Stage 6

So I just got back from the gym (and holy cow inhaling my protein smoothie and then my lunch) and this is a whole new thing!  I know the book says this stage is optional but since I'm really after strength anyway, and I don't want to miss anything, I'm going for it.

So - the first exercise calls for negative chin ups.  I ended up just being able to do the chin ups.  (Yay me) So I did 3 sets of 3.  I don't know if I should just keep going for more chin ups each time or start in on pullups instead, which are a little harder.

I can already tell I'm going to be sore tomorrow, there were times when I was just shaking, esp. the lat pulldowns which you are supposed to hold in the down position for 4 seconds.  I love this program.

And this stage looks like the workouts are a lot shorter too, thankfully.

Great job on the chin ups Meg!  I love this program too. 

This stage is really different, even though the workouts are a lot shorter, I'm getting really sore after and so far I've only been able to increase in weight on the split squats and that was only 5 pounds up.  Heh, 2 1/2 pound plates, they may as well be pink!  But that's the way it was, I didn't think I could go more and I got wobbly on the last set anyway.

These pulldown sets (10 sets of 2, holding the bar down for 4 seconds) are really challenging, but I know that my upper body is going to be awesome at the end of this. 

Worked on pullups, got one done, and part of a second.  Then I just did negatives for the other two sets. 

Congrats Meg!  I'm all for a shorter workout! 

Wow! That sounds like a killer workout. I love reading about your experiences, I'm a few stages behind you and it really motivates me to know what's coming. Keep up the awesome work.

Ok - Megan -  and anyone else who's done stage 6....  Since it is optional, is it worth doing?  I can do about 2 chinups, but not pullups, not that it is a goal of mine.  I really don't care if I can or not.  I don't want to miss stage 6 though if it helps in muscle definition!!  I can't get enough of that!

So - do I do stage 6 or move to 7?

I vote for doing Stage 6 - you will build so much more strength than you can imagine!  This is the chance to really go heavy with the short sets and see what you can do.  Yes to muscle definition for sure.

Thanks Megan!  I will do 6 - the muscle def is exactly what I wanted from this program - the more the better!  I didn't know if it was only strength-based, but not looks based.

I have one more of A & B in stage 5 so I should finish up Thursday!

It's definitely strength based, but what happens is you build the muscle (and you will be seeing it) and then Stage 7 strips the fat off and voila! Not to brag or anything but my arms and back look pretty darn good (even for a 52 year old ex fat lady)

Awesome for you!!!

K - you talked me into doing it!!  If I am on schedule and I think I should be - I will hit it next Sunday!

I just finished workout 6A... loved it!!  I loved the shortness of it!  It took only 1/3 the time it was taking me in stage 5.  The 20 seconds down for the negatives sounded like a long time, but it was doable and I added some weight.  The 10 sets of 2 were weird... But I am really happy I am doing stage 6.  Hopefully 6B will be just as enjoyable!

Thanks for recommending Meg!

Stage 5 and YWTL are now behind me! I meet with the trainer on Thursday to through new exercises in 6A and B. Many thanks to you Megan and Yogagirl for sharing your experiences with this stage - it's comforting to have a sense of what to expect! I'm excited to report back on the mega-soreness headed my way!

Megan, how's NROL going?

RE: NROL.  I'm doing the break-in stage, which is similar to Stage 1 of NROLFW.  Honestly, it's driving me nuts - it feels like I'm not doing anything.  It's 2 sets  of 15 reps, only like 4 or 5 exercises.  I hardly even breathe hard.  Today I went to the gym and just said screw it - did all of the exercises and then just piled on more so I could feel like I'd actually worked out.  Added woodchops, some single leg squats and some seated rows.  Did the incline reverse crunch from Stage 6 instead of a regular reverse crunch.

This program STILL has the hated stepups, but for good measure I did three sets instead of two. 

We'll see how I feel tomorrow.  Heh heh.

haha... Megan - enjoy the break!  I am sure it will get harder!  That is how I feel now that I am in stage 6.  My workouts are over in less than 1/2 hour!  Anything under an hour is good... over an hour, not so much!  lol

OK - you talked  me into it.  It sounds too good to miss. I've decided not to skip stage 6.  I supposed to be done with 5, but I've decided to do one more of each workout before moving on.  Last week the kids were off from school 3 days in a row and I did my workouts at home.  My weights at home are no longer heavy enough so I couldn't really push it.  After finishing with 5, I'm in!

Cool Laura - let us know how it goes.  I can't imagine adding in another round of stage 5s.  Those took forever for me!  I did the 4 sets and could not wait to finish the stage!  Did you do the 3 or 4 sets?

Wow.... you gals are really inspiring me!  Even though I've been lifting on and off for awhile, I wanted to start at the very beginning because this time around I really want to build some kicka$$ strength, KWIM?  I want to be able to do pullups without blinking an eye (as it is right now I just kind of hang there like a rock!)

Keep those positive posts coming for us newbies!

LMAO Trim! Pullups? What are pullups?..... HAHAH!

Original Post by trim4ever:

Wow.... you gals are really inspiring me!  Even though I've been lifting on and off for awhile, I wanted to start at the very beginning because this time around I really want to build some kicka$$ strength, KWIM?  I want to be able to do pullups without blinking an eye (as it is right now I just kind of hang there like a rock!)

Keep those positive posts coming for us newbies!

 Great, Trim!  You will love the program.  It takes some dedication to do the workouts as planned.  It is hard work, no doubt.  But, I really think if you follow the plan closely and try to increase your weights, you will see some great results....  definition, strength, etc. 

It is way easy to give up pretty much on any program.  If you are like me, this program had me hooked right away.  I never got hooked on any other exercise routine, ever.... Well maybe doing Yoga.  I owned a studio for a while.  But - I have to say, my definition with this program is far more than I could ever get with yoga or the barbie-bells!  I am sure this program is not for some people, just like running is not for some.  But I find it to be a good match personally.  I hope you do too.

Nanny,

I'm glad you found my comments so funny!  I'm always up for a good laugh, but I don't get it!?  Is it 'cause I forgot to hyphenate? 

Here's a good article on pull-up and chin-up technique:

http://stronglifts.com/how-to-do-pull-ups-and -chin-ups-with-proper-technique/

Please do forgive my somewhat obscurity in my rather dark sense of humor... the joke is on me... I can't do one!

In fact, I haven't ever been able to do one... even in grade school!

AND I WANNA!!