What I learned(long summary)

kcfaber

So did only 6 not 12 in Stage 7 which I really enjoyed but just got to a place where I am ready to increase intensity and variety. This program has been hugely helpful for me for many reasons. It finally got me into a structured and challenging strength training program which I have never done. I have definitely seen big changes in my body in terms of definition in my arms and back, legs and slowly even my abs (weakest link). I think I could have been eating at maintenance from the beginning which may have made things better because I have since increased my calories to that and I'm not gaining. I think if I had a few days off of strength training there is a loss under here somewhere that is being masked by fluid retention. I have gone from a snug 8 to a loose 8 in all my pants and can see my arm definition in tight shirts and really well in tanks. I could feel the body changes before I saw them and now I can see them better all the time.I think it was also some kind of butt lift because that area is looking firmer and higher too. Can't seem to figure out the taking and posting of pics so you just have to take my word for it right now. So what next?? Well I just started P90x and I am loving it. I like it because it is still a lot of strength training but also a lot of other stuff as well. Yesterday was chest and back and it was a ton of pullups and pushups. There is no way I could be doing this if I hadn't just finished NROL4W. Today was Plyometrics which is basically 50 minutes of the body weight matrix. Yikes! But soooo good. And the AB ripper disc is awesome. So I'm really enjoying it. It is expensive (140) so maybe see if you could borrow it or get a used copy. I will be without access to my weights for about 6 weeks this summer so I needed this to have something structured for that time. I think in August I'll do New Rules for Abs because that is similar to this program and hopefully will help me build on strength training. Anyway, I'll still be checking in here because I have loved this group and watching everyone's progress.

Beeps2011

I was happy to read this progress report, kcfaber!! (Like you, I'm not really sure how to post any pics....but I AM taking pics at home, end of every month!)

If there is NO heavy lifting in P90X, are you worried that SOME of the progress you have made will be LOST - or have you convinced yourself that plyometrics is also an appropriate "strength-training" method??

kcfaber

yes I worry about that. but because it has so many pullups and pushups that I think it will be okay. I am making a point of lifting enough that I can't do more than 10 reps. No more barbie weights for me!!!

Jenlwb

I'm really glad to read of your good progress. I was just thinking the other day I can FEEL my progress, but not SEE it yet, as you did so I hope that will come as I go further thru the stages!

You could always put before and after pics in your profile, then you can save them there directly, rather than figuring out how to put them here?

Jen

Beeps2011

That makes sense, kcfaber....what about the BIG lifts (squats/deadlifts), though?? My concern (for me, not for you....) is that NOW that I've finally LEARNED the proper form for squats and deadlifts and NOW that my body is finally able to PERFORM a full rep of good form, and NOW that I'm finally moving my weights up....if that all just STOPS, then what??

Mind you....even the body matrix (which has no additional weights) kills me, still.....

deninevi

kcfaber, Congrats on finishing the program and the great progress you have made!

Nelski

Great job finishing the program! Thanks for sharing your success and thoughts on the program.

kcfaber

Beeps: I'm sure you're right about loss on these big moves but I think because now I know I can do it, when I return to the heavy lifting in August I will have to take a few steps back but my hope will be to progress quickly from there as long as I keep strength training. Three days of this P90x program are strength training and then 3 are the plyometrics, Kenpo (martial arts/kickboxing thing) and Yoga so I think I will hopefully develop new strengths with the diversity/intensity of it. But most importantly now that I now I like it, can do it, and am not afraid of it, I will be eager to return to it once I'm back home with my weights. Because we will be traveling I have to go with the resistance bands and body weight based things for this timeframe.