Lifting support thread 2

[RayKray]

Just noticed I was the last to post on the lifting support thread as it went to 1k so here's another.

Original thread intro post here from
@Work2live

"Thought I’d start this thread as a few people thought it’d be a good idea.

"It might be a nice place to support each other and talk about lifting in general, ask for tips and advice on workouts, how to get enough protein etc.

"All levels very much welcome, from complete newbies to those who’ve been weightlifting for years! 💪🏼"

It's why you PB at competition too. Yes you've trained to peak but also you can keep going much more with people cheering you on. I can remember how hard my deadlift PB felt and I wouldn't have pushed it that hard in the gym. Which is probably best really.

Totally agree - it is why I like classes and training with my gym partner even if it means compromising sometimes. I do work hard on my own, and there is a place for that especially if I'm drilling something for volume say, but it isn't the same.

@Proteinpud yayy to chin ups. I need to get some more vertical pull in - my pull classes are front lever focussed.

@WickDittington , I follow him and saw that, really interesting wasn't it?

Lots of great numbers.

I messed up today and did a shoulder workout at lunchtime with my partner - load of new exercises - and then first boxing class after two weeks off tonight. Can't lift my arms now.

Hello all and happy new year. I was MistyTrains2, back again.

I look forward to reading the thread and catching up with you all. The last few months have been...I'm not sure how to describe...life-changing in various ways.

My trainer contacted me and I have decided to give her another go. I am incorporating tracking daily stretching, mindfulness practise, veggies intake and vitamins, and will train with my trainer once a fortnight (for ££ reasons). I'm looking forward to more work on technique and heavy lifts. I'll be avoiding obsessing about aesthetics. I largely plan to ignore that side, but I will take time to remember what I enjoy about fitness.

Great to be home.

Really interesting discussion about pushing yourself. I often find the point of failure on my accessories (because I hit the hard slow rep and then go for two more ) but on my big lifts ie SBD I do find it helpful to have my coach push me to do more. I think having someone telling me I can do it gives me the confidence to try.

Welcome back @MistyTrains3 I hope you are able to find some good balance with your training. Make sure you tell your PT if the focus is straying from what you want or need it to be.

Hello @MistyTrains3 , great to see you back here. Good luck with the new plan and I agree with @everycowandagain about telling your PT (or indeed stopping) if she is not supporting you in what you know works for you.

@Proteinpudding is Muay Thai. I’m rubbish, but enjoy the training, though far too old 😂

it’s been good for losing a bit of weight, as it makes me less hungry than the weights, but I was worried I’d have lost strength. Seems not, so that’s good.

I really enjoy weight training, so planning a mix of the two this year.

this thread is inspiring me again 😊

Ooh @FreezyFord I used to do Muay Thai about 25 years ago. I loved it! The closest I get these days is the very occasional body combat class where my stance immediately gives me away as a Thai boxer!

@MistyTrains3 lovely to see you back! I agree with the others, be very clear with your PT what you need.

I need to get on some goal setting myself. Just keeping going with my workouts. Incorporating some running when I can. What’s made a huge difference for me this winter is getting outside when it’s dry. I think I get a bit of SAD. Outside exercise has really helped.

Did one of my lower body workouts with my PT this morning. Up to 67.5kg on my Romanian Deadlifts - managed a set of 8 at 65kg and a set of 7 at 67.5kg. A fair bit over my bodyweight. It’s crazy how your lifting stays static then jumps in in big increments sometimes- maybe all the Christmas chocolate!

Loving hearing everyone’s lifting. I would really like to do a pull up. Maybe that should be one of my goals …hmmm

@everycowandagain ha! The stance is so different: I’m trying to rid myself of my boxing stance!

I read a really interesting article on a powerlifting site called Elite FTS about meditating your way to a PR - it reminded me about what we were chatting about before ie some people charge around and hype themselves up before a hard lift and other people like to stand and look at the bar for a bit. I am not an aggressive lifter so the article's suggestion really made sense to me. Also a good way to get out of your head if you are an over thinker, which I definitely am on heavy squats.

www.elitefts.com/education/staying-calm-when-the-weight-is-on-60-seconds-to-a-huge-pr/

Link here if anyone is interested in reading it!

Well I finally did it! I switched my deadlift deadlift from double overhand to mixed grip. Here's hoping it settles in easily. It hasn't been too bad so far (although it's early days!) because I was focusing on other technique things.

Hope everyone's training is going well despite the freezing weather. 🥶

Yay hope it settles. Just noticed I didn't reply before even though I read the meditative lift prep article. Can't remember what I thought of it now.

I've started comp prep now which would be great if I didn't feel like I can't lift anything at the moment. It feels like everything is going wrong at the moment which is complete catastrophisation. Did get some nice new lifting straps though. And a lovely compliment from someone who saw me lift at my deadlift comp. So I should just pull myself together really. If it wasn't hard, it wouldn't be worth doing. Or something.

@RayKray , that's tough. Any idea why? Might it help to step off the routine and do a couple of sessions light, or have extra rest days? I'm sure you will click back soon and feel the excitement and power again!

@everycowandagain yayyyy. Cool stuff.

This weather is baaaad for me - tiny indoor gym packed cos January and training outside (which is mostly what I do) in these temps is hard! And classes not quite working (partly weather, partly instructor won't use the rig so we are sharing one bat between 6 people....). But pressing on and still loving the boxing too (not least as in a cosy basement).

@RayKray as an alternative to pulling yourself together, can I suggest being kind to yourself? When the going gets tough some of us immediately think we need a kick up the arse/pep talk/to slog through it but maybe we actually need to give ourselves a break. It will come back, I guarantee.

Thanks both. Yes I keep needing to be reminded to be kind to myself. And patient. I've got some other big stuff going on which I'm trying to process and always will be so kindness is much needed.

I also am doing what my coach is asking me to, and I need to trust the process. I just want to be about 20 steps ahead of where I am. Which I will get to just not right now.

Yes exactly.

It is hard when your training usually gives you a real break/headspace and for some reason that stops....I've got nothing major on but am still missing my normal routine - covid then Christmas then a brief spurt of routine, and now this weather means having to double think everything (I usually walk a LOT and run a bit as well as mostly outdoor cali)....I just want a bit of normal to build back up properly.....but it will come.

Hi all! Please can I join? I've been on Mumsnet ages and only just seen this thread. I've been doing CrossFit for 2 years and hitting some good numbers with the weightlifting. Just struggling with diet! I used to calorie count obsessively for years but then came away from it and did nothing but now I'm tracking again more so I can make sure I'm getting my protein in. Finding it a struggle though, it's so hard staying accountable at eating well! Anyway, I'm waffling, it's been nice reading your posts

Hello @helpamummaout , of course you can, welcome!

Do you compete at cross fit? I don't know much about how it works except the world games thing (I've read a couple of books by female cross fitters). Do you have local entry level meets for all abilities too?

Thank you 😊 yes I compete, there's different levels so I just compete at scaled level so the movements are scaled down as my gymnastics aren't up to scratch haha!

Attempted my first strength workout in about 3 weeks, only managed a third of it before I accepted that I'm just not well enough yet - very frustrating! Lucky to have the home gym so I can try at least. Just another winter virus but they seem to be on steroids at the moment. I have at least started back up with my stretch challenge so I can work on my mobility while I recover.

It's rather quiet in here, I hope everyone is doing ok especially those of you who have also shared about training breaks due to illness/injury etc.

Sorry to hear you're not well @Proteinpud . Hope you're on the mend soon.

I was thinking it was quiet too. I'm still training, pre comp so very specific, my coach has a plan. I'm hitting targets which is great. I don't know exactly what this means for comp, I'm just trusting his plan as he knows a bit more than me. And focusing on getting my head in the right spot. I went to help at a comp a little while back which helped as I love feeling part of the whole thing. Also trying to find a reason why I need a new singlet just cos I've seen one I like. But they're £££ as they have to have gone through the IPF approval process.

Hi sorry to hear that @Proteinpud that’s so annoying for you. I am really paranoid about germs now. A bit OCD which is hard when you’re a teacher! I’ve got asthma too so I get really hit by them. It does make me a bit anxious.

I’m off to the gym later. Just plugging away at my routines. I’ve discovered listening to music which is getting me through my workouts much faster. Revelation! It’s so annoyingly busy at the moment, go away January newbies! 🤪.

I’ve started a bit more running - aiming for once or twice a week with some hills. Only 5k but really need to improve as I have a big challenge coming up later in the Spring.

I managed 2 sets 8 reps 70kg RDLs so I’m very happy with that.

@RayKray that's cool about hitting your targets, I imagine it must take some getting used to doing a programme that you don't necessarily understand but trust to follow to get you where you want to be.

@redfacebigdisgrace yes similar issue here, I have asthma and while it's treated and well controlled now, I most likely had it for a long time without being diagnosed so my lungs are probably not as good as they should be. My colds have been tonnes better since getting inhalers but this is another one with bad congestion & chesty cough. It is improving but it's slow progress. It doesn't help that one of my sports is full contact and probably where I pick up a lot of the bugs from!
How do you get on with running? I was thinking when I'm better I'd really like to try and work on my cardio to see if it improves my overall health or helps reduce the impact of viruses. I struggle with the cold air though so I don't feel very inspired to get outdoors!

@Proteinpudding its such a pain isn’t it? I was so wiped out in October I needed oral steroids. I thought I was coming down with something recently but managed to fight it off. Vitamin D and sleep seemed to help. The running is ok although I’m not super fast. Take your inhaler and cover your mouth to start with until your lungs get warmed up. Don’t go off to fast when it’s cold. You could try interval running - Jeffing. Great for baseline fitness. You can get a timer from Amazon.

@Proteinpudding https://www.womensrunning.co.uk/motivation/try-this/why-you-should-try-walk-running/