Mim, yes I love me my violent femmes. I tease my husband that “our song” is blister in the sun–“big hands I know you’re the one.”
Bobbi and Coyote, Thanks for letting me know I’m not alone. I felt a little silly admitting I was a squataphob. Sit back. Stand up. What’s so fucking hard about that? But even more so, I appreciate the tips.
Bobbi: It sounds like you’re box squatting with weight that is relatively heavy for you is that right?
Coyote: I like your strategy too. I don’t want to give up free squatting entirely.
Squats are going be fun this month! I’ve got lots of new things to try. Thanks to everyone for the advice and support.
Cal: You’re sweet. But the chocolate chip cookie dough pie bloat is not a temporary thing. This added weight is real. I’ve put on almost a pound a week over the last 6 weeks. I’m not trying to gain weight, I’m just not watching it any more. I tried to keep my weight low for most of this past year as I worked on trying to get to 25 pullups before I turned 40–25 was the number of pullups I could do as a 13 year old gymnast. Long story short, I didn’t make it. And I’ve been chowing down since then. I’m going to make another run at the pull ups soon. But for now, I still just can’t do it.
Regarding Nadia–I love how her movements are connected and she appears to dance across that beam. Gymnasts today are doing such difficult acrobatic skills there is almost no more artistry. But watch Ana Porgras, also a Romanian and the current world champion on beam–she too has a lovely tempo and fluidity to her movements. Ana Porgras BB TF 2010 Worlds - YouTube
Nadia, I’m glad you are fired up to attack those squats! When I box squat, I use light weights. The point of the box squat for me is to groove the movement of sitting back and to strengthen my glutes/hammies to get out of the hole. So there isn’t any point to going heavy on those for me.
Lol! I don’t think you’re a squatphob, you’re an "I don’t want to get injured"phob - which seems quite reasonable to me!
That said, our wise Kimba and Bobbi have given some great advice re: the box squatting (and Cbear’s ass is stellar indeed), so I also thank you ladies, since I for one have never really understood the purpose of box-squats.
Anywho, you’re abz are lovely! And I’m sure they’ll be back soon enough. I’m only shooting for 10 consecutive pullups before the end of the year (not 25, damn woman!) but the minute I put on a pound or two they already feel harder. So I feel ya.
[quote]Nadia Comeandeat wrote:
I’ve put on almost a pound a week over the last 6 weeks. I’m not trying to gain weight, I’m just not watching it any more. I tried to keep my weight low for most of this past year as I worked on trying to get to 25 pullups before I turned 40–25 was the number of pullups I could do as a 13 year old gymnast. Long story short, I didn’t make it. And I’ve been chowing down since then. I’m going to make another run at the pull ups soon. But for now, I still just can’t do it.
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I’m in the same boat - diet-wise, not with the pull-ups though. Damn, 25 would be amazing!
All of those PRs are awesome too. Have fun with your next cycle!
Oooh waking up to breakfast every morning? Sweet. And I’m so trying that baked oatmeal… sounds so good!
I wish I can gain a pound a week and look as amazing as you.
And that’s great progress on the 5/3/1, can’t wait to see those numbers go up. That DL is amazing
[quote]kimbakimba wrote:
So, in my opinion every one of those squats was high. Not by alot, but high. When I judge my own videos, I look for my hip crease going lower than my knees. By that criteria and to my eyes, your hip crease is at the same level as your knees (in most of the squats) and a smidge higher in many.
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My work has been done.
Your perseverance on some of those reps is tres laudable.
I must ask about how you unrack and walk the bar out. I can’t imaging racking after a heavy single by blindly walking backwards. That seems crazy dangerous to me.
Kimba: Yes fired up to squat I am. And to show my new found devotation to the exercise I prioritized it this cycle and did it first.
Laststand: Seriously, the scale blows. But you’re looking awesome and hitting prs and that’s worth a lot too. It’s my hope that gaining weight now will leave me leaner and stronger in the long run.
Nikki: Lovely breakfasts on the weekends only. Weekdays start too early at my house. Here’s the baked oatmeal recipe: 2 cups oats, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/3 cup raisins, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1 1/2 cups of milk, 1 chopped apple, 2 tablespoons of butter, 1 egg beaten, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1 tablespoon of cinnamon. combine. bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes. serve with whipped cream.
Squats:
70x5
80x5
90x a shit ton or about 17. I lost count.
Boring but big fast (for me) and deep squats 45x10x5
bulgarians sets of 10 with 10lb dumbbells. NOtwithstanding the very modest weight, there was whimpering here. I was shaky and tired from the squats.
Then Bench
45x10
65x5
65x10
70x5
80x15 (+2 rep pr).
SOme rows
A 3 mile run to recover. My body was freaked out by the time I was done. Running helped settle me down. I never realized that my bench and squat numbers were so close. I think that’s probably wrong.
Your perseverance on some of those reps is tres laudable.
I must ask about how you unrack and walk the bar out. I can’t imaging racking after a heavy single by blindly walking backwards. That seems crazy dangerous to me.[/quote]
Thank you–weightlifting for me is alot about testing my mettle.
Regarding re-racking, I stumble around some when I’m really tired, but I don’t have a choice. I train alone. So far I haven’t hurt myself yet!
Here are my squats from today. I apologize for the bad music. Anyway, I think most of these are to depth. I actually found going deeper easier (at this weight anyway), allowing me to bounce out of the hole more than when I was stopping at or slightly above parallel. So, I’m pretty pumped about this.
Well, we asked for low and we got low! I don’t see any evidence of squat-phobia. Frenchie is right – nice pants, nice ass.
Nice job on the bench PR. At 80 lbs. I can barely squeeze out 7 reps on the bench, so for sure you beat me. Since I’ve been in squat rehab, I have also noticed that I am squatting and benching similar weights. Honestly, its demoralizing, but I celebrate every morsel of progress regardless. As you should too!
Bulgarians are good for you, and a set of 10 lb. dbs to start was stout.
Nadia you have the perfect lower body. Great work.
I came by to tell you though that I tried the baked oatmeal. I had to healthify it a bit with no butter, whipped cream, and didn’t add dried fruit (even though next time some chopped dried apricots will be nice), and added protein powder, then let it bake while I did my morning cardio.
It was delish, thank you.
Oh, I also did a cute individual serving, baking it in its own ramequin. It was awesome.
As long as you’re looking fine, the weight is not such a big deal. I managed to put on 10lbs in about three or four weeks and it all went on my lower half. Not good. I managed to lose most of it now but damn, once you get over 40, you really have to be careful.
Squats are fine, by the way. I can’t get that kind of depth. Oh and nice derriere.
@ Kimba - I wouldn’t worry, I can military press what I can squat. My squat is pathetic. But as we’re not power lifters, it’s not such a big deal - the fact we’re squatting at all is the main thing.
Kimba: Thanks. And yes, I decided I was tired of being afraid squats. Fear is exhausting. I’m attacking the squat from here on out.
Regarding Bench–that lift is coming along right now for me too. But, you know I’ve got some size on you–and mass moves mass.
Kpsnap: Ahh of course–turn around–what a simple yet brilliant suggestion–thanks.
Nikki: You’re very sweet. And I’m glad you liked the baked oatmeal, healthified and all.
Cal: Thanks. And yes, I know I’m gambling a little bit with the weight gain. I’m going to let it go for another cycle. I’ll weigh in after that and see where I’m at. It’s funny; I felt really sad after telling you about my failed pull up goal, and I realized that I was going to need to get back to it sooner rather than later… so my days of debauchery will being come to an end. For now though, it’s time to eat, drink, and be merry. Really, how much damage can I do in another month!
Training today
I was supposed to do gymnastics today but I had a rip roaring headache by the time I got home from work. Unable to handle flourescent lights or recycled air, I opted out and went for a run instead. Headache cured. One of the reasons I love to run is that it gives me a reason to be outside in the fresh air. I don’t care that it is cold and rainy right now, my body isn’t happy being inside all day. I even have chains for my running sneakers…so I can run in the snow.
Sneaker chains? Wow. I need some of those at the moment. It’s odd, snow used to be a real rarity in London but it seems to be happening every year now. Seems global warming has a flipside.
Oddly, running actually gives me a headache. Only happens on long runs and I’m not sure why - dehydration? (I was well hydrated on my 15K but still got a headache). Maybe the pounding. Dunno.
Hey cal, We don’t get snow very often here either, and therefore don’t have the resources to deal with it when we do. It tends to stick around. I got my sneaker chains at a tire store. They work ok. But I still had to really watch my footing. The good news is that running in the snow is exhausting so you don’t have to go very far to wear yourself out.
Headaches when you run? Could be dehydration. I might also get one if I’m carrying a lot of tension or my upper body is fatigued…you know when you feel your shoulders creeping up to your ears. I can run ok on tired legs, but a tired upper body is another matter.
[quote]Nadia Comeandeat wrote:
mass moves mass.
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^^^ This I like.
Interesting that you mention being a gymnast. My daughter is a gymnast. And whenever I see the older girls (high school), I think about how perfect their bodies are for the sport of powerlifting.
