Daily Chat Thread
Replies
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OK, an observation. I was looking at the stronglifts website, out of interest, and it struck me (from the men's testimonials) the big difference between men and women lifters:
Most of us women measure our success by the reading on the scale, shape, measurements, body fat percentage etc, as well as the numbers we're lifting.
Men: just how much they can lift! The improvements in appearance/ health/size etc seem an afterthought.
I guess it's true what they say, if we focus on strength, the rest will follow!
And that's it for my brain today, it's Friday and I'm off home :drinker:
That's one of the reasons the "meet Staci" from Nerdfitness link has been so popular, she looks amazing and her only worry any more is how much more can she lift. I know I'm spending too much time overthinking the other details, it's a hard habit to break.
Wow -- I missed this the first time around, but...... WOW. This observation blows my mind!!!! I never thought about it that way, but you are both so right, if I can lift more, then obviously I am pushing my muscles and I am bound to see results no matter what the scale says! Love it!! Thank you!
Also, the Cosgrove article is great!!! It has me really thinking about the rests between stages and how to utilize those as fat burning periods.....0 -
Thanks for the article! It makes so much sense and was a good reinforcement since reading the book!0
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high intensity ANAEROBIC interval training
high intensity AEROBIC interval training
Thanks for that explanation Meshasesha; I was wondering about it too.0 -
Thanks Meshashesha!!! I think i've been doing the aerobic kind then, on my bike i was doing 30 sec sprint then 1 min ease slower at lower resistance. Now i'm on stage 2 I'm doing the HIIT recommended in the book- 1 min sprint, 2 mins slower. Same thing really. I presume that's the right type? I do go pretty hard, my HR up to about 165, but it gets down to 120 in the rests.0
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I like just focusing on lifting heavier and heavier....I think I will do that (once my fitness challenges are over....unfortunately I have 3.5 more months of weighing and measuring in the challenges!)
Thank you for the information on the aerobic and anaeorbic HIIT interval training. I am not sure if this is gonna get me flamed, but many trainers say, unless you are an ELITE athlete, the whole HIIT interval training is NOT really going to add much to your overall fitness goals. It just isn't. I do HIIT because I need some cardio (for cardio health), and I'm satisfied that it is more worthwhile, for 20 minutes, than steady-state cardio. But, beyond that, it likely doesn't apply super-duper benefits to an average jane like myself!0 -
Hello, newbie here. Well, newbie to NROL4W. I was doing MFP for a bit, but was off and on in terms of staying at my calorie goal and was just doing boot camp for workouts. But I had been thinking I really wanted to work on increasing strength, and I ran across this book, and here I am now.
I just finished my third workout, so that would be stage 1, workout A2. I was really nervous going to the free weights side of the gym at first. I was particularly nervous about the squats (since I had no idea what a squat rack even looked like) and the deadlifts, but after getting the first A and B workouts in, I'm feeling much more comfortable. So, I'm pretty pumped about this program.
I was a little nervous also about the calories. When I was doing just MFP, I was trying for 1200 on non-workout days. Now, I'm doing between 1700 and 2000. (I actually started the meal plan a week or 2 before the workouts) And anyway, I actually dropped a couple pounds right away after being stuck for a bit. Probably getting enough protein is my biggest challenge, but I'm working on it. Snacks are probably the hardest, because they are pretty restrictive on what food items I can bring into work. Anway, I'm working it out.
And I live in Michigan. And that's me. So, I'm really glad to find this group and can't wait to read through old posts and catch up.
Lori0 -
Hi,
I'm a newbie to NROF, starting tomorrow. I've lost 27lbs so far on MFP, but I definitely need to boost up my strength exercises. I read through the book and some of the exercises do look really intimidating, so I will definitely be relying on this thread for some how to support!0 -
i disagree with them. i used to be an athlete but am not one any longer (but working my way back).. I am not sure if this is gonna get me flamed, but many trainers say, unless you are an ELITE athlete, the whole HIIT interval training is NOT really going to add much to your overall fitness goals.
for one thing ive noticed way more fat loss when i incorporated hiit than when i was doing steady state aerobics. i hadn't really worked out for 2 years so at first i needed to work my way up to being able to do 30-45 minutes of straight (easy cardio). i did that for about a month and didnt lose anything. also, it didnt really do much to change my resting heart rate
once i got my heart healthy enough to start doing aerobic hiit, i started noticing more changes in my body (i also pretty much stopped doing steady state cardio). once i was healthy enough to start doing anaerobic hiit, that's when i really started seeing improvements. my resting heart rate has dropped from 79 to 65. also sprinting for a bus or a train (which i probably have to do once a week) is way easier. now i even get to the stop with a few seconds to spare. used to be i'd sprint and still just miss it :laugh:
also for january/february i wasnt doing any non HIIT cardio at all. but i recently tried running. the last time i tested myself in january to see how long i could go, i couldnt go for more than 3 minutes on level 5.5. last week i tested myself at the end of a workout and there i was 15 minutes in on 5.5. i could have gone longer too, but the gym was closing.. HIIT was the only cardio i'd been doing (ok and maybe some water aerobics here and there) for 2 months, so that's really the only thing that could have helped.
honestly i was also a bit surprised about that myself0 -
Morning, all! I'm in week 3 and I'm finally feeling comfortable in the free weights section of the gym! I was so intimidated, but reading all of your posts gave me courage.
I'm also getting less nervous about trying out the heavier weights. My first week, I started out with dumbells between 7 and 12 pounds each and barbells at 20 lbs. Now I'm starting with the 12 pounders and 40 pounders! I was nervous because I actually was able to lift less and do FEWER reps my second week, but this week I am lifting better than ever. Progress!!!
I did pull a muscle in my abdomen the other day and I'm not sure what to do. I've been trying to up my protein intake to help with muscle repair but, GAH, I am having such a hard time! I am supposed to eat between 90-160 grams of protein a day, and I can barely seem to get in 70! Help! Any suggestions?! I can eat lean chicken, fish and seafood, beans and legumes, but no soy or dairy.
Welcome, jimmychoo2sho and 55toPretty! Can't wait to hear more from you about your progress!
Oh, a question about HIIT (because it really works for me, too) -- I used to do HIIT exclusively on the treadmill, but I am bored with running now that my race season is over. I decided to try the stationary bike and elliptical. I tried out the "Hill" setting which seemed to be similar to the HIIT -- any experience with this? I worked up quite a sweat, and I tried to focus on bringing my heart rate up and down between hills to get that HIIT experience... Feedback appreciated!0 -
I think I have been doing anaerobic hiit on the elliptical. I do 10 minutes alternating between going all out for 15 seconds and recovering for 45 seconds. I am working my way up to being able to do it for 30 and 30. Then I do regular intervals by increasing the resistance for the rest of the time. I do about 35-40 mins altogether. Then sometimes I add a 4 minute tabata round with a kettlebell. I wish I could say that the fat is melting off of me. But I feel that I am working harder and nothing is happening. I am trying hard with my diet but I am not superhuman. I can't eat clean 100% of the time. I need my chocolate and ice cream once in a while. But I am cutting out dairy. I am definitely getting a stomach reaction when I eat it. It never used to bother me but I think I have become lactose intolerant as I got older. So maybe it's bloating me and contributing to my belly pooch, who knows. It sucks because I have already cut out wheat, grains, and beans and I don't know what else to eat at this point if I also exclude dairy.0
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I hate the cardio machines! So I do Tabata -20sec.max effort, 10 sec. rest for 8, so that's 4 min. total, on my non lifting days. KB 2 handed swings, burpees, bench over jumps, front squats, kb thrusters are all great for me! I do 2-3 a day.
Welcome, 55topretty and jimmychoo2sho!
Welcome back ,beeps!0 -
idauria, I know what you mean. I love to work out but I also have specific fitness goals (and a desire to look hot in a bikini!). I hate working hard and feeling like I am not progressing!
I found the video on this page ("Felicia Romero's Fitness Program") to be a really helpful, especially where she talks about how "abs are made in the kitchen," lol, and it is a reminder to me that I really, really have to eat super clean. If I want it 100%, I have to do it 100%! I have strength at the gym, now I need to practice strength in my kitchen!!!
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/felicia-romero-cutting-program.html0 -
I am a firm believer that more and more and more cardio is NOT going to get you what you want.
Anyway, I made it to the gym, today. Thank goodness. I *do* love exercise and, yep, while the break was really fun, I feel MUCH better now that I've had a work-out, lol!!
My quads burned out 5 minutes into it....which means I'll be walking funny, tomorrow. But, I'm back on the train and after an "ease-in" week, I'll really get going next week (if not before).
Lifting heavy is AWESOME....even if, like me, you're only lifting MEDIUM, lol!0 -
idauria, I know what you mean. I love to work out but I also have specific fitness goals (and a desire to look hot in a bikini!). I hate working hard and feeling like I am not progressing!
I found the video on this page ("Felicia Romero's Fitness Program") to be a really helpful, especially where she talks about how "abs are made in the kitchen," lol, and it is a reminder to me that I really, really have to eat super clean. If I want it 100%, I have to do it 100%! I have strength at the gym, now I need to practice strength in my kitchen!!!
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/felicia-romero-cutting-program.html
Thanks for that link. I know I need to focus more on my eating. But I know I am doing better than even a year ago and I feel like not only has nothing changed, I think I have put on body fat, even after completing new rules. I am doing my new program now and incorporating more cardio and being more strict. My problem is that I can be good all week and then I fall to pieces on the weekends. I tend not to cook so I go out to eat at least once. However even when I do go to a restaurant I order the healthiest item on the menu, even skipping the bread, potatoes, and rice. But....then I will go out for frozen yogurt or have some chocolate. Obviously something I am doing is wrong. I wish it were easy to figure it all out. I want to look good in a bathing suit this summer too!0 -
Martin Berkhan - "
If you're adding 2-3 sessions of HIIT to your 3 sessions of weights, it is almost comparable to adding 2-3 days of weights. Keyword is "almost", I'm obviously not drawing direct comparisons. That's all fine and dandy if you think working out 5-6 days/week is a good idea on a diet. But I don't think anyone - no matter what level of experience - needs more than 3 days a week in the gym when cutting. (Yes, this goes for competitors and beginners alike.)
In conclusion, if conditioning is not terribly important for you, if your goal is really about getting shredded while keeping your muscle, I highly suggest limiting moderate to high intensity cardio on a diet - or ditch it completely. Save it for some other time when your recovery is good and not limited by your diet. A calorie deficit is a recovery deficit. Avoid deficit spending."0 -
Okay, ladies, HOW MUCH ARE YOU LIFTING?? I feel like I'm doing pretty well, steadily increasing, but I feel like a wimp -- some exercises I can lift in excess of 100lbs, others I struggle to do 10lbs. I'm not sure if I just need to be pushing myself harder or if I will risk injury... I never know what to lift. How about you???0
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Morning, all! I'm in week 3 and I'm finally feeling comfortable in the free weights section of the gym! I was so intimidated, but reading all of your posts gave me courage.
I'm also getting less nervous about trying out the heavier weights. My first week, I started out with dumbells between 7 and 12 pounds each and barbells at 20 lbs. Now I'm starting with the 12 pounders and 40 pounders! I was nervous because I actually was able to lift less and do FEWER reps my second week, but this week I am lifting better than ever. Progress!!!
I did pull a muscle in my abdomen the other day and I'm not sure what to do. I've been trying to up my protein intake to help with muscle repair but, GAH, I am having such a hard time! I am supposed to eat between 90-160 grams of protein a day, and I can barely seem to get in 70! Help! Any suggestions?! I can eat lean chicken, fish and seafood, beans and legumes, but no soy or dairy.
Welcome, jimmychoo2sho and 55toPretty! Can't wait to hear more from you about your progress!
Oh, a question about HIIT (because it really works for me, too) -- I used to do HIIT exclusively on the treadmill, but I am bored with running now that my race season is over. I decided to try the stationary bike and elliptical. I tried out the "Hill" setting which seemed to be similar to the HIIT -- any experience with this? I worked up quite a sweat, and I tried to focus on bringing my heart rate up and down between hills to get that HIIT experience... Feedback appreciated!
I'm doing HIIT on a stationary bike at home. My 'hill' setting also looks like HIIT, but is actually nowhere near intensive enough in my case. I set mine to manual instead of using a programme, then go flat out and time myself.0 -
Okay, ladies, HOW MUCH ARE YOU LIFTING?? I feel like I'm doing pretty well, steadily increasing, but I feel like a wimp -- some exercises I can lift in excess of 100lbs, others I struggle to do 10lbs. I'm not sure if I just need to be pushing myself harder or if I will risk injury... I never know what to lift. How about you???
Well I've just started and I feel pretty much the same way. I thought I had been pushing myself as I was feeling challenged during the workout but I was really disappointed with how much weight I was actually using, to be honest I'm not even close to 100 on anything! The only weights I had previously used were circuit machines which of course provide a lot of assistance so I think that may be why I was expecting I could lift more based on how much I could do on the machines.
Oh, and hi everyone! Just started the program and joined the group.0 -
I am not sure if this is gonna get me flamed, but many trainers say, unless you are an ELITE athlete, the whole HIIT interval training is NOT really going to add much to your overall fitness goals.
Not "flaming you" but I couldn't disagree more. I found MASSIVE improvements when I started incorporating HIIT into my training and I am SO not an elite athete... check out this link... an excellent article on the benefits of HIIT and Weight Training over "chronic cardio."
http://nerdfitness.com/blog/2010/02/01/what-burns-more-calories-cardio-intervals-or-weight-training/
PS - for anybody who hasn't read the "Spezzy" article on Nerd Fitness - check it out!!! So Amazing!!!0 -
Hi All,
I'm feeling very happy this morning and wanted to share with my 'new' friends. This morning my very sweet, wonderful, kind scale didn't groan when I stepped on it and it said 199 pounds. I got below 200 last year around May or Junes, but then lost my drive and have been up and down with the same 5-10 pounds. I've been able to drop about 8 pounds in the last three weeks since I've gotten back in gear.
Here's the best part - I've read NROL4W but haven't started yet. Just think once I get moving on the program! :bigsmile:0 -
Hi All,
I'm feeling very happy this morning and wanted to share with my 'new' friends. This morning my very sweet, wonderful, kind scale didn't groan when I stepped on it and it said 199 pounds.
Congratulations! Huge milestone!!0 -
Okay, ladies, HOW MUCH ARE YOU LIFTING?? I feel like I'm doing pretty well, steadily increasing, but I feel like a wimp -- some exercises I can lift in excess of 100lbs, others I struggle to do 10lbs. I'm not sure if I just need to be pushing myself harder or if I will risk injury... I never know what to lift. How about you???
I'm in stage 4, and just broke 100# on the step-ups @ 14" step (I'm 5'11" tall; it DOES matter!)
I did wide-grip deadlifts from deficit last night with 111 #; a 6# increase from last time.
Had to back down to 15# dumbbells from 20# on the reverse lunge from box w/ forward reach. My lower back wasn't liking them for some reason.
Pulling 80# on the wide-grip lat pulldown, but have been for 2 or 3 sessions. Hoping to try for an increase on this one soon.
Can't break 10# on the prone cuban snatch; form is barely there as it is. (Why is this one so friggin' HARD?!?!)
I'm doing v-ups for the crunches, and reverse incline crunches for the flexions, but they are HARD!
That's all I can remember off the top of my head.
Anyone else feel like sharing?0 -
Good morning ladies!
One of the worst things you can do to yourself esteem is compare your capacity to lift against someone else. Everyone of us is coming here from different levels of fitness to begin with, we all have different body sizes and frames, previous injuries, lifestyles that contribute to what we can lift. Also, as women, we tend to be stronger in our lower halves than our upper. If you are completing your sets so that you struggle to lift those last couple of reps, you are doing the appropriate work load for YOU. If you keep it up, eventually you will be one of those people you envy now and will be giving them the same advice. It sounds like everyone here is doing their best and making progress, we'll all get there!
edit to add after reading jarretd's post above- Nothing wrong with comparing notes. Just don't use it as an excuse to feel down on yourself about where you're at in your program.0 -
Hello ladies, don't compare with others on the weights you can lift. As long as you go heavy for you and up the weights, then you're doing great. I'm better on the deads than I'm on squats and I'm sure all of you have somethings that you better and things that need work. Keep working and you will reach your goals!0
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I agree with jam and denine....at the start of the program, I was reading threads where ladies were lifting ENORMOUS numbers and it was counter-productive to my own personal motivation.
I am 5'9" tall and I *know* I am not lifting as heavy as many (most?) of the other tall women doing NROL4W. But, that's okay....it's a marathon, not a sprint, and I'll get there.
My upper body is definitely stronger than my lower body and my front half is definitely stronger than my back half. Trying to get all of my "weaker" spots up to snuff is taking quite a LOT of time, actually. (And effort!)
I have morphed to HIIT and like it ONLY because it is 20 minutes (instead of 60), but I tell you, my lungs don't like it AT ALL. As a life-long asthmatic, it has taken a LOT of mental preparation for me to do HIIT because the lung BURN is incredibly painful, actually!! (And, don't worry, I'm on proper medication and my asthma is well-controlled.)
I still do steady-state cardio on Saturday mornings. Just because I like it. It might be interfering with what I'm trying to accomplish in NROL4W, but that is a *risk* I am prepared to take.0 -
Hey all! I'm new
I plan on starting tomorrow, but it will be very light. I might even have to modify many of the abdominal exercises. I had a tummy tuck with muscle repair 6 weeks ago and just have been cleared to start weights. I was in pretty good shape before going into surgery so I have bounced quickly back into running, hoping it's the same for strength!
I tried a push-up today and it was uncomfortable in my abs, so I will start on my knees. My problem is, I could probably do 30 on my knees before my arms are tired...should I do 30 instead of 15 because of this?
Also, it's still spring racing season so I plan on running a bit, actually I won't give up running since I'll start training for a half marathon in late June. Should I run after lifting, or do it on off days? I only plan on running two days a week, one will be intervals, the other will be slow and steady.0 -
Welcome katapple!
I would hesitate to tell you to do too many pushups. I'm reading your post as having done one pushup. These workouts will tax your core muscles (not just the ab exercises) so you might see how you do overall before you start adding more pushups. Even at half they will be working your core too.
If you find your abs are holding up, you could do more half pushups or maybe try a backpack with a weight in it. But I would get at least one workout in without adding too much to see how you do during the work out and then after.
I haven't had a tummy tuck but I did have a c-section and while I was cleared for exercise after 6 weeks, it took me much longer for things to work comfortably again. But I was also out of shape too, you may bounce back faster.
I think a lot of us would agree to do the running on off days.0 -
Hmmmph. Not happy. I've been having some pain in my left shoulder, like an electric shock, randomly for the last few weeks. I put it down to poor posture when I am at my workstation. But then I tracked it.
It's the day after deadlifts, and into the second day after. I'm stretching well, but this doesn't even feel like muscle pain. I'm puzzled and pissed. It hits hard and quick; sharp enough to make me cringe and vocalize. I'm thinking nerve? But what to do about it??
Thoughts? Suggestions? Rude remarks?0 -
Thanks for the welcome, all. Just finished my fourth workout today. My upper body is definitely weaker than my lower. I can only do 8 pounds (each hand) on the dumbell overhead press (I can't remember what it's actually called). And I'm doing the easiest push ups (off a bar at about hip height). I'm just using the bar for squats (45lbs.) but I'm pretty sure I can up it on my next workout. I'm doing 65 pounds on the deadlifts. I'm doing 45 pounds on the seated row, but my form is pretty weak by the end, so I'll probably stick with that for a bit. I actually only did body weight for step ups, because I was struggling with not using my trailing leg, but I watched some videos and have it down, so I should be able to start using some weights next time. I'm doing 15 lbs (each hand) for the lunges. Basically, I'm feeling really good about the program. My biggest challenge is probably getting on track with the diet, but it's a work in progress.0
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Welcome katapple!
I would hesitate to tell you to do too many pushups. I'm reading your post as having done one pushup. These workouts will tax your core muscles (not just the ab exercises) so you might see how you do overall before you start adding more pushups. Even at half they will be working your core too.
If you find your abs are holding up, you could do more half pushups or maybe try a backpack with a weight in it. But I would get at least one workout in without adding too much to see how you do during the work out and then after.
I haven't had a tummy tuck but I did have a c-section and while I was cleared for exercise after 6 weeks, it took me much longer for things to work comfortably again. But I was also out of shape too, you may bounce back faster.
I think a lot of us would agree to do the running on off days.
Thanks! It was on the full plank push-up I was having troubles, I didn't feel any pain when I switched to my knees. I'll start with 15 and if that doesn't work I just might have to try the back-pack thing! I had 2 c-sections, but I wasn't a workout freak when I had those. It didn't bother me at all that I couldn't workout for 6 weeks then! LOL
I will let you know how it goes!0
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