What was the first thing you noticed when starting NROLFW?

Hello ladies I would like to know what were some of the first things you noticed when starting the plan? It can be anything, weight loss, gain, appetite change, mood change, I'm sure soreness will be at the top os most folks list. Inch loss gain, clothes fitting differently, etc.

I'm just trying to be prepared so I'll know what is semi-normal (though I know we all respond differently).

That's a really interesting question, Amayou82. I think for me the first things I noticed were challenges in eating enough - I certainly needed to increase my calories, but I think the book was originally a little high for me. I didn't have the muscle to feed on non-training days. This didn't last long - soon it was easy to eat and I was better about planning out my calories so I didn't cram myself full at night. I also noticed an improvement in my energy and my mood and my overall self perception - even before a nudge on the scale or the measuring tape.  The other thing I noticed right away was how I got that all over "good-workout" tiredness and soreness, a little like after swimming all day. For me it was a really good feeling.

Even though I had been weightlifting before starting this program, when I started, I had a huge increase in hunger levels - I got really ravenous after a workout and wanted to eat everything in sight and never for a single second thought that the cals in the book were too high. 

Also lost weight initially even though I thought I was eating maintenance calories.  I know a lot of women find that they start out retaining water for a few weeks, but I didn't run into that.

And at the start, I also noted that I was really ready to drop into bed when my day was done and I slept hard and well.

I deffinitely noticed the weight gain first (since I tend to be obsessive out that) and to be honest it still hasn't dropped back down. I am up about 5 pounds from starting but I'm still hanging in there trying to eat all the calories. I was a 1200 calorie a day eater and then I realized after reading the book that had to change. It was hard for me to fill those calories with healthy food rather than just eating whatever I want to gain the extra numbers. Anyway, all my clothes still fit the same, and my measurments are the same  as they were before..no up or down. I'm hoping since I just started stage 2 maybe I'll notice a little more now that I did before.

I also noticed that since upping my calories I have SO much more energy than I used to. I would literally drag myself around all day before, so in that respect, the calories have been great!

My hunger levels increased a *lot* - especially the day after a workout.  I have had no problems eating the calories recommended by the book!  There was, of course, soreness - more two days after the workout than just one.  And I did find that my weight went up for about a week or two as I was retaining water then my weight evened out for another month or so and only after that did I start losing (but all the weight that I "should" have lost during that month and a half came off so there was a nice little drop; I just had to wait for it).

I did my first workout yesterday and I can say my legs are killing me from the squats and maybe a little from the step ups. How much weight did any of you use when first starting with the squats?

I must admit hearing your weight gain and no inch loss is a tiny bit discouraging even though I know we are all different. Hope you see better results in the near future Yamaha

Last time I tried this routine, I used 10 lb barbells for squats and steps.  It seemed about right--I could complete all the reps, but it was hard by the end, especially the squats.  I was in absolute agony for three or four days afterwards. 

This time I started at body weight squats and 3lb step ups.  Still sore (and more so today than yesterday) but not so much that it interferes with anything.  I'm going to keep it the same for one more workout, maybe two, depending on how the soreness goes, before increasing.

I just started NROLW yesterday, so amayou I think we are starting about the same time. I did squats at 55lbs and step ups at 10 and then 8 lbs. I decreased the weight the second time b/c I was stepping full up onto a really high bench and it would have been ridiculous to try to do it again with the 10s. It was really hard. Next time I'll probably try to find a lower bench or decrease the weights a little.

As far as noticing anything new, I'm not far enough into the program to help with that one. I did end up eating probably around 2000 kcal yesterday on my first day, but since I'm 22 and in pretty good shape that is almost maintenance for me. I'm not sore today, so I'm a bit disappointed in that. The hardest thing for me was to just do what it said in the book and not do anything extra!

YAY! Someone on the same stage as me. I think I lifted about the same amount, the bar plus 10 on each side. I think my pain is moreso because I didn't stretch like I should have before starting the squats. I also started with 10, but my step probably wasn't as high as yours, I just used the step thingy that they use in step aerobics class except I used 4 of the blocks under each sides so I was able to complete both sets.