marylynndrake Member

Nice article. Great work, Christa! Keep it up!

So happy to see this chit-chat thread! I have been too bummed to even look at all your great updates because I had unexpected gall bladder surgery a few weeks ago. I haven't been able to lift more than 15 pounds during recovery, but I threw that out the window about 10 days ago to lift my almost 40-pound toddler and tote…

I scored major sales at the Gap because now the clothes fit me again. Tops and bottoms. And not even the largest sizes. Top size large fits just right. In a year the shirts I bought will be my comfy shirts :smile: Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Something that has worked for me is to put the chocolate and other candy in the freezer. It is not appealing to me frozen and it's out of sight, out of mind. And I agree with other posters- enjoy the day- it's just one day! Another idea- I just heard about this program that you pick the number of pieces of candy for each…

Today I got back to it after being sick a few days this week. Working on deep as I can go squats. I figure deeper is harder and therefore better. This seems confirmed by the videos, as long as form is good. I had a lot of aching in my hips, could've been the virus I had or maybe it was leftover from lifting, anyway I…

Congratulations on getting started! This is a great program and I've been so happy with how I feel with this program- energetic and focused. When I started I did cardio to warm up and it worked for a while but when the weights got heavier I began having a lot of knee pain. I used a foam roller to alleviate but it really…

Today turned out better than I had expected. Was up in the night for sick ones (darn flu season!- same reason I didn't go last night as I had planned) and went to gym as I started to fade thinking I should get it in before it was too late. It was great, gave me more energy and I accomplished some things and am about to go…

That sounds like a great group! These are great reasons, canadianslbs. I am so new at weightlifting and my lower body is so large compared to my upper. I'm still not sure I want it to be a goal (but I guess I'm leaning that way since I'm even dreaming about it)! I almost made a fool of myself on the assisted pull-up…

Engodwin: that's awesome! Congrats! Maybe I'll be there someday :)

canadianlbs- great job going for both the first mam-exam and the lifts. i really appreciate the qualitative info you provide- shows that lifting happens in real-world conditions. it's not always beautiful or how we plan it but it is done and it keeps you moving in the direction you want to go. sometimes i just don't feel…

[quote=been amused by the way so many people sneak in extra deadlifts just like i do. [/quote] Oh I like this idea! I think I'll try it :smile:

Tonight didn't want to but did. After warmups, squat 135, bench 60, rows 60. Short and sweet, got through it quickly and it was actually a decent session. Keep it up, everyone!

I highly recommend Stronglifts 5x5. There is clear guidance and structure and you have a plan. And an app for tracking your progress. I also signed up for daily emails from Mehdi which are really great. I've done the program for about 10 weeks and I am satisfied with how I am feeling and looking! Lots of MFP guidance on…

In honor of Canadian Thanksgiving, I am thankful for: knowing and experience the benefit of warm-up lifts! I have said this a lot but I am just so shocked- cardio warm-up does not prepare me for lifting heavy weights- but warm-up lifts do, and have really decreased my knee pain. I am thrilled. Last night, in addition to my…

Last night was a quick one but I got it in! Warm-up lifts are really making a huge difference for me. When I heard you have to warm up I thought that meant overall warm-up, as in cardio- which I was doing. But I was still having a lot of knee pain issues. Never would have thought to do warm-up lifts without this forum,…

The mind is powerful! To help focus, visualization is a good strategy for me. Also I don't actually look at the folks around me while I prepare to lift and while I'm doing it. That alone is distracting to me. I lift towards the wall, no mirror, I do a few ghost lifts- no weight, just form. These things help. That said I do…

Today was an extra long gym session and it was fabulous! Ran 1.5 miles to the gym. Did lots of warmup lifts before each different lift and it was great, no knee pain! I also learned that the bar is 20kg not 20lbs so I've been lifting heavier than I thought. That gives me lots of satisfaction for the upper body lifts. My…

Logg1e: Congrats and happy to hear your report that you were pleased with form.

I can do the monkeybars!

Yesterday squats 65, 3x12, bench 40, 5x5, barbell rows 40#5x5. 2nd of 3 workouts this week!

HIITm, I am with you. My goal is to lift 3x/ week and manage the knee pain proactively. Here's to a great October!

I am happy to report I lifted last night. For those considering whether they should do a scheduled rest week- do it. I didn't, because I didn't realize I was supposed to and I was wondering why I was not progressing and not feeling the benefits of lifting as I had up to that point (more energy, stronger). I ended up just…

Shopping success! Last night went shopping for a cocktail party on Saturday. I found a little black dress in less time than I had allotted to do so, and had to choose from a few options that looked and felt nice! The new shoes and hose also were fun :)

Overcame the fear of injuring myself after getting great advice from ladies in this group and had a good work out yesterday. Squats 125 5x5 Bench press 40 Rows 40 I had been so weak in my arms last lift I had to deload to 30 so I started my upper body lifts at 40, but I should have done 45. Boy the upper body progress is…

Hi everyone! A big thanks to everyone who posted in response to this topic. I used the foam roller before and after my lift session yesterday and it really helped! No trouble jogging after my workout and the lifts went well too. So happy!

Thanks so much everyone. These are really helpful tips. Foam rolling- I will try it. It's so helpful that you commented here on your experience with this and managing it!

You look FAABULOUS! Congratulations on your achievement.

Hi, great job taking the first step and drawing that line!! One thing I'd like to offer is my experience with work travel. I travel for work about 2 weeks every quarter. Before, I would see those trips as an opportunity to work extra hard- which meant longer days, later dinners, coffee/ chocolate after that, early mornings…

These success stories keep me going too. Thank you so much for sharing!

This is fabulous! So excited for you. What a great success!