@extra - Dayum, girl...look at you go! That is what I'm looking for at some point!

Hi Everyone! This thread is growing like a monster already. I had an awesome February in my progression of building strength. I am feeling pretty bada$$ in the weight room - all 5ft 1/2inches and 126 lbs of me!

I hope to start bench pressing this month since I will be getting some PT at the end of March. My progress so far is:

Squat - 140
Row - 55
Deadlift - 115
OHP - 55

In March I would like to -

Squat - 155
Row - 65
Deadlift - 135
OHP 65
Bench - 55

I think I would like to change my goal to be 121lbs. At the rate it's going, it will take me at least until June to get there, but I not sweating it because I still like my body now. I just need some wiggle room for eating on vacation in July. Getting enough protein is another goal for the month. I've had to switch to vegan protein since I can't handle whey.

Are you guys taking any other supplements beside vitamins to recover or make your muscles pop faster?

Holy yikes you are moving some serious weight for such a a little thing! I'm incredibly envious of your squats. Any tips on what makes you so badass in that department?

I've been wondering about supplements too. I take a multi-vitamin and calcium (I'm months away from 40 and worrying about my bones). I also take magnesium and fish oil on and off, but really for no good reason.

Omg like 8 pages of posts!

Welcome new friends!

Grats on everyone's awesome lifting abilities!

I've already decided one of my March goals is not going to happen. I normally eat between my minimum calories per heybales and my TDEE, but I thought it would be interesting to do just the minimum for 2 weeks to see how much I lost etc. My knee seems to be hurting more than it was, so I think its HONGRY.:sad: Thus I will be putting off my experiment and eating more. I'd rather lift heavy things and heal up.

Doozer, they changed the DL formula on the strength standards page in january, and now it makes me feel weak too. Boo. My OHP makes me feel like a boss though, so it's all good.



So I've heard things about lifting during your period sucking, but I figured since I'm on hbc it wouldn't happen to me. I'm kind of wondering if that was part of the problem I had on Fri. I do the ring and it's in on the first out on 27th, but Feb is always weird so I normally just switch them on the first. I get a fake period with cramps and bloating. I'm not sure if the reasoning is less iron so you're a weak, or if it's just hormonal. Anyone have issues with this?

I am so impressed(and a little jealous) with all the pics! WTG girls! Y'all have literally worked your butts off, and stomachs and etc.

I stepped on the demonic scale this morning. Down a whole 0.2lbs, BUT that puts me below 211 so who am I to complain. I was just happy some of the swelling in my hands and feet have gone down. Retaining water like SpongeBob.

Started week 2 today with workout B. I am still undecided if it was good or just horrible. Had my first triple digits with my deadlift at 105 (which is also half my body weight), but my OHP sucked 5,5,4,3,5 @ 50. I knew those would be a problem for me. Squats @ 60 with no problems.

Thursday is measurement/pic day so I am hoping to see some changes there because I have been a good girl for the most part.


Hope everyone has had a great start to the week!

So I've heard things about lifting during your period sucking, but I figured since I'm on hbc it wouldn't happen to me. I'm kind of wondering if that was part of the problem I had on Fri. I do the ring and it's in on the first out on 27th, but Feb is always weird so I normally just switch them on the first. I get a fake period with cramps and bloating. I'm not sure if the reasoning is less iron so you're a weak, or if it's just hormonal. Anyone have issues with this?

Everyone posting update pictures - you all look amazing! Can see the hard work paying off!

Re: Time of the month - not sure on the weakness but I've heard it before from other people too and I would buy the lack of iron IF you aren't getting enough iron in your diet to make up for the loss. What actually happens to me usually is that I get exceptionally clumsy and drop stuff/trip/walk into things constantly... Haha

@Darwin.....you look great! and I love the word "compact" and you do look more compact! I hope I do too!


In other news....I think my appetite is back. I'm making this beef stroganoff from the main boards and it smells delish! Still not feeling too *kitten* hot, but meh, it'll pass. I just need to find a new distraction

Anyone have any advice for Deadlifts? I am stuck at 145lbs because the bar is killing my hands. I can't lift it more than 3 reps without ripping up my already calloused hands. Physically, I know I can do the last two reps but my hands don't agree. I have really small hands and I don't know if I just am not getting a good grip or what. I've looked at some gloves but I'm afraid they will be too thick and mess up my grip.

Stats right now:

Squat 95lbs- I deloaded to work on form

OHP-50lbs l deloaded after failing at 60 lbs

Bench Press-75lbs

Barbell Row-75 lbs

Deadlift-145lbs

Anyone have any advice for Deadlifts? I am stuck at 145lbs because the bar is killing my hands. I can't lift it more than 3 reps without ripping up my already calloused hands. Physically, I know I can do the last two reps but my hands don't agree. I have really small hands and I don't know if I just am not getting a good grip or what. I've looked at some gloves but I'm afraid they will be too thick and mess up my grip.

Stats right now:

Squat 95lbs- I deloaded to work on form

OHP-50lbs l deloaded after failing at 60 lbs

Bench Press-75lbs

Barbell Row-75 lbs

Deadlift-145lbs

What type of grip are you using? I find a mixed grip works best for me. I have very small hands, too, but am at 175 for my deadlift using a mixed grip.

Yes, I'm using a mixed grip too. I don't know why it is killing my hands so much.

Have you tried chalk at all??

I use chalk and was amazed at what a difference it made

Have you tried chalk at all??

No. Do you think that would help?

Yes but it sounds like your issue might be that you grip it too high in your palm and then it inevitably slides down a bit and tears at your hands? Try to think of where the bar is when you are at the top of your lift and start all your pulls by gripping it there. It should be more or less along the line of your fingers where they meet your palm.

Chalk will make a difference if her hands are placed correctly. If not then probably won't.

All the update pics are looking great!!!! I always love seeing the change people get with lifting.

Had an interesting day. I'm traveling for work, but made it to the gym before hitting the road. Was able to hit:

Squat: 100 with better form - I think I'll stay here for a few more times while I get the form 100%
Bench: 80
Row: 80

Still working on form for the row, but I am feeling better about it each lift.

I decided to splurge on dinner and a dessert. Had PF Chang's Pad Thai, but I was able to stop when I was full and take some back to the hotel. Later I did get a treat of Tempura Fried Cheese Cake....wow, it was good and I would say worth it. Can I eat for bulking for just a few days at a time? :laugh:

re: Foam Rollers - yes, they can be a little painful, but they really do help. I had pulled a calf muscle in December and it really helped me recover and get back to full speed.

Happy Lifting everyone!

Awesome progress pics! So inspiring!

I feel like if I leave the thread for an hour, it blows up.

TMI Train coming through: I noticed that lifting during my period made PMS symptoms and cramps a lot better. I used to never had many problems but due to some issues, I had to go on the pill. It wreaked havoc; I'd be irrationally angry one minute and crying at cat pictures on the internet the next. I quit my hbc in October because I was tired of the side effects but the PMS and cramps remained. So it could be my system is straightening itself out, but lifting consistently is the only thing I've really changed recently.

I did Workout A this evening. My regular lift days are Tues, Thurs, Sat. but we're supposed to get a monster snow/ice storm tonight or tomorrow. I don't usually go to the gym in the evening with the after-work crowd. It was hot as Hades and STINKY. Ugh. My workout was awesome though. My lifts seemed super easy this time.

Squat: 115x5
Bench: 85x5
Row: 90x5

I had an older guy tell me my squat form was perfect (doubt it) this evening. He said it really bugs him that people half-*kitten* it and it was nice to see someone that knew what they were doing. I'm glad he came over to talk to me because I saw him staring at my butt in the mirror (it was sweaty). It made it seem a little less pervy.

ETA: I think the problems I've been having with rows are my boobs and belly getting in the way. I've been watching videos to see what I was doing wrong, and I think this is why they seem so awkward. Does anyone else have this problem?

Edit 2: I'm going to have to practice this. It looks so simple though.

Hi Everyone! This thread is growing like a monster already. I had an awesome February in my progression of building strength. I am feeling pretty bada$$ in the weight room - all 5ft 1/2inches and 126 lbs of me!

I hope to start bench pressing this month since I will be getting some PT at the end of March. My progress so far is:

Squat - 140
Row - 55
Deadlift - 115
OHP - 55

In March I would like to -

Squat - 155
Row - 65
Deadlift - 135
OHP 65
Bench - 55

I think I would like to change my goal to be 121lbs. At the rate it's going, it will take me at least until June to get there, but I not sweating it because I still like my body now. I just need some wiggle room for eating on vacation in July. Getting enough protein is another goal for the month. I've had to switch to vegan protein since I can't handle whey.

Are you guys taking any other supplements beside vitamins to recover or make your muscles pop faster?

Holy yikes you are moving some serious weight for such a a little thing! I'm incredibly envious of your squats. Any tips on what makes you so badass in that department?

I've been wondering about supplements too. I take a multi-vitamin and calcium (I'm months away from 40 and worrying about my bones). I also take magnesium and fish oil on and off, but really for no good reason.

@chunkmunk - Thanks! My legs have always been strong, i think because I am only 5' 1/2", so I am compact. My upper body strength is weak in comparison. I'm 38 yrs old, so I'm not that far from 40 myself. I absolutely love squats. When I start, I have to have just the right song in my ear, and I wear gloves for all my lifts. i had a trainer critique my lifts when I first started, and she warned me to keep my chest up and to push through my whole foot, and not just the ball of my foot. Having a determined attitude helps too.

I take a multi-vitamin, fish oil, calcium, and Vitamins D and B-complex. I have been reading about glutamine and wondering if I should add that as well.

Happy lifting!

I have to have Some Nights by fun going before my squat and deadliest sets. Or they just don't go well.

@darwin: your back and stomach are definitely more compact. Way to go girl!

@tree: oooh, adding vegetables instead of intending (and failing!) to do them on the side. I bet pre-cooked, diced chicken breast would work too instead of fish. Thanks, i shall have to try these!