Ladies 35+ in stage 1 of NROLFW? Please join me!
Replies
-
Did B6 last night - the first B workout with 3 reps and it was good:) I am really starting to see a difference in my strength now! And the cycle back is starting to get a bit easier too LOL
I haven't lost any weight at all over the past 3 weeks despite still being at a massive deficit, but I looked at myself in the mirror in the gym and you know what? I wasn't embarrassed by what I saw! still lots of work to do, but considering I was wearing lycra, I was amazed at the difference I could see:) Determined to wait until the end of stage 1 before taking measurements, but pretty sure they will be good!
On A6 on Monday I nabbed the young lad playing on the machines next to me to spot my squats - he could barely lift the weights up to my back, so I let him slope off while I was pumping up and down with them, and had to struggle the weights back don myself LOL
Heather - just realised I can squat and deadlift a little more than 1/2 my bodyweight - nice way to look at it:)0 -
Hi. I'm 41 and halfway through Stage 1 -- I start A5 on Friday. I usually read the daily chat thread too. I will follow both.
I have lost 4 lbs since starting. I don't know if it's a fluke or (wishful thinking) a steady pattern, but I'll take it. I'm eating at a deficit, but not a huge one. And I eat back my calories on lift days.
Wow, some of you are killing it with the squats and deadlifts! I was at 65 on the squat, but took it down due to knee problems. I'm at 55 on the deadlift. Y'all are making me feel wimpy! I wasn't sore the past week, but I pushed hard at yesterday's workout and my shoulders are hurting today.
I still have my preggo belly (from --ahem--3 years ago), but it has gone down considerably since I started MFP. I think I had a lot of water weight too. I've never had a 6-pack, but I'm anxious to see how far I can get doing this program (and maybe the ab program after that). I love lifting! Who knew?!0 -
Hi! Would love to join you and others! I sort of feel alone in this journey. I just turned 39 on Sept. 8th and I'm nearing the end of Stage 1 and have started to see some nice changes in how my clothes fits. People ask me how much weight I've lost now all the time...truth is i have NOT lost...it's just being shifted around more muscle and less body fat.
I'm steadily weighing in at ~156-159 lb. range, Inches have come off around my waist and hips.
I try to eat 1500 - 1600 on weight training days and running days
my non-workout days should be around 1250-1350 based on the book...but I always go over since the one non-workout day is Sunday and also FOOTBALL day (i watch all day, not play in it)
I just upped my weight yesterday! RAWR!
Here's my progress for Stage 1
Started on 8/27
squats with 30 lbs... (goblet squat)
WO7-A 9/26 squats (back) 60 lbs
WO1-B Deadlift 45lbs bad form (Bar only)
WO6-B deadlift 70lbs form better but still needs practice0 -
Mrs. Agi- you are so strong!!!
kmsairam and andrea you girls are doing great!0 -
Love mermegan! And love your new pic- you're beautiful. Actually lots of beautiful women here!
Cangirl40- stomach still not great, will keep working on it. *Great* job on the squats and pushups!!! I thought I read somewhere it's harder to have good form with machine, but if it's working that's great! I did workout 6A tonight and didn't increase the weights- I was exhausted tonight and it's a miracle I even went! My squat is up to 60 though! About 10 more lbs will be about half my body weight so I hope I can do it by the end of stage 1.
Aw, shucks, thanks! So are you and your fountain of youth!
I'm not a huge fan of the ab workouts in New Rules, but haven't decided what to add in to the mix. I think improving my stomach is for the most part going to be a body fat issue, ugh. It's so slow going.
Re: squats, you ladies kill it! I seriously don't know how some of you squat so much, awesome!! I always thought my legs were really strong but realizing they're not—they're just big, lol! I'm squatting 65 and stuck there for now.0 -
In all things weightlifting, i believe in GOOD FORM first....then start moving up into heavier weights. I've been at this for 9 months, now, and I still haven't broken 100 lbs in my back squats. What can I say? My hips do NOT find the "movement" very friendly. My glutes don't activate (the way they should). So, getting that "mind-muscle" connection is taking me a L-O-N-G time. So be it. I'm injury free!0
-
Hello! I'm 38 and just checked out the book at the library last night. I used to lift weights back in high school and little bit in college, so I am really excited to get back into it. I am going to join my local community center once I am ready to get started.0
-
You're right Beeps. And I've had too many sports related injuries in the past 5 years to take a big risk. I DO NOT want to go through any of them again and be sidelined!
Realized I'm probably using too small of a step up box too—saw on another NROL4W forum that when stepping up your knee should be higher than your hips. Maybe I'll drop the weight and use a higher step (mine felt a little low)0 -
Hi Wendy - you'll LOVE NROL4W! It's addictive....
mermegan - yes, the step-up piece is always a little confusing. Work on the higher step. Drop the weights right down, or don't use any weight at all, until you get the RIGHT movement. (I struggle with step-ups, BIG TIME.)
From NROL4Abs (p. 146): Re: step-ups: DON'T push off the floor with your trailing foot. You want all the force generated by the leg that's on the step. The more fatigued you are, the harder it is to resist the temptation to give yourself a boost with your back leg.
(I"m a BIG TIME "back-leg booster"....shucks....I keep trying, though!)0 -
Welcome to the newcomers!!!
RE: squats....do you use a barbell or a machine??? I know someone said they "nabbed a young lad" to help lift it onto them....???? I know there's that 'resting' station where you can set up your barbells and then step away to squat. I'm still afraid I would fall over doing really heavy weights...or not get back up...LOL Anyone using a "machine"? I don't want to 'cheat'...lol
RE: step-ups...I had been using 4 pink levels with a step but yesterday changed it to 5 levels with 20 lb dumbbells. Made a big difference in my fatigue and heart rate. Definitely recommend going higher with the step ups!
Tomorrow it's on to B4. I'll up the deadlift for sure and really go for 20lb dumbells on the lunges!
Just wanted to add that I have never had muscle definition in my legs in my life....I seriously have had chicken legs (toothpicks) my whole life and now I love seeing that quad muscle during a squat...LOL Who knew???0 -
Cangirl- You had a NSV! WOOT WOOT! Congrats on that.
I upped my deadlift weight today to 65 lbs and it felt easy, gonna bump it up another 5 for my next workout. Took my time doing lunges today with 32 lbs on the curl bar and I felt it after. I always know I got in a good workout when my legs wobble as I walk up the stairs.0 -
RE: squats....do you use a barbell or a machine???
Barbell squats 100%. From what I've read machines do some of the work for you, while with barbells you're using your entire body to stabilize (that's why squats are also good for your abs) Just start light and gradually add weight. When I first started I warmed up with the bar only, then slowly added until my 10-12 rep was very difficult.
As for me, I'm having issues with my weighted lunges. Did them tonight and had to stop because my hip flexors started hurting. On the upside I deadlifted 95 tonight and loved it! This is becoming my favorite lift.
Re: Step-ups, I checked the boxes at the gym and there's a huge difference between the one I was using and the next step up, yikes. Not sure what to do but I'll figure it out!0 -
I *wish* my legs would wobble going up the stairs afterwards...I"m afraid of injuring myself if I add TOO much weight too fast.
I'm on started workout of 3 reps of 10 today....finally using the proper barbell equipment to get a bigger lift in...today I added 10 on each side of the barbell (which I think are 45 pounds) so a totally of 65 for squats....not bad for someone who started with a 35 barbell...:)
I love the fact that the reps are shorter so you really can up your weight knowing you don't have to do as many! Today on my step ups I reached for the 22.5 dumbells and did 5 levels of the step. Felt good!!!
How are the hip flexors, mermegan???0 -
Thanks for asking CanGirl—I still feel them but I haven't squatted in a few days (tonight is the night so we'll see how it goes) If it's too bad I may drop the weight down and focus on form and going really low. My problem NOW is my foot! But this is a lingering injury after I ran a half marathon last spring—waiting on an MRI. It's not bad when I'm weight lifting but cardio really aggravates it. Man, I feel like it's always something!
Yay for 3 reps of 10! I like it so much better. Looks like we're at the same place in Stage 1. Doing A5 tonight! Only annoying thing is the step at my gym is either a 12inch or a very tall box. I tried that one without weight and I had to push some with my other foot so I dropped back down to the short box with heavy weight, hmmm. What size step do you gals use? Maybe I can try to find a bench somewhere in the gym...0 -
Yeah mermegan I'm on B5 tomorrow! We are at the same spot! I use one of those "old" steps that you place squares (levels) underneath. I use 5...not sure what that height is but I figure if it gets my heart rate up it's working..,sorry to hear about the foot injury. Your story is exactly the reason I have decided to take a half marathon off my bucket list...(I had it on there but was feeling my old injury surfacing...)
One thing I really noticed was how much I rely on "momentum" in that move and so last time I really tried hard to focus on the action without momentum. Made a difference!
Do you guys have a heart rate monitor? Thinking of getting one...0 -
One thing I really noticed was how much I rely on "momentum" in that move and so last time I really tried hard to focus on the action without momentum. Made a difference!
I focused on this last time too and it was a difference. I am down to 8 reps now, and I agree, it does make you braver!
So I am almost finished with stage 1- two more workouts, so hopefully will be done sunday or monday. And I think I am going to take a recovery week after that because some people say they lose weight during the recovery week and that would be nice.0 -
RE: the step. Yeah, that's why I went down in size and focused on not using the inactive leg. Maybe I'll try risers tonight.
RE: 1/2 marathon. After I had my first child I started training for one and got pregnant during training so I couldn't do it. After my second baby I decided to give it a shot. I felt like I needed to cross it off my list to tell myself I could accomplish it. Well, I seriously jacked up my foot in the process, not to mention I lost 5 toenails, lol. I have no desire for long distance running anymore—I just don't love it enough! If you have an old injury, it's just not worth it. It has really compromised my bootcamp class, which I love.
RE: Heart rate monitor. I don't use one simply because I use a formula that doesn't require me to eat back calories. I have an old one I may take out just to see my burn. I hear the Polar ones are great!0 -
RE: 1/2 marathon. After I had my first child I started training for one and got pregnant during training so I couldn't do it. After my second baby I decided to give it a shot. I felt like I needed to cross it off my list to tell myself I could accomplish it. Well, I seriously jacked up my foot in the process, not to mention I lost 5 toenails, lol. I have no desire for long distance running anymore—I just don't love it enough! If you have an old injury, it's just not worth it. It has really compromised my bootcamp class, which I love.
Megan that's horrible!
I know it's efficient, but I hate running with a passion so I don't do it. 0 -
What size step do you gals use? Maybe I can try to find a bench somewhere in the gym...
I just started 2 weeks ago. I am on A3 (3rd time doing A, I guess) today. Anyway, the first day I went in and talked to a guy that worked at the gym. He told me to use one of the benches as my step-up (in fact, the one that they use for the cable pulley machines). I thought it weird and asked him if it was OK to step on it because people sit on it. He said SURE!!! I find it much more challenging than using the step benches with risers.0 -
I thought it weird and asked him if it was OK to step on it because people sit on it. He said SURE!!! I find it much more challenging than using the step benches with risers.
Good to know! This fear has stopped me from doing them on the seated row bench. Even though in the past when I had a trainer he'd have me do them there. When a trainer tells you to do it, you don't question!0 -
Hello ladies, hope you don't mind if I join you (38yrs young).
Started Stage 1 this week and plan to do 3 workouts a week where possible. (Did 1 week only, 3 workouts at beginning of Sept as I'd read the book and couldn't wait to try it out lol, but then went on holiday).
Done my first A and B workouts already. Was pretty worried about DOMS after my B workout yesterday as I over did it first time around and couldn't walk properly. Thankfully not so bad this time around (sore but can walk without groaning when I move). A2 will be Saturday I think, to make me not drink too much on Friday night in the local pub!0 -
Welcome to the newcomers!!! I've never thought to use a regular seating bench for my step ups....?? That would be a good height...
mermegan - I found that trying to train for a half was also too much time away from the kiddos, KWIM?
Tomorrow is B5....3 sets of 10, deadlifts, shoulder press, lat pulldown, lunge, and ball crunch; 30 minutes cardio...
Does anyone else think it's weird how short a time it takes to do all of these moves??? I'm always sneaking in some bicep curls, etc. at the end...
Just set my alarm for 4:48am....ugh! But I'll be there!0 -
Hip flexors didn't bother me tonight, YEAH BUDDY!0
-
CanGirl - I love that the workouts are short. I hate being at the gym for hours. The only extra thing I have done (which I did today) was some HIIT -- just 15 minutes on the treadmill. The weight bench is great for step ups; you'll get a serious workout! I used regular steps the first day, then read about using a weight bench on the new rules web site and have been using it ever since.
I start Stage 1 WOA7 on Monday -- 8 reps! Problem is I upped my weights a bit too much today and my back is hurting a bit. :-/
Excited for Stage 1 to end - anyone else? But I'm worried because I HAVE to start training for a 1/2 marathon happening in March. I was going to do a 12 week program, but ideally could start 16 weeks out. I'm not sure I'll be able to do this program and train for a 1/2. A 0 -
Hello I'm finishing up my last week in Stage 1 Going to stage II next week Nice to see support for 35 and older I'm 53... Yes picture is from 12 years ago...0
-
CanGirl - I love that the workouts are short. I hate being at the gym for hours. The only extra thing I have done (which I did today) was some HIIT -- just 15 minutes on the treadmill. The weight bench is great for step ups; you'll get a serious workout! I used regular steps the first day, then read about using a weight bench on the new rules web site and have been using it ever since.
I start Stage 1 WOA7 on Monday -- 8 reps! Problem is I upped my weights a bit too much today and my back is hurting a bit. :-/
Excited for Stage 1 to end - anyone else? But I'm worried because I HAVE to start training for a 1/2 marathon happening in March. I was going to do a 12 week program, but ideally could start 16 weeks out. I'm not sure I'll be able to do this program and train for a 1/2. A
Yes, I would love for stage 1 to end...because I only do 2 workouts a week on this program, it's taking me a LONG time to get through....however, I love that the reps decrease and heavier weights get introduced. Today I challenged myself to do 17.5lb dumbells on the shoulder presses. Felt good to pick those up for arms.
Do you think it was the deadlifts that affected your back?
BTW, are we not supposed to be doing any cardio with these workouts??? I do a 10 minute run on the treadmill to warm up and at the end I do 20 minutes hard on the spin bike...
and dwn2earth you're smoking, even if it was 12 years ago!!!0 -
mermegan - woooooohooooo on the hip flexors!!!!0
-
Hi everyone!
I'm 44 and just started the program Oct 1st!
I've really enjoyed it so far....can't wait to see the results 6 months from now. I still have quite a bit of fat to lose, but I'm currently trying to concentrate on lifting rather than cardio so much. I hope I'm not starting this too early....was a little worried that I should try to lose more fat before I started a program like this.
Regardless, I did my very first deadlift ever on Wednesday and was so proud of myself when I lifted 105 lbs!!! I think I was high on endorphins for the rest of the night lol!
Hope everyone is doing well and good luck to all of you!0 -
MtnKat, I didn't know you were on this too?! I just started stage 1 on 9/29 and already screwed up the diet with a free-for-all vacation. I haven't missed a workout yet though, I love them!
I used to run 3-4 times a week while doing P90X, but now I'm dropping that to just one long run a week to assist with fat loss. I'm in the same boat with Kat, having plenty of fat left to lose, though I'm currently in a size 8.0 -
Yay Sarah! I'm so glad you are on here too....and we've started right around the same time. You are such a fantastic friend to have.
I'm finding it so hard to stop doing the cardio....I mean that's the way I've been thinking for so many years....cardio cardio cardio lol. Weightlifting is a whole different ball game.
It just scares me so much to see all the posts where people haven't lost any weight....I still have way too much to lose lol. I love the fact that my body is changing, but there is just so much belly fat still. I just keep eating at a deficit and hope for the best.
I do like your idea of running the long run one day a week (plus I am still walking)...more for clearing of the mind (running does more for me than losing fat). I been having a little hip pain lately so I need to get that checked out first.0
