Wendy*s NROLW Log

[Wendy*]

Ok here goes!I need to be accountable so I thought I would keep track of my progress here. My goal is to lose around 10 lbs and be able to do pull ups(at least one) by the end of the program.I'm 43 and started working out for the first time in my life about a year and a half ago.Before that I was a smoker for 25 years and was over weight and miserable.Since then I've lost about 15 lbs and am in the best shape of my life.I still have a long way to go but I'm confident I can get the rest of this weight off and live the 2nd half of my life as a strong healthy person.I chose this workout because it's something I've never tried before and it looks fun and challenging.

Here are my begining stats :
Weight-128.5
Chest-35
Bicep-11.5
Waist-29.5
Hips-37.5
Thigh-22

I'm doing the TNT diet so I don't have to count calories.I have one of those scales that track body fat and such so I'm going to set that up next week so I can track that as well.

My first workout was yesterday:
Squat- 2x15x20#DB
Pushup-2x20
Bent Over Row-2x15x15#DB
Step Ups--2x15x20#DB
Prone Jack Knife-2x8

[gregl515]

Welcome to JP's!

[Wendy*]

AHHHHH This sucks so bad!! I tried workout B and hurt my back doing deadlifts AGAIN.Last week I was recovering from a deadlift injury from the prior week.I don't think it's just bad form because I was trying to be careful I think my back really is just jacked up.My sciatic (sp?) nerve has been acting up too lately.I'm not using much weight either.The first week I used 75 lbs the 2nd week I used 55 lbs.These are weights I can easily pick up no problem.I'm going to have to take another recovery week and I see my Chiropractor again on Monday.I don't know what to do about these deadlifts.Should I try using a weight belt or get a personal trainer?I'm sure I couldn't afford a personal trainer though.....I really really want to do these workouts!I'm at a total loss right now.

[missjane]

Are you sure it's not your form? Check out the videos embedded in the thread I have linked below showing good form. These videos were done with Cassandra during a workout with a couple forum members:

CT workout - This Sunday

[Wendy*]

Yes I'm sure it's partially bad form but my lower back went into a full spasim.I did check out Cassandra doing deadlifts and I thought I had it right.It's not when I pick up the weight it's when I lower the weight.I wonder if I rounded my back or something?Since I was seeing stars I had no time to think about it.What I think I'm going to do is get a mirror and watch myself while just lifting just the bar(a 15 lb bar) and see if I can tell what I'm doing wrong.I also think I may have not let my back heal long enough before trying again.Thanks MissJane for your input I really appreciate your help.

[Wendy*]

Ok I went and saw my Chiropractor this morning.He started working on my back and said "sheesh I could work on this for 2 hours" lol Anyway he said I need to take things slow and gave me some stretching exercises to do.I'm going to start back with workout A on Wednesday.On Friday when I get to workout B I'm going to do deadlifts with just the small bar only working on form.I'm going to start looking around the site and see if there is some other execise I can do instead of the deadlift while I'm healing.I go back to the Chiroprator next Monday and he will see how I'm progressing. Tonight I'll start working on the stretching.
My diet has been going pretty well but I still need to fine tune it.I need to get a few more veggies in there.I have been doing some late night snacking as well but the snacks aren't bad stuff.I need to set a time and not eat after that in the evenings.

[Wendy*]

Ok time to start posting on my log again.So after 2 deadlifting injuries and a sciatic nerve flare up I had to end up taking a few weeks off to heal.Then I started back slowly with my workouts so it's taking me forever to get through stage 1.My sciatic nerve has not fully healed yet but it's good enough that I can do what I have to do.
The good news is that I now have a squat rack in my basement.I have been continuing to add weight and my last workout I was able to squat 85 lbs.My biggest problem has been fear of deadlifting since I hurt my back.I started out pretty light with about 75 lbs and have been working my way up in weight.My last workout I used 115 lbs.Last night I decided to see if I could lift 135 lbs and to my suprise I could. I only did 5 reps but still that was an accomplishment!

[Wendy*]

Yay well I finally finished stage 1!It took me forever but it was so hard to workout properly with an injury.I went to the Chiropractor 2 days ago and whatever was out of place all this time was popped back into place finally.I knew it as soon as I started walking back to my car that it was better.I was worried that I would start having pain again but so far so good.I'm going to do my special workouts this weekend then take my rest week and finish painting my basement(workout room).Then I'm going to jump full force into stage 2 injury free!!Today I bought some 30# dumbells since I'm out growing my 25s on the dumbell presses.I was able to do a few reps with the 30s so that was cool.I also did all my deadlift sets with 135 #s today and was pretty happy about that.It's amazing how much better I'm able to lift when I'm not in pain.