The Beautiful Gain

Training
61

[quote]kimbakimba wrote:
If there is any way you can buy a camera (you can get a good little one for slightly over $100) or borrow one, video tells no lies.

Toes out isn’t a problem. I definitely stand toes out. Although foam rolling and stretching your hip flexors is always a great idea.

The most effective thing for dropping my chest has been for me to look slightly up and to press my elbows forward as hard as I can.[/quote]

Yeah, I’m going to do my best to acquire a camera. I’m sure a friend can loan me one. Soon enough!

Thanks for the tips Kimba! You rock.

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So I just want to state that I’m a total d-bag. Couldn’t do any cardio or pilates as planned yesterday because my legs were too sore!

Again, this is what i get for thinking I’m hot shit and just busting into the squats. Sigh.

Anyways, todays much better. I stretched and foam rolled yesterday and that helped.

Is it weird tho that I feel like my hips are tight? Does anyone know what that could mean?

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[quote]Mascherano wrote:

[quote]rcfromdb wrote:
You should’ve talked to the girl - people never mind being asked how they got to looking so awesome.haha

How’s the soccer thing going?[/quote]

Totally! I’ll probably sidle up to her next time I see her. Hopefully I won’t scare her away - I can be painfully awkward, and with my crotch sweat stains no less.

Ugh. The soccer went south. IDK, I was flip flopping on whether to do it for so long and finally just decided not to. I’m kind of bummed, but also I think its most realistic. I can still play on my amateur level and be content with that…right?[/quote]

So you were scared of trying and failing so much that you decided not to try at all and now you’re coming up with justifications for your pussing out. Correct? :wink:

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[quote]rcfromdb wrote:

[quote]Mascherano wrote:

[quote]rcfromdb wrote:
You should’ve talked to the girl - people never mind being asked how they got to looking so awesome.haha

How’s the soccer thing going?[/quote]

Totally! I’ll probably sidle up to her next time I see her. Hopefully I won’t scare her away - I can be painfully awkward, and with my crotch sweat stains no less.

Ugh. The soccer went south. IDK, I was flip flopping on whether to do it for so long and finally just decided not to. I’m kind of bummed, but also I think its most realistic. I can still play on my amateur level and be content with that…right?[/quote]

So you were scared of trying and failing so much that you decided not to try at all and now you’re coming up with justifications for your pussing out. Correct? ;)[/quote]

balls hand into fist BOBBI!

Not scared of failing per se, but more like, “what’s the point?”

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I know someone who was invited to try out for pro but didn’t do it and now she regrets it every day. Don’t let being a pussy stop you from doing something you’ve thought about your whole life.

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you don’t live in MD, do you? heh…I have a friend named Vic as well! He’s more like a mentor…

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Bobbi - I know you’re right, gotta stop being a pussy and making lame excuses.

MIM - ha! Could you imagine if we were actually in the same gym?! But no, I’m New York.

68

Alrighty, yesterday I did the second new program.

On Bobbi’s recommendation I started with pullups 10x1. I was able to do all 10, last two were a bit of a struggle, but mostly b/c i think i lose focus. I realized that if I look up at the bar slightly and kind of lead with my chest I can get up to the bar easier.

Bobbi, is there a time limit on how long should I wait on between pullups? (dumb question?) My goal is consecutive pullups, so maybe a shorter rest would be best?

Next i did Romanian deadlifts. I think i can def go heavier on these, but I need the rack (had to pull from floor). My grip is still shit.

10x65, 8x85, 8x95, 6x115

Reverse lunge with DB. This is basically a reverse lunge with a DB held in one arm at shoulder height. Holding up the 35 was surprisingly hard!

10x30, 8x30, 4x35

DB row. I really like these! looking forward to adding weight.

10x20, 10x30, 10x35

DB push press. This is basically like front squat push press with DBs. I was a bit discouraged with these since the last time I did the front squat push press I was pressing 55 and once 65. But maybe its a different shoulder movement…

10x20, 6x25, 10x20

Hypers (see what i did there?) Should try these with plate behind head.

10x15, 2x12x25

Reverse crunch - 3x10x5 - basically held a db between my feet. Quite possibly dangerous if it falls into my face and breaks my teeth.

Finished it off with front squat tabata.

So I was talking to a friend who recommended Bill Starr’s 5x5 program, stating that 5/3/1 might be overly complicated if I’m looking to improve my bench, squat, dl. Anyone have any opinions on this?

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I don’t think 531 would be overly complicated at all!
You could read the book and decide for yourself…but let me just say this, if I can do it, so can you! haha
Im not the most technical person there is, but all it takes is a minute to figure out what you are doing for the day…
I like going in knowing exactly what Im there to do!

Then again, 5x5 could work too!

Why not start the 5x5 and see how YOU like it and how it works and then read about 531?

I meant to say also, that there is a wide variety of strength programs out there…much beyond 5x5 and 531…its worth investigating…Starting Strength deserves mentioning as well.

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5x5 is a good program. You can succeed on many programs, just pick one and go.

Pullups - the time between doesn’t matter as long as each pull is clean and you do it everyday.

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Thanks for the input ladies. I’m still a couple months from finishing my little program here and then I’ll see where I go with the next program.

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Yesterday I was into my morning ritual of coffee and internets reading. I was just about to log when I got a call from my landlord. That’s when things got a little complicated chez Mascherano. So I didn’t get to log. Anyways, I’m hitting the gym today, so I best get on it!

This was lifting from Thursday.

Squat 10x85, 8x105, 8x115, 6x125, 6x125
Chinups all BW, 6, 5, 5
Wide grip lat pull 5x2x90, 5x2x100
DB incline press 8x30, 6x35, 4x40

So a couple of things:

First I realize this is a light lifting day, but I’m ok with this.

On the squat, as you see, my little staircase rep scheme isn’t working because every time I add weight I feel I can hit a couple more reps. I had my friend Vic watch my form, he said everything looked good but I was rounding a bit at the bottom. Also, I toe out more with my right. Kimba, took your advice and i think it totally helped keep the chest up. At any rate, once Vic left this jabroney who was watching came up to tell me that my knees were going over my toes. I just don’t know who to believe!

Next time I squat there will be a video. And the truth shall set me free!

On the WGLP, i’m totally stalling at 90. There isn’t a 5lb weight that I can add on to this cable station (budget!). 90 i can pull without a problem, 100 I can’t get the bar to my chest. So I just took to alternating 90 then 100, and on, for 10 sets. I hope this helps get the numbers moving.

Was supposed to do pushups, but I subbed the incline presses because I did pushups the day before quite randomly. So I didn’t want to do the same thing the next day, eventho they’re just pushups. But on the day before I did 2x10 elevated feet, 1x10 dynamic pushups. I’m going to try those shuffle pushups that I saw Cbear doing in someone elses log, they looked tough.

Yesterday I did cardio. 15 mins hit followed by 30mins SS. Then took a pilates class. I hadn’t taken pilates in 3 weeks and that shit was kicking my ass. Just so you know its not regular, stretch things out pilates (which might actually be good for me). Its more like core work, dancer type stuff. And for my less than flexible and squatty physique, its just silly.

Ok, that is all. I’m lifting today, so I shall return.

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lookin strong!

what program is it that your doing again? just wondering… :slight_smile:

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Yup looking good so far.
Not seen the hot girl again?

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knees over toes is going to happen, that’s not always bad…that’s as far as I read today :wink:

http://www.defrancostraining.com/ask_joe/images/pics/rachel-squatting.jpg

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MIM - Actually, i pretty much copied the program from New Rules of Lifting for Women and tweaked them by switching out and adding some exercises. I’m a total noob and the book was super helpful because it broke things down into 6 stages. On the first page of the log is kind of what stage 1 was like. I had been squatting a little before starting the program thanks to a cute trainer who showed me how to properly squat (and DL, sigh). I started squatting 10x105 and DL 10x60. So I’ve made some good gains!

Thanks Cal! Yes, I introduced myself in the locker. Told her she’s looking good and I like seeing other women lifting serious. She said she’s been lifting for 10 years. Pretty cool. Actually, as of late there’s been a bunch of women lifting in my gym. There’s this one hispanic girl and one australian chick that I think competes.

Bobbi, if you’ve gotten to this part, congratulations! Cool. That’s what I thought too.

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Yesterday lifted. I like lifting Saturdays.

So this stage is intended to build your pullup, that’s why its a lot of upper body. But I couldn’t resist, so I thought I’d add the RDL. Funny thing is, its basically caught up to my DL. I should watch form. I wasn’t always feeling it in the hams and glutes.

Pullups 10x8 - 2 less than last week. Meh. Note: These are NOT consecutive. I rest b/w each one.
RDL 10x95, 8x115, 6x135, 4x145 - as I said, form?
Reverse lunge with DB - 2x8x25, 8x30 - again, ego needs to be checked.
DB row (alternating 1 arm) - 8x25, 8x35, 8x40 - how do you guys do those krocs with 70?!
DB push press - 3x8x25
Hypers - 3x10x20 (behind head, yeah bitch!)
Reverse crunch - 3x8x7.5

Finished with that quad matrix. UGH!

Got a camera lined up! Stay tuned…

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I just skim for my name.lol. And you’re better hope she’s not gay bc when a girl walks up to me in the locker rooms and starts telling me I look great I assume she’s hitting on me. haha

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[quote]rcfromdb wrote:
I just skim for my name.lol. And you’re better hope she’s not gay bc when a girl walks up to me in the locker rooms and starts telling me I look great I assume she’s hitting on me. haha[/quote]

She did have some strong thighs…

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I am looking forward to some videos!