Daily Chat Thread

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  • jenniet04
    jenniet04 Posts: 1,054 Member
    Samntha - great pics! You are looking good!

    I also have my diary public, but don't have it post on the feed. I've never had any negative comments, but don't make comments on anyone else's diary.

    I'm starting Stage 3 on Friday and hoping I can get thru the whole program in another 3 months. I committed to 6 months for NROLW, then I'm moving on to strong lifts.
  • DrG3n3
    DrG3n3 Posts: 467 Member
    I have an odd question. I did A6 on Wed of last week, then B6 yesterday. The gap was because of a convention I had where I walked a TON. Yesterday I felt much stronger than I did when I did B5 last. As in, my deadlift got upped 30 lbs and even my shoulder presses went up 10. I didn't sacrifice form. I do weights 3 days a week and run on alternating days. Could this mean that my body needs more rest between weight days? Like I should cut back on running?
  • sbrBirdy
    sbrBirdy Posts: 224 Member
    DrG - Yes. :) My experience has been that I work hard and diet, then I have a couple of really bad days - no workout and terrible diet. I use to freak out about it, but I've noticed that when I do my next workout it is a great one. Some people purposefully do rest/spike days. You'll have the best muscle gains by only doing lifting. Most people want some weight loss in there too, and I've seen even really hard core lifters admit they have to add cardio for the best weight loss (not necessarily the best/only thing to do for long term fitness). You just need to make notes regarding and find the best balance of work/rest for you.
  • DrG3n3
    DrG3n3 Posts: 467 Member
    My typical week is M, W, F weights, T and Th are running, then rest on Sat (or run occasionally if the weather is just so nice!) and Sunday. My diet seems to be pretty good. I haven't logged well for a while, but I just go so tired of logging. I think maybe now I should take a rest day between the weights, not at the end.
  • Beeps2011
    Beeps2011 Posts: 12,189 Member
    I think rest is KEY. Although, I don't have a similar story to report, as to DrG's....

    I haven't done NROL4W in 9 days. 7 days ago, I went to see a personal trainer, so I *did* lift, but just not NROL4W. I returned to Stage 5, today. My second-to-last workout "A". And, my results are quite MIXED.

    I went UP on the back squat (which I'm subbing in for the one-arm DB snatch). I went UP in my BB row. I STAYED THE SAME for the one-legged DB deadlift. I STAYED THE SAME for my DB incline press. And, I went DOWN in the DB one-armed overhead squat. (I decided to go down because, despite the fact there are only 4 reps in each set, I really WASN'T doing great at my form with the heavier weight - I felt my arm was TOO FAR FORWARD. Today, it really was over my head and NOT forward.)

    I couldn't get in the whole body matrix. I was just TOO exhausted!! (Why, oh why, should I have been TIRED, when I haven't LIFTED in 7 days???? Yes, I do cardio all the other days, but, SHEESH.) So, I did 2 sets of the normal squats and lunges, with a rest in between. NO jumping squats. NO jumping lunges. (and yet, I *know* those are the ones that really engage my glutes - which is what I NEED).

    Anyway. I don't consider today to be much of a "success".

    I *am* finding that there just is NO linear progression, for me, with this weight-training stuff. It seems very much "ahead 1 step, back 2, ahead 3 steps, back 5, etc., etc."
  • manic4titans
    manic4titans Posts: 1,214 Member
    I started the 30 day shred. Lord help me get through it!:embarassed:

    I will do the 30D shred instead of the HIIT.
  • samntha14
    samntha14 Posts: 2,084 Member
    Ladies, Thank you . You all absolutely made my day, week even. It's been an absolutely hell-a-ish couple of days and hot as hades ta-boot, so everybody is extra grumpy. I wish I still had my pics from Jan and Feb when I first started because I think the difference would be more dramatic (stupid hard-drive). On top of all that, I had an insulin spike today because I didn't get enough protein early in the day. I could just kick myself because it's my own damn fault. I know better. So thank you again for making feel awesome and feeling inspired to get my butt in the gym tonight. I had a pretty bad headache after crashing this afternoon, so I almost stayed home. Off I go.
  • DrG3n3
    DrG3n3 Posts: 467 Member
    Well I have good news :)

    I had my yearly blood panel done Tuesday and I got the results back. My HDL went up 5 pts, and my LDL dropped 3 (I was in the low normal range already but this is awesome) so totaly chol. dropped and my Iron is actually getting up in the normal range (I take supplements :<) so I'm hoping at my normal appt next Tuesday the doc gives me a thumbs up. I'm not a doctor so its hard to read the stuff they give me but I compared my numbers to those of two years ago when I had it done last. Rather my weights dropping or not, I'm actually getting healthier so that's what counts.

    Thumbs up to all you ladies who keep me going with this everyday :)
  • manic4titans
    manic4titans Posts: 1,214 Member
    great news DrG!
  • NiciS72
    NiciS72 Posts: 1,043 Member
    So is anyone else getting calluses on their hands from lifting? I'm not sure how I feel about it. I'm consistently able to add more weight, so I know that is why. But I really don't like having hard calluses. Anyone have any recommendations to alleviate them?
  • MamaWannaRun
    MamaWannaRun Posts: 273 Member
    So is anyone else getting calluses on their hands from lifting? I'm not sure how I feel about it. I'm consistently able to add more weight, so I know that is why. But I really don't like having hard calluses. Anyone have any recommendations to alleviate them?

    yes, I get them too. I think gloves would be the only way to avoid them. I've heard on here NOT to use gloves, but I haven't a clue as to why?
  • jenniet04
    jenniet04 Posts: 1,054 Member
    DrG - great NSVs!!! Getting healthier is awesome!

    Nici - I always have small calluses the day that I lift, but the next day they are gone. I don't know if it's because I use a lot of lotion or not. I use Bath & BodyWorks body cream quite a few times a day or else my hands are totally dried out all the time.
  • Beeps2011
    Beeps2011 Posts: 12,189 Member
    I use gloves. Period.

    DrG - I *loved* your post....such a good REMINDER that we are all here, for various reasons, but HEALTH has to be #1!! Such good news!
  • Beeps2011
    Beeps2011 Posts: 12,189 Member
    I won't get a work-out in, today, because I have to take my son to a dr's appointment, but I'll watch my food intake, instead.

    Gack - 2 days to weigh-in/photos/measurements! Wish me luck.

    (And then, thank goodness, only 1 month left in my 6-month fitness challenge....I'll need a *break* from the "challenge" part of the equation by then!)
  • sbrBirdy
    sbrBirdy Posts: 224 Member
    No workout for me today either. :( Up all night with a sick kid... and I mean ALL night. Still, my mind keeps drifting off to the powerblocks. And I hear Jillian and Tony calling to me... I think I need a nap.

    Super job DrG!!

    Gloves - I use them. I've heard some say that it prevents your grip from strengthening? Idk... I'd rather not have manly callouses, and it bugs my husband too.
  • DrG3n3
    DrG3n3 Posts: 467 Member
    Thanks guys!

    I use gloves...and still have calluses, so can't help. Sorry :O
  • Beeps2011
    Beeps2011 Posts: 12,189 Member
    You get calluses with gloves?? What type of gloves do you use?? (Maybe they are too "thin"??)

    I don't know if I *buy* that gloves obstruct "grip development"....but, it isn't like I'm squatting 200 lbs and deadlifting 250 lbs, anyway. All I know is I can carry around 35 lb DB's, no problem, and I feel like my grip is strengthening with each work-out. I dunno.

    Anyway, Birdy, SICK kids (all through the night) are THE WORST. I hope you catch up on some rest, today - your body needs THAT more than an appt at the gym (or any work-out dvd).

    I ended up having enough time to get in a 25-min walk at lunch. I know, nothing special to write home about, but I figure it is "better than nothing".
  • Jessica1274
    Jessica1274 Posts: 363 Member
    I have mild callouses with my gloves. They are nice and thick gloves. It isn't as bad if I remember to take off my ring first. That's where I get them. On my left hand under my ring finger.
  • Beeps2011
    Beeps2011 Posts: 12,189 Member
    I'd try removing the ring....report back.
  • Jessica1274
    Jessica1274 Posts: 363 Member
    I'd try removing the ring....report back.


    I try to remember to do that! Some days I do, some I forget. When I forget, I just pumice off the callous in the shower.
  • samntha14
    samntha14 Posts: 2,084 Member
    I wear gloves. They do not effect grip. It's straps that the author says not to use. I have NO calluses.
  • samntha14
    samntha14 Posts: 2,084 Member
    Ran short on time and skipped BWM last night. I was in a bad mood to start and people just pissed me off at the gym. The guys gave me a wide berth. I must have been wearing major ***** face. It wasn't even that crowded and people were camped out on equipment and I had to wait 15 minutes for an incline bench. Sometimes I really hate people.
  • jamk1446
    jamk1446 Posts: 5,577 Member
    DrG that is really great news about your cholesterol changes :)

    I wear gloves, I'm not interested in heavy calluses or hand rips. Or pain, lifting without gloves hurts.
  • Jessica1274
    Jessica1274 Posts: 363 Member
    Sam, you sound like me. I have days like that.
  • Jenlwb
    Jenlwb Posts: 682 Member
    I wear gloves, mainly cos i always have sweaty hands and am terrified of dropping my deadlift!

    Sam, I once couldn't get to an incline bench so I leaned back against my swiss ball. It was ok with DBs, might not want to do it with a barbell!
  • dandelion39
    dandelion39 Posts: 514 Member
    Hi everyone--just catching up on the last couple of pages of posts--I was away for the long weekend, then this week I've been sick, overworked, and getting ready for my son's bday... Finally managed the last Stage 2 workout, after a week's break. It felt okay--but I still have this stupid, endless cold, so it wasn't my best.

    Sam--Awesome pics! Thanks for sharing!

    I wear gloves...and have callouses...

    Birdy, will be curious to see how you like your new program.

    I'm feeling frustrated with the whole program (NR, diet, and everything else right now), but I think that's mainly a function of feeling out of control with my diet lately (thanks Memorial Day picnic and bday cake) and not feeling well enough to get to the gym enough lately. Oh, PMS, too :( I feel the need to really throw in some long cardio sessions to snap myself out of this funk, but since I can't breathe, that's a no go! Patience...not my strong suit.

    Anyway, I'm planning to start Stage 3 tomorrow if I feel up to it. I'm already dreading the body weight matrix!
  • zombilishious
    zombilishious Posts: 1,250 Member
    As to the comments yesterday - I always wear gloves!

    DrG - amazing! I get my labs rechecked in September. Last time they were done my LDL and HDL were both at the high end of normal, so hoping I made some progress on them, too!

    My diary is public and posts in my newsfeed. I'm more critical of myself and my shortcomings than the friends I have on MFP.

    Have to share my NSV! I'm at the end of stage 1 and started pushups at weight bench height, then to a step with 3 risers. Just completed 3 set of 8 full on floor pushups last night!!! And got my squats to 105lbs!
  • ellie78
    ellie78 Posts: 375
    My gloves give callouses, they have seams across the palm that seem to be the culprit. I'm planning to get a new pair and see if that helps.

    Dandelion, I was feeling the same way last week. By the end of the weekend I was ready to quit lifting, drop my calories and join a yoga studio as I had somehow determined this was the best course of action but I got talked off the ledge by my supportive friends on here (thanks guys since some of you are in here :smile: ). Starting stage 3 this week really helped me get back in the swing of things. That is one tough workout! Its hard when you can't work out like you want to, you'll get back to it in no time!
  • DrG3n3
    DrG3n3 Posts: 467 Member
    They are golds gym gloves. Pretty thick. But they aren't really bad calluses. My skin is notoriously dry anyways :p

    I'm also pretty bummed about my diet. Has NOT been good this whole month. I've been eating around maintenance, but not the best foods. I haven't logged here, been keeping paper records because I just didn't really want to log online. I have made a vow to myself to do better this month, so hopefully in a few weeks when I measure I'll be plenty surprised.
  • Jessica1274
    Jessica1274 Posts: 363 Member
    Why won't my hips get smaller?!?!


    I've lost more than 3.5 inches off my waist. 1/4 inch recently. I've only lost 2 1/4 off my hips, and that was six weeks ago! I don't get why my hips won't shrink anymore. I know they are capable of it! I used to wear a size 2/4 for crying out loud!
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