snb - I recall my balance developing quite quickly - you might be quite surprised. Then you can up the weight simultaneously. That's my experience anyway. Keep the core locked on, that's what always helps me to stabilise during balance exercises :-)

I am really hoping you both are right. Balance has always been a little bit of an issue for me. I am pretty good on my right side, but very weak on my left. But I am going to trust in the process and get better.

I have been thinking that December is the real test of fortitude, but then I wondered if it is really worse in January when the gym is full. If I can't get into a squat rack or on a treadmill when I want I am going to be very annoyed.

Snb, I know for me December will be so hard. Busy, lots of social gatherings, and I bake a ton for the holidays. I really need to not munch on it all this year.

I will finish Basic Training 3 this Friday. I am going to go straight into BT4 even if it takes a bit longer because of a couple extra days away from the gym over the holidays. I really don't want to do anything besides lift anyway

I've been binge free for a week again...again! :P

Hello all! I hope all my fellow U.S. chicas had a great holiday. I did. My mom was down from NYC and I love spending time with her!

I went to the gym last Friday and again today. I have to say that even though the Stage 6 workouts are short, I always - ALWAYS - feel it in my core. Negatives still suck. I can barely hold myself up before I'm going down. But that's okay. As long as I'm doing it.

Beeps, sorry you're sick. I hope the vacation was worth the fever though!

Good job, pudding!! One day at a time, right?

snb, I noticed that if I did the one-point with a higher weight that I was able to hold my balance easier.

You know I love you Pmag one day I may even believe you (I am working on it, promise )

I've spent this morning running work errands. I also now have this huge 2015 planner thing stuck to my office wall. It's empty, but it's a start, yes? lol

Now I'm bored so I'm gonna go do chinups. Cos that's what I do when I'm bored. Obviously.

On a slight tangent, CoYo coconut yoghurt is freaking awesome. And delicious even. Particularly when mixed with frozen berries.

Hi everyone! I just started yesterday and I'm pretty sure that at some point in the night I was hit by a truck. I'm a runner and my 4.5 miles this morning did not feel very good at all... I'm glad I found this place and all you fine folks. I'm going to need a "push" here and there. Take care everyone and have a great day!

Ali-WTG on fixing your car!! Impressive girl!, and good job on the lifting too! I never could hang with the negatives, so I'd just get up there and try to resist on the way down. It was pathetic which is mostly why I moved to stage 7! I used the assit machine to try some chin ups and did a few sets on there to feel like I accomplished something! You're doing great!!

Welcome 52 and aer!! You're off to a good start! Lifting has become addictive!! Hope you love it too!

DNA-I'd love to do chin-ups when I'm bored..or when I'm happy, or sad, or busy...one day!

Beeps-glad you're feeling better and right back to it! Good job!

Pmag-glad you're back online! Missed you! Glad all your injuries are healing and your competition is coming up fast!! Are you excited? Or nervous? I'm excited for you!

Love-glad you had such a nice holiday with your mom! And love that the core is sore after chin ups! So cool how our bodies work!

Pudding-great week binge free!! And finishing up stage 3!! WTG!!!

52-I don't think I'd outgrow 40lb dumbbells before Christmas...but you could be more advanced than me. It's only a few weeks. Are you nearly out of them now?

Hope bbcowgirl, Dou, Jamaica and our other lifting friends are well!

I'm doing great, I really love stage 7!! I did workout 4 today and did not feel sick at all! Not dizzy, lightheaded or nauseous!! Woohoo!! Finally! Took slightly shorter breaks between too. Not quite 30sec each, but a lot closer!!

Thanksgiving was lovely. Black Friday shopping was fun, successful and exhausting. We un-decorated Thanksgiving, and completely decorated for Christmas. It's been busy but productive. this week I'm baking and doing homemade Christmas gifts. Fun! I actually feel great! Energetic, sharp minded, content. I'm richly blessed!!

Hello all
Ali- if negatives are too easy do them more slowly or add weight ( I used chains from my gym, but you can do a belt, ankle weights etc.)

- I am getting really nervous. Today was my "mock" meet and I could not even squat 125#- which is my best from a year ago. I should be able to do 150, I was not even going to try 125 because it was "too easy"
- I was pretty down this am. I will be at the gym again Thursday for mock bp and dl ( I canceled them this am as I was rattled and just focused on squats)
I guess it is good to get the nerves out in advance.

Dou- that's great progress on your running
Julie glad you are feeling good.

WElcome aer-this is a supportive group.

Ali_momof2 wrote: »

Hello everyone, Welcome 52cardpickup & aerandall.

I did my first workout in stage 6 and it was quick. I'm not sure I fully understand the negative chin up. Am I suppose to hold myself there as long as I can then slowly lower myself or just slowly lower myself? It all seemed easy last night but I'm feeling it today. I also woke up with a sore throat and I can't tell him all my body aches are DOMs or some body aches of a cold since my sister brought one home last week from her new job. I fixed my car last night after working out so I am extremely happy about that. $70 for a part sounds a lot better than several hundred for a mechanic, especially with Christmas around the corner.

Pmag, glad to hear your injuries are doing better and your lift are going good. I'm so excited for you doing this competition.

Dna,that yogurt sounds yummy and I love what you do with your boredom, I normally get on here lol.

Have a great day and lift heavy stuff (*)

Go as slow as you can 30-60 secs.

I've not watched any of it dna - I can't watch that kind of thing without getting so depressed. Not into cricket either but I have still been stunned and saddened by it.

DLs today - my first failed DL. Bad times. Went for 187lbs (85kg) but grip gave up... got it almost all the way up before realising if I didn't put it down I'd drop it. Bummer. Next time will try mixed grip - I am tending to do that with the higher reps to save my bad elbow, so maybe that'll get me over the line.

Sorry not been chatting so much - I have been checking the threads and seeing what you are all up to, just not had much time to get my 2 cents in ;-) Crazy busy time of year.

Julieboolieaz wrote: »

52-I don't think I'd outgrow 40lb dumbbells before Christmas...but you could be more advanced than me. It's only a few weeks. Are you nearly out of them now?

I'm at 35 pounds right now, but I'm considering dropping it a bit or staying at the same weight for a couple of workouts to really get my form down. Now that I think about it, Christmas is pretty soon, so I probably shouldn't worry about only having 40lbs to work with!

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Yes. Yes, they are. Today was better, I think. Lunges are not cool. The judgmental looks on the faces of my cats makes me think I looked like I had suddenly and rhythmically lost control of my nervous system. Or they wanted food, it could really go either way. I should be thankful my DH and son were still in bed while I was lifting. [/quote]

Thank you I needed this chuckle today I get the same looks from the dogs and cat. Just wait until you're doing a plank or prone cobra & one of thr furry kids tried to snuglle or lick you.

I have a question about stage 6, my B workout seems to be missing the B part ( that's a lot of B's) It goes from the A excercises to the C's. Am I suppose to do the B's from the A workout or is my ebook missing that part or did I misread something? It shows excercises A1,A2,A3 & C1 & C2. This workout looks harder than the A workout and my chest is still sore from Monday. I didn't know I could have sore armpits but I winced when applying deordorant lol. Thanks for all the feedback on the negs, when I did them I held it for about 30 secs then slowly lowered myself so I think I will keep doing that, I know I feel it now.

Pmag, I'm sure its all just nerves with it all getting to close. When the day is here you'll do great and know that we are all cheering you on. You got this! You're a rockstar (*)

Julie, I love your good mood, send some this way. This stage is really agreeing with you.

Dna it is incredibly sad about the cricketer. I can't stand when these tragedies happen to someone so young.

Jo, wow that's a lot to lift, even if you failed its an accomplishment that you tried. Try not to work too hard ( I know easier said than done). I miss your 2cents.

Love, I should have paid more attention when my ex was working on the cars, but now I'll figure it out on my own. And I'm right there withyou on getting motivated to work, I haven't done too much the hour I've been here.

You guys are awesome, keep lifting heavy thing

Hi everyone. I am starting stage 2 and super excited to find this group.

I met with my trainer today to redo my assessment so I could see where I am making progress and where I need to be more focused. My weight did not go down (bummer) but some of my measurements changed so I am making progress. But next month I want to see my weight go down.

Hopefully tomorrow I will get my stage 2 workout 1B done.