Daily Chat Thread
Replies
-
Happy Monday, everyone!
Wow, a busy weekend around here.
Kimi - awesome on the new jeans! What a great feeling! I bought the Joe Wicks Lean in 15 book you recommended. Any favorite recipes? There are a lot that look good.
Dawn - hope your trip to Oregon goes well
Jo - midwife sounds like an awesome but challenging job!
Pudding - awesome deadlifts! I'm at about the same point in Strong as you. Finishing up Stage 7 tomorrow. Trying to decide what I'll do after I finish. Any ideas what is next for you?
Stephie - ah, no worries about the video
You get what you pay for with that sort of thing. I've gotten myself a little iphone tripod and I'm going to try to video my big sets often even if I don't post them. IG is a good idea for storage. I've been using Youtube.
Samntha - that's pretty awesome that you can do even that many pushups! I can't do a single one from the floor.
Saturday I did Strong, Stage 7, Workout B, #4 (deload week)
Suspended pike - 2x8
OHP - 2x5@33 lbs
Reverse lunge - 2x10@55lbs
Chin ups - 2x2 with blue band (75lb assist), 2x5 with black band (100 lbs assist)
Front squat - 2x10@33 lbs
DB row - 2x10@30 lbs
Yesterday I ran 5 miles. Today is a rest day. Tomorrow I'll finish Stage 7.
Weekend was pretty exciting around here. My brother found a house he likes. A small cape built in 1950 with only one owner. On a great lot and only a mile from my house! After he graduated college, my brother moved to Europe for 10 years and married a lovely girl from Belgium. We had so many years where we didn't see each other. I really thought that he would end up living in Europe forever, and that we would grow apart. So to think that he could be moving in so close to me is just beyond my wildest dreams. It's the same town as me, same school district, so it would really be awesome. He and his wife are expecting their first baby, too, so I am just going to keep my fingers crossed for him that his offer gets accepted 2 -
AigreDoux, there is honestly nothing in that book we dislike, but the chicken with paprika and almonds or the mighty duck noodles would be at the top of my list. Mu husband loves the prawns with noodles best. Happy eating!!0
-
Aigre - we like all of the fried rice's, pork, curried chicken in particular. Also the sausage ragu with gnocchi (I ate the leftovers of that for lunch after the gym). And the chorizo and scrambled egg. I apologise if some of those are in the second book, I got them both at once 1
-
Oh yum, thanks Stephie and Kimi! My DH will definitely LOVE those duck noodles, and that will be on the menu this weekend for sure!0
-
Wow Stephie, great numbers. Haha, we don't care about people being mean. I don't think any of us take it personally. Anyways, the people high on gas make up for it
And those who bring music - I was dancing to Michael Jackson the last birth I was at lol.
Sam - if there were brownies in my house I would have been the same. No excuses, just an addiction! Don't sweat it. Brownies have definitely powered some of my PRs in the gym!
Kimi - good effort! That's great progress. I don't know what to think about the scales at the moment - I am going 7 workouts a week, have cut my cals and have generally seen static weight or an increase. Then yesterday down 2kg overnight, which seems impossible and illogical. Will probably be up 5kg today
0 -
Jo - phew I think I did make up for it when I eventually ended up with a spinal (24 hours after I started the meanness). I managed to go through 3 changes of shift as well!
I'm tired today, plus hungry because I cut calories on sunday (after a month or two of being extremely lax) and I'm not over the hangry stage of a diet, but had to get to the gym as I can't go again until Friday.
Squats: 5,5,5,3,3 @ 72.5kg - I wasn't bracing hard enough so this was more difficult than it should have been. I still haven't actually "failed" a squat, I've just reracked before attempting another. When I am feeling strong one day I am going to keep going until I actually fail one just so I know that it's ok, and so I know what it actually feels like to get totally stuck in the hole
Bench: 5,5,5,4,4 @ 42.5kg - Videoed these for the first time ever... there is much to work on!! Was on the worst rack for bench too, the hooks are fixed and one is too low and one is too high. I went for the low one but it wasn't great.
Rows: 5x5 @ 40kg (I'm calling it 40, it's actually 20 + smith, the smith isn't one of the counterbalanced ones but it's probably 15kg rather than 20, but meh)
Now time for FOOOOOOOOD (aigre & kimi I have "In-a-hurry curry fried rice" for lunch)0 -
ooh, in a hurry curry fried rice is great! I had a "build up bagel" for breakfast, post bodycombat, and have just devoured chicken and cashew nut curry for my lunch. Yum yum yum.
Stephie, your weights are more or less the same as mine - I'm bouncing up and down between 70 and 75kgs for squats depending on tiredness. I've not yet managed to get above 42.5kgs for bench, but I have managed the full 5x5 several times so at some point I need to give 45kgs a go. I do need a spotter though. I feel your frustrations with the rack too - I normally go for the high one. The other day I ended up on the incline fixed rack as everything else was taken, and it completely threw me!! rows I'm on 47.5kg. I think 50kgs would be awesome to achieve, but I'm still working on making the right parts of my back work before I get anywhere near adding that extra bit of weight. It may take time, but I shall get there.
1 -
Happy Tuesday, everyone!
Stephie - Found you on IG! Nice workout!
Jo - stupid scales, they don't know what they are talking about.
Finished up Stage 7 today
Workout C, #4 (deload week)
Standing overhead anti rotation - couldn't get this to really work, probably the resistance bands
Deadlift - 2x5@83 lbs. Felt good. Looking forward to moving this weight up again.
DB BP - 2x10@25 lbs
Reverse lunges - 2x10@57.5 lbs
Lat pulldown - 2x10@60 lbs
Step ups - 2x10 without weight, just trying to make sure I was engaging my glutes and lifting up with my upper leg. Seemed to all be in order, but so much easier than it used to be!
Onwards to Stage 8!0 -
Kim and Stephie those numbers look awesome (yes, I had to look up the conversion lol)
Menstrual Fatigue is killing me as usual. However, It is better this month. I'm able to get through the day without falling asleep. The ETP Wave method is totally working for me. You know what I love most NO RESTRICTIONS.
Oh, Something new that I've totally fallen in love with, Kodiak Power Cakes. Protein enriched pancakes that come in a variety of flavors. They are the BOMB!
Going to try to get in some activity today. My foot still hurts where I cut it, but I think I can handle a swim or bowling with the kids. Anything to stay out of the 96F heat.1 -
Hmmm, brownies!
Dang Kim and Steph! Strong lifting ladies!
Jo-glad you got a drop but I agree the scale isn't a friend. Just keep on keeping on!!
I've been to the gym twice this week already! That's a big deal for my recently flaky self! I've deloaded my squats, 95-105lbs seems to work without hurting my back, so I'm going with that for now. My bench is holding steady, back up on my last pull downs and leg press from my March highs, so that's encouraging. eating more which is helping .
My hormones are way off, tom arrived yesterday 15 days from the last visit
. My recent thyroid blood tests were really low too, so I'll be visiting the dr to see if she can help at all. Hormones certainly make losing any fat really hard!
Keep on keeping on ladies!0 -
Jo – Is combat like kickboxing? Sounds like a heck of a workout either way!
Kimi – Thanks for that website, I’m going to check it out tonight! And awesome deal on the new jeans!! Nothing better than finding a new size on a sale rack!
Samntha – Talk about having connections, lol! It’s likely I’ll take you up on that offer at some point I found a jersey on my trip that fits pretty comfortably, but it’s still tighter than I’m comfortable with. It’s an XL and it’s HILARIOUS! I’ll see if I can post a pic. I think my biggest discomfort comes from my baby belly. It poofs out about midway and seems to be made of extra skin and fat that doesn’t seem to go anywhere. My hips are 40.5 right now and large seems to be a pretty good fit for shorts. I could probably get away with an XL, but I’m okay with a L. Nice work on finishing stage 1 – looks like a strong finish! Also, I’m impressed with 1) your ability to do 15 pushups in a row and 2) your ability to dedicate yourself to the cause and 3) to teach others. I can’t seem to get past 10 in a row on a good day. Good doing good!
Dawn – It’ll get better and things will settle.
Some good PRs goin’ on in here! Nice work. Pudding that’s awesome! I can’t even imagine being able to lift my body weight yet! I bet you have some guns!
Stephie – Those lifts are INSANE!
Aigre – That’s awesome about your brother - fingers crossed that his offer gets accepted! You’re gonna kill stage 8!
Julie – do you work out when TOM visits? I feel super uncomfortable when I do, so I just walk or elliptical. I’m usually really tired and weak feeling.
The ride on Sunday was pretty stinking great! There were three people on my team and I’m the only one who finished. One couldn’t make it past the second hill, and the other dropped out halfway through to let the first one into the house we were staying at. Had some of the best Chinese food I’ve ever had and had a beer with an old boyfriend I happened to run into! Crazy! Planned my next two adventures already: this weekend I’ll do a 40 mile ride (20 each way) to a nearby town and back and then in October – for my birthday – I’m planning on doing a 55-mile gravel race called Heck of the North! I’m super pumped!
No workout today since I just realized I forgot my PANTS! HAHAHAHA! Good thing I’m eating light today since I ate like crazy all weekend.
0 -
Did combat this morning, then hubby was working out at the gym this evening so I met him there and did some lifting. Had nothing to give for squats but did 5x5 bench at 42.5kgs and 5x5 rows at 47.5 kgs.
Then did some kettlebell swings and push presses and some assisted pull ups. Then finally called it a day! I'd better sleep well tonight!!1 -
I can't with the kgs ladies. This Canadian knows nothing but lbs. Do I double the kgs to get the amount in pounds? Too tired to look this up now. I was with my 5 and 7.5 year old all day, bowling and picnicing and playing at the park, and I am ready for some tv and wine!
Also, SuperMelinator, who needs pants? I mean, really now 1 -
ooo did someone say brownies?!
On way back to LA. We packed up truck and car this morning with the last bit then drove. Stopping for the night, which is good cause I'm so tired of driving. Too many really long car trips in one month.
I did lift yesterday. I did the adult thing, and got my car serviced since it was due for oil change and such. The dealership was even able to fix my front license plate so that it's flat again, no extra charge. And since I have around 30 minutes and it was near the gym that used to be closest to the apartment I was living in, went to the gym. It was a very quick bench session but I haven't done bench much as don't like the setup at new gym. Shoulders are a bit sore, plus the awkward long car rides not helping. Didn't get the reps needed but I'm a little out of practice with bench. Need to work on it and get going with this peak cycle.
Bench press - 2x10 @ 45, 1x8 @ 70, 1x6 @ 80, 1x3, 2x4, 1x3 @ 90 (instead of 4x6)
face pull - 3x10 @ 45
cable bicep curl - 3x10 @ 450 -
Oh, and I also went for a short jog this morning before we did the last of the packing and started driving. Even after staying out late last night to get coffee with one of my coworkers from the Oregon store, I got up at 6:45 so could go jog at the park. Probably only did about 20 minutes but it was nice to do before having to spend so much time in the car.0
-
Pudding1980 wrote: »I can't with the kgs ladies. This Canadian knows nothing but lbs. Do I double the kgs to get the amount in pounds? Too tired to look this up now. I was with my 5 and 7.5 year old all day, bowling and picnicing and playing at the park, and I am ready for some tv and wine!
Also, SuperMelinator, who needs pants? I mean, really now
1 kg is 2.2 lbs so double it and add a bit more!
1 -
Haha, yeah I usually double the kgs, add a little more, then hang my head in shame ;-)
Samntha - my kids love those power cakes! Neither is a big meat eater, so I figure they need extra protein anyway.
Julie - stupid hormones! That can really throw stuff off, can't it?
Supermel - I agree, pants should be optional!
Dawn - Hope your drive is going well!
3.2 miles run this morning. Fast-ish (for me), about 10:30/mile, as I was mad mad mad about getting 30 complaining emails overnight.
And my brother didn't get the house 0 -
New deadlift max - 107.5kg (237lbs). Beat my last PR by 5kg, looked and felt better. Awesomeness!!!!!3
-
Amazing Jo!!0
-
Jo - wow, you are super strong!!
I did the first workout of Stage 8 today
Workout A, Combo 1
Suspended jackknife 2x8 (supposed to be ab wheel but I haven't got one)
Squats - 1x5@60 (warm up), 1x5@71, 1x4@71, 1x3@71
TRX Inverted row 2x8
Reverse lunges - 2x8@60
Pushups 2x8 off 18" bench
Called for Single leg hip thrust which I couldn't get the hang of. So did both legs for double reps 2x20.
I have been starting on the search of what comes next. Bought Strong Curves and have been looking through it. More of an aesthetic influence than some other programs. I don't think I'm ready for an intermediate program yet. I'm impressed with the progress that Stephie and Kimi have made on Stronglifts, though, so that's the other option.1 -
Dang Jo! My back is sore just reading that! Ha! Great job little lady!!
Aigre-sorry for your brother
Dawn-safe travels!
Kim-jealous of your bench...I'm stuck st 70lbs.
Pudding-lol! Kgs are rough for me too!
I'm lazy bones today, need to lift but procrastinating. Lifted Sunday and Monday and want to go today...but it's 109 already! Hate summer! I'll get there, need to squat and wht today 1 -
So my average weight for the month is officially down one pound and I lost an inch of my belly. One could that what I"m doing is working. Workouts are powerful as well and I didn't spend my period in a complete coma (tired yes, sleeping all day, no)
Got back in the gym today after five days off and started stage 2
S2 WO A1
Plank pull down 2x17.5
Reverse lunges 3x12@20dbs
Inverted rows (chest height) 3x12
RDL 3x70lbs
Pushups 2x12, 1x22 floor, 1x22 incline on bench. my arms are shot!!
My post workout included my costco protein shake (love them) and my protein bar with a tbs of biscoff spread on it. So decadent!0 -
Jo - holy *kitten* you're my new hero, well you and "nerdfitness" staci who I just saw on Instagram OHPing 43kg. 43kg. What the absolute hell.
Aigre - I looked at strong curves too, but meh, it didn't take my fancy.
I like stronglifts because it's simple and I was really ready to see how strong I was. I'm going to run this for another 8 weeks (until my retake exam) because I can only commit to 2-3 gym days. After that I'm going to move on to Wendler 5/3/1 which is a 4 day intermediate program (most likely plan anyways). I'm ready to not squat heavy 3 times a week!
Depends what you're interested in really? Squatting 3 times a week has made my squat much better, but that could probably be achieved in other programs too. You always have the new rules series - the later ones run a lot like strong but with more customisable workouts so you can choose your training0 -
43kg Ohp?! One day.....!!!0
-
Jo, way to go you! I only dare to dream!
Aigre, I start Stage 8 on Sunday and hadn't looked ahead at it yet, but now I'm scared. TRX inverted row?!?!
After Strong I may do Strong Curves as well. I was given the book for my birthday last year but then Strong came out and moved to top priority. I've already done For Women, Abs, and Supercharged. I was thinking of Stronglifts also, though. Is that a full body, three times a week thing? Wendler interests me but I'm not sure I want to do four lifts a week when the weather is getting cooler (I should be done Strong at the start of October) and I still want to get outside to run a couple of times a week. Decisions, decisions.0 -
Awesome Jo!
Stephie - sounds like a good plan. I like 4 day a week programs but not always plausible. 3 is sufficient too, but works better with more full body types.
Pudding - It's tough to decide. I now live in a place where running outside can be all year long, though tis a little too hot right now unless get up super early (and find a safe place to run).
Samntha - Nice work. Sounds like great progress.
Thanks for the well wishes everyone. I have my stuff moved into the apartment including my little bed. We have a couch ordered. Now just need to find room for all of the stuffs and someday find a desk I can afford. My weight is a little all over the place now but after a little while, should get a better, more accurate reading. Have my own scale finally, so can keep track in August and work on my pre-bulk goal. Have one more day off then working 5 days with 2 evenings, a morning then another 2 evening shifts. Good to get full days though as last couple of weeks have been dicey on income due to hours. Things should get better from here. July is almost done.
0 -
Went to the gym before work fancying a spin class (yes, I know, I know!) and saw that the squat rack was free. Not being able to pass up an opportunity and being early for spin, I reserved my bike and dashed over to the rack....only to see that THE GYM HAVE INSTALLED A SECOND SQUAT RACK!!! It was like Christmas to me haha!!! Two lovely racks with lovely weights side by side. I was able to squat, and someone else was able to squat too. Simple things make me so happy!
Anyway, didn't have overly long so just did 5/5/5/5/4 @ 72.5kgs. I think I was too excited at the second squat rack to squeeze out that last rep! Then I left the beauty behind, and went off to spin.
Happy Friday everyone!2 -
Kimi - I love your joy at 2 racks 1
-
Julie - 109 geez! I think I would die. We've had a week of 90s and everyone is ready to wilt.
Samtha - OMG biscoff spread is the devil! No way I could eat just a tablespoon. More like a cup. After my daughter was born I would wake up with her in the night, feed her, and then have a toast with biscoff spread as a midnight snack. No wonder I didn't lose the pregnancy weight
Stephie - I sort of dislike the marketing of Strong Curves. It's embarrassing to leave it out on the coffee table. I hate the names of the programs. "Bootyful" makes me want to hurl. I don't like the tone of the book that all that matters is aesthetics. There's even a chapter that goes into the fact that women's upper bodies look just fine without muscle if they are lean enough, so you really only need to work legs. I think that's a little silly.
That said, I don't like really the attitude of the Stronglifts guy either. And I have noticed that I do have difficulty engaging my glutes in the big lower body lifts. And they are virtually never sore unless I do heavy RDLs or lunges. And honestly, the aesthetic stuff does matter to me somewhat. So I am hoping a cycle of Strong Curves may help me activate my glutes and set me up better for either Stronglifts or an intermediate program in January. I think changing things up to more hypertrophy work may be good for me as well.
I've read through the Wendler article (not the book though) and it strikes me as sort of similar to the last phase of Strong. One main lift in each workout, performed at increasing intensity over the course of 3 weeks followed by a deload, and some accessory lifts in each workout. The reps and %1rm are different. But since I wouldn't even have any clue how to calculate or test a 1RM at this point, I think it's above my level. But I do like the general format of it.
Pudding - Eh, it's just a regular horizontal pull, I just decided to do inverted rows on the TRX cause I was too lazy to adjust the bar. Actually the first workout of Stage 8 wasn't bad at all, I thought. I like running outside too, but usually go around 5 am. I'll finish with Strong end of September probably, then maybe I'll run 12 weeks of Strong Curves til Christmas. Then figure out what to do in the new year. It will be dark and cold in the mornings so I'll have to evaluate how much I want to be running outside vs. inside lifting. Right now I do 3 days of each.
Dawn - glad you got moved in and the trip went ok!
Kimi - haha on the 2 racks! Your legs must be crazy strong to do all those squats plus a spin class!
Anyway, sorry for the book today! Actual workout was 2.4 miles outside with light rain but high temp (78 degrees at 5 am while still dark, WTH!). Tonight we start vacation, so I may not be around as much next week, but will try to check in when I can!0 -
Aigre - Yeah I agree. The marketing of strong curves is essentially what I hate about programming for women, Strong is appropriate marketing. Medhi from Stronglifts is a bit of a *kitten*, but the actual program is good.
I didn't feel my glutes for A LONG time while squatting etc, but I don't know if I needed to just get heavier (because I feel them now!) or I had to sort out engaging them (which I now do at the start and then try to maintain to keep my knees out).
I think your plan sounds good. I would say that stronglifts/ another linear program would be good for you at some point before going for an intermediate program, simply because it really pushes where you think your 1RM is.
You're description of Strong definitely seems like Wendler 5/3/1 - squats/bench/deadlifts/OHP on separate days with the increasing load followed by deload. I think it's probably a little too "intermediate" for me, as I could still make progress on a linear program, but mentally it's tough and I would like to have varying reps to make things sometimes not as hard!
Today was a *kitten* day at the gym. I guess it's just the wrong time of the month for me because I was so so weak
Squats: 5 @ 72.5kg, racked and took a load of weight off 4x5 @ 60kg
OHP: 5,3,2,5,5 @ 30kg - used a new grip today, so that I'm not gripping the bar straight across my palm (which is apparently bad) and it did feel better. Still much to work on.
TMI: Skipped deadlifts as I nearly pee'd myself squatting and didn't want to risk deadlifts!!!!!
0
