Concerns

shelleyt2005 · 10-26-2008, 11:42 PM

Hi, I am new here, and am about half way done with the book.
Currently, I lift five days per week, and started in June. I have been lifting five days per week since I have started. The book suggests only three days per week. I dont know why that this concerns me, but it does. I realize that it if full body workouts, but three days does not seem like enough to me. I guess my main problem is change. I mean I change my workouts constantly, but not the number of days. I am scared that if I go to only three days per week, I will go backwards instead of where I want to be.
I am willing to try anything though, because I want to look good for next summer.
So any input would be greatly appreciated.

Aoife · 10-26-2008, 11:53 PM

You rebuild your muscle during your rest, you tear it up during your workout. There's the chance you'll actually see better results by backing off.

I donno tho. Maybe you're special and will find that everything all falls apart from doing what millions do with great results.

Seriously, what's the worse that can happen? It's not like you go from great to terrible in a heartbeat without any warning. You should be able to monitor your progress and adjust if you get undesirable results, and there's not really anything you can do in a month or so that you can't repair easily.

Welcome.

Remember that fear of what might happen keeps a lot of people from achieving greatness in their endeavors.

shelleyt2005 · 10-27-2008, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aoife

You rebuild your muscle during your rest, you tear it up during your workout. There's the chance you'll actually see better results by backing off.

I donno tho. Maybe you're special and will find that everything all falls apart from doing what millions do with great results.

Seriously, what's the worse that can happen? It's not like you go from great to terrible in a heartbeat without any warning. You should be able to monitor your progress and adjust if you get undesirable results, and there's not really anything you can do in a month or so that you can't repair easily.

Welcome.

Remember that fear of what might happen keeps a lot of people from achieving greatness in their endeavors.

Thank you for your input. I am probably going to start the program next week. I starte out this morning with a program from monica brants book, so I will finish out this week, then starting monday of next week, after I have finished reading the book, I will start the program. You are right. I can monitor what I am doing, and if it starts to fall apart, go back to doing what I have been doing. So thank you for your insight.

Bytsi · 10-27-2008, 07:56 AM

Just want to second Aoife's comment - you don't build muscle during workouts, you build it during the recovery (24-48 hours) AFTER a workout.

You won't lose a lot of ground if you try almost ANYTHING for a few weeks - and most likely, with backing off to 3 days/week you'll make MORE progress and feel better too.

Amblus · 10-27-2008, 10:02 AM

Quote:

You won't lose a lot of ground if you try almost ANYTHING for a few weeks - and most likely, with backing off to 3 days/week you'll make MORE progress and feel better too.

Yep, what they said. I've gotten really good results lifting just 2-3 sessions a week. I also do cardio on the other days and take 1 or 2 complete rest days every week. The book is very clear on why this works - you need to rest to allow your muscles time to rebuild. If you lift five sessions a week you're overtaxing your muscles and will probably end up with an injury. Follow the book and you'll get results. It's worked really well for a lot of folks here.

Aoife · 10-27-2008, 10:06 AM

Well, lifting 5 times a week may not be overtaxing her muscles and liable to give her injury. It depends on her program. I've done programs with more lifting than that and been fine, they've just been very good splits. So it depends on what her split is like.

Amblus · 10-27-2008, 11:01 AM

Well, but if she's doing five sessions of full-body work in a week I would worry. She didn't say if it was splits or not, but if so, you're probably right. It still seems like a lot of work and not enough rest to me.

shelleyt2005 · 10-28-2008, 07:47 AM

No, I was not doing 5 days of total body. I have been doing splits that I got out of a book by Monica Brant. I have been working out Monday through friday, taking saturday and sunday off. (my gym is not open on sundays, and closes at 2:00 on saturdays.)
I am going to try this workout, starting Monday. I had already started this split when I finished the book, so want to start fresh on Monday. I want to thank everyone for your responses. It actually helped me make up my mind.