Jo, I think Hypertrophy will help you get out of that slump. The constantly changing reps made it a little more interesting. Are you doing the things that will help you reach your goals of increasing strength? Eating enough, getting enough rest, not allowing stress to get to you, etc? Those things can have a major impact on your mental outlook and performance in the gym. I'm learning that my strength goals are greatly affected by the things that I do when I'm not in the gym. I'm sure you already know that, but sometimes we need a reminder:)

Sue, you're amazing!

Rocky, welcome!!!

Beeps, you are gorgeous!!!

Wearing my first pair of skinny jeans today with a long sweater. 18 months ago I wouldn't have dreamed I'd be comfortable in sz 8 skinny jeans. they're cute as long as my butt is covered by a long top, lol.

Sam, that's exactly it. For many people, that is all they can afford. White bread, cheap peanut butter, bologna, and ramen noodles go a long way for very little money. Of course these things are fine in moderation, but eating it day in and out...
We also see patients who are poor, obese, but severely malnourished. The doctor I work with says its one of the hardest concepts for his patients to understand- that they may be overweight, but they aren't actually nourishing their bodies with the nutrients it needs.

Beeps & Sue, thanks. You're right about goals. I tend to change them depending upon my mood. Some days I feel so fat, I think,"I just need to get rid of this weight!". Other days,"Who cares if I get any thinner? I want to be strong-RAWR!!!"
I need to decide on my plan and stick to it.
Maybe we can all hold each accountable over the winter to stay the course and not be distracted from our goals. My goals are to maintain weight (if I lose that'd be good too!) and build strength through the Strength program of Supercharged. That should last me until Feb or so. Then it's back to cutting and getting more fat off for the summer- probably doing Strong Curves.

Hello all
It's terrible that the "non" food is cheaper than the nutritious coins. I can get really worked up on this topic but if anyone is interested in this topic there have been a few good books lately one is salt sugar fat .

Beeps you look amazing- I like your necklace

Sue you are very dedicated

Lawlorka welcome and nice to see your numbers- good job

I finished stage 3-- I think I should have been more aggressively increasing because I didn't feel like I worked hard until this week
One arm db snatch 10 to 22.5
Db single leg rom dl 5 to15
Bb bor 20 to 60
Db single arm oh squat 5/10 to 12/25
Db incline Bp 20 to 40 total
Rev wood chop 5 to 20

Roman dl bor 40 to 80 total
Partial single leg squat bw to 20 total
Wide grip lat pull down 75-90
Ytwls 10 to 15 total

So I am also thinking about goals Long term I'd like to improve all the big lifts . I would like to see my waist get smaller but it seems unrealistic. I would like to do a triathlon next summer but I still can't bikefor long periods without pain.
I would like to not have glut pain but that also seems unrealistic

I will take some days off from lifting and start stage four on Friday or sat

Rest week over, time to move on to Stage 2 of new rules. Looking forward to the change!

So here's a question--what happens when we finish all 7 stages? Assuming I get through it (which is my goal), then what? Start again? Different program? I'd hate to see what gains I make disappear and even though I know this is months away (did S1A3 yesterday) I do wonder how I can best keep them.

SleepyJen, a lot of us here are actually done with NROL4W and moved onto different things but we all stay here and talk and keep each accountable and just generally enjoy each other's company! I spent a whole month trying to figure out what to do next before I finally decided.

Beeps, Wendler's 5/3/1 sort of is DIY, in that I get to choose which accessory lifts I do. I generally stick with a cycle of 3 favs per body part. My big lifts stay the same - Workout #1 OHP, #2 DL, #3 Bench #4 Squat. For lower body days, accessories are 5x10-20 each hams, quads and abs - I do them in circuits and I throw in back extensions on the days I do crunches (but not planks). For upper body days accessory lifts are 5x10-20 shoulder or chest, upper back or lats, and triceps. I've been occasionally adding biceps (21s usually) with triceps and again, I do these as circuits. I like it that way and I get more out of the lifts when I push myself like that. It's kinda the best of DIY and set program.

So last night I went to sleep too early, woke up at 1:30 and couldn't fall asleep right away. I knew if I didn't turn off the alarm and allow myself to sleep later I'd be miserable all day today so nope, I didn't get 3 days in a row. I might have to DL my sisters dogs for a workout while I'm there :laugh:

Jo, we are creatures of habit! The more stress I have in my life, the more I opt for what I used to do. Unfortunately that often means bad food choices too but at least I am getting off my butt and moving - and so are you! You should honor that! When classes finish, make new habits!

I have no idea what will happen later today or early tomorrow so I want to take this opportunity to say Happy Thanksgiving to each of you! I'm grateful for MFP and especially for this group. You all have become my lifesaver and anchor when I've wanted to give up or slack off. Thanks!!

Is anyone familiar with the venus weight lifting program? I saw some pics of a gal following that which were awesome. Plan to kick it Thanksgiving morning with HIIT and a WL session, then cooking, eating and being merry the rest of the day.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Starting my research so I am comfortable moving to Stage 2. I have a Question for One-point Row. Do you do 10 reps for each leg totaling 20 per set? Or do you do 5 on one leg, and 5 on the other totaling 10 reps per set?