Daily Chat Thread
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Beeps, sorry to validate Sam's mom, but as I was closer and closer to menopause, my periods were more erratic, sometimes 2 wks sometimes 6 wks, sometimes barely a drop and other times like I was back in HS with all the awful cramps and incredible mood swings. Actually the mood swings lasted well into menopause, along with sleeplessness, hot flashes and the most awful headaches. My doc actually put me on EffexorXR (it supposedly had off-label success) which actually helped the sleeplessness and mood swings but not much else. I weaned myself off it after 18 months. I still sleep very poorly, unfortunately.
Last night was one of those sleep poorly nights - I was supposed to OHP and accessory lifting but had no energy at 4:30, so I opted for 90 minutes more sleep/rest. Tomorrow I spin, Friday I lift and then I'm off for 2 weeks. I've lost a couple of pounds this week, and since we're staying in a cottage with a full kitchen, I'll be more careful about food at least some of the time.0 -
suelegal, don't you think the KIND-er thing would have been to LIE YOUR *kitten* OFF TO ME?!?!?!?
lol
yikes.
I'm not ready for menopause. That much I know. Maybe it is "happening". Maybe it isn't. For today, I'm ONLY focusing on the fact that, in 2 days, i can lift, lol!0 -
Hey I am an ob/gyn and I learned nothing about nutrition and exercise in med school so don't ask) I know a little about menopause and irregular more frequent periods are the most common pattern. Anything can happen to in specific so be prepared0
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Hi
This is my 1st post here. I completed stage 1 and just wanted somewhere to share my numbers. Hope you don't mind!
I'm rubbish at taking measurements and progress pics and I don't really pay attention to the scales. I have gone for a right UK 12 to a much more comfortable one and that is enough progress for me at the moment!
Stage 1A
Squat 10kg-48kg (105lbs)
Push up 6inch high step-floor (all reps). Need to work on going lower!
Dumbell Row 5kg-17.5kg (38lbs)
Step-up I had issues with getting a big enough step and form so not much weight change as I kept changing the step. Prone Jacknife I completed 15
Stage 1B
Deadlift 30kg-61kg (135lbs)
Shoulder press 7kg-12.5kg (27lbs)
Lat pull down 18kg-36.2kg (80lbs). Only did 4 weeks of this and did pulldown before as my gym machine was broken
Lunge 10kg-15kg. Struggle with increasing weight so dropped back in the last do a 15kg barbell on my back but better quality lunges and I felt the burn more
Sit up Nothing to 5kg weight held behind my head
I'm pretty pleased with my numbers and progress. I hate the step-ups because I just don't have anything high so I've worked on my form and made it harder by bringing my leg higher in front of me. I found it really hard to progress the shoulder press and lunges. My favourite is probably the Deadlift because it makes me feel badass!
I'm not doing AMRAP because my numbers were too low to start and I'm away for 2 weeks from tomorrow. Going to take that as my lifting break and then start stage 2 when I'm back. I can't wait!0 -
Nicely done Hev! I'll be finishing my second go around of stage 1 this coming week, and seems like it is taking FOREVER. I guess since I finished LIFE right before going back into 4W, it seems like I've been doing the same exercises FOREVER!. My weights aren't really moving either, so that's frustrating too. I thought I was all strong and bad-*kitten*, negatory.
Waiting for hubby to get home so I'll have one less workout.
(I know my time will come early, so I'm not looking forward to my 40s at all)0 -
Hi, y'all...I've been following this group for a while, and frankly y'all seem just great. I just started S2,...and its going pretty well. Or at least I enjoy it! Lifting even the tiniest bit more makes me feel badass. LOL.
I'm really new at this - posting and all - but I'm giving it a try. Happy Wed!0 -
Welcome Geeks!!
I take back what I just said. I had the most bad-*kitten* session at the gym.
I did 50 min of lifting and felt so freaking bad-*kitten* that I stayed for the last 35 min of the super hard-core Wednesday Zumba class.
Let me explain how bad-*kitten* this session was. I cam within 5lbs of my 4 rep max for back squats at EIGHT REPS. 'm going to say that again 5lbs closer to my 4 rep MAX at EIGHT REPS. In fact I am 10 lbs away from getting big mama 45s on my bar. WHOO!
Then I rocked the zuba class, though I don't recommend doing zumba in lifting shoes, ouchie. She made a new mix on a cd with the songs blending into each other. No stopping and no skipping on the music. Holy Hannah that was tough.
My stats:
Back squat 3x8@120 (Up from 105)
Push-up 3x12@ millitary
Seated row 3x8@90 (up from 75)
Step up 3x8@50 w/six risers (same)
Not sure how to go about increasing the step-ups. Ideas?0 -
I worked out yesterday..finally...on deadline and just checking in..so sore...ibuprofen helps but holy moly ouch.
But a good ouch..let's hope I'm ok to work out tomorrow.
Since this is an official restart and I'm doing the entire program I'm going to take before photos but I'm not going to post until at the end of each stage.
Good to be back at it.
Breeze0 -
Good job hev!
You really stepped up your dead lifts!
Were you mad, samntha? That's great. If I'm upset about something I can suddenly lift more than I thought I could.
I was extremely tired all day but ended up satisfied with my workout
I know this has probably come up before but two workout questions..
I can't seem to increase the dumbbell weights for lunges etc because my forearms are sore and my hands are weak. The actual lunge is not hard-- is it better to try to hold more weight and split up the sets-- or try to do 15 of both leg without resting my hands?
My other question is on dead lifts. When you increase to a bigger plate, the bar is higher from the ground and it seems easier but probably is just a problem with my form?
Any thoughts are appreciated.0 -
I think deadlifts are slightly easier (to get good form the higher the bar starts which is why you move to the deadlift on a box to get a greater range of movement. Correct me if I'm wrong, more experience lifters! I was planning on sticking with normal deadlifts rather than going on a box in stage 2 because I enjoy increasing my weight and I think I can get more. If I stall with weight increase I will go on a box!
I also struggle with increasing lunges and step up. I now do my step up like this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLLtYbaWrc8 which makes it loads harder and has meant I can decrease my weight to be more comfortable on my hands. I don't know if that is New Rules style or whether i was doing them wrong to start but it seems to have helped 0 -
Thanks for the welcome, Sam!
I kindof like the deadlifts on a box, though I was really surprised by that. It actually seems harder to me...but then, any increase in range of motion is always a challenge for me. I have to work pretty hard to have any decent form.
I don't have a good way to increase my step up height gradually. I work out at home. For stage 1, I did more weight but less height (about a foot), but I'd like to step higher....my next available height is a box my husband built that is about 2.5 feet. I'm 5'2" - its a little high... Would y'all recommend going to lower weights and trying that box, or trying to keep my weight increasing and stay with the same height?
I don't know if it's proper or not, but I have trouble with the bigger dumbbells on my lunges and step up too....I went to a small bar that I could load. Thoughts about that?0 -
Wow, samntha, your numbers are AWESOME!
Congratulations!! Excellent lifting progress!!!!!!!!!!!
Geeks - the whole point of step-ups is to make sure your leg is at a right angle (at the knee) when your foot is on the step....so, until you have step height at that proper point, I would recommend NOT going up in weight. Also, make sure you aren't 'cheating'....NO push-off from the back (straight) leg!
Tomorrow I can lift! I am printing out my work-outs, today. I think I will go to the gym, today, just to re-start my membership (which has been "on hold" for 6- weeks).
Tomorrow, I also "weigh"....so, am fasting as long as I can, today, to shove off the last of the bodyfat so as to avoid any "scale number SHOCK".0 -
Thanks, Beeps! I'll adjust my step then...it needs to be higher.0
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Have fun and take care Beeps!!
I actually do an advanced step up where I never rest the non-working leg on the step and I lift it up to my chest in a crunch, or at least at a 90 degree angle. For lunges, believe it or not, walking lunges are considered an "advanced move". You can give those a try instead of trying to increase weight. I haven't really increased weight there either. I max out at 25lb dbs. I have to shake my head at the gym when I see trainers getting their clients to basically stomp up on the step with both feet (1,2) and stomp down (1,2).
Now I am falling on my face tired. I'm taking a rest night. Later
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Welcome to the newbs! Good to see more ladies joining in!
I agree on the step-ups. Keep the step high and weight low until you really feel the squeeze in those glutes. I have to admit, I've stopped doing them for my Supercharged workouts. I felt they become more of a cardio workout than anything in the higher reps. I've found other single-leg stance exercises to be much more effective for my booty/quads (single-leg squat, single leg DL, one leg get-ups).
Sam, walking lunges kill me. I've never had my quads hurt as bad as they do when I do walking lunges. I should probably do them more often.
Beeps, hope the lifting and weighing goes well.
I'm supposed to start Hypertrophy III tomorrow, but I haven't picked my exercises. Not sure if I will try to figure them out tonight or just be lazy and do a SL type workout and then some HIIT. My macros and cals have been awesome this week, my sleep has been better, and my workouts have improved.0 -
Thanks for the step-up tips! My husband is going to build me a box that's the right height tomorrow, so I can try this out on Sunday. And I used to do walking lunges a lot when I was walking my dogs (I'm sure the neighbors got a good laugh out of that!), but I haven't in a while...maybe try that as well...
Today needs to be easy - I'm on a 9-mile run tomorrow and frankly, this work week has kicked my butt.
I'm curious...How often do you all lift weights each week? Vs. cardio?0 -
I lift weights 3 x per week. With luck + a better schedule, I do want to bump that up to 4 x per week sometime this fall.
I do scheduled cardio 1 x per week.
And..............today, I LIFT! At lunch. Will report back.
Stepups. ugh. They are *back* in my routine (I just checked) and I'm subbing them out, already, for one-legged-get-ups!
Having said that, I expect the bench I'll be using, for one-legged-get-ups, will be REALLY HIGH (of course....it's supposed t be REALLY low, lol!).0 -
Woohoo! I can't wait to hear how it went, Beeps!
I lifted yesterday, and did some yoga. I'm gonna try to work yoga in more often. On Wednesday night I did HIIT and a 'yoga for weight loss' thing and it felt awesome. Didn't make up for no lifting that day, but felt good n sweaty.
Joined my new gym today, leaving the Y for the year bc DH has a membership to another place included in his student fees. Didn't make sense to keep it. Especially as I'm just doing lifting and HIIT. This one's way closer to work too, so easier to walk down at lunch.0 -
^^^ Sept. 20, 2013.
First weight-training work-out post cataract-surgery. I'm 5'9" - weight is 147 lbs - no "scale shock", but also not as pleasing as I had hoped. Mind you, I haven't hit the weights in 6 weeks, haven't "worked out" in 3+ weeks, and I *know* when I was on my August holiday that I weighed MUCH MORE because I couldn't button my capris by the end of Hawaii!
All-in-all, I'll be okay. I do want to move more bodyfat off my frame this fall (I have an "end-number" in mind), and am eating at a calorie-deficit to accomplish that.
I'm a woman with a plan!0 -
You're a HOT woman with a plan! I'm three inches shorter and only weigh 5lbs less. You are a dynamo lady.
I did my lifting tnight. My B workout always seems to be behind my A workout.
DL 110
Lunges 25db 50 total
DB BP 30db 60 total (went back to DB, felt I could get them up and I did
Lat pull down 85
So everything is up a little but I was really tired today and my hands are SCREAMING at me. I need to wear gloves on B days
Oh and I lift three times a week and I try to squeak in a zumba class.0 -
I get the best results when I lift 3 X week. That's what I usually do.
Sam, your weights are so similar to mine it's crazy. Great lifting!
Beeps, you're looking so strong and hot! I have no doubt you will reach that goal.
Didn't lift today. Figured I'd wait until tomorrow morning when I won't have the kids. My workouts are much smoother when I don't have them with me.0 -
Chubby, your waist just keeps getting smaller! 0
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Yep, i noticed that, too, samntha.
I did my step-cardio class this morning....i'm REALLY tired, now. I didn't feel tired during the class, but now i want a nap!0 -
Today's exercise was theme park walking. I never what to enter for that. I gave myself 2 hours even though I was there for five. I'm way under today. Just didn't stop to eat. In fact I went 6 hours without eating and ran into a blood sugar problem. oops! And I am horribly sunburned. You don't expect it to be so outrageously sunny and hot on the last day of Summer 0
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Y'all are really so far ahead of me!! But REALLY good for my motivation. I'm back to lifting tomorrow and my sweet husband built me a new box, so hopefully I can try out your suggestions for step ups. Here's hoping its another pretty day here and not 90 degrees. (Our weights are outside on our deck.).
I'm gonna have to think about how I could lift 3X/week....and do the running I like to do. Thanks for being so welcoming o this newbie!0 -
Beeps be smokin' hot! Good grief!
I worked out exactly one day last week. One. And didn't log my food several days. It's a new week.0 -
I was too sore to work out more than once! OMG this was harder this time than when I started last time!
So Monday I do workout #2 and carry on...last week I worked too much..this week I'm doing just my column and that'll be done today..working on the book and then having more of a schedule.
I had to take ibuprofen to sleep...and my abs hurt for days.
Crazy!0 -
It'll come Breeze, just takes a little time to get in the swing of things. I don't remember being this tired in June. I never had a problem going from work to home to the gym, but the last couple of weeks have been REALLY tough. This week is better
We were all tired today. We all slept until 8 am, unheard of in this house. Even Hubby skipped his usual Sunday Ride to sit on the couch until 11. It's 11:30 and I'm still in my pjs. At least I was doing the bookkeeping. Now for the usual Sunday fun and games of laundry, cleaning, shopping and work.0 -
I'm relating to that being tired thing. I swam Friday and somehow tweaked my si joint --- even though swimming is low impact it seems I can tweak it with anything . Then I get tired but wake up with pain because lying down isn't comfortable...
At least lifting seems to help so I will get back to the gym today when hubby gets home from work. Today's fun activity is checking out a vegetarian convention (my older daughter doesn't like. Meat - so we want to try a bunch of other protein sources)
Thanks for all the tips about lunges and else0 -
Tired is right...my fatigue almost always comes from work. No wonder sometimes I want to change my job. I think most of it is not the work itself but the environment...don't know about y'all but the culture of my workplace is definitely anti-fit, anti-strong. Well, I guess that's just my particular office of folks...and i work in healthcare! LOL!
One of the reasons I joined this group and started trying to create a community online was that the majority of my FTF community is just not here...not even struggling with it. Is that just Texas or do yall have that situation too?
We took our dogs for a long hike in the wood this morning,...that was so relaxing and rejuvenating. Housework be damned, I'm going to the movies later.0
This discussion has been closed.