half way through Hyper 1 - trying to stay motivated - JP Fitness Forums

allenkt · 05-19-2008, 03:05 PM

I've been doing NROL since January. Made it through FL I/II and now I'm about half way through hypertrophy I (just completed workout 7 of 12 today) and I must say I'm finding it hard to stay motivated on my lower body days. I like the 5 x 5 days because it allows me plenty of rest and I get to lift heavy. But for some reason I find myself dreading the lower body 3 x 15 days. Today was the 4 x 10 day and even then by the time I was done I was completely wiped out.

So does this happen to anyone else? I'm just finding it odd because I'm certainly not afraid of hard work and generally have always enjoyed working harder than anyone else in the gym. But this one is really taking it out of me. And for the record, I have no intention of quitting, I'm just wondering if anyone else that has completed this has felt the same way.

But on the bright side I'd say that the hypertrophy program seems to be working. I have put on around 6-8 pounds in the past 3 weeks (been taking a lot of BCAA's as well) and while I'm not where I want to be, I think I'm starting to look pretty decent

HarryYee · 05-19-2008, 03:22 PM

You are not alone. I finished Hypertrophy 1 last week and I felt the same way, the 3x15 leg work outs absolutely exhausted me, and just plain didn't seem fun. However, you will see the results. My arms are noticeably bigger and harder, my legs are much firmer, and my wife notices when I hold her that I'm physically stronger.

I started Hypertrophy 2 yesterday and the 6x3 reps were fun but I'm pretty sure I'll hate the 2x25 parts.

feralBoy · 05-19-2008, 03:24 PM

I'm on workout 10 of Hyp 1. My last leg workout was 3x15. So, that was my third one. I do it with my friend, and we just curse through the whole thing. A couple of times he just gave up on the BSS. he said, no mas, and fell on the floor. I try my best to fight through. It's almost a sureal experience...or hellish experience.

I even started getting exertion headaches on the 4x10 and 3x15 leg days. I had to take a week off because of that. They still happen slightly, but they are nowhere near as bad as they were.

What keeps me going? A workout partner is great. You don't feel like you are alone in the struggle, and it's nice to have someone push you. Also, the results. I'm lifting alot more weight. Also, I get a kick out of knowing that I work out harder than most people in the gym. When I see people doing half squats, and bench presses where their arms move 4 inches, I know that although the workout is an ass-kicker, atleast i'm not fooling myself.

tall_drinka_h20 · 05-19-2008, 06:10 PM

Take pictures of yourself. I find that the most motivating thing so far. Snap a couple shots of your front, back and profile before you start a program - you get so used to the slow development that you forget how much your body has changed and it can be super motivating to realize you are progressing. I loved/hated Hyp I - it dragged out but the results are great.

Lisa~ · 05-20-2008, 02:39 PM

I hate sets of 15! You are not alone. 5 x 5 is the most fun for sure. At least every workout doesn't have 15-rep sets like the beginning of FLI, right? So look forward to those lower rep days!

Congratulations on the muscle you've developed! That alone should keep the motivation up to stay the course. You might enjoy mixing in a strength program after HI. Your added muscle will set you up for some great strength gains, and you can enjoy more low-rep work for a little while.

former fat guy · 05-20-2008, 07:52 PM

I'm the same - I hate the high rep workouts - I think I feel the same about them as Lou does about running and suffer through his "endurfins" during them. I'm still on FL1 but my heart sank when I saw sets of 25 in some of the workouts further down the track. As long as it keeps working (and boy is it working) I'll stick with it though and put it down to a character building experience.ffice

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champ2383 · 05-21-2008, 10:29 AM

I had the same thing myself. Felt extremely tired and would get nausea hardcore. Towards the end I seemed to get somewhat used to it and wouldn't feel as bad. I learned to not eat a heavy meal a few hours before training on the high rep days. That seemed to help me a bit. Keep at it!

I'm in week 3 of hyper II and the 25 rep sets now kill me. Back to the drawing board. I believe my body will get somewhat accustom to it by the end of the 8 weeks.

Brentv · 05-27-2008, 12:44 PM

The high-rep days are hard - almost killers. They show your character

.

They work. I've seen big steady gains. That's why I'm here. That keeps me motivated. Alwyn writes the plan and I do the work. The goal is bigger than the pain, and I always feel better when I walk out of the gym than when I went in.

When I track PRs, I compare with the same workout from the time before. I compare 15-rep days with the same previous 15-rep day. Don't get discouraged because the weights are lower than your 5-rep or 10-rep days.

Brent

stingo · 05-30-2008, 11:53 AM

I had the same thing when I did H1 - I hated the 3x15 workouts, but I did them. You'll feel better when you've done them too.

allenkt · 05-30-2008, 03:07 PM

Well I only have two of them left! One more upper body day and then a lower body 3 x 15 to wrap up H1. Then it's off to H2 where I hear I get to do 2 x 25......can't wait

newf · 06-02-2008, 11:55 AM

I use to do alot of undulating periodization but i found it hard to stay motivated because like many people here i really don't like 15rep sets.

If i'm after hypertrophy you won't see any sets of 15 anymore - Only when i want to lose fat.

Its very hard to always have very high lactic type workout(s) week in and week out, IMO.