I am early in Mesocycle 1 and wonder when I should expect to start seeing results. What have been your results and when in the program did you start seeing them? Though I am only in Week 2, I feel a little stronger, and my muscles look a bit more defined. I was doing Cathe strength training before starting STS (for about a 6 week rotation) so I think some of what I am seeing must be from that. I am working hard, and just would like to hear about the details and the timing of your great results for motivation! Thanks!
When did you start seeing results with STS?
- Thread starter Saturn
- Start date
Melclear
Cathlete
At the end of M1, I saw increased definition in my upper body and had dropped 1 size. At the end of M2, I had dropped almost 2 more sizes (coinciding with better eating, but nowhere near perfect). I finished M3 yesterday, and see much more definition, especially in bis, tris, and shoulders, and am now comfortably in that lowest size (3 down from the beginning). I did each Mesocycle on a somewhat compressed schedule -- completed each one in 3.5 weeks, and then took the rest of that 1/2 week as my active recovery. So for me, this was a 12-week rotation, including the rest 'weeks'.
After a few weeks of circuits, I can't wait to hit STS again, probably on a 5-month rotation (I don't think I could do a double of M3).
After a few weeks of circuits, I can't wait to hit STS again, probably on a 5-month rotation (I don't think I could do a double of M3).
dorothyrd
Cathlete
I have been working out a long time. Meso 1 did not change me much, but midway through 2, I started getting people telling me I looked like I lost weight and clothes fit better. I am doing my last MEso 2 this weekend, and will miss this cycle. I like it a lot.
It probably depends on age, body type, things like that. I put on muscle easily, but at 47, it does seem less easy than I used to. DOMS has not been bad, only the first week of the cycle, and then I adjust. I am lifting really heavy, had to have DH spot me this week for chest work or it would not have been safe.
One area I notice strength improvements is the water. I swim laps, and I am definately stronger there.
It probably depends on age, body type, things like that. I put on muscle easily, but at 47, it does seem less easy than I used to. DOMS has not been bad, only the first week of the cycle, and then I adjust. I am lifting really heavy, had to have DH spot me this week for chest work or it would not have been safe.
One area I notice strength improvements is the water. I swim laps, and I am definately stronger there.
Sounds good! When I looked in the mirror this morning, I noticed that I am looking a bit smaller in the waist area and that my arms look more shapely. This is only the 2nd week for me (but as I said, I was doing a 6 week Cathe rotation beforehand and I am an exercise freak, so before that I was doing another very tough rotation, and before that, something else..). I am also in my 40s and it is tougher for me as well to see fast results... the results just crawl.... but hey, better than nada! I am so early in STS- it is nice to hear that more results should be coming down the line. Thanks.
Melclear
Cathlete
Yes, I have been exercising exclusively with Cathe for 5 years or so, lifting what I thought were heavy weights. I have been working out 5-6 days a week for 10 years, and had no injuries or illnesses recently that kept me away. I also definitely had weight to lose though (still do, but much less than I did before!). Definitely keep at it -- there is something wonderful about this system that really does shock the body, even if you have been working out with Cathe for a long time.
Thanks- it sounds like you are pleased. I will definitely stick to STS. One thing I have been wondering is how come Cathe has us jumping from one thing to the next (setting up and taking down equipment) so much in Meso 1. I am sure it has to do with the way she wants us to work our muscles... but it seems jumpy. I am hearing that many like Meso 2 because it is then that you are sticking to one muscle group and working to fatigue (not to mention, less setting up/taking down).
Melclear
Cathlete
She has said that it has to do with trying to have very short rests between sets, because M1 is endurance-based. So the rests get longer with each mesocycle. By M3, the rests are 3 minutes between each set for a particular muscle. She uses the push-pull method there, so for chest and back, there is about 75 seconds between each set, for a full 3 minutes between each chest exercise. Having just finished M3, I now miss the quick jumps between different exercises. M3 takes so much mental focus that now, looking back, I realize how much fun M1 was.
fit_fairy
Cathlete
Did you make significant strength gains in 2 and 3, and did you increase your weights super dramatically? I am having a hard time imagining lifting much heavier than I already am, and I am in Meso 1. But it seems that this is what is supposed to happen!
Dela
Cathlete
I think many people felt the same way, as if it feels like there is no way you can get your weights any higher, but remember as the weight increases, the reps will start to decrease, especially in meso 3. At least for me, I never did low rep sets before STS, so I was very surprised at how much more weight I can lift when I only have to get to 8 reps. Two things I have really noticed, I'm in M3W3 now, are the gain in strength I have experienced and this overall energetic feeling.
shoegoddess
Cathlete
marnapril
Cathlete
hi, i've been a runner and weightlifter for many years before STS and i have been getting great results with STS! i just finished meso 1 and i dropped 10 lbs in 1 month! i am way more cut, strong and my running has even improved. i am definitely lifting heavier than i thought i could. can't wait for meso 2...
JanetP1507
Cathlete
At the end of Meso 2. I suddenly started seeing (and feeling) muscle defintion in my upper body where I'd NEVER had any before. It's pretty freaking cool!! 
CollinsMom
Cathlete
I agree with some above posters who say that it was about mid-way thru meso 2 when the results really started to kick in for me. My mind and body love that kind of lifting. After I finish meso 3, I plan to take one more rest week and then go back and complete meso 2 a second time which will take me right up to our beach vacation!
dorothyrd
Cathlete
Tri-sets scare me
I'm a geek. I love training legs hard, and I did legs twice a week, I love the tri-sets.
Melclear
Cathlete
You know, I felt exactly the same way. The weights in M1 were what I used to reach for for my heaviest weights. But not only was I able to keep up with the increases, by M3, I had to go heavier than the cards called for. So definitely, I was able to increase my weights dramatically. But not all at once. It was a little bit, workout by workout, mesocycle by mesocycle. Stick with it and you will amaze yourself!