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Main Quest: To get ready to train for competing in my first powerlifting competition in 2017 My name is Rachael, I'm 28 and I have three children. I started weightlifting heavy about 3 months before I got pregnant with my second child. What a difference in that pregnancy! We then decided to have a third child right away and so with just a bit of kettlebell training I went through a third pregnancy 9 months after the last - I definitely noticed that hitting me harder than any. My youngest is over 1 year old now and I don't plan on having any more so I'm ready to get serious about training for powerlifting. I'm a long way off but my first goal is to get back to the 75kg 1RM deadlift I hit right before my second pregnancy. I am also interested in just being active each day so on my non-lifting days I am doing things I enjoy like swimming and running (30 min max) while staying in my aerobic zone to help with heart health without burning too many calories as I get skinny really fast if I'm not careful. I am currently 50kg, with a weird loose belly, but I used to be around 47-49kg. I do not have a weight aim as I'm naturally a very slim person so I'm ok where I am. I think I should be able to add on about 5kg per week to my deadlift at the moment, starting at 30kg x 8. If I can get up to 60kg x 8 that should equate to a 75kg 1RM and then I'll give it a go. For my squat, I'm currently working on form and doing goblet squats with just 8kg. I have a 12kg and 16kg kettlebell at home so I hope to be at a set of 12 x 16kg by the end of this challenge. It's not much but I don't have access to a squat rack or spotter right now. Bench press: I need to work on my core a lot after these last two pregnancies as I still have some muscle separation going on. My goal right now is to work on my push ups and graduate up from knee pushups. After that I'll try and work on floor press while finding a solution to my lack of a spotter at the gym/rack at home. Fitness: 1. Deadlift 3x6 34kg 2. Squat 12 x 12kg 3. 3x3 regular (non-knees) pushups Level up your life: 1. Go to sleep before 11:30 each day Looking forward to doing this with you all!

5/4/2015 - Re-joining the Ranks - new updates till next challenge! Current PR's: Deadlift: 195 lbs (x3) Back Barbell Squat: 150 lbs Bench Press: 75 lbs (x3) My new goals until our next fitness challenge: * Up my cardio - shooting for 150 minutes/week (as suggested to prevent cardiovascular disease) * Go to the gym 5 days a week Lofty Goals: * Double my bodyweight in deadlift - end goal of ~260 lbs (long term), reach 200 lb deadlift (short term) * Bench Press 100 lbs (medium-long goal) * DO A BLOODY PULL UP - can still do a handful of chin ups, but no pull-ups yet! :| ~~~~~~~~~~~ OLD: Hookay - to keep me honest for I'll be adding my challenges and work-outs here! ~~~~~~~~~~~ 4/17/2014 - Challenge #1: Do an unassisted Pull Up (by May 25th)

Hello guys, I'm Rebe from Spain. I've been reading the blog for months and I just decided I'm going full with this, as exams are coming (worse than winter) and I tend to eat garbage and stay in my chair all day I decided this time it's gonna be different. So here I am. I'm 21 (nearly 22), bit overweighted (not more than 10kg), studying telecommunication engineering in Madrid, and I'm from Canary Islands. I've been boxing for a month now and I really enjoy it, so I guess I'm going for a Monk profile from a hobbit one (I'm really short, don't you think I have a lot of hair on my feet ). Started today with paleo also, gonna give it a good try. So, see you guys around here!

Ok so what can I say? How about a little fact profile... Height: 5'4 Weight: 10st 4lb Ideal Weight: 9st What I Am going to do to get there: eat more fruit and vegetables, exercise at least three times a week, keep this thread updated every day to keep track on my progress ​Challenge started: 12th March 2015 Well there's my life in a nut shell. Since moving into my own place this year I've gone from 9st 8lb to that and obviously I'm not happy about it! Ideally I want to get fit and loose weight but motivation is an issue. I just come in from work so tired! Oh, I work as a groom on a horse yard and ride most days as well, yet another reason to loose weight so I can ride more horses and fitter so I can ride better. I think most the exercise I will end up doing is running as it's something I rather enjoy but I want to try and find other interesting sporty things as well so all suggestions welcome! Anyway here's what I suppose is basically my diary...

Hello guys! I'm a girl, 23, height 5 ft 6 in and 145 lb. I've been doing gym classes since July (Bodypump and Spinning mainly) but I've been doing exercise in an out for about 4 years. I've been thinking, for a while now, about starting my own regular workout. Basically I want freedom to go the gym whenever I want. Also I loved bodypump and noticed some changes in my strength and muscles. Now I want to take it further with strength training and drop a few pounds also, around 9/10 I don't know my body fat percentage but I can tell you I have a thin upper body, my main problem being hips and thighs (a pear shape). I have wide hips, it's a fact (still trying to make peace with it) and I'm never gonna be one of those skinny girls with narrow hips but alas, I don't want skinny, I want strong so, my goals are shed some fat and then increase strength. I did my homework and researched various workouts. I've been doing this for a week. I'm doing 3 sets of 8-12 reps, except for the abs workout. Mainly I use dumbbells but I also use the machines. - Monday: Upper body + HIIT (30 seconds: high-intensity exercise and 60 seconds: rest or low-intensity exercise) Bench Press - 13 lb Bent Over Row - 13 lbDB Shoulder Press - 11 lbLying tricep extension - 8lbDumbbell Curl - 8 lb - Tuesday: Lower Body + HIIT Squat with dumbbels - 13 lbStiff Leg Deadlift - 15 lbLeg ExtensionLeg CurlGlute BridgeAbs: lying leg raise + plank + bicycle crunch- Thursday: Upper body + HIIT DipsLat Pull-downDumbbell Side Lateral Raise - 6lbTricep Cable PushdownStanding Biceps Cable Curl- Friday: Lower Body + 30 min. low intensity cardio Deadlift - 15 lbLeg PressLunges with dumbbels - 11 lbGlute BridgeAbs: lying leg raise + plank + bicycle crunchNow you know my overall strength (not much I believe) can you tell me your opinion? I also reduced the carbs, cut sweets and added more protein to my diet (is whey protein a good complement?) Am i doing this right? I'm a little self conscious so doing this in the gym among all the super man guys was a huge effort for me ahah Sorry about the huge post and thanks in advance

I'm afraid that's what I always think whenever I start something new. Not the best frame of mind, but I like to look at it as my being excited to start something new and give it my very best. A little about me. I've struggled with my weight ever since I was in grade school. My mom, bless her, was raised Southern and that was the majority of my diet growing up (SO very tasty and SO very BAD for you!). I stand at 5'11" and I was at my heaviest in college, clocking in at about 200lbs even. I freaked out and started on a diet program called Medifast that same week. I wasn't educated in nutrition, so this seemed like my best option, and to their credit I did lose 50lbs. Once I was off, I realized I knew absolutely nothing about what I should be eating and what I should be doing to stay in shape. Now fast forward 5 years later, I've been able to keep my weight stable for the most part, but I'm just now realizing that counting the pounds on the scale is not the way to go. I want to be healthy and strong, something I hope to acheive here with all you lovely people! Hats off to you, my fellow nerds! I look forward to getting to know you guys.

Hi All! I'm about to start medical school (in July!) and during the rest of my time off I want to make sure I solidify some of these good habits and be at the top of my game during school, when I'll have less time for everything. I joined a gym at the end of February to prepare myself for a recent ski-trip (my first challenge) and now I'm looking toward being able to do a pull up and being able to do longer distances when I run/hike/cycle. I've also started to dabble in yoga and I hope I can explore that more as well. I also love the culture I've seen here so far I am a huge fan of Skyrim, I have done a few different cosplays (Khajiit pictured here and an AVATAR driver from the James Cameron movie among them) and look forward to doing more as I feel more fit and comfortable with my body. I'd also love to be able to do some of the things my RPG characters can do (like using bow/arrow effectively..). I've also been a furry artist for a number of years >.> Currently weight 136 lbs at 5' 5" - I'm trying not to look too much at the scales but instead focus on how I feel. Weaknesses: I have scoliosis, which has made some of the abdominal exercises a bit difficult for me due to back pain (I can't do leg lifts very well or certain yoga poses) - though I'm hoping building abdominal strength in other ways might improve the back issues. I also love sweets.. so cutting out those from my diet has been proving a bit difficult! Glad to meet you all! I'll do my best to be present for the challenges presented here and I'm looking forward to inspiration from all of you

So a few years ago I tore a muscle in my lower left back (3rd quadrant, I believe). The first time around, I didn't let it heal properly and developed a mass of scar tissue that left it very stiff. I was able to break it up with a few trips to the chiropractor but the muscle was still very weak and (surprise surprise) I injured myself again last October that put me out of work for a week. Since then I've been working slowly to build my lower back muscles back up, using mostly low-impact exercises and pilates. I really want to start weight lifting, but I'm scared that I might injure myself again. Any advice on how to get started the right way?

Hey everyone. I'm lolavictrola. ("Hi lola...") I'm new to the site, but really excited about this approach to weight loss. I love gaming, and I always do best in weight loss when I have a support community to help me along. Me: 6'3", 27 year old female. This is why I chose my race to be "amazon". I'm ready to let my warrior woman out. The characters I play are always badassess... time to let myself be one as well. I'm currently flirting with my alltime high weight: 350. I've lost 5 pounds in the last 2 weeks, so I'm on my way to remedying this. My ultimate goal weight is 190, which will put me into a healthy BMI. In the meantime, my goal is to be 300 lbs by July 4th. Can't wait to get started!

I'm a student invested in school and i'm also a bartender AND belly-dancer! I want to lose a bodyfat and toned my stomach, back and legs. Yoga & Meditation daily - 25 minutes every other day at least, as well as studying meditation before bed 1 point every time for 38 days= 16-17 A+, 12-15 B, 10-12 C, <10 F​​​ Squats- I want to do this DAILY- even though I don't go to the gym every day. 1 point every time a set is accomplished= 38, A+, 30-38 B, 25-30 C, 20-25 D, 20< F Running- I might change this one up, as I find running on the treadmill hard on my ankles. The only other cardio activity besides boxing once a week is Zumba and it never really works me out enough- advice would be appreciated on how to get my heart pumping! 1 point every mile = 5 miles a week= 27 miles total. 26-27 A+, 23-25 B, 19-23 C, 16-19 D, <16 F Confidence- every day I want to look in the mirror and tell myself one thing I like about myself today, physical or not, and write it down 2 points for 28 days total= 70-76 A, 65-70 B, 55-65 C, 50-55 D, <50 F Sugar Intake- I EAT TOOOOO Much sugar. I'm going to try and record my eating habit and get my sugar to 25 grams a day. 1 point every day for 25 grams or lower. This scale will be more lenient as sometimes I literally dont have time to record everything I eat. 20-38 A, 15-20 B, 13-15 C, 10-13 D, <10 F Okay, I might add more later...this is going to be a hard challenge because I'll try and make excuses like ~ I dont have time ~ I need support and I love to give support. Pictures will be added later- peace!

Hi-Iam new to this site and to strength training-and I want to know before starting at the gym what should be -as felmale my calorie range be. e.g 3000-3600 I know-that to help mucles grow -so to get strong it is necessary to take more in then the usual. I just want a rough idea what that is- and what is (if there's any) are the cues to look for to know wheather person is eating to much or not eating enough calories. p.s Any sussgests on resources are most wanted and welcome-regards to the question above.

Hi! I'm a 25-year-old newlywed mechanical engineer in Central PA. I started weight training back in September, and quickly became obsessed. I found Paleo in December, fell in love, and completed a Whole30 in January (www.whole9life.com). I'm not ready to do another Whole30 just yet, but I found nerdfitness about a month ago and wanted to sign up for the forums so I could join the next challenge My life is like one long episode of Big Bang Theory, although I wish it was a little more like Firefly or Battlestar Galactica. I married my very own Sheldon Cooper last year, but I wish I looked a little more like Penny and a little less like Amy (even if there's no denying I'll always act like her). When I'm not at the gym, I'm usually in the kitchen cooking up some paleo meals, knitting, redesigning my house, or being obsessed with watching an entire TV series (last month it was Battlestar Galactica, this month it's Doctor Who). February 2013 stats: 5'4" 157lbs 30% body fat (actually from 1/17) Stomach: 33.25" Waist 31.25" Bicep: 12.5" Thigh: 24" Chest: 34" Hips: 39" (baby got back, lol) Pants Size: 8 Dead Lift: 135 lbs Squat: 155 lbs Pull Ups: 80 lbs assistance Dips: 60 lbs assistance.

So, after reading about all of the benefits of deadlifts and understanding the amount of full body workout they supply, I have been trying to include them into my weight lifting routine. My problem is.. form questions. I have seen plenty of videos about proper form, and I understand the basic concept, but I have a few problems. I am a girl starting out doing weights so I can't lift much weight. To give you an idea of my strength, here is the breakdown of my last weight lifting routine (this is Tues workout, Thurs I do bodyweight -- pushups, squats, planks, inverted rows): Excersize Weight Reps per set Squats 40 10 10 10 Chest press 30 12 11 7 Bent over Rows 40 10 8 7 Bicep curls 15 (per arm) 5 4 3 Tricep extension 15 12 10 7 (overhead, 2hand) My problem is, correct form says the weight should touch the floor between reps. Last time I did deadlifts, I only used a 40lb barbell, which was too light. Even when I do increase the weight, the weights on the end of the bar are no where near big around to keep the bar mid-shin level when it is on the ground. So do I bend waaaay over to touch the ground every time, or do I just lower the bar to mid-shin and not touch between reps? Last time I did deadlifts, they really didn't feel right. I know part of this is due to the weight being too light. Any advice I can get as a girl doing deadlifts with smaller weight would be much appreciated.... any modifications or alternate forms would be helpful.