Thanks Rocky.

Wanted to go to the gym this morning but wind closed the gym so now to keep on track I will be doing STTS - with plenty of dog walking in between.

Thanks for all the advice. I really appreciate it. Will have a look at the foam roller as we have one at the gym xxx

Had to come back and post about my awesome workout!

I always do 5 mins on the treadmill to start so that I get a bit warmer.... today I just enjoyed running and after 20 mins only stopped because otherwise I wouldn't have time for the lifting! I am trying to make a conscious effort to achieve the goals of this hypertrophy stage and therefore am trying to increase the weights I'm using for higher reps. Today was 2 sets of 20.... doesn't sound too bad.... only 2 sets. Well jeez. They were hard. I had to take longer breaks than normal, but did them all. RDLs felt better too - still not much weight considering 20 reps but am better at keeping shoulders back and really engaging those hamstrings. Finished it off with my metabolic complex (8 x bent over row, 8 x front squat, 8 x push press) which I completed 4 times. Only managing a 15kg bar on that because you move through the moves quickly (that's the point - to do it without stopping) and my press limits the weight.

Really felt like I pushed myself, really pleased. Now I need more food lol, And do you know what? The best bit was looking at myself in the mirror doing my stretches afterwards and thinking "I'm bloody knackered, but *kitten* I'm looking freakin' awesome" hahahahahahaha..... LOVE IT :laugh:

Hope you all have some amazing workouts this week :flowerforyou:

Welcome back, Sue!!

Awaiting to begin Stage 3 come the morrow.
I think I have the form down - I think...we'll see...The one-arm DB snatch I will have to practice without any weight at first. The YouTube videos did help quite a bit

Enjoy stage 3, Bepee- seems everyone either loves it or hates it! I hated it,lol!

Pm, rack DLs: you set the bar on the rack with the pins adjusted so the bar hits just below your knees. You lift like you're doing a regular DL, but you set the bar down and reset grip with each rep. The ROM is just like a Romanian DL, but you're doing much heavier weight since you can set the bar down with each rep. It's my favorite lift right now.

Rest day today and B2 tomorrow. Got some work trips coming up and we are stopping in a hotel without a gym so trying to make sure that I can get two workouts a week in during those weeks. Silly work!

Looking forward to getting stronger - pushed myself in A2 yesterday - just have to remember that I am stronger than I think I am and keep proper form! xxx

starting stage 2 today. any advice?

Elgray- I just finished A yesterday and can only say that static lunges are evil but feel great today (like I worked my glutes). I'm a little intimidated for B, that'll be tomorrow.

I think about an hour. There is 15 min in breaks alone.

Beeps have fun in Mexico!

Thanks for the welcome back all. Stage 2 was my least favorite of the stages. I felt like a total newb, and after the gains I'd made in Stage 1, felt like a real weakling in Stage 2. It took too long, I struggled with all the lifts and felt as if I didn't gain much of anything. That said, it did it's job. I made increases throughout the stage and learned a lot about lifting, form and my own convictions. I didn't take the 75 sec between the A/B combos either and found myself nearly panting finishing up the last lifts. I was forced to take at least a minute, just to catch my breath.

So I thought I had the day off today for the holiday, and didn't get up early for the gym. Found out that I didn't, and thus didn't have time to workout. I'll tack it on at the end of the week instead. Tomorrow is spin class.

Oh and we're supposed to get MORE snow tomorrow!! This feels like the never ending winter!!

I'm just about to start Stage 2 on Wed or Fri! I gotta say...it intimidates the heck out of me!!

Beeps, have fun! I'm jealous

Last Stage 1 workout today. I'm excited to move on but like I said, a bit intimidated by the workouts in 2, especially B. But what do "they" say? What doesn't challenge you, doesn't change you!

Holy crap Cowgirl! 190 is awesome!!

Elgray, Cowgirl is right, form is critical! I worked with a trainer who refused to give me heavier weights because I wasn't nailing my form. I'm glad he did. I can tell now when my form is off. I still struggle with squats - I tend to flatten my back when the weight it too heavy, so I really haven't progressed much with them. I would rather not add much weight than hurt my back.

I'm heading to bed - 4 am comes early.

Beeps have a great holiday

Elgray - good going starting level 2.

Just completed B2. xxx

Thanks all I will focus more on form for Stage 2. Wouldn't want to hurt myself.

Whizzlers- keep it up!!!

Barbell--- good job on pushing through when TOM is trying to kill you!!!

Well the best layed plans... crappy roads and crappier sleep last night - I woke up but decided to try to sleep an extra 90 minutes. The rest of the week is going to be nice, and even warm, so I should have no problems getting to the gym to lift or spin.

WillLift, I get up to be at the gym at 5 AM - it's the only time I can go in and workout with a minimum of interference. I have 12 hour work days, with my commute so I don't get home until after 7 pm. I just am done by then, nothing left to put into a workout. I do much better with early AM workouts.


bepeejaye, do all your reps per side, then repeat. So if it's 8 reps, you do 8 one way with your twist being to the left forinstance, then turn, face the other way, and do the other 8 with your twist going right. Then repeat. Clear as mud?

My body definitely already feels tired and I can tell I am going to feel it tomorrow. However, I did take a 2 week break between stage 1 and stage 2.

Stage 2 has more complex exercises, and I feel like I can't do the amount of weight I should be able to handle.

B took 1:10 according to jefit with the interval at end. I did shorten up my rest between the an exercises too because I felt like I was being lazy. I didn't feel I needed as long of rests as I did in A (they were well needed for me).

For someone that hasn't done cardio except for volleyball and some shinny, the 3 min total of running killed me! Maybe I should add some cardio in on some rest days..