Luvmichnata Member

yes, you're supposed to have the bar propped up to the same distance a 45lb plate would be.

I did start with the bar for safety reasons and I still start with it for warmups but I agree with auddii with propping up the bar to the appropriate height of the 45lb plates are your form will be off and you may injure your back.

Great job! What did you do to get to this point? what's your exercise routine?

I'd give it another chance. I found it technical too but reread it and focused on the key elements and moved forward when it got too technical. You'll find much of the info extremely helpful once you get started and most of it will make sense. Focus on the form instruction and the do's and don'ts. It's my bible when I'm…

I've tried both spinach and kale. I do not like the kale and the spinach I use a handful and I don't even taste it. I happen to like spinach anyway but honestly don't mind it in my shakes.

Go with Leadfoot's suggestion. I had the same problem until I realized my form was off a bit. I lowered the bar and squeezed my shoulders tighter, lifted my elbows back a bit and it eliminated my pain. Good luck :)

Hey America! I workout evenings about 45-minutes to an hour after dinner. I do a 10 minute elliptical warm up then about 45 min-1hour lifting. I have a protein shake after: banana, almond milk, chia seed, greek yogurt, peanut butter, chocolate protein powder. I was having shin troubles myself with my walking and found…

You are the BOMB! How tall are you? You look to be exactly where I hope to be. I'm 5'4" and currently at 23.3% body fat. I hope to get to about 20%. Thanks for posting..definate inspiration!! :happy:

LOVE kettlebells!! I started using them this winter and they are awesome. It is the best workout, gets the heart rate way up while building strength. When I want a good sweat and feel like I've really worked out then I do my kettlebell routine. I use Sarah Lurie's Iron Core dvd set. Great instructional and serious bootcamp…

Also keep an eye on Craigslist for the Olympic bar and some weight plates. I've seen some people giving stuff away for free and some good deals with low prices. Just be careful! You can start alot of these routines with dumbbells-TJ MAx and Marshalls are great places to find them cheap..then you can progress to the bar and…

Feel free to add me. I'm following Starting Strength because it's a much simpler program to follow though I have NRLOL4W and use it as a resource and if I want to add anything additional down the road. My diary is open once you friend me. I do try to eat back my exercise calories-at least some of them. I log my routine in…

I found NROL4W a good resource but the workout explanations and routine are very confusing. The Starting Strength as another poster suggested is a great book to teach technique and the routine is VERY simple to follow. You can also access Youtube videos done by Mark Rippetoe, the author of Starting Strength, which is…

Yup, another one here. I buy the bag of Brookside Dark chocolate at BJ's either Goji Raspberries, pomegranite or blueberries. I immediately separate in to 1/4 cup snack bags that I throw in my office desk and keep some at home. I have to have a chocolate fix so I try to make it a healthy one. It's 180 calories but the 1/4…

Starting my 4th week of Starting Strenght-up to 94lbs on the squat. We'll see what happens tonight!

I have this issue too and I started tracking it to see if I could find a pattern. Looks like it always happens mid-cycle for me so I think it is related to ovulation. Doesn't happen every month but it's always mid-cycle.

I enjoy my bananas and they eliminated the leg/foot cramps I was getting especially post-workout nights. I use in my protein shakes and love them!

It looks delicious but I'm curious what they taste like-do they taste like a rice noodle? Interested in trying but not if they have a strange flavor :)

I think CK sizing runs smaller on their dresses too! Congrats-love the color :)

What are you waiting for girlfriend? Pick up those heavy weights!! You're a brave woman already, you're in the airforce! Start with the 45lb bar and work your way up from there. Go online and readup on Starting Strength or Stronglifts 5x5 to get the basics down. Do some squats, press and deadlifts and you'll be on your…

Watch the Mark Rippetoe youtube videos for Starting Strength. He has the most thorough instructions for proper form. You can also get the book which is very good.

P.s. love the socks in the before pic :)

You better wear that girl! You look awesome. I get the trepidation..I bought some bikinis for vacation in August and I'm 47 but I plan on rockin it! Have a blast!

Awesome progress ! Hopefully u can kick the diabetes. Great work!

I took a peek at your diary and your sodium intake is way high on many days. You should try eliminating the Saltine crackers, chicken noodle soup, tortilla etc and try some alternative lower sodium foods and ramp up the protein and veggies. Good luck. It's a learning process, keep reading and you'll figure things out. If I…

I'm on your team on this one. Women bond for all sorts of reasons and I'd like to think that picking a friend because she's less attractive than yourself is not one of them! Maybe you have similar interests, you have children the same age, you go to the same gym or you met through another fun friend etc...Sounds like they…

try keeping your feet wider apart on top of the ball, it helps stabilize it until you're strong enough to keep your feet closer together.

Congrats! What a great story. I'm glad things turned around for you :)

more fiber! Don't be afraid of chia seeds either-they really don't even have much flavor. You can add to yogurt, put in a glass of ice tea and drink, in a smoothie, oatmeal...they fill you up nicely.

you can find some great video tutorials on youtube to help you understand it better. It helped me.

I've recently started the Starting Strength program. I also started using kettlebells a few months ago and have had great results. Actually developing some nice muscles. I don't have pics-not ready yet but I also don't have a lot of weight to lose so my progression may be a bit slower. I've also read the New Rules of…