Stage 6 - a little disappointed in myself

CaraBeth · 06-11-2009, 09:25 AM

I'm a little disappointed in myself about Stage 6. I am almost done, have one more workout. I just don't feel like I have gained the strength I would have hoped (from reading the book and others' experiences). I can't do a chin-up (as I posted yesterday or the day before, probably partly because I never added weight to my negatives, so my own fault). Yesterday on my last Stage A workout, when I went back to regular ol' pushups, I was only able to do 13 in the first set and 10 in the second set. I guess I just expected more since the goal of the stage was to make them increasingly difficult and thus build strength (since I could do 10 in the first workout, I'm suprised I couldn't do much more in my last workout!). Maybe I was just having a weak day, I dunno. Also with the eating, maybe I wasn't really eating enough to have effective results from my workouts? I usually eat at a deficit, not because I am trying to lose weight, but I do think my personal maitenance level is less than the book's calculations for me, and just because I have a hard time getting that high number of calories in. I guess I am just venting a bit. Not sure whether to be mad at myself for not trying hard enough somehow, or maybe I am making a bigger deal and my expectations were too high. I will likely repeat this at some point (either again after stage 6, or I will just start the whole program over). Thanks for listening!

newdawn · 06-11-2009, 09:50 AM

I had a very similar experience with Stage 6. It seemed like I had stalled in making progress. I think that perhaps this has to do with timing more than anything. In the beginning we make fast gains. But it slows down as we get more experienced with lifting. At least that is what I've read. I've been at 8 push-ups forever it seems. Stalled in everything actually. But Stage 7 and the beginning of NROL/Original are high rep, lower weights. So I'm looking forward to moving on to a strength phase to see if I can make some gains again.

Maybe it's like cardio....the better shape you get in, the harder it is to improve. Your body gets more efficient.

maryfl · 06-11-2009, 11:49 AM

I am starting stage 4 and I feel like I stalled out in the wide grip lateral pulls in stage 3. I started at 70lbs and only managed to get to 72.5 lbs at the very end. It seems like some people are pulling 120-130lbs and I can't image how long it will take me to get there. I just keep plugging away!
Mary

TBDX00 · 06-12-2009, 09:15 AM

Are you eating enough?

CaraBeth · 06-12-2009, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBDX00

Are you eating enough?

To be honest I am not sure and I wonder if that hindered my strength-building. Like I said I do not eat the full maitenance level according the book's calculations for me (which is 2200/1900). I have a history with obesity and gain very easily - I tried eating that much for a little bit but I just did not feel right. I eat anywhere from 1500-1700 on non workout days and 1600-1900 on workout days, but always making sure I eat a ton of protein, always more than 30% of my total intake and much more grams than my body weight. I also do cardio on my non-lifting days. I guess it might sound like I am eating at a deficit, but I'm not losing, just maintaining my weight! I'm willing to consider, though, that maybe what I am eating is not enough so maybe I will try harder with that next time around.

butterbeean · 06-16-2009, 10:36 AM

I averaged about about 70-75 on my lat pulldowns too and felt that was my weakest link toward the chinup goal. Then I got to Stage 6 and for two reps I was able to pull 95 and 100 lbs. It was satisfying. I haven't done a chinup yet but my negative chinups have encouraged me to keep on keepin' on.