STS check in Disc 10

[Cathe Friedrich]

cheering "Go Cathy...Go Cathy"

Cathe, I'll be happy to say how darn hard I think those biceps curls with the bands are. They are just about my least favorite exercise and last time I did them I think I managed it with all of a 14 lb barbell and barely got through them. Oh, and I just remembered that was doing them with the lightest tension resistance band.

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

doms, Doms, DOMS, D-O-M-S........Teee hee hee hee hee heeeeee! Do you stil like me JCM?

Still here! I have way too much invested in this to stop until it's over. I love love love it. Yesterday was hard for me - especially those bb curls w/ the band. Must admit there is one thing I'm sick of. It's that darn DOMS that hits me so bad w/ the lower body!! Did legs Friday and I could STILL felt it a little yesterday!

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Now Frances, this is one picture I gotta see

I did not even think of doing a lighter resistant band. That is such a good idea! I just struggled with bad form through the barbell and resistance band bicep curl and limped through a few sets. I am glad I was not alone in the fact that a few more pounds and the 65-70% change could really be felt. My upper body was sore and tired after the workout. I could not help but laugh when I went to my drawing class last night and the instructor told us we were doing figure drawing and this would involve a lot of shoulder work.

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Happy Resting Connie.....the calm before the storm

This is recovery week for me THANK GOODNESS! I feel better reading that many of you felt the last week of meso 1 is hard, I was feeling like wimp last week! It was all I could do to complete the workout. The bicep curls with the band.. oh my, I had to let the band go on the last few reps. Shoulders were hard for me too for some reason. I was exhausted when I finished CSB last week. I too had to keep telling myself "next week is rest week, you can do this"..

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Keep training hard Reena! Happy Birthday to hubby....how was that cake? Did you save a piece for your trainer???

Disc 10 - Push-ups definitely seemed more do-able this week compared to last week. The barbell curls with the band, however, were not....I mean I could not even crank out more than handful of reps...I dropped the band and wound up upping the weight to try to make it as tough....I don't know that I will ever get that one down 100%.
Front press 21s also got to me...I could not finish the set of full extensions...the burning sensation was killing me. I actually got the giggles.

Otherwise, I felt good throughout the overall workout...can't believe we are almost near completion for Mesocyle One (for those following the 3 month program - keep at it 6 month-ers!)

I would also like to hear a bit more detail on Cathe's recommendations for activity during the active recovery week.

Happy Tuesday (today's is hubby's birthday so I see a small piece of very "unclean" chocolate cake in my near-future thank goodness we are doing 70% of our 1RM this week - burn some extra calories lol

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Don't underestimate your strength Mary. Come that day your muscles may have a nice suprise for you.

I'm also a 6 Monther just catching up on "what's coming down the pike". I'm a bit behind everyone on this post, but love hearing your updates. Cathe, I just purchased your resistance bands, and foolishly thought I could use the green one with the barbell and band lift. There was absolutely "NO WAY" and that was Disc 4 at 60%. Am I right in understanding that I will have to relive this move at 70% (and 2 weeks in a row at that?????). I had to reduce the bar weight and go to the lighter resistance band.

Keep the reviews coming, and Have a Great Day!!!

Mary

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Yes of course Katie you will survive Meso 2!

I am encouraged to hear so many of you struggled with this one, as I did. I was like, "whoa, what happened?!?!"

Will I be able to survive Meso 2 after this? I am concerned.... Should I be?

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Way to train Becky!!!!!

I completed the pyramid push ups on my toes. I was doing really well with this workout. I followed the break schedule and I did not need extended breaks.

UNTIL...incline side raises on ball. After that, I was starting to fatigue. I had to start dropping the lbs. I still strove to keep to the 30 sec break limit and I was able to do that for about 90% of the remaining workout.

Then I hit the staggered push ups. I had to drop to my knees for the last half of that set. Then I could barely get through the Standing shoulder press. Haha - I had to drop the weight and the reps. The finally fork in me was the oreacher curl - I barely completed it, but I did finish - using much lower weight that 70%.

My arms are so sluggish. My legs have mega DOMS. I am thinking tomorrow will be a sore day haha!

At least I was able to reduce the need for extended breaks. That is definitely an achievement. I am totally pushing myself to the point of failure and beyond. I am so spent right now. I really like this mesocycle. I am so used to doing heavier weights for less reps. I am totally seeing results. I am tempted to repeat this cycle, but I think I will just repeat the whole thing instead once I get done the program.

I am definitely looking forward to that week off next week. Now I understand why we need it!

 

[goldenpath]

I finally was able to do this workout last night. It was originally scheduled for Sunday. I have had a very busy and stressful couple of days. I have had no time to read the forums. I will go back and read a bit now.

My workout was great. Because I was off track and have not worked out since Thursday of last week (wow that seems like a long break), I did not give it my all. I believe I could have worked harder.

Also at the end of the workout, I was not sad to say "Good Bye Push-ups" HAHA!!! I won't be seeing them for while.. O wait, I think there are few in todays workout.

Hope you are all doing well. Going to read..

 

[lcobb2]

We 6 monthers are reading as you pass us by! We're here... Theres a TON of us!

And some of us who have STS, but can't/won't start because of being preggo. We're out there...lurking.

 

[bayerngirl]

We 6 monthers are reading as you pass us by! We're here... Theres a TON of us!

We 6 mothers are still here

Nancy and Traci, Gayle started a 6 month check in!

 

[worseenemy]

Today I'm doing disc 5 week 2 I hope I can make it, I love it I did chest,shoulders and biceps on Monday, ho gosh that was a good one, soreeee, this muscle confusion is working and not only my muscle is guessing my head is wondering also.WHAT'S NEXT ?
Ho man and leg workout those paper plates,I workout in my garage so the floor is not sleeper y so after I was done I went to the laundry room to repeat them again waw I keep telling to my husband how sore I'm and hi said, ( bragging yea everybody like to brag after a good workout )
Well anyways thanks Cathe..... and I can't wait till I see you again.....

 

[fit_fairy]

Did this one this morning. My whole body was shaking at one point. It's amazing what a differnce 5% can make

 

[morningstar]

thanks so much for your answer. i have a very sensitive stomach, most juices are too acidic for me. i don't know how to not work hard if i'm doin STS. they are so hard. and there are times i am dizzy. bananas are the quickest and easiest to eat. would that be good? and is it ok to do my protien shake a bit later? i get so confused w/all the information. you would think i would've figured it out by now.
thanks again, cathy

Just have some chocolate milk- gives you the right mix of carbs and protein and is easy on the stomach.

 

[morningstar]

So, here I am on the final set of pushups- the staggers. Up to now in Meso 1 I have finished every last pushup on my toes. This one got to me. I hit the floor on the last one - boom! And I was cheering when I was down there, because I thought "Yes! I finally hit failure on the push ups!".

I did this one at 4:00am, instead of the evening when I usually do it. I was up since 3am, so I was fully awake, but I just didn't have the strength I do later in the day (more nutrients in me by that time, probably). So, it wasn't my best workout ever, but I wanted to do it before work today, because I have a difficult all-day meeting ahead of me and those tend to wear me out completely- leaving me just drained. So, now I have a run on the way to work, and then just my walk home tonight and I'm all done for the day!

 

[worseenemy]

good,good workout!!! But

Hi everyone I'm doing meso2 week3 disc 19 and I'm happy that I'm doing ok. Yesterday I did chest, shoulders and triceps, I wonder if I'm going to be able to lift more heavy for chest pres,my card said 53 pounds but one I don't have a bar that I can load with that weight,and I don't have the rack,is hard to get that weight the right position to start. I have this olympic bar that is 45 and the plates the small is 20 pounds, no way I can do that much.
So I'm on the one minute rest and thinking how to heck I'm going to do for meso 3? I try with dumbells for the second round, 25+the gloves 2, 27on each hand, and holly molly my left arm wants to give up, I hardly do 8 reps... and I was working hard, my baby Stacy come to see me and go back in the kitchen and get me some more water,oh she is so cute, she said "here mammy you need a lot of water" oh thanks.....
For triceps I was fry my left arm was so week, for the one arm cross body kickback I was trying so hard but I did, CHEAT,for the last 3or 4 reps, oh well I guess is not to bad...
Over all I'm enjoying STS, I can't believe this is the second month and almost over...

 

[krassymira]

I'm checking in, Disc 10 is done! I read all the posts here and I was surprised how everyone felt it to be harder than the previous three. I didnt feel that way - for me it was just a normal regular workout and I did it strong, felt energized and finished it up with a 27 min portion of HIS. The 5% weight increase felt almost insignificant, with the exception of the standing overhead press drop set. I had to do it with 1 lbs less that the suggested weight. I even increased (!!) my weight on few of the exercises:
1. Drop set of standing biceps curls
2. Chest flys on stability ball
3. BARBELL CURLS WITH BAND ATTACHED - I am amazed that that was everyone's killer... but that was probably becasue my weight wasnt that big to begin with. Still, I went up from the suggested (measly) 16 to 20.
4. Preacher curl on stability ball.
The one exercise that I hate is the standing (or seated) barbell front press. For some reason my back is always arching, no matter how light or heavy I go, or the position I am in. Even if I put one leg in the back for suppert, I am still arching.
Pushups.... hrm.. where to begin. First and foremost - thank you Cathe for eliminating them for the rest of the program!!! I did them all on my knees, did all of them and grunted significantly less than on disc 1, 4 and 7. Am I improving? I hope so! Also, this time I followed up the advise I read here posted by another catheite and tried the boot camp style pushups on the stairs! Wow - that was great! I actually completed them all! I dont know how was my form but I finished strong and that gave me confidence that may be one day.. just may be... I'll be able to do pushups on my toes. Its something I've always dreamed of.
So, overall, great workout! I feel good and pumped and ready for disc 11.
Best to all: Krasy