Runz, are you okay? :flowerforyou:

I can move today! Yay! LOL
I was soooo sore after my first Stage6 workout on Monday. Rested Tuesday, hit up B on Wednesday - which I must say felt incredibly easier and quicker than A. Kept to my cardio schedule and today I feel fine.

Still going to rest up today and then smash it tomorrow again - taking it slow in the first week

Y'all are getting it done! Add me to the DOMS squad. Shoulders and traps are ridiculous lately.

Kiki, does your gym not have a pad to go on the bar? I started with that- it helped until I got used to the bar. Now I find it easier to go without.

Runz, um, unless you're photoshopping yourself in the pics you've posted, I think you're doing great. Are you increasing your lifts regularly or increasing the intensity of your workouts? Really that is the key to seeing ongoing improvement. I mention this because I know this has been a problem for me lately- I'm not pushing myself hard enough in some areas. Not saying that is what you're facing(I think you look amazing!), but it is something I've had to confront recently.

Beeps, you will get there! We will cheer you on!

Upped my hip thrusts to 165lbsX5 yesterday. I'm still struggling with squats. I've been videoing myself to try to pinpoint my problem. The program calls for full squats- meaning well below parallel. I can do it with a dumbbell and do it with front squats, but when I try to go that low with back squats, I round my back. Can't figure it out. It may be a foot placement issue.

NSV: we had dinner with a friend that we only see once a year. The first thing he says to me is,"You're looking very fit! What are you doing?" Totally took me off guard. I don't feel like I look fit at all. But my entire goal is too *look* like I workout, so that's probably the best compliment anyone can give me.

Ok I am having trouble sleeping and I watched Bret Contreras hip thrust on YouTube.
Now I am psyched to lift tomorrow. I was stupidly doing glut bridges using a rack. I've been using the same weight for at least two months because I would lie on the floor and essentially bench press down a barbell on to my hips. I can't bench press much, so I was stuck. I was afraid to try higher because I was afraid I would drop the bar on my own belly. I have crawled out from under the barbell which doesn't look very smooth.
Anyway we have bumper plates at the gym so I am excited to try it out.

Feel better soon, Sunshine!

Runz, um, unless you're photoshopping yourself in the pics you've posted, I think you're doing great. Are you increasing your lifts regularly or increasing the intensity of your workouts? Really that is the key to seeing ongoing improvement. I mention this because I know this has been a problem for me lately- I'm not pushing myself hard enough in some areas. Not saying that is what you're facing(I think you look amazing!), but it is something I've had to confront recently.

NSV: we had dinner with a friend that we only see once a year. The first thing he says to me is,"You're looking very fit! What are you doing?" Totally took me off guard. I don't feel like I look fit at all. But my entire goal is too *look* like I workout, so that's probably the best compliment anyone can give me.

No photoshopping but I also don't post the photos that show the bad and the ugly My cheeks roll over the back of my thighs :blushing: Since I was ten. I guess I think if it was different, it would be easier to shop for pants :grumble: :grumble:

Probably not, though. I've never met ANYONE (or any woman) that says, "I love shopping for pants!"

I have been steadily making gains and I am getting stronger. I need to quit wishing for things that don't matter- like a different butt.

I love your NSV!

Beeps, we all know what you mean :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

Thanks to everyone that left words of encouragement. I think my negative feelings had more to do with a fight that I had with my DH :grumble:

Ok I am having trouble sleeping and I watched Bret Contreras hip thrust on YouTube.
Now I am psyched to lift tomorrow. I was stupidly doing glut bridges using a rack. I've been using the same weight for at least two months because I would lie on the floor and essentially bench press down a barbell on to my hips. I can't bench press much, so I was stuck. I was afraid to try higher because I was afraid I would drop the bar on my own belly. I have crawled out from under the barbell which doesn't look very smooth.
Anyway we have bumper plates at the gym so I am excited to try it out.

Pmag, I think you will love the thrust! Did you watch the one where he uses risers instead of the bench? It is much more fluid when I use the risers instead of the higher bench. There's not the extreme range of motion, but it's still very effective.

Have any other ladies had issues with the dead lifts causing back problems? This issue started about 2 years ago when i started the program. My pain wasn't immediate, but every once in a while it would hit me severely. Recently, sometimes, it feels inflamed.

1- has anyone else ever had an issue like this?

2- Does anyone have any suggestions on how to modify? Or maybe a lifting routine that isolates the arms and legs and back separately? I know how important weights are, and have just been running lately. I also know how NROL likes the full body stuff- not isolation.

Have any other ladies had issues with the dead lifts causing back problems? This issue started about 2 years ago when i started the program. My pain wasn't immediate, but every once in a while it would hit me severely. Recently, sometimes, it feels inflamed.

1- has anyone else ever had an issue like this?

2- Does anyone have any suggestions on how to modify? Or maybe a lifting routine that isolates the arms and legs and back separately? I know how important weights are, and have just been running lately. I also know how NROL likes the full body stuff- not isolation.

First, I am going to assume you've seen a Dr since the pain is severe. *Severe pain should always be checked out.
Second, assuming the Dr is ok with you lifting, I would hire a personal trainer to assess form and mobility. If that's not possible, watch all the form videos you can on Youtube.
Proper deadlifts will not hurt your back- you may have some soreness, but that's it. No nerve pain or radiating pain. I know of a few ladies who hurt their backs dead lifting because they weren't using proper form.
If you absolutely must modify, do hip thrusts or glute bridges for your legs. Squats and back extensions will help build the posterior chain of your back. The deadlift is the ultimate full body compound lift- there's no substitute.
Good luck!

Bb it was the video with the risers. And I looked at it again in the gym. I am not sure if I am doing it right.
Maybe you or beeps can help. I think I lose the posterior pelvic tilt at the top and I extend my back. That's wrong but it is hard to start it posterior tilt because my hips are an inch below the bar at the start. I might try a little higher bench and I am definitely getting better padding. I think I will like it once I have it figured out.

I had a good workout overall. I will probably stick with this BTiv for another 2 weeks

Sam the surf is pretty tiring

Jo, the amount of butter and cream and chocolate in them was deadly. Way to go on the DLs. That's awesome! Hopefully the wine helped your stress!

Pmag, I don't go into posterior tilt until the top. He says you hit your glutes one of two ways- simply keep your back straight and go all the way up to full ROM or go into posterior tilt at the top of the motion. I find it hits my glutes better to do the tilt. I tend to over arch my back if I try to go all the way up.

He also has a great video on squatting and why people must do it different because of hip anatomy. It put my mind at ease about my depth problems.

Hi Everyone,I don't know where I've been this week. It was supposed to be my week off, but I was doing Jillian Michaels killer buns & thighs. I did 3 workouts when it occured to me that this not taking a week off to let my body heal. There is also a part in the workout where she has us do deadlifts, a few months ago I couldn't figure out why I had such a hard time with these. I felt nothing & felt stupid doing them even asked BF to help to make sure I had the right form. Now I realize after doing New rules I had a hard time because who does DL with 3lb pink hand weights, they are pointless, as soon as I started this workout & had some weight on the bar I could feel what the exercise does & that I'm doing it right.
I've also felt off this week, not sure if I have a virus or what but I feel sick after I eat or drink & my joints started aching yesterday, my knees are so sore today I actually took the elevator to go up 1 floor at work which I just don't do if I'm not pushing a cart. I'm taking today slow and hoping I feel better real soon, I'm suppose to have date night tomorrow

Happy birthday to all the birthday kiddos

Runz, I know exactly what you mean with the photoshopping & the skinny models & the complete frustration of that whole part of my body. I feel like I'm always telling myself to accept me the way I am and at least I have nice boobs :laugh: :laugh:

It also kills me that I have my little sister living with me and she is skinny, like ED skinny and she does NOTHING, she doesn't even leave the house for a job. (She watches my 3 yr for me & I let her & her son live with my family) All she ever eats is frozen processed food & junk food. She spends all her time on the couch or in her bed watching tv & on her lap top. We have the same genes how she can live like that & be naturally skinny & I've got the fat *kitten* is beyond me & hse loves to do the little sister side comments.:sad: :explode: But she has the figure of a 12 yr old boy & I will continue to be happy I have boobs :laugh:

I hope everyone has a great weekend, keep lifting ladies.