I don't have time to respond to everything (but assured I read it).
I too love that this is a no judgement zone. Though, Ascheif your point is well taken - this shouldn't become another place where people say we deserved to slack off/encourage us not to be honest with ourselves. The better we get to know people the more in danger of that we are. We need to be honest with ourselves and each other about what it is we are doing and need to do better.
BUT - here's the other thing. I honestly don't *want* to be perfect. Reese had it right on about making a decision about balance. Food, drink and friends are some of the most important things to me. If being "fit" means I can't enjoy those things then no thanks. But I've made the decision it is not all or nothing. I can get fit *and* go for a weekend girls trip and indulge. Now, that may not be someone else's balance but its not for me to say what is best. We are here to encourage each other to be honest about what we want, how we're getting there and whether its working. And just to be a place to go where people care about the details of our diet and fitness routines...god knows the rest of the world would get sick of it.
Off I go to booze and eat and tan!0 -
PS posted a bikini pic from today...its pretty flattering (ie this isn't what I see all the time) but hey, this is way better than any older photo of me, flattering or no!0
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Kate - you look great!! You're doing so well! I can totally see a difference.. I hope you have fun on your vacation!!
Beeps - I haven't bought the ebook yet, but I might buy the hard copy... I'll decide tomorrow probably
Amy - That sounds like a good idea about starting at the top, I'll try that. I might still be able to do one.. thats about it though!! I used to be able to do a bunch of them when I was little... Oh if I still had the muscles I had when I did gymnastics!! (even though that was in 6th grade... my arms were ripped!!)
Gym for the first time tomorrow! ahh!! I'm excited and nervous How long do your weight sessions usually last?? I'm hoping someone will be there to help me start.. I'm planning on doing squats, dead lifts, pull ups and bench press... I'm just nervous that I'll get stuck in the bench press :P Anything else I should include??? I'll probably warm up with a quick cardio too... so many options!! I also want to know if they do BF% testing... I should write a list of questions... they'd love that I'm sure!! 0 -
Thank you for the constructive criticism aschief.
You look fantastic chuisle!
Have a great time at the gym shander and let us all know how it goes.
So, yesterday I started to break my no sugar challenge when I got to my sister's house to pick up my daughter and saw a pan of chocolate chip cookies on the stove. Instintively I grabbed one, but I only got about a third of it because as I bit into it the thing fell apart and onto the floor and her dog went for it. I thought "I totally deserved that for cheating" and did not go back for another.0 -
Morning all! Let me recap the posts I've missed first!
Abigal- Good job on not going back for more. I had to make a point last night to put away all of the kids easter candy so that it isn't visually calling to us everytime we walk by it!! We don't do candy for their baskets at our own house, just bubbles, baseball stuff, etc. But of course, every relative gets them a ton. So both they and I need it to be hidden until it's time for a little treat!
Shan- I'm sure the ladies can direct you more. Our gym (that DH still goes to) is so small that unless it's midday, it's unstaffed. There aren't trainers at all. So as far as directing questions, I'm not sure! Good luck though! I'm sure the first few times will feel a little uneasy but before you know it you'll be back telling us about your PRs!!
Kate- WOW! Looking good! Definite progress missy! Excellent work! Keep it up. You are bikini ready already and it's only April!
I got my TF workout in this Am. One more and then on to bigger and badder plans! In between a home renovation though! :laugh: It looks like I'll be working out in my kids room for the next few weeks so I might have to transition my workouts to PM consistently until we get the living room redone. They just love it when I shove all their stuff around and shake my booty in their room.:noway:0 -
Aschief - agreed.
Chuisle - already ready for summer and good that you also FEEL good about it!
Shander - the weight room at my gym is also completely unstaffed from 9 AM - 4 PM. And generally deserted as well. It's a pool-oriented place rather than a true gym. Good luck and have a great burn!
Abigail -- Isn't is funny when that kind of thing happens? Nice to know the universe helps us so directly sometimes!
Mamareese - have fun renovating! I'm doing that, too, right now and sometimes forget how much of a work out it can be. Then after dinner I get dressed to go run or lift and say to myself, "Hmm, why don't I feel energized to go work out??" Then I remember I DID work out already, just in a different way.
Question for everyone: I finally bought a Polar HRM (FT4 ?) and have been wearing it for a variety of activities during the past week. I have a very difficult time believing the "calories burned" number. For example: yesterday I mowed the yard. It's a hilly two thirds of an acre. I used a push mower and, b/c of conflict with a crazy neighbor who I wanted to avoid, I jogged for much of the time so I would finish before they returned home. It took me 10 min shy of 2 hours to mow everything. The HRM said 1,008 kcal burned. I'm in good shape and I simply cannot believe that I burned that many calories mowing the yard. I haven't done research on HRMs yet, but it seems that everything is based on heart rate, age, and height/weight ratio. The MFP estimate was something like 600 kcal, though it assumes walking over flat terrain. Still, that's a huge difference.
Could it be extra-high because my heart rate is unusually high this week due to multiple external stressors?? Or is it possible that I really did burn that many calories?0 -
Ok I think I'm going to take the plunge and start my own 2 week challenge! So the guidelines between now and April 27 are...
1. No Sweets (dessert, candy, even sweet tea...)
2. No Fried Food
3. Get all of my workouts for track in (even the weekend ones! and abs when I don't get to do them during practice)
This is my first challenge on MFP so I'm going to need some support! And I'm just starting to get into the forum (I only tracked on my phone and didn't even know it existed!) so if anyone wants to be my friend that would rock!0 -
Could it be extra-high because my heart rate is unusually high this week due to multiple external stressors?? Or is it possible that I really did burn that many calories?
I'm no expert but I think it's a combination of both. I notice when I'm sick and have difficulty breathing during a workout my burns for the same exercise are always slightly higher, but I would also agree that given your jogging and terrain it would be higher than what MFP suggests.0 -
holy crap, chui, your bikini picture is AWESOME!! Wow!! You look absolutely TERRIFIC - good for you!
solar - I don't know anything about the HRM thing. I just know, for me, I'd be questioning those sorts of "numbers", too...
abigail - I think you did REALLY well to have had a nibble and then just recognized that wasn't what you really wanted to do - it is THAT "mental" switch that I am really working on (for myself) right now. Good for you!
It's a weight-training day, today - should be much more time-manageable now that I've decided to move the ABS portion to my HIIT/stretching days. I really do want to get out of the gym "on time", but still get 3 sets of my lifts in. We shall see!0 -
I totally just made the coolest star chart to check off of for the next 2 weeks 0
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Welcome c3nterstage! Ladies - love all your input comment to Aschief. Aschief - no hate here and Kate, WOW!! Fantastic girl!!
I am sorry this is gonna be short. We have decided to put our house up for sale and we want to do it by May 1st. I have a lot of work and stress ahead of me and don't how much time I will have to dedicate here. I WILL continue my healthy lifestyle, and logging - it's the only thing that keeps me sane, but I just don't know how social I can be for the next 2 weeks. I will peek in and comment when I can. I know you all will kick butt and continue to move forward with your goals. I adore and respect you all!! Cross your fingers we get everything done we need too!! Thanks!0 -
Welcome, c3nterstage, those are great goals! and I like the star chart, maybe I should do that for my 6 meals per day, I get 4 cheat meals per week and it would help me id them!
Kate-your pic looks great, I see the definition in your abs and thighs, impressive.
shan, my gym is unstaffed too, but hopefully you have some people to answer your questions!0 -
well, crap, jeno 0- weren't you supposed to be making me accountable for something?? (Just goes to show you how "shot" my memory is - I'm not even sure WHAT you were supposed to be making me accountable for, lol)
Oh, and remember the "pay myself $20" thing I was gonna do?? I think I forgot all about that by about the 4th day....hmmmm....wonder what that challenge was all about, again?? (maybe I'm rich and I don't even know it!)
c3nter - put up a pic or an avatar or something....p-l-e-a-s-e!!0 -
I was gonna ask you about that $20, Beeps. I never knew if you just paid $20 for when you "failed" at a challenge? I guess you forgot too!0
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Woo! day 1 at the gym complete! I loved it!! I did a bunch of things and I feel great Dead lifts are HARD!! I used a 45lb barbell and then added 20lbs to it. So I didn't have a ton of weight
But there was no way I could lift more!! Unfortunately there was no one to help out, but I managed to find my way around and use the equipment. I did need help with the dead lifts though.. i saw one guy doing them earlier and I asked if he could show me the proper technique and he nicely did Although, he tried to start off with 25lb weights on either side!! That's only 15lbs away from my total body weight!! I don't think he realized it was my first time lifting hahaha. I definitely can't wait to do more though! I think I'll try to go tomorrow or sunday.. and since I don't have class Wednesday, I'll go then as well... it'll be only 1-2 days a week until my class is over, then I can go more. I'm very happy though!! Thanks for convincing me ladies! 
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WTG, Shan, and good of you to ask. I am too shy. And now that I have some knowledge, I see most guys do everything wrong, haha. This one guy did deadlifts from the rack. And 65 lbs is awesome!0
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Hmmmmm, Amy, I *think* the $20 challenge was for every single day that I went to the gym AND ate proper nutrition/calories, I would pay myself $20. (The incentive was the mad money I would then have to spend.)
The truth is, I'm not a spender. So, the money would just sit there, anyway. And, I have NO intention of going shopping until I drop down 1 size. (sheesh....everyone else on NROL4W has dropped AT LEAST one size, and I have not!)
So, the $$ doesn't mean very much, I don't think. Plus, with my lack of memory, it didn't last very long, anyway....I did find the $80 I had earned (I was keeping it in a safe spot at work, lol). I just put it back in my wallet.
SHAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU DID GREAT!! I think 65 lbs as a STARTING weight for deadlifts is seriously AWESOME! Wow! I'm impressed!0 -
I'm sure guys do stuff "wrong" in the gym, but I hardly ever notice what they are doing....only if I have to stand there waiting for some piece of apparatus do I notice. And, that's maybe for one last set, or whatever.
I CAN say the guys all do pretty boring stuff. They sure aren't doing push-presses - or one-arm snatches - or stuff like that!0 -
Hey everyone! Hope everybody is as excited its the weekend as I am!
Shan- Great job at the gym! I am so happy that it was the right decision for you to join!!!
Beeps- I wish I could just find $80 dollars I forgot about I am sooo fricken broke right now!
I had a great week so far- stuck with my meal plan and workouts. Now its the challenging part.....the weekend!!! Already have my dinner for tonight planned out, the real struggle will be to not drink. I know I am not going out, but I really want to refrain from opening a bottle of wine. Tomorrow I have my day all planned out and a nice long run in the morning to earn some extra cals for my cheat meal with drinks tomorrow night! Then Sunday its back to prep work for the week and back on track.0 -
wow, i had a major fail... we went out to dinner at our favorite italian place and i got half way through a plate of calamari when i remembered i had nixed fried food for my challenge0
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Well I failed at part of my 2 week challenge last night. Instead of having my healthy peanut butter and apple evening snack I split a bottle of pinot grigio with my stepmom, she really needed some wine, but it was really nice to do that and have time to chat with her. So I don't feel that guilty about it. It also makes me feel like I wont do as bad tonight with my cheat meal and drinks bc I dont have that OMG I need a drink feeling :happy:
So I finished P90X yesterday!!!!! YAY!!! I've got a long run planned for this morning and I think I am going to try a Instanity cardio DVD tomorrow and see what I think of it.
Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend! Love ya ladies
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Jen, good luck with the house we will miss you.
Beeps, you are so funny.
Shan, way to go at the gym. I am impressed, and I think that is awesome you were not afraid to ask someone for help. I would be too shy, but I did luck out when I first got into lifting because the personal trainer I hired I only had to pay for a few sessions. I brought him a bunch of business so I had free sessions for referrals and then I started bartering bookkeeping for his business in exchange for trainig. We had to stop trainig because of some scheduling conflicts so he started paying me to do the books a couple hours a week. Now I work there as an actual employee. I help him manage the business. It's only ten hours a week so I fit it in with some other bookkeeping I do for small companies. Funny how all that happened. Wow! I'm totally rambling.
Hope everyone is having a great weekend! For me that is the hardest time to stay on track with my eating habits. Hubby & I were out car shopping yesterday and brought the kids to Dairy Queen. They all ordered their ice creams and when they looked at me I just asked for an ice water. Wow - will power - I didn't know I had it!0 -
Beeps - LMAO, I already forgot we were holding each other accountable for this recent challenge...damn short term memory :laugh:
Shannon- so proud of you asking for correct form and lifting that 65# barbell!! I see a machine in the making
Chloe - great job finishing P90x!!! What an accomplishment! Can't wait to see what you think about Insanity...I've never done either of those programs.
C3nterstage - I failed part of my challenge along with you. I have missed logging 2 days this last week :ohwell: But back to it today!!
Solar - I can't remember if anyone asked, but a couple of things -1. did you enter all your stats (i.e. weight, height, etc)? and 2. Does your chest strap require wetting it first and if so, did you wet it? 3. was it positioned in the right place?? Those are just some things I can think of off the top of my head.
Amy - I'll be interested to see what you think about Starting Strength!
Abigail - Fantastic willpower with the ice cream!! I can almost never say "no" to ice cream :blushing:
Well ladies - life is changing quickly around here and I have to say that if everything works the way we have planned, we will be moving back to Phoenix. I am so excited I can't contain myself!!!! I LOVE my friends here and that all our family is here, but we love to travel and be outside and I just think Phx is going to give us more opportunities to do that and be more active as a family. So please keep us in your prayers, rub Bhudda's belly or give props to the Goddess because I really want to live in the warmer climate, lol!!!
Ok, gotta go lift and then it's food prep time!!! Have a fantastic Sunday ladies!! XO!!0 -
C3nterstage- Just pick yourself back up from the calamari and try again! It was one slip up and we all make them, remember that we will never be perfect. Next time you go out to eat just try to remember!
Chloe - Same to you! I'm glad you got to chat with your stepmom with wine, maybe next time just go for one glass and water though?? Easy to say now, but I bet I would split the bottle too if I was in that situation :P And congrats on finishing p90x!! You must feel awesome!!! Take your pics now!!!!!
Beeps - I want to find $80!!! You should buy yourself something with that money, don't just put it back in your wallet! You earned it
Abigail - That's awesome you got to work with the personal trainer that often!! We get free training with the gym I'm going to, but the times they're available aren't very convenient for me unfortunately.... I'll have to go later at night to get a personal training session with them on one of the nights.. maybe next week or something!! And congrats on the willpower!! I've been craving ice cream for a few weeks now and have successfully avoided it... I'm going to break at some point though!! But I'll make sure it's worth it
Jen - That's awesome that you might be moving to a place you love!! I'll be jealous if you move to a nice warm climate... I'm stuck up in New England where it's 80 today and could be 50 tomorrow!! Gotta love it.... haha! Good luck with the move!!!
I'm still sore today from the gym!! My quads are killing!! I was going to go to the gym again yesterday on my way home from my bf's but I forgot to pack my clothes
I'm going to go on Wednesday and Friday though... maybe I can get there on Sunday as well.. we'll see!! I can't wait til class ends so I can make it a normal Wednesday routine!! I'm also trying to see if we do have a barbell at home so maybe on Jazz days I can do a couple things at home.. maybe some deadlifts and squats at least! I'll have to wait til tonight to find out though! I had 2 splurge meals this weekend instead of just one But I don't regret them and I think that it's important that I don't.. I weighed the same yesterday morning as I did on Thursday.. and that's after the splurges.. so I'm confident I'm heading in the right direction! Here's to another good week!!! 0
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