NROL 4 Peaches

[Peaches6311]

Originally Posted by scribess

Congrats on the loss!

I killed my blender a while back when using it to knead bread dough (I know, I know; stupid idea as they don't have the motor for it) and now just have a Cuisinart immersion blender. Cleanup is super easy, though of course I wouldn't use it to knead dough. I now have a food processor I could try for that.

Thanks for the weight loss encouragement.

Just a few days ago, I bout an immersion blender. I thought I would be able to make smoothies with it, but it won't chop up ice. I might have gotten a cheaper modle than the one you recommended.

Originally Posted by NYC_Native

Nice job on the weight loss!! And my blender's an Oster 12-speed, and it's lasted me about 2 years (knocks on wood now), and this is with my constant smoothie-making.

Thanks --- I am heading in the right direction --- Yeah!!

I just went and read reviews on this blender. Epinions has it rated high but the dates on the reviews are 2000; Amazon has it rated low. The nice thing about it, it is at a good price.

Originally Posted by missjane

I kill blenders, too. Last time I had to BUY one, I went to Bed, Bath and Beyond and told them "I need a blender that will last through at least once or twice a day use. They sold me a Krups...said it was the best one they had. I asked them what happens if it blows up and dies. Bring it back, they said. How long do I have, I ask. Forever, they said. What happens if the 2nd one blows up and dies. Bring it back, they said. So, I bought it. I love it. Really love it. I'm now on my third one. I just take it back and get a brand new one ever times it dies (ever 9 months or so). I keep the box and the receipt and I am good to go!

I wish I had thought to ask about this. I guess since my cheap ones lasted for over a year, I thought the expensive one would last several LOL. I also bought mine at Bed, Bath and Beyond but didn't ask about their return policy, so I didn't keep box or receipt (darn it!!!) I might go have a visit with them today. Even if I can't get a replacement on my old one, if they will replace my new one when I burn it up that would be wonderful. (See now I expect to burn it up LOL)


Thanks everyone

[missjane]

I just expect mine to burn up. I use it ALL the time...every day. I crush ice cubes EVERY DAY. So, I needed something that could withstand what I put it through. I do love my Krups, but even it isn't indestructible. I suppose I'll just keep getting free replacements until they discontinue it and then BB&B will have to find me a new "free" replacement!

[scribess]

MissJane, thanks for the BB&B tip! I'll have to remember that the next time one of my small appliances goes out!

Peaches, you could also likely easily find one of those BB&B 20% coupons for when you buy a blender. They're all over the place.

My immersion blender will chop ice, but I don't use it daily. I often just stir my protein powder in with yogurt or cottage cheese, so YMMV with daily ice chopping.

[Peaches6311]

Hypertrophy B 4 of 6

Warmup: Walked 5 min. on treadmill. Mainly practiced squats with no weight trying to get full range of motion without falling on butt or leaning forward --- didn't count reps. Then did stretch lunges and 15 bounces. Did 2 sets.

Squat 2X10 @ 95#, 2X 10 @ 115# Only went to parallel until I get the motion down without weights.

Deadlift Shrug: 4 X 10 @ 115#

Alternating Sets
BSS 4X10 10# eh
Step-Up 2X10 @ 40# 2X10 @ 50#

Reverse Crunch 15 with ball adding leg lift, 2X15 with ball.

Ran 30 sec. and rested 1 min. 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5 and walked to cool down. Then stretched out real well.

Heart Rate Monitor Stats
Max HR 188
Avg HR 146
Calories Burned 688

Notes:
Had a long rest between squats and deadlift shrug. Someone was wanting to use the squat rack and all the other bars were being used. I thought it would be rude to just walk off with it with him waiting on it. So it was 2- 3 min. wait.

On my last set of deadlifts I rested after 8. I was afraid that my form might be breaking down and didn't want to hurt myself.

All the benches were in use so I used a step with 3 risers. As I am typing this, I realize I should have added another riser. Anyway that is why I was able to increase my weight on it.

I should have pushed myself harder on the BSS. When I first started, I would push myself until I thought I was going to die. Now I just push until it hurts. I am still whining and moaning by the time I finish my set, but before it was like I was in labor.

Not a good idea to do the leg lift reverse crunch combo. This workout fatigues your lower back enough. I didn't notice it until I finished the set, and my back was a little tender.

Legs were tired so didn't push myself too much in the running.

Still haven't made it to the store to get a blender. I am really missing it just haven't made time for it.

[realcdn]

Originally Posted by Peaches6311

I should have pushed myself harder on the BSS. When I first started, I would push myself until I thought I was going to die. Now I just push until it hurts. I am still whining and moaning by the time I finish my set, but before it was like I was in labor..

I always struggle with finding the balance in workouts. If you put too much into the early stuff you have nothing left later. If you don't put in enough (like you mention) you don't feel the OMG I'm going to die feeling. And sometimes you kind of miss that feeling.

[Peaches6311]

Originally Posted by realcdn

I always struggle with finding the balance in workouts. If you put too much into the early stuff you have nothing left later. If you don't put in enough (like you mention) you don't feel the OMG I'm going to die feeling. And sometimes you kind of miss that feeling.

Know what you mean --- hubby and kids think that there is something a little wrong with me I tell them there are many others out there just like me. They tell me, if you look hard enough you can always find another extremist.

Here I found a whole forum of em.

[scribess]

Originally Posted by Peaches6311

Know what you mean --- hubby and kids think that there is something a little wrong with me I tell them there are many others out there just like me. They tell me, if you look hard enough you can always find another extremist.

Here I found a whole forum of em.

Hey, most of us still think you're freaky for actually liking planks.

[realcdn]

[butterbeean]

I have never pushed myself as hard as my first NROL4W experience. I wish I had a gym buddy ....

[Peaches6311]

Originally Posted by scribess

Hey, most of us still think you're freaky for actually liking planks.

Originally Posted by butterbeean

I have never pushed myself as hard as my first NROL4W experience. I wish I had a gym buddy ....

For about 3 -4 years I worked out with a group of teenage boys. We really pushed each other hard. When we started their ages ranged from 13-15. I killed them for me to be able to out lift them -- I loved it . As they got older of course they got to be stronger than me, but I never wanted to make it easy for them. When the youngest one got to be 17, he finally was able to kick my butt in everything fairly easily --- except abs. I started working out in a different gym, but he is my son's friend so I still see him and we keep talking about the 3 of us working out again.

[Peaches6311]

NROL Hypertrophy A 5 of 6

Warmup: Treadmill 5 min. Then I did 10 wall pushups, and 10 chair dips.

Then I did something really fun. I started at 45# and did 1 rep bench press until I hit failure.
1 rep 45#
1 rep 95#
1 rep 105#
Failed at 115 --- came close just couldn't quite lock it out.

Alternating Sets
Dumbbell incline Bench
2X15 @ 25's, 1X 15 @ 30's
Cable Seated Row 3X15 @ 70#

Alternating Sets
Dumbbell Shoulder Press 3X15@15's
Wide-Grip Lat Pulldown 2X15@55, 11@ 70# and 5 @ 55

Alternating Sets
Barbell Close - Grip Bench 3X15 @ 45#
High Pull 2X15 @ 50#, 12@ 50#

Swiss Ball Crunch 3X25 with 25# plate

Ran 1 min followed by 1 min rest @ 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8
Then walked and stretched to cool down.

Heart Rate Monitor Stats;
Max HR 186
Avg HR 141
Calories Burned 525

My form suffered on the last 2 - 3 reps on the seated row.
Shoulder Presses I was able to do without breaking form but it was hard from 12 on each time.

I tried to go up on the Lat Pull but though 55# is a little too easy 70# was too hard was able to do 11 and then my form was failing so moved it back to 55# to finish set.

This was the first time I had problems with the high pull. My grip was killing me. I was having a hard time holding on to it --- it really worked my forearms and hands.


I hate - hate - hate - hate doing 15 reps. I still have one (legs) more 15 rep workout in Hypertrophy. I can't imaging doing the 2 sets of 25 in Hypertrophy II.

[Bytsi]

I hate 15 reps... pretty much anything over 5 sucks, although I often go to 8 on my lighter (warmup-ish) sets... I think 2x25 would send me over the edge!

[Peaches6311]

148 pounds

Up .2 pounds this week. I stayed within my WW points value (second week on WW) and still put on weight. Though I do feel like I am retaining water. So at least I would like to believe that it is just water weight. At first I thought I was up half a pound and then went back and rechecked --- so I guess I feel a little better

I think that I am becoming sensitive to salt intake. Either that or the meds are making me retain water. I have read on the internet that some people retain water on thyroid medication. I just think it is weird it wouldn't start until 6 weeks after starting on it.

I started to worry if it meant that I had high blood pressure. I went to Wal-Mart and CVS and checked my blood pressure. It was normal.

This is the reason I didn't want to go on meds. It seems like once you start, it is all down hill. Old age just runs over you like a train. No turning back.

But I do feel better than I can ever remember feeling in my whole life. So I guess it isn't all bad.

[Katydid77]

Originally Posted by Peaches6311

But I do feel better than I can ever remember feeling in my whole life. So I guess it isn't all bad.

You have to admit, that is a biggie . The thing with medicine is for the physician to treat the problem and not just the symptoms.

I was raised in the poorest section of southeastern Kentucky, all ALL the doctors did there was give pills for pain. I didn't even realize it at the time, but since I have moved and experience other types of doctors, I can see how it was all just "give-em-a-pill-and-send-them-home" mentality.

Your workouts are looking really good, I must say. How long do they take you? With that many different exercises, and all those reps, it looks like it would take forever

[Peaches6311]

Yeah, I am not a big medicine person. That was why I was so hesitant to go on thyroid medication. The last time about 5 years ago they said that I was borderline and gave me the option. Recently I was starting to have problems that scared me --- thought they were heart problems but instead found out it was from my thyroid. So I went on meds. I am taking Armour which is pigs thyroid. I am also taking pregnenolone which is an over the counter supplement and viamin D with K2 both of which the doctor recommended My blood work showed me low in both of the above along with my thyroid.


My workouts range from 1-1.5 hours. A few times I have taken 1.75 hours. That one was the 5 reps workout, but you rest for 90 sec. So it takes longer and since it was mainly an arm workout, I did more treadmill. I could spend all day in the gym. It is my "me" time. I love it.

[realcdn]

Originally Posted by Peaches6311

148 pounds

Up .2 pounds this week. I stayed within my WW points value (second week on WW) and still put on weight. Though I do feel like I am retaining water. So at least I would like to believe that it is just water weight. At first I thought I was up half a pound and then went back and rechecked --- so I guess I feel a little better

I wouldn't worry about a small blip. It could be water, or just a slight fluctuation that will sort itself out. I always say to give any changes at least 4-5 weeks before freaking out.

(I don't always follow my own advice, but it sounds good when I tell other people.)

[scribess]

Originally Posted by realcdn

I wouldn't worry about a small blip. It could be water, or just a slight fluctuation that will sort itself out. I always say to give any changes at least 4-5 weeks before freaking out.

(I don't always follow my own advice, but it sounds good when I tell other people.)

That's good advice from Anne, but I have to admit I'm also a lot more sage about it when it's for someone else but not for me.

[Espi]

Water weight gains/losses happens for so many reasons it's hard to put a finger on it. Unnecessarily keeping salt intake too low (there's only a few with high BP that are sodium-sensitive enough to restrict it), will do it.
The 'whoremoans' of course with ovulation gains being the most unexpected (for those that don't know when that happens) , but another major factor is the weather & humidity.
Plus stress of course..
Didn't know thyroid meds could do the water retention to you!


As for the intensity to lift with.. pacing yourself is good. Taking it too easy is bad, just like pushing yourself too much so you run yourself into the ground unless you eat a TON of food & sleep 10hrs, is bad too. Too bad it feels so good to do exactly this.
That's why having a program & pre-planning weights in a sensible way is good.
Planning weights is tricky when you're new or coming back from injury. A good rule of thumb is to stop 2 reps short of failure in most sets & push yourself to (almost) failure in the final set. I'd say that 'almost failure' equates to the point where a normal person would stop, but can eke out a couple of reps if they could earn $$$ that way.

Since you've been lifting for so long, you should know what that is..

There are other exercises though where going to failure isn't really bad, like ab exercises. But those are at the end of a WO. Can't believe you like planks.. about 1 out of 3 times I have them in my routine, I'm skipping these!

[Peaches6311]

People here have memories like elephants. I mention just once that I like planks, and I am the board freak

I use to be so wiped out after my workouts with the teenage boys that I was worthless the rest of the day. One of the things I like about NROL, it keeps me from going overboard. I think that I need a plan, or I would still run myself into the ground.

I am loving being on my thyroid medication. I have so much more energy by which to grab life by the horns and wrestle it to the ground.

I think the reason I resisted it so long, is it seemed like failure. I don't even like to take a tylenol for a headache. So the thought of being on medication, just seemed awful. Plus, it seems like when people my age start on medication, they just keep getting on more and more.

But I didn't realize how I rationed my energy. That I was afraid to do things sometimes because I wouldn't have enough energy to finish out the day. I would just crash. Where I was so tired, I would be like a drunk. Slurring words and not able to think clearly --- it felt terrible. I just thought that this was normal and everyone struggled with it that it was just life.

I took my temp this morning. I forgot to take it before I went potty. I will have to work on getting into that habit. Not really for sure what it means, except that I don't think I am over medicated. Sometimes I think I must be feeling too good and I might be over medicated for my thyroid (get blood work done in 2 weeks). I took it twice. Once F and once C. 94.5F and 35C.

Was planning on working out yesterday, but did home project instead. Our shower head was not made for short people. It would only hit the top of my head couldn't get any other part of my body wet without it running down from the top. And the shower was to small to be able to walk forward enough to get a better angle. So put on a new shower head set up --- it actually has 2 shower heads. Plus I decluttered my bedroom. Clutter makes me nervous. Today, I am going to declutter garage. Life is so much better with less stuff.

[Espi]

35C is crazy low.
It's weird how hypothyroid 'people' who should be cautious with their energy, tend to be the ones most addicted to the rush of adrenalin-inducing activity. Only to be wiped out all day long.
This is what kept me from losing weight in the past too.. going balls to the wall so much that my NEAT for the rest of the day was totally negligible.. I was a zombie!
It took very patient friends & a LOT of talking to hammer into my head how I wasn't helping myself.. I really really really was so convinced I could 'out train' a crappy diet.. actually intentions were always great but the too intense training would invariably lead to lots & lots of face plants .

Re your son's inability to eat 'normal' foods.. I don't know how I came to accupuncture as it just 'got out of my fingers' spontaneously .. but I do believe that any possible option to solve this terrible problem is worthwhile.. especially now your son sees that he is hurting himself most of all with this food problem.

[NYC_Native]

I'm similar to you on the medication issue. It's as if you're admitting defeat, esp. because drugs are overprescribed and there are instances when permanent lifestyle changes are better. But medicine, in a lot of cases, helps us to maximize our quality of living.

And one of the things I've learned from my constant moves the last few years is that I don't need as many things as I thought I did, and that there are still a few more items I can give away/toss/sell.

[scribess]

I'm also one who resists taking medication--which I don't think is necessarily a bad thing, but there are definitely times we need it, and it's not our fault. Peaches, it sounds like you do need to be on the thyroid medication, and that's not your fault. I'm glad you're already feeling more energetic. Maybe your body temp will increase as you're on it longer and your hormone levels adjust.

[Espi]

Just thought of this.. where exactly do you temp? Orally is a whole lot lower than ummm other body parts & some even measure in armpits. Ears can be done too, but it requires another thermometer.

[Peaches6311]

Originally Posted by Espi

35C is crazy low.
It's weird how hypothyroid 'people' who should be cautious with their energy, tend to be the ones most addicted to the rush of adrenalin-inducing activity. Only to be wiped out all day long.
This is what kept me from losing weight in the past too.. going balls to the wall so much that my NEAT for the rest of the day was totally negligible.. I was a zombie!
It took very patient friends & a LOT of talking to hammer into my head how I wasn't helping myself.. I really really really was so convinced I could 'out train' a crappy diet.. actually intentions were always great but the too intense training would invariably lead to lots & lots of face plants .

Re your son's inability to eat 'normal' foods.. I don't know how I came to accupuncture as it just 'got out of my fingers' spontaneously .. but I do believe that any possible option to solve this terrible problem is worthwhile.. especially now your son sees that he is hurting himself most of all with this food problem.

I think you hit it on the head when you said that we are addicted to adrenalin-inducing activities. Even when I am at the weight I want to be, I still want to workout like crazy. I love being in the gym and pushing myself. My hubby thinks I am an exercise addict. I think I keep it under control but I know that I love it. I can't understand why anyone wouldn't want to do it

Originally Posted by NYC_Native

I'm similar to you on the medication issue. It's as if you're admitting defeat, esp. because drugs are overprescribed and there are instances when permanent lifestyle changes are better. But medicine, in a lot of cases, helps us to maximize our quality of living.

And one of the things I've learned from my constant moves the last few years is that I don't need as many things as I thought I did, and that there are still a few more items I can give away/toss/sell.

I agree about medications being over prescribed. My hubby has trouble with high cholesterol and has had people tell him to quit worrying about diet and just get on medication and eat what you want. Grrr --- I guess that is why so many dr. over prescribe, they are giving people what they want.

The house I am currently living has now beat my Florida residence as to time spent living there. I have lived here for 7 years this month. I usually move enough to keep everything decluttered. Now I actually have to make a point.

Originally Posted by scribess

I'm also one who resists taking medication--which I don't think is necessarily a bad thing, but there are definitely times we need it, and it's not our fault. Peaches, it sounds like you do need to be on the thyroid medication, and that's not your fault. I'm glad you're already feeling more energetic. Maybe your body temp will increase as you're on it longer and your hormone levels adjust.

About 5 years ago was the first time a dr. mentioned my thyroid. It was borderline and she asked me how I felt and since I knew I didn't want to go on it, I told her I felt great. But I have struggled with my energy and being cold since I was a child. I can remember being 8 and though I was a gymnast and in great shape, I had trouble keeping up with other kids. I would just get exhausted. I would get so cold and unable to warm up that it felt like my bones ached and no one else had a problem. They acted like I was a whimp and did it just to annoy others. I had accepted it for so long that I didn't even see it as a bad thing. It was just life. So I am almost surprised by how good I feel; I didn't know I felt so bad .

Originally Posted by Espi

Just thought of this.. where exactly do you temp? Orally is a whole lot lower than ummm other body parts & some even measure in armpits. Ears can be done too, but it requires another thermometer.

I take my temp under the armpit. So it should be lower than other ways of taking it.

Today was a crazy day. We have family coming in and I wanted to clean house. But I am tutoring and helping out in Calculus and Advanced Math classes and I don't have my own book yet. I ordered it but it hasn't come in yet. The other lady lent me her book over the holidays. So I did 12 lessons today --- don't know when I will get my book. So I spent about 8+ hours on math today. I didn't get started until after I had finish teaching my son his school work. Long story short my house still isn't as clean as I would like and I missed my workout. But I love math too --- so it was a fun day.

I'll have to catch up with everyone's logs later this week.

BTW, my temp this morning without getting up was much lower. It was like 94F or 34.4 C. I woke my hubby up to take his, because I was convinced that thermometer wasn't working. His was low too but not as low as mine --- his was like 96F or 35.5 C.

Later ----

[Espi]

Such a pity you've been doing this to yourself. One of the other great benefits of thyroid meds is mood. I used to feel depressed half of the time & that's another thing where exercise helped with = improving mood.

As for temping: stop doing the armpit thing , it's utterly unreliable compared to ear or mouth. Take it in the mouth instead.. I'm doing it in the um girly bits which is actually the best spot of all when it comes to temperature stability. Even the mouth is not as reliable but compared to armpit measurements at least 10x better.
In the hospital they use the ear thermometer and I had one too, but it only measured for a few seconds and I was told it was too unreliable for FAM (fertility awareness method).

[missjane]

Hey, Peaches....I like planks, too! I got up to about 3.5 minutes and then couldn't get past that, but I'm working my way back again. They are challenging! I like 'em!

[stingo]

Planks? Me no wants

[Katydid77]

Originally Posted by stingo

Planks? Me no wants

I think I would rather walk the plank, than to do one.

[Gen]

Originally Posted by Peaches6311

I am loving being on my thyroid medication. I have so much more energy by which to grab life by the horns and wrestle it to the ground.

...

But I didn't realize how I rationed my energy. That I was afraid to do things sometimes because I wouldn't have enough energy to finish out the day. I would just crash. Where I was so tired, I would be like a drunk. Slurring words and not able to think clearly --- it felt terrible. I just thought that this was normal and everyone struggled with it that it was just life.

I can understand that! I spent a good part of my twenties thinking that basically I was just a lazy, unmotivated, boring girl. On medication I have energy and interests and goals and desires... lol Its great!

[Peaches6311]

Originally Posted by missjane

Hey, Peaches....I like planks, too! I got up to about 3.5 minutes and then couldn't get past that, but I'm working my way back again. They are challenging! I like 'em!

My max was 2.5 min. A few years ago, whenever the kids and I would have different tv shows we wanted to watch, I would have us do some competition to see who won --- I would usually choose pushups or planks. At that time I could do 45 pushups and 2.5 min. planks. Now that we have a DVR that you can watch and record a show, we haven't had to compete and my abilities have decreased.

I doubt if I could do 40 pushups now, and I only did a 2 min. plank yesterday. I think I am going to try to get both of these back up. I would like to be able to do 100 pushups and a 5 min. plank. But I haven't really made it a goal --- I might do that.

Originally Posted by Katydid77

I think I would rather walk the plank, than to do one.

Originally Posted by Gen

I can understand that! I spent a good part of my twenties thinking that basically I was just a lazy, unmotivated, boring girl. On medication I have energy and interests and goals and desires... lol Its great!

You are lucky that you found out so young. I too thought that anytime I gave into fatigue that I was being lazy.