There's No Whining When Getting Sexy!

[DieselsMom]

Ditto the other ladies - you have worked hard and it shows that muscle is still there and getting stronger each workout. Keep it up you'll be amazed by what you unwrap underneath.

[jjeane]

Redfizz, you are doing so AWESOME! Do not be sad over the progress, because it is still progress!
I am glad your leg is better and that it helped your relationship. Cause there is nothing better than a good relationship with one's spouse!!

[thehobbes]

Red don't be sad, and I say this in the most loving, caring way - SUCK IT UP WOMAN, LET'S GO, LET'S GO, LET'S GOOOOO!!! C'mon Red, you do have the determination in you, impress us. No more injury, you're feeling good, it's time for epic things to happen.

::fistbump::

[rickiecoombs]

Holy perky bewbs, Batman!! Seriously! Mine didn't get perky... they just disappeared.

So... I'm here to echo what everyone else has already said!

Don't be discouraged! You've got this! Seriously. And I don't know about you, but when I first started out, I never really thought I would get to where I wanted to be. I'm not there yet, but now I believe it's possible.

Now that you've ditched that boot, there's nothing left to hold you back! Seriously, Red, I can't wait to see where you are a year from now. You've already got such a fantastic lifting foundation and knowledge base, you can just take it and run with it! You are going to amaze yourself. I just know it.



YAY!

I also like Ham's method of encouragement. Haha. Maybe I'll try it next time.

Hope your Monday is going swimmingly!

[Redfizz]

Oh my Red - please do not be sad and discouraged!!!

You are on a journey my friend. The journey was never destined to be short nor was it destined to not have any bumps in the road. I can totally understand and commiserate on sitting around on your butt, bored and eating way more than you are expending - I did it too and it's hard to turn it around to get back to where you were.

You are still on the path though - that speaks volumes about the woman you are and the great things that you will make happen moving forward. You get stronger with each workout, you are learning so much about your body and adjusting the course as necessary - you are doing it! It's all progress!! And shiz - you already look like you got that bewb lift - look at the difference between the middle and right pictures in your last set!!!

Keep getting up every morning and getting that blood flowing. You are making it happen for yourself, you're doing what no one else can do for you!

(((((HUG))))

Thanks, MM. Gonna do this. Gonna do this!!!

^^MM is right! Remember what I said in my journal not too long ago?? Keep working and you'll keep getting stronger/building more muscle. You just had a little set-back- they happen to everyone! The muscle you have built will be there for as long as you keep working it, and it'll just make you look even more badass when you get your weight down to where you want it There are many positive changes in those pictures! Just keep plugging away and keep the diet tight and you'll get there! You're way too determined not to

Well, there is a lot of muscle under here...somewhere. Thanks, Lori!

Ditto the other ladies - you have worked hard and it shows that muscle is still there and getting stronger each workout. Keep it up you'll be amazed by what you unwrap underneath.

Thanks, DM!

Redfizz, you are doing so AWESOME! Do not be sad over the progress, because it is still progress!
I am glad your leg is better and that it helped your relationship. Cause there is nothing better than a good relationship with one's spouse!!

Honey does take walks with me and pup now. Super happy about that!

Red don't be sad, and I say this in the most loving, caring way - SUCK IT UP WOMAN, LET'S GO, LET'S GO, LET'S GOOOOO!!! C'mon Red, you do have the determination in you, impress us. No more injury, you're feeling good, it's time for epic things to happen.

::fistbump::

^^^Thanks, I needed that!^^^^

::fistbump::

Let's do this thing!

~~~~~

Super surprised that I am not depressed about this. That's 'cause those squats are mine tomorrow morning!

[Redfizz]

Holy perky bewbs, Batman!! Seriously! Mine didn't get perky... they just disappeared.

So... I'm here to echo what everyone else has already said!

Don't be discouraged! You've got this! Seriously. And I don't know about you, but when I first started out, I never really thought I would get to where I wanted to be. I'm not there yet, but now I believe it's possible.

Now that you've ditched that boot, there's nothing left to hold you back! Seriously, Red, I can't wait to see where you are a year from now. You've already got such a fantastic lifting foundation and knowledge base, you can just take it and run with it! You are going to amaze yourself. I just know it.



YAY!

I also like Ham's method of encouragement. Haha. Maybe I'll try it next time.

Hope your Monday is going swimmingly!

I am amazed by your body. It's refreshing to hear that all of you crazy-body ladies had the same thoughts sometimes, too. It gives me hope that I can also push through.

[Luvdogs]

I love both MM coments and Hams! You go girl! You have the right 'tude and it is a journey not a destination.

p.s. I got a lift 10 years ago, worth every penny The bewbs still look good (being over weight my entire life until my mid 30's did not fare so well on them). Now if I could just get the butt lifted

[Redfizz]

I love both MM coments and Hams! You go girl! You have the right 'tude and it is a journey not a destination.

p.s. I got a lift 10 years ago, worth every penny The bewbs still look good (being over weight my entire life until my mid 30's did not fare so well on them). Now if I could just get the butt lifted

Wait. What? You were overweight? I would have never guessed. ^^^Gives me even more hope!

I am concerned that the perkiness may be from the fat, b/c when I got down to ~125, they were super not appealing. We'll see though! If they need a little lifting after all, I may just ask them to add a cord so that I can pull them back up on occasion like we do with blinds.

Oh! Speaking of when I was 125, last night when the light was shining down from above, I could see all of these crazy muscles in my pecs when I flexed. (I will try to get pics.) It's a vast improvement from when I was 125 in the same lighting and all I could see was my rib cage. Hooray for new muscles!

Legs

Lunges - one leg on chair (each leg)
BW x 8
BW x 8
BW x 8

Squats
40 x 8
40 x 8
40 x 8
(Increased from 32. Thanks to Lori's latest vids and her form, I tried to make sure I went deep. I know that I still owe you all vidz.)

DLs
52 x 8
52 x 8
52 x 8

Leg Press (each leg)
60 x 8
60 x 8
60 x 8
(Increased from 55. Considering that my leg was in a ton of pain when I did 55 for the first time, I am pretty darn happy about this.)

Band-around-ankles side step with calf raises
Gray band across the room and back x 3 times

swiss ball ham curl
BW x 8
BW x 8
BW x 8

~~~~~~~~~~~

I had a dream about you all. Hobbes, Geek, Lori, and some others. Lori and Geek were showing me how to correct my form, and Hobbes was getting antsy to see how much I could lift. LOL

While working out I stream Raising Hope on Netflix, which I saw for the first time a week or so ago. It's complete hilarity. If I had a baby, my baby-raising skills would be very comparable to their comedy of errors.

Stinky pup gets a bath tonight. It's a tag-team effort, and we're ready!

[DieselsMom]

Great work Red - awesome on all the increases in weight!

LOL at the dream

[Echo814]

Hey Fizz!

I just looked over your progress pics and while you did gain weight there are some improvements to be seen and you pointed a lot yourself The bwebs are higher, you can see that in the side shots, butt is moving up and taking shape and I'm seeing the quadage that you refereed to. All in all not bad for having a lay off with injury!

I like saying things like popping out as opposed to birthing, just doesn't fit my personality well lol. I was thinking of doing All Pros after I'm cleared to do normal activity since I would be eating right at maintenance or little more for BF, I've been lurking the thread in the exercise program section and a lot of people have had great results with it.

[gobbles23]

Oh, Red! I wish you could see my total before pics! I don't have ANY. But I was 135-140lbs of pure chub! I had no muscle. I was 4-5 jean sizes bigger than what I am now! Then I starved myself and got down to 98lbs. lol! It took me years to build up a solid muscle base after that- I thought I was never going to be happy. I was always in a desperate rush to get to where I wanted to be (and I'm still not there) but it seriously took me years of this before I was content with how I looked. But I have more lean mass now than I used to weigh in total! It is such a long process- the key is to just not give up. If you keep plugging away and work hard- it pays off

[Luvdogs]

Yes, Red. I was 200lbs in high school and anywhere from 160-180lbs most of my young adult life. About my mid 20's I had a hair client that got me hooked on...Jazzercise! It was the first "workouts" I ever did (entire family is obese). From that I progressed to running and that kind of started the weight loss journey. By my early 30's I was maintaining my weight at 140ish and THEN after my divorce (35 years old) I started lifting weights. That's where real changes started to happen. I fell in love with it then and have stayed there. Now, I've had a few weight gain periods, but have managed to get it back under control going to Weight Watchers and doing all I do in the gym and using FitDay.

[dreahere]

If they need a little lifting after all, I may just ask them to add a cord so that I can pull them back up on occasion like we do with blinds.

I do that with my bras!

Congrats on the PRs and ditto what the other ladies have said: you got this.

[rickiecoombs]

The bewb-cord idea is brilliant. Seriously brilliant.

I am amazed by your body. It's refreshing to hear that all of you crazy-body ladies had the same thoughts sometimes, too. It gives me hope that I can also push through.

I am amazed that you are amazed by my body. I had to read this twice, to make sure I read it right. You give me warm-fuzzies.

You can push through. And you will. I feel like I'm just saying the same thing over and over again... I just really, really, really want you to believe as much as I do that you are GOING TO SUCCEED!! Haha.

Oh, Red! I wish you could see my total before pics! I don't have ANY. But I was 135-140lbs of pure chub! I had no muscle. I was 4-5 jean sizes bigger than what I am now! Then I starved myself and got down to 98lbs. lol! It took me years to build up a solid muscle base after that- I thought I was never going to be happy. I was always in a desperate rush to get to where I wanted to be (and I'm still not there) but it seriously took me years of this before I was content with how I looked. But I have more lean mass now than I used to weigh in total! It is such a long process- the key is to just not give up. If you keep plugging away and work hard- it pays off

Lori = smart girlie.

It takes so much time. Which is why the monthly pictures are so important (in my opinion) - because then you get to see the little victories along the way (perky bewbs and lifted butt!), and not just the "final product".

*sigh*

Sorry for being a repetitive girlie. It's my attempt at showing my support. Haha.

<3

Hope you have a lovely Hump Day tomorrow!

[swooshie]

Hey Red! I think you're doing great! Like the others said, don't be sad about your progress pictures ... progress can be unbelievably slow. However, don't forget there's so much more to lifting then transforming your body. Lifting empowers you, gives you confidence, literally makes you strong, keeps you young, increases endorphins (happy happy!), makes you a crazy person (heeheehee...had to throw that in cause it does make us crazy people!), benefits your bones, your immune system, your attitude .......... it's just all around awesome and the rockin bod is the cherry on the top of it all

Just Keep Going

[Redfizz]

Noooooooo! My post was lost into the Internet abyss.

Great work Red - awesome on all the increases in weight!

LOL at the dream

More weight = more dreams about you all. Who knew?

Hey Fizz!

I just looked over your progress pics and while you did gain weight there are some improvements to be seen and you pointed a lot yourself. The bwebs are higher, you can see that in the side shots, butt is moving up and taking shape and I'm seeing the quadage that you refereed to. All in all not bad for having a lay off with injury!

I like saying things like popping out as opposed to birthing, just doesn't fit my personality well lol. I was thinking of doing All Pros after I'm cleared to do normal activity since I would be eating right at maintenance or little more for BF, I've been lurking the thread in the exercise program section and a lot of people have had great results with it.

You're right. Could you imagine if I didn't work out at all while wearing da boot!? I would so be Jabba da Hut. Yikes!

Oh, Red! I wish you could see my total before pics! I don't have ANY. But I was 135-140lbs of pure chub! I had no muscle. I was 4-5 jean sizes bigger than what I am now! Then I starved myself and got down to 98lbs. lol! It took me years to build up a solid muscle base after that- I thought I was never going to be happy. I was always in a desperate rush to get to where I wanted to be (and I'm still not there) but it seriously took me years of this before I was content with how I looked. But I have more lean mass now than I used to weigh in total! It is such a long process- the key is to just not give up. If you keep plugging away and work hard- it pays off

Aw, what an incredible story!

Is it that obvious that I am an impatient OCD?

Yes, Red. I was 200lbs in high school and anywhere from 160-180lbs most of my young adult life. About my mid 20's I had a hair client that got me hooked on...Jazzercise! It was the first "workouts" I ever did (entire family is obese). From that I progressed to running and that kind of started the weight loss journey. By my early 30's I was maintaining my weight at 140ish and THEN after my divorce (35 years old) I started lifting weights. That's where real changes started to happen. I fell in love with it then and have stayed there. Now, I've had a few weight gain periods, but have managed to get it back under control going to Weight Watchers and doing all I do in the gym and using FitDay.

And now you're getting ready to compete. Wow. Just wow.

I do that with my bras!

Congrats on the PRs and ditto what the other ladies have said: you got this.

Bras would be cheaper...

The bewb-cord idea is brilliant. Seriously brilliant.

I am amazed that you are amazed by my body. I had to read this twice, to make sure I read it right. You give me warm-fuzzies.

Silly girl. You're a hottie!!!

You can push through. And you will. I feel like I'm just saying the same thing over and over again... I just really, really, really want you to believe as much as I do that you are GOING TO SUCCEED!! Haha.

Lori = smart girlie.

It takes so much time. Which is why the monthly pictures are so important (in my opinion) - because then you get to see the little victories along the way (perky bewbs and lifted butt!), and not just the "final product".

*sigh*

Sorry for being a repetitive girlie. It's my attempt at showing my support. Haha.

<3

Hope you have a lovely Hump Day tomorrow!

Monthly pics are the scale's kryptonite. Take that, scale!!!

Hey Red! I think you're doing great! Like the others said, don't be sad about your progress pictures ... progress can be unbelievably slow. However, don't forget there's so much more to lifting then transforming your body. Lifting empowers you, gives you confidence, literally makes you strong, keeps you young, increases endorphins (happy happy!), makes you a crazy person (heeheehee...had to throw that in cause it does make us crazy people!), benefits your bones, your immune system, your attitude .......... it's just all around awesome and the rockin bod is the cherry on the top of it all

Just Keep Going

It's funny, I cannot go to work without working out beforehand anymore. Also, I used to have depression, and the exercise totally took care of that. And now that you mention it, I haven't been sick in a long time! Woooooo!

~~~~
Just a quick note, I may be sad about the progress pictures, but I am not depressed about them if that makes any sense. The sadness is a good kind. Seeing the small improvements in the midst of the weight gain totally inspires me to keep going. The broken ankle was one of the best things that happened. I am so proud of working out in the boot, and it has proven to me that I have so much more drive and abilitiy within myself that I never knew I had. I have been a lifting fool ever since!!! My next set of progress pics are going to be pretty darn good.

Oh, and honey heard a report about how walking daily helps with memory and keeping people young, and he was all like, "Hey, that's us!" Yup, You're right!

Core Day

Plank @ 45*
1 minute x 3 times
Getting easy. I need to increase the time.

Captain's chair (front)
BW x 8
BW x 8
BW x 8

Captain's chair (obliques - each side)
BW x 8
BW x 8
BW x 8

Woodchops - low to high
15 x 8
15 x 8
15 x 8
Need to increase to 17.5

Woodchops - high to low
15 x 8
15 x 8
15 x 8
Need to increase to 17.5

Swiss ball prone jackknife
BW x 8
BW x 8
BW x 8

Ham/glute leg lift off of the back of the couch
BW x 8
BW x 8
BW x 8
I had tried these off of the end of the bench the last time, but there wasn't enough range of motion. The couch worked well, but I didn't feel anything. We'll see how I feel tomorrow. If there is nothing, then I will add ankle weights.

[marathonmom262]

I used to have depression, and the exercise totally took care of that.

Yep - I know what you mean with this. When you feel stronger and know you are doing what you need to be doing you just can't feel bad about things. It's a wonder drug!

And now that you mention it, I haven't been sick in a long time! Woooooo!

Crap - I must be doing it wrong! Haha - actually I blame my constant sickness on the short germ monsters that live in my house that are constantly wiping their runny noses on my shoulder during hugs, pant legs, etc. Sometimes I imagine my children as the little mucus monsters in the Mucinex commercials haha. They are not green and are much much cuter, but they sure are germy!

Nice core work Red - I need to get back to doing planks at night! I do think the captain's chair is what really helped me with getting some good core strength over the summer though, need to stop being such a sap and trudging out of the gym so quick after my workouts - need to get my booty back to that captain's chair!

[thehobbes]

Solid workout Red, keep hitting it hard!

[Echo814]

Love the attitude in here Red

I need to pull my head outta my butt and think more positively like you have Lifting and being fit is one of the best things one can do for themselves, physically, mentally and emotionally.

[pharty]

I've been absent from...well...everywhere:embarrassed:

Yeah don't be sad panda! You are making progress and it's better than sitting on your arse, right? RIGH!

[jjeane]

Hey Red! I think you're doing great! Like the others said, don't be sad about your progress pictures ... progress can be unbelievably slow. However, don't forget there's so much more to lifting then transforming your body. Lifting empowers you, gives you confidence, literally makes you strong, keeps you young, increases endorphins (happy happy!), makes you a crazy person (heeheehee...had to throw that in cause it does make us crazy people!), benefits your bones, your immune system, your attitude .......... it's just all around awesome and the rockin bod is the cherry on the top of it all

Just Keep Going

This is why I want to grow up to be life Swooshie. I mean really.
So proud of you Red! That is a beastly core workout.

[Redfizz]

Yep - I know what you mean with this. When you feel stronger and know you are doing what you need to be doing you just can't feel bad about things. It's a wonder drug!

Crap - I must be doing it wrong! Haha - actually I blame my constant sickness on the short germ monsters that live in my house that are constantly wiping their runny noses on my shoulder during hugs, pant legs, etc. Sometimes I imagine my children as the little mucus monsters in the Mucinex commercials haha. They are not green and are much much cuter, but they sure are germy!

Nice core work Red - I need to get back to doing planks at night! I do think the captain's chair is what really helped me with getting some good core strength over the summer though, need to stop being such a sap and trudging out of the gym so quick after my workouts - need to get my booty back to that captain's chair!

Hahahaha! Children = germs.

I used to work at a day care with 10 two-year-olds *thus no children*. I was always sick for the first 2-3 months. After that, I was a biological anomaly for ~2-3 years afterwards. I never got sick during that time.

Solid workout Red, keep hitting it hard!

Thanks, Auntie Ham!

Love the attitude in here Red

I need to pull my head outta my butt and think more positively like you have Lifting and being fit is one of the best things one can do for themselves, physically, mentally and emotionally.

There's always an attitude. Luckily this is a positive one.

I've been absent from...well...everywhere:embarrassed:

Yeah don't be sad panda! You are making progress and it's better than sitting on your arse, right? RIGH!

((((((((P!))))))))))

You've been missed!

This is why I want to grow up to be life Swooshie. I mean really.
So proud of you Red! That is a beastly core workout.

Me, too. I wanna grow up like her, too!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The glutes hurt thanks to increasing the squat weight. Love it!

I have been stuck in meetings all. stinking. day. long. Then I missed walking pup due to meeting some out-of-towner coworkers for a drink. My calorie burn is super low for today. Grrrrr.

On a brighter note, as I promised to Lori, here's a pic from my first trip to Costco:



Yes. Two buggies. I bought two awesomely comfortable office chairs, a calf-length down coat to walk pup in during the cold snow/drizzle, memory foam bath mats, and foods. Honey was like a 5 year-old at Disney World for the first time while I was trying to get signed up.

Oh, I did have a fail: Did you know that the ONLY credit card they take is AmEx?????? We had rang up, and I tried to use my Visa. They just kind of looked at me funny and told me they don't take that. So we had to load the carts up and step aside so I could transfer money from my phone in order to use our debit card. The cashiers were super cool about it though. Oh well.

And in pup news, I snapped this pic as soon as I said the word, "Bath":



She smells SO much better, and she seems to be happier. This was her coming to try to give me kisses while I was attempting my prone cobras this morning:



She's so huggable!!!!!

[Redfizz]

Upper Body

OHPs
32 x 8
32 x 8
32 x 8

Push ups
knees x 8
BW x 3
BW x 4
BW x 3

Rows
26 x 8
26 x 8
26 x 8

Underhand grip lat pull-down
50 x 8
80 x 8
80 x 8
80 x 8

Dips from bench with legs straight out and ankles on floor
BW x 8
BW x 8
BW x 8

db chest press
40 x 8
40 x 8
40 x 8

Neutral pull ups
BW x 8 secs
BW x 8 secs
BW x 8 secs

~~~~~~~~
Is it normal for beginners to take a while to do well with push ups? I am going to start the 100 push ups a day program this weekend.

My neutral pull ups are sort of negative pulls ups again. Is it normal to regress a tad? I am still dabbling with my diet; maybe this is why. Honey suggested that it could be the wine I had last night. So I am finding a trend that any amount of wine = crappy lifting the next day. No problem. I haven't missed it the past few days. Heck, even one glass is starting to make me feel icky overall anyway. It's absolutely amazing how much diet influences my abilities. I realize that that was the most obvious statement that I could ever make, right? Oh! He also correlated my being really hot at night with when I drink wine. Weird.

Honey and I are really wanting to get dumbbells. We are lifting at capacity for our set, which were nothing more than a stop-gap. Plus by the time I unscrew it, remove plates, add plates, screw it back on, times two, I am already starting to cool down. Also, I cannot attempt heavier weights if I am feeling good. He said he cannot wait to get a cage. It will be a couple more months before we can do that.

Btw, I am looking at the Starting Strength program. I noticed that it is one day lift, one day off. I really enjoy working out every weekday morning. Could I throw core into the off days?

Is December a good month to buy weights, or do they go on sale in January? I would have thought that they would be at a premium in January.

Happy Friday Eve!

[gobbles23]

Awww, such a cute puppy!!! I just wanna cuddle her to death!

Wow, you cleaned up at Cost-so! Awesome stuff I wanna go now lol! I'd get a membership- but then my bank account really wouldn't be happy

Nice workout! I found it very hard to increase my push-ups- just keep working on them- you'll master them in time

Alcohol messes with my lifting days on occasion, so I usually make sure to drink a big glass of water before bed after having a drink- I find it helps!!! I wouldn't fret though- everyone has weaker days/lifts here and there!

I think throwing in core in-between the days would be ok- at least in the beginning. I'm totally against doing core the day before a workout which uses your core though once you start lifting really heavy-Then I'd replace you're other 2 lifting days with cardio, but I'm sure it wouldn't hurt for now! I really want some d.b's too I miss them a LOT.

[tina722]

I agree with everything Lori said. especially regarding pushups and adding core to SS. Eventually those SS lift days will be so hard, you will want a day to do nothing.

For pushups, its floated around that a BW pushup is around a 0.6xBW BB bench press. I find them really hard, and regress really quickly if I don't do them regularly.

And I'm so jealous that you are getting a cage!

[gobbles23]

For pushups, its floated around that a BW pushup is around a 0.6xBW BB bench press.

^^^!!!! Did you ever do a push-up with your hands on a scale!? I did, and I was pushing 80lbs when I was 120! Which is about ~0.658% of your bw So you're actually pushing about 102lbs Which is pretty darn good!

[PunkyCindy]

I wanted to drop in and say thank you for the encouragement....you are awesome!

As for SS those off days are heaven and very much needed. I'd think cardio would be good on the off days though.

[Luvdogs]

OMG! Could that pup get any cuter??? I don't think so!

Push up are tough, you are doing great. I still don't do them as often as I should. Um, maybe once a month I've heard of the 100 challenge, but not really sure what it's all about. Do tell...

[thehobbes]

DAWWW love dat pup, those ears got me heehee. How did they not push the AMEX on you guys when you signed up for a Costco membership?? That's like their whole thing lol, I think they only take cash otherwise. I had to open a whole separate card for them so I use that one for Costco and all gas purchases since it's 3% cash back, never use it elsewhere cause it's only 1% I think, so I switch off to the other card for everything else. Nice haul, I love those giant carts, although it is sooo tempting to run over old people and children who are blocking my path to the rotiserrie chicken.

I know a lot of people have trouble with pushups in general, but you're doing some bw ones so you're on the right path. Gotta disagree that 1 pushups = over half of your body weight, no way, cause I could not rep out 95lbs for as many pushups as I can do. Gotta remember pushups are not a free weight exercise either so you're not using stabilizers, it's more like a partial machine chest press. I did that 100 pushups challenge, was great, kinda interfered with my benching since in like 2 wks they had me doing my max amount of pushups for several sets. It was kinda cardio-ish but you do get better at pushups.

For SS I would mix in cardio only like PC said if you want to do something, you will want the rest days after like the first week lol.

[jjeane]

Oh those ears!! How cute is that puppy!!
We don't have Costco here, just Sam's and I say it is at least $100 every time I go.
I wasn't making much progress with push up either so I switched to benching. I don't know if will help later I just got tired of not really getting anywhere.