Hi guys! I'm new to all this, but have completed my first two workouts. Got a few form pointers on my squats which was nice, although it probably wouldn't hurt to get a trainer's POV on it. Just wanted to say hi. I'm really enjoying the program so far. Add me if you want to encourage each other. - Mandy

Hi, I'm new. Been doing Stage 1 for two weeks now.

About the push-ups. Before I started working out I couldn't do any regular push-ups. I started doing some on an incline, but I wasn't serious about keeping up with it. When I got to the point I could do two regular ones I started adding one more push-up every day. It wasn't easy, but it also doesn't take long. I did 2 sets of 12 regular push-up yesterday. I don't think I have done that many since I was a kid.

As for the progress I'm making:

Workout A3

Squats: 2 sets, 12 reps, 10 lb dumbbells.
Push up: 2, 12, Regular
Seated Row: 2, 12, 80 lbs
Step up: 2, 12, 15 lbs with two risers (this was not enough, still working figuring this one out)
Prone Jackknife: 2, 10 ( I love these)

Workout B2

Deadlift: 2, 15, 8 lb dumbbells
Shoulder Press: 2, 15, 10 lb dumbbells
Lat Pulldown: 2, 15, 70 lbs
Lunge: 2, 15, 5 lbs
Swiss Crunches: 2, 8, with my hands on my ears (these are always too easy for me, I need to find a harder modification)

I only got really sore the first time I did Workout B. Ever since then I haven't had any problems besides slight stiffness.

I'm finishing up Stage 1 this week. Official measurements coming after the weekend!

hi ladies! Just re-started the program this week. Originally started in April 2012 and made it through the end of stage 3, then found out I was pregnant, so tried to just maintain during the pregnancy. I had a beautiful baby girl April 1st have been doing cardio since, and now I'm ready to start feeling STRONG again! I've completed my first A and B workouts, here are my starting numbers:

A
Squat 65 lbs
Push up 15 on floor (had to do 5 then rest, repeat)
Seated Row 60 lbs
Step Up 15 lb dumbbells
Prone Jknife 12

B
Deadlift 95 lbs
S Press 15 lb dumbbells
Lat Pdowns 60 lbs
Lunges 15 lb dumbbells
Crunch 12 with 10 lb dumbbell

Stick with it ladies--Stages 2 and 3 go really fast and the changes I saw were amazing!!

1st off CONGRATS on the sweet new addition! 2nd WELCOME BACK to lifting heavy things! I am almsot done with S1 and loving it, haven't lifted heavy since my 20's so glad to be back at it, and funny thing is my results seem to be better this time around! Go figure!? Glad to hear about S2 & S3, can't wait to move on.........

Thanks Mrs Mab!

I'm finishing up Stage 1 this week. Official measurements coming after the weekend!

Yahoo! Me too. :happy: Did you do AMRAPs?

(I did. Second round today. Now I'm all aquiver.)

What are AMRAPs?

Hi Everyone!

I am just getting started with NROL4W and I'm excited to have found this group! I did my second A work out on Friday, but I'm counting it as my first since the first workout was really about figuring out form and establishing some starting weights. I'm going to go do workout B this evening. I was going to go yesterday but I opted to go for a run in the beautiful weather instead.

Workout from last Friday:

Squats: 1 set of 15 at 75 lbs, 1 set of 15 at 85 lbs
Push Ups (45 degree mod): 2 sets of 15
Seated Row: 2 sets of 15 at 80 lbs - these felt a little light. I will probably go up to 90 next time.
Step Up: 2 sets of 15 at 25 lbs. These are tough! I'm stepping up onto a ~20" bench and by the end I am sweating! Plus since it's really more like 30 reps (15 with each leg), it is longer and tougher than some of the other exercises.
Prone Jackknife: 2 sets of 8. These feel really easy to me...maybe I'm doing them wrong?

Pearl and Runzalot- congrats on finishing stage 1!

Lizpirate - it looks like we are both just starting. Good luck! (virtual high five)

I did stage 1 B1 workout:

Deadlift 2x15 reps at 75 lbs (this was my time using a barbell to to this, very awkward. I have always used kettle bells. Also surprised at how 80 felt light with Kbs, but the weight feels heavier with the barbell, or I should say it's more in the front, so feels different)
Dumbell shoulder press: 2x15 at 15 lbs in each hand
wide grip lat pulldown 2x15 at 50 lbs
Lunge 2 x 15 at 25 lbs in each hand (weird that I can do 30-35 walking, but that was too awkward with the static lunges. In fact, I may go down to 20 lbs)
Swiss ball crunch 2 x 10 reps with 10lbs plate

Keep it up ladies! Good work!1

Just on the lunges, not sure if I am misreading what you wrote but its 15 on each leg. So you could do 15 right then 15 left or as most do 30 alternating lunges. So in total you do 60 of the buggers (across 2 sets). I felt that burn the next day lol

If I misread you and this is what you already did, apologies for getting it wrong

Liz - according to the book, you are not supposed to do ANY endurance training while you are doing this program. I am having a hard time with this as well. I do like an occasional jog or some time on the elliptical machine. Sometimes a good cardio workout hits the spot! However, he says the results won't be the same. Different hormones are released for muscle building versus endurance training. It is a conflict and 100% won't go to the muscle recovery and rebuilding (my recollection of the book anyway). He says something like yoga or pilates or perhaps playing a sport once per week is acceptable as long as it doesn't move into cardio yoga or anything endurance like, etc. Like you, I don't think many of us workout enthusiasts are able to play exactly by these rules.

Frankly the stage 1 workouts don't seem like enough. Not that the exercises aren't challenging, they are. But there are only 5 and I am usually done in less than 30 minutes. I want to go for a jog once I get home, or do more strength training exercises, but he also says not to do that. Just do the workouts as they are laid out and the results will come. grr...I am still going to go to my cardio tennis class on Saturday morning.

Good call on the deadlifts. I think maybe I went too heavy. I am not sure. My middle back is a little sore and it's hard for me to know if it was from improper form with the deadlift, or maybe from the lat pull downs. I think that I will go a wee lighter next time and focus on form.

Good luck!!

I did my session this morning with the trainer and it was really helpful! The main thing for me is keeping my weight in my heels and keeping my legs strong through the lift. I'm tall and lanky, so that's a challenge for me. I was really glad I did it, though. She gave me some other exercises and stretches that I think will help a lot. I also found out what I already knew, which is that my hamstrings are insanely tight. It's something I've always struggled with and it's really frustrating. She said that to really make a difference I should be stretching them for an hour a day. O.o