De-lurking

[Bytsi]

I've been sneaking time at work to read this board for the last few weeks (I'm in the fitness field, so I can justify it, right?). I guess it's time to officially join in. I'm Bytsi, and I'm about 3 weeks into Stage 1 (getting in 3/week plus some HIIT). I also do martial arts 2-3 days/week - but I don't count that as "official" workouts.

I'm a reformed couch potato (lost 50# about 10 years ago through diet and exercise - including weights) - I added HIIT (along with continuing aerobics and weights) to my routine last year, and I love it (well, it's a love/hate thing, really) - I don't mind giving up "regular" cardio at all, sticking to anaerobic intervals.

My goal now is to decrease my bodyfat %. It's crept up, and I'm mad at myself for letting that happen. Slips in my eating (although nowhere near as bad as I was 10 years ago) has put me about 6-8% higher in bodyfat than I want/need to be. However, I have a pretty strong FEAR of eating more .

I've been back to eating about 90-95% clean since I started NRL4W, getting my protein in - and I KNOW what I need to eat, why I should - all the science. But it's still scary - I've spent 10 years in the mindset of "you wouldn't gain if you'd just eat less or workout more". And of course the chocolate tends to beckon around 9pm, for some reason...

I'm already seeing strength gains... I just need to stick with it and not let numbers on a scale get to me. I want to lose fat (and gain muscle!) - so hopefully there are others here who can join me on this new adventure.

I suspect I've rambled on long enough for my first post!

[MuscleMom23]

Hi Bytsi! Cute pup. I like it here.

[prof41]

Welcome aboard!!!

It's a good program. I'm almost at stage 3, and although my weight has not moved much one way or the other, I'm seeing reduction in measurement, and more definition in some areas of my body, so I am assuming bf% is going down.

If my clothes get looser I am a happy camper...I don't focus (too much) on the scale

[GinaKina]

Welcome!! I am on Workout 6 of Stage 1...it's a great plan

[Bytsi]

Thanks for the welcome! I just did my last Stage 1A workout at 2 sets of 12. I think I go to 3 sets of 8 (or 10?) next time I do it - yikes! So far, my weights are: Squatted 105, but I might need to drop that a bit so I can get my hips lower... my step-ups are holding two 20# db's, stepping onto a weight bench for height, lunges were holding 15# db's. I shoulder pressed 25# db's on workout B, my row was at 110 on the cable, and my lat pulldown will go up to 120 next time... But my deadlifts were only 85 - going up to 95 next time... All of those weights are much higher than I used to lift before NRL4W!

[missjane]

Originally Posted by Bytsi

Thanks for the welcome! I just did my last Stage 1A workout at 2 sets of 12. I think I go to 3 sets of 8 (or 10?) next time I do it - yikes! So far, my weights are: Squatted 105, but I might need to drop that a bit so I can get my hips lower... my step-ups are holding two 20# db's, stepping onto a weight bench for height, lunges were holding 15# db's. I shoulder pressed 25# db's on workout B, my row was at 110 on the cable, and my lat pulldown will go up to 120 next time... But my deadlifts were only 85 - going up to 95 next time... All of those weights are much higher than I used to lift before NRL4W!

20 lb db's on weight bench step-ups is a lot! Make sure you aren't using that resting leg to help or propel you up.