amessam8 Member

Jeez, any tips or advice as to how I can improve (increase weight) on bench pressing. Thus far my max is 4 reps at 40#. I would really like to add more weight, but 40# is a struggle for me. Great job!

I'm sure that there is scientific proof that says that exercising at X time of day is more impactful [in fact, I know there is because I just read an article in Fitness RX about that], but the bottom line is, you have to do what works for your schedule. I like to be at the gym at 5am. That works for me and my schedule and…

This totally sounds like the same experience I'm having. Up and down by 1 or 1.5lbs every week. I have been really frustrated and disappointed by this. However, I decided to focus on the positives...at least I'm not where I used to be. My advice to the OP is don't do anything now that you can't maintain when you hit your…

I eat when I'm stressed as well, so I totally understand you (I had a terrible week last week: brookside chocolates, fererro rocher, bags of chips and glasses of wine). The best advice I can give is to find other outlets or other ways to deal with the stress. This week when I started to get stressed, I would just get up…

My advice is not to start off with a "bang!". Start off in a slow moderate trot. Don't try to implement too many changes at once. It will become overwhelming and you may become disappointed and give up. Remember this should not be about reaching a certain weight but rather about changing your lifestyle and that takes time…

Oh gosh, thank you so much. Sometimes external validation really helps to keep me on track!

Thank you all. Do you know how to reduce the size?

"Heavy" means whatever is challenging for you. Everyone has different strength and what might be heavy for one is not for another. Typically anything under 10-12 reps, the last few reps should be pretty hard to finish. This applies to any lifting exercise (squats, bench, deads, etc). That's how I measure my heavy lifting,…

Feel free to add me. I enjoy lifting and I try to run at least 2-3 times per week. Question, when we say 'heavy lifting' what do we mean? Bench press or dead lift for example, what is considered 'heavy'?

Great post. Very genuine and very encouraging. I will save this one and reread from time to time.

Alarm goes off at 4:15am and I am usually out the door by 4:50am. In the gym by 5am for 45-50min workout. The best thing to do is to mentally prepare yourself and accept the fact that you're going to get up that early. Then, make sure you layout everything the night before. I go straight to work from the gym, so I have to…

You look great! Keep up the hard work. I see improvements in your whole body, but I especially like the definition in your quads.

In the beginning I didn't, but I have started doing it now and I realize that the fluctuations don't bother me. I would be more upset if I put in really heard work at the gym and/or was very mindful of my calorie limits for the week and then weight myself at the end of the week only to find that the numbers on the scale…

Just do it. Research the exercise that you want to do for that day, put your earbuds in and then get to it. Don't look to the left or to the right, just focus on what you have to do.

Some people have tried the book "New Rules of Lifting for Women".

Ok, I've tried this several times and it doesn't work for me. I am unable to copy the link and paste it anywhere. Any suggestions?

Raw Almonds. A great crunchy snack that fills you up.

This. Also, are there financial or logistical (only one car) reasons why you must go to the gym together? There is a book called "New Rules for Lifting for Women" that (I've heard) has great advice for lifting. Maybe you should check it out from your local library and follow it so that your time at the gym can be more…

9/4/14: 45 min strength training 9/4/14: 16 running (treadmill) Total 61 min Total to date: 152 min Time remaining: 1288/1440 [/quote] 9/6/2014: 72 min strength training 9/7/2014: 20 min running (treadmill) Total time: 92 min Total to date: 244 Time remaining: 1196/1440 [/quote] 9/8/2014: 43 in strength training 9/8/2014:…

9/6/2014: 72 min strength training 9/7/2014: 20 min running (treadmill) Total time: 92 min Total to date: 244 Time remaining: 1196/1440

This is an inspiring post for women of any generation. All the principles that you shared can be used by anyone. Thank you so much for sharing! You've done a great job and you look amazing.

9/5/14: 51 min strength training Total to date: 207 Time remaining: 1233/1440

I really like the idea of rewarding yourself in non-food ways at each milestone. I think I would like to incorporate that on this life change.

Another one (though I don't know if this is praise worthy): husband says "you've lost weight...I can tell 'cause you've lost your butt". Now for someone that didn't have a but to begin with, this may not be a good thing. But on the other hand, I'm glad he notice my weight loss as I was just commenting to myself how no one…

9/4/14: 45 min strength training 9/4/14: 16 running (treadmill) Total 61 min Total to date: 152 min Time remaining: 1288/1440

On Sunday, I wore a size 8 dress to church that I have had for a long time and had stopped wearing because it felt tight in the waist and hip areas. When I put it on, it felt loose in both areas and I was really comfortable. This morning my size 10 skirt, that also felt snug in the hip area is feeling comfortable and loose.

9/1/2014: 46 min stationary bike 9/1/2014: 15 min strength training 9/2/2014: 34 min strength training Total: 95 min Time remaining: 1345/1440

I'm in...feeling my motivation waning, so this will help to keep me focused.

Hi Juhi, As others have said, there really is no secret. However, the strategy is a combination of diet and exercise. When I say diet, I do not mean it in the verb tense, but rather as a noun. Its more about the quantities of what you eat (and their nutritional content) that not eating at all. Please pick a combination of…

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