TerryDes

Okay, this is going pretty well! Diet I've been pretty good on this. The fruits and veggies are no problem, in fact I decided to make it a bit more of a challenge. After some reading here and elsewhere I have decided to base my diet on the Paleo way of thinking. This doesn't mean I am adhering to a strict Paleo regiment but am using it as a guide. Exercise LOVING the StrongLift 5X5! It really suits me, it's short and seems to be a good all around workout.Getting 10,00 steps a day and generally 3 cardio workoutsLUL Been making my bedMeditation has been the biggest failure. I think I am just gonna call it a fail and drop it from my challenge.Overall I have loved this challenge. As much as I do use the scale to monitor my success I do also love NSV's (non scale victories). That is what I am seeing right now. That stupid number on the scale hasn't budged but I do see muscle development where I expected and my clothes fit better. YAY! This has to do with more than just the 5X5, I started getting a little more serious about weights again about 2 months ago, I love that I am starting to see some results.

Argh. Sorry to hear about the anxiety. It comes in many forms and I have no experience with what you're dealing with. My anxiety comes from fear, specifically a fear of heights. Last spring I went skiing in the mountains for the first time, the chair lift was hell. I wanted to jump off, not to do any harm but the end the unbearable anxiety of the situation. Completely unreasonable I know. I started talking to a counselor about it and she had some great ways to control it. I know all of our demons and battles are different but it looks like you have some great support here, don't stop posting!

Overall the weekend was pretty good. Diet Got the fruit and veggies inExercise Got the weight training in, loving the StrongLift 5X5Walked about 6 km both Saturday and SundayLUL Did some meditating but no where near my goalMade my bed

I have meditated before but I think you are right, it is too long. I hadn't thought of having to do it all at once, I had thought it could be split to morning ot night but that just isn't working out like I had thought it might. Thanks for the input, I appreciate it!

Your goals look good GothicBeeza! I have learned not to be too hard on myself if I miss a goal, don't beat yourself up over it. Tomorrow is another chance to work on your goals.

I'll just say upfront that I am by no means an expert but as I watched your video something in the squat didn't look right, then I read WildRoss' post and he nailed it. I used to put the bar on my neck too until someone at the gym was nice enough to set me straight. Not only is it safer for your neck but it is easier to put the bar back on your shoulders. I could never figure out why I was so sore where the bar rested until I changed it's position. I get no pain at all from where the bar rests now. I bet you find it easier to go a bit deeper if you change that, it makes it easier to drive you heels into the floor on the way up, I was always on the balls of my feet. Thank you for posting the video!

Thanks, I love these challenges, it keeps fitness interesting. I am glad I found a solution too! I have a great physiotherapist, she seems to have the answers I need!

That is a big day! Not surprised your body was screaming for nutrients. Not that it makes the hurt any better my legs are usually that sore for days after, I tell myself it's a good feeling and that the workout is working.

Day 5 - I got them all! Diet Ate all my fruits and veggies. Finished off the leftovers from the day before. I am loving the fruit as a snack.Exercise I have given in to my knees. I was hoping to get back to running but it is just too painful. Having said that I am not giving up cardio. I am using the Gazelle machine (that's what my physiotherapist calls it). Much easier on my knees and I get sweaty and burn calories.Over 17,000 steps today. Maybe that should have been in my goals...LUL I did meditate, Yay me!!!!I did make my bed

I actually stopped tracking using MFP because I almost never got to the calorie level they wanted. I just watch what I eat and go from there.

Okay, Day 4 and I can definitely do this! Diet Ate all my fruits and veggies. Did the roasted vegetable recipe from NerdFitness.com. It was so good! I am going to try moving towards a Paleo diet.Exercise Made it to the gym for weight training. Gonna change this up, started doing the StrongLifts 5X5 and I love it!I have to change this up too, knees are just too sore lately. Have to settle for 30 minute walks daily. Got that done, 12.500 steps. I am good with that.LUL I didn't meditateI did make my bedI need to make time for the meditation.

Well first of all I will say start light! I started with the muscles that I felt supported the rotator cuff, it's been a while so my memory may be a bit dodgy. Basically it was lateral and side dumbbell lifts with of all things lighter bench presses. After about 6 weeks my shoulder started feeling more stable so I started working more around the shoulder with shoulder presses, upright rows and shrugs. I still feel pain and have clicks so I am pretty diligent to keep working on the muscle in that area. Around the 6 week mark I also started doing rotator cuff exercises. Now I mostly do standing scarecrows but have also done Isometric internal and external shoulder rotation exercises. I still feel pain when I target the rotator cuff so I tend to go light and listen to what my body is telling me.

Thanks CJ, I like mixing up my activities with challenges like this. The accountability keeps me going sometimes.

Way to go on the 20 pounds Meredith! Here's my story (yes there is an answer to your gym question). :-) I was obesely overweight and had changed the way I ate and started walking which turned into running. Once I started losing I knew I needed more, I didn't want to just be skinny. I wanted some meat on my bones. At the time there was only one gym in my neighborhood, it was a musclehead hangout. I was intimidated. Walked in and left once. I went in and stuck around, I talked to the owner who seemed to be a decent fella. So I sign up, by the month in case I don't like it. First couple of times there I am completely intimidated. Here I am a chubby 30 something guy in a room of guys and gals who look like they should be in fitness magazines. Didn't take long before they came over and struck up conversation with me. What??? I know. After I had been there a while and started lifting more weight I had people come over and spot me. It was awesome! Shortly after I started going to a YMCA, you would think that would be the friendly place. Not in my experience. It isn't that people at the Y are rude, but I do miss the comradery from the old place. Anyhow! Good luck in your search, hope you find the place that is right for you.

I have struggled my whole life, always felt like that chubby kid then adult. I dropped to 172 but it was too much, I don't think I looked well so I went to 180. I was happy between 180 and 185 but I have allowed some bad habits to creep in again and find myself at 196 (198 one day). I know what I need to do, now I just need to do it!