Jenlwb Member

Tell him you could lose a surplus 200lbs instantly by getting rid of him. But seriously, he needs to start supporting you. Sit him down and tell him about your typical day. Good luck xx

It really is better to keep to 3 x a week, I went down to 2 and am not seeing results as much. Try taking a week off now and again, maybe every 2 months. That's recommended in NRL4W, and it gives you a break and stops you getting sick of it! If you're hungry, eat! You need it. Keep it clean and high protein.

You might be better off with a smaller one, the starting bar weight of 45lb/20kg will be too much for some exercises- bench press, overhead press at first if you're beginning and quite small. You sound similar to me, not envisioning getting really carried away with the weight- my first cheap bar carried up to 120lb/50kg,…

Try different workouts to find one you LOVE and look forward to doing. You are on the right track, diet is the main factor anyway. Step away from the computer and Just Do It. Just think you can come back later, log the workout and be proud of yourself!

What an amazing transformation, and you have a great waist!

Look into Couch to 5K, it's perfect for you. There are phone apps for it too. The running time is gradually increased. Also there is a group on here which seems pretty active: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/30-couch-to-5k-running-program-c25k Good luck! I'm doing a 3k 25 Oct, nothing like a good motivating target?!

You can TOTALLY do that. I'm not far into C25K, my goal is to run a 3km portion of a charity relay, and my colleagues are mostly doing it in 13mins!!! I couldn't run more than 1min straight at first, but up to now I've been doing HIIT intervals, so I've been used to running fast for 30 secs. Once I slowed it down, I could…

Help! I tried the c25K free app (android) from zen labs, but it kept crashing then killed my phone. now it won't open. I need a simple app, that doesn't involve GPS (that would REALLY kill my phone), that runs with my music, and is free (I can't buy paid apps in my country). Any ideas? Thanks all!

"I'll be back"

Remember that fairy tale- The Princess and the Pea? That's totally me. I have padded shorts AND a gel saddle, and still I get bruised, my sit bones especially hurt for a couple of days. But after a few goes it's not so bad. Keep at it, and don't spend lots of money on such accessories, they don't solve the problem…

It's mostly all been said now, but I would add, get the paperback (so you can easily flip), the workouts are long, it can be done at home if you have the weights (DBs and barbell), a bench, and some kind of squat rack- some people improvise but make sure it's safe. Research the lifts on you tube, esp Mark Rippletoe vids.…

Because I don't want to be old and decrepit! If you lift it helps bone density (something I need to prepare for with my family history), and as you get older you lose muscle- why not prevent that? I plan to enjoy my retirement when i get there, and not stay home grumbling about ailments. Preferably with a ton of scuba…

Thanks guys! It seems impossible at first- but so did lifting, I never imagined I'd be able to deadlift my own body weight, and I gradually built up to that. So now I will apply the same principles and optimism to running and practice alot. And I'll drink lots of water of course Sarah, even so, when i finish my face will…

congrats on your hard work, you have a nice waist now!

Great list of tips Berry. I will try to go slower but it's hard, kind of like when you're riding a bike and you feel like if you go slower you'll fall off!

Thanks ladies, that's all good stuff. I did suspect I started out by running too fast, I need to tell myself it's not an interval so I need to pace it! Is Runkeeper GPS based? The GPS on my phone is crap. I may have to go with the c25k app instead. And I will take your advice and start a few weeks into it. Happy running,…

Well I can't give you any hard science, AprilMae, but I can tell you how I did it. I have a major sweet tooth (i won't call it an addiction), I just like sweet stuff. I took most of it out of my diet, no candy bars, cereal bars and sweets, cakes or desserts on the whole. I have the occasional diet coke, and nightly I have…

GymRatGirl speaks the truth- the best option is to get to a point where your metabolism is so healthy that you are able to eat sensible amounts of calories and not gain weight, and lifting heavy things certainly helps with this. Don't be put off by weight, it's your clothes size/measurements that are the most accurate…

great job, and that squat gif is hilariously awesome!

What a beautifully written piece and such a motivating story! Your self esteem seems to have been restored and like others said- you do NOT look obese at all! Fit and healthy.

What an amazing story, you've been through so much, which makes your accomplishment even more impressive. Keep going and stay healthy, you look fab!

You rock!

I suffer from lack of tuition (no ladies allowed in weightlifting gyms where i live), so i'm self taught (thanks youtube!). I had been using a wider grip, maybe 40 degrees out, but read somewhere that this is bad for the shoulders- the muscles across the front of the shoulders and risk of rotator cuff injuries. Is this…

Also, keep an eye on dubizzle.com, they have a bahrain section, it's just listings, you might see something on there 2nd hand.

I'm in the same place as you, and scoured all the gyms, it's smith machine or nothing for the ladies. Although there's one place in Juffair that i've not managed to find yet, Fitness Zone at the Al Najma centre. I'm lucky, a friend made me a power cage at home. If you do get some funds together, plates are cheapest at…

bargain, good find for your intermediate time. I have the same one I think, it takes up to 100kg officially and weighs 7.5kg? I had a friend make me a sturdy wooden power cage, it's awesome but would be a little narrow for an oly bar. I had an older barbell from a little set which was in 2 pieces and screwed together-…

when most of the things on your Christmas list are lifting-related And yes, I too find myself picking regular stuff up with proper form (while grinning!)

fresh chopped coriander! Cilantro to you americans.

You really have lost fat AND increased muscle!!! Love your new planking pic too ;)

Height: 5'5" Weight: 55kg How long youve been lifting: Since Jan 2012, but Stronglifts since Sept. Times per week: 2-3 Split routine or full body: Compound Stronglifts moves. 1 REP MAX - never checked but here are my 5 sets of 5 reps weights: Deadlift: 60kg 1x5 Squat: 53.5kg 5x5 Bench: 24kg 5x5 Pull-ups/chin ups( yes or…