LadyNoir's NROLW

[LadyNoir]

Whew! So the first week at my new job was a whirlwind. I'm gonna have to adjust to new hours and a longer commute.

That kinda hurt my AM workout. I found that I didn't give myself enough time to do the HIIT or Body Weight Matrix portions. The plus side, at least I did get all my workouts in.

I like my new gym, not too crazy about the layout. But the weight area doesn't get to busy though.

My eats have been bad bad all week. Nothing like unlimited soda perks (more like temptations), catered office lunches and stress eating to blow my good eats out of the water. But I knew that was coming, so I decided to give myself the week get re-grounded starting today.

Here's yesterday's workout. I'm seeing some good strength gains with very little soreness today. I think I am also seeing some shape in my upper thighs. I don't know if it's real or wishful thinking.

Stage 3
Workout A

One-armed dumbbell snatch (moved back up to 15lbs after using 10 for a couple weeks)
6x15lbs
6x15lbs
6x15lbs

Dumbbell single-leg Romanian deadlift Up 5lbs
6x15lbs
6x15lbs
6x15lbs

Barbell bent over row Up 5lbs.
6x65lbs
6x65lbs
6x65lbs

Dumbbell single-arm overhead squat
6x10lbs (overhead weight)
6x10lbs (overhead weight)
6x10lbs (overhead weight)

Dumbbell incline bench press (w/20lb DB's) Up 5lbs.
6x20lbs
6x20lbs
6x20lbs

Plank
3 sets @ 90 sec. each

Reverse Wood Chop
6x30lbs
6x30lbs
6x30lbs

Body Weight Matrix (didn't do)
-

[Bytsi]

Originally Posted by LadyNoir

Whew! So the first week at my new job was a whirlwind. I'm gonna have to adjust to new hours and a longer commute.

That kinda hurt my AM workout. I found that I didn't give myself enough time to do the HIIT or Body Weight Matrix portions. The plus side, at least I did get all my workouts in.

I like my new gym, not too crazy about the layout. But the weight area doesn't get to busy though.

My eats have been bad bad all week. Nothing like unlimited soda perks (more like temptations), catered office lunches and stress eating to blow my good eats out of the water. But I knew that was coming, so I decided to give myself the week get re-grounded starting today.

It always takes a while to adjust to a new job - I give you a lot of credit for getting the workouts in, even if they weren't 100% what you'd planned... And now you can climb back onto the food part too - it's ok to take a week off as long as you know when the time is up and get back on program

I struggle with fitting in workouts and getting to work - and I know it's gonna get worse as the program goes on and some workouts take longer to complete... sigh... at least you're not alone in dealing with it!

[nutbar]

I'm glad you showed back up. I was about to come looking for ya!

Originally Posted by Bytsi

It always takes a while to adjust to a new job - I give you a lot of credit for getting the workouts in, even if they weren't 100% what you'd planned... And now you can climb back onto the food part too - it's ok to take a week off as long as you know when the time is up and get back on program

Exactly.

[LadyNoir]

Originally Posted by Bytsi

It always takes a while to adjust to a new job - I give you a lot of credit for getting the workouts in, even if they weren't 100% what you'd planned... And now you can climb back onto the food part too - it's ok to take a week off as long as you know when the time is up and get back on program

I struggle with fitting in workouts and getting to work - and I know it's gonna get worse as the program goes on and some workouts take longer to complete... sigh... at least you're not alone in dealing with it!

Thanks Bysti. That really means a lot to me, thank you.

This stage 3 seems really long. I only have one more week of it, and looking forward to stage 4, which seems shorter (I hope). whew!

[LadyNoir]

Originally Posted by nutbar

I'm glad you showed back up. I was about to come looking for ya!

Hehehe I missed you woman! I have a lot of log reading to get caught up on.

[LadyNoir]

Today was the final workout for Stage 3. I have come to hate YTWL's with a passion.

My eating habits suck. There, I said it. I've been eating bad. Ok maybe not McDonald's every day bad. But a beer here, take out food there, an ice cream there. It all adds up. I feel puffy. *bleh*

Keeping to my workouts is about the only thing I'm doing good right now. The whole new job routine was a harder adjustment than I expected. I mean, I like my job but I haven't fallen into healthy routines of bringing my lunch and sticking to my planned snacks etc yet.

I'm looking forward to starting Stage 4.

[LadyNoir]

Just a repost of the Month 5 stats. I also slipped a pic in here of my legs just because I think I'm finally seeing some definition. Makes me wish I would had take some leg pics back in January to compare.

Anyway, I'm getting settle into the new job. Starting to get my eating habits back in line. Still finding it harder than expected due to my need/want to get out of the office on my lunch break (which leads to not eating what I brought).


======
I don't feel like I made much progress this past month. I kept up with the workouts but wasn't as careful with my intake. I had a lot of "life" stuff come up. I'm thankful I at least didn't back slide, but this feeling of standing still is maddening too!

I'm also wavering on when I should start to cut. I was going to start this month but I'd like to gain more. People weren't kidding when they said gaining muscle is hard. So I'll just continue to keep doing what I am and reevaluate next month.

Current Stats
Weight 114.5 +2.5lbs
Waist 27 5/8" +1/8"
Belly 29 1/2 -6/8"
Hips 36 +2/8"
Thigh L 20 6/8" +3/8"
Thigh R 20 6/8" +"3/8"
Bicep L relaxed 10 1/8" +2/8"


January


May


January


May


January


May




May

[kfisherx]

Hey another bulker girl!!! I just completed my bulk and am on the way down. You shoulders look very nice in the new pics!

[Bytsi]

Karla's right - your shoulders and upper back are looking AMAZING!

[nutbar]

Wow, look at those abs and shoulders!! I think this month is the biggest change yet for you!

[LadyNoir]

Originally Posted by kfisherx

Hey another bulker girl!!! I just completed my bulk and am on the way down. You shoulders look very nice in the new pics!

Thanks Karla. I saw your post too, you've made amazing progress with your bulk. How the heck were you able to bulk so much in 3-4 months? I've been having a heck of a time just getting a few pounds on. LOL! I never thought I'd hear myself say that!

[LadyNoir]

Thank you Diane and Bytsi.

To be fair though that last pic with my leg flexed (really! it is!) also engages my abs more than usual.

Now...if I could just perfect the Capt. Morgan stance.

[LadyNoir]

This is my once a month journal post *ahh yeah*

I just finished up Stage 4. I'm debating taking a week off or going into stage 5 tomorrow. I'm behind where I'd like to be but haven't taken a break since stage 2. Other than this cold I have, this week would be a perfect time to kick off a new stage. Up until now work has been crazy busy and lots of overtime, so I've been editing my workouts (mainly skipping the intervals) and averaging six hours sleep . It's no wonder I am sick.

Things have slowed down at work, no overtime expected. So I can dedicate myself to full workouts and still get 8-hours sleep. Oh my!! That may change in two weeks.

What would you do in my situation? Take the time off or jump in? I guess I'm gung-ho because I feel like I've been slacking the last month. And this is a good window of opportunity.

[Amblus]

If you weren't sick I'd tell you to go for it, but it really sounds like you're run down and in need of sleep and recuperation. Take the week off and focus on eating well and sleeping as much as possible. Kick the cold, fuel up, and then start Stage Five.

[Bytsi]

I'm debating the break thing too - do I do it after my next two stage 4 workouts, before stage 5, or do I go through stage 5 and then break? I probably should do it sooner - it's that fear of getting fat, but I'm slowly having the idea of rest as necessary pounded into my stubborn head...

If you have a cold, rest... seems the smarter option to me (easy to tell someone else to do it!)

[nutbar]

Originally Posted by Amblus

If you weren't sick I'd tell you to go for it, but it really sounds like you're run down and in need of sleep and recuperation. Take the week off and focus on eating well and sleeping as much as possible. Kick the cold, fuel up, and then start Stage Five.

x2

[LadyNoir]

Thanks Amblus, Bytsi and nutbar. I took your advice and took the whole week off. I still have a slight sniffle but am pretty much over this cold. And I feel well rested too!

I focused on my diet and did pretty good. Went over my cals on two days. But that's better than the last couple weeks.

Starting stage 5 tomorrow.