THat sounds wonderful Pearl! SOmetimes we just need to change things up to find our motivation.

Beeps, tell me more about what you are doing.

Cowgirl, we pears know the agony of frustrating legs. In two years I've lost maybe a 1/2 in off of each thigh around. I have a size six waist and even *kitten* at this point, but those damn thighs :huh:

Mary, THANK YOU for the muffins, they so made my night last night and they were SO GOOD!!! Interesting that you are currently at the weight and size I was when I started. I know you have some physical/medical limitations, but I know you got this!

Ladies I have to say a great big thank you for the kudos. It really is appreciated. This week was a hot mess, but I got to the gym last nice for a halfway decent zumba class. Felt good to get going. I actually had energy today. Got up early, put some effort into my hair and make-up, which was acknowledged by many :bigsmile: , hubby got first paycheck from new job with direct deposit- very nice to wake up to, my students were nearly all on point, I had a "drink" with an old friend after work (In quotes because I had a diet coke, I have to drive :laugh: , my husband said "Hey babe let's order out, and now I'm off to go lift; therefore, today was a GREAT DAY!!!

As an aside, I used the excuse, "I have no time," for YEARS. THen my health started to deteriorate. I thought I was being a piss-poor excuse of a mom when I had to come home and nap on the couch for an hour every night just to make it through and by not having the energy to not just play with my kids, but to be any kind of active involved parent. We all reach our breaking points. Giving up an hour a few nights a week makes it possible for me to actually "be here" for my family. So when I get home at 10pm from the gym, I know it's worth it.

Wow, ladies. I've been traveling and having some trials and hadn't even checked in this week...worked out, and barely managed to log. But I just read the last week of this thread. YOU LADIES ARE AMAZING. I feel so much better about my dirty house. And I feel challenged by your really good attitudes and forthrightness about your struggles and your successes.
Beeps, that pic - awesome arms!
All the PEARS - thanks for making me feel less alone.
Pmag and Sam and Manic- I'm really thinking about you and sending good vibes for the week to come.

I'm gonna try to stay more up with this group - y'all are where its at!!

Cowgirl, good luck with the kitchen

I had a rough workout last night. I think my asthma was acting up a little from the cold snap we are having here. We went from 70 to 40 in the course of a day. I was having trouble oxygenating. Had to take longer than normal rests to catch my breath and get my heart rate to slow. I kept things slow and backed off the weight a bit. I hadn't lifted since Sunday, so I'm sure that had something to do with it too.

Today I will be walking: Walking the pumpkin farm and walking Six flags. Hubby and I are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the day we met, started dating and fell in love (Halloween), so we're going to Freight Fest the get the crap sacred out of us lol. Like 20 years together isn't scary enough.

Ha! Too funny, Sam. My husband and I have been together 26 years in February and married 22 same month! That's SCARY. We are all each other has known. We were barely 16.

Thanks Geeks and Cowgirl. I feel like I am spinning my wheels. I really do appreciate the kinds words.

Geeks, we support each other, tell it like it is, motivate, and you name it. We don't judge. We are "here" for each other. Beeps, will kick your hiney if anyone gets out of line. :laugh:

Hey everyone! Sorry for not posting here lately. I wish I had a good excuse! I lifted yesterday and PRed OHP at #55. I am so happy with this!! When I first started NROL4W I could barely press 10 for 8 reps. My shoulders are really my weakest part - I broke a collar bone years ago - it was never rehabbed properly so I've really been rehabbing it now! I worked with my trainer - he burned me out, all upper body, lats, pecs, rhomboids. I feel it now, especially in my shoulders!

Sam I heard it was a real mob scene! Glad you and hubs had a nite out together! Happy 20th! I'm the same about rich foods - it actually makes my stomach queasy. Not a bad thing, really!

Mary, recently my eating has been all over the place. I just keep plugging along - I ate like there was no tomorrow yesterday after having a decent week! But I know I'll get back on track and find my place again. I know you do the same thing but look at how well you really are doing!

Cowgirl, you're right and it's been ages since I took pics! I am going to finish this tier and then take pics and measurements. That will put me right about a week before T'day.

I blew the whole week - I didn't spin at all this week and my cals were not good!

So my goals are still the same

lift 3x
spin 2x
stick within cals this week!

Y'all are so right about the pics. And the measurements. Sometimes when my scale isn't moving, those things help me see progress. Speaking of which, some 1/2 inch losses in hips and thighs and a nice little gain in biceps. Yay! Especially since my scale ain't moving much.

I have been doing NRL4W now for 4 months,...I am proud to say I just got my deadlift up to 125. I've got some DOMS but really happy! Squat at the 100 lb mark. Progress is so satisfying.

I'm hoping for a good eating week so I can look my best in a dress I need to wear to a formal wedding next week. Sometimes, such external things are a good mini-motivator.

Here's hoping all you ladies have a super Monday!

Sue that ohp is awesome

Nice dls geeks

Here's to a new week- I'm going to physical therapy for the glute pain tomorrow before work instead of swimming or lifting. I'll try to get an evening workout in

Hope you had a good weekend

I lifted this morning - lower body. I was supposed to PR my DLs at 155 but I'm not 100% ready for it. I lifted the weight but I knew if I actually did more than that I wouldn't be able to hold form and I didn't want to hurt my back so I just put it down. I did 10 reps at 145, then did good mornings, and trap bar squats and abs. A friend came into the gym as I was doing abs and started talking ... and talking... and talking... I hate to not listen, but I have limited time to workout in the morning, so I "half listened" and continued my ab work. She really just needed to blab - she's in the midst of some personal issues, so my attention was enough.

Beeps, I am thinking I will add an extra day of lifting too - though not til my next tier. Although Wendler says you can do 5-3-1 3x/wk, it's 4 main lifts - OHP, DLs, bench, and squats divided into 4 workouts with supportive accessory work each workout. It really lends itself to a 4 day week. I think I will try to do that in the next level.

Geeks, congrats on your DL PR and your 100# squat too! Those are some great numbers!

Ok, back to work! Kill it ladies!

Jo, that's a lot to have on your plate! I agree that the Swiss ball roll outs are killer.

Beeps, my hips fluctuate a lot when I do hip thrusts or other major glute exercises. Maybe your butt is perkier or just retaining some repair fluid. I don't understand how EVERY woman can theoretically fit within the parameters of "Venus"? We all carry fat differently. Do they explain it more when you join the program?

Mary, I saw that your willpower has paid off in the form of a scale loss. Way to go!

I was too busy to check in yesterday, but I nearly hit all of my goals. Macros were 40/28/32 (c/p/f), got my 3 lifts in, and I was under on cals.

Sam I need some motivation too . I was going to lift three times a week but lately two workouts per week has been tough. You have made a lot of progress try to focus on the changes you've made already to try to push on.
I'm looking forward to Halloween - it is a fun holiday
Jo- did you try icing and ibuprofen
Chubs good work on your macros
Sue- I'm impressed with your "not pr" weight
Beeps/ manic 4x a week seems incredible to me
Geeks keep up the hard work
I lifted today but I did not have my logs and it was not as heavy as I would have liked. I swam early in the morning but again not as long or fast as I would have liked.

My pt is giving me daily exercises which cut into my workout time- but should be worth it to get rid of my glute pain.