Daily Chat Thread
Replies
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After a little rise the week after Thanskgiving my weight's back to where it was just before, so I'm happy about that this morning. Today starts the first of the holiday parties, though, so tracking should be a challenge.
Lifted yesterday and it went really well. I didn't push it because of my stupid shoulder but it didn't hurt at all and feels completely fine this morning. Actually, all of me feels completely fine, which is a little unusual after a lift day
Time for more weight!
So S1B4:
Deadlift 45lb/12 reps/2 sets---I'm upping this 5LB each workout. Now that I have fixed my form, it's not hard to do, so I might do 50LB first set, 55 second set for B5, and then see what's best for set 3.
Shoulder press--12lb/12 reps/2 sets. Didn't increase b/c of shoulder. I find this start easy and are hard to finish.
Pulldown lat bar--60lb/12 reps/1 set then 70 lb/8reps/back to 60/4 reps. I wish we had 5 pound increments at the gym. 60's easy, 70's a little too hard to do and keep correct form at all.
Lunges--15 lb/12 reps/2 sets. Does anyone else get totally winded by these? Going to do 20Lb next time.
Crunches--20Lb/10 reps/2 sets. I'm pretty sure i'm not doing these entirely correctly--I think I'm rolling on the ball more than lifting myself. Going to pay more attention next time.0 -
Shoulder press--12lb/12 reps/2 sets. Didn't increase b/c of shoulder. I find this start easy and are hard to finish.
Pulldown lat bar--60lb/12 reps/1 set then 70 lb/8reps/back to 60/4 reps. I wish we had 5 pound increments at the gym. 60's easy, 70's a little too hard to do and keep correct form at all.
Lunges--15 lb/12 reps/2 sets. Does anyone else get totally winded by these? Going to do 20Lb next time.
Crunches--20Lb/10 reps/2 sets. I'm pretty sure i'm not doing these entirely correctly--I think I'm rolling on the ball more than lifting myself. Going to pay more attention next time.
Shoulder press - ditto! Those last 2-3 reps are KILLER
Pulldowns - does your gym have little weight 'blocks' to add to the weight stack? Mine has these things that slot on to the top of the stack - I think they weigh 2.5kg (so about 5lb) each. But they weren't obvious - I had to ask!
Crunches.... the ball can be a bit deceiving. If in doubt, lose the ball. There are many variations. I think I just try to make sure the ball doesn't move too much.
Well done on your workout!0 -
Thanks!
Today I was reminded how what seems like just a little of a few things at a holiday party add up to a lot of calories. Glad I had a few to spare from yesterday so I can have a little something for dinner :ohwell:0 -
Jen, I used to get completely winded doing lunges. Now it's better. I don't progress on shoulder presses at all. I'm stuck at 25lbs for 6 reps (15lbs for 15 reps). Been that way for a year.
Manic, I feel ya. We've got snow on the ground(it's early for us) and temps won't get above freezing for a few days. At least it's helped me get into the Christmas spirit and get some shopping done. But it's horrible for my carb cravings.
What's everyone's goal this month? Maintain weight during the season of carbs? Make sure they get their workouts in despite the busyness of the holidays?
I'm trying to get my lifting in regardless of the craziness. And hopefully lose 1lb through December.0 -
Just because I know many of us are eating at a deficit, I was reading this from Lyle McDonald today and that some of you might find it interesting:
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/the-full-diet-break.html
The TL;DR of it is the leaner you are, the more often your body needs a break from caloric deficit.0 -
I've been consistently eating at the figures the book calculates, w/o the deficit calculation--these numbers, though, on workout days in particular are below the MFP maintenance figures for me. MFP suggests my maintenance is around 1670 or something (and the dreaded 1200 on a non-exercising day); per the book's calculations, I'm eating 1470 or so on a non-exercise day and 1780 on a workout day. If I run, then, the 1780-500 running cals puts me around my 1200 deficit number if I were using the MFP calculations, and 1470 is still below my MFP calc maintenance.
I don't pretend I understand all this, but I'm just following directions. I plan to more or less continue following those figures, as I like to eat food. A lot. :drinker:0 -
I did my first Stage 2, Workout B today. I'm not a fan.
The deadlifts were fine, and my work gym doesn't have a lat pulldown so had to do DB substitution for that. And I found the reverse lunges ok I guess...
But I was rubbish at the cuban snatch. Pretty certain my form was way off and I had to use baby 3kg DBs.
I also found the Ab section really boring.... really really boring....
I didn't do the Intervals as I was on my lunchbreak and ran out of time but I'll do a cardio HIIT session this evening to make up for it.0 -
Jen, many of us switched to the TDEE method while doing the program. This calculator has always been very accurate for me: http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/
The books estimates are a very rough guideline. Many of the nutrition "rules" that he gives in NROL4W are thrown out in his latest book, NROL Supercharged. Namely, the "eat more on workout days" and "you MUST have a shake immediately after a workout" (this one has been refuted by many sources). That being said, I understand wanting to follow the guidelines in the book and see how it works for you. It's all such a hard balance- trying to find that special number that you don't feel too deprived, but you're still getting good results.
Lawlorka, I loved Stage 2 &4. Hopefully you will grow to like it more. There's nothing worse than disliking a routine.
Lifting today. My legs are finally not so sore anymore.0 -
I usually have a greek yogurt after lifting And I don't eat all that protein.
The Scooby calc said I only need 1666 calories a day to build muscle and lose fat/maintain. It's right in line with the MFP calculations. I assume you eat to that number every day (or that number minus a percentage?)0 -
Yes- I'm personally eating at a -10% at the moment. I wish I was far enough along in the fat loss to be eating at maintenance cals. Good to know they all are similar for you. Even when I don't workout, I burn the "Active Workout" or "Strenuous Workout" calories per NROL4W (I have a BodyMedia). Yet, I think if people sit at a desk all day, the calories can be too high for them. It's really about paying attention to what works for your body.0
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Got my lift in this morning plus 30 minutes on the elliptical. First day of doing 3 sets. Did pretty good. Upped my weight on everything.
Have had a headache all day… being caused by my hamstring. I pulled my hamstring a few years ago and when I run, it gets really tight. If I am not good about doing yoga and stretching it a lot, I feel it everywhere. Well, I have been lazy with yoga and am feeling the pain. Came home from work rather than going for run to do some and it really helped. Need to write that down on a post-it and stick it on my TV so that I remember what happens when I don't do stretching/yoga!0 -
Cowgirl, I didn't read the article yet. The plan I follow suggests a "diet break" every 4th week. I've managed to maintain weight so far. This month will be difficult to follow the plan. My family and I will be traveling this week. I am pretty sure I can stay within my allotted calories but the lack of exercise will hurt me. Anyway, my point was, the "break from dieting" keeps the body from plateauing /getting used to the same amount of calories. (per the author)
I'll be MIA this week. Happy lifting.0 -
Yep, manic, that was the gist of LM's article too. He goes into the science of it in his book, but I like to just get the overview. Basically as you get closer to goal, eating at maintenance for 1 week every 4-6 weeks decreases your body's adaptive response to dieting and will hopefully prevent plateaus and gives your hormones a chance to stabilize. Enjoy your travels!
Got my lifting in today. My form on squats has been horrible lately. I dialed it back to 135lbs for 6 reps and was really careful to keep my back straight and my chest up.0 -
Exercise update:
1. Saturday was regularly-scheduled cardio....although I couldn't make it through the class. Too tough and my endurance has reduced since focus is on weights. Still, got in a nice stretch after and a lovely jacuzzi! I'll take it.
2. Sunday I met up with another Venus from MYcity at my gym! We didn't do a Venus work-out, but I did rip some pages out of my July, 2013 Oxygen magazine and we did a "weight-plate" workout. Since neither of us had ever done this work-out before, it was pretty fun! And, still hard work....nice to have company at the gym. This has happened ZERO times since the 10 sessions of personal training expired.
3. Today, back to regularly-scheduled weight-lifting. I'm still sore from yesterday, but I felt really good at the gym today. I can tell I'm going to be REALLY sore, tomorrow!
BOOM!0 -
Exercise update:
1. Saturday was regularly-scheduled cardio....although I couldn't make it through the class. Too tough and my endurance has reduced since focus is on weights. Still, got in a nice stretch after and a lovely jacuzzi! I'll take it.
What was the class? Sounds epic!0 -
Uh oh! Sounds like me! I eat the same things at the same time over and over and over ...... :laugh:
Eating is such a chore to me...the chewing..oh, first to find the utensils...then sometimes microwave...then..ugh! If it were up to me, I would blend my veggies and fruits everyday..add Whey Protein and boom! Am done! (I have been doing that for most of my life)..But I sought to change this after coming on MFP...Cowgirl, I didn't read the article yet. The plan I follow suggests a "diet break" every 4th week. I've managed to maintain weight so far. This month will be difficult to follow the plan. My family and I will be traveling this week. I am pretty sure I can stay within my allotted calories but the lack of exercise will hurt me. Anyway, my point was, the "break from dieting" keeps the body from plateauing /getting used to the same amount of calories. (per the author)
I'll be MIA this week. Happy lifting.0 -
RedBess, I did the first workout with three sets today, too. I upped my squatting weight to 50lb total and pulled something in my hamstring somehow, but I stretched the daylights out of it until it felt normal again. Here's hoping tomorrow it feels fine. I tried to up my step up weight, but 25 pounds was awfully heavy for just my hand Hmm. I did half at 25, and then half back at 20. And then I passed out on the bench. Holy cow.
PUshups were fine (still with knees bent), forward row still at 60 (I tried 70 but couldn't keep it up), and I swapped jackknifes for crunches when my wrist felt tight.0 -
jo_marnes - it wasn't epic, at all. I just don't have cardio-endurance at this time....when I do lots of cardio, then I can do lots of cardio, but when I don't, well, then I can't! This particular instructor does a VERY fast class! When I used to do it 3 x per week, it was tough to get through, but do-able. Now, down to once-per-week, I made it about 2/3 of the way through and then moved onto weights, lol!0
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Yes- I'm personally eating at a -10% at the moment. I wish I was far enough along in the fat loss to be eating at maintenance cals. Good to know they all are similar for you. Even when I don't workout, I burn the "Active Workout" or "Strenuous Workout" calories per NROL4W (I have a BodyMedia). Yet, I think if people sit at a desk all day, the calories can be too high for them. It's really about paying attention to what works for your body.
Is this the body media you mentioned? http://www.bodymedia.com
Does it calculate like a fitbit does, giving you a pretty steady idea of calories you consume/need/etc?0 -
Yes. From what I've read, it's much more accurate than a fitbit. The downside is that it requires a $6/month subscription and is bulkier and more obvious than a fitbit. It's been very accurate for me.0
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It's official I cannot lift and ovulate at the same time. I slept through my workout yesterday after freezing in the cold at my husband's last race of the year. It was also my "CAN'T STOP EATING" day which is really bad because I did my Christmas baking on Saturday and the house WAS full f cookies :blushing: They are my Kryptonite.
I like easy I just use the MFP calculator. When I become dissatisfied with the scale I do a 250/day deficit. I will finish Stage 3 this week, and my friend and her boyfriend are going my gym 0 -
2. Sunday I met up with another Venus from MYcity at my gym! We didn't do a Venus work-out, but I did rip some pages out of my July, 2013 Oxygen magazine and we did a "weight-plate" workout. Since neither of us had ever done this work-out before, it was pretty fun! And, still hard work....nice to have company at the gym. This has happened ZERO times since the 10 sessions of personal training expired.
I don't mind going to the gym alone, and would say that I prefer it in a way, allowing me to do my own thing, but there are definitely times I wish I had someone to go with. Once my boyfriend is back from Uni in the summer, I look forward to him joining the gym with me. I don't need to workout with someone every day, but even just to motivate me to go on the days I don't want to makes a huge difference. Plus, no matter how good of friends you are… it is fun to have a little friendly competition!0 -
Oh my god! My opinion on Workout B on Stage 2 has changed.
My Abs are killing me today, and my legs are so so sore!!!! So I must have gotten more of a workout than I thought yesterday!!!!
Its been a while since I've felt this kind of soreness and its nice!!!0 -
jo_marnes - it wasn't epic, at all. I just don't have cardio-endurance at this time....when I do lots of cardio, then I can do lots of cardio, but when I don't, well, then I can't! This particular instructor does a VERY fast class! When I used to do it 3 x per week, it was tough to get through, but do-able. Now, down to once-per-week, I made it about 2/3 of the way through and then moved onto weights, lol!
I guess this is a lot of the reasons as to why I'm pretty constant with my cardio..... I couldn't bare having to try and gain cardio fitness back..... it's so hard!! I do a lot of classes at the gym.... those and DVDs are my cardio 'go-to's' - they are set things that I just have to follow, no thinking required lol. Plus the music in classes gets me through. When the mood takes me I run but I've not been able to get back into it since my half marathon in 2011..... running 4 x per week training burnt me out. Plus then I followed it with a 12km run 3 weeks later where I went for a speed PB - achieved but couldn't even face doing it again since. I run 8kms now and then but infrequently. I hope to do the 12kms again in 2014, but depends on my course - might be on an overseas placement!0 -
I started Stage 1 on a Monday, and yester was to be my last day of Stage 1!! But I want to fill up the week, so that next week will be a full recovery week afore starting Stage 2.
So I will do Workout A on Wednesday, and Workout B on Friday...I call them bonus workouts...then the week will be complete!!
I am feeling under the weather today - thank goodness I started feeling really bad after my lifting yester - but am hoping I can go for TRX Training, Core and Zumba classes today ....or I will just listen to my body...if am to rest, then rest it shall be! 0 -
jo_marnes - research shows it doesn't take very much cardio to be 'cardio-fit'....so, over-the-top cardio doesn't add much value (in my opinion). I don't think I'll chase the "cardio" dream for myself anymore, at all.....my heart is very healthy and besides, weight-lifting is anaerobic, which adds "cardio" value, even if not aerobic.
But, you do whatever floats YOUR boat....that's kind of the point!
samntha - I *might* get away with ZERO Xmas baking. My son was at a bday party on the weekend that had "gingerbread chocolate" cupcakes. He LOVED them. So, when I said, "so if I just go buy those cupcakes, I can forget all about all the Xmas baking??" and he AGREED!!! Oh my stars, that would FREE up that weekend before Xmas if I didn't have to do baking. I'd be in HEAVEN!0 -
jo_marnes - research shows it doesn't take very much cardio to be 'cardio-fit'....so, over-the-top cardio doesn't add much value (in my opinion).
Agreed. I don't think over-the-top cardio does anything for anyone. I guess it depends on the level you wish to maintain. I spent so long trying to run. Now when I can run 8kms easily without having done it for weeks - even months - I am amazed at how far I've come. So that success floats my boat ;-)0 -
Sam, at least you recognize these patterns of hungry days and can make up for them at other times. You know your body very well and it shows!
Beeps, that would be awesome to have no baking to do for Christmas. I LOVE to bake, but for some reason by the time I bake all those goodies and clean up the mess, they never taste as good as when someone else does the work.
Lawlorka, I'm telling you. Stage 2 is awesome!!!
I will probably miss my lifting tomorrow. Work is crazy and they need me to come in (I don't usually work Wednesday). To top it off, since I worked today and wasn't planning on working tomorrow, I do not have my meals thought out and will be at the mercy of the hospital cafeteria. Wish me luck! At least I burn crazy amounts of calories when I'm on my feet pushing patient beds, lifting heavy instrument pans, and walking for 8 hours straight.0 -
Well it's two weeks until Christmas and all the cookies are gone. I'm making more the weekend before for my students. Those at least won't get eaten by me...at least not many.
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ok what is it about this picture that warranted so much attention. I actually got hit on tonight and stared at. This is very unusual for my gym. Someone actually asked, "Do you come here often?" I couldn't believe my ears. I said "excuse Me?" He says, "Did you just sign up. I haven't seen you before?" (I see him all the time) No dude, I've been here two damn years. CREEPER.
Anyway finished S3 WOA:
Snatch 25
BOR 80
DB BP 30's
one armed squat thingy 15/30
one legged plank 45 secs
reverse Wood Chopped 22.7 KG
BWM 2'24" Woo hoo!! no cramping either
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Sam you look cute in your pic- but that guy sounds creepy
I had a bad workout- felt very tired and stepped down some weights. Not sure why had four rest days! Will chalk it up to a glute pain weekend. I'm feeling better since mon am and will keep plugging away.
I think cardio is important and ideally I would lift 3x a week, cardio three times a week but most of the time I lift 2x week cardio 2x a week0
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