Daily Chat Thread
Replies
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I ruled it! 2:51 and 2:50 on the body matrix. YEAH!
Of course... there's always the issue of being able to walk tomorrow... LOL0 -
I did BWM for this first time in stage 3 last night with a time of 3:49 in each set... but I half-*kitten* the jumping lunges. A friend should me a back and forth motion to do it correctly. The hopping made me feel spastic. Hurting today pretty good. I went to Zumba after work today, but she kept it pretty low impact. I need her to teach me some stretches. THose DOMS are creeping on my as I hit the 24 hour mark and I have a feeling this won't be pretty. I practically limped out of the gym last night.0
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Well i'm not really sure what to do. I've finished stage 3, I wasn't planning on taking aweek off, as i had one right before stage 3 (so only about 3-4 weeks ago), but i am wrecked. I'm finding it harder and harder to cope with the shift work pattern i've been doing for the last 15 years, on my days off i either have insomnia, and get 4-5 hours sleep, or i sleep like the dead for 12 hours. Either way i feel like crap when i get up. Plus today i woke with back ache, which never happens.
I think i'm eating enough, i'm on 1660 plus exercise cals (i'm quite small and at maintenance). My weight stays the same, which i guess means i'm at the right intake.
I think i need to go easy due to my sleep problems, so will probably take a mini break, almost a week. I'm also seriously thinking of a career change as switching from days to nights to days again in one week is not good for the health. I just wonder if my lack of energy is down to something simple like not enough food. It would be a shame to jack in a well paid job for that reason!0 -
Well i'm not really sure what to do. I've finished stage 3, I wasn't planning on taking aweek off, as i had one right before stage 3 (so only about 3-4 weeks ago), but i am wrecked. I'm finding it harder and harder to cope with the shift work pattern i've been doing for the last 15 years, on my days off i either have insomnia, and get 4-5 hours sleep, or i sleep like the dead for 12 hours. Either way i feel like crap when i get up. Plus today i woke with back ache, which never happens.
I think i'm eating enough, i'm on 1660 plus exercise cals (i'm quite small and at maintenance). My weight stays the same, which i guess means i'm at the right intake.
I think i need to go easy due to my sleep problems, so will probably take a mini break, almost a week. I'm also seriously thinking of a career change as switching from days to nights to days again in one week is not good for the health. I just wonder if my lack of energy is down to something simple like not enough food. It would be a shame to jack in a well paid job for that reason!
So sorry to hear you are having these issues Jen. You know, I think the lifting does make significant extra demands on the body, and I've heard before that people do really need more sleep when lifting. I know I'm a bit more tired than normal right now, and I was thinking of trying to get more sleep myself. But the insomnia is worrying; do you ever go to bed hungry? I know that in my case I simply cannot sleep if that happens. As you say, now is perhaps not the right time to be making major life decisions, without checking everything thoroughly first. Do you think it would be a good idea to experiment by eating more and see what the effect is? I get the feeling that most people do actually put on a bit of weight on this programme, and the long-term changes to the body require a bit of extra weight in the short term. And anyway, some of the extra weight really is muscle, if you are fuelling the body properly. So staying at the same weight might be a sign of not eating enough. I'm not explaining myself very well here, so I'm hoping you uderstand my logic! I'm small too (5' 4"), and I can't get by on this programme with fewer than 1800 calories a day plus exercise calories (and I often need more than that). I'm trying not to let the scales rule anyway, and go by the mirror instead. So the idea from this burbling on is yes, perhaps you should eat more. Sorry to be confusing - I'm on a short break at work and don't have much time.0 -
Well i'm not really sure what to do. I've finished stage 3, I wasn't planning on taking aweek off, as i had one right before stage 3 (so only about 3-4 weeks ago), but i am wrecked. I'm finding it harder and harder to cope with the shift work pattern i've been doing for the last 15 years, on my days off i either have insomnia, and get 4-5 hours sleep, or i sleep like the dead for 12 hours. Either way i feel like crap when i get up. Plus today i woke with back ache, which never happens.
I think i'm eating enough, i'm on 1660 plus exercise cals (i'm quite small and at maintenance). My weight stays the same, which i guess means i'm at the right intake.
I think i need to go easy due to my sleep problems, so will probably take a mini break, almost a week. I'm also seriously thinking of a career change as switching from days to nights to days again in one week is not good for the health. I just wonder if my lack of energy is down to something simple like not enough food. It would be a shame to jack in a well paid job for that reason!
My doctor was talking to me about Melatonin for insomnia... not sure if you have tried it - but it is natural and supposedly works great.
Sorry to hear you are having such trouble. I used to do shift work. It is SO hard on your body! I peeked at your food journal - and I doubt that your run down feeling is food related. I would think it's sleep related. Hope you feel better soon!
I was reading over some of the earlier chat stuff... and I have to say I wasn't sold on what the balance postures were doing for me either (and I'm a part-time yogi!)... ANYWAYS... long story short, I went to a hot yoga class last night and my teacher had us try 8 angle pose (I'd put in a picture but I don't know how?)... I've been trying to do this pose for years. YEARS. And, last night.... I DID! (and yes - it was a quivering, sweating, breath holding mess... but the shape of it was there... LOL) I totally credit those damn planks and all those core strengtheners!!!!0 -
@jenlwb - The book does talk about the program effecting your sleep, along with some other indicators to use to determine if you need to make adjustments. (Sorry, I don't have it with me or I would list a page number.) The adjustments, unfortunately, are not clear cut and leave a lot to experimentation, like adjust calories (either up or down), getting more rest between lifting sessions, and a few others I can't remember right now. I agree with Miss Maggie, if you are sleep deprived, it's probably not the best time to make career changing decisions.
I would experiment with eating more first. And I think your idea of take a few days off is probably a good one. I hope you get it figured out. I know how frustrating not getting quality sleep can be. Good luck! And keep us posted. 0 -
Finally got that first NROL4W workout after my trip and boy, do I feel it! I actually stuck with completing stage 1 instead of starting stage 2. It always takes a bit of time for me to learn the new set of lifts! So I will be to stage 2 soon!
:flowerforyou: Jenthomas - love the pic. of your arms, amazing!
:flowerforyou: jenlweb - the not sleeping thing stinks!! My hubby can have a problem with his sleep pattern. I think the melatonin has been helpful
Again, learning so much from you all by just "listening in!"
Thanks!0 -
@Hoosier - Thanks!!
@Jenlwb - sorry you're having such a hard time sleeping. Definitely might be worth a try to experiment with different things to see if it helps before you make any big changes.
After 2 weeks off, I was finally able to get my butt out of bed this morning and get my workout in. My hip is feeling much better after a massage and an adjustment. I'm headed out of town again today, but should be able to get in another workout on Saturday or Sunday so I at least get 2 workouts in this week.0 -
@ecrogers4 - YAY!! That's a GREAT NSV.
@Jenlwb - I agree with the others. Sounds like you do need some time to recover. Maybe take a week off, and then try lifting twice a week and getting some walks in. I've heard different fitness gurus talk about how critical sleep is - the shift work has got to be screwing up your system. Especially switching back and forth. Something I've noticed is that I sleep better with NO lights - no clocks, LED lights, etc. Completely blacked out room.
@JenThomas - glad you are feeling better!
@Hoosiermomma - definitely nothing wrong with sticking with Stage 1. 0 -
Jenlwb - I'm not sure you need a week to recover - except that your sleep-disturbances likely need some attention (first!) before anything else. Have you thought about only lifting 2 x per week (instead of 3) - this will give your body more time to recover BETWEEN work-outs, which might be what your body requires, given how difficult shift-work is on your body (overall).
I am actually thinking of lifting only 2 x per week through the summer. I just want to spend SOME time outdoors, while the weather is good - and that would be one way of doing it. Also, I am wondering if my body is getting enough "rest" between work-outs, too. I am unsure. This, overall, is a "rest week", for me, so maybe by next week I'll be wanting to get back at it 3 x per week. Dunno. We shall see.
I was also reading a Q & A thread that popped up here on mfp a couple of days back - from some major musclehead who is (supposedly) also a certified fitness trainer, blah, blah, blah. It was an interesting read....and some of the "take-aways" from my read included:
1. This guy NEVER works out his abs (specifically). The compound moves he does (squats, deadlifts) are sufficient to work out his abs....and, he has MAJOR-6-PACK going on.
2. He NEVER spends more than 45 minutes in the gym. So, he bangs out the weights and then is DONE. Interesting, given how L-O-N-G the NROL4W work-outs have become.
3. Every 2nd or 3rd post was "eat at a deficit, eat at a deficit, eat at a deficit". Period. So, if it is fat loss you want, you HAVE to eat at a deficit. NOT a LARGE deficit, but at a deficit....and, with patience and consistency (aahhhh, the dreaded "consistency"!!), the fat WILL COME OFF.0 -
Thanks for all your lovely replies ladies, you always cheer me up!
I will take this week off, and experiment with eating more. I also have some brain fog, and will experiment with cutting out diet coke/pepsi. I don't think melantonin is permitted here, a pilot friend of mine got some taken off him at the airport. I sleep with an eye mask on, so it's always dark for me :glasses:
I've also decided to apply for another job, it's a similar job, still shifts, but a different company, this will do for a start, part of the problem is being so SICK of my current employer of 12 years. A change is as good as a rest! I'm not going to pack it in altogether yet.
Beeps my work sched is over 8 days, so i try to get 3 workouts in that time, so it's a bit less than 3 times a week. I often take 2 days inbetween workouts, not 1 day off. I wonder if we'd all get on better if we did the shorter workouts, basic, stronglifts or starting strength? Go in, get the job done, go home! If i make it thru this prog i'm def doing one of those next to see how much i can get up to on the big moves.0 -
Hey guys, random question. I'm on week 4 of stage 1, and I've been adding some extra exercises after completely the ones for the day - like, I'll do some planks, or those things where you get on all fours, bend your knee and push your leg up and down. I'm thinking of doing some tricep work today. Just wondering if anyone else does this?0
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Hey everybody, I've been MIA again for a bit. Hoping to be more regular here again.
I have one more week to go of my metabolism reset and then I'll take measurements and pictures and reassess my workout routine. It's such a weird trick that my mind plays on me, I weighed myself yesterday and today at exactly the same weight. Yesterday, I felt huge and bloated and could have sworn I was 10 pounds heavier. Today, same weight but I feel strong and good about my body. And I've focused on my squat form. I had to go down a bit in weight but I didn't get that pain in my knee which was a huge relief. Focus, focus, focus!
A couple posts back someone mentioned yoga socks. I use those and recommend them. They are weird between your toes at first but I got used to them very quickly. If you still aren't sure, there are slipper socks with treads on the bottom, maybe those would work too.
Jenlwb- glad you are considering a move away from the shift work. I think that will make a huge difference in your sleep and overall health.0 -
@Beeps - I get that about no need for abs work; I can feel the core strengthening just through the lifting. When I think of all the hours I used to spend ...
@jenlwb - yep, a change is definitely as good as a rest! Good luck with the application; quite exciting, eh?
@firstnamekare - personally I don't feel the need for extra exercises apart from cardio, which I do mainly so I will be able to have a bigger dinner
Re; the idea about shorter workouts, I'm vaguely, tentatively, cautiously starting to wonder what I'll do after this, and I've seen stronglifts 5 x 5 recommended. What other things do y'all think are worth considering?0 -
Hey guys, random question. I'm on week 4 of stage 1, and I've been adding some extra exercises after completely the ones for the day - like, I'll do some planks, or those things where you get on all fours, bend your knee and push your leg up and down. I'm thinking of doing some tricep work today. Just wondering if anyone else does this?
Somewhere towards the end of the book, the author talks about adding/modifying the workouts because a reader may feel that an area is not being targeted. He said to trust him and Alwyn.... he says Alwyn knows what he's doing and this method was tested with a lot of women. So in short, resist the urge to modify.0 -
Re; the idea about shorter workouts, I'm vaguely, tentatively, cautiously starting to wonder what I'll do after this, and I've seen stronglifts 5 x 5 recommended. What other things do y'all think are worth considering?
Me too. After my fiasco after stage 2, I restarted stage 1 for my metabolism reset and I'm reluctant to restart stage 2 again. I enjoy the simplicity and shorter workouts of stage 1 and a few people on my FL are doing SL 5x5 so I'm leaning in that direction.0 -
Yes, I think I'm totally going to investigate "stronglifts" when I'm done with NROL4W....mind you, that's still a couple (few?) months away, so I'm not that worried about it.
Also, I agree that "modifying" the work-outs (to include MORE exercises), likely isn't the way you want to go. Modifying to avoid past-injuries or to accommodate current shortfalls seems sensible. But, "adding" things will leave you frustrated (I believe).
Other than Stage 1, the work-outs are LENGTHY enough (if you ask me!).0 -
I did the A workout of stage 2 a couple hours ago and I am feeling the soreness creep in! Stage 1 didn't leave me like that. Must have been lifting too light OR stage 2 is a killer. I can't imagine adding more . Not that I didn't want to and sooooo glad I didn't.0
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I'm looking at either Strong Lifts or doing Cross Fit WOD - I have iPhone apps for both already downloaded.
I am LOVING Stage 5. It's the same as stage 3, but it's 4x4. I love the shorter sets. (Guess that's a plus for going with Strong Lifts.)
I'm actually not resting between sets. I just don't have that much time, and I like the met con from pushing it out fast. What I've been doing is going through the lifts (I think there are 5 different moves maybe?) one after the other for four times. Then I do the ab work in supersets like it's written. Then the body weight matrix or HIIT.
I hear the people who say don't modify. But I've said this before - I've been working with weights long enough to feel comfortable doing the workouts, but I like having a "template" base to work with. Just what works for me.0 -
Hi Ladies!
I usually don't post on this board (though I do read through it every couple of days like a creepy stalker type person...but a SUPER SUPPORTIVE creepy stalker type person who thinks you all are doing AWESOME!), but I wanted to share my total elation at finishing stage 1! Very excited! And since the word on the street is that Stage 2 is pretty killer, I am very much looking forward to it!
Here's a link to a blog post of how things went: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/autumn_mix/view/finished-stage-1-of-nrol4w-256727
I realized very late in the stage that I wasn't tucking my elbows in on my push-ups, and now that I am trying to...holy crap totally different burn, batman!0 -
Does it make a difference if I go to the gym for some exercises and then do the others at home? I guess what I am asking is if the exercises should be completed in a time frame?
Certain exercises I am not comfortable doing at the gym especially when my legs are hiked up in the air and laying in the floor. Laying in the floor just grosses me out where everyone has been stepping and dripping sweat. Yes, my gym has the mats but everyone is using them.0 -
Hi Ladies!
I usually don't post on this board (though I do read through it every couple of days like a creepy stalker type person...but a SUPER SUPPORTIVE creepy stalker type person who thinks you all are doing AWESOME!), but I wanted to share my total elation at finishing stage 1! Very excited! And since the word on the street is that Stage 2 is pretty killer, I am very much looking forward to it!
Here's a link to a blog post of how things went: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/autumn_mix/view/finished-stage-1-of-nrol4w-256727
I realized very late in the stage that I wasn't tucking my elbows in on my push-ups, and now that I am trying to...holy crap totally different burn, batman!
Excellent blog post - thank you; so good to be able to plot your progress in graphs like those, and you look amazing!0 -
Does it make a difference if I go to the gym for some exercises and then do the others at home? I guess what I am asking is if the exercises should be completed in a time frame?
Certain exercises I am not comfortable doing at the gym especially when my legs are hiked up in the air and laying in the floor. Laying in the floor just grosses me out where everyone has been stepping and dripping sweat. Yes, my gym has the mats but everyone is using them.
I don't know what anyone else thinks, but I don't think it matters. I've started 'cheating' a bit myself, by doing the cardio elements in Stage 3 the following day.0 -
I have some good news to report. I was noticing some changes (eg. loose trousers) so this morning I got on the scales, and I am now just one pound heavier than when I started the NROLFW. At the same time, I definitely have more muscle. So IT'S WORKING!!! Just one week ago I was up from my start weight by about 6 lbs, so that's quite a loss. Now obviously it isn't fat that's gone in that short time, so it must be water. It is strange though, how the weight seems to fluctuate so much more when lifting. The only other thing that's different is that I've dropped down from 30% protein to between 20% and 25%, but I wouldn't have thought that protein leads to water retention (unless anyone knows different).
Anyway, just wanted to let you all know as it may give you some encouragement about that weight issue.
Edit: I'm coming to the end of Stage 3.0 -
Hi Ladies!
I usually don't post on this board (though I do read through it every couple of days like a creepy stalker type person...but a SUPER SUPPORTIVE creepy stalker type person who thinks you all are doing AWESOME!), but I wanted to share my total elation at finishing stage 1! Very excited! And since the word on the street is that Stage 2 is pretty killer, I am very much looking forward to it!
:laugh: OMG funny! Love it!
@MissMaggie - YAY! That's awesome!!! I've never heard of more protein = water retention... but I guess it would depend on the type of protein you are eating... ie - is there a lot of sodium in with the protein?
I TOTALLY agree that the workouts are getting a bit out of hand... 2 hours in the gym yesterday?!?! LOL - I think back to Stage 1 when I was complaining that the workouts weren't long enough!!
@Birdy - what a great idea! I've been shortening the rests from the 105s to about 80... and I've been toying with the idea of going down more... I think I will... 105s rest just seems so excessive.
RE: Modifications... I love having the template! It's so great for me being a newbie to weight training... BUT in his next 2 books - Lou doesn't recommend crunches or most of the exercises that are in NROL4W. SO - I took NROL for Abs out from the library - and I sub those exercises in instead of the "core" work at the end. I REALLY recommend checking out that book... Really great modifications (more damn planks too... ugh)
Quick Reference:
Stage 1 (NROL4A):
A - Plank: 2x (60-90s) (rest 45-60)
Side Plank: 2x (30-45s each side) (rest 45-60)
B - Anti-Rotation Static Hold: 2x(30s each side) (rest 45-60s)
- Elevated Plank (feet elevated): 2 sets of 10 (10 seconds), (rest 45-60s)
- Elevated Side Plank (feet elevated); 2 sets of 10 (10 s each), (rest 45-60s)
:noway: That's a lot of Plank action... for the elevated planks - I'm up to 90s elevated and 45s per side for the side planks... UGH. thinking about switching to a stability ball for the elevation...0 -
@Beeps - You have posted a couple of times about how long the later stages take. Do you remember how long it took you to complete stage 2 and 3 workouts? While I still have a while before I get there, my time in the gym is limited. I can really only commit 45 mins to an hour. Am I in trouble?0
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Hello to all - newbies and veterans, alike!! I think someone like Birdy can "modify" because, as she says, this is a "return" to a weight-lifting program, for her....she isn't a novice at the art/science of weight-training!
For the rest of us, just BE CAREFUL. I don't think it's a terrible thing to split the work-out throughout a day, for example, but ONLY so long as you STILL do a proper warm-up for EACH strength-training time and that you do a proper stretch after. So, that's 2 x as many warm-ups in one day and 2 x as many stretches in one day. (For me, that is TOO MUCH TIME right there!)
loricol - the later stages take A LONG TIME. Period. If you read through the Stage 3, 4, 5 threads (and Stage 7!!), you will see some posters saying they were doing 120 minutes in the gym. Um, for me, um, "no". Just "no".
I have 60 minutes, at lunch, to devote to the cause. That is IT. So, for me, I have to fit it into 60 minute work-outs. In Stage 2, I did the lifting on M/W/F and I did the HIIT/long stretching on Tues/Th/Sun. So, that worked, for me. In Stage 3 and Stage 4, I had to break the work-outs apart, even more. I decided to reduce my M/W/F work-outs by eliminating ABS, and putting them into my Tues/Th/Sun work-outs.
I could get through my warm-up, all the lifts, and a stretch, in 60 minutes, for M/W/F (Stage 3 and 4). And, I could get through HIIT, Abs, and a stretch, in 60 minutes, for Tues/Th/Sun. I kept my "rests" between exercises to 75 - 90 seconds. Not 105 seconds.
I am about to start Stage 5, so will try and do the same thing - i.e. breaking out my strength days to JUST LIFTING (with warm-up and stretching, of course) and then my off-days to HIIT/abs/stretching. Except that the option is to do "either 3 or 4 sets" in Stage 5 and, with the necessary rests (even if you only do a 60 second rest...), I likely will only be able to do 3 sets. Bummer, because I would like to try 4 sets. But, we shall see - I don't start until Wednesday.0 -
Birdy- Crossfit WOD is a good one! When I was doing bootcamp and had to miss, I would look through there for ideas.
Missmaggie- I wonder if it's not protein but the particular source of protein as well? Maybe a different protein source wouldn't have had that effect. But, that's all just speculation as your choices are somewhat limited due to being vegetarian. Just decreasing it overall seems to be working for you so keep with it! Further proof that we all don't have exactly the same dietary needs.
Beeps- that sounds like a great way to break things up and keep the workouts reasonably timed.0 -
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