LB2LL - I HATE 3 sets! That being said I tend to try and up my weights on the second set. I'll do what I did for the last workout first and then up it for the my second set and then see how I feel for my third. Give it a try that way!

Also, I am gearing up for Beeps' february challenge already!!! My hubby LOVES Tim Ferris (the writer of the 4 hour body and creator of the slow carb diet) and he created a website called dietbet.com Basically we had to buy in ($50) and we have 30 days to lose 4% of our body weight - this means I HAVE to stick to my "cut" value or I'll lose my $! This is excellent motivation for me! Back to my regular schedule next week (I have 2 offices and I can only go to the gym from one office) so I'll get to lift 3 days instead of 2!

I think I will use that method for today! First day of three sets! I went for a run yesterday and thankfully I'm not sore. I was not feeling the gym but pushed through, which I'm pretty happy about.

I've decided to do a couple road races in the middle of all of this. I am hesitant because I know in the further stages this might be tough to pull off but maybe I will just go down to 2x/wk of lifting. I sort of miss running. I signed up for a mud race and now I need to think of a baller team name!

Sue - Have fun! It sounds like you got in a kick *kitten* workout! You deserve a break

Hey guys,

Here's a little bit about me.

I'm in Jackson, TN. Lived in Nashville for a while and loved it but have been back in West TN for more than a decade now.

I'm very excited to get started. I lifted heavy when I was in law school and really enjoyed it. Then I worked out at a hole in the wall gym and the owner trained me for free. Since then I've dabbled with weights but mostly been on and off the cardio wagon. Got into running a few years back and did that almost exclusively until I had to have surgery (not running related) on both feet. After my surgeries, DH and I started TTC so fitness took a backseat. Now our son is 15 months old and I'm ready to really get back into working out. I'm down 33 lbs from my all time heaviest and have lost my pregnancy weight and then some but still need to lose a good bit. My exercise over the last year has been walking and some limited running.

Right now I weigh almost exactly what I weighed when I graduated law school but I'm wearing clothes at least two sizes bigger because I am carrying around fat instead of muscle. My once awesome booty has disappeared without regular weight workouts and I feel just sort of flabby and soft all over. I'm in a size 14 right now and would like to make it to a size 8 or so.

There is a new gym opening up downtown where I work and that means I'll be able to do most of my workouts on an extended lunch hour without having to take extra time away from the kiddo. Devouring NROL4W this weekend and plan to get started on Monday.

Thanks to all for the warm welcome. :-)

yay Beeps!!!! I love when a weight gain turns out to be water weight =D

As for me, I need to change my February challenge. Eating is a big issue for me and even though I HAVE been sticking to my cut value I haven't been great about macros or anything so I'm not "feeling" great. I am also doing Tim Ferris' February dietbet (www.dietbet.com) with my husband (to help him get back on track!) so I am going to slow carb it for february. SO my streak is still food related, but rather than eating only 1800/day it will be to stick to the slow carb diet (this is how hubby eats so when he is on track I am on track because we don't eat carbs at home).

It's crazy because I am in, by far, the best shape of my life (running 10+ miles, lifting 2-3x a week, working out 6 days a week, i can do push ups!) but I let all that exercise be an excuse for poor food choices. SO NO MORE! GO TEAM!

emgel - I've updated your "streak" challenge!

samntha - come join THE STREAK CHALLENGE! You can make it diet-related, sleep-related, whatever your pleasure.

I did join, you have me on the list., but thanks for the encouragement.
.

Well, I finally was able to take the Friday night Zumba class. I've been wanting to take this class for a while because of the instructor, but I lift on Fridays' normally. She didn't push hard because of her own recent injury, but she is one bad-*kitten* chick. SHe is a trainer who does competitive body-building (but she's a little thing upgrading to the physique class.) We got to talking, she was amazed by my story, and I think I'm going to have to find a way to take her class on the regular.

sue, have a great trip!

Alright, for the "newcomers" to the DAILY CHAT THREAD, please report in as to whether (or not), you are going to join the FEBRUARY CHALLENGE!

It is a 4-week challenge. The purpose? To create the LONGEST streak that you can! It can be any type of streak, here are some examples:

1. daily work-outs
2. <daily alotted calories
3. getting in all your water on a daily basis
4. getting all your protein in on a daily basis
5. making sure you are getting 7 - 8 hours of sleep every night

So, pick your poison!

Studies have shown that when a person gets a "streak" going, they are LESS likely to deviate from that behaviour....so, streaks are a GREAT WAY to get a "healthy, new habit" into your lifestyle.

Just let me know WHAT your "streak" is gonna be about, and I'll add you in.

Remember, it's TOTALLY OKAY to "break your streak" - you can always start a new one the next day!

A *perfect* February challenge would mean you have earned 28 points (one for each day of your streak). But, if you blew your streak 4 times during the month, you'd still end up with 24 points!

We start Feb. 1. I'll report results on a weekly basis.

Ahh I really need to work on my water and macros. How do I sign up for the challenge?

woohoo! Great lifting day today! I got up to 90lbs for the first time ever on my squats! I did 7lb/15lb on my one handed overhead squat thing and 70lbs on my bent over row! These are all PRs for me =D

Today is Day 1 of slow carbing it for me...not sure I packed enough snacks! I also need to get off of MFP forums so i can concentrate on work! Have a great day everyone!

Today is a weight training day! I've also decided to incorporate a daily WoD that I have sent to me as a "warm up." I've decided to do a mud run in June so I need to start upping the training in that aspect a bit. I'm slightly concerned about calories. I know based off of the book (and yes I know not everyone is the same yadda yadda yadda) that generally one would consume about 300 cals more on a lifting day. When I mix in these WoDs I'm not sure how to track it. The WoDs are anything from sprints, thrust ups, burpees, jumping chin-ups, wall balls, etc. that I know are burning SOMETHING, even though not as much as straight cardio. I'm debating whether or not to stick with what I have or just listen to my body and eat when I feel like it and keep my fingers crossed I don't gain too much. Oh the joys of figuring out how to have a workout plan ... work!

Also, today is a deadlift day and I need to increase the weights. I am thinking of switching to the Olympic barbell today. It's time.

Wow, I'm really behind now. So much going on in here

Welcome to all the newbies!!

My hip is finally starting to feel better (I was a little worried after my last chiro appt when it hurt even more afterward for the next few days). I tried some light lifting this morning, just to test it out (65 lb squat plus BP and rows). It's still not quite right, but I have another appt today, so hope to be back to normal soon. Now I'm off to yoga.

Great job ladies on all the determination and PRs. You all are doing so great!!

Chubby, I am thinking about getting one. My main issue is that from what I've read they aren't very accurate for weight lifting and tend to overshoot unless the weight lifting includes circuits. So I guess, in my case it would be worth it since my WoDs are more circuit based.

Basically I'm a very indecisive person and too new lol!

LBLL - do it. I wish I had started heavier on my deadlift. I started with just the Olympic Bar, but I held back. I'm up to 115 now for DL's but know I can probably lift 135. Push yourself!

Agreed. I'm in the same boat, but I've stalled at 115 for my dl because of my grip . Any suggestions for that?