Getting fitter and stronger with Caroline Girvan- all welcome!

Buttons - let's meet up for a coffee one day! Would be really lovely to chat to a fellow CGer! I'm away next week, but am generally available Mondays or Thursdays?

I’ve had an extra day off than planned but started the fuel series tonight and really enjoyed the mix of weights and cardio. I had to pause just before the finisher and foolishly thought I had to do 100 plank to squats so ended up doing 40 of those before switching to the other exercises as I gave myself the 30 second rest headstart 🤦‍♀️
I’ll see how I get on with the upper arms day @BigButtons , slightly dreading it now although I’ve come round to repetitive seasons, something quite satisfying concentrating more on form than what’s coming next.

I'm absolutely loving the fuel series! I'm loving the mix of cardio and weights; even on the 'weighted' days my heart rate is still 150bpm so comfortably
In the fat burning zone. With iron I never got that.

Went away for the long weekend and missed Fuel 4-6. Just done Fuel 7 and have NOT acclimatised to the cardio yet. It does make me feel like I'm doing proper work though, which is nice.

But I know what you mean re odour, mine get distinctly dusty in the winter when I dry inside. I will remember to pretreat with vinegar.

I just bung mine in and line dry in the sunlight inside out. i do have a tumble dryer but never really use it as nothing seems to come out properly dry (probably me programming wrong🙄) but I try to dry outside wherever possible, I’m a great believer in UV light’s disinfecting properties! I also use vinegar instead of softener in the machine, so maybe that helps too.

I did iron day 24 full body in the end. I had sweat dribbling in my eyes. I was pleased to have managed 8kg to CG’s 10 for most of it. Feeling content and off to swig some more protein shake…

So on the sports bras: I now have a whole series of zip front ones that I really love and I felt that despite thorough washing they were developing a faint... fragrance. I'd just been peeling off my stuff and chucking it in the wash basket then washing and tumble drying once a week but turns out 1) that was giving them too long to "marinate" 2) the warmth of tumble drying only increases any sweaty smell.

I gave them all a wash in vinegar and bicarb as advised and it did indeed work a treat, and I now chuck my gear in the wash for a rinse literally as soon as I've peeled it off, then air dry it. It seems to be working.

In other life changing news, it turns out I've been washing my sports bras all wrong.

do tell, I just bung mine in the machine. Is that wrong?

just about to do day 23 or 24 Iron, undecided between glutes and full body. I’ll be away until Friday so I’m leaning more towards full body, with the dreaded glutes for when I get back. But then my glutes do need some attention. Decisions decisions 🤔

Hello exercisers, it is I, the former brawling Greg, with another obscure Taskmaster-influenced screen name. Just had a week without workouts due to sickness and HATED it. Back in the saddle with epic 1 Day 21 today and all proud of myself for using the same weights as CG. I made it two sets and then had to drop down because they were killing my wrists. But baby steps, right?

In other life changing news, it turns out I've been washing my sports bras all wrong.

It was lovely! Really interesting and we were the only people in it. Lewes is great - will definitely revisit - want to see the castle!

Had a break from CG workouts but have been doing lots of digging in the garden, my stamina has definitely increased but I really need to strengthen my lower back. I found the bending over so difficult after a point and just in the weak point of my back. It was never the best but back to back pregnancy and breastfeeding for 4 years really destroyed it.

Iron Day 10 completed today, my arms were like jelly by the end! Will do HIIT and pilates tomorrow before back to iron.

Just been down your neck of the woods buttons! Went to Anne of Cleve's house and a mooch round Lewes.

If you search for legs and gutes (and weights), lots of workouts come up, including this one:

I often add in weights, even if she doesn't. Same when I do abs workouts - just makes it a bit more challenging and useful.

Day 49 endgame done (excellent workout). Looking forward to Iron now.

What Anna one us good for quads? Mine are useless!

I actually stumbled across another Rebecca Louise video where she was talking about relationship stuff. Definitely a sound firmly off you-tuber. 😂

on a completely unrelated note, I’ve noticed from my fitbit that my resting heart rate is lower compared to earlier this year. I must be getting fitter despite my aversion to burpees.

Hello 👋 I've been rubbish at posting (but am following the thread). I finished the iron series today. Thought it was great! Really enjoyed it.

Now looking forward to starting Fuel on Monday. Looks interesting and varied.

Her Best Abs is a great workout - I still do it at least 2-3 times a week. Just remember to turn the sound off... LOL

...and 15 min standing abs with 2kg and some 7.5kg. Can feel it in my arms a bit but not abs so much!

Day 1 leg day of Iron using 7.5kg dumbbells and a 10kg kettlebell for some of the things where she's using one weight. I will feel this tomorrow! Need to do more abs- might try the rebecca louise

just about to do day 22 Iron, and I’m going to attempt 12kg instead of the usual 10kg (to CG’s 20). Yesterday I finally got around to day 21 with the step ups. I didn’t find the step ups hard but oh my I had jelly legs at the end for the heel squats.

Only 8 more days of Iron then I might try Fuel. I used to enjoy getting out of breath, in fact I used to deliberately chose sports that were cardio intense, however nowadays I just feel sick if too intense. Which is probably why I need to do more cardio!