Sorry struggling to work out the quote thing

Ok, so I have a confession to make. I was setting up for my deadlifts this evening. It would have been faster and easier to load smaller plates, working up to my work-weight of 165. But I couldn't resist using the 45's, not just for the elevation, but because they make me feel like a BAMF!

Who else?

I have been using the 25kg (55 lbs) plates for while now (except for bench and OHP)...I even farmer's walk them, one in each hand, around the free weight section of the gym, before I re-rack them, for good measure some days...we are all BAMFs...grrrr!

Good morning ladies....today is my bench press day - though I'm still feeling slightly crappy from my bachelorette party, so we'll see how this goes!!!

here's some photos from my bachelorette party too.

http://s1355.beta.photobucket.com/user/Sarah_Jilk/library/

here's some photos from my bachelorette party too.

http://s1355.beta.photobucket.com/user/Sarah_Jilk/library/

Nice photos! You look phenom! However there is not enough debauchery, lol.

I concur. Looking HAWT!!!

Did my second workout last night. I use the frame that has the pully system so I'm assuming that make the bar zero weight. I did my squats at 50lbs, I was up to 70lbs but I wasn't going all the way down. After watching the video to start the 5x5 program I started over with the weight and went all the way down.

OHP I could only do 30lbs...deadlift at 80lbs (with the 45lb bar not in the pully cage).

and man am I sore today. I've been using the machines since last May, but man, I'm just flat out sore. I really struggled to get the 5 sets in for the squats and OHP. Does anyone else stick with the same weight for a couple of sessions? I'm a bit nervous about increasing the weight when I was struggling to do it...though I DID do it.

Also....I've lost a 1/2 inch from my waist since I started lifting the free weight in January and dropped a half lbs, but today my pants are all tight from last nights workout...

wait, what??? anyone else feel all swollen or am I really that special little snowflake I've always believed I was?

sore ...

but still all RAAAWR!!!

wait, what??? anyone else feel all swollen or am I really that special little snowflake I've always believed I was?

Hola! I assume you are talking about the smith machine? The bar weights 15lbs. If you can use a regular squat rack of power cage over the smith machine, you would be better served in the long run. You will use more stabalizer muscles and put less shearing force on the knees.

And yes, swollen. I generally feel puffy almost everyday after lifting. It is your muscles retaining water and it is normal and good.

Question though....does anyone else get light headed during DL? I'm finding as my weight is getting heavier I get slightly light headed after each rep???

Happy Monday Ladies!

Vegas - Awesome numbers this morning!

I get light headed after heavy pulls. After my PR pull last month, I was super light headed but it passed in like 30 seconds. Deadlifts are super demanding on your body and CNS.

Thanks! My *kitten* is already thanking me for that badassery lol

Okay cool that's good to know. It's not something that I was really concerned about because it passes within like 10 seconds of me standing up, but really wanted to know if anyone else finds the same thing.....and now I know! Whoop!

I also used a mixed grip this morning, alternating hands, and I did find that to help a fair bit too!

Did my second workout last night. I use the frame that has the pully system so I'm assuming that make the bar zero weight. I did my squats at 50lbs, I was up to 70lbs but I wasn't going all the way down. After watching the video to start the 5x5 program I started over with the weight and went all the way down.

OHP I could only do 30lbs...deadlift at 80lbs (with the 45lb bar not in the pully cage).

and man am I sore today. I've been using the machines since last May, but man, I'm just flat out sore. I really struggled to get the 5 sets in for the squats and OHP. Does anyone else stick with the same weight for a couple of sessions? I'm a bit nervous about increasing the weight when I was struggling to do it...though I DID do it.

Also....I've lost a 1/2 inch from my waist since I started lifting the free weight in January and dropped a half lbs, but today my pants are all tight from last nights workout...

wait, what??? anyone else feel all swollen or am I really that special little snowflake I've always believed I was?

sore ...

but still all RAAAWR!!!

Julie congrats on your results from lifting! And I completely will sit pretty at a weight until I feel comfortable with it. I try to push myself, but pushing too hard can lead to injury. I have decided that I'm only going to add weight to my squats once a week, so I do the same weight for three days, then up the next week. I think I'm strong, but my knees disagree with me. Personally I think it's better for me in the long to progress slower but not have joint issues.

Also, I tend to stay at the same weight for OHP just because it's a pain in the *kitten*. I try to do two sessions in a row, then up it. I almost always fail when I add weight, and it takes several attempts before I can complete all of my sets.

wait, what??? anyone else feel all swollen or am I really that special little snowflake I've always believed I was?

Hola! I assume you are talking about the smith machine? The bar weights 15lbs. If you can use a regular squat rack of power cage over the smith machine, you would be better served in the long run. You will use more stabalizer muscles and put less shearing force on the knees.

And yes, swollen. I generally feel puffy almost everyday after lifting. It is your muscles retaining water and it is normal and good.

The gym does have a regular squat rack, but I guess I'm a little chicken...I'm afraid I'd lose control of the barbell if it was truely free. Of course for the DL and BR I use a free one. But then a month ago I was too chicken to try a DL...so I'm sure I'll work up to it. Maybe if I get through this week's sessions I'll move to the squat rack and away from the smith machine. I'd just like to be a little more confident that I truely can bench press...also, I wasn't able to do more than 35lbs bench press although if you say the bar weighs 15lbs in the smith machine..feels like nothing. RAAAWR!!

I did give in and take a motrin...mostly just feeling it in the intercoastals and down my left leg...right side dominant so I'm guessing the left side has weaker muscles.

Anyother question - doing my DL when I'm headed back to the floor I'm getting a ripple twinge down my left side about 4" away from the spine...I've watched several videos trying to get the right form, and I know how to lift from the floor without hurting my back, but this does worry me a bit. Any advice? I was thinking it was just my left side being weaker, but now I'm wondering if I'm using my back too much for the return to the floor.

Oh my gosh!! You all ARE bada$$!!! You look amazing and I can't believe how much you're lifting!!! I was feeling good about my numbers this morning...

45 lb row
55 hack squat (i do this at home and have no squat rack)
65 dead (i do 5x5 because i like them, so lighter weight...is this bad to do??)

Now I see how much stronger I will get once I get further along in the program (this is week 5 for me). You all rock!!! I hope to be able to lift that much in my future.

AND...speaking of hack squats...they work the crap out of my back!!!! Is that supposed to happen or is my form wrong??

Wow, seeing some great numbers out there. Great work, ladies!

I so did not want to get up this morning. But, I did and got a good session in.

Squat - 95 lbs 5x5
Bench - 65 lbs 5x5
Row - 80 lbs 5x5 - thinking I'm going to need to repeat this weight or I'll start losing form. It was difficult today.

Oh my gosh!! You all ARE bada$$!!! You look amazing and I can't believe how much you're lifting!!! I was feeling good about my numbers this morning...

45 lb row
55 hack squat (i do this at home and have no squat rack)
65 dead (i do 5x5 because i like them, so lighter weight...is this bad to do??)

Now I see how much stronger I will get once I get further along in the program (this is week 5 for me). You all rock!!! I hope to be able to lift that much in my future.

AND...speaking of hack squats...they work the crap out of my back!!!! Is that supposed to happen or is my form wrong??

In regards to your deads.....as you progress in weight it is really not a good idea to do 5x5. What Mehdi recommends, and what many of us do here is progress as the program is designed, however do 3-4 warmup sets at progressively increasing weight That way you still get to do a crap pile of deads while still progressing but not being as tough on your body!

Oh my gosh!! You all ARE bada$$!!! You look amazing and I can't believe how much you're lifting!!! I was feeling good about my numbers this morning...

45 lb row
55 hack squat (i do this at home and have no squat rack)
65 dead (i do 5x5 because i like them, so lighter weight...is this bad to do??)

Now I see how much stronger I will get once I get further along in the program (this is week 5 for me). You all rock!!! I hope to be able to lift that much in my future.

AND...speaking of hack squats...they work the crap out of my back!!!! Is that supposed to happen or is my form wrong??

In regards to your deads.....as you progress in weight it is really not a good idea to do 5x5. What Mehdi recommends, and what many of us do here is progress as the program is designed, however do 3-4 warmup sets at progressively increasing weight That way you still get to do a crap pile of deads while still progressing but not being as tough on your body!

great idea!! thanks!

Zoreena.....I actually just did a deload on my rows for form as well and that has helped for sure. Did you look on the SL site for some tips and written form discussion?

I'm going to go back down to 60lbs and get the form kicka$$ before I go back up again.

Good plan!

Oh my. I missed so much fun yesterday. I was chilling on the couch with an array of frozen vegetables on my leg. It was fun! Going to have to take a few days/week off lifting :sad: so everyone had better post their numbers :laugh: Today was supposed to be workout B which is my favorite. Boooo. I'm bored as heck so be prepared for a novel of post.

Vette- I do have some gems! Well for me. I lift alone, and have a hard time on the bench press knowing where I'm at since I can't see myself. She suggested when you lie on the bench have the bar at eye level, that way if you start lifting too "high" you'll hit the rack. Maybe this is common knowledge, but I didn't know it! I've spent weeks on google trying to figure out if foam rolling "hurt so good" when you first start or just hurt. I recently got one and in some places it "hurt so good-" like a deep tissue massage, but other places it was straight painful, and I wanted to cry tree tears. She said just hurting was pretty normal, and the other co-owner gets nauseous when he foam rolls sometimes. Not sure that's really a good commercial for foam rolling though. It's awesome you're so close to squatting your weight. That's my goal...for the year!

Extraordinary- Thanks for your wishes. The first time I pulled 135 I had to switch out the plates. I mean. That's the bada$$iness of doing any 135 lift. For the few workouts after that I would just add plates to 35lbs, but 35lb plates aren't at a bad height for me. So as we hear so often on MFP; listen to your body.

Sarahz- Your cheekbones are looking fab in your new avatar too. Woooo.

jarrettd- Great use of bamf. One bada$$ point for you.

Fairy- Get well soooooooooooooooooon. :flowerforyou: If you haven't noticed we all hate to take lifting breaks. Lol. I think it speaks to how bada$$ lifting is that it's a workout we all want to get back to ASAP after time out.

Nexangelus- I want to be like you when I grow up (as a lifter.) I love hearing your weights. Gives me something to shoot for.

Darwin- I'm pretty sure penis straws make or break a bachelorette party.

Julie- Welcome. Weight and measurements often go up the day or two after lifting. This is why I do my check ins Monday morning and lift MWF night.

Vegas- I am so jealous of your squat. Great numbers! Not jealous of your thumb, but I'd send you a batman band-aid if it would help. The caped crusader makes everything better. Sometimes I get a little light in the head after deadlifts, but its normally when my eating patterns are different than normal. I'd try to mess around with your pre-gym snack time, and see if that helps. Like if it's too close you're body is trying to digest, and then blood is in your intestines instead of your head. Or you're eating too far away, and your blood sugar is low. Or you're dehydrated. Or a billion other things. Or you don't care and just wanted to make sure death wasn't immanent I just like to have a series of mini science experiments if something is feeling off during a workout. Do they make lab coats for trees?

Alwyn- I always grunt during OHP. Then when I'm resting I glare around the gym as if daring people to think badly of my grunts. RAWR

Kate- You are totally badass as well. I forgot the filter was off and kept putting dollar signs. I think 5x5 for deadlifts are fine as long as you're not to the point where they are hard yet. (You'll know it when you get there!) I was adding 10lbs/workout happily dead lifting away and then one day I was like, "whoa I actually felt that dead lift in my muscles!" If you told me I had to 5x5 I would have cried. Also what Vegas said.

Hi Lisahotmom- Welcome. I swear belts are so controversial. I'm not to a level of lifting where I would need one yet, so I'm not sure how I feel about them!