Jem wrote:
Jem wrote:
I'm hovering around 160lbs because I can't be arsed to eat less, which is basically the only thing stopping me from reaching my goal of 150lbs that I set yonks ago. 
I reached 150lbs this week. I'm eating a teeny bit more sensibly but mostly it's just through the increased cardio I've been doing this year (lots of races).
I was hoping 150lbs would make my muscles more obvious, but it's not really done anything other than equal out that fatty hip I mentioned before (and depleted my generous boobage) so now not really sure what to do.
I guess I want to look like I work out. I'm not talking visible abs, because you have to lose crazy amounts of body fat to do that as a woman and I don't have the time/patience and I like burgers too much, but IDK... more obvious shoulders/upper back, bigger biceps? Not sure if losing another 10lbs would make a difference to that or if I just need to concentrate on hypertrophy.
GJ on the weight loss; I know how difficult it can be to stick to a diet (as I never do)
Are you doing anything at the gym to specifically target your traps, lats and biceps?
Yeah, I was pre-move, and had seen some more definition but it's a relatively recent change in my workouts in the grand scheme of things, so need to get back on track and keep that consistent. Probably expecting too much too soon, as is the norm.
Jem wrote:
Yeah, I was pre-move, and had seen some more definition but it's a relatively recent change in my workouts in the grand scheme of things, so need to get back on track and keep that consistent. Probably expecting too much too soon, as is the norm.
guess you should go do some more pull-ups then! Working on it
I fucking hate pull-ups/chin-ups, they're one of a couple of exercises (the other being various types of press-up) that I never seem to get any better at even while everything else improves.
If you're struggling with pull-ups, do some reverse bicep curls; also wide grip pull up is easier (or is for me) than chip ups.
I found a video that explained it once, it'll try and dig it up.
I found a video that explained it once, it'll try and dig it up.
Youtube is great in some ways but not in others. If anyone says something like "In Laos, for $20, you can shoot a cow with an RPG", previously we'd all go "cool" and consider the draconian bovine-centric hegemony we live udder which prevents entertainment such as this, or cow tipping where one pushes cows over when they sleep. If it can happen, it on youtube now, bookended by "don't forget to like and subscribe". Kills the imagination and dreams so it does.
O tempora o mores.
O tempora o mores.
MaliA wrote:
Youtube is great in some ways but not in others. If anyone says something like "In Laos, for $20, you can shoot a cow with an RPG", previously we'd all go "cool" and consider the draconian bovine-centric hegemony we live udder which prevents entertainment such as this, or cow tipping where one pushes cows over when they sleep. If it can happen, it on youtube now, bookended by "don't forget to like and subscribe". Kills the imagination and dreams so it does.
O tempora o mores.
O tempora o mores.
I always wondered if cow tipping was possible, I always heard stories about it but never considered either doing or looking it up lol
In fairness pulls-ups haven't been in my rotation for a long time now so I might be better at them than I used to be given all the other stuff I've done in the interim. I just do what my PT gives me though because I can't be arsed thinking about it.
That is fair; try doing some on your next gym session (you'll be more successful if you do them BEFORE you workout)
Kris wrote:
If you're struggling with pull-ups, do some reverse bicep curls; also wide grip pull up is easier (or is for me) than chip ups.
I found a video that explained it once, it'll try and dig it up.
I found a video that explained it once, it'll try and dig it up.
I find chin ups no problem at all, but I can't do a single wide grip pull up. Different strokes for different folks. Different pulls for different fools. Different ups for different pups.
When you're doing them are you cheesing it by swinging or just PURE MUSCLE!?!?!? (I can't even do proper ones yet, I have to use the machine that pushes me up with an extra 10-15kgs on the bottom)
Kris wrote:
That is fair; try doing some on your next gym session (you'll be more successful if you do them BEFORE you workout)
Today I learned there are people that don't consider pull-ups working out. Like some fun pre-workout hobby or snack or something.
No swinging, pure muscle! My biceps are a lot stronger than my shoulders, which I assume is the difference. Like I say, I can't do a single wide grip pull up.
The one machine I really like is the the calf one, the one where you stick your toes on the edge and put the weight on your shoulders. I can pull some serious kg on that, makes me feel like superman
. Everything else I feel like pewee Herman...
The one machine I really like is the the calf one, the one where you stick your toes on the edge and put the weight on your shoulders. I can pull some serious kg on that, makes me feel like superman
. Everything else I feel like pewee Herman... 
My upper body strength is laughable. I could pop your head off with my thighs though.
Common fantasy of mine.
Lonewolves wrote:
My upper body strength is laughable. I could pop your head off with my thighs though.
Basically this.
I have real problems with pull-ups and they've long been my #1 goal. I've been actively working on them over the course of the last fortnight by doing these negative pull-up things and am able to hold for longer and get a slower descent, so am fairly sure it's doing something.
I have a strong back and shoulders, weak spindly arms and beer belly. Are we making a list?
I have little problem with pull-ups (although I probably can't do loads in succession) but I'm pathetically weak at almost everything else.
I can do 15+ push-ups on my knuckles though.
I can do 15+ push-ups on my knuckles though.
this is because you weigh like 3 stone or something 
He's apparently only about 10lbs lighter than me, which I find hard to believe. And also I can squat him.
DavPaz wrote:
I have a strong back and shoulders, weak spindly arms and beer belly. Are we making a list?
Are you a donkey?
Jem wrote:
Lonewolves wrote:
My upper body strength is laughable. I could pop your head off with my thighs though.
Basically this.
I have real problems with pull-ups and they've long been my #1 goal. I've been actively working on them over the course of the last fortnight by doing these negative pull-up things and am able to hold for longer and get a slower descent, so am fairly sure it's doing something.
Am I wrong in thinking that you’re tall? Pull-ups is all about the principle of moments so if you’ve got long arms you’re going to find it exponentially harder to do than someone say 5’4” with consequently shorter arms.
Jem, overhead press and bent over rows or inverted rows are great for back and shoulders. OHP is great for your core too, back, shoulders and waist were the first places I got some proper degree of muscle definition.
Those exercises, and the good old bench press, will really help your upper body strength and help you build towards pull ups, if you really want to do them.
Those exercises, and the good old bench press, will really help your upper body strength and help you build towards pull ups, if you really want to do them.
Cras wrote:
DavPaz wrote:
I have a strong back and shoulders, weak spindly arms and beer belly. Are we making a list?
Are you a donkey?
Giphy "wink":
https://media3.giphy.com/media/dhCx7EyeGYD7O/giphy-loop.mp4
DBSnappa wrote:
Jem wrote:
Lonewolves wrote:
My upper body strength is laughable. I could pop your head off with my thighs though.
Basically this.
I have real problems with pull-ups and they've long been my #1 goal. I've been actively working on them over the course of the last fortnight by doing these negative pull-up things and am able to hold for longer and get a slower descent, so am fairly sure it's doing something.
Am I wrong in thinking that you’re tall? Pull-ups is all about the principle of moments so if you’ve got long arms you’re going to find it exponentially harder to do than someone say 5’4” with consequently shorter arms.
I am 5' 8", but Gaz is over 6' tall so how come he can do them when he's a weed?
(As he quite rightly just pointed out, as I've lost weight, I am also now only 4lbs heavier than him, although unless his bones are made of osmium I don't see how that's possible.)
flis wrote:
Jem, overhead press and bent over rows or inverted rows are great for back and shoulders. OHP is great for your core too, back, shoulders and waist were the first places I got some proper degree of muscle definition.
Those exercises, and the good old bench press, will really help your upper body strength and help you build towards pull ups, if you really want to do them.
Those exercises, and the good old bench press, will really help your upper body strength and help you build towards pull ups, if you really want to do them.
I can OHP til the cows come home, and that's been part of my workouts for years. Only recently added bench though.
One thing I do have that Gaz doesn't is weird elbows. I can't straighten my arms fully. I have often wondered how - if at all - that impacts upon various lifts and movements.
Gaz may be a beanpole, but he will still have greater muscle mass and that muscle mass will be concentrated more in the upper body, purely because he is a bloke, and being a beanpole goes in his favour. You may be a similar weight, but he will be a much greater percentage of muscle than you are.
I know, my disbelief is not entirely serious - I regularly moan at him that he has biology in his favour. It doesn't make it any less frustrating though when I'm shifting 50, 60 kilos above my head and still can't do a pull up whereas he can barely lift a bag of cat litter and still bloody knocks them out one after the other
Have you tried doing chin-ups instead of pull-ups Jem?
I can't do any "ups". I can't get my feet off the ground except by jumping.
I bet you can do Hicc-ups.
Yes, ok, I can do them. And I'm pretty great at fuck-ups too.
I have been sat trying to think of other -ups you can do.
Fry-ups; you definitely do a good fry-up
This is all I've got
Fry-ups; you definitely do a good fry-up
This is all I've got
I'll take that.
I've lost a stone.
Mostly from my waist and bottom. I'm down to a 44, from a 48+ on my wedding day.
Still 3 stone to go..
But it's hard because of the meds I am on. I cut 30% of my food intake and swapped out sugar for sweetener. I've been on this diet about two months, with a lot of exercise but I feel I should have lost more. Especially with all of the riding I have been doing.
Mostly from my waist and bottom. I'm down to a 44, from a 48+ on my wedding day.
Still 3 stone to go..
But it's hard because of the meds I am on. I cut 30% of my food intake and swapped out sugar for sweetener. I've been on this diet about two months, with a lot of exercise but I feel I should have lost more. Especially with all of the riding I have been doing.
Good work. Crazy stare!
That's really good!
I think I found it though...
I think I found it though...
Well done dude.
Well done great effort
Thanks all. It is nice to be back in a XL Tshirt again, without it rolling up your stomach every time you sit down lol.
I went the other way, I was down to slim-fit shirts; I gained a bunch of weight over a year after getting a girlfriend (wtf is that about) and now have to wear regular ones; I tried one of my shirts on the other day I am at a loss how this shirt EVER fit me at all.
Semi-related however, I threw in a couple of chin-ups when I was doing my pull-ups as I was curious as to whether or not I could do these now. I could do definitely do them but still find the pull-ups MUCH easier!
Semi-related however, I threw in a couple of chin-ups when I was doing my pull-ups as I was curious as to whether or not I could do these now. I could do definitely do them but still find the pull-ups MUCH easier!
I did a power test on the bike.. in 6 months gained 50 watts across all the tests.
Did a 100km bike ride yesterday, including a PB up the hill back in to my town at the end of the ride..
Feeling a bit chuffed.
Did a 100km bike ride yesterday, including a PB up the hill back in to my town at the end of the ride..
Feeling a bit chuffed.
Nice work mate; how long did the 100km take you?
Just under 5 hours.. took it steady on the way out, and dropped the hammer on the way back.. did 10 miles in 33 mins 
Fuckin' smashed it mate; don't forget to work on your swim as well as your cycle for the next ironman!
Next stop 04:30:00 100k?
Next stop 04:30:00 100k?
Kris wrote:
Fuckin' smashed it mate; don't forget to work on your swim as well as your cycle for the next ironman!
Next stop 04:30:00 100k?
Next stop 04:30:00 100k?
yes I am working on my swim... that 1 second hurt me