stronglifts 5x5 NSVs

neandermagnon

I've been doing stronglifts for just one week, I was doing more bodybuilding style training before, i.e. 2-3 sets of 5-8 reps,but wasn't being consistent, so I started the stronglifts 5x5 programme so I'd have something consistent that I can stick to instead of flitting between one thing and another and basically getting nowhere.

Anyway, after just one week I have noticed the following:

1. my biceps and deltoids look bigger than before. I have naturally large traps, and before they seemed too big and out of proportion.... now my arms and shoulders look more proportional yay

2. my triceps skinfold has gone down and also I can see more definition in my upper arms... I wasn't even going for this I was eating more for gaining lean body mass

3. My weight has possibly gone up a little, though I expect this is from water glycogen and not a gain in lean mass. My suprailiac skinfold is the same but like I said the triceps one seems to have gone down a little.

my progress so far:

squats and deadlifts still feel reasonably easy, but the upper body ones are harder... only managed 5 4 5 4 3 on OHP today and couldn't quite get the 5th rep on a couple of sets of rows last thursday... (training sun, tues, thurs)

BikerGirlElaine

Great NSV's, I loved reading them!! I agree about how doing the right training seems to help all the pieces look more proportionate to each other.

OHP is a mother, just keep at it.

:flowerforyou:

neandermagnon

thanks

I've not done OHPs before, so I'm hoping to be able to improve them a lot with time and effort.

bumblebums

Sounds like DOMS to me--lifting in a new way can make your muscles look bigger for a while, just because they retain water and there is some swelling. But still, it's a good preview of what you are going to look like once your body adapts to that kind of lifting, right?

neandermagnon

Sounds like DOMS to me--lifting in a new way can make your muscles look bigger for a while, just because they retain water and there is some swelling. But still, it's a good preview of what you are going to look like once your body adapts to that kind of lifting, right?

yeah I did wonder if it was that seeing as it was after just one week and actual muscle fibres don't grow that much in a short time... but I don't have any actual DOMS as in soreness (we'll see tomorrow though seeing as failed on 3 sets of the OHP lol)... but yeah totally get you re preview I'm not restricting my calories so I'm hoping that i will get some muscle growth over time.

I also think that this is why some women freak out about lifting thinking that they put on muscle so easily, because their muscles get pumped and retain water, so look bigger.

Will_Thrust_For_Candy

I'm so happy to hear this!!!!! I'm glad that you are happy with your decision to start SL and to join the group :bigsmile:

Also, DOMS refers to the muscle soreness. If your muscles are looking bigger it would more likely be a combination of water and glycogen giving you the "pumped" look and yes, it's TOTALLY addictive!!!!