Daily Chat Thread

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  • runzalot81
    runzalot81 Posts: 782 Member
    I took videos of some of my lifts this morning. My favorite is when I nearly dropped 25 lbs on my face :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: I was all f*** this!

    On the other hand, it was cool to see some muscles poking through that I can't seem to capture in photos. :drinker:
  • samntha14
    samntha14 Posts: 2,084 Member
    Ruz, loved the emogi story. And watching muscles at work is always awesome.

    My exercise today consisted of playing laser tag at my cousin's birthday party. We were sweating like crazy afterwards, so I definitely did something. Those vests are freaking heavy.

    Frist day of vaca, I took a two hour nap and now have a sore throat. Didn't get sick all year. WTH?
  • Pmagnanifit
    Pmagnanifit Posts: 665 Member
    Sam take care of yourself- summer colds are not fun.
    Runza I liked your story too.

    I had some physical therapy this am. Now I have lots of new exercises to do. Mostly back stretches like cobra pose, but some ab stuff called marching feet- and of course there's leg lifts.

    I will be very busy tomorrow with my daughters bday party. Her best gift is actually coming Monday- it a snowboard/surfboard that can be used on any surface. I'm excited to see her try it.
  • jo_marnes
    jo_marnes Posts: 1,601 Member
    My exercise today consisted of playing laser tag at my cousin's birthday party. We were sweating like crazy afterwards, so I definitely did something. Those vests are freaking heavy.

    That *kitten* is hard work! I did that with my kids too at my son's last birthday - it was me and my Dad vs a whole bunch of 9-10 year olds. The vests here weren't heavy but it was fast paced! Me n Dad kicked their *kitten*, lol

    I was up last night for a birth. Got in bed about 2.30am, up at 7.30am for combat, then did decorating at home until 7pm. I should sleep well tonight! Lifted yesterday, managed to match my DL PB over 2 sets of 6 rather than 1 set. Also increased on my rows. Hurrah!
  • samntha14
    samntha14 Posts: 2,084 Member
    Way to go Jo, you busy lady you.

    PM, hope the therapy is going well and that gift sounds awesome. It would be perfect for one of the crazies in my house.

    Did I mention that my husband made up his own holiday, shoulderversary, to celebrate the fifth year since his accident and subsequent shoulder reconstruction. Guys are weird.
  • runzalot81
    runzalot81 Posts: 782 Member
    Sam, does he want cake?

    Jo, your "kicked their *kitten*" totally cracked me up! :laugh:
  • jdgro
    jdgro Posts: 30 Member
    Been awhile since I've logged in here. Hi everyone!

    Just finished suggested week break between stages. Finished stage 1 and am moving on to stage 2. I have butterflies all over again about trying some new moves. I know it is good to never let myself get too "ho hum" comfortable about my workouts. This is a good stretch but it is a stretch nonetheless. I am a little freaked out over this move in stage 2 that is like a squat and shoulder press using momentum from coming up from the squat. I tried it last night with a broom and could barely stay upright. HTH am I going to do this with an actual 45# bar? But I guess I gotta start somewhere. I will go in and do my best.

    I am trying to squeeze into the gym early this morning before hordes of young guys (seems to be who keeps crowding up my gym this summer.) It'll be 9 by the time I get there and I hope I'm still early enough. Noon on weekdays is turning out to be the worst for the groups of young guys. They aren't too bad, just really monopolize the squat rack. Wish my gym would invest in a second squat rack.

    Had a great vacation last week. It timed really perfectly (and unintentionally; just worked out this way) to coincide with my week off. We were in Portland, Oregon, and the weather was glorious and beautiful for five of our six days, so we did a ton of walking. We literally walked (with a lot of up/down hills, some pretty steep, and also lots of stairs) for hours. The first full day there we walked at a pretty fast speed with lots of hills for (no joke!) six hours. Every day of our trip we did at least 2-3 hours of walking. Even on the rainy day we walked for about an hour and a half.

    Just out of curiosity I peeked at the hotel gym and they had a pretty good free weights setup. They had dumbells and barbells at various weights and actually some pretty heavy weights. But, I wanted to take my break so that's what I did:-)
  • jamaicanlady
    jamaicanlady Posts: 878 Member
    Ali, I did the two weeks off too and it broke my plateau. I hope it works for you.

    Dou, did you find any exercises for wrist strength?

    jo, the quads in those pics ARE at parallel (to the floor). I don't understand what you mean.

    sam, I'm with you. I go *kitten* to grass too. It just feels better to me that way. Mind you, I haven't squatted heavy recently. My heaviest is 80 lbs now, but I made a promise to myself that when I start squatting heavy again, I will not increase my weights until I can go all the way down.

    Oh, and about the "compliments", I'd take it! My BF is not the verbal type and rarely pays me compliments so if some random stranger off the street does it, I don't mind. How pathetic is that? :laugh:

    runz, I take pictures of my "muscles" too but they NEVER show up in the pics :sad:

    pmag, that sounds like a really cool gift. She's going to love it!

    jdgro, 45# is really heavy for that move. Do you have any lighter bars you can use? I'm not sure of the move you're talking about (Push Press maybe?), but I know pressing 45 lbs overhead is not an easy task. I guess it depends on how many reps you have to do.
  • jamaicanlady
    jamaicanlady Posts: 878 Member
    So I got totally derailed by the cake and ice cream this week. Gained 0.8 lbs! Noooo!!! I have to make sure my eating is on point this week. And I need to move more, I'm WAY too sedentary. This was the plan:
    1. 3 days of lifting.
    2. 2 days of HIIT cardio.
    3. 1650 cals on non-lifting days, 1880 cals on lifting days. This averages to TDEE-14%.
    4. 26% of cals should be from protein
    5. 6 cups of water daily
    6. 3 days consisting of 20 mins of stretching
    7. No eating after 8 pm.
    8. Eat 3 servings of vegetables daily.
    1. Check
    2. Check
    3. No! :sad:
    4. No! 23%
    5. Check
    6. Check
    7. 5 out of 7
    8. 6 out of 7

    I'm adjusting #3 this week. I'm aiming to drop cals a little bit. So 1600 on non-lifting days and 1800 on lifting days which averages to TDEE-17%. My new bathing suits arrive this week and I MUST fit in them (I bought them a size smaller than I am).
  • runzalot81
    runzalot81 Posts: 782 Member
    I'm 2/3.
  • DouMc
    DouMc Posts: 1,689 Member
    Runz, I forgot to mention earlier that I love your photos! Especially the one of you in the apron.

    JL, I can't find the website that i looked up wrist strengthening exercises on but here is another one that says basically the same thing http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/md55.htm.
  • DouMc
    DouMc Posts: 1,689 Member
    also, i am only 1/3 this week. Only lifted twice and have gone over on calories but got lots of protein.
  • dnamouse
    dnamouse Posts: 612 Member
    3/3 last week :happy:

    And I was a good girl and put my goals into my phone so they are there staring me in the face when I check my lists :wink:

    This week is the first week of trialling early morning workouts again. Up at 5.30am this morning to do a 5B session followed by a Fitness Blender HIIT - if you would like a quick sweat session, look up their pyramids of pain LOL

    Walking group starts back up this afternoon, kids are happy about that and so am I.

    I need to re-read through the book about Stage 6 and decide whether or not to do it or move onto Stage 7...

    Also, starting to think about where to head after I've completed everything in NROL4W. Supercharged or For life? Or something else lol Hit me up with ideas to research :smile:
  • jdgro
    jdgro Posts: 30 Member
    JamaicanLady, funny you should mention 45# being heavy for the squat-press move....lol. I got all mentally geared up, picked it up and was like, um, no, this is not happening. But I was able to so 2 sets of 10 with a 20# barbell.

    Great workout today. It's going to be a little adjustment learning some new moves but I guess that keeps things interesting.
  • redlipsticklyfe
    redlipsticklyfe Posts: 164 Member
    3/3 the last two weeks. An ex friend gave me hemp protein powder and I was super excited because you get 60 grams of protein for just under 300 calories. It tastes like all the bad decisions you made in your past but I dealt with it because it was high protein low calorie. So I'm standing in Safeway contemplating what my next protein powder is going to be and I pick up my old faithful wishing it had the same level of protein as the regret protein does. I read the nutrition facts just wishing to see something different and there it is....60 grams of protein. 310 calories. I suffered for nothing. All those times I thought I wasn't getting enough protein....wrong. I feel so silly you guys.
  • runzalot81
    runzalot81 Posts: 782 Member
    It tastes like all the bad decisions you made in your past
    You win best post of the day :laugh:

    I've been bloated today. Don't know why :huh: Then, I thought it would be a great idea to take progress pics :noway: In a bikini bottom that has never, ever been flattering on me :grumble: I should drop those photos and the bikini bottoms in the trash. I'm so sick of torturing myself. In fact, I even hate the pictures on the front of the lifting books. Perfect, airbrushed models. ****emall :mad:
  • Pmagnanifit
    Pmagnanifit Posts: 665 Member
    I am 1/3 and I ate pizza cake and champagne today. The cake was worth it!!!

    Tomorrow is a new week
  • Pmagnanifit
    Pmagnanifit Posts: 665 Member
    Once you get used to the move you use your legs to help with the overhead press. You need to control it once it's in the air but it's a kick*** move.
  • Beeps2011
    Beeps2011 Posts: 12,151 Member
    Oh my, what a weekend!

    I just skimmed through, ladies....hope you all had good weekends!

    I'm aiming for 5 days at the gym, this week (shorter sessions) and as many walks as I can squeeze in. I have upped my calories by 100 per day....I think I dropped a bit low and was really struggling with binge-behaviour. My sweet spot is about 500 calorie-deficit (3,500 weekly - literally 1 lb)....more than that and I can't hang on....less than that and it's a "why bother?"

    BOOM!
  • sheilaq14
    sheilaq14 Posts: 35 Member
    Thrilled to see that a few of you just started on Stage 2. I just started it this morning with workout A. It went fine, though I found the elevated static lunge pretty tough. I feel like my stride was not long enough. I am using dumbells for the squat move because the oly bar is too heavy. This is my first post in the group, so great to see others working on the same crazy moves.
  • kikiboniki
    kikiboniki Posts: 398 Member
    hello everyone. I'm erica, and I'm new. Just read the nrol book and did day one today.

    When do you ladies like to do cardio? Just on off days, or after lifting?
  • DouMc
    DouMc Posts: 1,689 Member
    Welcome new people!! Erica, I used go running on the days after lifting when I was in stage 1 but I found in stage 2 that my legs were too tired and needed the rest time so I normally only walk now. In the later stages there is interval sessions after the workouts so I do that and then take it easy on my rest days. I'd say do whatever feels good to you.
    I am 1/3 and I ate pizza cake and champagne today. The cake was worth it!!!

    Tomorrow is a new week

    If you are going to go over then this is definitely the way to do it!
    Started stage 5 today. Have I mentioned that I hate the BWM? Because I do! I nearly convinced myself not to bother with it and then I decided that I would only do it once. But I am bad a quitting once I start something so I did it twice. I do feel great after it (about 10 minutes after it when the heart rate has calmed down!) but doing it is pure hell!!
  • Beeps2011
    Beeps2011 Posts: 12,151 Member
    DouMc....I feel sorry for my former self who used to give BWM the "good ol' college try"....it was futile!

    I never got better at it. I sucked at it always. I don't do it anymore....that BWM is H-A-R-D.

    Congrats for getting it in-and-done.

    My *kitten* hurts from my lifting at lunch....this is a good thing...
  • Ali_momof2
    Ali_momof2 Posts: 478 Member
    Hi new peeps,:flowerforyou: I love the girls in this group, they are helpful & welcoming. Erica, I'm just about to finish Stage 1 and I've been doing Cardio when I have free time ( sadly my last hr at work lol). Sheilaq14 I'm glad to have someone to do Stage 2 with.

    Doumc, what are these BWM's you speak of and are they dreadful? They sounds dreadful.
    Pizza and cake sound great, but I'll take rum over the champagne.

    Another busy weekend, but I think I am just about done school shopping for DS and the yard looks great. Still not sure how I ended up with such a big lawn when I live in a desert, but the storms & the kids inthe sprinkler have been making it grow like crazy. It is nice to have some green to see since EVERYTHING here is a shade of brown.
    I am starting my week or 2 of less workouts more food to see if that gets things back on track. Hope everone is having a good start to the week.:smile::smile: :smile:
  • redlipsticklyfe
    redlipsticklyfe Posts: 164 Member
    @runzalot: Thanks! That really was the most accurate description that I could find for it. I have taken horrible progress photos in non flattering clothes as well so I feel your pain. However based on the picture you have as your avi you already look amazing and the progress photos would just be showing how much you've added to your awesomeness.

    My goals for this week are to do 3 days of lifting at least 3 but hopefully 4 days of yoga and to keep drinking a gallon of water a day. I've noticed that when I drink anything less than a gallon I start to put weight back on so I've been drinking up. Hope you ladies have a great lifting week!
  • NiccoleG
    NiccoleG Posts: 37 Member
    Hi everyone, I'm Niccole! I am in the middle of stage 5. Although I like the results of this program, I find that the workouts are a bit long for my taste. I can't really complain though, my butt has never looked this good and each week I say bye-bye to a bit more of
    my stubborn back fat!
  • BarbellCowgirl
    BarbellCowgirl Posts: 1,271 Member
    Sorry jo, I'm the typical type A/detail-oriented/left brained type of person. I analyze EVERYTHING (sometimes too much) before I do anything and sometimes forget that not everyone is like me. Don't overthink your breathing, just do what you've always done, SQUAT. However, it would be remiss of me to not try to convince you again that parallel is the way to go. Your knees may not hurt now, but you're young, you never know what may happen later on. To work on your flexibility, you only need like 5 minutes or so a day. If you youtube "flexibility for squats", you'll find videos that are as short as 2 mins. I've done quite a few of them and I find that they really work.

    High bar vs low bar squatting is not something anyone NEEDS to know about to squat (unless your like me), but here is a pic of how the front, high bar and low bar squats look at the bottom position. It's taken from the bible of strength training that was mentioned before: Starting Strength by Mark Ripptoe.

    high_bar_squat.jpg

    Thanks for this. Now I'm going to sound really stupid, but what part of the leg are we looking at to be parallel? Because I have always looked at the front/ top (i.e. my quads should be parallel) - but they aren't in that picture. I think that pic looks like my upper legs. I guess my problem is that the squat rack at my gym faces the mirror - so I don't get a side on view.

    I definitely do the high bar though, my shoulders have worse flexibility than the rest of me and I don't think I could hold the bar well in the low position.

    I tried the low bar for squats today- it was awkward. For depth, I video myself with my phone and I always just look at the knees in relation to my acetabulum/hip joint. The acetabulum should be even with or lower than your knees. I naturally want to stop at a few inches above that point- I have tight hip flexors and I have to really stretch and push myself to get parallel.
  • BarbellCowgirl
    BarbellCowgirl Posts: 1,271 Member
    Welcome to all the new ladies!

    My stressful week/weekend is over thank goodness! I only met 3 of my goals- HIITX2, liftedX3, and I drank lots of water. This week I will kill all of my goals!

    Someone mentioned the front squat push-press. It is a great move, but it is very awkward to start with. I personally love those movements now, but it took me lots of practice. Make sure you keep those elbows parallel to the floor and your chest up during the front squat.
  • bepeejaye
    bepeejaye Posts: 775 Member
    Hello ladies, and a warm welcome to the new.

    Checking in at 2/3 today.

    I am just about to run out of 100% Whey Protein Isolate, and will need more.

    My NSV - I underwent iLasik procedure this past Thursday!! Even though my vision was not that bad, I cannot begin to say how wonderful this new world looks!!!
  • jo_marnes
    jo_marnes Posts: 1,601 Member
    Hi all,

    I have not been having a good week re: workouts. Up all night Sat for a birth, still got to combat Sunday and then decorated my house for 7 hours. Then Sunday night woke up at 3am in AGONY with my shoulder... I'm talking tears and unable to move.... took until pain killers kicked in for me to sleep. Monday was therefore a right-off, no clue what happened with my shoulder. Was tight and v painful all Monday but could tolerate hubby rubbing it by Monday night, and feels much better today. Today I decided not to go to combat as want to make sure shoulder is 100%. Turns out that was a good idea as was called to another birth. Then helped in kids canteen all day as manager couldn't go in (sick). Quick food shop before coming home and decorating, cooking, making birthday cake for my 8 yo, 25 cupcakes for his class, taking them all to scouts etc. Hubby had football tonight so I had to do all 5 lots of homework with the kids and bed/ bath time. Then back to making our dinner and finishing painting. Sat down at 9.30pm exhausted.

    Not sure what to do tomorrow. Not feeling inspired to lift- hoping that'll change by the morning. Tomorrow I have to clean the house ready for the birthday and get ready for going away this weekend. Oh, and ice the freakin' cakes. Then I have parent- teacher interviews at the school and then the youngest goes to Joeys (Scouts for 6-8 yr olds) in the evening. Oh, and at some point I am supposed to do MY study?!

    Anyways, back to the squats.... sorry, was having a blonde moment with the quads being parallel thing. YES, the are parallel in the pic, but if you look at them from what would be the front on view, its kinda hard to tell as there is that natural curve in the leg. I need to have a side on view. I need a quiet day in the gym where I can film it discretely- kinda feel weird about doing that, lol :blushing:

    Hi to all the new people too! Sorry, I am too tired to reply to everyone's posts.... you are ALL doing a fab job:drinker: