I finally decided to get with it and join the challenge! My name is Amy and I am 33. I have two beautiful little girls and a very supportive hubby. I am starting this challenge because I want to build muscle. I have never had a "weight" problem, but I have had issues w/ food and exercise all my life. Gaining weight is extremely scary to me, so I'm taking it one day at a time.
My goals for this challenge are to lift heavy, cut out a lot of cardio, and gain a few pounds. I am 5'5 and weigh 110 pounds. I would love to feel comfortable gaining 10 pounds, but I will settle for 5 right now. I need to get over the issues w/ the scale!!!! I know this may sound silly to many people, but this is a huge issue for me and has been for the past 15 years.
I am currently finishing up week 2 of Hypertrophy I of NROL. I absolutely LOVE the program and wish I'd found it earlier!!!! I can't say enough great things about this program!!!
Hey Ark!!! yeah for joining the challenge. Thanks so much for telling me about this site and the forum.
__________________ It all starts with the mind, but the thoughts, the intention aren't enough. Action needs to come next. Dream it, believe it, plan it, execute it, celebrate it. - Wendy
Hey Ark!!! yeah for joining the challenge. Thanks so much for telling me about this site and the forum.
This truly will be a challenge for me. I've been saying I want to build muscle, but I've been so scared of gaining the fat.... so we'll see how I do!!!
This truly will be a challenge for me. I've been saying I want to build muscle, but I've been so scared of gaining the fat.... so we'll see how I do!!!
Amy, welcome to the challenge. Not too many females wanting to actually "build" muscle, "Oh, I don't want to bulk, heavens no!" So, I'll be following along with interest. After my fat-loss, it's bulk time, yeah!
Good luck-one day at a time!
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On Krista mistressing the chin-up, "It's amazing", said one gym source, "considering that for months she just hung there like a dead fish."
I just finished my leg workout for the day. I am beat! My legs are so weak right now!! I am currently working my way through NROL hypertrophy one. Here is my workout from today:
squats 3x15, 30 second rest deadlifts w/ shoulder shrug 3x15, 30 sec. rest
Superset:
bulgarian split squat 1x15, 2x10, 30 sec. rest (I completed 15 the first set, but my hip flexor is giving me trouble so I lowered the reps to 10 and put down the weights)
step ups 3x15, 30 sec. rest
reverse crunch 3x15, 60 sec. rest.
Today was very hard to get through. I absolutely HATE squats and bulgarian split squats!!! The 30 second rest is a killer too!!!
Don't worry about gaining. You really won't pork out, especiallysomeone as thin as you who probably couldn't gain much weight even if trying.
Seriously, it's not an all or nothing thing like if you need muscle you have to get blimp-ified. Only if you eat a 1000 twinkies and I seriously doubt you are doing that.
One time I gained 7 lbs in a few months and my bf % measured on calipers went DOWN. I was maybe 1/2" inch bigger in places.
Don't worry about gaining. You really won't pork out, especiallysomeone as thin as you who probably couldn't gain much weight even if trying.
Seriously, it's not an all or nothing thing like if you need muscle you have to get blimp-ified. Only if you eat a 1000 twinkies and I seriously doubt you are doing that.
One time I gained 7 lbs in a few months and my bf % measured on calipers went DOWN. I was maybe 1/2" inch bigger in places.
Why not get rid of the scale or hide it??
I've thought about getting rid of the scale... it's one of those "control" issues...
thanks, but you know what, I don't look quite that good right now! That's why my trainer is helping me out again - so I can get back there
I want ab veins to come back! Come back, come back...sigh. wah waaah
I ditched my food scale (it's in the cupboard.)
Today was my "cheat" meal. My kids are spending the night at my mom's house and my anniversary is tomorrow.... so my hubby and I went to Pappasito's. If you are from TX, you know that Pappasito's is the BEST mexican food on earth!!!!! I ate really well all day and splurged at dinner! We had beef fajitas SOOOOO GOOD!!!!
Today was my "cheat" meal. My kids are spending the night at my mom's house and my anniversary is tomorrow.... so my hubby and I went to Pappasito's. If you are from TX, you know that Pappasito's is the BEST mexican food on earth!!!!! I ate really well all day and splurged at dinner! We had beef fajitas SOOOOO GOOD!!!!
I am not from TX, or even in the country but DAMN THAT SOUNDS NICE :p
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'Want it? Do it! No Excuses!' :p
Thanks newman!!! I'm excited... I even went and purchased new workout clothes last night I can always use something "cute" to wear to the gym! Actually, we were at Wal-mart and my husband was looking at the electronics for what seemed like 2 hours, so I wandered over to the work-out section and found some cute shorts!!!
The funny thing is that Bob probably helped install the curtains at the Pappacitos you were at. His mom is a window treatment designer (has clients all over the US) and she has the contract for the pappas chain.
__________________ It all starts with the mind, but the thoughts, the intention aren't enough. Action needs to come next. Dream it, believe it, plan it, execute it, celebrate it. - Wendy
I live in Sugar Land and know what you mean on the Pappasitos. In fact, I like all the Pappa's restaurants I've tried. I just can't get enough. Pappadeaux's is probably my fav.
Today was one of my "off" days. I cleaned out my closet and took 3 trashbags full of clothes and shoes to Goodwill. I love having a clean closet!!!! Sometimes the simple things in life are so fullfilling!!!
I ate really well today. My hubby and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary today. He is such a great hubby and an awesome dad!!! I love watching him w/ our girls. I'm so glad they have him!!! I picked a winner for sure!
My hubby grilled chicken. It was the best chicken I've had in weeks!!! We made extra, so I'm going to eat a grilled chicken sandwich for lunch tomorrow!!
I will be hitting the gym tomorrow. I am so glad it's not a leg day!! I will be working upper body and throwing in a little cardio.
This will be a semi-busy week. One of my kids has dance camp all week and the other has swim lessons. I will be carpooling all over town Once again... it's the little things that make life great!
Good luck in the challenge! Do you find the NROL Hypertrophy 1 workout to be a killer? I did it about 3 months ago, and it about killed me -- both the nights that I did it, and then the next several days my legs screamed in pain. It's a really good program, and I think you'll have good success with it.
Happy Anniversary!!!! Sounds like you have a wonderful husband and family!
Good luck in the challenge! Do you find the NROL Hypertrophy 1 workout to be a killer?
Most definitely! I have a love/hate relationship w/ this program. I absolutely love every thing about it .... except when I'm doing it!!! Afterwards, I am so glad I pushed myself to complete the day... BUT it is a killer! I look forward to seeing results. A friend of mine complimented me today on my legs... so that was nice I have noticed a change in my body since starting the program.
I got told last night by a friend that it doesn't look like I have much fat left on my legs... I think there's more there than meets the eye.
__________________ It all starts with the mind, but the thoughts, the intention aren't enough. Action needs to come next. Dream it, believe it, plan it, execute it, celebrate it. - Wendy
__________________ It all starts with the mind, but the thoughts, the intention aren't enough. Action needs to come next. Dream it, believe it, plan it, execute it, celebrate it. - Wendy
I finished my workout for today! I need to purchase gloves... my hands are killing me! The calluses on my hands are so NOT attractive! I was a gymnast for many years, so this is not new.
dumb bell shoulder press 5x5, 90.... I loves these!!
wide grip lat pull down 5x5, 90
superset:
barbell close grip bench press 5x5, 90
high pull 5x5, 90.... I love these too
swiss ball crunch 2 x 15 w/ 10 pound weight, 1 x 15 no weight.... I'm having problems w/ my abs again. About a year ago when I would do abs, I would get a terrible charlie horse. It is so painful... must worse than in the calves. Anyway, it's happening again!! I'm so ticked! So the last set I was able to put the weight down and just do a normal crunch. I did not get the cramping. If anyone has suggestions, I will try anything! I drink plenty of water, so I know that is not the problem.
I used to wear gloves and got calluses anyway! I gave up the gloves. My trainer made fun of them and said to take off the damn mittens...so I don't use them now!
YEOOOWCH... what an awful place to have a charlie horse. I sometimes get charlie horses in the tops of my feet. Nothing like having your toe at a 90 degree angle to your foot.
__________________ It all starts with the mind, but the thoughts, the intention aren't enough. Action needs to come next. Dream it, believe it, plan it, execute it, celebrate it. - Wendy
I used to wear gloves and got calluses anyway! I gave up the gloves. My trainer made fun of them and said to take off the damn mittens...so I don't use them now!
I hate the way they look too.... but my hands are killing me. Maybe I should switch to the pretty weights :p
YEOOOWCH... what an awful place to have a charlie horse. I sometimes get charlie horses in the tops of my feet. Nothing like having your toe at a 90 degree angle to your foot.
Hmmm....I thought charlie horses were just the quads? Do you know something we don't, Paula?
Amy, the abs don't sound fun. Maybe Julie will pop in on your log and give her 0.02 worth. She's the diagnosis queen!
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On Krista mistressing the chin-up, "It's amazing", said one gym source, "considering that for months she just hung there like a dead fish."