Daily Chat Thread

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  • suelegal
    suelegal Posts: 1,282 Member
    Aww Beeps, I'm sorry you caught it! I still have a cough and raspy throat 1 month later! I did the same, had to be the first few days and I got knocked flat on my butt the next 3. I hope you feel better really really fast!

    I'm sore today too Cowgirl, and I can't lift tomorrow. We moving in May and I'm one of the "move team" because I manage our network. So I get to go to weekly status meetings in the new building at 10, which means I can't be late - when I lift in the morning, I don't get in until 9:20 or so. It's ok, I'll lift Friday and Saturday.

    Oh and I LOVE good mornings!

    ...and good nights, because it's bedtime for me! Sweet dreams all
  • WillLift4Tats
    WillLift4Tats Posts: 1,699 Member
    Thanks guys for the encouragement :)

    Hope you're feeling better today Beeps.

    That's awesome Runz, I love that feeling of conquering the macros!

    Okay, I must have missed the original challenge, what is it and how can I join? I could definitely use a swift kick to the motivation-rear :)

    I finally baked our weekly loaf of bread and caught up on dishwashing. Still have laundry and general tidiness to accomplish but man, work has been it's own monster and after that and nightly chores, I've been so exhausted and just haven't been able to push myself into a workout. Little by little we're getting back to normal though and finally getting back to the gym will be the icing on the cake.
  • terrie_k
    terrie_k Posts: 406 Member
    I felt inspired by the one week challenge so I decided to do a one week one for myself starting today. I leave on a trip in a week so I thought it was the perfect time to see f I can go the whole week without pop (I'm addicted - although I've cut back to about 3/4 of a can a night). Day one is complete, but was hard since we went out to the bar to celebrate some news with friends and pop is my usual go to when I don't drink (often).
  • Beeps2011
    Beeps2011 Posts: 12,151 Member
    I still feel like complete crap, but my fever broke around 6:45 this morning and I got a BURST of energy, so I used it to get up and come to work. Now, 4 hours later, the fever is mounting, again, and I am lethargic and dizzy. Dumb me....'cause I don't even want to drive home in this condition!

    I will down some tylenol and see if that helps enough for me to make it back to bed.
  • manic4titans
    manic4titans Posts: 1,214 Member
    still chugging along. Haven't been to the gym in 2 days. Hopefully I can go this afternoon or evening. Hubs has been gone all day and Mallory doesn't like going to the gym. I feel all rushed when she is with me. I feel bad for her too. But there is a 50 inch tv to watch. She can see me and I see her. She has schoolwork to do. so it's not like she is alone and with nothing to do. LOL

    I've been tutoring a Cambodian (American born) 6 year old boy in spelling and reading. His parents own the local Donut shop. I ate my weight in donuts 2 days ago.She told me last night she would bring me more Friday! :noway:

    My back muscles are sore to touch STILL from a workout 2 days ago. My husband scratched my back, and I jumped sky high! What can I do for it? Have him massage the area lightly?

    I must have missed the challenge.
  • Beeps2011
    Beeps2011 Posts: 12,151 Member
    The challenge hasn't even started yet, so all can enter!

    It's just a D-I-Y challenge. Pick three things you want to work on (habits?!?!?!) and record your progress over eight weeks, starting monday?
  • runzalot81
    runzalot81 Posts: 782 Member
    What do I get when I win? :bigsmile:
  • manic4titans
    manic4titans Posts: 1,214 Member
    What do I get when I win? :bigsmile:

    How about a big smooch :smooched:
  • suelegal
    suelegal Posts: 1,282 Member
    What do I get when I win? :bigsmile:

    How about a big smooch :smooched:

    Our undying awe and admiration? :flowerforyou:
  • Pmagnanifit
    Pmagnanifit Posts: 665 Member
    I want to play.

    I will ride my bike to work at least once a week.
    I will lift three times a week.
    I will eat my protein.
  • WillLift4Tats
    WillLift4Tats Posts: 1,699 Member
    Sounds great, I'd love to play :)

    1. Work out at least 3 days/week. If I can't make it to the gym for a lifting sesh, at least an at-home workout.
    2. Eat to or under my goal 6/7 days/week. I think I can cut my over-indulgences down to once a week.
    3. Pamper myself with a bubble bath/pedicure/manicure/something at least once a week. I need to be nicer to myself :)

    Happy Friday ya'll!
  • manic4titans
    manic4titans Posts: 1,214 Member
    Ok this will be my challenge since I haven't been working out like I should I want to get at least,

    1. 4 workouts a week
    2. Up early so I can do those workouts on busy days
    3. Eat at a deficit

    Once I have established these "habits", I will make my challenges a true challenge :D Although, I should say #2 will be hard. I like to stay up late and sleep in.
  • bepeejaye
    bepeejaye Posts: 775 Member
    Beeps..I hope you are much better!!!

    Just glowing after my monthly massage, after lifting today..aaahhhh......

    In it as well. My challenge:

    1. I finally found a place that can do a complete Body Composition Analysis!! It is not like the Bod Pod, but I have been looking forever to have one done in this little town that I moved to! I had one today and I will aim to have one monthly. I already have next month's appointment scheduled!! I am ecstatic!

    2. Cut out "visible" Carbs, even though I eat complex carbs (for now...perhaps a fortnight), save for those I cannot obviously see like those in veggies and etc, with the exception of Lesley Stowe's Cranberry and Hazelnut raincoast crisps/crackers (They are so yummy!!)

    3. Meet my macros - especially the Protein

    Lift on, ladies!!! :flowerforyou:
  • Beeps2011
    Beeps2011 Posts: 12,151 Member
    I sure am glad this "challenge" doesn't start until Monday!

    1. Eat between 10,500 - 11,000 calories per week;
    2. Get in 3 x lifting sessions per week; and
    3. Walk at least 1 hour per week.

    Boring. But, boring happens to be the way the tortoise beats the hare, ya know?!?!?!?
  • BarbellCowgirl
    BarbellCowgirl Posts: 1,271 Member
    Great goals from everyone! I'll start keeping track of them.

    CHALLENGE STARTS MONDAY, MARCH 31!

    PICK SOME SMALL GOALS THAT WILL HELP YOU EVENTUALLY MEET A BIG GOAL!
  • samntha14
    samntha14 Posts: 2,084 Member
    Pmag, I've read more than I care to admit on the topic of bulking. I'm convinced bulking is the easiest way to build muscle and strength. Every woman I read about who bulks says they wish they would've done it earlier. Eating at maintenance will result in some strength gains and maybe very, very slow muscle gain, but eating at surplus is the only sure way to build appreciable muscle(in women especially). The best aesthetic results I've seen have been women who bulk. Also women have to work much harder to even maintain muscle mass as we age, much less build it. The unfortunate part is that there's a body of research that indicates women who start a bulk at more than 22% BF are much more likely to gain fat instead of muscles (http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/muscle-gain/initial-body-fat-and-body-composition-changes.html). So many women have to cut to a point that they feel really "skinny"(because most of us don't have the best muscle base to start with), before they can even start bulking. So you get skinny, then start eating more and gaining weight....most women want to stop because they feel bloated and fat and they hate seeing the scale go up.....then you start eating at a deficit again to reveal your gains....it's a huge mental roller coaster. There's also the nutrition component- getting plenty of protein and using the carbs as the main variable in your cut vs bulking diet.
    I was hoping to get to a low enough BF% that I could bulk this Fall. I'm not sure I will get there by then, but eventually I will bulk. To achieve body and the strength goals I want, it will require me to bulk at some point. Recomping is just too slow.

    Sam, I hope your week is better.

    Jo, so your goal isn't to gain weight, but strength?

    rildev, I hope you aren't giving up on lifting heavy. Losing inches is great! Daily cardio sounds like torture.....
    Still busy!
    You are so good with the research ;)
  • samntha14
    samntha14 Posts: 2,084 Member
    The unfortunate part is that there's a body of research that indicates women who start a bulk at more than 22% BF are much more likely to gain fat instead of muscles (http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/muscle-gain/initial-body-fat-and-body-composition-changes.html). So many women have to cut to a point that they feel really "skinny"(because most of us don't have the best muscle base to start with), before they can even start bulking. So you get skinny, then start eating more and gaining weight....most women want to stop because they feel bloated and fat and they hate seeing the scale go up.....then you start eating at a deficit again to reveal your gains....it's a huge mental roller coaster.

    Jo, so your goal isn't to gain weight, but strength?

    Hey, yes, any kind of gaining is a huge mental roller coaster! I do believe that I am under 20% body fat and I could do with gaining some. Even then, I don't like the thought of it. However, I do want to be stronger and yes, that is my goal. The folk of ETP are advising me to eat more in order to do so..... and I do better when I have instruction to follow rather than make it up myself. I know that if I gain and I'm not happy, I can lose again. I also know that if I gain yet remain happy with how my body looks, I won't really mind. I feel that I am a bit too skinny right now and need to bulk out - my aim is to do this with lean mass, which isn't easy.

    Beepeejaye - awesome effort, you rock!

    Another day, another baby for me..... another missed workout :-/
    BRava! That may be thread I need to read.
  • samntha14
    samntha14 Posts: 2,084 Member
    Someone was asking about the calories in the book. Yes they are high. They are high pretty much on purpose. To build muscle you HAVE to eat at a surplus. If you are eating at maintenance or below you are burning the fat covering the muscle you already have, which is why I plateaued. If I truly want to build more muscle, and lift far heavier, I will need to eat at a surplus. Most women can't handle the scale going in the other direction. I eat at maintenance. I only complain about the five pounds I gained over winter because it was fat. I wasn't working out like I should. Now had it been five pounds of muscle and all my clothes still fit, I would be bragging and not complaining. "SHowing definition" or muscle is all about body fat percentage. I stepped on the scale at the doctor's office this week. My weight had not changed from one year ago at all, but I'm a size 6 instead of a size 10. Now comes the argument of "but I"m stronger" yes the fibers you have are indeed stronger, but that does not mean you developed additional fiber. YOu the break and rebuild the fibers every workout making them stronger, but you aren't adding new fibers to the mix. I've maxed out on weight I can lift at about body weight. TO go heavier I need more muscle. However, eating a surplus is tricky because it has to be the right food as to avoid rebuilding body fat. That's the tricky part sigh, not sure I can pull that off without becoming a complete carnivore though I have a vegan friend how is now lifiting competitively. time to pick his brain I think.


    Thank you so much for this! When I was reading the book upping my calories intuitively made sense even before I read his reasons for it (plus I just wanted a good reason to eat more food). At this point I am just trying to burn the fat covering the muscle I have while taking small steps towards building those muscles. I would love to join the challenge Beeps is doing and I have my three goals in mind already. The BIG goal is to be able to wear a bikini this summer without being self conscious or embarassed. I'll get there by lifting and eating correctly so my three smaller goals will be to: 1) meet my macros daily 2) actually do three workouts a week 3)stay positive during this journey. Honestly staying positive will probably be the hardest one. I'll be starting the work outs today and I'm so excited! Stage 1 here I come!
    Excellent Goals!!
  • samntha14
    samntha14 Posts: 2,084 Member
    Ok, I think I can relax for a moment. Only one day of federal field testing to go, one more eval down, work crazy is slowing down. Now I can focus on the family crazy for a spell. Starting with the fact the my son kicked butt AKA played marvelously at the CJMEA Honors orchestra concert this afternoon. Music education is a powerful thing, please support it in your areas. <step off soap box>
    Event though I haven't been logging the past week or so, I did manage to get to the gym at least three times a week this month. Go Me!!

    I'm having a very hard time picking my three goals. Reading yours was fabulous. I have three things I WANT to do this month, but aren't really weekly goals.
    #1 do an unassisted pull up by the end of the month. I have 20lbs to go.
    #2 finish the nutrition course I started. Luckily it is all online and personal passed.
    #3 Get all of my medical testing done/ hit my macros to control my blood sugar better

    I will be buying "Supercharged" for my birthday. Looking forward to kicking it off. I only have 4 more workouts of stage 6. May skip stage 7 and just jump in to "Supercharged"
  • dnamouse
    dnamouse Posts: 612 Member
    Good morning all (it's 9.30 Sunday here lol)

    I didn't drink enough water at the kid's swim meet yesterday so I have one killer of a headache, but it's raining, so I'm sitting outside with a nice cup of tea listening to the rain :smile:

    My 3 very simple and general goals for the next month are...

    1. Get some workouts, even basic ones, in during the holidays (our Easter break starts on Friday, 2 weeks hols then we're heading off on a road trip for the first week back - 2 Public Holidays + a student-free day = only 2 school days = we're going away lol). Working out while there are children in the house is difficult. The road trip will include kayaking and bush walking/hiking and beach time so that's all good - we're doing a circuit from the city to the farm through to the coast and back again :smile:

    2. Get back to paying attention to the meals I'm cooking. I've been slack with the hectic schedule and there's been a little too much carb-laden food floating around. Which is okay for the kids, but not so good for the husband and I.

    3. Keep up with my PLP 60 day challenge. I've done 13 days so far (today is Day 14) and I'm not dead yet, but it's getting harder :smile:

    Easter will be a very basic event for us this year. It's my little dude's 7th birthday on Easter Sunday, so once church is over (he is going to be looked after insanely well at church that morning lol) the day is all about him. No big party planned, but lots of family and close friends coming for dinner :smile: We don't have Easter eggs as he is lactose intolerant and his sister is allergic to cocoa, but I've found a recipe to make my own carob 'chocolate' so I'm thinking I may have to give that a go and see what I can come up with :happy:
  • seren1ty74
    seren1ty74 Posts: 171 Member
    just joining up and saying hello. Hello!

    I'll keep it short. I'm Em, 39, looking to break my slump in my consistency in motivation, meal prep, drinking water and activity. So far everyone is super motivating and i can't wait to get started!
  • Pudding1980
    Pudding1980 Posts: 1,264 Member
    Can I join too? I have lost almost 20 pounds and have another 20 to go. I am likely going to be starting the NROLFW next week; I need one more week to get myself ready mentally and with the logs, etc. as I just read the book this weekend.

    I am a regular lifter and exerciser (weights, spin, step, treadmill, elliptical) but have never lifted too heavy. I am a bit concerned about eating more as I still have a considerable amount of fat I would like to lose, and I am wondering if I can keep a few cardio sessions in my weekly schedule to help with that or if it will really hinder my progress. I guess I may need to try it out and see.

    I can get in board with the three goals for now though!

    1) try to meet my protein macros daily. I'm a vegetarian so I find it really hard to get my 30% protein, and it's usually impossible for me to do without going over on carbs. I try not to worry about it too much but also wonder how the heavy lifting results will be impacted by this.
    2) stick to one cheat meal a week. The last week I definitely had two cheat meals, if not more like two cheat days :P
    3) plan my meals and snacks the night before. So much easier for me to come close to hitting my macros and for me to stay in track when I've planned the night before.
  • Pmagnanifit
    Pmagnanifit Posts: 665 Member
    Hello - I had an amazing vacation for spring break- we went to Panama with a tour group called backgrounds. It was amazing- so beautiful and we did something active everyday- cycling, zipping, snorkeling, hiking. I will post some pix eventually-- but first I am getting some other stuff out of the way
    like results of finishing NROLFW!
    I weigh exactly the same as at the start. My dH says my body has changed, but he can't tell me how.
    I have decided not to post pictures here on the thread - but I have some pictures on my profile.
  • Pmagnanifit
    Pmagnanifit Posts: 665 Member
    Welcome newcomers! Pudding hope you like nrolw.

    Sam congrats on your son's performance. It is a terrific feeling to see your child's accomplishments.

    I started supercharged and I am feeling a little overwhelmed with the choices. It is fun to try some new exercises. I did standing single arm chest press at 15 lbs. I am now amazed that I can bench press at all. Or do push-ups.

    I also did RAMP for the first time. For some reason the gym was full of classical music and I was tempted to try some ballet after reverse lunge with reach. Seriously, I felt good moving my shoulders so much before lifting.
  • Pmagnanifit
    Pmagnanifit Posts: 665 Member
    Sorry this is so choppy.
    I wanted to write a little about finishing nrolfw.
    1. It is important to keep track of it all. When I wasn't paying attention I didn't progress.
    2. I did lose some fat- not as much as I would have liked from my waist thighs and bottom. I lost some fat from my breasts -- which were quite flat to start.
    3. I dislike the bench press, even more than the YTWLS.
    4. I wish I had tried barbell step ups earlier.

    That's all . Hope everyone had a good weekend
  • rocky503
    rocky503 Posts: 430 Member
    I've been MIA since friday before last. This is the last day of spring break for us so I've been hanging with DD besides some back issue that sidelined me during the last week. I've had a few chiropractor visits so my back is better but haven't lifted in over a week. Did workout but I had to beg off of any squats or dead lifts. My s-i joint is the problem. Also just confirmed I have some degree of scoliosis that wasn't discovered earlier. So thats added a layer of focus for my physical health and just maintaining good strength and doing what I can for supporting alignment.

    I got lost on the challenge, I thought it might be a jean challenge? I pulled out a pair of white jeans I wore the day before my wedding (11 years and one baby ago) and set the goal to get into them comfortably by the end of April. I can get them on and zipped now but they are too tight. My performance goals this month are to complete 6 workouts a week as outlined by Hal Higdon's 10K training program. This includes two strength training sessions a week. The training program is out lined here if interested: http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51122/10K-Novice-Training-Program

    I signed up for a 5k at the end of May so I'm in "training".

    I joined a local gym today after considering 6 other options. It won out by location (very close) and cost (very cheap). The tipping point was they got a real squat rack about a month ago and they will be setting up a nice dead lift station soon. I used to go this place and stopped going because group classes were too crowded. I don't plan on using any group classes mostly and will use the faciity for my free weight workouts and bad weather HIIT. So I feel I will be more on track now since I have a place to go that has all the equipment I need. I can jog there or ride my bike which is a bonus too.

    Went paleo for dinner tonight: roasted pork and butternut squash with aspargus. But chased with a "cheat dessert" and a gin and tonic...:ohwell:
  • WillLift4Tats
    WillLift4Tats Posts: 1,699 Member
    Welcome newcomers :) These are some great goals. I'm looking forward to a great month with ya'll!

    Pmagnan, what a great vacation!

    Rocky, that's a great goal. And thanks for the link, I've actually been wanting to ease back into running for a bit now.

    Today I need to get some bizniz done. (1) stay sane and afloat at work, (2) eat some proteinz, (3) finally get back to the gym and back to lifting!!, and with any sort of "luck"/energy (4) laundry...ughhhh. Really, I'm just bound and determined to get back into a good gym routine. So that's my biggest goal for the day...keep up my energy, motivation, and downright will to hit the gym. I know I'll feel better once I go, it's just the full day ahead that I can't let eat up all my energy.
  • Beeps2011
    Beeps2011 Posts: 12,151 Member
    You girls have been busy...nice to see and I look forward to the pictures of Panama pmagnan!

    I am feeling much better. My tummy is SO flat I can FINALLY claim "bikini bridge" status (which I don't care about....but, there ya go!).

    So, to keep THAT, I am making sure I don't DOWN all the calories I simply didn't ingest due to my illness. Am back at work. Will also lift, today, but it won't be very aggressive. And will work off 2 more lbs in April and move into May as "maintenance".

    BOOM!
  • BarbellCowgirl
    BarbellCowgirl Posts: 1,271 Member
    8 WEEK CHALLENGE STARTS TODAY!!!!
    MARCH 31- MAY 26
    Let me know if I missed you or if you want to join in.

    Pudding1980:
    Try to meet protein macros daily.
    Stick to one cheat meal a week.
    Plan meals and snacks the night before

    dnamouse:
    Get some workouts in during holidays.
    Get back to paying attention to meals being cooked.
    Keep up with PLP 60 day challenge.

    Samntha14 monthly goals:
    Do an unassisted pull up by the end of the month.
    Finish nutrition course
    Get all medical testing done
    Hit macros

    Beeps2011:
    Eat between 10,500 - 11,000 calories per week;
    Get in 3 x lifting sessions per week
    Walk at least 1 hour per week.

    BarbellCowgirl:
    Hit at least 30% on protein weekly
    Keep calories at/below 13650/week
    Get 3 lifting sessions in weekly and 1 hr of cardio

    Suelegal:
    Meet protein macro daily
    Lift at least 3x each week
    Stay away from fast food


    Pmagnanfit:
    Ride bike to work at least once a week.
    Lift three times a week.
    Eat protein.

    WillLift4Tats:
    Work out at least 3 days/week.
    Eat to or under goal 6/7 days/week.
    Pamper with bath/pedicure/manicure/something at least once a week.


    manic4titans:
    4 workouts a week
    Up early to accomplish workouts
    Eat at deficit

    bepeejaye:
    BodPod monthly
    Cut out "visible" Carbs,with the exception of Lesley Stowe's Cranberry and Hazelnut raincoast crisps/crackers
    Meet macros

    rocky503:
    Get 6 workouts in per week
    Fit into pre-wedding jeans by end of April
  • Pudding1980
    Pudding1980 Posts: 1,264 Member
    I've never been a part of a thread like this before; do we post at the end of each day or week to let you know if we met our goals?