Just started!

wheezybreezy

Hello! So, I just started on Monday, and I'll be doing day 3 on tomorrow. I saw the earlier post about avoiding the smith machine for squats, however, that's the only squat rack kinda thing my gym has. Last night, when I asked a trainer about it, she told me that this was much safer and that I should just stick with it.. HMM..

I do not or will not be able to have anyone to go with me. My husband has expressed mild interest, but the child watch at the gym charges for every 15min and we have 3 little ones under five.

Also, I am considered obese :grumble:

Right now, especially since I'm just starting out, I have my calories set to maintenance and I'm not factoring in the calories burned from nursing my 7mo. So, that could be anywhere from 200-500 cals/day deficit. Does this seem alright?

And another thing! Sorry, I've been timid, but I'm overflowing with questions now. What are everyone's goals by doing this program? Is it just strength? Preserve muscle while losing fat? I was asked what my goals are, and really all I'm sure of is that I want to be able to do unassisted pullups, lose around 80 lbs, and help my asthma by increasing my cardiovascular endurance! Thanks everyone!!

tameko2

Ok so, RE your deficit - that sounds great to me, eating maintenance calories and then not eating back nursing calories should give you a nice little deficit - if the only exercise you are doing is moderate cardio or lifting you could also just not eat those calories back for a slightly larger deficit (if you do something high intensity like running or zumba you should eat back at least half of that).

The reason the smith machine is NOT considered safer is that it can only go straight up and down so it actually forces you to follow a slightly unnatural pattern while squatting. If its at all possible to switch gyms at some point in the near future, I'd do that, and you'll need a deload at that point to get used to the change.

My goals are I guess all of the above. I love the increased strength, I know some kind of resistance training is important to preserve muscle, and my diet + whatever activity I can work in should theoretically take care of the fat loss (except I had a huge greasy burger and fries today soooo....)

mamamudbug

Calories sound ok, just keep an eye on production for your lo and don't be afraid to up them if you need to.

My goal going into lifting was fat loss and preserving muscle. The fat hasn't been coming off as fast as I would like but there are plenty of women lifting that haven't had that problem. I do think I've done a good job of preserving muscle. I definitely love the strength gains I've ended up with. My asthma is much much better. I've actually had only had one attack lately and it was due to pollen counts and my lack of attention. When I started, I was having small attacks that were exercise induced. You know that those changes are going to be specific to you. This is an easy straight forward program and the ladies in this group are extremely supportive and helpful.

amy1612

My goals are gain strength,and lose around 7-14lbs. I dont mind if its in actual weight or just size. I wanna be lean and not think that people are looking at my tummy for the wrong reasons when I perform.

ishtar13

Ultimately, I need to lose about 40 more pounds for health reasons.

I want to be strong.

I have a blog somewhere else, but this is a list of my preliminary goals copied from there:

Weight:
My initial weight loss goal is to lose 20 lbs, or a little over 10% of my current body weight.
Starting weight: 196 lbs
Goal 1: 176 lbs
Goal 2: 158 lbs
Goal 3: 145 lbs
In the doctor's office, my waist measurement was 40.5". Women are at risk for weight-related diseases at 35", so a preliminary goal is to get below 35".
Goal 1: Waist measurement 38"
Goal 2: Waist measurement 36"
Goal 3: Waist measurement 35"
Strength:
Squat with the 45 lb bar Done! 4/12/12
Squat 100 lbs
Bench Press with the 45 lb bar Done! 4/12/12
Bench Press 75 lbs
Overhead Press with 45 lb bar Done! 5/5/12
Overhead Press 75 lbs
Assisted pull up 50% body weight (95 lb assist)
10 real push ups
1 wide grip, man-style pull-up

wheezybreezy

So, back when I mentioned something about not having a squat rack at my gym.. Well, apparently I did my orientation in the "women's gym" I went exploring a little bit and found the "co-ed" free weight room in the gym and of course they have two squat racks that are always empty! It feels so much better squatting without the obnoxious smith machine. I'd like to add I'm not a ditz, I swear, and I had asked two trainers where the regular squat racks were and they told me they weren't safe for a beginner.. ANNOYING!

Another thing, I'm probably coming up to my first FAIL.. How do you deal with this?! Lol, I have a 65lb OHP planned for Monday and it's going to be so hard!

Last update- I started having supply issues, so I messed around with calories again, and then I started eating insane amounts of food, so I have gained back around eight pounds. Blah, but I feel back on track now, and I'm loving the program! I thought cardio was pretty dope, but lifting takes the cake! Even in the room full of men, I feel all woman. I haven't really done much in the way of cardio aside from some low key bike rides or long walks.


Thanks ladies for being supportive!

irridia

unlike the rest of us, when you are nursing grains are super important, unless you have tolerance issues. Eat whole grains and drink loads of water. Also red raspberry leaf and nettle teas are really good for milk supply. Oh and how far post-partum are you? if you are in your first year I would stop lifting heavy now before it ruins your joints and ligaments!

I was miss macha mommy and lifting 150 lb hay bails and 80 lb feed sacks on at least a weekly basis. Now I'm paying for it with my hip joints and other ligaments (the ones in my wrists suffered the worst)

When your li'l un is 2 you can dive right in, until then I suggest waiting. or use your baby as the weight and do squats and lunges, you could maybe rig a sling for babes and to do deads and rows, for ohp weigh baby before every session and use that weight. Kiddies love being bench pressed, just watch for wiggly ones!

I have a book called itsy bitsy yoga or some such, it's yoga for babies. There is a drop that you do with them that is kind of like a kettle bell work out. they find it very calming and the book suggests it for calming an upset baby.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_13?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=itty+bitty+yoga&sprefix=itty+bitty+yo,aps,259