How far in before results?

emmycaitlin0304
emmycaitlin0304 Posts: 147 Member
I'm just on day two, so I'm not asking because I'm expecting to see anything yet, but because I'm curious how far into the program you were before you started seeing changes in your body. I have been struggling with a very rapid weight gain recently and it has put me into a major funk, so I'm wondering about how long it has taken everyone to see clothes fitting a little different. I'm not worried about the number because I know I could still gain more, but I'm interested in what others have seen.
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Replies

  • rsharper97
    rsharper97 Posts: 242 Member
    Bump because I am starting the program next week and am curious about the answers.
  • Beeps2011
    Beeps2011 Posts: 12,193 Member
    8 - 12 weeks in was the GAME-CHANGER, for me! Noticeable shape changes. Noticeable by all!
  • rsharper97
    rsharper97 Posts: 242 Member
    Thank you Beeps!
  • emmycaitlin0304
    emmycaitlin0304 Posts: 147 Member
    Awesome thank you!!

    I have been gaining weight like nobody's business for a little over a month now. Eating was really clean except for a few slips here and there and I was working out like an animal, but seriously packing it on.

    A bunch of people said I needed to eat more and lift more so I'm hopeful that this will work.
  • evedroid
    evedroid Posts: 134 Member
    im about to finish stage1 (so im in for over a month now) and to be perfectly honest i can only see changes on my arms/shoulders and my bum and thighs are getting bigger and rounder. i kind of hoped they would get smaller straight away but i assume all that fat takes time to burn from above the toned muscles :)
  • Emtabo01
    Emtabo01 Posts: 672
    Stage 2 was when I was like Whoa
  • cphaneuf16
    cphaneuf16 Posts: 85 Member
    I'm at the end of the longer version of Stage 1 (8 weeks total, instead of 6), and noticed real bicep muscles a couple of weeks ago. More changes now, too. So around 6-8 weeks. :)

    Also, the scale has moved a little bit since starting NROL4W, but not much. Yet my friends are commenting on the weight melting off me NOW rather than the 15 pounds I lost before NROL4W just tracking food. Everything is tightening up and I've gone down 1-2 sizes even though I still have a muffin top and blubbery belly. I can't explain it -- it seems like it shouldn't be! Yet the clothing is telling the story way more than the scale.
  • LB2LL
    LB2LL Posts: 240 Member
    Minor changes at the completion of Stage 1. Then, the changes keep happening but gradually. I've been told I look more toned and I can tell my stomach has changed quite a bit since starting. Best of luck!
  • emmycaitlin0304
    emmycaitlin0304 Posts: 147 Member
    I'll take whatever the scale says if I can fit into clothes again!
  • cphaneuf16
    cphaneuf16 Posts: 85 Member
    I wanted to add that I'm also doing around TDEE - 20% for my calorie goals. I do less on non-workout days, more on workout days (200 cal difference).
  • rsharper97
    rsharper97 Posts: 242 Member
    It is good to hear you are doing the TDEE -20% because I want to do that also when I start next week. I think it will be more consistent that way.
  • GreenTeaForDays
    GreenTeaForDays Posts: 166 Member
    . Everything is tightening up and I've gone down 1-2 sizes even though I still have a muffin top and blubbery belly. I can't explain it -- it seems like it shouldn't be!

    I read that as "everything is tightening up even though I have blueberry muffins in my belly"!!!! I was about ti get really jealous of your muffin diet... Hahaha.

    I'm about 4 weeks in and just started noticing a difference in my biceps, shoulders, arms butt and legs and they're all quite positive. I have a couple more workouts left in Stage 1 and am starting to really get excited about what changes stage 2 will bring.
  • cphaneuf16
    cphaneuf16 Posts: 85 Member
    . Everything is tightening up and I've gone down 1-2 sizes even though I still have a muffin top and blubbery belly. I can't explain it -- it seems like it shouldn't be!

    I read that as "everything is tightening up even though I have blueberry muffins in my belly"!!!! I was about ti get really jealous of your muffin diet... Hahaha.

    I'm about 4 weeks in and just started noticing a difference in my biceps, shoulders, arms butt and legs and they're all quite positive. I have a couple more workouts left in Stage 1 and am starting to really get excited about what changes stage 2 will bring.
    LOL!! I would love to have blueberry muffins in my belly right about now. Or, even better, on a plate in front of me!
  • I have 3 more workouts in stage 1. I've noticed a big change in my shoulders, and my stomach seems to be trying to show some abs. I gained 4 lbs right off the bat, but now I have lost that and 4 more additional since starting. Good luck!
  • Kelbs1432
    Kelbs1432 Posts: 1 Member
    I started noticing a difference in strength after just a few workouts and lost the first inch off my hips in the first couple of weeks. I have one more workout left in Stage 1 and I have been taking pictures along the way which I highly recommend doing. I can SEE a difference rather than just feel a difference. I look more athletic and I have lost a total of about 3 inches in my hips and waist.
  • emmycaitlin0304
    emmycaitlin0304 Posts: 147 Member
    Excited to hear everyone's progress! I've been eating more than I was, but closer to what the book suggests and that is scary for me. Today I went on a long walk since it was an off day. It feels weird not to do intense cardio.
  • rsharper97
    rsharper97 Posts: 242 Member
    Not doing the intense cardio is going to be hard for me too. I am also excited to hear about everyones successes so far.
  • avielosesit
    avielosesit Posts: 79 Member
    Excited to hear everyone's progress! I've been eating more than I was, but closer to what the book suggests and that is scary for me. Today I went on a long walk since it was an off day. It feels weird not to do intense cardio.

    I totally agree with this! I'm trying to gt over it.
  • becca2911
    becca2911 Posts: 149 Member
    Stage 2 was when I was like Whoa

    looking forward to this then! :bigsmile:

    I saw improvements after 1 week of stage 1! Not major... but better than nothing
  • CactusF1ower
    CactusF1ower Posts: 174 Member
    Bump
  • I saw results about eight weeks in. Back looked stronger, lost an inch of hips and waist, and....my butt was looking fantastic. I never really had much of one before so I was pretty jacked about that. Now I'm nearly to stage 5, and my stomach is starting to shrink and my thighs are finally starting to shed some of the last of what they had. I'm very pleased with the program and can't recommend it to people highly enough!!
  • Mouse_Potato
    Mouse_Potato Posts: 1,513 Member
    I had to take a week off twice during stage 1 (two deaths in the family in a three week period) and I still noticed results in less than six weeks. My boyfriend noticed within 3-4 (and was thrilled though he'd initially been opposed to me lifting!).

    I'm now halfway through stage 2 and there is a definite difference in my arms, shoulders and hips. I had to miss my pole dance class for five weeks and when I came back I got called "crazy skinny" and "all guns." Plus I could do lots of cool stuff even the more experienced girls couldn't do. :bigsmile:
  • Kittyclaw6
    Kittyclaw6 Posts: 4 Member
    Hi all,

    I am into my second week of NROLFW and I feel totally disgusting and fat! I haven't lost any weight (which is to be expected) but my cloths feel tighter not looser! I have about 25kgs to loose. Please tell me it will get better. I would also like to know what weight everyone started off with. Thank you.
  • jbnl1991
    jbnl1991 Posts: 149
    I am right there with you. I am in week two and feeling fat. The workouts are so short and skipping the intense cardio feels weird.
  • Mouse_Potato
    Mouse_Potato Posts: 1,513 Member
    Some of the ladies may disagree with me, but here is my take on how much weight you should be using: if you feel the rest periods are too long, you probably aren't pushing yourself hard enough. For the first few workouts, with the 15 rep sets, I did not use very heavy weights, but I tried to lift heavy enough that I probably couldn't do more than 15 reps and I always needed my rest periods. By the time I got to the last few workouts with 8 rep sets, I came close to failure on every set. The way I see it, if I have any makeup left at all at the end of a workout, it's time to up the weights! :wink:
  • Kittyclaw6
    Kittyclaw6 Posts: 4 Member
    I have definitely put on more weight and size! I am trying to tell myself that it is the muscles underneath all the fat, but it is so hard. My weights are heavy for me - deadlift 40kgs & squat 30kgs. I am usually drenched in sweat by the end of my workout which no other gym routine has done for me, so I know I am working hard, just not seeing any results.
  • Mouse_Potato
    Mouse_Potato Posts: 1,513 Member
    Just consulted my workout sheets from stage 1. At week two I was squatting 60 pounds and deadlifting 70. I'd say you're definitely on track. Keep at it and you will get results!
  • Kittyclaw6
    Kittyclaw6 Posts: 4 Member
    Thanx for your comments. It really hard to stay motivated, but I will def continue, because I really love lifting - more than I have ever loved any other exercise regime and now I actually like going to the gym! Just hope I see some results soon.
  • enoid1
    enoid1 Posts: 14 Member
    I'm in the middle of stage 2 and was feeling so fat this past week. Everywhere just looked so big!! I think it may just be water since lifting will draw water into the muscles. And since it's total body workouts 3x a week there really isn't any down time for the muscles to get rid of the excess water. I'm waiting for my rest week at the end of stage 3 to re-evaluate...I'm hoping my hypothesis is proven to be correct. (Otherwise I may tear my hair out!):explode:
  • Mouse_Potato
    Mouse_Potato Posts: 1,513 Member
    I love lifting, but I retain about 4-5 pounds of water to repair after each workout. It can be very discouraging. Plus I go over on my sodium quite regularly, so that isn't much help either. I'm trying to focus on how I look and how my clothes feel, not to mention "am I getting stronger?"

    I was feeling like I hadn't progressed much and then tonight I saw a couple I hadn't seen in a while. The woman said "you are getting skinny!" and her husband just said "look at those guns!" :bigsmile:

    I started on May 21st, if that helps any. I'm definitely getting results, even when I can't see them myself. Assuming work doesn't explode tomorrow, I will be doing Stage 2 Workout 3B. Can't wait!