Elissalove - sounds like we are in the same boat as far as calories. Monday is my weigh-in and I will decide then about staying at 1550 on workout days; and 1750 on lift days. I've pretty much been sated doing it this way, but we'll see how this holds up when 3 sets start this week - EEK. And I'm right there with you on the evil prone jackknives from hell.

Daisy 80 - you're so right. It's a sad commentary on how we're scared to eat. I have friends that joined MFP with me that daily net 1000 or lower. Some are losing and some are stalled, so I don't know what I can say to convince them. Sometimes you have to experience things for yourself. I do know that I'm keeping an eye on how my body reacts to things and will certainly up the calories if I need them.

I am not a morning person either, but I feel great after my workouts. And I've realized it's the ONLY "me" time I get all day, so I'm committed M/W/F.

OK wow, I just did that calorie calculator and it says I should have 1358 for fat loss on non-workout days and 1635 on active days (assuming those are lifting days). Hm... Another calculator told me my BMR is 1450. We will see what Monday says; if no weight loss, then I might adjust down. Sheesh and here I thought I was undereating. Just my luck!


Susan, Elg, Jamkat - congrats on finishing your workouts/stages. Wow, what an accomplishment!

Questions:
Do you all drink your post workout shakes? I do. I use the whey protein powder from Target and really like it, but I'm weird that way.
Do you do the warm-up they recommend in the book -- namely the practice lifts? I didn't do them at first, but I do now.
What do you do for a warm-up? I've been doing 10-15 minutes on the elliptical, but feel like I'm in a rut.
Do you do cardio and what days? I've totally slacked on cardio (partly due to aching shins and my bum knee; partly due to just not wanting to.)

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!!

Questions:
Do you all drink your post workout shakes? I do. I use the whey protein powder from Target and really like it, but I'm weird that way.
Do you do the warm-up they recommend in the book -- namely the practice lifts? I didn't do them at first, but I do now.
What do you do for a warm-up? I've been doing 10-15 minutes on the elliptical, but feel like I'm in a rut.
Do you do cardio and what days? I've totally slacked on cardio (partly due to aching shins and my bum knee; partly due to just not wanting to.)

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!!

I do drink a protein shake after my workout, I got it from Costco, it's vanilla flavoured and I mix it with 1 cup of skim milk. I haven't used the warm up they recommend in the book but I might start doing it because I feel my calves are very tight when I do the squats and I find myself coming up on my toes (so I don't go as low as I would like to). I do 5-10 minute warm up on the elliptical. Also, I have been doing C25K on my off days and if I miss a day then I add 30 minute elliptical on my next c25k day. But do what feels right to you, I like to eat, so I workout more. It's been okay so far but I start Stage 2 on Wednesday and I am curious to see how tired/sore I will be from the new workout. Have a great weekend too!

This morning I completed Stage 1 B and here are my stats.

Deadlift - 20 pounds ---> 75 pounds (got up to 95 pounds but lost my form really early)
Shoulder press - 7.5 pounds ---> 25 pounds (did 2 sets of 8 at 25 then had to go down to 22.5)
Lat pull down - 50 pounds - 95 pounds
Lunges - BW ---> 80 pounds (on the smith machine..I know!)
Swiss Ball crunches - normal ---> holding 10 pound weight behind my head (ooh that felt great!)

I think i'm going to skip the AMRAP section and move into stage 2. Did anyone else do this or did they take a break? Have a great week!

Susan

Why are folks skipping the AMRAPs? I'm curious to see how much I can do. Aren't you curious??? I already can tell I'm stronger. When I take my daughter to the park, I always try to just hang on the monkey bars. Used to kill my shoulders. Now I can swing and swing by my arms. Can't quite yet go from bar to bar, but there is a huge noticeable difference in my strength.

I have one more B workout before I begin 3 sets!!! eek

I guess I am skipping them because I feel like I severely underestimated myself at the beginning, so I feel like I would be doing the workout forever! lol. Also, I am just very excited to start stage 2, so that I can continue to build big muscles

It was only just an optional stage (if i'm not mistaken?). Don't know what i'm going to do yet, I have until Wednesday to decide. I will let you know what I decide to do.

Susan

I skipped them because I consider them a waste of time for me. I know I'm stronger, lost 2% BF, gained 5lbs of muscle, and lost a dress size. I don't need AMRAP to tell me that! Plus, I risk reinjuring my back/hip if I try to do AMRAP for real. Because I tend to push myself too far. If there's no limit on me, I would take it overboard for sure.

OK, I guess I will probably feel the same when I come to the end of stage 1. Officially halfway there as of today's workout. Next, I start 3 sets. I'm excited for that. I know I am stronger too -- just from a few week of this program. And I caught a glimpse of myself sideways in the mirror today and was shocked -- I looked skinny (ok skinny for ME). I really have changed my shape drastically in the last 3 months. I felt so confident at the gym today!

Wide Lat Pulldown - question: I do these as I read in the book. When I pull down, I kind of stick my chest out. Basically I try to keep good posture. However I see guys doing this all the time and they lean back as they pull down on the bar. Do you know what I mean? What's the correct way to do these?

Hi ladies

Great to see everyone is doing so well! Aren't we a good bunch?!

I had a great time at the gym today. I planned to go to the gym in the morning before work but when I woke up it was so dark and cold. Autumn has really hit the UK. I just felt like hibernating. I didn't go. After work I was so tired but I thought I just go. If I don't feel like doing it I can always leave. Luckily the gym was still fairly quiet. However I had to go quite close to a man doing exercises. I didn't want to disturb his space so I asked him if it is ok for him if I use the barbell next to him and he was like:" No not at all!" and I could see in his face that he was quite impressed. that a girl was using the barbell...he he...Once I was doing my deadlifts he came over and said "great to see someone doing proper exercises" I felt so proud! He was asking what I am doing and if I am training for something specific. I showed him my book (yes I always carry it around with me at the gym) and he seemed quite interested. It felt so great especially as I was so intimidated to go to the weight section for the first few times. I had a great workout and I feel so happy I went!

Good for you! Pushups are my weakest area. I wanted to see how many "normal" ones I could do the other day, I did one full pushup, lowered myself down for the 2nd one and couldn't get back up haha. I've been doing 45* ones on a ledge at the gym. I still find those ones difficult.

Hi ladies

Great to see everyone is doing so well! Aren't we a good bunch?!

I had a great time at the gym today. I planned to go to the gym in the morning before work but when I woke up it was so dark and cold. Autumn has really hit the UK. I just felt like hibernating. I didn't go. After work I was so tired but I thought I just go. If I don't feel like doing it I can always leave. Luckily the gym was still fairly quiet. However I had to go quite close to a man doing exercises. I didn't want to disturb his space so I asked him if it is ok for him if I use the barbell next to him and he was like:" No not at all!" and I could see in his face that he was quite impressed. that a girl was using the barbell...he he...Once I was doing my deadlifts he came over and said "great to see someone doing proper exercises" I felt so proud! He was asking what I am doing and if I am training for something specific. I showed him my book (yes I always carry it around with me at the gym) and he seemed quite interested. It felt so great especially as I was so intimidated to go to the weight section for the first few times. I had a great workout and I feel so happy I went!

That is AWESOME!

I did workout 5B on Tuesday. Man, I love this program! I am already seeing a big visible difference in my arms (though still LOTS of room for improvement ) and I just feel soooo much stronger. The other day my boyfriend (who lifts with me at the gym) made a comment about how strong I was. Made me great. I have lost some inches ... still trying to find the sweet spot for calories, though. I think I'm undereating a bit now (even though my goal is more than 2000 calories) but I'm working on it.

Still hate those prone jackknifes, but I actually managed to eke out 3 set of 10 on 5A. Well, the third set was a little broken ... had to reset for the last couple, but I still managed 30!

Good work everyone!


Edited for proper spelling.

All you ladies are doing so well! I can't do proper push ups. I do them on a bench in the gym and I nearly smacked my face the other day as my arms just gave in :laugh:

Lol, if it makes you feel better: A few weeks ago I tried a headstand in yoga. The instructor told us to start from crow and lower down onto our heads. WELL....I slammed my forehead into the ground and it made a big *thump* sound. I brushed it off like I didn't care but I was totally embarrassed. But hey, we're working hard so who cares if we slip up right!?