jtcedinburgh Member

Once I'm 'mended' I may do an interim session with just the bar to check form. I'm hoping I will recover quickly, but I'm not going to push it! Would be interested to find out exactly what was wrong with the form, but I might even use a broom handle at home and get someone to video it so I can watch. Sure, not…

Thanks everyone - some useful info here. I guess I'm getting a bit impatient as I work my way up the weights. Probably because I know I can go heavier. That said, keeping the weights as per the plan means I can keep an eye on my form too. I'm sure there's plenty of room for improvement there, so best doing that before the…

Yes, via the Fitbit app. Works for me.

I just received the Charge 2 (having had the Charge HR for a few months before selling it a couple of weeks ago). I can't comment on the accuracy of the new one but found that the HR tended to under-report distance and sometimes missed steps, but not so much that mattered. All told, it was an excellent purchase and spurred…

FWIW I have found that my running has improved since beginning SL5x5. I seem to be better at coping with hills. I'm not saying that I'm running faster - though I possibly am - but the effects of strengthening the body has made me better in areas that I hadn't previously thought needed it. Stick at running, it's great fun…

So, as you can see, it was a bit of a mess to say the least. All healed and metalwork removed, but the downside is that level of damage meant they couldn't get full motion (though I've ended up not too bad, all told).

OK, went last night, all is well, and my legs seem okay today so I'll go again tonight and get back on track. On the subject of the arm, it's not mechanically able to straighten or flex fully, but I have most of the range of motion. I'll dig out the x-ray for a laugh:

I'm probably not going to be able to make it anyway, but if one of these makes it over my way I could be interested!

Afraid not, didn't know anything about it....

I'm probably on the transition from 'form' to 'strength' - 40Kg squats, which I'm finding reasonably easy*, but then I opted to start from the empty bar. I could probably squat on two consecutive days at that weight, which is my current plan. Last night, I did manage to squeeze in a 5K run in the dark, so I did…

it's tonight I can't make, but I assume Mon, Fri, Sun might be okay, with Tue, Thu and Sat the following week?

Other question: are these initial gains going to stay, or will these 'newbie gains' fade away as I progress?

I'm wondering if it is some deficiency in my diet, as I am probably asking more of my body now than I was six months ago. My protein intake is up, but I have noticed that my salt intake is also up. I think I'm keeping reasonably hydrated, but perhaps the best thing for me to try is to log fluid intake as well as food in…

Thank you - it's touching that you took the time to post this, Mum ;)

Had an ECG yesterday, but my naughty heart was on its best behaviour. Still carrying on as usual, however, and planning to go for a 7K-ish run round Aberdeen at lunchtime (I'm niece- and nephew-sitting this weekend!)

Thanks. I felt like such a weedy man struggling my way through my last set of 5 (at 27.5Kg) - made it, but it was tough!

I've only had my Charge HR since April, but it owes me nothing - I credit it for the motivation to lose 10Kg+ and improve my fitness and well-being. I will probably buy the Charge 2 as much as a thank you to Fitbit (plus to get a new shiny toy) and pass the HR onto someone else who might also see the benefit.... It's that…

OK, I have an ectopic heartbeat. I am scheduled for blood work tomorrow and an ECG on Thursday. GP reckons it's probably nothing to be at all concerned about, but, hey, it's my heart after all..... That being said and done, I still put in 20k+ steps (including a 5K run) and did my SL5x5 last night :smiley:

Strangely enough, I'm noticing it during the day today - which wasn't true of last week. Probably nothing, but relieved I will be getting this checked out shortly.....

I'm doing SL5x5 but hardly pushing myself that hard (yet) - just at the 'slightly heavier than empty bar' stage - i.e. under 30Kg on bench/o/h press, under 50Kg d/l and under 40Kg on squat so far. I know that's not nothing, but hardly something I'd expect to put a strain on my (hopefully fit) heart. I see the GP on an…

I don't take any meds other than omeprazole for acid reflux. Don't think there's caffeine in the protein shake - it's MyProtein Strawberries & Cream. Don't drink a huge amount of coffee, and this is different to the 'wired' sensation the heart gets when I'm over-caffeinated. I sip water during the work-outs, not an…

Thought I'd update this: stretches and foam rolling seemed to be the answer for me.

I'm loving squats, too*. I've also been trying that third world squat exercise several times a day (luckily I seem to be quite suited to that). * I reserve the right to change my mind as the weight increases to Manly Man levels - at the moment I'm still doing Baby Man (<40Kg) squats as I've just started ;)

Afraid not. I just use the mirror, which isn't ideal but it's what I've got...

Charge HR

Out of interest, why not trust the Fitbit? Until the past week, I've been averaging >20K/day (mainly from walking) and eating back (most of) the calories. I still lost weight - 92.5Kg down to 81Kg in around 3 months. That was on a 1Kg/week deficit, but my results were more like 0.5Kg/week (so make of this what you will).…

I'm not using it for weight-loss, but I just wanted to see what contribution it made anyway. I reckon, then, my one mile round-trip to the gym (by foot) probably burns off more (on paper, anyway) ;)

It doesn't include any calorie figures - and gives some reasons - but that notwithstanding, I figured someone must have a ready-reckoner of some sort....

Well, let us know how you get on!! I'd be very interested in hearing how you cope with the first few SL5x5 sessions, as I was very surprised how sore I felt the day after. And the day after that.....

Well, the 13 miles turned out to be 14, and I made it - the discomfort from Wednesday's squats had more or less gone by Saturday afternoon, but I still felt the last few miles and hills of yesterday's run. I reckon I probably needed a bit more R&R....