Great work Wanda, and hey don't worry about the weight, it's water probably from muscle tears and the fluid that surrounds the muscle to heal it.

Have a good one!

Maggie

Hi Maggie:

Something funny's happening with my cycle. I'm really crampy and by all signs I've haven't even ovulated yet. I'm guessing that's the reason for the water gain. I'd just come off a low calorie day so I was really hoping to see some downward movement. This whole process has become psychologically difficult. BTW, I'm seeing my holistic doc tomorrow to see about some thyroid tests.

I've always read about the water retention from lifting, but never found that to be true for me. Whenever I have a rest week, I always weigh myself to see if I lose water weight, but it's never happened. Strange.

Wanda

You do know your testosterone levels are elevated near ovulation, right? I sometimes try to plan my heaviest lifts in the days right around ovulation to take advantage of this, and crank up my calories during this time as well.

Actually, there are a few other, um, activities I like to arrange for during this time...

Hi Sweet Red!

I don't mean to sound so negative, I'm not really. Just frustrated by my body's lack of cooperation. I KNOW I should be getting good results from my diet and exercise program b/c it's an EXCELLENT plan. I have an appointment with the doctor tomorrow so I hope I'll get some answers. I usually leave there feeling pretty positive about things (except when his tech forces me on that damn scale!).

It's not the scale that's bothering me (after all, it doesn't tell me much) as much as my clothes are still tight. I've been resisting buying a new wardrobe, but I think the time has come for me to dust the cobwebs off my wallet. I hate it, but I'm not looking very professional in the clothes I'm able to fit in.

Having done all my whining , I'm seriously amazed at all the muscle and strength I'm building. If I could melt away the fat, there's some pretty nice muscle underneath. I need to do as Lilli said and focus on strength, but some days it's hard.

I should try to take pictures this weekend. Maybe you're right and I'm not seeing the subtle changes.

Thanks Red! I'll get it together, I promise.

Wanda

the other thing you might want to try at this stage is either adding 10 minutes onto each of your 2 30 min cardio sessions, or doing a separate day of 20-30 minutes. I know that you do need to keep upping the cardio every few weeks.

and as red says you may see changes in your body first without movement on the scale.

also...if you find that you are not hungry on any of the days either skip a meal or eat a little less for that meal

Wednesday Sept 29 - Medium Carb/Calorie Day

Meal #1 - Steel cut oats w/ cottage cheese, blueberries & stevia
Meal #2 - Summer chicken, green beans, 1 apple
Meal #3 - Cottage cheese, almond butter, stevia

Workout: Quads
ATF Squats - 10x6/80x4x4/85x4x2
One Legged Calf Raise (Leg Press) - 35x6/90x4/95x4x3/100x4x2
2 depletion circuits (30 minutes)

Meal #4 - Protein powder, soy milk, butternut squash, SF caramel syrup
Meal #5 - Cottage cheese w/ peanut butter & stevia; lettuce w/ fish oil & balsamic vinegar

Calories - 1311; Protein 120g (36%); Carbs 99g (30%); Fat 50g (34%)

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I had a good workout today, maybe b/c I did circuits 2&3. I'm tryin' to told back on the ATFs, but that wreckless little voice is saying "go for it". Is there something you can use for knee stability during squats? Did I see knee wraps somewhere?

Red, I'll "take" but you have to show first. You can't be trusted! Lift and you are right. I should consider an extra session as long as it doesn't wear me down too much. <<grumble, grumble>>

Everyone have a great night!

Wanda

wanda, I got some neoprene knee wraps when I was having my probelm...they really help alot, you might want to check into them. I got the kind that velcro around your leg versus a sleeve you pull onto the knee.

Hi Wanda

I'm glad you're going to the doctor. Don't forget it's Free T3. Please post the results for me!

I always retain water around ovulation.

As yes built, there are other fun things you can do at this time!

Maggie

Thursday Sept 30 - Low Carb/Calorie Day

Cardio: Treadmill - 40 minutes (including 5 min warmup & cooldown)

Meal #1 - Cottage cheese, peanut butter & stevia
Meal #2 - Summer chicken
Meal #3 - Cottage cheese, peanut butter & stevia

Calories - 710; Protein 97g (54%); Carbs 11g (6%); Fat 31g (40%)
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I'm experimenting with the low calorie day. As long as I eat lots of protein to equal my LBM and almost 0 carbs, I don't feel any post meal hunger at all, which is unusual for me. I can't believe I'm trying this, but desperate times...... Oh well, there is a science called CRON (Calorie Restriction, Optimal Nutrition) for proven anti-aging that would endorse this, given all the supplements I take. So I'm doing this so I can kill off cancer cells and live longer.

Wanda

Friday Oct 1 - Low Carb/Calorie Day

Cardio: Treadmill - 40 minutes

Meal #1 - Cottage cheese, peanut butter & stevia
Meal #2 - Chicken, almonds
Meal #3 - Warm Roasted Red Pepper salad w/ goat cheese; Tortellin w/ Mushroom Rose sauce

Calories - too many
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It was supposed to be a low calorie/carb day, but I had a business meeting last night and it turned out to be at my favorite restaurant. Pasta is my downfall. At first, I just ordered the pasta, but someone had the salad and it looked so good, I had to order it too. OMG, the salad was the best I've ever had. Oh well, the break did me good and 1 cheat meal won't kill me. The cheat was well worth it b/c the food was so good. On the upside, I didn't eat the bread or have any desert so the damage was minimal. I'll make up for it with some cardio this morning.

Wanda

Saturday Oct 2 - High Carb/Calorie Day (adjusting to LC day to make up for yesterday)

Meal #1 - Cottage cheese, peanut butter & stevia

Workout: Shoulders & Lats

Dumbbell Shoulder Press - 12x6/20x4x5/21.25x4
Neutral Grip Pulldowns - 40x6/80x4x5/82.5x4
2 circuits (30 minutes)

Meal #2 - Protein powder, soy milk, butternut squash, SF caramel syrup
Meal #3 - Cottage cheese, peanut butter & stevia
Meal #4 - Chicken salad w/ balsamic vinegar & fish oil dressing

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I was going to do some cardio, but I never got the chance. I ended up on a conference call on some legal issues, then I had to finish up some office work.