Lift and Chat: March 16 - 31, 2008

[elisa822]

Eventually maybe I'll begin to really see the value of strength training when it comes to changing your shape. As I've said recently, I was really shook by my fitness assesment at they gym telling me I had 35% BF. I would have expected 25% - I certainly never thought I was much less than that, but 35% really freaked me out. I am now starting to believe that maybe that was incorrect, as was suggested here.

In the past two years, I haven't lost much weight, except in the last few weeks when I've finally dropped maybe 5-7 lbs., but I've been exercising seriously for about a year and a half. I went shopping today and actually bought a size 6 pant! My first size 6!! And it's in a store where I shop all the time. I remember buying some 10's a couple of years ago, then last year an 8...now 6! It was quite exciting for me. And I would have never tried them on if I hadn't been with a couple of friends who insisted that the 8's I was about to purchase were too big. I couldn't see it, they felt fine too me.

Anyhow, just thought I'd share...yay for exercise, yay for weight lifting and boo to the fitness guy who told me I still had 35% BF!

Sorry for the ramble...hope everyone had a great weekend. I think finally spring might be coming.

[Mel]

Congratulations, Elisa! Smaller sizes sure feel good

LG- I've always wanted to learn how to surf, too. I think the closest I'll get is snow surfing, tho aka skiing. I'm glad you're feeling better. And yes, growing a baby is hard work!

Kaw- Welcome back what's new? Picked any new fitness goals?

Jam- Whenever I significantly change my workout, I'm exhausted for a while. It's normal, it will pass.

I did a changed-up leg workout yesterday and am sore, sore, sore for the first time in a long time.

Today was lots of cleaning and cooking. Frozen pumpkin protein pancakes are tucked away for two weeks in ziploc bags. That always makes me feel good.

We ate venison medallions tonight for dinner- yum! they were very lean and filling. I hadn't had venison in years and forgot how good it was. Hmmmm....there's a lot of protein on the hoof munching in my backyard in the mornings! (Apologies to our vegans.)

Mel

[Meg]

LOL on your deer, Mel! DH grew up on a farm in northwest PA where you literally could go out in the back pasture and blast Bambi for dinner (and they did!) He now stares wistfully out the window at the five or six fat, completely fearless deer grazing on our flowers and shrubs, sleeping, and pooping in our backyard and thinks about his shotgun in the basement -- and just can't understand why the township has these silly rules about not firing guns in your own backyard.

[zinkemomx2]

Three words - bow and arrow!

[nelie]

My inlaws stress about the deer eating all their plants as well. Apparently one of their neighbors has 6 deer that are a permanent fixture in their yard.

Today I did my last 1B workout. I felt pretty strong although I screwed up the workout at first. I forgot to alternate exercises and then even started the wrong exercise. I then went on a hike later on in the day which was pretty good.

Oh I also decided to buy a body fat analyzer. I know they aren't the best at accuracy but they are good at changes in body fat. The one I decided to buy has both a sensor for your feet and your hands. My hope is that it'll be able to be as accurate as possible for an electrical impedance type contraption. I am having such an issue with the scale right now that I think I need to rely on a different measurement and hopefully it'll help me get over my hurdle.

[Mel]

Nelie- How about just a plain old tape measure? If you do get a bf analyzer which are you getting?

Cardio done- off to work

Mel

[nelie]

The body fat analyzer I ordered is the HBF-500
http://www.omronhealthcare.com/enTou...parntCatgId=35

Of course I know I could just use the tape measure although I think it is too easy to have the tape measure vary on each measure. At least with the body fat analyzer, I would expect it to be consistent even if it isn't perfect.

[kaw]

Morning, LWL!

I'm working my way through the first rotation of exercises since my return. Not good. Friday was chest/abs, today legs. I've lost strength and reps on pretty much every exercise. I guess that's what I get for being gym-less for nearly 3 weeks.

So, to answer Mel's question, here are my new fitness goals:
1) STRENGTH: get back to the weight I was lifting pre-break on all the major compound lifts
2) ENDURANCE: gain at least 2 reps on bench, deads, and squats at the PR weight
3) FAT LOSS: lose 5 pounds of body fat by my 40th birthday, which is in 53 days.

I know that losing fat and gaining strength/reps are, in some ways, contradictory goals, especially for people who have long since worked through beginners gains. And, I'm not a spring chicken anymore, either! But, with clean eating, lost of protein, and a bit more cardio (ick blech yech gag) I should be able to get there.

Y'all will have to help keep me accountable, and give me a every time I get too close to the peanut butter jar.


Kim

[Lifeguard]

My guests just left & I am excited to get back into the gym again. I am starting my yoga class tomorrow (a little less excited about that).

I haven't gained weight yet but I can tell it is going to be an emotional hurdle. I know it is necessary & for a good 'cause - but after so long & so much work losing my brain is not going to accept this so easily.

I never thought I would get to learn to surf either - Canada is not known for it's great surfing - lol! Somedays I still wake up amazed that I am in Costa Rica!!!