Ectochick Check

A

AKirkland

Cathlete
Hey ectos,

Thought I'd jump right in and get this thread going. Maybe we call all share our plans for the upcoming week, since this one's about shot.

I've slacked off this week for the first time in ages. I'm job hunting and got a couple of interviews right in a row. All the prep work and follow up has kept me hoppin'. I hope things will get back to normal next week.

Here's what I'll probably do:
Saturday - off (housecleaning, ugh)
Sunday - PS legs
Monday - Upper body weights (I follow Joyce Vedral's Weight Training Made Easy book for upper body)
Tuesday - SH legs
Wednesday - off
Thursday - Upper body
Friday - PS legs
 
Hey, Next week for me is a Cory Everson week. (Don't tell Cathe!!) She has a 3 day split series and I'll do it MTW and ThFS. I plan to fatigue my lower body pre-workout with some floorwork and leg extensions, etc. That's the ecto part. For the rest of my problems, I plan to throw in 2 cardios and I'm gonna aim for 3 Winsor Pilates for Abs, and 6 Cathe Abs (3 with planks).

I plan to do Firm's Maximum Body Shaping tomorrow to finish out the week.

Robin http://www.smilies-world.de/Smilies/Smilies_klein_1/flower.gif
 
Hey Robin,

What do you think of the Winsor program? I've seen the infomercial. I was surprised to see Daisy Fuentes and even Danny Glover (!) endorsing it. Does it do anything for you?

I bought a couple of Pilates tapes - one Stott, one off brand - and I didn't feel like they did a thing for me. After they were over I was thinking, "Is that it?"

I have Cory's Get Hard Arms and Get Hard Butt/Thighs ( I think that's the title...) I felt like she was going too fast for me to lift a decent size weight.

Thanks for jumpin' in there on our new thread!

Angela
 
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Aug-26-02 AT 11:14AM (Est)[/font][p]Wow, here it is all ready! This is awesome.

I'm super happy to report that I just finshed up my final weight segment on a 12 week tank top arms rotation Saturday. My upper body definitely has seen some significant improvement.

My plan this week is NOT to do any weight traning. I'll try and do two more Powerstrikes workouts. Maybe I'll feel "good at it" I'm still new to that. And power yoga with Bryan Kest. (My super sexy yoga guru, in his first power series that is.)

My big cardio experiment: I am cutting back the amount of cardio. My sessions will probably be no more than 40 minutes three times a week down from four hours. This is tough it's really hard to hold back, when I know I can do more. It also really goes against the grain of what everybody in the industry seems to preach. I've had enough preaching though.

I picked up Karen Voigt's Core Essentials, basically a pilates tape, at the library :-jumpy. I did it Friday and liked it best so far of the lot I've tried on this topic, but I didn't even get sore. Good, not overly challenging. I must be in good shape (hah?!). If there's an advanced pilates workout I'd like to hear about it.

But I want to ask you ecto's what effect pilates has on our all ready lean-muscled bodies? I wonder sometimes if pilates isn't for endo's and meso's who are trying to get the long, lean musculature we all ready have. Kinda seems that way.

Have a great week everyone. Just call me "lazy" this time around;-)
Julie
 
Hi ladies! Can I jump right in and play? I'm an ectomorph and need all the help I can get.

Here's my schedule for the week:

Sun-TT1 with abs
Mon-run
Tue-Bodymax upperbody with an evening walk
Wed-PS:Strong legs and abs
Thu-run
Fri-MIS
Sat-a cardio or rest

I have to say I was excited to spot this thread. I'm an ectomorph and it's hard to gain muscle. Of the PS series all I have is strong legs and abs. I'll be ordering the upperbody this week and can't wait to start an offical rotation with them. So right now I'm using bodymax upperbody and PS Strong legs and abs for split workouts. I'm noticing my upper body is becomming more cut. YAY!!

So how do we do this? Is this a weekly check-in to post our rotations or do you guy post day by day? Thanks!
 
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Aug-25-02 AT 09:36PM (Est)[/font][p][font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Aug-25-02 AT 09:33 PM (Est)[/font]

Hey, Georgia, I don't know how we are doing this yet. I'm just gonna see what everyone else does. I plan to check in weekly right now, tho.

Angela, I have Cory's GHAS and I like it a lot, even tho it's a little fast. I really feel that workout. I traded Get Hard Abs and Glutes, tho. Too much cheese and not enough substance. What I'm doing this week is her Basic Sculpting Series. It's a 3 way split and uses a slightly slower pace than GHAS. 2 sets per exercise and 3 exercises per body part. Cory seems a little more serious in these than the Get Hard tapes. I'm looking forward to seeing if they are worth a hoot. As for the Winsor Pilates tape, it's strictly for abs. I honestly don't think that, as an ecto, Pilates is really what I need at this time (for the rest of my body, anyway). Flexibility, yes-Pilates, no.

Waves to Amadeus!! I'm crossing my fingers that Cathe answers my post. I'm sure "ecto" and "overwt." don't belong in the same sentence for the most part, so I was hesitant/embarrassed to ask her. Got brave, tho.

Robin http://www.smilies-world.de/Smilies/Smilies_klein_1/flower.gif
 
Hello, Robin, Angie, Angela, Georgia and whoever else is reading,

It is "wacky" that we can be so thin looking and still be overweight, isn't it?

My sister is a very true ectomorph, she's about 5'7", weighs 105 lbs. and is a size 2. She hardly has the strength to lift herself out of a pool (using the poolside, not the ladder). Her muscles are very small. I can't believe how many women envy her just because she's skinny.

Hey, do you have a problem with jeans not fitting? I guess every woman does. But what I'm talking about is the gargantuan mass of fabric through the thighs, especially on those "relaxed fit" jeans. What the heck is that all about???? It looks like my skinny thighs are trying to grow wings. I usually have the best luck with flares or boot cut, but the problems lies in the waist. Even though my thighs are skinny, my waist isn't. (I look like a marshmallow on a stick.) They get real uncomfortable in the crotch by midday. And I'm desparately searching for anything with an elastic waist band. Sexy, I know.

If you've had good luck with a certain brand, please let me know. I loved Girbaud, but I haven't seen them around lately.

Thanks, ecto's:)

Julie
 
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Aug-26-02 AT 02:57PM (Est)[/font][p]Julie - I'm with you when it comes to jeans. I have a hard time finding anything that will fit well. Relaxed fit jeans are simply out of the question for me. They look like a sack on me. I only wear stretch boot cut. I think the stretch allows me to breath on the waist and doesn't bag too much on the legs. I have luck with Gap's stretch stuff - long and lean, boot cut or flare. They also do a size 0 or 1 but their sizes run large and if you are truly skinny you may even find size 0 a bit big. Also you could try Levi's stretch jeans but I have to buy mine from the junior's department because I think they stop at a size 4 for adult women. Thank God for stretch denim - you can wear fitted stuff and still pretty much do anything in them (even gardening!)

Thought I would also join the check-in and let you'll know that I am finally beginning to get some muscular definition in my legs (even my friends noticed this weekend). I also went down a size in the lower body without losing any weight. Its been a tough rotation though - I've been working my legs out 3 times per week. Once with heavy weights (PSLA), once with lighter weights (PowerHour) and then LL with light weights as well. I think the light weights and high reps (something which I never thought would work for me) has done the trick. I'm pretty sore all the time with this routine so I might switch to twice a week and see how that goes. I keep wondering whether I should add pilates for my lower gutt but I simply never get around to doing it. After all, Jennifer Kries and a lot of dancers look like ectos too so obviously Pilates is helping them. Perhaps the benefits are limited to flexibility though. I've kept my cardio limited and that has done me good as well in terms of stamina. I only have one interval in IMAX (the eighth one) that I can't complete without modifying. Hoping to hear from lots of other ectos.
 
Hey! We're off an runnin' here! Thanks, everyone for checking in. I think once a week around the beginning of the week would be great.

I'm with you guys on the big thigh jeans, but manufacturers obviously have to make what the majority of the population wants. I agree on the boot cut jeans. I don't care for flares - think I'm a little too old for that, but I like Levi's bootcuts. I have one pair from the junior dept. and one from the ladies'.

I've had a similar problem with boots - the knee high boots that are supposed to fit your calves nicely just flop around on me. Boots are nice for hiding "chicken legs" in the winter, though.

Angela
 
Hi Ecto Sisters!

My week started with 1/2 of Power Hour! After tons of yard work Saturday and Sunday, I just didn't have the strength to complete PH! I was tired and I didn't get started until 6:30 in the evening anyway-- bad mistake on my part! So here's the layout for the week:

Sun - 1/2 Power Hour
Mon - Kickboxing and power yoga
Tue - S&H triceps/biceps, 20 minutes cardio
Wed - Pilate's
Thu - S&H Legs/shoulders
Fri - Cardio (step or another kickbox workout)
Sat - S&H chest/back, yoga

This is the plan - hopefully I won't make any changes but I think this is how I have it written on my dry erase board and I generally follow that plan as though it's etched in stone! :)

I've noticed that in the last year that I can't get my hips to budge. To everyone else they look just fine, adds shape to my frame but to me it seems awful! Why is that? Anyway, I'm hoping the Pilate's will help to trim that area down while the weight training will add muscle in the quads and hams making that 'hunk' on my outer thigh/hip region appear smaller/leaner. Cross your fingers for me please! :) And let's not get on my ABS! Usually during the third week of heavy weight training I start noticing improvements in my lower abs - well this is week 3 of my S&H rotation. I don't think it's going to be as easy this time. I can see the lines forming (not down the center though) just along the sides of my abs. So I'm trying to use this little accomplishment as motivation. So far so, good but I know I really just need to keep pushing myself. And quit going on binges! Some days......ohhh! I get cravings and that's it....I can't help myself. Where did my discipline run off to? My self control?

Jeans! Ha! I've been wearing the same pairs for the last 3 years. Don't smile, pat me on the back or even envy me - I buy my jeans a size larger, don't like them to fit tight, so they're always pretty roomy. I have this fear of buying jeans in my correct size and then gaining a ton of weight! I would probably buy them in my correct size IF I could tighten up the ol' abba dabbas! ;) Which has become harder to do this time around! I don't think that the end of this week I'll see improvement in this area! :(

Any one have any suggestions or is patience my only option? And of course clean eating. I think I need to find that clean eating thread and read it for motivation! :)

Thanks Angela for starting the thread this week!

Angie
 
Hi ladies!

There was a change in my rotation yesterday. I took a rest day and did not run. First day of TTOM and I was completely drained out. I got home from work and after I got done taking care of my family, I went to bed at 8:30. Got up at 0700, took the kids to school and came home and slept until 11:30. I was just wiped-out. But I'm back on schedule again and did Bodymax this evening. I feel so much better. Well that's all. Just wanted to post the change.
 
You did the right thing. I'm a firm believer (whoops - better watch that phrase on Cathe's boards) in listening to your body.

Also, from what I've been reading on building muscle, getting the right amount of rest and sleep is extremely important!

Hang in there!
 
OOPS, looks like I'm in the wrong check in. All this talk of size 0-2 was my first clue. I'm an ecto, but I'm not skinny at this point.

BTW, for those interested, Cathe answered my question on the Ask Cathe board. I have to revamp my whole stratagy. Gone is my beloved wt. training every day. 4-5 days of cardio and MIS & PH once per week each. I'll do it for a month and re-evalute. Luckily, I finished one round of Cory's BSS today, so it's cardio TH & Fr and PH on Sat.

Have a great day, everyone.

Robin http://www.smilies-world.de/Smilies/Smilies_klein_1/flower.gif
 
I wanna be an ectochick!

Hi everyone,

I want to join this checkin, because I think the dictionary has a picture of me under ECTOMORPH. I am working hard to gain muscle, but also trying to lose fat around the torso. I sometimes feel like a spider with a round body and scrawny arms/legs.

I'm trying to do more heavy strength work each week. I've been doing that since the spring, and it has helped make my arms look a little, teeny bit more muscular. My vacation last week (ice cream EVERY day) did not help the fat tummy situation at all........ Here is my workout list for this week:

Mon: S&H Chest/Back
Tue: Rhythmic Step and Abs from CTX Shoulders
Wed (today): S&H Legs/Shoulders and planks from S&H Chest/Back
Thu (planned): S&H Bis/Tris and TaeBo Get Ripped Blue and Abs from S&H Bis/Tris
Fri (planned): Rest (I'll be out late at a Redskins game Thu night)
Sat or Sun (planned): Treadmill and abs

If we check in at the beginning of the week, should we state what we did the previous week, or what we plan to do that week?

By the way, boycut jeans are the way to go for me. Looser around the middle (no waist!), and skinnier legs like guys have. VS calls them boyfriend jeans, I think.

Sandi
 
RE: I wanna be an ectochick!

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Aug-29-02 AT 09:38AM (Est)[/font][p][font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Aug-29-02 AT 09:37 AM (Est)[/font]

Hi Sandy!

Welcome to the "Ectochick Check!" I think this works kinda like playin' pool. You know how you call the ball and which pocket you want to sink it in? (Then you get in trouble if you miss it...) Same way here. You tell us what you plan to do in the coming week, then we get you if you don't follow through. Just kidding! It's motivating to know there's a group of folks in the same boat that are counting on you to do your thing.

Regarding chubby middle - thin limbs (I personally don't like the word "skinny" because it was used against me as an insult so many times), I can relate. You may be interested to read an article in First For Women magazine. The theory is food sensitivities cause us to be bloated - what we may see as "fat tummy." It's not really fat, it's water retention and gas, and in some cases - constipation.

You mentioned ice cream every day - dairy is one of the biggest offenders. The others the article lists are wheat, soy, eggs, peanuts, corn, and SUGAR!

There are a couple of testimonials from readers that "effortlessly" lost weight by omitting these offending foods. I know when I'm tempted to eat some of this stuff - it makes a big difference in my belly bloat - particularly by the end of the day. Something to consider...

Angela
 
RE: I wanna be an ectochick!

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Aug-28-02 AT 08:41PM (Est)[/font][p]Oh yes! Bloating! I definitely buy that theory. One serving of Fiber One with some cottage cheese and I look pregnant for the rest of day. Wish I could cut down on some of the high fiber foods but I can't live without them.

I read Cathe's and Robin's post on overweight ectos and I've decided to stick to the approach I have been taking coz it now makes a bit of sense as to why it might be working for me - I've been lifting really heavy just once per week for a month with lots of rest and limited cardio (what I call my gentle rotation), I then kick it up a notch by lifting twice per week (once heavy and once light) with a bit more cardio and then I really go for it by lifting 3 x week for problem areas with lots of cardio. Just before I burn out I take it back to the gentle rotation. The latter allows me to bulk and recover at the same time while the other 2 intense approaches keep the flab at bay. Glad that Robin asked the question and the rest of you made it a 'bumpy' thread. Have a great week.
 
RE: Attention all Ectochicks

Thanks, Angela, that was interesting. But they scare me when they say to eat, eat, eat. I'm an overweight ecto and eat, eat, eat is how I got there;-), of course I didn't weight train at that time either. I think a lot of other ecto's have trouble keeping weight ON. (Not me.) I'd love to take their advice, but the fear of gaining more holds me back.

BTW, If there's an ecto out there who needs inspiration: I rented Terminator 2 with Arnold and Linda (buff) Hamilton not long ago. As I watched Linda, I became more and more convinced by looking at her, that she IS AN ECTO:-jumpy. Her hips and shoulders seem to balance, I was expecting her to be meso with the inverted triangle upper body. Ecto-homework: Watch it and see.

Have a great weekend, everyone.

Julie
 
RE: Attention all Ectochicks

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Aug-30-02 AT 10:01AM (Est)[/font][p]NO!!! Amadeus, don't eat, eat, eat YET!!!!! You saw Cathe's instructions to me. Just eat CLEAN! At least that's the plan for the next month. In the article that Angela posted, I think the endomorph's diet is closest to what I need at this point in time. I challenge you and the other ectos with extra pounds to lose, to see what Cathe says about this, and do this with me! Then, when we've dropped a few, I'm sure what she advises for the next month will benefit ALL of the ectos here. She promises an abundance of wt. work (YEA!).

Be sure to read willpowerAli's thread re: what advice she got from a bodybuilder.

Robin http://www.smilies-world.de/Smilies/Smilies_klein_1/flower.gif
 
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