Jo, my rows are probably now my worst exercise, technique-wise too - I really do need to concentrate on those at a steady weight for the next few sessions rather than to expect to increase weight - I'm at 37.5kg so if I can get it right at this level it will be most satisfying. At the moment, I can feel the wrong bits of my body moving even if the bar ends up where it should be!

mme - I have a problem with the OHP in that I can't seem to do it with the olympic bar but I'm ok with the barbells. Don't know why, whether it is a psychological thing, in which case I need to give myself a slap, or whether the additional length of the olympic bar is actually a hinderance on the OHP to me. I can press the bar itself, but even adding a little weight to it then causes failure, yet steadily I was able to increase the barbells which, of course, are shorter, so I am assuming that is it. Only problem there is increasing in 5kg weights which as Dawn says, is tough - no fractional weights on barbells unfortunately!

But the main thing is, you are improving - small steps WILL get you there. I have been doing this only for 8 weeks but I look back at my records and see the difference in what I can work with and it is quite an increase. Plus, just the way I feel over those 8 weeks and the confidence etc that cannot be measured in lbs or kgs is pretty darned good too!

Dawn, I hope you feel better soon - take care of you. In fact, there are a lot of people under the weather at the mo, so general get well vibes to everyone who needs them!

Dou - I'm in the East of the UK, Very wet here at the moment, but then I think most of the country is, isn't it! Re butts...mine wasn't flat, rather the opposite - I am a typical "pear" so my backside was always seen by me (and others) as substantial, with the illusion of being even bigger because my waist is so small as are my boobs. So, although I will always be "curvy" - I now love the fact I have hips, a waist and a booty that is firming up. Its no longer a fat bum, but is working its way towards being a fabulous bum haha!

Welcome Stephen....some of us flit between this and SL so you are in good company!!

I also ache! But in a good way so its ok.

Hey Steph, congrats - those are some good numbers you've got there.

Kimi - try changing up your set up/ positioning. I used to row with the Olympic bar from a bench as my back hates the pick up from the ground and I lose any good form I would have had. Now my gym has better racks, I row from the support bars on those. I don't know what they are really called - but the bars that save you from being crushed if you sat down in a squat! My elbows also hate rowing for reps so I touch the bar back down on the supports each rep which seems to stop the elbow tension. yeah it's not a perfect way to do it, but I'm up to 55kg doing it that way and I can concentrate on the muscles that should be working rather than fixing the ones that shouldn't.

The more I speak to PTs, physios etc, the more I have realised that while it's great to want to do everything "by the book", sometimes our bodies actually require a bit of a different method. I have adapted a few things this way - such as bumper plates under the bar for DLs (again, back hates the initial lift from the floor and rounds), the rows, the number of reps on bench etc (I do 5 x 3 not 3 x 5 etc). Squats are another example - can't progress back squat, tried leg press - that hurt my back. Now I'm doing front squats and single leg press and so far that's working. No point flogging a dead horse.....

LOL manic, I'm sorry, but that made me giggle. You and my daughter would get along really well - she hates step ups too

Today is my 15th Wedding Anniversary. Damn that's a long time lol That's 18 years together...


Actually speaking of my almost-teen, I better go toss her out of bed so we can get some stuff done today

Happy anniversary dnamouse!!

Jobs, thanks for the tip....I look forward to reporting back with some Progress soon!!

Can I confess..... I don't mind step ups. Maybe I am doing them wrong

You guys are all doing well! I'm on my phone so won't try personals... Just know I'm inspired by you guys!! You're much stronger than I, but we're all getting better each session

Lifted yesterday, ran/walked today, lift tomorrow...all is well .

Those of you with Strong...is there a lot if the one legged, balance work in it? Trying to remember how much of it I did in NR? Tried to find it at a local book store, but they didn't have it.

KUTGW Beasties!!

Thanks Stephanie! How long are the workouts taking? With warmup before and cardio after? Just curious. I'm at about 70 minutes now with stretching and trying to compare . I like 1 legged DLs, not a fan of the other 1 legged moves though.

I'm with mme...I prefer step ups to lunges! I'm not doing either currently...which makes me happy

Happy anniversary DNA!
Beeps-you know what works for you!! Holiday parties are a challenge to be sure!
Manic-sorry for the binge, but hopefully it'll get it out of your system? It's hard with all the goodies around this time of year!
Kim-I agree...maybe I'm not going up high enough?
Jo-good input! I agree, I have had to adjust some lifts, like my squat, for my own body shape (tiny torso means my legs are a bit further apart than most) . Finding what works for each of us is the key, and of course then working it .
Dou-sounds alike you're doing well! Kutgw!
Dawn-hope you're feeling better!
Steph-you're doing great! I finished NR a few months back and am now doing SL. Ironically

Good lifts today! Didn't my regular squat, OHP, and DL, actually upped the weight on DL and feel ok. All good. Added in back extensions, leg press, and lying leg curls today. All good. Scale down a bit and calories up, so I'm a happy girl! Been upping my carbs and calories, carefully I think, and am happy to be maintaining. That's my goal through the holiday season!

Take care all.