I just switched to a new birth control pill (can't remember the name). When I saw my doctor last week and was explaining my never-ending plateau, she said plateauing was common on the pill. So, she switched me to a different type and hopefully that helps. I didn't realize how much being on the pill affected everything (muscle gain, weight loss). I know it messed with my hormones but never really thought beyond 'the now.' I'm going to keep track of my progress for the next month and see if there was any noticable difference.
Well it's a well known fact that women can be within three rooms of a weight, even a pink dumbbell, and get all bulky and stuff.
If only this ^ were true!
Never thought about effects of the pill on weight lifting. Well, guess it's a handicap we will have to live with. All the more reason to focus on good nutrition and heavy weights.
Well it's a well known fact that women can be within three rooms of a weight, even a pink dumbbell, and get all bulky and stuff.
Leave it to Tom to put things in their proper perspective, LOL!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by beesknees
I think the effects of birth control hormones on lifting heavy is just begging to be studied!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Evie
Never thought about effects of the pill on weight lifting. Well, guess it's a handicap we will have to live with. All the more reason to focus on good nutrition and heavy weights.
I used to dismiss the talk about hormones and their poss. effects on people as fluff. But I've seen enough of a difference after I stopped taking bc pills that I began reconsidering my original stance.
Even if it takes me longer to lose fat, gain muscle and all that because I'm a woman, it's still worth it to do all this activity. It just makes me feel good, ya know?
I'm not knowledgeable at all about how hormones effect women, I was just wondering what difference does taking basically anti-male hormone pills make on my lifting.
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I feel like I've sabotaged myself this month. I think I'll just write-off October and look to November. Just looking at my Sept and Oct stats, I'm closer to my Sept stats! Argh!
Starting NROL Fat Loss II on Sunday and Stage 7 of NROLFW seemed to work quite well for me and they're similar. FL2 will take me the whole of November so I'm hoping by the time we have to post pics next time, I'll have made some progress. Gotta keep reminding myself that this is only a 4 month challenge, can't afford to be messing up whole months!
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Didn't make it to the gym last night. Just didn't feel like it and my back felt out of sorts. Keep going to bed about an hour later than I should and I know how much better I'd feel if I managed to get to bed on time. Plus, I work in a basement and when I leave work now at 6pm, it's already pitch black outside. That's slightly depressing. Makes me want to go straight home and snuggle up for the evening and eat cookies (which I did last night ). Actually, I think Monday's intervals took it out of me especially as I hadn't done them for over a week. I also think they were to blame for my hunger. I woke up hungry yesterday and then again today. Extra calories for lifting tonight though, especially as I'm moving down to 3 x 6 reps. I get so bored doing 8-10 reps! I'm thinking of Power Training as a possible future purchase....
I also feel like October was a crappy month but then again, so was September. I'm with you, when it's dark outside, I just want to snuggle up and have a hot chocolate. Especially when it rains a lot.
"there were significant differences in lean mass gains (OC: 2.1±2.1% vs. non-OC: 3.5±3.2% / OC: 1.0±1.0kg vs. no-OC: 1.6±1.4kg, p<0.05).
However, other muscle responses such as strength gains and arm/leg circumferences were similar between the OC and non-OC users."
Now, I'm not sure what all the numbers mean but I'm guessing they mean that the non-oral contraceptive group gained more lean mass than the oral contraceptive group. Interesting that strength gains were the same.
119.2lbs @ 23.1% bf
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After my little misery post yesterday, I'm feeling better today (so long as work stays nice). Went to the gym last night and because of that I allowed myself to have higher cals. I need fuel to lift and I can really tell the difference when I eat enough.
My food hasn't been great this week but I think getting my protein levels back up and eating regularly has really helped me feel better. My weight and bf% are heading in the right direction but I am disappointed with myself because the day before the wedding (16th Oct), I weighed in at 118lbs @ 22.5% and on Mon 19th Oct, after the wedding, I was still below 119lbs and 23% bf but then the rest of that week was like a refined carb free-for-all!
Stage One, Workout A3 (3 x 6 reps)
Front Squat
1 x 6 @ 27.5kg (60.6lbs)
1 x 6 @ 30kg (66lbs)
1 x 6 @ 32.5kg (71.7lbs)
Push up 3 x 10 floor - yay! Feels like a long time since I managed to do 3 x 10! Seated row
3 x 6 @ 26.25kg (57.8lbs)
Step up
3 x 6 @ 2x10kg (2x22lbs) Prone Jackknife
3 x 10
Then I did some treadmill intervals:
1 min @ 12kph, 13kphx 3
1 min @ 7.5mph, 8mph x 3
with 2 min rests @ 5 kph (3mph)
Just looking through a UK health and fitness magazine and it has an article that features 3 generation of women within one family and it's about passing on wisdom.
One 70 year old said,
"I've been exercising since my 40s...and I used to do classes, but now I do resistance work and finish on the treadmill."
Kudos to her! I hope she passes that onto your daughter and granddaughter!
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No kudos to me after a bit too much junk food this week. Looking forward to starting Fat Loss II on Sunday (well, not looking forward to the workouts but to the results!) and I'm going to look for some really simple ways to make the foods I eat everyday a bit more interesting. I eat a lot of plain broccoli but I'm thinking of some type of garlic 'something' to jazz it up but without lots of oil etc... Any ideas?
Really need to get more sleep, just an extra hour a night would get me near 8 hours. I look so tired at the moment. Under-eye concealer can only do so much!
I think I've been a bit off track on everything since I finished NROLFW and having a week off work. Having trouble getting back into my routine but hopefully starting FL II will help.
Wish I'd run intervals last night but my mum said, oh, stay at home and do some knitting and my sister had said that too. Sabotage! I had a not-so-nice day at work yesterday and I think the sprints would have helped run off some of the stress/anxiety.
Deadlift 1st set felt great but by 3rd set I could tell/feel that my form was off.1 x 6 @ 50kg (110lbs)
1 x 6 @ 55kg (121lbs)
1 x 4 @ 55kg (121lbs)
DB shoulder press 3 x 6 @ 2x10kg (2x22lbs) Wide-grip lat pulldown 1 x 6 @ 31.5kg (69.4lbs)
2 x 6 @ 38.5kg (84.8lbs)
DB lunge
3 x 6 @ 2x10kg (2x22lbs) Swiss ball crunches 3 x 6 lever + 2kg (4.4lbs)
The nice guy was back in the gym last night so I told him about the jerk from a few weeks ago who asked me "Why don't you just run or do cardio?". We both agreed he had no idea what he was talking about. He told me that he'd been talking to some women who said that women couldn't do full push ups and he told them that that wasn't true as he'd seen me doing them with perfect form! Yay!
Just back from doing intervals at the gym:
3 min warm up
1 min @ 12kph, 13kph, 14kph, 14.5kph, 14kph, 13kph, 12kph
1 min @ 7.5mph, 8mph, 8.7mph, 9mph, 8.7mph, 8mph, 7.5mph
with 2 min rests @ 5 kph (3mph)
Front squat
3 x 12 @ 20kg (45lbs) Wide-grip cable row 1 x 12 @ 21.25kg (46.8lbs)
2 x 12 @ 23.75kg (52.3lbs)
Supine hip extension with leg curl 3 x 12 @ bw Barbell push press 3 x 12 @ 20kg (45lbs)
Dynamic lunge 3 x 12 @ 2x8kg (2x17.6lbs)
Upper-body Russian Twist
3 x 12 @ bw
I liked this work out apart from the Russian twists, I need to practice these. I seem to have strained the front of my neck, probably from holding my head up. I even brought the book onto the gym floor so I could follow the instructions and I think I got the motion right, just strained my neck. Also got a feeling like a stitch in between one of my ribs that won't go away. Urghhh. Triceps feel used but in a good way.
Still feeling a bit achy and work is nice and quiet today, no anxiety feelings in my stomach, so I've been able to eat normally today (although meeting a friend after work so I'll probably have a 'liquid' dinner but I haven't been out for drinks for ages - I just need to resist any junk food on the way home).
Food yesterday was all over the place. Didn't feel well (felt out of sorts) so went home at the time I'd usually have lunch so had lunch when I got home which meant I didn't eat for 8 hours (no morning snacks either)! Eeek! But I ate what I planned for lunch and dinner (plus around 600 cals of junk food and very little protein ). I was starving when I went to bed, it sort of kept me awake
Strained neck is feeling better. Used one of those wheat bags that you heat in the microwave then wrap around you neck, last night and I'm not doing the upper-body Russian twist until Friday so I hope it's better by then.
I'd like some of those hand warmers where you press a little button to activate the heat then keep them in your pockets. Toasty!
Looking at my pictures, I think my camera may have been tilted at a more flattering angle than last time. It's difficult to set up pictures the same each time so although they're good indicators of progress, so are bf% and measurements (which are also difficult to get the same each time!). I'm not changing enough to notice a difference in clothing yet.
I suspect you'll see the most changes when you do the last pictures. It's really hard to tell the difference between one or even two months. (I'd scroll up and take a look at the pics but I'm in the open access lab at the school and I'm guessing it's probably not a good idea.)
Last night I did my first FLII B workout and I'll just say, it was a fail.
Got to the gym late and time just seemed to disappear. Managed the first set of alternating exercises (sort of), then started doing BSS and I got cramp in my little toes on the non-working leg (can't work out why). Then it was time to go home.
Anyway, I'm going back to the gym tonight (with plenty of time to do my workout ) and I'll do the remaining 4 exercises and some intervals on the treadmill. I'll post the full workout tomorrow, even though it's been split up.
Food has been, um, not great but not too bad so I think I'm probably eating maintenance calories. Weight is staying around 119-120lbs.
On a happier note - Yay! Problem at work that was causing me to feel anxious for the past week has pretty much gone away (well, someone else is dealing with it)! Hopefully now I can get on track with my diet. A little bit of stress eating has been going on this past week.
Glad that the work stuff has gone away. Or at least that someone else is dealing with it. That's always kind of nice. Good luck with the workout tonight. Remember, they can't all be great workouts.
Glad that the work stuff has gone away. Or at least that someone else is dealing with it. That's always kind of nice. Good luck with the workout tonight. Remember, they can't all be great workouts.
Thanks, Anne. Yes, I realise they can't all be good workouts, it's just so frustrating when they're not. Last night's "2nd try" wasn't that much better but at least I tried.
FLII B1
Snatch-grip Deadlift
1 x 12 @ 40kg (88lbs)
1 x 12 @ 42.5kg (93.5lbs)
1 x 11@ 42.5kg (93.5lbs) T-Push Up
12
9
10 regular
Bulgarian Split-Squat w/overhead press I couldn't complete these as I kept getting cramp in my right foot when it was up on the bench. I also couldn't quite coordinate the press. I read this thread yesterday and realised that I too feel the move a lot in the rear quad. I don't remember having these problems in NROLFW. Bulgarian split-squats make my rear leg quads ache Underhand grip lat pulldown 1 x 12 @ 25kg (55lbs)
1 x 7 @ 31.5kg (69.3lbs)
Romanian Deadlift/Bent Over Row 3 x 12 @ 25kg (55lbs) Lower-body Russian twist 3 x 12
I completed snatch-grip DL, T-push ups and pulldowns on Wednesday then yesterday I started with 10 regular push ups then did RDL/BO row and lower-body Russian twists. I did try to do the BSS again but was still having problems. I felt like I was flailing around a bit with the Russian twist and I did actually travel across the mats whilst doing them! I was just pleased I did 3 x 12 reps!
Then I did 18 mins of intervals:
3 mins warm up
1 min @ 12kph, 13kph, 13.5kph, 14kph
1 min @ 7.5mph, 8mph, 8.4mph, 8.7mph
with 2 min rests @ 5 kph (3mph)
Your workouts are looking good and strong, even if you don't think they went well. I'm impressed that you can do T push-ups and Russian twists. Never quite been able to get the hang of those. Perhaps one day in the future....very distant future.
Sometimes it's not the quality of the workouts, it's the consistency that counts. In other words, you're still in the habit of going to the gym and working out as opposed to sitting on the couch.
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Tom
No "happy hours" makes for a lot of miserable days. - Mahler
Sometimes it's not the quality of the workouts, it's the consistency that counts. In other words, you're still in the habit of going to the gym and working out as opposed to sitting on the couch.
x 2. In the long run, your good habits will pay off.
Thanks for making me see sense. It was just frustrating not being able to do the workout properly, plus every time I give BSS a go I'm aware that my rear foot might cramp up which isn't fun.
Managed to go to the (empty!) gym on Friday night and completed all of workout A, no problems. Haven't got my info with me today but I'll post it up tomorrow. I didn't go to the gym yesterday as my left quad feels strained. I think I did it when I was attempting BSS on Wednesday and Thursday. It's a bit sore to walk down stairs but getting better so I thought I'd not go to the gym until Tuesday. Did managed to do a couple of reps of the BSS on Friday with no problem (and properly coordinated!)
I have to say, I like T-push ups. They seem easier than regular push ups, perhaps because each arm gets a little rest every other rep? Need to make sure I keep my feet closer together so I can twist to each side and keep my balance.
Now, the Russian twists? I'm not sure what I'm doing with them! I think the lower body twists were more successful than the upper body. And 12 reps is soo much!
Food hasn't been great. I just don't seem to be able to get back on track. My Physics Diet graph is not looking pretty but my body fat (lbs) is staying pretty stable.
Attempted to make some healthy pumpkin muffins yesterday but made the mistake of making them in paper liners rather than straight in the tin so they glued themselves to the paper! Tasted ok, quite a springy spongy texture. Next time, no liners!
On a crafting note, I finally managed to work out crocheting last night!
Wow, read Miss Jane's post about 'just doing it'. I need that drive. I don't know what's happened to me recently. Maybe I don't want 'it' enough? I loved September and the results I got, I felt very driven. I want that back.
The chocolate bars need to go. Sometimes I don't even want them (like yesterday - I was just going to pick up some groceries and thought, hey, I could get a Twix while I'm there). I have made a good switch recently and I've been having sweet potato instead of regular potato with my lunch. And I realise that I have 1 slice of bread a day and pasta once, maybe twice a week so my wheat consumption has gone right down. Good carb intake is fine, bad carb (refined carb) intake is now going to be under control!
Just came across a nice picture of me and my sister on Facebook from the wedding we went to last month (I've stuck us next to each other so I could crop out the guy stood between us). We're like twins, no?
Front squat
1 x 12 @ 20kg (45lbs)
1 x 12 @ 22.5kg (49.6lbs)
1 x 12 @ 25kg (55lbs) Wide-grip cable row
2 x 12 @ 23.75kg (52.3lbs)
1 x 12 @ 26.25kg (57.8lbs)
Supine hip extension with leg curl 3 x 12 @ bw Barbell push press During workout A1 I was sure I'd be able to go up on these this time, but no way!3 x 12 @ 20kg (45lbs)
Dynamic lunge 1 x 12 @ 2x8kg (2x17.6lbs)
2 x 12 @ 2x10kg (2x22lbs)
Upper-body Russian Twist
3 x 12 @ bw
You and your sister look fabulous in that photo. Thanks for sharing it with us!
And re: the sucky workouts, I think that the farther along we get into fitness, the less "stellar" workouts we have. (At least that has been my personal experience). At the beginning, there's so much learning and experiencing new things... and later on, it's more about sustaining a habit, as Tom mentioned. We scrutinizing our workouts more intensely, too. So it's all perfectly natural to have that feeling.
I've yet to figure out Russian twists. Those things are damned hard for me to do, for some reason.
I've yet to figure out Russian twists. Those things are damned hard for me to do, for some reason.
Is like American twist but with more clothes and played on balalaika.
Quote:
Originally Posted by poppypixie
Upper-body Russian Twist
3 x 12 @ bw
I liked this work out apart from the Russian twists, I need to practice these. I seem to have strained the front of my neck, probably from holding my head up.
Russian twist is meant to put hair on chest of children. Is not hard to do it proper. Just to be pretending that you are holding turnip!
My apologies to all people of slavic descent....mostly for the 1960's.
You and your sister look fabulous in that photo. Thanks for sharing it with us!
Thanks, Joyce. I don't seem to photograph very well but there were a couple of pictures from the wedding where I looked ok. Lots of people comment on the fact that my sister and I don't look alike. One of my sisters work colleagues, when my sister pointed me out as her sister asked, "Same Mum, same Dad?" Ha! I love it!!
Quote:
And re: the sucky workouts, I think that the farther along we get into fitness, the less "stellar" workouts we have. (At least that has been my personal experience). At the beginning, there's so much learning and experiencing new things... and later on, it's more about sustaining a habit, as Tom mentioned. We scrutinizing our workouts more intensely, too. So it's all perfectly natural to have that feeling.
I think you are spot on. I've been doing this for 6 months now so yes, my workouts probably won't feel like they did before. Back to the gym tonight and I feel ready to tackle Workout B again. Left quad feels back to normal today.
Quote:
I've yet to figure out Russian twists. Those things are damned hard for me to do, for some reason.
Who thought they'd be a good idea, huh? I don't mind the lower-body twists but maybe only when no one else is around...
Quote:
Originally Posted by chaddukes
Is like American twist but with more clothes and played on balalaika.
Russian twist is meant to put hair on chest of children. Is not hard to do it proper. Just to be pretending that you are holding turnip!
My apologies to all people of slavic descent....mostly for the 1960's.
I'm thinking of Power Training as a possible future purchase....
I'm with you, when it's dark outside, I just want to snuggle up and have a hot chocolate. Especially when it rains a lot.
I had a not-so-nice day at work yesterday and I think the sprints would have helped run off some of the stress/anxiety.
), there must be a catch! 
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