Daily Chat Thread
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Julie - I did it in part because I liked lifting in the past when I did it for track or the class I took in college and felt like something I could want to keep doing. I started obese, being around 200 lbs and 4'11.5" and I'm still not to the "healthy" range for my height yet. Right now I lift because I like it, the strength gains and shape. I'd like to do a bulk some day in the future to maybe gain some muscle then cut to get some of the fat that will come with it back down, but I haven't decided anything yet since I need to bring my weight down still before doing any of that. Pesky height and weight ratios getting in the way of gains, lol. I do like that it gives me goals besides the scale but I do still focus on that thing too, since one of the goals is having a somewhat healthy body weight. From there, will have to see how things are going in life and will decide then.0
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Keep lifting heavy stuff, Dawn. You are on the right path.0
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Why I lift...
So I don't fall apart later in life
Actually that's pretty much it. I really, really enjoy it, and the bonus is it keeps my body hanging together. Which, seeing as I have a high possibility of currently starting menopause at 36yo (just waiting on test results... which reminds me, I need to ring my GP today or tomorrow), a huuuge family history of diabetes, osteoporosis, and other fun stuff, is very important to me.
Initially, yes, it was the physical appearance stuff. Until I realised that what I 'wanted' my body to look like wasn't able to happen genetically. So I've been working on my self-image (sometimes doing okay, other times spectacularly failing), and adjusting my goals to be more in line with my body shape and the lifestyle I want.
What I've found over the last 2-ish years is that my body keeps changing. The weight goes up and down a little bit, but I can still wear the same clothes (although t-shirts are a bit of a pain now my arms are that little bit more muscular lol). I think I've almost come to terms with the fact that it's an ongoing process - things keep changing, and you have to roll with it.
Hell, I don't even log random cardio on here any more. I just track my lifting sessions in terms of length and consistency. That's it.
I keep on coming back here to MFP for you lot
Meanwhile, I managed to make it through the Primary Christmas Chapel this morning, remembered the food for the choir party, ran errands to get yet more stuff for more school functions, and am currently making my way through a rather huuuuuuuuuuge cup of coffee.
A week and a half left of school and then it's summer holidays - yay!!
Well, kinda. I still have a week of work after that, and THEN it's holidays
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Yes, dh did notice! We had to use the Smith because the rack was constantly in use and the larger barbells were taken up.....so he said what weight had I been using for squats (given that when he last worked with me 3 weeks ago it was 30kg on the Smith) I said just over 50kg on the rack. He said.....50? What - Five Zero?! Haha. Then a similar response when I said for DL I was just over 60kg. (which was at 40kg when we last worked together). And accessories like lat pulls and tricep thingies were waaaaay better than before. I quite enjoyed it all haha!
Why do I lift...? Hmm, well I have had a life of body issues (like many). My ex-husband's favourite phrase was "shift yer fat ar $ e" and even though I was only 8 stone when we married (I'm 5 ft 4) I was constantly put down because of my weight. (yes, I know I should have ditched him then but we actually remained married for 20 years!). In that time, I did it all, starvation, yo yo dieting, marathon running....even liposuction.
Of course, none of those things worked - even the surgery because it doesn't address the underlying issues. Even when I was slim, I might have been able to run a marathon, but I wasn't exactly healthy. Skinny-fat definitely applied to me.
5 years ago, we separated and divorced and after the initial weight loss from general stress (which is not unusual I guess), I started to discover "me"....self respect, self appreciation, self worth. I'm not a model, I am a typical pear shape (at good times I am thinking more hourglass haha) but although I have thighs that are "sturdy", I also have a waist that many apple shaped women envy. I've learned a lot.
3.5 years ago, I met my now husband, who is a qualified PT although doesn't work in a gym any more. He loves my curves, especially my butt, and is very much of the attitude of eating well, training smart to keep things in check. Holidays are good, cake is good, wine is good, but so is working out. Enjoying it all instead of being frightened or feeling guilty is an amazing feeling.
This is good for me. Over the last few years I've slowly started to change my mentality regarding food and exercise. Because he loves the weights room, I've started to love it too. Now I am seeing the physical results - my butt is lifting, my already slimmish waist is tighter, I feel strong and my confidence is increasing. Cardio never got me tight. I could lose weight, yes. I could run for miles, yes. But I still didn't look as good at 8stone as I currently do at 11stone.
So. What's not to love about lifting!0 -
Ooh, ooh just remembered.... Mega Nsv this week. I changed my Facebook profile picture to the same on I have on here. One friend who lives in the US who was really a friend of my parents but I stay in touch with since my dad died said it was a lovely picture but she hadn't realised my daughter had recently married. Now, she sees photos of me all the time, so she ought to have recognised me. Anyhow.....
I pointed out the picture was of me at my wedding this year, and not of my size 6(UK) 21 year old daughter! She said I looked like a teenager!!!
I'll take that, thank you very much!!0 -
Thanks you guys! I appreciate your feedback and seeing a glimpse into each of your journeys. Each one of you inspires me to keep working out! It's not a chore anymore. It's just part of my normal life and I even look forward to it enough to be upset if something keeps me from it. That is HUGE progress for me!
I'm sure I'm giving the scale too much influence, but the tight jeans back it up. Not gonna freak out and do anything rash, but for me and my insulin resistant, metabolically challenged hypothyroid self, low carb is the healthiest and best way to lose while keeping my protein up and calories reasonably high. It is how I lost the 120lbs 11 years ago, and how I have maintained it all of those years, until last year. I think I'm finally resigned to the understanding that with my chemical make up, I can't eat like others and have the body I want. I'm reconciling that, and accepting my own limitations without settling for less than I can achieve.
It is certainly a journey, and I am trying to enjoy the journey rather than continuing to ask "am I there yet?". I will never be "there". Like DNA said, accepting your genetic limitations, rolling with the changes and celebrating your strengths - like Kim's tiny waist
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and Dawn the workout machine!! Being so tiny could be a hindrance, but no! You're in that gym killing it!
But, I am actually good. I'm very healthy, just got bloodwork back and its spectacular! I feel strong and look pretty good (far better than my morbidly obese self). I am 46 years old, and look younger than my handsome 40 y.o. husband. I'm just reflecting on this past year's journey and gleaning what I can from it. Pressing on, I'm off to lift and see the chiro. Happy Thanksgiving Eve, US ladies. Happy Wednesday my global friends 0 -
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I lift to improve bodyshape. I eat at a calorie deficit to lose bodyfat. They are NOT the same thing!
And, a human will find it futile to believe/try to do BOTH of these things, perfectly and all the time.
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I missed my gym time this morning.
Stuck in traffic due to ice and snow.0 -
How about we start thinking about "goals" for 2016!?!?!
We could post here.....for inspiration, but also for accountability!0 -
I lift because I like the challenge. And I enjoy the results. My body has had such a transformation and I am proud of it. I would love to lift heavy but my 'genetics' don't really appreciate it too much. I injure quickly and my body seems to need a lot of persuasion to increase weights0
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I initially started lifting for a few reasons, one of which was aesthetics. The others were health related, my body fat percentage was really high and I was freaked out about the health implications of that. Also, I am on long term steroids which increase my risk of osteoporosis so I wanted to protect my bone density. Since then I have kept those reasons but I also lift because I love how it makes me feel. I love feeling strong and I have so much more energy since I started lifting. I also enjoy lifting far more than other forms of exercise so it is something which I can stick to and do regularly.
Beeps, I like the idea of posting goals for the year, I will just need a little time to think of mine...0 -
Thanks girls! Great stuff! I love hearing how each of you thinks of lifting!
Yea, goals....I need to think on that too. I'll be mulling...
Have a great day! Counting my blessings and you inspiring strong ladies are one of them!0 -
That's it too Dou - lifting makes me feeling awesome. And capable.
I can lift things, and move things, and carry things for people (so long as I can get my short arms and little fingers around them lol).
A 14+kg tray of mangoes this morning was nothing. I even carried it one-armed while I held a door open for someone else... no issues at all.
It's the little things
Meanwhile, I now have mangoes.... I love mangoes.
I really like Summer lol0 -
I lift because I like the challenge. And I enjoy the results. My body has had such a transformation and I am proud of it. I would love to lift heavy but my 'genetics' don't really appreciate it too much. I injure quickly and my body seems to need a lot of persuasion to increase weights
Ughhhh.... my reply was much longer than this - stupid phone.0 -
This is the first day in a long Time I ate at a deficit so yeah! Getting ready for T day today although I'm not hosting still have a lot of cooking to do. One thing I'm doing this year is making a Carmel apple crisp instead of a caramel apple pie which will save some fat and calories and my family likes it better and it's easier to make so there you go. I,m making a nice variety of roasted vegetables that'll be a good thing to fill up on but will still make the green being casserole too for the crowd. I had planned to take a walk today with my dogs but I had to go order my glasses instead so that didn't get done no exercise. Not hosting Thanksgiving at my house is one way I save a whole Lotta calories and eat better.0
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Alright. Pecan pies are in the oven so I can update things while I wait. Though hope they turn out as head a slight egg issue when getting the filling together, but we'll wait and see. Went to the gym after work. Tomorrow the gym closes early afternoon and it's my rest day anyways, so not going to lift or anything. I work 2-close then go back in at 8 am for friday. Plenty for me to do coming up. We all bring food too so I'll get to eat some but won't have stuff at home really, except the smoked turkey that my roommate got from his work, plus the veggies I bought and need to cook.
32 - lower hypertrophy
front squat 3x8 @ 85 and 1x8 @ 100 - 85 wasn't too bad on wrists but they did ache some. The 100 was first time on front squat, did the crossed arms option again for the heavier set.
bar lunge 3x8 @ 70 - same as last time
good morning 3x10 @ 70 - also same
leg extension 3x8 @ 80 - more of a challenge
leg curl 3x8 @ 80 - also challenging but more so on my calves than hamstrings
seated calf 3x10 @ 100 - eh
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Julie, I lift for all reasons. I want to be strong and lean. Plus, I hate cardio. Ha! I haven't lifted in months although, I plan to get back once I talk with Dr about labrum tear. I am excited to get back. I felt AWESOME!
Yesterday, was a bad bad day of eating. Today I did have a slice of pumpkin pie for breakfast but I have eaten well the rest of the day. Even walked for 45 minutes on treadmill while I watched tv.
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I definitely indulged yesterday. Totally planned and thoroughly enjoyed!!
Back on track today, plan to lift tomorrow. Shopped and cleaned, un-decorated the house from Fall, started Christmas decorating...and am now watching sappy Christmas movies and eating the healthiest of the leftovers.
Hope you're all doing well 0 -
Ahh, what's life about if you can't overindulge from time to time!!
A day with my daughter beckons, lunch and a bit of pampering. She is off to Switzerland for the winter ski season in a couple of weeks so we are having some time before she leaves. My son leaves for his season in France next week so all if a sudden the house will be quiet!
Although my daughter did the same last year, this is the first year that both of them will be gone all winter. Christmas will be strange!!
Happy weekend everyone!!0 -
Oh, just thought of another "why I lift " reason... After a lifetime of yo yo dieting my skin tone has been shot to pieces and also carry a massive amount of cellulite. Although still very definitely work.in progress, for the first time I can see it all improving. I may have done too much damage to ever have smooth thighs but the improvement really is significant.
No matter how many cardio classes I did or marathons I ran I never saw that sort of improvement, so that alone is a reason tonlove the weights!!
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Why I lift question? Sorry about the long post.
I started when I noticed that my arm was shaking from lfting the kettle one morning. I have arthritis in my hands and shoulders and found the less I used them for lifting anything, the less they hurt, but I was loosing all my muscle. The morning that I realized that making coffee was a struggle was very eye opening for me. It is not that I hadn't been doing anything active because I was. I cook, garden, go to waterfit, stretch and walk. No doubt the weight loss over the summer contributed to some of my muscle loss. I hadn't known how important it was to lift weights when losing weight when I started on MFP.
I did some research and found a couple of folks talking about weights helping their arthritic joints. So I started very slowly trying different range of motion exercises with light weights and even no weight at times. At first my muscles jumped and twitched and my arms were only able to to do really jerky movements but after a couple of weeks that settled down. So now I am lifting weights, yippie! It took weeks of trying different lifts out to convience myself that I really could do this. I finally picked NROLFW and started to follow that program last week. I will need to be cautiuos and progress slowly but that is okay. I am just so please that I get to walk into the weight room and lift weights.0 -
Hey, yall! I got on the scales this am expecting the worse. I lost 3.2 from my last weigh in! I hope the last few days do not catch up with me.
I ordered the new Strong book early this am from Amazon. You can get it 30% off using the HOLIDAY30 code at check out. I purchased it for $13.xx
The code is good until 11/30 and excludes Kindle.
I plan to eat turkey breast, lima beans, and salad and walk on the treadmill while I watch tv. YAH!
mme, YOU GOT THIS! The best thing for you is lifting. I read the intro to "Strong" and Lou Schuler and Alwyn Cosgrove say lifting will help the arthritic joints and make us healthier in the long run. Yes, be cautious; before you know it you will be deadlifting huge. Ask SueLegal. She is awesome.0 -
manic, i want to try "Strong"....i would love to feel "enthusiastic", again. Ohhhhhh, the excitement I had when I first joined mfp! When I first joined "NROL4W". How I miss it!!!0
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I didn't get enthusiastic until I ordered it , and Amazon allowed me to read the intro. Maybe because I have been slacking is the reason for my excitement plus the scale dropped. I am still not below what I was when I first joined MFPmanic, i want to try "Strong"....i would love to feel "enthusiastic", again. Ohhhhhh, the excitement I had when I first joined mfp! When I first joined "NROL4W". How I miss it!!!0 -
Had a long shift today but got to leave a little earlier than usual, so that was kind of nice. Made it to the gym by 10 pm instead of 11 and that made it easier to get some jogging in after lifting.
33 - Upper Power
bench 3x3 @ 105 - heavy but managed, plus much better than when I could barely get 1 set before vacation when this was my "working weight". Still going to be hard to increase from here.
db incline bench 3x8 @ 35 - so heavy. Finally tried the 35's and managed but it was a challenge.
bent row 3x5 @ 100 - didn't use the fixed weight bar this time, tad challenge by end.
lat pull 3x8 @ 80 - still tough
OHP 1x3 and 2x4 @ 80 - challenging but managed a little better this time
bar curl 1x5 @ 50 and 3x12 @ 40 - 50 was too much so back down to the 40 still
skull crusher ez curl bar plus 10 3x10 - challenging still
22 minute jog plus warm up and cool down.
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Just another day with a regular shift. Spent a good part of it putting up new sales tags as we had to do both weekly and monthly but also did a fair amount of photo orders, in particular christmas cards. It's that time and we'll be pretty busy until christmas with all of the picture orders that come in. Decent gym session though had a math issue on deadlift, well more of just a weird distraction fail. I was going to do 200 and after 185, I was adding the other weights and actually thought "make sure to get the 5 before adding the 2.5" as I was getting the clip thing off. And well, I ended up doing a lopsided set of three with the left weight more than the right. No idea what distracted me either but fail. Fixed it and got the sets in at least. Tuesday I meet with trainer guy for caliper body fat assessment just to get a general idea as December is back to focus more on nutrition and seeing where I can get the scale to move down to as I work towards my June goals.
34 - lower power
squat 4x3 @ 170 - It was heavy but I managed.
deadlift 1x3 @ 195, 3x3 @ 200 - okay, though lockout felt a bit off tonight. My elbow was bugging me so I kept to the same switch grip instead of mixing up which one is under instead of over.
sumo deadlift 2x5 @ 155 - fine though still unsure on sumo but it's getting better I think. Keeping to both overhand on the grip too, so not bad as these are after the heavy regular ones.
leg press 1x8 and 2x10 @ 225 - decent so increased reps on the last two sets.
leg curl 3x9 @ 70 - tried 80 but too much struggle so brought it back down to 70, these are hard to increase on.
standing calf 3x8 @ 90 - eh, calves...
So much to do still. Have just under 30k on NaNoWriMo and one day to write so guessing I won't hit 50k but still can make progress. I get the next two days off so yay, laundry, writing and maybe some online stuff. It's almost December and still so much to do.0 -
Hey all just checking in. Dawn I hear ya - December has now arrived here in Australia. It's a miracle I remembered the advent calendars what with everything else that's happening. This week is chaos - working 6 days plus all the kids activities, Christmas shopping, sorting gifts for their teachers etc. Yesterday was no workout - worked early shift, came home did grocery shopping, 2 lots of dance class with the kids, got my eyebrows done, made fudge for the boy's teachers, made dinner and took my eldest to Scouts. Now today is my only day off - I will lift, then I am helping make 300 Christmas lunches at the school, shopping for my fundraising event in January (so I can claim the money back before Christmas!), picking the kids up and going to lawn bowls - some random end of year celebration at the eldest's school. Our school hols over Christmas are 7 weeks, but my eldest is in private school and finishes Friday
Anyway...... workouts last week. Managed to get 5 in even though I'm on nights. This week will also be 5 rather than 6. But there is simply not enough time in the day for everything! Unless I lift after work Friday before my Christmas party.... I will see how I feel.0 -
I love hearing why everyone lifts! So cool, such a variety of reasons. I lift because of all of your reasons. I started lifting because I have osteopenia and now some arthritis and I refuse absolutely refuse to be an hunched over old lady unable to walk or lift things up. But I lift too because I love the way I feel when I do! I love that sense of accomplishment when I pull 150 pounds off the floor or when I press that 50 pounds off my chest or over my shoulders. I know you all have that same "YEA" feeling! And I lift because it's really the only exercise that I enjoy doing and that I do consistently!
So I have been reading Strong. Beeps, read it!! READ IT! You will feel enthusiastic again! He has evolved since NROL4W and he has changed his mind about some things. Alwyn also has refocused but they both still say the same things - lift heavy stuff, lift as much as you can, and go at it with the best you have! I too haven't felt that same enthusiasm recently, kind of like I've been marking time, but I really like the focus of Strong! I'm at the point where the workouts are being described. I will start Strong after the New Year I think. My lifting buddy is starting a cut because she wants to compete in a bikini competition next year. So I won't follow her program, but we will still lift together I think. FYI if you have the book you can download the logs at werkit.com/programs/strong.
I didn't eat very well through the holidays - and now I discovery that I have to work a mock trial next week. I hope my suits still fit! Beeps my aggressive 10 pounds won't happen, I know based on what I did this weekend! But I did start fresh today, and partly due to reading Strong, I'm back to basics again.
Today, I did shoulders and chest. I had to laugh - I grabbed DBs that I thought were 20s and did decline press - only to discovery they were 25s a PR for me!
Dawn, I looked up PHUL and I really like the looks of that program!
Be STRONG ladies!0 -
Wow, sue, am I ever excited to hear about "Strong!" ... I started a separate thread a couple weeks back. (I should check and see if anybody responded on it....)
I want to READ what they changed?!??
I spent the entire 2015 ten lbs heavier than i did in 2012, 2013 and 2014....i am TERRIFIED i can't move it off! And it is FAT.....I look at. My leanest photos and i can (easily) see where the ten lbs is sitting. Blech.
So, 2016 has to be about some sort of "renewal". With luck, a new job.....time away from my house....dedicated time for lifting....and to STOP "overtraining" which i totally did in 2015, with crappy results (ie too much weight gain because i can't shut my piehole).0
