YouHadMyCuriosity Member

I can't squat past parallel with flat shoes, but I got lifting shoes with an elevated heel that help me go a little further. For me, it's a mobility issue, so I've been taking time to stretch my calves and it is helping... Albeit VERY slowly.

This is it for me, too. When I just restrict what I eat without working out, all I think about is food and feel miserable. When I work out, I can eat a little more, but I also am more motivated to eat well (hit my protein goals, eat at a moderate deficit) because I am focused on fitness goals and don't want to waste my…

Heavy dumbells, goblet squats. I will say that I started doing 5x5 the first time around without a rack (at home) and it only took a month or two for me to cave and get a rack- is it POSSIBLE to progress without one, tailoring the exercises, sure! And I set out to do just that. But as weights start going up, and you start…

Ankle and calf stretches! I have this issue as well, due to walking on my toes for much of my life. Stretching helps. So do weightlifting shoes that raise your heel. Good luck!

Do you mean that you have a difficult time keeping your heels on the ground when you squat? I love lifting, but would always get frustrated because I could only go to parallel, no deeper. I tried doing so with no weight and either my heels would lift up or I would simply fall over. My husband suggested it was calf…

Everything the PPS said. You can't spot reduce. However, since I have been strength training, while my arms have not gotten significantly smaller (I've also been losing weight), they have changed tremendously in shape. Building up my shoulders and getting some muscle in my biceps and triceps has served as the best…

Awesome! And I love your tie :)

Wow!!!

Incredible!!!

Find something you enjoy! Keep looking if you haven't found it yet, try new things. I hate repetitive cardio, so I found a site called Darebee that has a ton of different workout programs that are a little gamified- keeps things different day to day, and I am addicted to their daily and weekly challenges- I tend to like…

Sure. With my stats, I struggle to get enough protein in to support my strength training and stay to 1500 calories without getting burned out on just lean meats and veggies, so I usually supplement with a protein shake or bar. I tend to prefer bars because they fill me up more, but it's purely a personal preference for me.

I am 5'4.5, and about 148. I'm aiming for 132 to be extremely happy, but will probably do a lean bulk eventually. Currently I am a size 6 and want to return to all my size 4 clothes, which fit very comfortably at 132. Hopefully then I can started cutting and bulking because I've cut the bug for strength training!

I was just about to post something similar! I am on Day 10 of Darebee's Hero's Journey supplemented with a squat and pushup challenge. The workout has high volume bodyweight excercises, some HIIT, some strength training- before the program, I was eating at about a 600 calorie deficit daily, and my "workouts" pretty much…

Incredible! Your starting point looks similar to where I am right now and your after is where I aspire to be one day!

I'm 27 and I want that figure now!

Being able to see my muscles- they are definitely getting stronger and harder, but the blanket of fat is obstructing my view! Lol.

You look AMAZING!!! What have you been doing to get these results?

Amazing progress!!!

Bench: 72 Back squat: 135 Deadlift: 155 I don't have a bench at home so it's difficult to get my bench weight up- I hate lifting at my gym! They sequestered all the heavy weights/free weights into a closed off room to make the machines and dumbells area "less intimidating" for the women. All that has accomplished is that…

I generally stick with bench dips and skull crushers, and my triceps are coming along nicely. I'm not a big fan of the machine you are talking about either.

I will defer to other posters who know more than I do, but I will say that I think the program you can stick with and motivates you is usually the best option. What does the circuit training entail? I love lifting heavy, but also like mixing it up with a circuit once in a while.

I have found that for me personally, I like to eat small meals during the day, since I sit at a desk and it takes the place of getting a bag of chips and unhealthy snacks like I used to- usually have Greek yogurt, fruit, Zone bar, leftover small portion from whatever I made the night before, but I save enough calories to…

You look great!!! Phenomenal job :)

That is TREMENDOUS progress for 8 days! Wow!

PPs have already covered it, but I am also STARVING the day after my heavy lifting sessions. Protein really does go a long way to curb my appetite. When I don't feel like eating meat or protein shakes, I like some yummy greek yogurt, cheese sticks, or Zone Fudge Graham bars (I like them more then candy bars, no joke!).

What a great inspiring post. I needed that today.

Awesome, those last two replies make a lot of sense, thank you!

Follow up question- if the super sets are working two different muscle groups, for example, squats and press, or deadlift and situps woth weight, wouldn't the muscles in each group have time to buffer lactic acid build up? Really appreciate all the answers, guys, it is really helpful.

[q, when someone doesn't feel the need for any rest between sets, the weight is usually too light.

I'm sure someone will give you a linger, more detailed reply, but 1200 calories is the minimum an adult should eat. Under that you will not have enough "fuel", and it is really unhealthy in the long run.