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Weight Lifting NSV :)
I tested my one rep max today, and I can now officially squat more than my body weight, deadlift more than my husband's weight, and push press my dog's weight. I started out barely being able to squat a 35 lb bar a couple times, and thought a 55lb dead lift was awesome- seeing progress feels good!
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Supersets, or rest between normal sets?
I am still fairly new to lifting heavy, but I absolutely hate the long rest periods generally prescribed in most beginner programs. On my own, I started doing super sets, but only recently found out that is what they were called. I prefer super sets for 3 reasons - 1) I don't have a lot of time to work out, so it helps me…
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What would you add to this routine?
I'd like some suggestions on my workout routine- I had been lifting for about 3 months and getting great results, but got a new job and some unforeseen craziness, and fell off the wagon for 8 months. I'm sick of my own excuses, and am getting back into a routine. That said, week one back is kicking my butt after being so…
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Lifting ladies- similar weight, different look?
I have been doing quite a bit of strength training over the last month since I want to transform my body rather than just look like a smaller version of my flabby self... I need some motivation! Anyone have before/after pics or body measurements within 10 lbs-15 lbs difference from heavy lifting? (Can be heavier before…
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If you could get one gadget... (fitbit/nike fuel/etc)
Sorry for posting a lot in the last week, I am really getting fired up about being active for the first time in years, and all of you guys are such a great wealth of knowledge! I've been using my cheap 16$ pedometer on my quest to walk enough to walk the Appalachian Trail in one year (roughly 12K steps a day), and would…
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Favorite "Less Typical" Foods
What are some of your favorite foods that are a little more unusual? As a complete foodie, I try to keep myself motivated and excited throughout my journey to a healthier life by enjoying cooking great meals at home. Anyone have any ideas to share? Over the last year, I've incorporated a lot of new things into my diet…
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Do you stick to a specific routine, or mix it up?
For those of you who have seen results from exercise/working out- do you stick to the same routine every week, or mix it up? I tend to mix it up -different heavy lifting moves (mostly compound moves, though some isolation exercises while I watch TV thrown in), exercise DVDs (usually 30ds or kettlebells, but sometimes a…
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Unexpected NSV today!
When I had restarted this journey, I had taken some mirror pictures for my "befores" in order to track progress. I was so embarrassed about having gained so much weight over my 3 months of travel that I didn't even have my husband take them for me, so I did not have a "before" of my backside (back, arms, legs, butt). I've…
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How do you gauge your strength training success?
What are some ways in which you "measure" whether you are getting stronger? I thought this would be a fun topic. For me, I time wall sits (have over doubled my time in 3 weeks! I know, newbie gains), planks, and have a couple lifting workout that I "score" either by timing them or by counting how many reps I can do. I want…
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Anyone tried 30 day fitness challenges that has a favorite?
I finally looked up all the 30 day fitness challenges I've seen periodically talked about on the community boards, and I want to do one (or two) as an extra supplement to what I'm already doing. Anyone have any favorites? I'm thinking about either doing the tricep dip or lunge one (since these two moves are somewhat…
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Anyone tried KettleWorx?
I wanted to start doing some Kettlebell workouts and the only Kettlebells at the exchange came with KettleWorx DVDs- I figured it would give me a good basis to figure out some exercises to do. Has anyone done the KettleWorx program? Did you get good results with it? I'm coming from a very, VERY out of shape starting point…
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Abs once a week- why?
I have seen a lot of people on this site and others say that you should only do an ab workout once a week- can anyone tell me the reasoning behind it? I understand that you can do all the ab workouts you want and won't see 'em if your body fat percentage is too high, but ab workouts are the one thing I actually really…
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Heavy lifting gurus- help me out!
I'm still about 8lbs from my goal weight, which is the weight that I've always felt I looked and felt the best at. However, I was VERY sedentary at the time, and have been really trying to focus on exercise and strength. Once I'm done with my kettlebell program in 3 weeks (it's a full body workout, 3x a week- I am doing it…
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What Song Describes Your Fitness Journey?
Sorry if this has been done before, I'm fairly new and didn't see it on the forums. So.... What song describes your fitness journey? Personally, I'm trying to have a better ratio of days that I can describe as "Sexyback" versus "Oops I Did it Again". How about you?
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Extra 90 before Thanksgiving Challenge!
In past years, leading up to Thanksgiving, I have either found myself binging all week long, or starving myself in preparation. Now that I have developed a slightly healthier attitude and started working on my fitness, I am giving myself one goal in preparation- continuing my current healthy eating habits, and adding in…
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Anyone with "step" goals?
I just got a pedometer a little over a week ago and I'm loving it! Anyone else use a pedometer and have a goal of how many steps a day/week/whatever? I set my goal at 12,000 steps because that is roughly how many steps a day it would take to walk the Appalachian Trail in one year, and that gives me a "fun" goal to work…
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Working up to a pull up?
One of my big fitness goals for myself over the next 5 months is to finally, for the first time in my life, be able to do an unassisted pullup. I never have eaked out even one without a jump start, or a machine. For that matter, I can only do approximately 5 "normal" pushups, and I'm pretty sure I don't go far enough to…
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"Just Do It"
I think I'm finally getting it. Over the last 5 years, my fitness and shape have suffered because, quite simply, I've been lazy. I've had excuses. "I'm tired." "I had a rough day." "It's too hard." .... my favorite? "I worked out on Monday, and I'm sore! Besides, that was a really good workout, I should get to rest..."…
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Need Help With TDEE Badly!
My goal is to lose approximately 15lbs, while maintaining lean muscle. Over time, I want to get to a lower body fat percentage as my ultimate goal. I have no idea where to start with TDEE! Googling it gives all sorts of conflicting results- "Most people are sedentary", "if you are not bed ridden, you are most likely…
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Critique this plan.
So I am starting over at my highest weight and lowest level of fitness that I feel I have had since I was 20. I am 25 now, 5'4.5, 142. I have gained and lost weight my whole life, but have not focused on fitness enough. My "happy weight" before was around 125, but I don't mind being a little heavier if I have less fat but…
