Damn, I did it again! I wrote a lovely little post and then didn't send it! Good grief, I'm silly.

Beeps I agree with Sam, I bet you look awesome in a bikini! I think you should just do it!!! You know you are probably being too critical AND I bet just because you haven't worn one for so long you're thinking you can't. Do it! I don't think 2013 will be my bikini year, but maybe by 2014, I'll have the nerve.

Sam, you're perking my interst in NROL4A. I'm going to buy the book and take a look.

Hey Pauline, why do you think "life" is better suited for older? I'm 60, and I'm not contemplating "old" in any of these programs at least not now!

Wow cowgirl - 2000 daily would really freak me out! I have a hard time eating that much on workout days. BUT... I sure wish I could be doing the farm work you are doing rather than commuting 90 min. to NYC to do this office job. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my work, but I'm a farm girl at heart. I do envy your lifestyle!

ETA My 2nd BWM today was faster than my first!!!! OMG!

I've been eating at maintenance for months now, and still managed to loose the little weight I wanted. I average 1800-2200 daily. Ain't no big. If I were doing a deficit it would still be between 1700-2000.

Why can't I eat a ginormous amount of calories!!! I guess I have too much fat and not enough muscle??? I gained weight when I was eating around 1600-1800 cals.

I want to lift again. UGH! My MRI isn't until Tuesday and the dr follow-up visit isn't until 9 days later. You think i could do weights without the compound lifts ? Arm curls and maybe leg machines?

Yes! I would do some arm work, for sure!

Thanks for the welcome!!! Sue....I am in my mid forties and have been diagnosed with arthritis in my neck amd both hips. Over the summer had a bout if bursitis to add to the fun! I have slowed down on my running and my squats arent as strong as they used to be. Just looking for another option to continue with my lifting which I love..

Jody, best of luck on your journey! We're here to support you

I have a raging case of DOMS today. Feels like it did after I lifted for the first time almost a year ago. I know I was out of the gym almost a month (and only gained 1 lb over the holidays woo hoo) but this is ridiculous. I can barely go up and down my stairs or lift my arms over my head. I might go for a swim and soak later, try to loosen up.

On another note. The DOMS are a good thing. They let me know I worked hard, and they clue me into which muscle were worked the most. I can say the ABS is DEFINITELY a core program because every inch of my core is screaming along with my shoulders and thighs. I have NEVER had good DOMS in my core before, even after those 2 min planks in stage 5. I will definitely repeat this program when I'm done. I gave NROL4W 8 months and I think I'll do the same for ABS. There's enough variation to keep it interesting over time I think. And yes keep the big lifts in stage 1 LOL

Hi All, been quite over christmas and was on hols for new year - snow boarding YAY! Ok tomorrow is day 1 of Whole30. I won't lie it will be tough and we have binged this weekend but I have planned to succeed - even made lunch tomorrow and menu planned for the whole week. And back to the gym tomorrow to start stage 4!

Really excited to get back into it. I have put on a little bit of weight but not as much as I should have given the amount I have been eating. Also I have the longest running PMS this month as my cycle seems off wack, I an now 2 weeks late but definitely (4 tests down) NOT pregnant! so I just feel bloated and want chocolate constantly. This neat 30days will be tough but I need to to reset my hormones and get myself healthy and back on track as we do want no 3 at some point.

Hope you all had good hols - or have good hols. I wish I were going away again. Have a great time Beeps. x

Good morning! I start Stage 5 today. I kinda wish I had gotten up early to do it because now I'm not sure WHEN I'll be able to. I work at home most days, but have lots of lovely (read: annoying, useless) conference calls that I need to attend. I will try to find a way to sneak out at some point today...

Manic - hope your MRI goes well. I really prefer lifting 3 days/week, but have been doing 2 since I started focusing on 1/2 marathon training. I just felt more "into it" doing 3 days/week. You'll get back there!

Welcome Pauline and welcome back Livlovra!

Beeps - Your trip sounds like it'll be amazing. Btw, I had never heard of that bikini designer (I'm not much the trend setter when it comes to fashion), but wow, they are hot! I really like the designs. If I can lose 20 more pounds by summertime, I WILL be sporting a bikini - stretch marks and all!

Sue - you seem to be loving Stage 3. I think it was actually my least favorite stage. I'm not looking forward to the BWM later today! LOL

Sam - ouch! But DOMS are good, right?

Jody - double ouch!! Hope you heal up fast so you can get back to lifting. Sounds like you have a good interim plan though.

I need to sit down and rework my calories. I have been on 1550 since about August. The thought of upping them is scary, but I know I exercise regularly now (in the beginning, I was just walking), so ideally I can move to 1650. I'm nervous that I won't lose as much as fast, but that's OK I suppose. With the 1/2 marathon training and lifting, I really need to make sure I'm fueling my body and not worry so much about losing. I know I will lose eventually.

I would cry if I had to do 1200, but YOU know your body and what works. I'm 5'2" and I cannot subsist on 1200 or even 1300. I think I have a medium frame. (I can wrap my fingers around my wrist and they just meet.)

I did Weight Watchers many years ago and it took me 2 years to lose 50 lbs. I am pretty sure I was eating between 1200-1300. I plateaued a lot and could never ever get below 140 (and I exercised like a fiend). Now that I'm older, I will be happy at 145, but the lifting has certainly helped change my body composition.

I would cry if I had to do 1200, but YOU know your body and what works. I'm 5'2" and I cannot subsist on 1200 or even 1300. I think I have a medium frame. (I can wrap my fingers around my wrist and they just meet.)

I cry a lot :sad: I hate it. As we get older, I just turned 41, we don't need as much fuel.

I can wrap my fingers around and they overlap completely over my nail . Plus, trainer at gym , who did my bf%, confirmed that I am a small frame.

Jennie, sorry. It stinks being sick.

I plateaued for months, and actually put on a few pounds eating 1500-1700 cals a day. I thought that with my age (42) and the fact that I have a very sedentary job, I'd never burn more than that. I was really frustrated, so I bought a Bodymedia armband at the beginning of November when it first started integrating with MFP. It told me I was burning 2200-3000 calories a day!!!! (weekends are more active with 3 kids). I increased my calorie intake to maintain a 400-500 cal/day deficit and the weight is coming off again - I've lost 7lbs since getting the BMF.

I knew weight training increased our metabolism, but I was in absolute shock over the number of cals I was burning daily!!! My BF% has decreased 3% (now at 30) and I'm loosely following a women's bodybuilding competition prep diet for 8 weeks to reduce it further. (absolutely no processed carbs for 6 weeks, then only meat and veggies for 2 weeks). After that, I will slowly reintroduce carbs. The weight I gain back is supposed to come back as lean muscle mass

So my advice is to eat more as you progress in your weight training, even though it seems counterintuitive.

Holy DOMS. I'm sore even after my lame Stage 5 workout. I guess upping my weights in a few areas helped. But really, I didn't stretch enough afterwards. My hamstrings are killing me. Thank you body weight matrix!

Colleen - I'm also 42 and typically as you get older, you don't need as many calories. But sounds like with your activity level and muscles, you can eat more. I have been losing steadily with the amount of calories, which is why I'm hesitant to change. But I also know I need just *a little* more for lifting and for sustaining my long runs. I can feel my legs tiring out and I know it's a fuel thing.

(NSV - went almost 9 miles on Sunday!!)

Beeps - yay for finding a fellow NROL4W-er at the gym! And now: countdown to Mexico!

LB2LL - Yay for starting! And I agree with Beeps about the DOMS. Sounds like you picked a good calorie range too. Keep us posted on your progress and what you think of the program.