I'm usually a lurker but I think it's about time I post something! I loved weight traing in high school (haven't ever been a fan of much cardio beyond walking) and for some reason never even thought to keep it up once I graduated...until a couple months ago. I'm soooo glad I decided to jump in with both feet using StrongLifts! Today was week 6, day 1 for me (workout a). Here are my stats (is that the right term?):

Squat: 95 lbs
Bench: 52.5 lbs
Row: 70 lbs (I finished 5x5 but could feel my form go out the window on the last one so I'll repeat next time)

From workout b last Friday:

OHP: 42 lbs (This is the only lift I'd never done before and I really, really dislike them.)
Deadlift: 110 lbs

When I started, I JOKINGLY told my hubby that my goal was to be able to lift him (or at least the equivalent weight). Apparently, he's holding me to it! :huh:

Today was workout 7 for me and I did it after trying to run for the first time in like forever. Squats felt like WAY more than 5 lbs heavier this work out than last work out but I completed them. I didn't complete my last few sets of bench presses and I'm not even going to speak of the barbell rows. I'm doing a mud run in two months and I really need to work on my running but I'm afraid it's going to affect my progress with lifting

Today was workout 7 for me and I did it after trying to run for the first time in like forever. Squats felt like WAY more than 5 lbs heavier this work out than last work out but I completed them. I didn't complete my last few sets of bench presses and I'm not even going to speak of the barbell rows. I'm doing a mud run in two months and I really need to work on my running but I'm afraid it's going to affect my progress with lifting

Common practice is to lift first and then run. Try switching those and see how you do. Even if you have to run slower, you are still running and getting the endurance.

Workout A was my first of the month. I am on a reduced schedule since I am training for a 6 day cycling tour later in the month. I have been holding steady on my weight totals to conserve energy for cycling but everything felt so light today. It was a shame not to take advantage. I increased everything except for squats.

Squats 5x5 @ 100#

Bench Press 5x5 @ 60#

Pendlay Rows 5x5 @ 70#

Everything felt easy and I could have done more weight. Trying to determine why this is. The biggest change in my life has been carb loading for long bike rides. I did a 35 miler yesterday and have been consciously eating more carbs and less protein over the past two days.

I'll be gone for two weeks so no workouts unless the hotel we are staying in has a power rack or barbells. Won't know till I get there. My plan is to pick Stronglifts back up the last week of July. Hopefully I can start at the weights I did today.

I've noticed my core has weakened.

Does anyone use a weight belt? Think this might help me?

If your core is weakened, then strengthen the muscle, and deloading and working your way back up again is going to help you more than a belt. I have one for my lower back, but I'd rather deload and let my back muscles catch up than use a belt, honestly.

Do you have regular core work as part of your overall routine? As well as hip flexor stretches/moves? Your lifts are only going to be as strong as the weakest muscles involved, so if they're weak yet, you either strengthen them doing accessory work or you're going to continue deloading until they're good and ready to let you progress. That's just the reality of it. And a belt would probably mask the problem rather than solve it, to be honest, especially if you're not lifting competitively.

OHP: 42 lbs (This is the only lift I'd never done before and I really, really dislike them.)

Why? I swear I'm the odd duck out because I love the OHP and always have. My triceps and shoulders have never looked better or been stronger. I don't understand what all the hatred is about.

Yes on the stretches, dynamic (before lifting) and static (after). My chiro recently suggested some new ones and I got a couple off the Girls Gone Strong site I decided to throw in.
Before SL, when I was doing a split routine, I did core stuff more often. Don't know why I stopped, but obviously that was a mistake, because I've noticed a marked decline in core strength since I started SL. However, I've also been injured (though I didn't realize what was going on in the beginning) this whole time. I'm definitely not blaming the program. My strength gains with SL, even while injured, have exceeded my expectations.

I was thinking belt, because it would give my abs something to push against when doing the heavier lifts. After thinking more about it, though, I agree that it would be a mistake to use one right now if I'm not happy with my overall core strength.
I've got a yoga DVD that concentrates on core. I'm going to start doing that on recovery days and do the ab exercises in between sets, too. That seemed to help trigger the muscles to contract during the OHP, which helped my deadlift, too.
Any suggestions for additional core work are welcome

Mindful core, mindful core=my new mantra. Better than my old one: Suck it in, sister. People are looking.

I like the OHP, though I constantly fail at it. (Darn you, 75lbs!!) When I get it right, it makes my back feel amazing. It works so many muscles, I think of it as a bargain exercise. You get a whole bunch of muscles worked for the price of one movement. Lol And while that's true of all compound exercises, I particularly notice it with the OHP. :happy:

Lwoodroff - I watched the ripptoe and another php quikie youtube (I popped it on the useful video thread) and it made a word of difference for me to today - just tiling my elbows out - just made a huge difference that and not smashing my nose with the bar!

and p.s your squat is heavier than my PR!

today week 5 workout B
squat 5x5 @ 40kg (88lbs)
OHP 5x5 @ 17.5 (38.5) - stuck to this after last times crazieness!! - felt 3millions times better doing this as well
deadlife 5x5 @ 40kg (88lbs)
3 x 40sec prone bridges
6 x chinups (floor to door)
41 air squats

here's to anoter month and working to having leg dents to match my arm dents! (yup - my goal right now is to have dents no idea what these are called but I want them bad!)

deadlifes for life!! (yup)

and get them leg shots up and show them off.
and p.s You are looking amazing!!

An "off" day - at least from lifting. Decided to start Couch-to-5K (again) this morning. It felt great! Here's to hoping I can actually complete it this time...

I've got a yoga DVD that concentrates on core. I'm going to start doing that on recovery days and do the ab exercises in between sets, too. That seemed to help trigger the muscles to contract during the OHP, which helped my deadlift, too.
Any suggestions for additional core work are welcome

First off, I sympathize with the weak core issue. I felt like it happened to me, too. I now hit my core directly after weights, when my lifting hasn't left me too wiped out.

Yes, I'm tossing in a caveat here for you to consider. I am a big fan of rest days. I would be more inclined to suggest that you hit your core hard on SL days, and then rest on the days in between. Rest days are where you make your progress.

@ Jstout, yes, please share your core exercises.