Losing strength?

[jillybean]

Hi. I started a CTX rotation and used the same weights Cathe did. Then I did a PS rotation and almost used the same weight as Cathe (35 for chest instead of 40, etc). Now today I did CTX Step Intervals/Chest and found that I couldn't finish all of the reps with the weight Cathe had used. Did I lose strength? Was I just tired? Has this ever happened to you?

 

[getnfit@38]

Girl relax!
Sometimes it's as simple as what you ate the day before, or if you work out in the afternoon or evenings, what you ate for breakfast or lunch, you might not have "fueled" your body as well. It will also happen to me if I don't get a full, uninterrupted nights sleep. It can be a "that time of the month" thing going on, or girl, it can be the alignment of Jupiter to Mars, but I'm sure you didn't lose strength.
Weight training is a funny thing. Even some stressful event in your life, or a stressful week at work can effect the amount of weight you lift from day to day.
So don't fret, keep fueling your body with good stuff, especially prior to a weight training workout, and I'm sure you'll be back to lifting what's normal for you.

BUT~if this isn't a clitch, but a pattern that continues over the next week or so, you may want to get a check up and just make sure all is well internally. But 9 times out of 10, it's just a "happens to us all" type of thing.

Remember: fuel in = power out!

I try to eat a small carb/protein snack prior to weight training. Even a fat free or low fat yogurt 45 min-hr. before your workout can really make a difference. I keep it at about 150-200 cal usually. But I've noticed it makes a huge difference when I'm lifting heavier weights.

Let me know how your next workout goes,
Donna

 

[Kath]

Sometimes when I return to a certain type of cathe weight workout after time off, I do see a drop in strength, but only one or two workouts later I'm back at top strength. I think the body just gets out of tune with that particular movement, but it comes back in a snap, not like having to earn the muscle all over again.

 

[tmrclvlnd]

Hi,
It could be because CTX is endurance and PS is strength. Your muscles will remember lifting heavy in a few workouts, they just aren't used to lifting the way she does in PS, they are used to CTX. Hope this helps.

 

[willowe]

Hi Jillybean,
The CTX weights segments move quite quickly, that is, there is little rest between each set of exercise. I find this kind of weights work challenges my muscles more, in some ways, than the slow and heavy type, simply because of the limited rest.
I think Donna is right - some days the body just aint willin'! I know that I get very tired and sluggish around "that time of the month" and feel as if I'm carrying a pit pony on my back whilst I work out! Other days, I can fly through the same workout and still be hungry for more!
As Donna says, eating a healthy snack prior to working out is a great idea. I started doing this recently, and have noticed a real difference in my energy levels during my workout.
I certainly don't think you have lost strength - your body is simply responding to the challenge of a different type of workout/training rotation again, which is a good thing. I, personally, would be more worried if the weight wasn't challenging me.

Today Is The Tomorrow We Worried About Yesterday And All Is Well.