Just did my second workout A yesterday...I think I love it, except for the planks! I never made it past 70 seconds on those. Any advice on the dumbbell single-arm overhead squat? I can't find any videos on it (as described in the book), and I just don't think I'm doing it right. I feel like I'm leaning over really weird when I'm doing them, and I don't feel like I'm working any muscles at all.

Excited to do workout B tomorrow!!!

Hi ladies! I will be starting Stage 3 next week Tuesday. I have been able to do an hour of Zumba about 30-60 mins after finish my workouts. Have any of you been able to do much cardio after lifting in stage 3?

MM- Both stage 3 workouts ARE followed by a little bit of cardio anyway, one has the body weight matrix, the other has the HIIT (approx 15 mins). That'll probably tire you out a bit, but the main thing is it's so time consuming. I would recommend easing off with the extra cardio on this stage, or do it on days off. I'm finding myself in bed by 9pm every night, it's exhausting! But that might be some other stuff i have going on this week, and TOM.

Sarah, i did find one vid for the overhead squat, on you tube i think, but i'm at work so can't find the link. It's pretty much as it is in the book, but the movement is deceptively harder than it looks. I too find myself leaning slightly, also my upper arm bends as i squat down, it's odd. I think the challenge is not to lean, and to get thighs parallel at the bottom.

Maggie, most people don't even get one pull up/chin up until about stage 6! I'm no where close, i have my feet on the floor, so it's hard to gauge how much support i'm getting, but i think i'll be one of the slow ones, i've always had crap upper body strength. Good idea using the squat stands. Have you tried a reverse pullup, where you start at the top and drop down?

Thx Jenlwb...I was doing HIIT before stage 2 on my non lifting days. I may just change the days I lift weights b/c I can't change my Zumba class lol

This post and Jenlwb's reminded me of INVERTED ROWS! Which are work-ups to full on chin-ups/pull-ups! I read about them on this awesome website: Nerd Fitness... here is a link to them...

http://nerdfitness.com/blog/2009/11/06/inverted-row-are-you-missing-out-on-this-great-exercise/

The best part is that you can do them ANYWHERE.... on a table, on a chin up bar, wherever!! The more horizontal your body is, the closer they are to a real chin-up (and the harder they are)... you could try those in the place of your lat pull downs.

Thanks ec! Usually it's me linking to Nerdfitness, love that guy. Not sure if this'll work with my pull up bar, cos it's mounted at about eye height, but i could maybe figure something out lying on my weight bench, pulling up on the barbell. It's similar to my current move except i'm more upright under the pull up bar.

I can't imagine ever doing a pull up, but then i think of Yoda ("I don't believe it!" "And THAT is why you failed...")

Steph - Workout A is definitley longer about 70-80min for me but I don't always take the full rest, except between the BWM. Workout B is slightly shorter but not much. Maybe you could do the BWM and intervals the day after lifting?

Thats whay Im gonna have to do. Ill do the BWM when I get home that night after my son goes to bed and do intervals on the days I dont lift and hopefully that gives me enough time. Im just wondering if Ill get the same benefit by splitting up the workouts? Like last night it took 58 minutes to do workout A from start to finish and the BWM was killer b/c I did it right after the lifting session so I was totally drained. If I wait to do the BWM until I get home later that night, my body will have had time to rest and Im not sure if the purpose is to tire your body.

Sorry, maybe I'm misunderstanding something, but I thought the intention of the authors was to always split the A & B workouts?

Is is the intention, but b/c of lack of time Im splitting workout A into two sessions and workout B into two sessions but I am wondering if Im missing out on the purpose by doing that.

Ok... so I went for the Hot Yoga (cause I love it SOO much!) ... but OMG I am WAY more stiff today.... UGH! Having to skip my workout today. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to do 3B1. Sigh... should have taken your advice Jen! LOL

Well done Jen! Only a 'B' to go then you're off again - will I ever catch you up?

Well, I'm cream crackered (it's a UK expression if anyone is wondering, meaning jolly tired!). I've just done A myself, and went up on most weights. And I really pushed myself on the BWM - I got my time down to 1m 55s on the second circuit. It's strange - after the first I think there's no way I can do it again, but I'm finding the second time is actually easier.

Jen - well done! amazing progress! 30kg on the rows!!! wow! Need to up my game there are 120s planks!!!??? OMG! :noway: am gonna die
Maggie - 1m55s way to go! 2:43 is my PB :grumble:
I find it "easier" in the second round too! must loosen up your muscles or something.
Finished 3A today - was a tough one like Maggie i'm cream crackered

So.... I just got back from doing my first 3B... I wasn't terribly impressed with it. The YTWLs are tough... but other then that I wasn't too excited.

That - and for the first time there were some seriously rude men in the weight room/cardio room... In the weight room: "this is a man's room!" In the cardio room (on an elliptical): "Hey, I'm on a woman's machine."

I was all: WTF?!?!?!?!

Workout B done. It's a strange one; because I workout at home I do prone cobras instead of the back extension, so end up doing 6 prone cobras @ 90 seconds each! Have learnt to have the radio on to prevent major boredom Pleased to say though that - as you might expect - I'm getting better at them!