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How to stick with exercise (even when it sucks)
Sometimes, working out really blows. Especially when you're just getting started. I've been at this a while now and have come to the point where I truly do love training, but that doesn't mean that there aren't days where I just am NOT into it and feel like I'd rather kiss a komodo dragon than go to the gym. This article…
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Proof that SS is the sh**
This is my progress on my 3 lifts since I started working with him. The pull out numbers in the end are my competition numbers. Those are actual lifts -- everything else on here is a 1RM predictor. My best bench 1RM prediction was around 143 lbs (I missed a 148 lbs lift at competition and left a handful of lbs on the floor…
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Calf cramps when lunging
I've been having a recurring issue with my calves cramping up badly -- particularly during static lunges, but really it's during any prolonged tension for a single leg. Example -- I take a class called bodycombat. One of the moves involves balancing on one leg while do a slow side kick. You pause in between kicks, but by…
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Cardio's too easy
Since January, I have been to the gym 6 or 7 days a week -- and 5 of those days are two-a-days, one strength session in the morning and a cardio session in the evening. I have had great improvements in my strength and endurance, and lost a modest amount of weight (about 9 lbs). But for the past few weeks, I've noticed that…
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Advice please for lifting routine
I've been lifting since late 2011 fairly seriously -- I had about a 4 month break in 2013 (mid year, I think) but I've been back at it. From about November-January, I was lifting once a week (full body), then moved to 2 full bodies a week. Recently, though, I've unintentionally started doing something more like a split --…
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Good Mornings and progression
I've added Good Mornings into my routine recently, but I'm unsure of how heavy I should be going and whether to progress these. Typically, I add 5 lbs to a lift as soon as I'm able to complete a 3x5 with good form. However, I've read that you should go light with Good Mornings. I'm currently doing 70 lbs and 3x10 since…
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Lifting frequency for fat loss
I'm currently focusing on fat loss as my top priority, above strength building. As such, I currently eat at a modest deficit (about 20% under TDEE) and workout on average about 5-6 days a week. Most of my workouts are cardio (boxing, typically) but I do lift as well. My question is, when focusing on fat loss, is lifting…
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You might be awesome IF ....
... you go follow @7amWolfCockCrow. Yes, this is pretty shameless of me, but ... have you heard of GISHWHES? Basically, it's the most awesome thing on the internet, and it's going on now. It's a scavenger hunt that includes items like "Make a bikini out of tea bags" and "Make a safari animal out of feminine hygiene…
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Managing my time
Currently, I'm on a twice-a-week lifting schedule. My current lifting routine only take about 40 minutes ... which is fine, but I have more time than that and I'd like to find a way to fill it effectively. My current weekly routine looks like this: Monday - Boxing, 1 hour Tuesday - Spin, 1 hour Wednesday - Mobility…
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What's your 10k goal time?
I'm running my first 10k in a few weeks, and I'm curious! What's your best 10k time or your goal time for an upcoming 10k? I'm shooting for under 50 minutes, around 48 if I can!
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Is this how science works?
So, I want to run this by some people before I adjust my routine. I am preparing to participate in a powerlifting competition in December. As such, gaining strength is pretty high up on my list of to-dos right now. My lower body numbers are already respectable for an Open -- I'm sure to make a solid showing in the ranks.…
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And the color of the year is ...
... EMERALD! At least, according to Sephora and Pantone. I am tickled -- I love this color! But it is a lot of color and I'm doing my best to figure out how I want to wear it. Their examples are gorgeous, but a little runway for actual use. I got an eyeshadow palette from Sephora, but it was on the tame end. I also got…
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You know what's cuter than platypuses??
BABY. HIPPO. Seriously. No contest.
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I clearly need some girl friends ...
I have no lady friends in Chicago to shop with. I have lady friends, just not the shopping type. So, naturally, I turn to you! I need a pair of wedges for spring/summer. (That's right, I'm already doing ym spring/summer purchases ... I'm that over winter). The wedges need to be versatile -- they need to go with black,…
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Honey Chicken Stir-fry
I found this recipe on allrecipes.com and I had to share it. It's actually in the food database already, too! This is DELICIOUS. I make it with just broccoli, but I'm sure a stir-fry veggie blend is great, too. A definite favorite over brown rice. Enjoy! Honey Chicken Stir-fry 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut…
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Your favorite makeup looks!
I loved the makeup looks MissK posted (she's pretty much immaculate, I can't believe it), but I'm curious about what are some others' favorite looks and how you achieve them! I might be boring, but my favorite go to is a bold red lip, black eye liner (top only, very light), a light coating of black mascara and a dusting of…
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Happy birthday, me!
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When to move from full body to a split?
I haven't been lifting that long -- only about 14 months, and I've only been on my current program since April. I've made terrific gains doing 2-3 full body workouts per weeks, but it's gotten to the point that I'm lifting heavy enough that's it's difficult to maintain. The main difficulty is that my program has me…
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Let me make it all better ...
This week sucked balls ... but in a bad way. So I decided to share with you a little something that was sent to me to make it better.
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Weight Lifting Success Story
I'm about to start preaching to the choir here, so ignore as you see fit. I've been strength training seriously for about 9 months now. I started with NROLFW and have since moved on to StrongLifts and now my own StrongLifts/Starting Strength mash-up. I've been training hard, but not 100% consistently. I injured a disc in…
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Why you should pick up heavy things:
I posted my little motivational/success story in a strength training group a while back. However, I'm thinking it's time to share this with a larger crowd. I've been strength training seriously for just under 10 months now. I started with NROLFW and have since moved on to StrongLifts and now my own little SL/Starting…
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DOMS and lifting: When to work and when to rest?
I saw this question pop up on my feed today and I'm having trouble locating any sources I believe to be reputable. Furthermore, the non-reputable sources can't agree. So I thought I'd spread the question around in hopes that somebody had some data. Is it okay to lift when you have DOMS? For instance, should I squat when my…
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Power clean help
I'm adding power cleans into my routine starting today, but I'm a little at a loss as to where to begin with the weight. I've been watching videos, and I've done them before (months ago), so I feel *okay* about the form. But any tips for figuring out how heavy to lift would be helpful. I don't remember what I was doing…
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Don't worry, bisexual men ...
...they've decided that you actually exist! I know you've been fretting all along: am I real or am I a figment of my own imagination? Wonder no longer. A study conducted at Cornell University proves that you are, in fact, real! You can read an article recapping the findings here: http://tinyurl.com/dx8xqfj (link is to an…
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RIP, Ray Bradbury
http://news.yahoo.com/ray-bradbury-dies-california-143150129.html Ray Bradbury passed away at 91 years old this morning. His talent was unrivaled in storytelling -- a beauitful prose writer with a remarkable imagination. He left a beauitful mark on this world and leaves a legacy of words that will be sure to last ages.…
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Stereotypes and Body Types
Lesbians are burly. Gay men are skinny. Right? Oh, unless you're a lipstick or a bear, in which case you're pretty (lipstick) or big and hairy (bear). *sigh* We all know that we face stereotypes about our love lives and our promiscuity/disease-status/etc. But we're also constantly inundated with stereotypes about what our…
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StrongLifts in Wicker Park
I feel like this is a complete shot in the dark, but I've recently started the StrongLIfts program and I'm looking for a lifting buddy so we can train together/spot for each other at the WPAC. If you're doing the SL program and need a lifting buddy, send me a message and let's see if we can't work it out.
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3D Boobs Banned in China
http://entertainment.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/12/11166187-kate-winslets-titanic-3d-breasts-censored-in-china?lite China has oficially alienated a new generation of movie-going young men. The government, ever considering the best interest of the people, decided to edit out Kate Winslet's 3D breasts. "'Considering the…
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"I'm Christian, Unless..."
A friend of mine just shared this article with me. It's over on danoah.com. The title of the original post is inflammatory, but the actual post is not. It's actually kind of beautiful, and the kind of thing that everyone should read as a reminder. Here's the original post:…
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Drag kings, queens, and royalty all!
I am a non-performing drag king (which basically means I occasionally cross, but with a persona). Something I've always had difficulty with, though, is passing. When I was larger, I could never bind effectively (even with my double compression vests). Same type of issues now, though. I always have to drag heavy, which I'll…
