CALake Member

The SL group on here is great for getting started. It's a great program- and easy to follow. You'll probably need to go to a gym (unless you have an awesome home gym in your basement) but don't get intimidated by going into the "boys" section. And I second everyone who already said "YOU WILL NOT GET BULKY."

Awesome suggestions! I'm aiming for an August half marathon- planning on using the Hal Higdon 12-week prep program. I love all the suggestions from people who have completed this distance of race!

This. Do activities that the kids can do with you, or do your workout during times they're up and can watch you. You're not just improving your life- you're helping to shape their impressions of fitness and healthy living too!

You're going to have to use your HRM for each video and enter it separately under "my exercises." Not the most efficient, but it's the most accurate.

LOVED Stronglifts 5x5. But if you do look into it, start with the group here on myfitnesspal. They are much more supportive (and easy to understand!) than the meathead creator in Belgium :)

I just started Asylum this week... add me too!

I completed Insanity about a year ago... and wasn't a fan. But I'm doing Asylum now and like it much more. I like the strength component, which I felt was missing in Insanity. I also love that it's only a 30-day program!

Just started Insanity Asylum!

Happy almost 2013! Just finished up my last work-out for a while- at least for 5x5. I've been at it for over 16 weeks now and have loved it. But I feel like I need to mix it up to keep from getting bored/not keeping my muscles guessing. So I'm going to work out at home for a few months with Insanity Asylum/P90X... which…

I just bring my printed sheet and gloves to the gym. I could do most of the workout without the gloves, but the pull-up bar at my Y tears up my hands so I just keep them on the entire time. It's all about feel, you'll know if you need them or not.

I found that a cheap bottle of Suave clarifying shampoo does the trick. For skin, I make my own brown sugar scrub. I used to buy an expensive bottle from Sephora, but I found an easy recipe to make my own. I'm not sure why it works, but it scrubs off all the chlorine, keeps my skin from getting dry (and I smell like a…

I'd love to know what he thinks about a bunch of women doing his macho program :)

I don't see any reason to pay for it. Everything I ever needed to know I found on this board!

You should use the same weight for all reps. First day: Bench Press 45 lbs for all 5 sets. Next session you skip bench, but the following (your next A day) try to shoot for all 5 sets at 50 lbs.

Just realized I'm on week 19!!!! I started in the end of July, I can't believe how fast time goes. I was really excited to be squatting 160 a few weeks ago... before I realized my form was bad and I wasn't going down to parralell anymore. Same with bench and a few others. So major deload a few weeks ago, but I'm actually…

I decided to de-load almost everything this week- starting to realize my form has gone South. Squats: 125 Bench: 100 Row: 70 OHP: 50 Dead: 130 I found I'm actually MORE sore today lowering the weights... which means I'm getting deeper into the squats and doing the form better. Week 18 and still loving SL!!!

Sounds about right for OHP. I'm still at 55 (and often failing) 14 weeks into it. But I've tripled the weight I started with for deads and squats. OHP is hard!

I had only intended to go 12 weeks, but I'm here at 16 and still loving it! Once I got close to squatting my own body weight I couldn't stop :) OHP is still terrible... and really hasn't improved since about week 4! Ugh! Squat- 150 Bench- 105 Rows- 100 OHP- 55 (with fails) DL- 140 Plus 6-7 sets of 10 pull-ups and 6-7 sets…

Under Armour pants are my faves- but I ditch the brand name good looking stuff for a chunky fleece coat on top. Anything designed for cold weather should help you keep warm but be breathable at the same time.

I did this program as a circuit instead of straight sets. For the first 5 weeks. Major derp.

Because I feel better when I'm active. ... and because lifting heavy weights makes me feel bad *kitten* :)

I added pull-ups and push-ups from the beginning. You'll know if you're overdoing it.

What period? TOM is non-existent and I haven't experienced a single downside yet. Best choice I ever made. (Twice :)

Just a side bar on the pull-ups, they are DEFINITELY do-able for women. You just have to get started. Use the assisted machine if you have one and drop the weight each week. Or wrap a resistance band around a regular pull-up bar to give yourself some help. Or put your toes on a chair. There's not really a way to get…

I am SO CLOSE to squatting my body weight. I thought I'd go up to it today but I've got a nasty cold and feel like I'm not going to lift well anyway. So maybe Monday :) Congrats to all who are sticking with the program and moving up so quickly!

I've done both (as well as P90X2) and found P90X the best of all of them. I felt like I actually lost muscle on Insanity. But it's all about personal preference and what you want to achieve.

You can do cardio on the same day, but I'd reverse your order. Definitely do SL first, then cardio in a day. You want to have all the strength to do SL. And take it slow. Your plan sounds good, but don't be afraid to scale it back once the weights get heavy. You don't want to hurt yourself!

For me it has increased as the weight has increased. When I started with just the olympic bar it was easier to take off 30 seconds or so and then get right back into it. Depending on the day and lift, I'm up to almost 2 minutes between now. Especially on the Over Head Press! Just take your time and get as much rest as you…

Did the B workout yesterday after work. As I'm struggling with OHP at 55 pounds I noticed the guy behind me was at 45 lbs. on the machines. I thought "I'm lifting heavier than you AND I'm not using a machine. Boom!" I haven't seen any results in weight or body composition, but I LOVE how strong I feel doing this program!

I can't really sympathize- I've never had a major injury to overcome- and hopefully someone in a similar situation can give you some guidance. What I can tell you is that it's all about the form. When I have poor form on lifts or squats I definitely feel it the next day in my lower back. You need to be especially careful-…