Did you ever have one of those days where you have to talk yourself into going to the gym? Today was like that for me. It was such a struggle to get there, but I did it!! THEN, I get to the gym and they have varnished the basketball court and the whole place has been taken over by fumes. The staff looked like they were going to pass out or throw up! I can't believe they were open (especially being run by a hospital, no less).
Well, a few brave souls were on the treadmills, etc., but the weight room is on the 2nd level and it was so bad up there, they closed off the entire 2nd level.
So, I had to scrap my lifting for today. Boo! I have school all day tomorrow, so it will have to wait for Sunday. My last GOOD lifting day was last Sunday because I was so unhappy with Tuesday's workout. So, while I hadn't planned on a break between FLI and FLII, I guess I kinda did.
I did have my BF measured with one of those handheld thingies. I have NO idea if they are accurate or not, but I had them do it at the beginning of FLI and again tonight and it was down 2%. Not sure if that's good or even accurate, but what the hell.
Diet has been spot on and I don't see anything standing in my way there in the forseeable future. I found a recipe for flaxseet "bread" that's TNT compliant and it's pretty good....I mean it's not bread-bread, but it's doable! I think I can make it work and I really need the fiber.
Tonight, I will do squats and lunges and ab work while I study and watch TV. Until Sunday.......
Hey, today's workout just wasn't meant to be. No biggie. Congrats on the bodyfat percentage decrease. I think it really doesn't matter what the number actually is...as long as it's directionally getting lower you're good!
Totally agree with Jill. Trends matter, and it definitely sounds like you're heading in the direction you want to go.
(Jill I am not stalking you, LOL... I think we are on the same JP post schedule tonight)
I just wanted to thank you for your log. It's been really useful for me to watch what you've just done in FL1 as that's what I'm working on right now. Things you've mentioned are a concern for me right now. Your starting weights were also useful (and your progress encouraging) - I've been really tentative adding on weight to my squats (I'm only adding 2.5lbs on at a time, starting at 20lbs) but seeing your starting weight has encouraged me to think a bit bigger! I'm also getting an idea of what to expect in FL2 and have been preparing myself (perhaps more mentally than physically!)
I'm sure as soon as the gym clears of fumes you'll be back in there better than ever after a few days off. Enjoy your time off!
Terry
I just wanted to thank you for your log. It's been really useful for me to watch what you've just done in FL1 as that's what I'm working on right now. Things you've mentioned are a concern for me right now. Your starting weights were also useful (and your progress encouraging) - I've been really tentative adding on weight to my squats (I'm only adding 2.5lbs on at a time, starting at 20lbs) but seeing your starting weight has encouraged me to think a bit bigger! I'm also getting an idea of what to expect in FL2 and have been preparing myself (perhaps more mentally than physically!)
I'm sure as soon as the gym clears of fumes you'll be back in there better than ever after a few days off. Enjoy your time off!
Terry
Thanks, Terry! You should start a log, too! I know what you mean, though. I've found it very helpful to follow along with others who are just ahead of me to get myself psyched and motivated. Good luck to you!
SUPERSET Front Squat
12x45
12x45
12x50
I wasn't sure what weight to start with here. I ended my squats in FLI at 75 lbs, but I thought I'd better see where I am with the Front Squat. Definitely a different feeling than the squat. I really could feel it in my hip flexors more. I like using the Sting Ray a lot.
Where did you buy your Sting Ray? After attempting to to Front Squats today, I am going to need it.
I didn't have to buy one because my gym has both the Sting Ray and the Manta Ray. Do a google and it comes right up. The Sting Ray is a bit difficult to get on at first. I'm the only one (I think) who uses it thus far and it needs broken in I think. I actually think I'm the only one who knows what it is! LOL!
Well, it's been a rough couple of week with not feeling too hot, very tired, gym closed, etc., so I sort of fell off of the wagon. Amazing how one can lose momentum once the routine gets out of wack. But, today I made it back to the gym and I feel SO good that I did.
September 27
NROL FLII A (Workout 2 of 6)
SUPERSET Front Squat
12x50
12x50
12x50
I still don't like these as much as back squats. I really need to watch my form and make sure I am going deep enough on these. I was watching a trainer training some high school kids and he went ass to grass when he demonstrated them. I am no where near that!
Wide Grip Cable-Seated Row
12x65
12x65
12x65
I really like this grip.
SUPERSET Supine Hip Extension w/leg curl
12xbw
12xbw
12xbw
BB Push Press
12x40
12x40
12x40
May try 45 next time on these.
SUPERSET Dynamic Lunge
12x7.5's
6x7.5 and 6xbw
12xbw
I went to BW for the last set to really work on form and depth of the lunge. I'm liking lunges more and more, but they are still hard!
Upper Body Russian Twist
12x7.5
12x7.5
12x7.5
Good first workout of FLII, especially since I hadn't been feeling so hot the last few days.
I even jumped in on a spinning class for the first time to finish off my evening. (I decided it's just not my cup of tea!)
Tunes for this evening's workout: Radiohead - OK Computer, Smashing Pumpkins - Tarantula
OH MY where to start. As you can see, it's been quite a while since I've been here. during that time, my mother had a stroke and I was living at the hospital. I also found out during that time that my fiancee has been cheating on me (I should say ex-fiancee). So, needless to say, my life was pretty much flipped upside down. My mental and physical health has taken a beating these last 3 weeks. So, now what?
I know I need to start taking care of myself. So, I am thinking of doing NROL break-in again before I jump back in to FLII (I had just started when all this life drama started). Also, my eating has gone to hell, so I need to get myself detoxed from hospital crap food and all-around junky diet. I need to get re-focused.
I did a small workout last night for my first night back at the gym, but I really took it easy just to test the waters. But, I think break-in might be a good thing to do.
Oh, and my mother is doing better, so that's a load off of my mind. Still not sure what the eventual outcome will be, but I am hopeful.
I'll be posting again soon, once I get myself back on track.
Good to see you back Jane! Glad to hear your mom is doing better. That sucks about the fiancee, but at least you weren't married to him when you found out he was a cheater. Maybe you can channel any anger into workouts in the gym.
I finished Fat Loss II last week. I am off this week and start Hypertrophy this Monday.
I also bought the TNT Diet book to help me with my diet.
The fact that you went and did a small workout is an acomplishment! Sounds like your Mom is better, that is wonderful.
The ex is an "ex" for good reason! Better to know now.
Get back on the horse and rock on! You may only need to do one week of Break In, see how you feel. The food will work itself out now that you are aware of it.
Sorry about your Mom's stroke but it is great she is doing better. Sucks that your fiancee pulled some crap but unfortunately into each life some rain must fall. It's how well we deal with that rain that shows are character. Good Luck getting back on track. I am sure with a little work on your part things will be back on track before you know it.
__________________ -50# by 4/1/10 2 down 48 to go.
Sounds like a rough time. Great job getting back into the gym though!
Break-in probably isn't a bad idea, just something to get ya going. Hell when I have an extended layoff like that (although yours was only a month, mine have been...uh...longer) I like to just go to the gym and play around for a week. Maybe do some lifts I like, just have fun with it. All the while kinda feeling out where I am at, and how far I've stepped back (from experience, 1 month isn't much of a set back.)
__________________
We don't know all the answers. If we knew all the answers we'd be bored, wouldn't we? We keep looking, searching, trying to get more knowledge. Jack LaLanne
God, it feels good to be back! I logged a couple of easy workouts to ease my way back in. I was only a few workouts into FLII before my life went to shit, so I'm starting back at FLII. Felt good.
October 29
NROL FLII A (Workout 1 of 6)
SUPERSET Front Squat
12x45
12x55
12x60
I did back squats instead of front squats. I know I should keep trying the FS's, but you know....I just don't like them. So, I figure back squats are going to have to do. I took it real easy on the weight since I haven't done them for a while now.
Wide Grip Cable-Seated Row
12x65
12x65
12x65
I really like this grip.
SUPERSET Supine Hip Extension w/leg curl
12xbw
12xbw
12xbw
BB Push Press
12x40
12x40
10x40
Lost it on the last 2 reps
SUPERSET Dynamic Lunge
12xbw
12x5's
12xbw
Upper Body Russian Twist
12xbw
12xbw
12xbw
Listening enjoyment today: Radiohead and Silversun Pickups
__________________
We don't know all the answers. If we knew all the answers we'd be bored, wouldn't we? We keep looking, searching, trying to get more knowledge. Jack LaLanne
Welcome back Jane! Even though it's under less than ideal circumstances. I was wondering if the gym fumes had gotten the best of you - nice to know my favorite motivator is back in town!
I don't know where you are at with your cheating other, but I've been through something similiar and even if you take him back, you will never trust him again... it actually is worth the major pain now than it is to drag out the pain indefinitely.
Still working my way getting back on track. I did an hour-long interval hill climb (hard!) on Monday on the tread. Tuesday I did FLIIB and 25 minutes of interval afterward. Tonight, I will do FLIIA. The diet is still not on track; I just haven't been focused in that area yet. Anyhoo.....
November 5 FLIIB (workout 1 of 6)
SUPERSET Snatch Grip RDL
12x45
12x55
12x60
I took it real light here since I haven't done DL's in a few weeks
T push-up
12xbw
12xbw
12xbw
I did these on the Smith Machine and I put the bar pretty low
SUPERSET BSS w/OH press
12 x bw
8 x bw
8 x bw
I still haven't even nailed just regular Bulgarian Satan Presses WITHOUT the OH press....these just kill me. To top it off, right after I did my sets in such lovely fashion, some kid from the local school swim team was being trained by his coaches and proceeded to do them with 65 lbs (olympic bar) on his shoulder! AND, this is the first time I've ever even SEEN anyone else do them in my gym. I felt like such a wimp since I know they were watching me do mine just prior to him doing them.
Lat pull down
12x55
12x55
6 x 55, 4 x 45
I thought I could do all three sets, but not quite. Maybe next time.
SUPERSET RDL w/ bent over row
12x35
12x45
12x45
I really have to drop the weight when I add in the row on these. But, I surely felt this in my hams the next day and today. Between these and the DL's, they got a workout, even at these lighter weights.
Lower Body Russian Twist
12xbw
12xbw
12xbw
I did crunches on the Swiss Ball instead because there just wasn't the floor space I was looking for in the gym tonight.
Looking forward to tonight's workout to get my hamstrings feeling better.
Thanks everyone for all of the nice words lately, too.
this is the first time I've ever even SEEN anyone else do them in my gym.
Hey keep that in mind - you're one of the few that will even ATTEMPT them, so you're ahead of the game right there. And for all you know they were pointing out what good form you were using.
And in the end, the only person you have to compete with is yourself. Keep up the good work.
__________________
Tom
No "happy hours" makes for a lot of miserable days. - Mahler
Wide Grip Cable-Seated Row
12x70
12x70
12x65
I really like this grip. Moved up 5 lbs. This is the hardest superset for me to get right with the proper rest periods because I am always having to change the bar on the row machine off of the pull-down machine. And, it never fails that when I finish my next set of squats, someone has changed it again and it's in use and I have to wait and then change AGAIN! Although I like this grip a lot, it's a pain to change that bar!
SUPERSET Supine Hip Extension w/leg curl
12xbw
12xbw
12xbw
BB Push Press
12x40
12x40
10x40
Lost it on the last 2 reps again.
SUPERSET Dynamic Lunge
12x5's
12x5's
12xbw
Upper Body Russian Twist
12xbw
12xbw
12xbw
I was happy with this workout. Felt good.
The swimmer was there again with his trainers. This time, I saw him doing the Supine Hip Extension with Leg Curls, which I've never seen anyone else do, either! Strange how I've been the only one doing certain exercises and this week that swimmer kid has been mirroring me! (or vice versa!)
You know, I don't think he is doing NROL because the trainer has him doing a bunch of stuff that ISN'T from NROL. I think it's just coincidence, or maybe his trainer has read some of NROL and is incorporating parts of it, perhaps? So far, I have seen him do the BSS's, front squats (nobody does these at my gym), the supine hip extension w/curl. But his other training seems to be a lot of upper body stuff like chinups (til he collapses in pain!) and some jumping things with a barbell. Nothing I have seen before.
Good on you for getting back on track with the NROL program! I'm pulling for you on the diet too! It seems like even one day off the wagon makes it hard to refocus on the food. So much life stress seems to just multiply it exponentially. You can do it, though!!
Jane, nice workouts lady! And thanks for stopping by my log with such nice words! I think it will be fun after the first of the year when a bunch of us seem to be planning to do NROL4W ... we'll get that new forum hopping!!
__________________
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