FL II done...Much h8...

[Chris-STL]

Wow, I don't think i've ever been more relieved to complete a routine in my life. My wife still has to finish it tonight, but she feels exactly the same. I've heard that what doesn't kill us makes us stronger, but do we really need to come so close to death prove that point?

Although right now I feel like I never want to see another weight in my life, I know that in a week or so the itch will be back. So I need some help deciding where to go now. Here's the scoop.

We've done the Break-in, FL1, ST1, and FL2 in that order. We've also adopted JB's eating program. We are both in the best shape of our lives, and are in the process of turning the corner. I'm at about 18% BF and she is about 22%. It has been slowly melting off since we tightened up the diet. I know we arn't going to be cover models, but we've come too far to let up now. Both of us want to press the issue and continue to drop the BF.

We need to move to a new program. I've looked at FL3, H1, and ST2. The obvious choice would be FL3, but I have to say, I'm afraid of another brutal FL workout. We just managed to not burn out on FL2. ST1 was my favorite workout I've done in a long time, but I didn't drop much BF while on it.

So what do you think? Where do we go now? Maybe even step away from NRoL and try something totally different (TT?) for 6 weeks? I'm just not sure. Any suggestions would be really appreciated.

[OldGuy]

Do HT1. It's a lot of fun.

[Irishdazza]

I second that - but it is tough, in a different way than the others you've done.

[Chris-STL]

I don't mind tough, I mean this stuff isn't supposed to be easy right?

I just can't imagine another program that has me gasping for breath!

[Cynic]

FLIII or HGM first phase beginner.

I'm conjecturing because I'm not there yet. I'm in the middle of FLI.

[Irishdazza]

FL3 is all about losing weight by crying like a little girl.

Very effective too!

[ftumsh]

Originally Posted by Chris-STL

So what do you think? Where do we go now? Maybe even step away from NRoL and try something totally different (TT?) for 6 weeks? I'm just not sure. Any suggestions would be really appreciated.

Well, as you appear to be cutting go for FLIII. Personally, I found HI far worse than any of the FL's.
I'm currently doing HIII and think it's great, despite all the high rep shit. So you could give that a whirl. It's more like a proper workout, heavy weights, ug.

John

[Lisa~]

Chris, You might enjoy something that will keep your progress going but give you a break from the tremendous amount of lunging in the NROL programs. I really enjoyed Alwyn's Holiday Program when I did it. It's undulating periodization much like the hypertrophy programs in NROL, but gives you more options for choosing your lifts. For your explosive lifts in this program you can play around with a one-arm db snatch or a power clean and a push press for your upper body day. They are fun and might put FUN back into your workouts - instead of dread. I also like the way the program is laid out with a bilateral quad dominant exercise and unilateral hip dominant exercise on one day and visa versa on the other. Take a look at it.

The Holiday Program

Another favorite of mine was CW's Waterbury Method. It would be more like a strength workout from NROL, using 10x3 for a major lift and then 4x6 pairs for your accessory lifts. Don't be afraid to change the accessory lifts to ones most appropriate for you and your wife. You can look it over here:

The Waterbury Method

I'm of the opinion that at this point you should choose something that peaks your interest and keeps you motivated. Make sure it's something you are going to look forward to doing. If you continue to stay strict with your diet, any of these programs are going to give you continued good results.

Be sure to include your energy system work with either of them, of course.

[finboy]

Originally Posted by Lisa~

The Holiday Program

The Waterbury Method

I'm of the opinion that at this point you should choose something that peaks your interest and keeps you motivated. Make sure it's something you are going to look forward to doing. If you continue to stay strict with your diet, any of these programs are going to give you continued good results.

Great links and excellent advice for any of us. Thanks Lisa.

[scarface]

The Waterbury method is a walk in the park compared to NROL.

I did Waterbury for a couple of months, and although it is hard and challenging NROL is a lot tougher. I'm still on the break-in program and it's kicking my butt. I feel like such a wuss. It's great though. I don't think i've ever gone to 15 reps before NROL.

[sillybubba74]

The BSS with overhead presses are absolute murder. However, another exercise in FL2 that I noticed can be quite taxing is the barbell push press. If you don't cheat and actually give yourself a pretty good squat before you explode upwards it causes quite the metabolic disruption. After front squats, push presses and lunges your quads are pretty much bags of lactic acid.

On a side note, I've had back problems for a couple of years now. However since I started deadlifting (after I bought the book of course), I haven't had any issues whatsoever. The mistake I made for years was focusing on exercises that lacked functionality in my daily life. This book was exactly what I needed.

I've even convinced my wife to start up. She's been going thru a lot of the useless women's magazines with their five week programs, but there's nothing like having the accountability of having a periodized program that lasts a year. I wish more of you posters would actually give us some results from your programs. The training blogs are pretty good, but Mahler and a couple others are the only ones that give weekly results and to me those kinds of number (inches & pounds) are going to be quite encouraging for those contemplating the NROL workouts.

[jvernacchio]

I would bite the bullet and hit FLIII or Hypertrophy I. FLIII will take you to that next level of dropping the BF% where as Hyp I will put on some good muscle mass which in turn will help promote lowering BF% in the long run.

[Chris-STL]

Thanks for all the advice. We are going to take it easy this week. Probably do some body weight stuff, intervals, and fun stuff with the dogs. We will probably decide on a program this weekend.

[sillybubba74]

Chris,

Just stay away from Bandana's this weekend bro. :p

[Chris-STL]

Mmmmmmmmm bbq!

[RobLL]

I didn't, but should have. That is, I didn't drop weights for FL3, and have had to add some 15 sec. rests to get through them. Today I will lighten up by about 15% and see if that makes a difference. Rob