IDK if your gym has many machines, but this could be the best time to transition to some more “bodybuilding style” training. We have a lot of guys and gals at my gym who compete, particularly female physique competitors, and a lot seem to have no issues making great progress while staying away from most barbell work.
2 Likes
Good to know, I had read that as I was doing some more research, it is better to hear it from a trustes source!
Oh no!! I have not actually found your log yet, what did you injure?
As always, thanks for stopping and dropping hugs and knowledge. Much appreciated!
2 Likes
So many machines. Bodybuilding style is for sure something I could work on. I am sifting through some old articles/programs now to find some non-barbell, machine/dumbbell. Then Ill be adding lots of prowler work for the wheels.
2 Likes
Weekend Recap
Jeep was gone for the last week getting her shocks re-built and re-valved. It was strange to not see her in the garage. It did not like it. But boy does she ride extra nice now.
Happy reunion, some favorite trails ran, temps getting warmer, went to a favorite coffee shop that just opened for the season. (Also, yes, I do navigate by coffee shops, and my favorite food places.) Great weekend. Drove from 2am until 430am one night because we woke up in a crazy wind storm and couldn’t sleep. This is not the first time that has happened.
9 Likes
I think John Meadows has a couple cool programs with a lot of machines programmed in
1 Like
So, I don’t have a log because if I did I would get all obsessive and I just can’t go there. Safety first, right?
I’ve been re-injuring my lower back since last May. It gets just good enough to where I think I can start hitting it again and then after business as usual for 4-6 weeks, it just decides to be a jerk-face again. It’s ridiculous, so I’m sticking with Leg Press, Goblet Squats, Leg Extensions, Lunges and sled work. Absolutely NO hip hinge - I can’t even do BB or Pendlay rows without it feeling “tweaky”. It sucks, but it’s just my reality right now. We’ll get through this together!!!
2 Likes
I feel that. I find myself wanting to pick specific programs and complete them to a T, partially just for posting here. Hurting my back actually got me off that train. Silver lining?
We will absolutely get better! For good this time. Sounds like your issue is similar to mine. Hip hinges get it so angry!
1 Like
Monday
Run
30 minutes, 2 min walk/90s run
Gorgeous morning again. Running doesn’t hurt my back at all, of all things. It is no longer steadily aching. Back to just feeling bad if I sit too long.
Tuesday Weigh-In
150, up 0.6lbs.
No surprise here, that time of the month and I feel like a puffer fish. It’ll start coming down again… Sometime.
Warning, incoming period talk.
@QuadQueen @Dani_Shugart @Bagsy
I am getting mixed answers on Google, and that is a dangerous place anyway. So, I wanted to get your take.
Is it normal for your period to come a week or a few days early? Mine was predictable down to the day for years. Then, a few months to maybe a year ago it started getting more erratic. A few days early, a couple days late. Now twice this year it has been an entire week early. I am on the pill, and the brand changed (though the pharmacist assured me it was the same formula, different name) around the same time. That pill name change is my only guess as to what might be different.
Or do bodies just change and fluctuations like this are fine?
6 Likes
I am by no means a medical professional, but…
The average menstrual cycle length varies not only between people but also sometimes for an individual. Personally, my period does not come early, but it may come late if I am traveling (i.e. stress). I think that’s normal. Life fluctuates like you said, and if you have had more going on lately, then it is even more likely that your period could come a few days later or maybe even earlier.
I’m not sure what the length of your cycle was previously, but if you’re now having a period, like, more than every three weeks or so then I would be concerned. Take this all with a grain of salt because I’m not on hormonal birth control. Still, maybe it is the change in brand like you suggest.
3 Likes
Mine fluctuates like that on occasion too! I think it’s normal, but it wouldn’t hurt to check with a doc.
A while back I heard an interview with Misha Tate (MMA fighter) where she talked about irregularities in her cycle. And that got me thinking about women – who train hard for their sport or who lift/work out consistently – I get the impression that we’re more likely to have some unpredictability.
That interview was pretty interesting, so I’ll link to it HERE if you get the time to listen. 
That’s awesome to hear!!
2 Likes
I will keep an eye on this one. If it keeps coming around this often I will have to bite the bullet and check with a doc. Thanks for the input!
2 Likes
That is a very interesting take. I have been lifting most consistantly the last two years or so, may not be a coincidence that things are fluctuating.
I will give that interview a listen as well. Thank you for the response and the link!
2 Likes
Tuesday
DB & Prowler Fest W1D1
Floor Dumbbell Press - 3 x 12 x 35
SS
3-Point Dumbbell Row 3 x 15 x 35
Military Dumbbell Press - 3 x 15 x 15
SS
Single KB Sumo DL - 3 x 15 x 40
Kick Stand Single Leg RDL 3 x 15 x 35
SS
Dumbbell Curl - 20, 15, 12 x 15s
Prowler:
3 rounds - 50ft push, 50ft pull (hip strap)
135lb + prowler
This is based off of this article:
Took all of an hour including stretching. Short and simple. I feel like I didn’t do enough… But honestly all I am aiming for is maintaining muscle.
I can work on building when I am healthy and it is not travel season. It fits current limitations and priorities very well.
11 Likes
I’m a little late to the cycle/hormone thing conversation, but my cycle has never been “regular”. Between over training in my younger years and probably in the early stages of menopause now (I’m 43), my overall patterns have always been whack. I will see that a lot of my female clients experience variations like this too. Things that I suspect contribute to some extent are stress, activity level, diet (most commonly too low carb = later/lower frequency) or otherwise a condition like PCOS.
I’d say it definitely wouldn’t hurt to just ask your doctor to run some hormone level test, if for no other reason than peace of mind!
4 Likes
All great points. Seems to be the theme between all of my answers. Also founds like I might need to bite the bullet and go to a doc for a little check.
Thanks for the response!
1 Like
@ladies
obligatory disclaimer: I do not menstruate.
*whew*
Now that that’s off my chest, y’all might be interested to look into Victoria Felkar’s content a bit. She kind of specializes (with a PhD) in optimizing women’s health, hormones, and performance (yes, branching into ‘enhancements’ too).
I’m not really on any of the social media platforms in which she distributes content, but I’ve only ever heard good things of her and what she does with regards to these subjects. Might be a good place for some self-education on the matter, if that’s the kind of thing anyone here is interested in.
I’ll exit stage and be back when I see training posts again 
2 Likes
Thursday
Cardio
25 minutes, 1.75 miles
2 min walk/90s run
I for some reason feel the inner need to give weather report with every run… 45F and sunny. Moving slow, hamstrings are a little sore from Tuesday. Surprising. I know that is not always an indictation of things working, but I will take it as that anyway 
Yesterday was 65F and sunny. Went for a walk with hubby after dinner. We only get a few days of perfect weather, so we must enjoy it. Total of 12k steps for Wednesday.
10 Likes
Thursday PM
DB & Prowler Fest W1D2
Bridge Dumbbell Press - 3 x 12 x 35
SS
Bent-Over Dumbbell Row - 3 x 12 x 35
Arnold Press - 3 x 15 x 15
SS
Bulgarian Split Squat - 3 x 12(ea side) x 20
Circuit:
Sumo Dumbbell RDL - 3 x 15 x 45
DB Pullover - 3 x 15 x 20
Band Lateral Raise - 3 x 20
Prowler:
3 Rounds
50ft push, 50ft pull (hand straps)
180lbs + Prowler
Felt worn out/fatigued all day yesterday. Didn’t wake up during this either. Not sure why, it’s not like I am taking on much in the gym. The only thing I am not logging is 10k+ steps a day. I have been eating a bit more this week too. Just one of those weeks I guess.
Finding myself not dealing well with hunger this week (hence eating more). For the last two or so months I have been ignoring it well. This week it hit hard. Hungry within 10-20 minutes after lunch and dinner. Adding in a before-bed snack most nights. Keeping it healthy, greek yogurt with homemade granola, a handful of nuts, protein cookie dough, etc. Getting ready to lean hard into diet again next week. Really want to finish out the T-ransformation strong.
11 Likes
Nice!
And awful.
All at the same time!
2 Likes
Perfect definition of prowler work!
2 Likes