MrsDethe

Thanks I hear the same which is why I want to do them properly so I can get the most out of them! Week 6: I really REALLY slacked off this last week of the challenge: didn't make it to the gym 3x, missed a day of work, fasting was non-existent... I blame this on the "lady curse". At least I can say that I'm maintaining my weight and haven't gone backwards. 6-WEEK CHALLENGE RESULTS: Starting Stats: Ending Stats: Goal Results: Weight: 221 lbs. Weight: 210 lbs. Weight: lose 40lbs - 11lbs lost Pant size: 18/16 Pant size: (Not Sure) Pant size: 14 - 16 (at least) 18's huge, 16's baggy Squat: 115x10x3 Squat: 155x5x5 Squat: 200x5 - 195 1RM B Dead lift: 155x5x2 Deadlift: 175x5 Deadlift: 200x5 - 180 1RM B Bench: 75x5x3 Bench: 95x5x3 Bench: n/a - +20lbs Pistol squats: 5/leg - 0/leg F Start Measurements: End Measurements: Other Goals: Neck - 14" Neck - 14" Gym 3x/week: 5/6 weeks B Arms - 16" Arms - 15" Days worked: 26.75/29 days C Chest - 44" Chest - 44" Fast by 4pm: Not perfect C Waist - 40" Waist - 38" Hips - 50" Hips - 49" Thighs - 29" Thighs - 28" OVERALL GRADE: C Grade aside, I'm not disappointed one bit with my results. I lost weight! 11lbs in only 6 weeks (at half effort, at that)! I thought it would take twice that amount of time to even see a dent! I'm ecstatic, personally. In my opinion, this challenge was a complete success because it served it's original purpose: I built good habits. Three to five days out of the week I'm (willingly!) either at the gym or I'm outside sword training, doing archery or yard work, I fast 16+ hours daily without issue and eat more paleo, I miss less work than usual, and (most importantly and most astonishing) I'm staying positive! I can't thank the Nerd Fitness community enough for all of the support/information they give and for starting this challenge in the first place; I can't wait for the next one!

I'm just now getting back into a reading mood after years of letting it slip, but a few books that I have never forgotten are: The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck, Blaze by Stephen King, Sabriel (first book in The Abhorsen Chronicles) by Garth Nix, and Inkheart by Cornelia Funke (A children's book but a good one; one that will remind you of the "magic" of books.) And I broke my half-decade long book-fast with: Polaris by H.P. Lovecraft (a thought altering short story), and The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein (I'm sure I'm pretty late on this but it's definitely a book I wish I had been read as a child and that I will certainly read for my own.)

I absolutely LOVE the Star Wars workouts! (The Sith workout truly IS more "seductive".) I found this: Dragon Ball themed workouts! (The site also includes Naruto workouts and some others.)

Ankle mobility is in question, not hip. Like I said, though, I'm no expert If you can do it then you're set!

I'm no expert (and I'm certainly not as wise as the almighty Gainsdalf) but if EVERYTHING else is on par then maybe you should take a look at ankle mobility. For a good test of ankle mobility try this: third world squat. If you have difficulty being able to sit in this position properly (knees tucked into armpits) without falling backwards or for more than a few seconds then the issue is quite possibly ankle mobility. Interestingly enough, this is also what I've found to be the best ankle mobility stretch: I first started using the wall as a support (leaning my butt against it just enough to keep me from toppling backwards) and now I drop to this position before I begin squatting and between each set and it helps my depth immensely.

The difference is astonishing! Being fit is fantastic (of course) but feeling comfortable in your own skin is priceless. Congratulations!

Week 5, Day 4: I can now do my previous bench 1RM (95lbs) 10 times. Need to work on grip strength and get to lifting more in my deadlifts. In between my squat reps I now sit 30-60sec in a third world squat: barbell squats have never been easier! (Pistols still pretty distant.) Week 5, Day 5: 210lbs, baby! That's another 2lbs in a week; I'm so glad I got a hold on my eating schedule again! Today was also payday. It's sad to see the day I took off because of my kidney pain and the 2 hours I left work early to make it to my appointment reflected in my pay but 70 hours is still one of the better paychecks I've had in a looong time. (I can say for sure that there would have been a lot more missed worked if pre-challenge me had had her way.)

I had a pretty similar issue: aside from a few snacks or a few pieces of fruit, some days I would "forget" to eat. My body wasn't asking for it so I wasn't giving it. However, I started to realize that I wasn't getting the gains I wanted in the gym so I've been being extra sure to add more protein in my diet. I also found that just not eating for extended periods of time came naturally to me and I feel better when I'm not constantly eating so I've really taken a liking to Intermittent Fasting, though, I still have to pay attention and try to maintain ~1500cal/day; things have definitely improved in the gym, specifically my lifts. I just felt the need to chime in since our situations seemed pretty similar: I'm 5'1" and started at 237lbs (now down to 211lbs and averaging about a half pound a day in weight loss, same as you.) I say don't fight the fact that your body doesn't want to be constantly bombarded by food and maybe give intermittent fasting a shot but, those few times when you are hungry, make sure to eat a more nutritious and calorie dense meal.

Thanks so much for all the encouragement! I did get a little out of hand with my diet but I'm so glad that I'm able to say that I didn't gain a pound, only maintained. AND, even though I felt like I wasn't getting anywhere with my weight, I've had multiple coworkers comment on my weight loss! What an amazing thing to hear for the first time in my entire life!! They range anywhere from "Well, you're getting skinnier and skinnier every time I see you" to "Oh you've lost weight! Have you been sick?!" It's AWESOME :3 Week 5, Day 1: Took the day off from the gym to go to the doctor and take care of my organs. Week 5, Day 2: Went to the gym; nothing new to report, really, other than working on getting dat perfect squat form. Third World Squats rock! I thought it would take me months to work up the proper ankle flexibility to go "ass-to-grass" and accomplish a pistol squat! I'm already the closest I've ever been to a full pistol squat just from the Third World Squats I did today! Writing this, I realize how silly it would be to nullify all of my success in the gym with bad eating habits. I'm SO ready to get back on a proper IF schedule and finish this challenge strong.

I ONLY workout barefoot! It just feels better Also, to keep myself from getting bored I've decided I'll read (or play pokemon, etc.) while I sit there