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!