feeling discouraged over lbs. I'm lifting

[fitat49]

Hey ladies, I'm doing the 6 month sts rotation , this is week 2 Meso one. I can't imagine having to or being able to lift much heavier weights as time goes on. I'm doing the heaviest I can now with proper form, which sometimes I feel like a lightweight compared to the girls on the dvd. Will I actually get stronger? Or do you have to lift major weight to be able to see results in this series? Just feeling a little discouraged. Thanks as always, Lori

 

[regina]

Hi Lori,

You may indeed be able to lift more in the other Meoo cycles. Mesos two and three have less reps than meso one and you have longer rest periods. These longer rest periods allow your muscles to recoup from the heavier placed upon them.

In the other mesos you can also try microloading. Your muscles may hardly notice very small increases.. You can micro load with weighted gloves, but I prefer plate weights or pace weights.

Don't feel discouraged- if you stick with it and microload and periodically change your variables- ie weight lifted, exercises performed, rep range, lifting tempo, body parts trained together, order of exercises, etc, etc. you defiinitely will get stronger.

Regina

 

[meowracer]

STS is a personal journey. That is why Cathe won't way what weights she is lifting and why you do the 1RMs. If you did the 1RMs and did them to failure, you WILL see increases in strength, especially on the other mesocycles, as the other poster mentioned. Also, you may find that as you workout, you need to decrease weights. that is ok too. You may be fatigued from the workout. The most important thing is that you are doing it! Enjoy the journey

 

[dorothyrd]

I agree with the micro loading. Make sure you do everything you can to do the tiny increments. I have been weight lifting since age 20, and am now 47, and I am very surprised with the weight I am lifting. But, I had to get over the mindset of thought that I cannot lift that heavy. I would see it on the work-out sheet and go, um no, then I would think, I will try it for one set. And then two, and sure enough I can lift the weight. I think we all tend to baby ourselves, especially with no one there but a video tape to encourage us.

So push yourself and increment bit by bit. And whatever gains you make are your gains and matter to you. Don't pay attention to other people's weights and gains.

 

[NY25]

Remember - the girls in the videos have been doing this for a very long time and it is a career for them. They should be lifting a lot. Also, you have to consider your own objectives and goals. I would love to look like Cathe, but I'm not 5'2", I have a standard full time job that does not permit me the necessar time in the gym to achieve that look, etc. This should be about you for you. Don't compete with the people in the video. If you're lifting what you can with good form, you are where you need to be. You will improve. I do agree with the micro-loading - I've begun doing that and it makes an amazing difference.

 

[ImFiddY]

Try to not look at it in terms of the number of pounds you are lifting. Look at it as doing each exercise with the best form with whatever weight you can lift. Focus on the muscle being exercise and get the most out of the movement.

If you are working your muscles hard with low weight then you are doing what needs to be done. Don't set goals in terms of weight lifted. Everyone is different. All the posts above have great advice on micro loading. Just take it one workout at a time.

You can do this Lori, don't get discouraged.

 

[kathryn]

Fitat49:
I know it's so easy to compare what we are lifting to what others are doing, but there are so many factors that play into it: body type and muscle insertions--people with shorter limbs can lift heavier because they have less of a lever--and age and just a few of them.

Instead of being discouraged by what others are doing, try to focus on your own progress.

And remember, "It's not the weight, it's the work" (not a Cathe quote, but one from me). If you're finding those last two reps or so tough, and you feel like you are working hard, then you are doing what you need to in order to make progress. One caveat, if you are 49, you might find that you need more recovery time to make progress. As counterintuitive as it might seem, it's the recovery time after the work that helps build muscle and strength. Make sure that you balance work and recovery.

HTH!

 

[fitat49]

Ladies you are the best. Your encouraging and helpful. I appreciate it. I'm going to be 50 here in a couple of weeks and should just be proud of what I can accomplish. I too have been lifting for quite a few years. Just must be expected to much for myself. I do have a question. I do use the weighted gloves but what are the plates or pace and how do you use them? Thanks so much everyone! Lori

 

[meowracer]

Hi Lori - pace weights are magnetic weights that you put on your DBs or plates in increments of .5lbs each. You can get a set of 9 lbs, 18 lbs, or individually. They are only available online: paceweights.com. There are also platemates that work by the same principle but I think they come in 1.25 each (for a 2.5 lb set) and 2.5 each (for a 5 lb set) increments. They are shaped more like the end of a DB and you put them on the ends. I'm not 100% positive on the weights of platemates but it is something like that. Personally, I bought some wrist weights and ankle weights so I have 1.5 lbs, 2 lbs and 2.5 lbs in those that I use. I've pondered the paceweights but just never did anything about it.