Daily Chat Thread
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My day: Bad night sleep, woke up with headache. Panadol. Dealt with tantrum child for about an hour. Managed to get myself to the gym for new training program - holy crap, hard work. Not sure if can lift arms anymore. Home to bake, clean, do washing, iron and get dinner on. Called out for birth. Home at midnight.
Ugh. Yay for babies but boo to being on a day when I was thinking about bed time from the moment I got up. And now gotta be in work for 7am. Yuk. Supposed to be DL day tomorrow too
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@jo_marnes here's hoping you can get some rest.1
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Happy Monday, everyone!
Jo - tough day, hope today is going better and you got some rest!
Stephie - cute baby! Love the striped pants! Enviable squat.
Supermel - don't know much about cutting and bulking except that one ought to be at a pretty low body fat % to bulk. Ways a way off for me right now.
Samntha - interesting about the "super day". I'm doing something similar right now...recommended on the Eat, Train, Progress group, a 2 week "diet break" where I eat at estimated maintenance. Supposed to help mentally and to sort of reset hormones (leptin, etc.) I'm trying to still eat healthily, not just junk and crap like I ate when I gained weight. I'm still figuring out how to plan my day so that I eat enough but not too much. It should be interesting. I'm sitting at around 142 ish, so hoping after these 2 weeks to make a push for the 130s. So far 3 days in I haven't gained, so I guess that's good!
Dawn - miss your updates and hope everything is ok!
Kimi - glad your weekend was fun, and awesome that you are looking forward to getting back to normal eating!
My husband worked all weekend, so was sort of a lazy weekend entertaining the kids and catching up on housework.
Saturday I did Strong, Stage 7, Workout B
Suspended pike - sort of figured these out, but can't get anywhere near as high as the model in the picture.
OHP - 5x5, forget what weights I used. Think I topped out at 40 lbs, so not quite the standard olympic bar yet
Reverse lunge - 2x10@60 lbs
Chin ups - tried the next size band, 75 lbs assist, was able to do 2 sets of 3. Making progress!
Squat - 2x10@60 lbs
DB row - 2x10@30 lbs
Yesterday I did a nice slow 4.6 mile run in the light rain.
Today is a rest day. Tomorrow will probably attempt deadlift day again, but maybe start at a light weight.0 -
Jo & Aigre - I envy her squat too. She has the perfect "knees out" as well.
Aigre - a "nice slow 4.6 mile run" would have taken me about 3 hours with many breaks. Good job!
Dawn - I miss your updates too, I hope you get settled into a new gym soon so we can all admire your lifting once again
Jo - hope you got some sleep
Apologies to others, if I press on the other page to check up on everyone else I will lose what I've just written and I'm lazy
Gym today:
Squats: 5x5 @ 62.5kg - holy **** I made some very strange noises during these, but I did it. So it's 65 for me next time. ARGH
OHP: 3x5, 3, 3 @ 30kg - so I went back down to 30kg and couldn't get them all. I guess it was a weak day. I'll try again next time
Deadlift 5 x 1 @ 80kg WOOOHOOOO best ever deadlift. Next time I will be above bodyweight too - I'M EXCITED
Have a good day!1 -
Today, I lift!2
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@AigreDoux yes, it's pretty much the same idea as a diet break.
@StephieWillcox Nice numbers.
@Beeps2011 Git 'er done
Just hanging with the kids today. My youngest's first day of summer school. After he got home, we hit the park and are now enjoying our free slurpys. The sugar-free small is only 21cals.0 -
we hit the park and are now enjoying our free slurpys. The sugar-free small is only 21cals.
...that is pretty decent!
I tried a "black cherry KICKSTART" on the weekend. It is a "mountain dew" product...only 80 calories and it has caffeine! So, I was kind of stoked about that!!
Meanwhile, today I am DE-carbing. In THE biggest way. I just want ZERO carbs (okay, fruit and veggie I WILL eat, I mean ALL the rest of 'em...) for the next 3 days...but am already fighting carb-cravings like crazy.
And, I have to eat NOTHING after suppers....ACHILLES HEEL is just right there. I am prepared to cry, and cry, and cry rather than eat one single thing. I am mentally preparing for that struggle. WISH ME WELL!0 -
So, my 4 days away resulted in about 3lbs on, bf% increased by 2% and water decreased by a similar amount. I knew that I was off kilter but it is quite scary to think how quickly it bounces one way or another. Still, I enjoyed the grand prix weekend so I'm not complaining.
Back to it today - I've got a few social things coming up so on days inbetween I need to be right on it. I went to the gym this morning before work for bodycombat, and have a smoothie for my breakfast. I batch cooked my lunches when I got home last night so I don't have any excuses there.
Last week I felt brilliant....loads of lovely comments about how much weight I had lost and how nice I looked- this week I feel fat. hmmph.
On a brighter note, a friend came and stayed with us a few weeks ago and made comment about my shoulder definition.....(I hadn't seen her since I started lifting). She runs, so is no stranger to exercise but is skinnyfat. Last week, inspired by said shoulders, she started stronglifts. I'll take that as a compliment thank you very much!
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How are you measuring that Kimiuzzell? I don't think that those measurements sound at all accurate! And my weight will vary by 6-8lbs in a month dependent on my cycle. Don't sweat it, it'll be right in a couple of days.1
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Stephie - oh, slow really is slow! I think I average about 11:30/mile. Awesome job on the squats and deadlifts! You are making me want to try Stronglifts
Beeps - good luck with the diet! Baby steps, though!
Kimi - I agree with Jo_Marnes. I doubt you gained 2% body fat in 4 days. I don't know how much you weigh so I'll use my numbers. At 142 lbs, 30% body fat, is 42.6 lbs of fat. So to get to 32% I'd be carrying 45.4 lbs of fat, gaining 2.8 lbs of fat in 4 days. That would be an extra 2190 calories OVER maintenance, so somewhere in the range of 4000 calories a day. And that's working under the assumption that you would put on zero muscle which would not really be physiologically true. My bet is water and glycogen.
Anyway, did Strong Stage 7, Workout C, #2 today
Standing rotation press+overhead raise - 2x8 each side with resistance band
Deadlift - really took it easy on these, concentrating on form. 5x83, 5x88, 5x94, 5x99, 5x105. Not nearly RPE9, but back felt fine. Posted another video on Eat, Train, Progress, please check it out and see if I'm doing anything drastically wrong. I'm a bit of a hypochondriac so now these really scare me.
Reverse lunge - 2x10@60 lbs
Bench press - used dumbbells as too lazy to change the bar. 2x10@25 lbs each hand
Lat pulldown - using resistance bands, 1x10@50 lbs, 1x10@60 lbs
Step ups - 1x10@10 lbs, 1x10@12 lbs, 18 inch bench (about knee height). Felt so much easier than the last time I did these in Stage 4, so I must be getting stronger!0 -
Aigre - FWIW I just watched your deadlift video and it looks good. I'm not really up to speed on deadlift form though so hopefully SideSteel will be along shortly with any tips he has
Beeps - I wish you well!0 -
Haven't written in a while, sometimes it's hard to keep up with a group so I think that I will just stay with two from now on. I am switching from 5x5 to Arnolds Blueprint for cutting. I have only done it for one week so far and though my weight for each exercise is now much lower than what I was doing on the 5x5, it's still kicking my butt because now I am doing about 10-12 sets and 10 reps. It's been hard to finish in the hour I have at the gym so I may just tweak it a little and do it for the rest of the summer.
Today is leg day.. the 5x5 wasn't so bad.. but this one is about 80 squats total... I slept well so I think I am ready, lol!0 -
Sam, Jo and Dawn - thanks! That actually helps me understand cutting/bulking a little more than I did. I will check out Eat to Perform today if I get a chance.
Kimi - I'm with the others. Those measurements sound a bit off. Gaining 2% body fat in a few days?? I don't know about that. Looks like Aigre has the maths, tho!
Started Stage 3 of NROLFW on Monday. Definitely sore today haha!
1-armed dumbbell snatch - 3@15lbsx6. This a wierd move...
Db SL RDL - 1@25lbsx6, 2@50lbsx6
Barbell Bent over row - 1@65lbsx6, 2@75lbsx6
DB 1-arm overhead squat - 3@25lbsx6. this one is also weird...
DB inc. bp (accidentally did regular incline bench press instead) - 1@75lbsx6, 2@65lbsx6
Plank - 3@90sec - did elbow planks. Holy cats! Had to drop to my knees halfway through on each one, My abs were SCREAMING by the time I finished.
Reverse wood chop - forgot to record but I think I did 2@20lbsx10
Body weight matrix - didn't do this because I walked for 10 minutes as a warm up before I started the main stuff.
Back on the nutrition wagon today. Started logging again to keep myself on track. I'll have to use a calculator to figure out where I need to be to cut. Up to this point I had been trying to eat maintenance, falling short some days, and exceeding slightly on others.0 -
Thank you all. I know I shouldn't sweat it. I need to have faith in myself and the programme. 0
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Kimi - I agree with Jo_Marnes. I doubt you gained 2% body fat in 4 days. I don't know how much you weigh so I'll use my numbers. At 142 lbs, 30% body fat, is 42.6 lbs of fat. So to get to 32% I'd be carrying 45.4 lbs of fat, gaining 2.8 lbs of fat in 4 days. That would be an extra 2190 calories OVER maintenance, so somewhere in the range of 4000 calories a day. And that's working under the assumption that you would put on zero muscle which would not really be physiologically true. My bet is water and glycogen.
Anyway, did Strong Stage 7, Workout C, #2 today
Standing rotation press+overhead raise - 2x8 each side with resistance band
Deadlift - really took it easy on these, concentrating on form. 5x83, 5x88, 5x94, 5x99, 5x105. Not nearly RPE9, but back felt fine. Posted another video on Eat, Train, Progress, please check it out and see if I'm doing anything drastically wrong. I'm a bit of a hypochondriac so now these really scare me.
Reverse lunge - 2x10@60 lbs
Bench press - used dumbbells as too lazy to change the bar. 2x10@25 lbs each hand
Lat pulldown - using resistance bands, 1x10@50 lbs, 1x10@60 lbs
Step ups - 1x10@10 lbs, 1x10@12 lbs, 18 inch bench (about knee height). Felt so much easier than the last time I did these in Stage 4, so I must be getting stronger!
@AigreDoux I have to agree. I"m measuring BF with my cheesy scale. If my weight goes up at all from water retention, my BF goes up? Yeah, I think not. It's water, we know it water. The BF calculator o things like scales use more of an algorithm than an actual measurement. DEXA is the only thing that's accurate, the scales and calipers and such are more of an estimate.
Also, great numbers. What were you using for your lunges? That's some serious weight. Lunges are my kryptonite. I was doing split squats today and damn near set off my asthma. It's always like that.0 -
Got to the gym today for Stage 1 WO B1. Those Split Squats KILL me!
Side Plank 2x30sec
Half-kneel cable row 10x17.5, 10x19
SL RDL 3x12@ 20dbs
Push up (Military) 3x12
Split Squat 3x12@ 20dbs
Inverted Row (Shoulders on Smith) 3x12 (I wish there was a way to measure my actual angle)
AND walking: The 9yo wants to play Pokemon Go, so we went. I couldn't get it work and it was driving me crazy. I was yelling at my cousin on the phone, "I standing right on it and it's not on my screen."
Happy Lifting ladies.
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Lifted today. This was a repeat of the ("Strong", Phase 1) workout I did last Tuesday. Here is what I improved on:
1. held my planks for 45 seconds - pretty good since my ab-surgery-recovery is only 3 weeks. Will aim to get to 60 seconds for next week.
2. lateral raises - 12.5 DBs
3. still only did bodyweight squats, but did 3 x 10, instead of 2 x 12 I did last week.
4. Upped my Amer DL's by 20 lbs. Still felt pretty easy, so might go up another 20 lbs next week.
5. still only did bodyweight step-ups, but did 3 x 8, instead of the 3 x 6 I did last week.
Cannot recall what else I improved on. Did some donkey-kicks to keep limber. And some clam shells. And a nice, full-body stretch at the end.
I am nicely sore all over....definitely DOMs, but not debilitating DOMs. So, it is good.
Tomorrow I am at the office all day. No workout. Thursday, I repeat the STRONG workout I did yesterday (Monday), so will see what I can improve upon there.
BOOM!
Also, GEEZ the scale is going THE WRONG WAY.
I really don't feel like I am pigging out, but boy, oh boy, do I have scale-weight to dump. I can totally see it in my face, which really is a sign that I am porking out. 0 -
So many posts. Thank everyone. Good to see all of your posts too.
Beeps - Nice work on the plank and all.
Kimi - neat about the friend and the shoulder definition too.
Sam - funny on the game. I don't know much about pokemon so haven't considered the app but a couple of people at work mentioned it.
Getting settled in new apartment now so hope to get somewhat of a schedule going. I went to the gym after work. My hours are minimal right now, so have to go talk to the person managing the schedule as there was a slight issue from the transfer. I'm going to get a lifting schedule at least, though want to get a new gym in the future. Then figure out a peak cycle despite not being certain I'll get to compete in October. We'll see how it goes.
Just did some light lifting today.
Squat - 2x10 @ 45, 1x8 @ 95, 3x5 @ 135
OHP - 1x8 @ 45, 3x5 @ 65
front squat - 2x8 @ 65
good morning - 3x10 @ 75
Now eating veggies made in the pressure cooker. mmm0 -
Dawn - glad to see you back!
Beeps - glad you are taking it easy
Samntha - my scale supposedly calculates body fat too. I just jump off it before it gets the chance. I use a barbell for lunges. I actually really like them cause I feel like they hit my hamstrings/glutes even more than squats and deadlifts. Go figure.
Supermel - great workout! Holy cow 90 sec planks!
Stephie - thanks! I think I got some good feedback. Looking forward to trying again next time.
Out for a sweaty 3.25 miles this morning. Tomorrow I squat.
Forgot my breakfast this morning and the only thing I had to eat was a lonely Quest bar that I bought at some point and stashed in my desk. Bleh! Why do people love these things? Tastes like splenda mixed with chalk. Gross.0 -
@AigreDoux I think that's why my body hates them. They really harder for me than the average squat or DL. My hamstrings are crying today.
Part of my coaching is weighing myself every day, which I a habit I broke a long time ago. But they want to see how your body reacts to exercise, your cycle and salt etc. At least it doesn't bother me too much. I know my patterns already, so I know what's water retention and what's problematic. The coaches already adjusted my macros. It's cool that I have someone looking out for me.
Today, Theme PArk walking...and eating. At least they have more choices on the meal plan and I can get a grilled chicken wrap.1 -
Eating in deficit, increased my exercise and guess what? Gained weight. Yup, the scales SUCK0
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Aigre & sam - I love rear foot elevated split squats. LOVE THEM. I think they are so hard and the DOMS I get is INSANE. I mean they feel like hell when I'm doing them, but I really think they are effective.
Dawn - Good to see you back
Jo - and that is why I don't weigh myself! I'm sorry the scale went up, I'm sure it will be water from the increased exercise
Beeps - glad you're easing back into it. You're doing awesome
Today's session:
Squats: 5 x 5 @ 65kg - HARD. But I mean, I have to fail one soon right?! No matter, KEEP ADDING WEIGHT
Bench: 5 x 5 @ 42.5kg - this was pretty tough but I wasn't THAT close to bailing. I suspect I won't get all 5 at 45, but this is the most I have ever benched so I'm pretty pleased really
Rows: 5 x 5 @ 35kg - I deloaded, I just don't understand pendlay rows, I don't feel my back working at all. Supposedly they are included in Stronglifts for the explosive power, Starting Strength uses power cleans instead. I'm tempted to try to learn how to clean, but seems a bit involved.
Have a good day all0 -
Stephie - you are making great progress with your squats! I also love RFESS. And single leg Romanian deadlifts. I may be a heretic but sometimes I feel like I make so much more progress on these than the traditional compound lifts and achieve much more muscle strain because the form is so much simpler.
Samntha - very cool to have someone adjusting your macros! How did they change them?
Jo - boo on the stupid scale.
Strong, Stage 7, Workout A, #3 today
Suspended body saw - 2x8
Squat - 1x5@60 lbs, 2x5@65 lbs (I did 2 sets cause I took a video of the first set and wasn't getting down deep enough), 1x5@71 lbs, and 1x2@83 lbs. Wanted to try the 83 cause it would have been a PR. But my form was really awful and I decided it wasn't doing me any good if I couldn't maintain the form.
SL RDL - 2x10@35 lbs
Inverted row - 2x10 on TRX
Pushups - 2x8 off bench
Supine hamstring curl - 2x10
Sort of frustrated today. Interrupted workout due to daughter having tantrum. Frustrated with squat form. Feel like I'm not progressing and will never get this. And already work stuff is a nightmare and decisions that I fought for weeks ago are willfully not being adhered to. I can't wait for Friday.
This is a video of my 4th squat set (71 lbs). Seems like in the 4th and 5th rep when I get tired I lean forward and end up too far on my toes. I don't know how to fix it though. I have watched this Mark Ripptoe video like 10 times and he says to drive up through the hips, but my back stays behind. I feel like I'm taking advange of Eat, train, progress so I'll leave them alone, but if anyone has any tips I'd be grateful.
Me:
https://youtu.be/m6biWxM35cU
Mark:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhVC_AnZYYM 0 -
Aigre - firstly, don't worry about annoying Eat, Train, Progress. I post form videos all the time and they're happy to help.
Now, I am hardly an expert on squats so here are my thoughts:
1) You don't seem to have any preparation for your squat? You need to make your core super super solid before you squat down or everything is going to get loose and you will fail your rep.
I struggled with this A LOT - I have eventually sorted it (well as much as anything is ever sorted) by taking a big belly breath and then pulling my bellybutton in and squeezing my glutes. Then I start the descent. If you look back at the second squat video I posted recently you can see this.
This should also sort out the wobbly bar that is happening in between squats (although are your shoulders stable? You need to kind of pull your shoulder blades back to keep the bar solid into your back)
2) Don't look down at the top!! Where you end up looking is fine, it would be best to keep looking in the same general direction throughout. I appreciate that Rippetoe talks about a neutral head, but I think yours is too down at the top.
3) Your forward lean when you get tired is not bad AT ALL. It probably feels worse than it looks. I think if you focus on tightening up this will lessen, but a bit of forward lean on later reps is to be expected
4) Depth looks good 0 -
I agree, depth is great. I think this is more about this weight exposing your area of weakness which seems to be tightening the glutes as you come up. You start in an already bent over position - try engaging the glutes before you start and keeping them on all the way down - then clenching them like rocks on the way up! Hopefull that'll give you some driving force to power up, rather than that wobble that's happening now xxx0
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After a day of not much, well did laundry and we got both internet set up plus a fridge delivered to the new apartment. Just didn't do much in way of work or moving around, so I went to the gym. Meandering a little but will start peak cycle in the near future. Even if I don't get to compete, I can use it to work towards some PRs. Focused on legs today sorta.
Squat - 2x10 @ 45, 1x8 @ 95, 1x5 @ 135 and 3x3 @ 145
Deadlift - 1x6 @ 135, 1x5 @ 185 and 2x3 @ 205
Probably should have brought in my belt for the deadlifts but oh well. Shins ached a little. Wasn't too bad though. Then I did 5 minute warm up, 20 minute jog and 5 minute cool down on the treadmill.0 -
Didn't want to go to the gym today... went anyways... nailed it
Squats: 5x5 @ 67.5kg
OHP: 5,5,5,4,4 @ 30kg - clearly i had eaten my spinach when I got all 5 of thesea couple of weeks ago!!
Deadlift 1 x 5 @ 85kg, did single, single, triple (this is also over BW for first time ever)
I videoed everything today, am debating uploading to youtube or instagram but need a depth check on squats and a form check on OHP and deadlift. Aigre's post reminded me that no one has checked either of those lifts for a REAAAAAAAAAAALLY long time!1 -
Happy Friday! Has been a long week for me with work stuff. Looking forward to the weekend so much. It's my husband's first weekend not working in I think 3 weeks, and it's my birthday on Monday so looking forward to doing some celebrating as well!
Out for a quick run this morning, 2.6 miles, 70 degrees, 96% humidity. It is oppressively hot and humid here lately. My glasses were fogging up at 5 am! I know it isn't the focus of this group, but some days it is so nice to just run and not have to worry about form, etc. I like variety.
Stephie and Jo - thank you so much!! I don't think I have the greatest balance, so that is part of why I wobble. But will definitely work on getting the core and glutes tight before I squat.
Stephie I hope you post your videos, I always feel like I learn from others watching and critiquing them. Sometimes I play "guess what the experts will say" so that I can learn how to critique myself later. Congrats on the BW deadlifts!
Dawn - glad you are getting more settled in. Fridge and internet are very important!
Anyway, I'm jealous of you all in UK since you're so much closer to Friday night than me. Wine and sushi in about 9 hours here ;-)2 -
Happy Friday Aigre - videos are up on Eat, Train, Progess for your viewing and critiquing pleasure!0
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Well, I am unqualified to critique, but holy smokes, you look really strong! Those weights are no joke, either. I am looking forward to seeing what others have to say.0
This discussion has been closed.