Finished stage 1! :D
weightofyourskin
Posts: 173
My goal was to finish it by Monday, so I'm a bit ahead!
I realized when I checked the book that I was supposed to reduce the number of reps as I went along... I didn't really do that. I almost always did 2 sets of 15 (I did fewer for pushups and lunges because I HATE them and more for cable rows and other exercises that I enjoyed more). Oops.
I also didn't do the special "as many reps as possible" workouts because I thought it would be a waste of time to go back down to my starting weights, so I just did an extra A and B workout for a total of 18 instead of 16.
Here are my stats :
Workout A
Squats : first workout 2 x 15 with two 8 lb dumbbells, last workout 3 x 10 with two 12 lb dumbbells
Pushups : 2 x 15 at bodyweight - this stayed the same because I find pushups really difficult.
Seated rows : first workout 2 x 20 at 45 lb, last workout 3 x 20 at 60 pounds
Step-ups : first workout 2 x 15 with two 8 lb dumbbells and 5 steps up, last workout 2 x 15 with 12 lb dumbbells and 6 steps up
Prone jack-knife : first workout 2 x 15 and it felt like it was KILLING me, last workout 2 x 15 and it feels strangely good!
Workout B
Deadlift : first workout 2 x 15 with 12 kg in weights (on a black plastic barbell), last workout 2 x 15 with the Olympic barbell, no weights (so 45 lb)
Dumbbell shoulder press : first workout2 x 15 with two 8 lb dumbbells, last workout 3 x 10 with 15 lb dumbbells
Lat pulldown : first workout 2 x 15 at 45 lb, last workout 2 x 15 at 57.5 lb
Lunge : first workout 2 x 15 at bodyweight, last workout 2 x 10 with 12-lb dumbbells
Swiss ball crunch : first workout 2 x 15 and it also felt like it was killing me! last workout 2 x 15 and I felt the burn but I could have done another set.
Now I'm going to take a week off from lifting, like the book recommends... maybe. It's weird - the past few workouts I've been feeling a bit burned out, but then I also find myself wanting to do extra exercises. Like "I really want to do some cable rows, even though that's a workout A move and I'm supposed to be doing workout B today" or "I'm so exhausted after this workout, I can't wait to hit the shower - well, maybe I'll do two extra sets of dumbbell presses first." This is really unlike me, and it gives me hope :laugh:
So my plan is to still go to the gym for cardio and throw in some strength-training stuff if I feel like it. Or just stay at home and use my elliptical while watching trashy daytime TV. I also start school again on Tuesday so it'll be nice not to have to deal with 3-times-a-week workouts while juggling all these new courses... and ease into it instead.
I realized when I checked the book that I was supposed to reduce the number of reps as I went along... I didn't really do that. I almost always did 2 sets of 15 (I did fewer for pushups and lunges because I HATE them and more for cable rows and other exercises that I enjoyed more). Oops.
I also didn't do the special "as many reps as possible" workouts because I thought it would be a waste of time to go back down to my starting weights, so I just did an extra A and B workout for a total of 18 instead of 16.
Here are my stats :
Workout A
Squats : first workout 2 x 15 with two 8 lb dumbbells, last workout 3 x 10 with two 12 lb dumbbells
Pushups : 2 x 15 at bodyweight - this stayed the same because I find pushups really difficult.
Seated rows : first workout 2 x 20 at 45 lb, last workout 3 x 20 at 60 pounds
Step-ups : first workout 2 x 15 with two 8 lb dumbbells and 5 steps up, last workout 2 x 15 with 12 lb dumbbells and 6 steps up
Prone jack-knife : first workout 2 x 15 and it felt like it was KILLING me, last workout 2 x 15 and it feels strangely good!
Workout B
Deadlift : first workout 2 x 15 with 12 kg in weights (on a black plastic barbell), last workout 2 x 15 with the Olympic barbell, no weights (so 45 lb)
Dumbbell shoulder press : first workout2 x 15 with two 8 lb dumbbells, last workout 3 x 10 with 15 lb dumbbells
Lat pulldown : first workout 2 x 15 at 45 lb, last workout 2 x 15 at 57.5 lb
Lunge : first workout 2 x 15 at bodyweight, last workout 2 x 10 with 12-lb dumbbells
Swiss ball crunch : first workout 2 x 15 and it also felt like it was killing me! last workout 2 x 15 and I felt the burn but I could have done another set.
Now I'm going to take a week off from lifting, like the book recommends... maybe. It's weird - the past few workouts I've been feeling a bit burned out, but then I also find myself wanting to do extra exercises. Like "I really want to do some cable rows, even though that's a workout A move and I'm supposed to be doing workout B today" or "I'm so exhausted after this workout, I can't wait to hit the shower - well, maybe I'll do two extra sets of dumbbell presses first." This is really unlike me, and it gives me hope :laugh:
So my plan is to still go to the gym for cardio and throw in some strength-training stuff if I feel like it. Or just stay at home and use my elliptical while watching trashy daytime TV. I also start school again on Tuesday so it'll be nice not to have to deal with 3-times-a-week workouts while juggling all these new courses... and ease into it instead.
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Replies
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Good for you! I'm only half way through stage 1... can't seem to work it in more than 2x/week.0
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I'd have finished a lot sooner, but I took 10 days off for Christmas/New Year's (I was out of town) and had to cut back to twice a week during finals.0
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That's great progress! On your off week you still can use weights, just don't go too high.0
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great progress girl!
It's funny, because I find myself doing the same thing. I'll finish by NRoL4W workout, and then want to do more! I just can't get enough of this lifting stuff. It's a great benefit, I feel stronger, more confident and I'd say my mood has improved. If you're really itching do something on your break, I'm sure it wouldn't hurt too much to do some high rep "barbie weights" as the book refers to them. Just focus on form.
See you in stage 2!0 -
Congrats, weightofyours!
Your post is EXACTLY the sort of post that I want to read. You have shown "progression". You have shown "mastery" of some tasks that were previously unknown (like the prone jack-knife). You are trepidatious, and yet excited!
I think these are all very good things.
I am enjoying Stage 1.0
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