Ugh epic fail on my pull-ups this morning. Back to the drawing board and watching video's on ways to modify. Or perhaps I need to get another resistance band that is provides even more resistance. This was definitely a blow to my fitness ego though, I must say :sad:

I sat my butt down on my bench just a little bit ago and used my Olympic bar resting on my squat rack to pull myself up. Worked like a charm. And after about 10 reps or so I was really starting to feel it. So I figure I start there and just add reps until those muscles back there are developed enough to pull more of me than just my upper body weight.

I'm going to do a pull-up one of these days! You start where you start, eh?

Brilliant idea. I was wondering how I would start chin ups.

Another vote for negatives. That's how I've been training for my dips and pulls and chins - I use a chair to get up to the bar, then slowly lower myself. And remember - those muscles have to be trained for both strength and movement, just like every other muscle. It WILL happen, with time and effort. I know you already know that, but I have to say it to myself all the time, so I figured you might no mind hearing it again, either.
[/quote

Oh for sure I think I'm going to try Dani's idea for next workout....see how I feel and then go from there. The problem is that my ceiling is not super high and I don't know that my rack can handle kipping up.....so we'll have to see how this goes :indifferent:

Squat day for me and I hit a nice PR - 185x2 so that was nice. I also went on to pistols in sets of 2 (Each leg) and was suprised how much easier it is now (I dunno why I was suprised, makes sense) then back when I was actually working on it.

Ugh epic fail on my pull-ups this morning. Back to the drawing board and watching video's on ways to modify. Or perhaps I need to get another resistance band that is provides even more resistance. This was definitely a blow to my fitness ego though, I must say :sad:

I sat my butt down on my bench just a little bit ago and used my Olympic bar resting on my squat rack to pull myself up. Worked like a charm. And after about 10 reps or so I was really starting to feel it. So I figure I start there and just add reps until those muscles back there are developed enough to pull more of me than just my upper body weight.

I'm going to do a pull-up one of these days! You start where you start, eh?

Thanks for this! Sounds like a good way for me to start too.

So I went to Yarmouth, Maine this weekend to support my friend who was doing an Ironman distance triathlon as an Alzheimer's fundraiser. She killed her PR time by an hour or so and raised over $13,000. She's an awesome person, she's a personal trainer and has her own studio. Anyone can PM me if you want her info .

Workout B this morning -
Squats 5x5 @155
OHP - 1x5@75,80,85, 1x4 @90
DL-1x5 200

I had posted I DL'd 200 last week. My math was wrong. It was actually 190. I had done 195 for a few weeks in a row. When I thought I was doing 200, I was thinking what a bad-a$s mofo I was since it seemed lighter than the previous weight. DUH, it was! 200 feels much much heaver than 190 or even 195. I had a few long pauses between reps, but I'd still count it as 5x5.

LWood- It's Cleo the Rio Cleo actually isn't my name; it was my cat's name. And subsequently, that name evolved into Cleo the Rio, kind of like it was her title. Because all cats are some sort of royalty or at least deserving of a title!

I am so impressed with your progress, ladies! I love reading the successes here because they inspire me so, and when you struggle, I know that I am not alone.

I also love seeing some women in their 50's, thank you. I turn 50 in a week and a half!


I trained yesterday morning but haven't had time to come tell you all about it!

Squats 95 3X5 This is my new working weight. (down from 120 which was down from 135!) and I am just going to accept it and start adding 2.5 pounds each time now. I will also do 80% on the mid day, i.e.: Tuesday 97.5. Thursday 78.0 Saturday 100. This is something that Rippetoe mentioned in Pratical Programming as a modification to do when you are moving towards intermediate workouts, and I saw it mentioned in a thread on the Starting Strength forums when I was looking for help for my older, becoming-more-intermediate body.

OHP 45 3X5 I am going to start progress from here 1 pound at a time. Previously I was working at 56 pounds before I lost the plot due to overtraining. This is 80% of that number and although it feels a bit light, that is the point, actually.

Deadlift 125 1X5 This still feels light, but I will add 5 pounds next time instead of 10. I was stalled out at 150 previously, and this is about an 80% deload from there.

Well, I'm all smiles and happiness today - got my stitches out this morning and the doc said I could lift again, just to stop if I felt any pulling at the wound site. WOOT! Needless to say I had worn my workout clothes to the doctor's office in anticipation of a green light

And then I got to the gym, and learned just how much my 15 day break cost me in terms of strength. I was reading Nia Shanks' 28 things she has learned from lifting article, and one of them was that you need to check your ego at the door. Yep. That is some truth right there.

FIRST day of my new cycle:
Workout B
Squats 3x5 @ 135 - I could probably have gone higher, but I'm wanting to work up going ATG instead of just below parallel, so it may be a while before I see 175 again.
OHP 665@ 72.5 - OOPs, I had done 75 pounds last time. That's what I get for leaving my notes at home.
Deadlifts 1x5 @ 175 - I did 1x1's until it felt challenging, then just stayed there. I'll probably go up on these 10 lbs until I hit my previous PR. Maybe.

Then I did some accessory stuff. I tell you what - Farmer walks and waiter carries make great finishers all by themselves!