Kara's Lifting Adventure - Page 6 - JP Fitness Forums

dillytl · 02-17-2008, 06:18 PM

Kara - sorry you weren't "feelin'" the workout today - but you should be proud of yourself, cuz YOU DID IT!!!!

Littlemermaidklb · 02-18-2008, 03:14 PM

I DESPISE THESE "SPECIAL" WORKOUTS!!!!!!!

I thought the point of these was to make you feel good about how far you've come... instead they make me feel worse. They are boring and I feel like I haven't made much progress, I also feel like my form is still "eh" on some of these exercises... which is ridiculous after having done them for what feels like forever. UGH! So anyway, here's the numbers:

Deadlifts:
1x45 with 30lb preset bar
*Now doing 3x8 with 80lb bar, but should probably drop back down to 75 or 70 due to form

DB shoulder press:
1x25 with 12.5lb DBs
*Now doing 2x8 with 15s and 1x8 with 20's (wish they had 17.5s)

Lat Pulldowns:
1x40 @50lbs
*Now doing 3x8 @65

Lunges: (I hate these)
1x20 each leg with 10lb DBs
*Now doing 3x8 walking lunges with 12.5lb DBs. I have made almost no progress on these. Talk about depressing. I went down to BW after the first workout for a while, then recently started adding the DBs back in, *sigh*.

Ball Crunches: (the only one I actually like)
1x50 with bodyweight

I really hate to bitch about these so much. And the numbers seem more impressive in writing than they really are. It's just that these special workouts put me in such a foul mood. For the rest of the program I am not going to do them. I don't remember if the other stages call for them or not, but if they do, I'm not doing them.

Well, starting tomorrow I will be in DC for a few days for a conference. This falls right on my rest week which is nice, since I won't have access to a gym anyway since I'm staying with a friend. I'm bringing my laptop with me though so I'll be on to check in with everyone else while I'm away. (I seriously think I'm getting addicted to this forum!... so not good)

Have a good week everyone!

climban · 02-18-2008, 03:25 PM

Hey girl,

Big hug for you! I think you did very well!! 45 deadlifts isn 't nothing, and 40 lat pulldowns

And euhm, no special workouts for the next stages, I think

Enjoy the conference!

LoriAnne · 02-18-2008, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Littlemermaidklb

I DESPISE THESE "SPECIAL" WORKOUTS!!!!!!!

I thought the point of these was to make you feel good about how far you've come... instead they make me feel worse. They are boring and I feel like I haven't made much progress, I also feel like my form is still "eh" on some of these exercises... which is ridiculous after having done them for what feels like forever. UGH! So anyway, here's the numbers:

I really hate to bitch about these so much. And the numbers seem more impressive in writing than they really are. It's just that these special workouts put me in such a foul mood. For the rest of the program I am not going to do them. I don't remember if the other stages call for them or not, but if they do, I'm not doing them.

Thank God somebody finally is honest about the damn "Special workouts"! I am sure your form is better than you think and great job on your numbers--but you are right on about the boredom factor! As far as I've read, there are no more of those AMRAP workouts and if so, I'll join you in solidarity and not do them either!

marygrace · 02-19-2008, 07:32 AM

I think your progress looks great! But I understand the annoyance of the Special Workout. I finish my last regular Stage 1 workout on Wednesday, and am thinking about skipping the Special Workout myself. I just want to get to Stage 2!

stingo · 02-19-2008, 08:18 AM

So many haters of the special workouts... When I was doing the NROL programs I think I'd've liked them to show what progress I made.

Natalia · 02-19-2008, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stingo

So many haters of the special workouts... When I was doing the NROL programs I think I'd've liked them to show what progress I made.

I am with you on this, Stingo. The 'special workouts' were put there for one reason only: to see 'where you have come from' and to be an encouragement to women. I enjoyed them.

Kirjava · 02-19-2008, 08:28 AM

Hey Kara,
I think you did GREAT on your special workout! Your numbers are totally impressive.
Must be exciting to join Stage 2....I'm right on your tail...almost there!

stingo · 02-19-2008, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirjava

Hey Kara,
I think you did GREAT on your special workout! Your numbers are totally impressive.
Must be exciting to join Stage 2....I'm right on your tail...almost there!

I agree - I'm not sure what kind of gains you were expecting, but in the very first exercise you're lifting over double what you started with, which is a pretty big deal.

nutbar · 02-19-2008, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Littlemermaidklb

I DESPISE THESE "SPECIAL" WORKOUTS!!!!!!!

I'm right there with ya! They put me in a horrible mood, too. Stupid &^%@@(*& special workouts. Argh.

Still, you've done great and made terrific gains in strength so pat yourself on the back (and be glad to be done with them LOL)!

Fitwit · 02-20-2008, 06:35 AM

Another "special workout" hater here! (waving)

dillytl · 02-20-2008, 09:54 AM

You aren't too far from me (in DC!) I live over on the Eastern Shore of MD - just a couple hours from DC! Have fun at the conference!

sveta · 02-20-2008, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dillytl

You aren't too far from me (in DC!) I live over on the Eastern Shore of MD - just a couple hours from DC! Have fun at the conference!

that's neat! You guys can get together for a couple of fun workouts...

GinnyLou · 02-20-2008, 10:44 AM

I'm a hater of the 'specials', too! LOL I think my main problem with them is that I could do so many reps, I felt like I looked like one of the high rep/low weight gals and I didn't want to tarnish my image. LOL

Good luck at the conference!

Littlemermaidklb · 02-23-2008, 07:19 PM

Thanks for all the replys everyone!

So I thought I would be on here periodically while I was away... but no such luck. Too busy. The conference went well and I was able to stay with a friend from high school that I hadn't seen in a while and all my friends from undergrad, so it was a good time.

However.... my eating was terrible alll week! I tried... I bought some healthy cereal and some kashi snack bars for between meals, but I couldn't carry a lot of stuff with me so I had to figure out the meals while I was there... not good. Some days I had cereal in the morning, then a bar a few hours later, and didn't get anything else to eat till dinner... at which point I ate way more than I should have because I was starving! Ugh... Definitely took 2 steps back this week.

I'm going to try to go to the gym tomorrow to test out the exercises in stage 2 before I offically start on monday (my birthday! hehe) That front-squat-push-press thing scares me.... but I hope it will go well. I also think I'm going to start doing HIIT on off days.... I feel like Ive gotten stronger but that I have not lost one bit of bodyfat.

I will probably need some motivation tomororw though... after being away from the gym for what feels like quite a while (that conference felt like it was three weeks long!) my "i'm-so-excited-to-lift" mood is nowhere to be seen. I'll work on it though, and do some food shopping for good healthy stuff tomorrow too to getback on that healthy-eating wagon!

Anyway, just wanted to say that I'm back and thanks for all the input!

nutbar · 02-23-2008, 09:05 PM

Welcome back and happy (early) birthday!!

marygrace · 02-24-2008, 08:46 AM

Smart idea to run through the Stage 2 workouts beforehand. I had to keep referring to the book during my first Stage 2 session at the gym and maybe looked a little silly! I agree that the front squat/push press is kind of scary. I also find the movement a little awkward, I guess it takes practice!