[poppypixie]

Well, I begin NROLFW in 2 days time. I've read the book, and read the book and read the book again! I'm excited.This is the first lifting programme I have followed and I'm hoping I see good results, in strength and also maybe a little fat loss.A month ago I joined a new gym as the one I was a member of only had DBs, a bench and machines. Anyway, I thought I'd get used to the new equipment and try out moves from the book before I actually start the programme. Also, the gym had a Smith machine that has recently been replaced by a squat rack so I was waiting for that too. I got an instructor to show me how to do barbell squats yesterday and I think I did ok! I also think I've conquered deadlifts but I think I'll have trouble with grip strength.
Based on what I've been doing for the past month, and previously, this is what I've been lifting (3 sets x 10 reps):

DB squats - 24kg total (53lbs)
Lat pull down - 25kg (55lbs)
Seated row (cable column) - plate no. 9 (I've emailed Cybex to find out how muvh each plate weighs)
Deadlift - I've been practicing with between 20kg and 30kg (44lbs and 66lbs)

I surprised myself on Friday night by doing 10 full push-ups. I'm sure my form wasn't perfect but 10!!! I had previously been doing them at about 30 degrees on a weight bench, then recently I started doing them on a Reebok step (which has a pretty hexagonal pattern that looked so nice on my palms!), then I thought, Hey, let's try them on the floor. I told myself that I wasn't allowed to bench press until I increased my strength doing other exercises. When I first tried the incline bench press, I really struggled with an unloaded bar - I managed 6 reps, then 4, then 4.

I've been practicing moves from New Rules such as the prone jackknife. I have tried this move before and had real trouble just getting on the ball! But now I've worked out I have to start kneeling behind the ball then walk myself over until my shins are on top of the ball. But it's still always an ugly dismount and quite an awkward looking move but I'll improve.

Foodwise, I'm vegetarian. Until recently I followed pretty much a vegan diet but have now started eating eggs and cottage cheese and may try whey isolate protein powder (I use soy right now).

Based on the books calculations, I should be eating 1904 cals on non-lifting days, 2142 on lifting days. Having stuck to around 1600-1700 cals per days, I'm finding the numbers quite a leap. I've been trying to eat more protein and have gradually got up to nearly 100g per day. I'm trying to hit these new numbers from today, so today I have managed:

1836 cals
229g carbs
127g protein,
46g fat

which works out to 50/28/22. I'm so full!

Anyway, here are my stats:

26 years old (in the UK, hence all the kg weights)
5'3"
121lbs
Body fat (according to scale I always use): 23%
BMI: 21.3

Measurements:
Neck - 12"
Right arm - 10"
Under bust - 27"
Over bust - 32.5"
Waist - 26"
Across navel - 30.5"
Hips - 36"
Right thigh - 21"
Right calf - 13"

Here's to the journey!