Good luck on the test, but I know you won't need luck cuz you're gonna kick some NSCA butt!!!!
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Originally Posted by karenmc6
x2!
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Originally Posted by Karen411
X3
Also, it's a good thing to be nervous about testing well. Makes you just as human as the rest of us .
Thank you for your confidence and good wishes! I actually feel a little relief that I have finally committed to taking the plunge after 1.5 years of on and off studying for this one, and squelching the panic every time I thought about registering, then deciding I wasn't quite ready. This has been keeping me from moving forward in other areas of my life so, whatever the outcome, I will be relieved to put it behind me. I know this sounds weird, but the first thing I want to do after I pass the test, well, besides eating a big, fatty fast food cheeseburger, which seems to be a tradition I've adopted, is to knit a sweater. I was a knitting fool before I began my quest to become a personal trainer and I've been full board pouring my energy into that quest for the past two years. My knitting needles have been locked away all this time...also, I want to find out how many calories I burn while sitting on my butt and knitting for six hours straight.
Stopping by for a quick visit after a long absence Kathy.... good luck on the test and with your party this coming weekend... I'm sure you'll look gorgeous in the dress (and hopefully not too slutty by your daughter's standards LOL!)
LOL on the knitting... I got dh to buy me supplies for Christmas two years ago because I really want to learn, but I still haven't gotten around to it yet!
"As far as (healthy) eating, either do it, or don't. Same issues repeated over and over is just insanity. We either commit to the endeavor or pay lip-service to it. This is the hardest part of the whole process, and it needs to be practiced more than the actual physical training. It's mind training." ~ Matt Thorne
"The reason that most people fail instead of succeed is that they trade what they want most for what they want at the moment."
Kathy, I don't knit but I crochet and I was just looking for some patterns online. I think it's so relaxing. Every winter I get the itch to make something. I hope you get back to knitting after your test!
Good luck with your testing! We're all cheering for you!
Hey there! I think it's awesome that you are going to bite the bullet and take the test. I wish you luck with it - you'll do fine.
I agree - you started the challenge and finished it and that is more than I can say, LOL.
__________________
Ginger
"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." ~ John Bingham
Tonight I finally got up the nerve to final register for my NSCA CPT exam. I paid anyway--within 72 hours I should receive the information to actually schedule the exam. This test scares me because supposedly only 55% of those who take it pass the first time. They have 3 practice tests that you can purchase and I've taken all three. I took the third last weekend and scored about 80%. I was hoping to do better, but I need 70% to pass so I think I'll be okay. I will just continue to study like crazy until test day. I hate taking these tests. This will be my third certification and I remember what a wreck I was taking the first two. My teeth are chattering just thinking about it.
I'm playing catch-up today, and I saw your comment here about the number of people who pass. I did that about 5 years ago, wrote an exam with a 40% pass rate. I think just knowing that added to the stress beforehand. You know though, I passed. So, you can be part of the 55% who do pass it. Good luck!
Kathy, I don't knit but I crochet and I was just looking for some patterns online. I think it's so relaxing. Every winter I get the itch to make something. I hope you get back to knitting after your test!
Good luck with your testing! We're all cheering for you!
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Originally Posted by GinnyLou
Hey there! I think it's awesome that you are going to bite the bullet and take the test. I wish you luck with it - you'll do fine.
I agree - you started the challenge and finished it and that is more than I can say, LOL.
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Originally Posted by realcdn
I'm playing catch-up today, and I saw your comment here about the number of people who pass. I did that about 5 years ago, wrote an exam with a 40% pass rate. I think just knowing that added to the stress beforehand. You know though, I passed. So, you can be part of the 55% who do pass it. Good luck!
Thank you all for your good luck wishes. The test is officially scheduled for January 7...the earliest date I could get at the closest testing center to my home. That will just give me time to get the holidays behind me. I am feeling a lot more confident and Anne, I think you're right, there is no reason why I shouldn't be among the 55%. 40% is crazy! Knowing those statistics really does mess with your mind.
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Originally Posted by lorigaud
Stopping by for a quick visit after a long absence Kathy.... good luck on the test and with your party this coming weekend... I'm sure you'll look gorgeous in the dress (and hopefully not too slutty by your daughter's standards LOL!)
LOL on the knitting... I got dh to buy me supplies for Christmas two years ago because I really want to learn, but I still haven't gotten around to it yet!
And for the party dress pics. I made by bf take them just before we left. We were running late (I knew I should have told him we needed to leave a half hour earlier), so the pictures were a bit rushed and a little blurry. Anyway, you'll notice my belly still showing a little, but I could not find the perfect undergarment to keep it in. Anything that was high enough to hold in my belly showed at the waistband through the satin. I ended up going with something that didn't cover my stomach because that my pooch was actually not as the line from the underwear that covered my belly. Oh well...I must have tried on ten pair! I opted for no extra help on top. Happy to say my biggest fear, back flab, was unwarranted. Although in the back pic my arms and calves are looking pretty huge.
The party was a blast, food was great and since I was IN the dress I ate freely. Dinner was very nice. I had salad with pecans, some really nice green beans, a corn salad, a small serving of tortellini and asparagus, a couple of slices of beef with a little gravy, a small portion of stuffed chicken breast and a dinner roll with butter. I passed on potatoes and pasta salad. I only had a few glasses of red wine all night. For dessert I had a slice of cheescake, a slice of pecan cake--which I could not really distinguish from pecan pie except that it was a little taller and seemed to have been made in a springform pan. Also, a variety of tartletts, 3 or 4. But let me tell you I danced my butt off. I also won a 2 day, 1 night wine country getaway. That was really exciting...I never win anything!
Hey, you look great in the dress. I think you're probably the only person who sees the 'perceived flaws'. Sounds like you had a great time, which was the point, right?
Kathy, you look HOT in that dress! And your hair is gorgeous!!!
Thanks for stopping by my log. I was blown away that a fellow sister bought the guy books (Built For Show and Huge in a Hurry)! I am having fun so far with BFS.
I still have WSFL on my calendar for 1/5/09. January will be a good month for us!
Hey, you look great in the dress. I think you're probably the only person who sees the 'perceived flaws'. Sounds like you had a great time, which was the point, right?
Thank you, Anne. You're probably right about only me seeing the flaws especially at a party like that when everyone is really more concerned with how they look. Unless someone is just really catty and looking for flaws! I didn't encounter any of that...just had a great time which WAS the point!
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Originally Posted by Chloe2
Wow Kathy! Awesome dress! You've got beautiful hair too! Sounds like you had a wonderful time and winning the getaway - icing on the cake!!!!
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Originally Posted by Bytsi
Beautiful!!!!!!!!
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Originally Posted by Flab of Steel
Awesome dress and that color looks great on you! Congrats on winning the wine get away!
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Originally Posted by foodfromafar
Congrats on winning! That's great! You look beautiful in the dress!
Chloe, Bytsi, FOS--Thank you, ladies! Turns out that color was popular this year or maybe I maybe it just stood out for me since it was the color I was wearing but it seemed like a lot of women were wearing that shade of blue. And about the win--the way the raffle was set up we put our tickets in a bucket in front of the particular item we wanted to win. The Wii Sport and GPS system were the most wanted items so most of the crowd put their tickets in those buckets. I'm thinking I had really good odds of winning the wine country getaway as I'm sure not much more than a handful of employees were going for it. It is a good strategy to win though and I think I'll remember that next year. I'm happy with my prize...I don't need anymore time wasters in my life (the Wii) and don't travel enough to really need a GPS, and time to relax is precious to me.
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Originally Posted by kfisherx
Nice calves! LOL! I always check out the legs on people to see if they are athletes or muscled. LOL! You pass.
Okay the dress is cool too. And I love the shoes!
LOL...thanks! I've always just seen my calves as huge, but I've come to accept them more and more. I think it might be better than shapeless sticks. And I was lucky to find the shoes on sale for $15...I got my $15 worth on the dance floor that night.
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Originally Posted by rtwilson
Kathy, you look HOT in that dress! And your hair is gorgeous!!!
Thanks for stopping by my log. I was blown away that a fellow sister bought the guy books (Built For Show and Huge in a Hurry)! I am having fun so far with BFS.
I still have WSFL on my calendar for 1/5/09. January will be a good month for us!
Hi Rebecca--I know I was surprised when I read that you'd bought the book. But really, there is no reason why a program that works for a man won't work for a woman, right? It is just that the rest of the book addresses young guy issues. And while a lot of the exercises are NROL-esque, there are some interesting variations. I cracked up at some of the 'advice' in the back of the book. I so wanted to post the comment "umm...banana peel?" in the thread for Nate's book but I don't have the nerve.
I'm really looking forward to blasting fat with you in January. My wine country weekend starts on January 31 so I may have to start WSFL a few days early in order to finish before the get away. Either that or just take that weekend off and tack a couple of days on the end. We'll see.
Holy hotness, Batman!!! Whew, you are smokin! Kathy, you looked absolutely beautiful and really, you saw your own flaws way more than someone else would. I've always wanted a sexy open-backed dress like that...
Congrats on the getaway too! Sounds like LOTS of fun!
Holy hotness, Batman!!! Whew, you are smokin! Kathy, you looked absolutely beautiful and really, you saw your own flaws way more than someone else would. I've always wanted a sexy open-backed dress like that...
Congrats on the getaway too! Sounds like LOTS of fun!
LOL...thanks, Celeste. You're too kind. I am definitely looking forward to the getaway. Post holidays AND more importantly, post-cpt test will be the perfect time for it, too.
In other news...I did finish Stage 3, but failed to post the final workout. I moved on to Stage 4 last night. I'll go as far as I can before I redo WSFL with Rebecca in January, then pick it up and finish the damn book already. I know I will probably never do NROL4W again once I've completed all the workouts. Too many other directions to go.
5 mins. on stair stepper and walking lunges to warm up
One set of 10 warm up squats with bar only.
Front squat/push press
8x55x3
Step-ups--8x60x3
I went back to the barbell for these for the first time since my weight room crash. My first thought was to do these in the power rack with the safety bars set high, but it wasn't available. Actually, just as I was about to use it, one of my clients grabbed it to use for one of the exercises I taught him (rack pulls) so I couldn't very well say "Hey, move I was going to use that!" LOL. So...I went back to my old ways of using a fixed weight barbell on one of the weight benches. I was VERY careful and took it one tentative rep at a time. Made it through all three sets without incident. Still, when I can I am going to use the power rack if I can manage to take possession of that AND the portable weight bench at the same time.
DB 1 pt. row--8x60x3 (used barbell, which did make it easier)
Static Lunge, rear foot elevated
8x50x3 -- barbell, again
Push-ups--8xBWx3 -- OMG, these were a struggle! I was going to do feet on bench thinking, well, only 8 reps, too easy, but it took all my effort to complete sets of 8 plain jane pushups.
Plank--90s (once); couldn't do more than a minute straight on the 2nd attempt and did 30s at a time on the third. Really feeling these in my back.
Cable Horizontal Woodchop
8x20x2 (supposed to be 3 sets, but ran out of time as I had a client coming in)
While training my client (during a rest period) I did another set of 8 pushups, easier since I'd had time to rest. With my client I did extra 30s planks (trying to encourage her), and we did wide stance db dl's together. I used 30lb. dbs. for two sets of 10 reps.
Hi there! I am so bummed because I can't see pictures from my work computers, so last night I logged in on my slowass home computer, just so I could come see your pictures and all I saw was red xxxx's. It has to be that computer, too. Anyways, I have no doubt you looked amazing! And your workouts are super awesome. You rock!
__________________
Ginger
"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." ~ John Bingham
I'm glad you did the barbell exercise - just because you wouldn't want to spend your life being afraid... even if you never do it again, you faced it and did it. YOU GO, GIRL!!!!
Just echoing (sp?) LOL! everyone else's comments about that dress Kathy... absolutely gorgeous! Sounds like you had a blast... I, meanwhile, would never have been able to stand in those shoes, much less dance! ROFL... coordinated, I'm not.
"As far as (healthy) eating, either do it, or don't. Same issues repeated over and over is just insanity. We either commit to the endeavor or pay lip-service to it. This is the hardest part of the whole process, and it needs to be practiced more than the actual physical training. It's mind training." ~ Matt Thorne
"The reason that most people fail instead of succeed is that they trade what they want most for what they want at the moment."
I'm glad you did the barbell exercise - just because you wouldn't want to spend your life being afraid... even if you never do it again, you faced it and did it. YOU GO, GIRL!!!!
x2! Way to get back on the horse (something at which I have experience, lol!)
Kathy, very nice job conquering your fear. Taking it a step at a time and having a plan is good.
Did you get the Built for Show and Huge in a Hurry books yet? I'm curious to hear your thoughts on them. Of course, I know you're studying for your certification test right now, but just thought I'd check and see.
Hi there! I am so bummed because I can't see pictures from my work computers, so last night I logged in on my slowass home computer, just so I could come see your pictures and all I saw was red xxxx's. It has to be that computer, too. Anyways, I have no doubt you looked amazing! And your workouts are super awesome. You rock!
Ginger, thank you!
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Originally Posted by Bytsi
I'm glad you did the barbell exercise - just because you wouldn't want to spend your life being afraid... even if you never do it again, you faced it and did it. YOU GO, GIRL!!!!
Yeah, and as I was doing it I was still trying to figure how the heck I fell in the first place. But yeah, I do feel much better to have faced it.
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Originally Posted by lorigaud
Just echoing (sp?) LOL! everyone else's comments about that dress Kathy... absolutely gorgeous! Sounds like you had a blast... I, meanwhile, would never have been able to stand in those shoes, much less dance! ROFL... coordinated, I'm not.
Thank you, Lori. I did have a blast. And the shoes were starting to hurt pretty seriously by the end of the night.
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Originally Posted by Celestialmom
x2! Way to get back on the horse (something at which I have experience, lol!)
LOL ... how fitting!
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Originally Posted by Karen411
Kathy, very nice job conquering your fear. Taking it a step at a time and having a plan is good.
Did you get the Built for Show and Huge in a Hurry books yet? I'm curious to hear your thoughts on them. Of course, I know you're studying for your certification test right now, but just thought I'd check and see.
Hi Karen--I received the books a few weeks ago and have read BFS cover to cover. It is a lot like NROL with some exercises that are variations of those exercises (i.e., BSS with front foot elevated to really increase range of motion--supposed to be worse than the BSS and I believe it). I haven't closely studied the individual workouts, but I am sure they are effective. I don't know that I would have bought this book strictly as another program for myself since it is so similar to NROL and I still have Power Training and Maximum Strength to explore. I had it more in mind as a reference for me as a trainer when I'm working with younger guys. Just noting how Nate addresses his peers gives me an idea of where guys heads are as far as goals and motivation. The language is definitely not intended for me, but it was very entertaining. I am finding a lot of useful info in Huge in a Hurry, as well. Again, I don't know if I'll pull any actual workouts from it for myself, but looks like it is going to be a good reference. The photos are in color, nice quality paper. My bf laughed when he read the title then noted that the guy in the pictures was not exactly 'huge.' That didn't bother me, though, since I guess 'huge' is relative.
But guess what? BF and I were shopping at Barnes and Noble yesterday. I picked up my son's copy of BFS and went to find my BF hanging out by the martial arts section. He was talking to a woman, and when I came up she commented about the book in my hand. She started telling me what a great book it was, she had just finished reading it two days earlier. I was shocked. We started talking and I found out that she is also a personal trainer and is familiar with NROL, etc. It was pretty cool. None of the trainers at my gym have heard of any of these books or the fitness pros behind them. I definitely never imagined I'd meet another woman in these parts who had read BFS. I'm guessing she was right around my age, too. It was trippy, for sure.
I have been staying off the computer the past several days as much as possible to get ready for, well you know, the holidays. I still have most of my Christmas shopping to do. I'm trying to be creative. I bought my mother the book Stop Aging, Start Training by Savatore Fichera, M.S. Never heard of him, but I wanted to give her something that wouldn't be intimidating with pictures of older people doing things like chair squats. I thought I would get her a stability ball and some bands then plan a workout for her to follow using exercises in the book. The girls are taken care of...did all of my shopping for them through Amazon on Thursday and everything is scheduled to be delivered by Dec. 24.
I did workout yesterday, but will post later. I've got to get back to work!
That's great that you found another trainer who recognizes the books and sees the value in them ! So, do either of them have much info/programs that pertain to women as well? I know I read an article by Waterbury at Figure Athlete where he swears it will work for women, too, but another woman's opinion would be great. I did see Built for Show at the bookstore last week, but was in too much of a hurry to do more than take a very quick look at it. I asked them about Huge in a Hurry while checking out with the gift cards I was getting, but they looked it up and had never heard of it, so it probably won't be there if I don't specifically order it.
reverse lunge from box with forward reach
8x10'sx3 (I started with 20's but don't know what I was thinking. These really get my heart pumping)
db prone cuban snatch
8x5'sx3
swiss ball crunch
16x25lb.plate
reverse crunch
8x6 lb. med ball
hanna flexion--one set
Okay, this wasn't a complete workout because I flaked on the ab stuff. It just so happened that two of the other female trainers were working abs at the same time and we got chatty and I had shopping to do. I'll make it up next time. I really have gotten out of the habit of doing a lot of direct ab work and I find it so boring...almost worst than cardio (which I have also been failing to do).
Still not completely finished with Christmas shopping. I have no idea what to do for my dad. My mother says don't get them anything but I already got her stuff. My bf says wait on him for after Christmas. I'm not going to stress...it is the time we spend together that matters.
5 mins. on stair stepper and walking lunges to warm up
One set of 10 warm up squats with bar only.
Stage 4A, Workout 2
Front squat/push press
8x60x3 -- I had to rerack the bar half way through on the last two sets for a moment to relieve the pain in my wrists. But since the rest was momentary, I'm still counting them as full sets.
Step-ups--8x65x3 --After a little experimenting, I did these using the regular squat rack (not power rack), only backwards. I had the bench set up behind the rack so that I was between the bench and the rack, then I backed up to the bar and stepped forward to the bench. I can't say this seems that much safer than no rack since if I were to fall as I did before the bar would hit the rack but then I imagine my neck smacking against the racked bar. But at least there is the chance that I would be able to lean against the sides of the rack to break my fall.
DB 2 pt. row--8x40x3 -- I goofed. I did the 2 pt. rows with one arm at a time instead of the one point. I got confused with one of the WSFL workouts I think!
Static Lunge, rear foot elevated
8x50x3 -- I seem to be overcoming my balance issues with this one. The right leg elevated I am solid, but tend to waver with the reverse. I was solid on both by the last set.
Push-ups--8xBWx3
Cable Horizontal Woodchop
8x20x3 -- I really like these. I love the explosiveness and the absolute control needed to keep from losing my footing. I can really feel my entire midsection working to stabilize me.
I wanted to get home, so decided to save the planks for home. I figured I could have my bf push me so I could get through the last two planks (I haven't made it through yet after the first one). Anyway, I got home, completely forgot the planks and made myself some french toast with that Italian panettone bread they sell at Costco. Makes some stellar french toast. I made it custard style with half and half (leftover from the quiche I brought to work the other day), eggs and cinnamon. I slice it thick then let it sit in the mixture to get saturated, then cook it slow in butter in a saute pan. Kind of like bread pudding. Bad...but good! I've haven't talked about food because, well, there is just nothing positive to say beyond the fact that after tomorrow it will be over...no more killer food exposure. I am staying off the scale...I have had no control to speak of and my 'diet' consists of whatever is brought to work...hardly any real food except for some fresh fruit here and there. I figure if I'm going to eat the crap anyway, if I don't eat anything in addition I'll be keeping the calories down somewhat. I promise to clean up my act on Friday.
.
I am having fun so far with BFS.
! So, do either of them have much info/programs that pertain to women as well? I know I read an article by Waterbury at Figure Athlete where he swears it will work for women, too, but another woman's opinion would be great. I did see Built for Show at the bookstore last week, but was in too much of a hurry to do more than take a very quick look at it. I asked them about Huge in a Hurry while checking out with the gift cards I was getting, but they looked it up and had never heard of it, so it probably won't be there if I don't specifically order it.
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