Daily Chat Thread
Replies
-
Stephie - those are not weak lifts!
Kimi - woohooo - 2 racks is THE BEST (tho' 3 would be amazing). Saying that, often not much competition for racks at my gym. I go to a place where a lot of the dudes 'skip leg day' - muppets
Aigre - funny how we can be all so different. I only ever feel my glutes with squats and my quads just sleep through it - so frustrating!!
I matched my bench PR yesterday but failed on the next weight up. Still pathetic. But I feel like I might be able to get it soon.
Squat day today at some point - my middle boy is 10 tomorrow so has his party today. I was up 4 hours putting together his pokemon cake
1 -
Everybody is getting in some major lifts!! Nice job ladies.
My hubby sprang a surprise camping trip on me, so the gym will be replaced with Hiking and kayaking. FUN!! Planned out all of my food or the weekend. Now to see it I can stick to it. Luckily it maintenance days, so if nothing else, hitting the calories at least is easy.
Have a Great weekend!0 -
Made it to the gym. Going to be working again tomorrow, have 5 days in a row on the current schedule, so that will be better financially. It's still so hot here and even with fans running, got rather sweaty at the gym just doing lifting. Still a bit off on the schedule for the peak cycle but will get things better organized soon.
Squats - 2x10 @ 45, 1x8 @ 95, 1x3 @ 135 and 4x5 @ 145
Walkout - 215 for 20 seconds
Pause Squats - 2x5 @ 95 with 8 second count
Overhead Press - 3x5 @ 65
Good Morning - 3x10 @ 65
After all the time driving and spending today with sister in her car my back has been a little sore. My legs really felt it after the pause squats in particular. Still went decent. Though just doing this peak cycle for myself. I've made the decision not to do the meet in October. While, it would be really awesome to compete in APA/WPA World, I just can't warrant spending that much. The meet alone is 125, then add plane ticket and other expenses. I'm not comfortable asking for that much as gifts either, even with a birthday coming up. So, I'll just work on PR's and then look forward to possible starting a bulk cycle soon.
0 -
Squat day got done but my body was not enjoying. Came home and had 3 coffees and a magnesium supplement
Perhaps tomorrow will be rest day rather than combat day. Don't actually recall my last rest day so must not have had one yet this week. On the plus side, scales are finally showing a loss. I'm sure it's temporary, but hell, today I will take it 0 -
Scale is not my friend right now. Finally have one at least but not sure how long until things settle after the moving and such. Considering my calories in July though, it should be under 130 but was 134 this morning. I also found that having cardboard under it doesn't work well. I just don't want it to stain the floor as it sort of did in the last apartment when I was using my own scale (before moving in with the previous roommates). Now I have a harder mat underneath but blech to the number. I'm not against weighing around 130 but 125 is the top of the healthy range for my height and I was hoping to get under that before bulking. Want to start bulking at the very end of August, so hope the number adjusts better soon as my calories haven't been maintenance except for some of the travel days and the day in oregon getting together with previous coworkers.0
-
DawnEmbers wrote: »Scale is not my friend right now. Finally have one at least but not sure how long until things settle after the moving and such. Considering my calories in July though, it should be under 130 but was 134 this morning. I also found that having cardboard under it doesn't work well. I just don't want it to stain the floor as it sort of did in the last apartment when I was using my own scale (before moving in with the previous roommates). Now I have a harder mat underneath but blech to the number. I'm not against weighing around 130 but 125 is the top of the healthy range for my height and I was hoping to get under that before bulking. Want to start bulking at the very end of August, so hope the number adjusts better soon as my calories haven't been maintenance except for some of the travel days and the day in oregon getting together with previous coworkers.
Yup, card underneath is going to affect it. Why don't you just put it in a cupboard and bring it out to a flat piece of flooring when you need it?
Also, what is your BF%? I'd urge caution at bulking if you're at the top end of where you want to end up.
0 -
Yup, card underneath is going to affect it. Why don't you just put it in a cupboard and bring it out to a flat piece of flooring when you need it?
Also, what is your BF%? I'd urge caution at bulking if you're at the top end of where you want to end up.
It's on a flat floor as we don't have carpet except the one bedroom, which is my sister's. I just don't want the floor to get stained like in the last apartment where I had the scale in the bathroom. And we don't have enough cupboard space to stow it away but I have a decent spot near the room divider I have up to make the living room seem like a bedroom.
I don't have an accurate BF reading. Only times it has been checked was at 24 hour fitness with calipers. I'm okay with my first bulk being at a higher weight then going lower in the next cut than I am with the current one. It's that or wait and hope I can get my weight down below 120 before doing anything, which is proving a challenge with the fat and some loose skin. The weight range for 4'11.5" is a nuisance. 125 top for the "healthy" range. I should be in the upper 120's so just need to get resettled in the routine now that I have work and am all moved in. Just not planning to wait until I'm 110 before attempting to gain some muscle.0 -
Well my OHP day was shite. Left shoulder was hopeless and refused to cooperate. Got in some *kitten* lifts all the same - then ran for 10 mins. Then came home and hammered the crap out of said shoulder with a body combat. Probably didn't help my shoulder but made me feel better0
-
I have some catching up to do with you ladies! I haven’t been as dedicated lately.
Jo – What the WHAT?!?! My eyes almost popped out of my head at those numbers!
And Steph – Your numbers are terrific!
I’m going to start referring to TOM as “shark week.” It just makes so much sense to me
Anyway, because shark week came 4 days early again this month (WTF?), I am going to the gym a little later today to avoid the majority of the workout lunch people – in case of any mishaps… I’ll probably head over about 2 or 2:30. Man, I’m losing steam for this program fast! Has this happened to anyone else? I feel anxious about starting new stages because I don’t know what I’m doing, and that keeps me away. And then I’m anxious about not doing what I should be doing and pushing it back. Two weeks per stage is so short and leaves me feeling super anxious all the time. Ugh. On the bright side, I have a 67-mile bike ride (a metric century!) scheduled for this Saturday 
Has anyone here used Map My Ride, or Map My Run? On my last ride (112 minutes, 20 miles, ~12mph) it estimated 1000 cal. burn. The count seems a bit high to me.
Also, I went to the doc last week and one of the things we talked about was weight. She suggested two books to look at. One is called “The 17 Day Diet” and the other is called “Always Hungry?” Anyone heard of these or have any opinions?
0 -
My husband used to use Map my ride but switched to strava. He wears a HRM and it calculates his joules and calories. Without the HRM the Map my apps are still only an estimate.
Why is your doctor recommending those types of books? Is she concerned by your weight?
We had a killer weekend. So much so that I had a lazy day today. Five mile Hike Saturday. Two mile open water kayaking and swimming Sunday. I"m beyond done. I did well following my meal prep. Not even hungry today. In fact, I never seem hungry anymore.
Back to the barbell tomorrow.1 -
Nicely done Sam.
Mel - I used to use mapmyrun but only for my running distance/ time. Good in that respect but never utilised the other functions.
Well, today I have logged 1300 days..... you'd think I'd have learnt by now. I have had a crappy day and eaten too much peanut butter and drank too much wine. Sigh. Shoulder still crappy so gym felt yuk even though the numbers were reasonable (deadlift day). PT is back in town after a few weeks away. Hope to catch up with him soon to iron out some issues0 -
Did bodycombat before work today. I am so tired at my desk now. Anyone care to prescribe me a week on a desert island, pleeeeeaaaaassseee!?0
-
Sorry Kimi - but at least you got it done!
I am so busy at work, so many apologies but I'll catch up with all your accomplisments later on. I did force myself to go to the gym at lunch, despite the busyness because I thought it would rejuvinate me for the afternoon.. I'm now tired though so perhaps it won't work.
Squats: 5x5 @ 72.5kg - WAHEY, got them all
some with questionable depth, but some very deep, so I figure it evens outs
Bench: 5,5,5,3,0 @ 42.5kg - so I went to video the 4th set and clearly jinxed myself because I had to dump it on my hips and wriggle out
not my finest moment, but I did it quite quietly and I don't think anyone saw!
Rows: 5x5 @ 42.5kg (smith + 22.5kg) - this was extremely easy because I figured out what the hell I had been doing wrong! I was not standing over the bar enough and was therefore not pulling in the correct direction. Time to try these again from the floor and see what I can do!! (This also make me question my deadlift setup, so I'm going to try closer to the bar there as well to see how it feels)0 -
Sorry for the bummer day Jo.
Wish I could Kimi. Everybody deserves a week in paradise.
Stephie, nicely done.
Got back to the barbell today. Felt pretty darn good
S2 WO B1
Side plank rows 1x14, 1x 15.5
SL RDL 3x25dbs
DB BP 3x25dbs
Front Squat 3x65
SA Cable Row 3x30
Still doing the push-up challenge. I can now do all 22 on floor with very little pausing.
On a side note:
I was asked recently, "What is holding you back from reaching your goals?" Most people write time, kids, work etc. I wrote Asthma. I've been a real knucklehead about it. My asthma is athletic onset, heart rate goes too high, my lungs kind of seize up and I can't breathe. I used my inhaler all through school for sports and activities, but not as an adult. Recently, I've been doing more intense cardio including long hikes, kayaking, swimming, etc. I nearly keeled over in a contact kickboxing class, and the asthma is seriously holding me back (it doesn't bother me with heavy lifting, I just take slightly longer breaks.) So I decided to stop being a knucklehead and called my doctor to get a new inhaler.0 -
Sam - Nice work on the push ups. I haven't even done those for months, probably not since NROLFW. Good to get that inhaler and take care of the asthma issues.
Stephie - At least you went and got it done. Well done.
Super - I haven't used any but I also don't bike. For my runs, I just had my 10 year old iPod with me so didn't use anything that could have an app on it. Would be interesting though, something like those programs.
Sunday I did bench press and deadlift at the gym in effort to get back together since the driving and such made it difficult to do the lifting 4 days a week. Back to the upper/lower approach now though, with both upper including bench. On the plus side of not competing, I don't have a set date to peak on per se, which is good since I need to get some of the lifts up a little in order to work towards my goals.
Sunday
bench - 2x8@ 45, 1x6 @ 65, 4x6 @ 75
ohp - 3x5 @ 65
good morning - 3x10 @ 65
deadlift - 1x6 @ 135, 1x5 @ 185, 1x1 @ 205 and 3x5 with belt at 195
205 felt too heavy so shifted down. Was supposed to do 4x6 but need to work my way up a little more. Belt helped though.
Today
bench - 2x10 @ 45, 1x8 @ 65 and 4c5 @ 80
chin up - 3x2, one pull up
cable bicep curl 3x8 @ 30
face pull 3x10 @ 30
bent over row 3x8 @ 80 - challenging on the last reps.
Also am trying to set up the free personal trainer session at the gym just out of curiosity. It's an anytime fitness so not quite geared towards powerlifting. One of the questions he asked when taking notes to set it up was which body part I wanted to focus on... Kinda stared for a second cause yeah, all. Not going for a particular spot. But we'll see how it goes once it gets set up. Need to work on my protein as it's easy to get carbs cheap and my roommates don't eat meat much, plus our oven doesn't actually work. We need to put in a note with the apartment cause it's brand new but doesn't get to a temperature that will actually cook anything and the stove top clicks but doesn't light so can't use them either. I have a slow cooker and sister has a pressure cooker, just haven't use them for any protein sources yet, mostly just vegetables. Able to get low calories but need to work on the macros.
0 -
Quick drive by post from my phone. Glad to see everyone training and hitting such great numbers!
Saturday did Strong, stage 8, workout B, combo 2 (OHP), then headed over to the island. Sunday ran a nice 5.75 miles around the island with some amazing views along the way. Got back yesterday and did Strong, stage 8, workout C, combo 1 (deadlifts). This morning out for a foggy but cool 3.3 miles.
Today is my son's 5th birthday so we are off to the aquarium and out to dinner. Date night tomorrow and then two birthday parties this weekend, so keeping at my deficit is a huge challenge. I am hoping for maintenance.
In other news, the owners of the house my brother wanted came back to him and accepted his offer after rejecting it a week ago. So we are again hopeful he will get this house! It's 1.1 miles from me!3 -
Hey, ladies! I've been in lurke mode for a while, but wanted to pop in and say great job! Love seeing all the big numbers you're lifting.
I'm still dealing with my disc issue, but starting to get some strength workouts in. Guess pain is just a part of my life right now.
Lift on!0 -
Cowgirl, nobody should have to love in pain. I hope you can feel better, but I know when it comes to problems with the back... Feel better honey.
Rest day today. I gave blood, that's my excuse. I did get my push ups in today. Not perfect but I starting to aim for depth now.
Aigre, have fun. Sounds like a busy weekend.
Dawn, folks in my ETP group are all about the instapot pressure cooker. There are a crap ton of recipes online. Hopefully, the oven can get fixed. Now that nonsense about "what body part." I really wish people in the fitness industry would stop perpetuating that crap.0 -
Samntha - The pressure cooker is nice on the veggies as we are weird and like ours super soft. Need to get some Brussel's sprouts soon and cook them in it. mmmm I guess if you want to focus on a particular set of parts, like the arm bros or something, but yeah. Though the guy also thought powerlifters did cleans so... just because work in gym doesn't equal fitness knowledge. Plus, that gym isn't equipped for cleans or jerks since it's not the focus of their gym.
Barbell - persistent pain is a nuisance. I have arthritis in my back and other problems so get pain on a regular basis. Luckily for me it's not too bad yet but there lots of years left to go of it. Hope you continue to do well and at least enjoy some of the things you do. :-)0 -
Bbc-so good to near from you! Sorry about your back hope you're healing. I sympathize! My compressed disc gives me grief from time to time too
Sam-I took yesterday off too
Jo-I'm like you, don't use my quads as much in my squats. I'm going to try hack squats and see how that goes? I've read they're great for quads.'happy birthday to your son!
Kim-I'd join you on that island!
Mel-shark week -my sympathies! Mine came 15 days early this time!, Grrr. Hope it's the start of menopause, I'd be happy to get through that!
Dawn-muscle gain will make the scale go up, just a reminder you're doing fine!
Aigre-jealous of the island! Happy birthday to Ds!
I got in good upper body lifts today. saw a guy I haven't seen in a month or so, who said he almost didn't recognize me! Complimented me on my weight loss (I don't think I lost any? I think I'm up?) but he was very encouraging which was wonderful!! My dd(16) has been telling me I look good lately too. I'll take it as I'm not very motivated to lose any weight right now!
Take care all!! I will try to checkin again soon and do better with personals!0 -
I know you all have your own struggles too. It's inspiring to see you all working through it and achieving your goals.
Dawn and Julie, the past several months have given me such a respect for people who deal with chronic pain. Going to bed with pain, waking up to more pain, and managing the pain all day is draining.
Julie, you must be doing something right if everyone else thinks you're looking leaner.
Since we've moved, I am now working out in a unisex gym. This is a new experience for me. Not sure how to react sometimes. Guys are just *different*when they work out. But I will say I feel like a weakling around them. Today a guy was busting out pull-ups, doing 250lb leg extensions, and 200lb cable rows.0 -
BBC, you're the only girl at your gym? That has to be a little freaky. I love that my weight room now has a higher percentage of women. The girls have been slowly taken over in the five years I've been doing this. It's awesome to see.
Having my permanent crown cemented today. Hopefully it'll go well. My mouth has been sensitive and achy since the dentist did the prep work. Taking far too many advil these days. I'm playing the day by ear and seeing how it goes. I'm supposed to have a "high", carbs and cals over maintenance, but if my mouth is sore, that much eating just isn't going to happen. This week I had a really hard time eating everything. In two weeks, the same amount of food will leave me hungry. I'm weird like that.
Here's some interesting reading and podcast if anybody is interested. IT can give you ideas for setting cals and macros for fat loss.
http://www.eattoperform.com/2016/03/05/setting-calories-for-fat-loss/0 -
Sam, not the only girl in the gym, but usually the only one in the weight room. It does feel odd, but thankfully I'm confident enough at this point in my life not to be bothered by it. I, too, go through ups and downs with my eating. Hormones are weird like that.
Supposed to do upper body today. But I really want to try out the hex/trap bar for DLs- supposed to be much easier on the back.
1 -
Barbell - One of my roommates goes to a female only gym and it would be interesting but I've never been to one. I've just used commercial gyms with one that had a lot of people most of the time but more men lifted than women and now, even in LA the current gym has more people than the one of the same company in Oregon but don't see as many women. Late night, like last night, it was just guys lifting. Though I've seen more use the smith machine than the power cage.
Julie - yep, gain was the plan. Just wanted to get the scale down so that I could do a slow gain and not get up above 140 or much above it depending on how it one. The idea before all of the moving, driving and funeral stuff got in the way was to get to 125 or just below then mid-meet prep increase my calories so that before the meet I'd still be able to stay in 132 weight class (since prep was planned at about 8-9 weeks) but start gaining a smidgen of muscle and at least getting to the heavy lifts on higher calories. Meet after a week of low calories while recovering from a cold wasn't ideal, so wanted to take a different route with the next one.
Now I won't be doing the meet but winter is prime bulking time. Or I could just try out maintenance for a while since I haven't really done that. I need to do something other than deficit and for more than a week. Would help on a few levels, but mostly on the mental side as my body isn't near having a flat stomach or anything like that though it has come a long way.
It's still kind of weird now, since no on here knew me before June. So, now I get the disbelief if they find out I once weighed over 200. Anyways, I did lift last night though I forgot to write down ahead of time what weights I was supposed to use. Need to get better about that.
squat - 2x10 @ 45, 1x8 @ 95, 1x5 @ 135, 4x5 @ 155 and 3 of the last sets were with belt
walkout - 215 for 20 count
pause squats 1x4 @ 100 and 1x5 @ 95
sumo deadlifts - 1x6 @ 135, 3x5 @ 155 last 2 sets were with the belt
Even though I can do without the lifting belt, it's good to practice it since I use it on the heavy sets. 155 feels awfully heavy though. Sometimes it's hard to believe I was getting up to 200 on squat before. The move proved more of a challenge in consistency than I had anticipated.
0 -
I am frequently the only girl in my gym. I am even more often the only girl lifting. I don't mind - makes me look good hahaha. The boys tend to fall into 3 categories - those who lift well, those who show up and do random *kitten* with their mates and those who lift terribly and make a lot of noise. There are girls but they do tend to be on the cardio machines or doing PT classes/ group fitness. Thankfully the PTs are great and get the girls lifting when they are in the gym. Lots of machines and not a lot of free weights though.
Did squat day yesterday... combat was hard today! Got it done though. Scales are not my friend again. And shoulder is tight and sore - feeling a bit despondent even though I have seen results in strength.
Dawn - are your numbers lbs or kg?0 -
Jo, I am sorry to hear that you're still dealing with shoulder problems. Lingering injuries can be so frustrating. The "noisy" lifters still surprise me. Other than a few muffled grunts(usually mine), there wasn't much vocalizing during exercise at my ladies only gym. These guys sound like they're dying doing bicep curls.
Dawn, I think your numbers look great. If you take into account your body weight, your lifts are pretty impressive. I know Lyle McDonald recommends not bulking until you're closer to 20% BF. And I know your body gains more fat at a higher percentage, but I would think maintence or even a 100 cals over maintenance would give your body a nice "break" and push those weights up. That being said, I know 2 years ago I inadvertently did a very slow bulk over about 6 months. Really I was just not being careful on cals and I kept lifting. I was really happy with the results when I lost the weight later. It was only 5-10lbs, but my lifts went up and my body composition was better.
Chest and shoulders yesterday. Going to need to modify this. All the positions that require me to lay on the bench(BP, incline BP, prone front raise, flyes) really irritated my leg pain. I see a lot of kneeling cable machine exercises in my future.
0 -
Jo - lbs, I don't know the kg conversions and all of the plates at the gym I attend are set up in lbs.
Barbell - Thanks. I wouldn't be doing a fast, high calorie bulk, if I did one. It would be a small extra bit of calories and slow. I just need more than a week off from the deficit and the idea of gains has its appeal. Getting the squat above 200 is challenging in a deficit. I am considering maintenance instead, so we'll see.
Did upper body before work. Since some days I work until 11 pm and other days I work in the morning, my lifting times vary too. There are people there most of the time, though haven't had troubles using the power cage yet. Getting to the gym and leaving are the struggles more with traffic and such. That and wanting to do some food challenges on youtube but harder to balance when on the lower calories of this pesky deficit. ;-)
bench press - 2x10 @ 45, 1x8 @ 65, 4x5 @ 85
overhead press - 2x8 @ 45, 3x5 @ 65
tricep pushdown - 3x10 @ 35
pallor press - 3x10 @ 20
First time showering at the gym but decided it was better than driving home then driving to work. Took a while to get near where I work, followed by trying to find a parking spot (oh hollywood).
Sunday is fun day. Going to Warped Tour with my sister. We have an interview to conduct (not sure who it is with exactly) and then a bunch of bands to watch. It should be fun.
0 -
Hi All! I started the program on Saturday, so I did my NROLFW Stage 1, Workout B today. I felt better about it than the first workout. I'm really enjoying it. I watched some videos on bodybuilding.com to try and make sure my form was right on all of them. I'm still learning about using machines. I haven't touched a squat rack yet. I've just been using the lighter barbells on a rack in my gym ( 40 and 50 lbs). For the dumbell exercises I'm using 10 lb weights. I'm also one of the few women using weights, so it's an adjustment to get comfortable.
I'm still learning some of the lingo in here. If someone writes that they did 2x10 @ 45, is that 2 sets/10 reps/45lbs? I see ya'll will but several numbers behind an exercise, so you do that many sets?0 -
Welcome Leslie. For women is awesome!! Your weights are where I started five years ago. You'll be surprised how fast you gain strength. If your gym does any "free training session", see if you can get one to check form on big lifts. May help you feel more confident. I was straight up with mine. They use those sessions to sell the services. I told him I just needed form check. He was happy to do it. If you squat with a 40-50 weight barbell, then you can totally rock the bar in the rack, it's 45 lbs by itself.
I neglected to log my workout yesterday.
Strong: S2 WO A2
Plank Pull down up to 19lbs.
Inverted rows 3x12
Reverse Lunges 3x12@20dbs (Three sets of 12 using the 20lbs dumbbells.)
No weight increase, but definite form and energy increase.
RDL (Romanian Deadlift/Stiff leg deadlift) weighted barbell 70lbs
Pushup (military) 3x12 AND 22 more for the #22kill pushup challenge
I can now do all 22 on the floor with only brief pauses to catch my breath in plank position.
We also got in two rounds of mini golf, and an hour+ worth of mall walking.
Nice numbers as always Dawn. You'll be shocked at the strength gains while eating at maintenance or slightly higher. YOu go girl!
BBC, I've got the weight and now I'm praying for a recomp. It's shocking to me how much weight and fat I've gained in one year of stress and falling off the fitness wagon. I feel like I'm starting from scratch.
It's interesting to note that when I've worked with female trainers, the go low weight high rep, and the male trainers are all low rep heavy weight. I still get occasional looks from the dudes in the weight room, but I live in a very heavily populated area and we have a large number of bad-*kitten* chicks moving serious weight. There are one girl and her sister in particular who are powerlifters and they appear so unassuming. THey out lift a lot of the guys by straight weight, not even body-weight comparative.0
