STS January Check In - Welcome All!

Crazysoccermom - I also did disc 14 today. I was at 27.50 pounds with my squats & deadlifts, so not lifting quite as heavy as you are. I have Cathe fitness gloves and they have a little cushioning/grip in the palm of my hand. They are a purple color. I've had them for a number of years and actually want to replace them. I feel like I get a really good grip with them. I looked on the site the other day and it doesn't look like you can buy them directly from Cathe anymore (I was considering the weighted vest). The other thing I use, are weight plates. They are magnetic and adhere very well to the end of my dumbbells. I have a total of 4, each at 1.25 pounds. Finally, I have the weighted gloves - also a Cathe label. While I like these, they are more open in the palm than my fitness gloves. I haven't tried to wear both at the same time yet. Thought it might be too much velcro at my wrists.

Weigh-in today - down another 1/2 pound. That is a total of 5 since Christmas.

Lisa
 
Hi all!

Yesterday I did disc 2 - much better than disc 1. I'd forgotten, though, that legs comes at the end of the week during this Meso, so got a bit muddled on what to do when, so a triceps w/o after X10 really made me shake. Also, my abs had DOMS - but I can't think of how. I haven't done any specific core stuff??????

I then decided to do Hard Strikes, because it's my favourite, and I wasn't feeling up to much - gor 25mins into it, and the dvd stopped playing. I've had no problems before with that dvd. GRRRRRR. I just gave up.

Today I'm planning on Cardio Leg Blast - haven't done anything other than walk the dogs so far today. Not so sure I'll get a double in. Lisa - I only have the time at the moment because the weather here is filthy. As soon as we start lambing, or we can get on the land, I won't have as long.

I think I'm loosing weight, too. I don't get as hungry with Meso#1 as I did with the heavier Mesos. AT LAST :D
 
Hi all!

Yest Also, my abs had DOMS - but I can't think of how. I haven't done any specific core stuff??????

Today I'm planning on Cardio Leg Blast -

I think I'm loosing weight, too. I don't get as hungry with Meso#1 as I did with the heavier Mesos. AT LAST :D

I was really sore in my core after Disc 1 - I think it is the plank/pushups in that workout.

I added Cardio Leg Blast several of the Meso 1 weeks - I liked having a second leg workout in there.

I am SO hungry right now with Meso 2 this week. LOL Lots of protein to help fill me up.
 
Cardio today: did LowMax on a 8" platform, which I don't normally use. Knee started to hurt, so stopped around 35 mins and did 20 mins of core/planks and stretching.

I have a second cardio on the books today at work.

Weight is moving in the right direction .. slowly.

I stopped by after work yesterday and got new running shoes. Those helped .. my feet aren't painful anymore. Tossing those old ones!
 
Workout was Cathe's Party Rockin step #1, 54 minutes, 428 calories. This was quite fun. I did stumble around on all of the turns on combo five though, I will get it eventually. I had not done it yet in it's entirety. I then did Ab Circuits Yoga Based Abs,15 minutes, 76 calories and finished with Jillians Yoga Inferno workut #1, 33 minutes, 214 calories. Total time was 1 h 42 ninutes and calories burned 718.

Lisa, I purchased a lot of the things that Cathe had on her store at Academy Sports in Oklahoma City. It may be that they carry them because most of it is manufactured by Altus here in Oklahoma. When I use the barbell or the adjustable dumbbell bars that use plates I sometimes will add a pair of 1 or 2 lb dumbbells that have handles and the clips and collars hold them on. I just hunt for little ways to get those extra weight increments. I have the 20# weighted vest that Cathe had. It is much more comfortable than another Golds Gym one that I have. I have the Bowflex Selectech weights which has 12.5 lbs, 17.5 lbs, and 22.5 lbs which is a bonus with my other free weights as well. I never tried to double my gloves up. I have lifting gloves. I have both the 1lb gloves and 2lb adjustable gloves of Cathes. I bought some 1.5 lb ones that Kelly Coffey had mentioned once that are much easier to put on and open palmed with just two fingers and a thumb hole. More comfortable. They might fit over lifting gloves. A lot of it is just trying to find some creative ways to make it all work.

Crazy Soccer Mom, I used to use 8 inch step all of the time but when my knees started bothering me more and also discovered it does not make a significant difference in calorie burn, I quit. After surgery I just used the platform at first. Glad that you were able to get some new running shoes. It really does make a difference. I finally threw out about 6 pair of workout shoes. I don't know why I hang onto them when I get new ones.

Justine, I am sure that was frustrating to have the dvd stop working. Things like that can put a real damper on the workout. Cardio leg blast is such a fun workout. It is really great for me now that I am able to get back into lower body stuff.
 
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Workout was Cathe's Party Rockin step #1, 54 minutes, 428 calories. This was quite fun. I did stumble around on all of the turns on combo five though, I will get it eventually. I had not done it yet in it's entirety. I then did Ab Circuits Yoga Based Abs,15 minutes, 76 calories and finished with Jillians Yoga Inferno workut #1, 33 minutes, 214 calories. Total time was 1 h 42 ninutes and calories burned 718..
Wow! That's some workout.

I loved Cardio leg blast yesterday. I don't really get DOMs from it (I've probably done it too many times!) - so today I did STS disc3 legs. It was good. Not too difficult - I picked up heavier weights than last time I did it. I combined it with Slide and Glide cardio portion - which really fries my legs.
I did S&G warmup, STS then S&G cardio + stretch. My inner thighs know about it! The whole thing came in at about 80 minutes and 500 calories. I'd already done a 5 mile dog-walk, so my lower half is sorted for the day!

Crazysoccermom- I think you're right about the push ups and my abs. It's the only possible explanation. I'm glad the scales are moving for you - it's the direction that counts, not the speed.

Lisa - 5lb since Christmas is great going - have you much to go? All I want weight-wise is to get back to pre-STS weight. A BMI of just below 20 suits me. I'm one of those people who really show weight change - I think it shows on my face. YUK. The difference between gaunt and pudgy is only 5 or 6lb!

Keep going everyone!
Justine
 
I ordered a new pair of lifting straps with hooks: Amazon.com: Power Weight Lifting Hooks - Best Weightlifting Strap Hooks for Gym Training Workout Like Deadlift & Shrugs - Crown Gear Ultimate Grips Powerlifting Hook with Cushioned Neoprene Wrist Straps - Comes in Pair - 1 Year Hassle-free Replacemen

Hopefully those will be the ones. I used the versagrips today for the 35 lb deadlifts, and it's a bit awkward to get them into position, although they did help.

Today was Disc 15, Back and Biceps. Biceps gave out at the end in the preachers curls. Set of 12 at 15 lbs .. I did 5. Moved to set of 10 at 12.5 .. I did 7. LOL weak!

Aiming for a lunch run/walk at the company gym ... hopefully the boys are able to get out for their usual Friday soccer game and leave me free for gym time. Weight was bumped a bit today. Probably from all the muscle soreness from Legs on Wednesday!

Have a great Friday!
 
I just finished disc 15 also and my arms gave out on the preacher curls as well. I don't know what it is about preacher curls, but I can't seem to get past 12 pounds. I did the first round with @ 12 pounds & weighted gloves and got the 12 reps in. Dropped the weighted gloves to finish. I only did 8 reps in the TF range. Otherwise, I did all the other weights as planned. I'll do STS Yoga abs later then skiing this evening (hopefully).

I'm still walking like Ruth Buzzi from Laugh In from doing disc 14 on Wednesday. Last evening I wanted to do UY Vitality, but I couldn't get the disc to play. I've have so many of them replaced. I feel like a pain in the butt contacting them again, but the disc just grinds in my dvd player. I did the 2nd yoga workout from UY Foundations. Wanted to do something to help loosen my legs up!

With the 5 pounds I lost, I'm in my 'previous' goal weight range again. I like to have a 5 pound range to account for monthly fluctuation, etc. But this year, I've decided on a new range. If I lost 5 more, I'd be happy. I'm set to accomplish that by the time I complete this STS rotation or in time for my 47th birthday in April! I'm feeling more focused than I have in a very long time :D

Lisa
 
Today I did STS disc 18,back and biceps. I increased some of the weights but not all. I moved barbell rows to 70lb which was a 5lb increase. Barbell curls up to 45lb from 40, alternating curls I started with 22.5 lbs for 12 reps but had to pull back to 20 which is where I was last week. Maybe I am just not pushing hard enough. It went pretty well though. Not a lot of breaks to figure weights. I followed with the Tread Climber for 35 minutes, 310 calories. I am still trying to figure why the Tread Climber read out is over a hundred calorie difference. Same HR. I couldn't adjust the weights and got fed up with trying to go back to the defaults. Cathe's workout manager gives more calories for a cross train machine. I feel like I am really working hard. Anyway workout was1 hr. 50 min. and calories burned 716.

Lisa, I think preacher curls are one of the hardest. It took me forever to get past 12lb. Now I am between 15 and 17.5. Sometime if it is low rep and one arm I can get 20. You will get there. LOL on walking like Ruth Buzzi :D My legs are still sore form Wednesdays leg workout.

Crazy Soccer Mom, I hope the new lifting straps with hooks work I would guess that it takes a bit to get used to them.

Justine, nice workout mix. Good on being able to pick up heavier weights for STS disc 3. We don't really have to have the doms to get results but it always feels like we have really done something when there is some :) My triceps are sore and quads and hamstrings are feeling this week's workouts.
 
I agree with you all on preacher curls - one of those exercises that when you stop, you just stop - there's no pushing through, or partial reps. Sometimes I can adjust my position slightly and that helps.

Diane - great weights! Especially the barbell rows. I must admit, however, to enjoying the lighter weights of meso#1 :eek: Sometimes just moving the barbell around is a workout in itself.

I felt exhausted this morning - all the MWT I've been doing must have caught up with me. I wasn't sure that I was even going to be able to walk my dogs - especially as it's pretty stormy here. But I did (430 calories in an hour - pretty good for walking, eh?)
I then went on to impress myself and did Athletic Training. That Low Impact series really fries the legs, doesn't it? I don't think I'd realised before. When I finished I did PRS#1 - the 1st combo 3x through. I got it! I'm determined to learn more step. I may even try the second combo tonight. I need to do some yoga, too. Lisa - what a shame about UY dvds. Foundations is nowhere near as good (IMO) - although the second is the best. I quite like short and sweet, though.

You're all doing so well, weight -wise. I'm not going to get on the scales - I'll just get depressed - but I think I'm looking better than at the start of the year. (I'm trying to convince myself!)

Have a great weekend, everybody,
Justine x
 
This morning I did To The Max and Short & Sweet 1. Then over to my parents farm this afternoon to clean stalls and some other chores. It wasn't any higher than 20 degrees...after several hours, I was cold! Came home and gave the pup a bath. Making dinner now and will be lucky to still be awake in an hour.

All in all, a great day :cool:

Lisa
 
Today I did Cardio Supersets 42 minutes, 280 calories. This was lousy to me but fun since I have not done it in quite some time. I then did Ab Circuits weights and plates abs, 18 minutes 95 calories. I then did the Tread Climber for 32 minute, 269 calories. ( I figured out my problem with calorie burn as it was the goal oriented settings where I do add my info and the difference with an instant workout that is not G.O. that has a default of 150lbs) I finished with Shiva Rea Power Yoga Flow Mandala Namaskar segment 11 minutes. 1 hr. 43 min., 691 calories.

Today I started adding to my one rep max with a couple of tricep moves. I swear maybe I should have cheated a bit I did 9 reps with lying dumbbell tricep extensions and 20Lb dumbbells. I even think I could have went longer but I would have lost form. It would mean a lot of weight for a 1 rep max.. Maybe this is why I don't increase like I did the first round. I was able to really increase my weights beyond where I have ever been. I do have some things in the one rep max. I forgot I did it, other than they show up on the workout cards. Cathe's really does have this all planned out well.

Juatine, thanks. I know I can get higher weights because I have done it before. The knee thing has kind of made me cautious of form over weight though. I really pushed on the Beast workout from Beachbody the second time through and that last week upped the lower weights to the point I am sure I lost form. I could feel my knee pulling in. So, lighter is better when it comes to form. I used to hate endurance workouts but over the years I have come to really like them.
I used to do the lower body Athletic training mix. That is some workout :) Amazing how you can work so hard without the impact. You had some workout :) The PRS combo 3 times should help. I swear it was combo 5 that got me with all of the spins and around the bench stuff. I kept moving but know I was not on the step or the proper side of the step when I was supposed to be. I ha done hard choreography before and it can be loads of fun when you learn it.
 
Yesterday, my husband and I went for a nice walk with our puppy. We went through the woods and had to break through the snow for some of the walk. I was glad when we finally hit a snowmobile trail. It started to snow pretty good while we were out. It would have been very peaceful if it hadn't been for the windmills running. The intent was to wear the puppy out, but I was pretty wiped the rest of the day. Pretty sure it was breaking through the snow.

I start 2nd of M2 today. I have to update my workout cards for the week; pretty sure I go heavier again this week. I have to travel for work, so my goal is to get all my workouts done by the end of the week. Should be doable with some advance planning.

Have a great week...plan for an extra treat later this week...Valentine's Day!

Lisa
 
Crazy weekend. Saturday we drove 4 hours RT up to UCLA to watch the gymnastics meet. Fun day - still got in my steps and 25 flights of stairs.

Sunday was busy driving kids around, shopping and cooking a bday dinner for my FIL.

I am dissapointed I didn't get workouts in either day. In hindsight, I could have gotten up early either day and done it.

Today or tomorrow is the weigh in and I'm still up 2 lbs. Even though I know I am retaining water due to where I am in my cycle, and I know my true weight is lower than the scale is reflecting, I'm still feeling down on myself. Going to shake that off, though. I know that even if I didn't make the goal, I'm still lower than last official weigh in. So I'm focusing on that.

Cardio this am - 3 sections of X10 with light or no weights. Then will hit the gym at lunch today for a run.

Happy Monday everyone.
 
Hi everyone

Yesterday, I did nothing. Absolutely nothing. By the evening I was climbing the walls - a total rest day just doesn't suit me!

Today I walked the dogs, then did disc#4. Those push-ups!!!! I did the drop set of them before I put the disc in. For some reason, I wanted to do them 'alone'! Anyway, I got through them all. It's the shoulder presses where I struggle.
I then made up for yesterday and did PRS#1 - the first 3 combos (I did number 3 three times). I ended up burning over 1000 calories just in the morning :eek: I still feel as though I could do more. I may do something quick but intense after supper.

Lisa - mucking out is the best core workout ever. I've the pig sties to do later this week :mad: What sort of puppie do you have?

Diane - I must try the Lower Body mix from Athletic Training. I haven't explored the LIS pre-mixes yet.

Justine x
 
Today I did Sharon Twombly Zero to Sixty, Zero to 26 combos. I have not don't that mix yet. It includes the w/u, abs, and Str with combos not broken down. 26 minutes, 124 calories. I then did STS disc 19 Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps, 69 minutes 267 calories. Total time 95 minutes, calories burned 391. I felt I worked much harder than the HR monitor said. I am kind of wondering if the battery needs changed since it is sporadic on how it picks up the HR. It has been a year and a half since I sent it out to have the battery changed. It is not one of the ones that you can do yourself. Anyway, I am not worried about it. There was a time when I knew the was not accurate and would work my self harder and harder trying to get it up where I felt it should read at.

Lisa, if your puppy is like my 5 month lab it probably still had energy when you got back. Being stuck in the house so much is making her go bonkers indoors. That is good that you were able to get out and walk.

Crazy Soccer Mom, don't let the water retention get you down. When that happens to me I drink dandelion tea and eat things like cucumbers and asparagus.

Justine, the lower body premix from Athletic step has been a favorite of mine. There really are a lot of good premixes on LIS. I love premixes. It makes it nice when mixing and matching workouts or short on time. Then there are the extra long version :)
 
Hi all!
Managed Cross Train Express 10-10-10 on top of everything else yesterday. This morning my walk was in a blizzard (taking my max HR to 154) and then I did High Step Challenge. It wasn't the best choice - I'd forgotten quite what it was like. I struggle to keep up with the eqipment changes, so my HR dips. I'd rather have a bit more cardio in there. Oh well. I'll probably do a HiiT interval this evening.

One of my dearest friends has just announced that she's getting married (2nd time) in April - and I'm to be her matron of honour :eek: That gives me a goal to work towards....... (she's late thirties, so quite a bit younger than me, so I'll really need to try if I want to look OK on the photos).......2 months to awsome???

Diane - I've never even heard of Sharon Twombly. There's so much choice out there. Is she worth adding to my wish list?

Justine
 
Good morning. Yesterday I completed Disc 16 and did all the weights as planned. I also did STS Pilates Abs. I've been doing abs 3 days a week and am starting to see a difference in that area!

I have to travel later today for work, so switched things around so I can get everything I have planned completed this week. I did Disc 17, Legs. It really is challenging to hold those heavier weights for squats, but I did it! Today was to be a yoga day, so my yoga mat and dvd are packed and ready.
I hope the pending storms stay east and doesn't hinder my travel home on Thursday.

Justine - I'm sure you'll reach your goal by April and are likely much more critical of yourself than what you need to be.

Diane - We have a mutt (I'd never tell her that). Sadie is a mix of Australian Shepherd, Lab and Cur. She looks like a chocolate lab. My parents have both of her parents and love those dogs to death, so I had her picked out from birth! So happy to have another dog. It's been 3 years and didn't realize how much I missed having one around until I brought her home. Her dad is the Cur and is huge. She is growing, but she still looks so small compared to him. Then I look at her paws and then him and think, why? LOL!

Diane, Justine - What type of dogs do you have?

Lisa
 
Made goal! Barely .. but made it. I was above when I woke up at 5am, but after sweating it out with To The Max plus a bit of Step JUmp and Pump step and some abs, I made goal by 0.4lb. Phew.

And tomorrow is back to lifting!
 

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