Mommalu's Transfirmation Journal

[Thandie]

Girl there is no need to lift 5 days a week. Your muscle needs time to recover, as does your body. If you do full body it would be 3 days a week (the workouts could vary). If you do a half body or full body split (push/pull) you could lift 4 days (this is more advanced and would require better muscle recovery).

I will say however if you enjoy what you are doing, you are getting results, and are recovering well - don't change a thing. Sometimes we keep looking for solutions when what we are doing is working best for us. There is just so much information out there to be bombarded with.

Your workouts should be customized to you. What works for you, what your goals are, which body parts need the most attention, your personality etc. A pre prescribed workout in a box may not work for you. Or, it in the very least is not the most optimal for you. (not just you, anyone!).

I'm a big proponent of having a coach. A coach should be studying the science of the body, experimenting, finding evidence, and getting results. Then, that experience and knowledge is applied to your unique self. It is someone that you are accountable to and someone who will be checking in with you often and helping you adjust as necessary. They should teach you the ropes and make you do some of the work so that you learn how to sustain and build programs on your own. Often coaches work via phone, internet, in person, or email. There are tons of options for everyone's needs.

With that said, I also know that everyone is capable of getting results on there own. A coach should not make you think that you cannot. Hopefully they will empower you to go out on your own if that is your goal. Some like to always have a coach so that they simply don't have to think about it.

I used to have one years ago and loved the freedom of not thinking about myself. Now that it is my career rather than a past time, I am highly considering hiring one again. It isn't about not being able to do it myself, but rather simply having someone else looking out after me and consulting with me. It free's me up to focus on my clients/members and let my coach worry about how my hips look ;-)

You absolutely have the knowledge, determination, and motivation to do this on your own (and of course all the EF friends!). But, you may find that having a coach provides a lot less anxiety about what you should and shouldn't do.

We should chat again about your workouts and where you are right now. Send me a support message from studio3 and we'll work through where you are now and what you should focus on next.

You have come so far since your first post on EF! Your strength gains, definition, and nutrition compliance have all been stellar! You have taught us all so much!

+1

I agree! Programs should be customized to the individual's needs. I do the same with my clients. Not everyone gets the same nutrition. There are different elements that takes place. I don't believe in the cookie-cutter approach.

 

[mommalu]

Happy Easter!!
Hope you all have a wonderful day.
I'll be doing yard work and washing my car & windows today, so I won't have to worry about eating too much No one will be home.

ironwings, Thanks for the encouraging post. I'm just so excited about lifting and the feeling I get from it, that I really do enjoy going 5x/week. I will shoot you a message on my progress(thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk to you) but for now, you can see my progress pictures from this morning. I had hubby take them. Please feel free to leave any comments. I have to say, my lower abs bug the crap out of me though. Having 2 kids within 1 year/20 days I didn't have time to recover from my first. I don't know what I can do to tighten that area. Maybe a tummy tuck?? Is it possible to tighten that?? HELP!!
Well here are my progress pictures.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b181/mcldml811/ProgressPictures014.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b181/mcldml811/ProgressPictures021.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b181/mcldml811/ProgressPictures020.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b181/mcldml811/ProgressPictures003.jpg

 

[Thandie]

Happy Easter!!
Hope you all have a wonderful day.
I'll be doing yard work and washing my car & windows today, so I won't have to worry about eating too much No one will be home.

ironwings, Thanks for the encouraging post. I'm just so excited about lifting and the feeling I get from it, that I really do enjoy going 5x/week. I will shoot you a message on my progress(thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk to you) but for now, you can see my progress pictures from this morning. I had hubby take them. Please feel free to leave any comments. I have to say, my lower abs bug the crap out of me though. Having 2 kids within 1 year/20 days I didn't have time to recover from my first. I don't know what I can do to tighten that area. Maybe a tummy tuck?? Is it possible to tighten that?? HELP!!
Well here are my progress pictures.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b181/mcldml811/ProgressPictures014.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b181/mcldml811/ProgressPictures021.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b181/mcldml811/ProgressPictures020.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b181/mcldml811/ProgressPictures003.jpg

Mommalu, you're look fantastic and you've made great progress!

The skin will get tighter as you keep working, just be patient. That said, it just gets tighter to a point. If at that time 'is important to you to have taught abs, then you have a tuck. Is up to how YOU want to look. I always get people say "but you look amazing, you don't have to get leaner/more muscular", etc. It's what 'you' want, not what someone else would aspire to look like.

Great job!!!!

 

[ironwings]

LOL - you remind me of myself. I used to lift 6 days a week and be really grouchy on the 7th.

You look great. Your chest is more defined, you should send us a hulk pose. I bet that chest would pop! Your shoulders and arms look great to and I can't absolutely see that you have lost a ton of bodyfat.

Wonder Woman ;-)

 

[OneBreath]

WOW, that is a FLAT stomach. You are working on an 8 pack. You can count them in the first pic. Great work!

 

[mommalu]

WOW, that is a FLAT stomach. You are working on an 8 pack. You can count them in the first pic. Great work!

Thanks for the compliments my friends.
I just wanted to share that yesterday during my chest workout, I flat benched
40lb DB for 6 reps (3X) and with no assistance It's been something I've wanted to try for a few weeks but just never attempted it. NOW I know I can do it!!
Today was leg day and I did 110lb squats for 5 reps. I'm lovin' it!!
Have a super day.

 

[Thandie]

Thanks for the compliments my friends.
I just wanted to share that yesterday during my chest workout, I flat benched
40lb DB for 6 reps (3X) and with no assistance It's been something I've wanted to try for a few weeks but just never attempted it. NOW I know I can do it!!
Today was leg day and I did 110lb squats for 5 reps. I'm lovin' it!!
Have a super day.

Wow, congratulations!
That's a great accomplishment in such a short time that you're training. Good work!

 

[ironwings]

You go girl!!! That is AWESOME - what a triumph!

Keep your head in the game. Your training is coming along fantastic. Are you seeing change in your body composition? How are your legs coming along?

 

[mommalu]

You go girl!!! That is AWESOME - what a triumph!

Keep your head in the game. Your training is coming along fantastic. Are you seeing change in your body composition? How are your legs coming along?

I am seeing more changes in my upper body than my lower. (I've been told that legs take allot longer to develop. Yes?) However, I'm tighter and firmer than when I started back in November.
Lately, many of my customers at work have made comments on how I look which makes me so confident. It's nice to hear it from others as I see myself daily and can be tough on myself.
It's kinda funny because I can't wait to be done with work at night, it means that tomorrow I'll have another day in the gym Call me crazy.

I appreciate all your support ladies

 

[*ebony*]

Happy Easter!!
Hope you all have a wonderful day.
I'll be doing yard work and washing my car & windows today, so I won't have to worry about eating too much No one will be home.

ironwings, Thanks for the encouraging post. I'm just so excited about lifting and the feeling I get from it, that I really do enjoy going 5x/week. I will shoot you a message on my progress(thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk to you) but for now, you can see my progress pictures from this morning. I had hubby take them. Please feel free to leave any comments. I have to say, my lower abs bug the crap out of me though. Having 2 kids within 1 year/20 days I didn't have time to recover from my first. I don't know what I can do to tighten that area. Maybe a tummy tuck?? Is it possible to tighten that?? HELP!!
Well here are my progress pictures.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b181/mcldml811/ProgressPictures014.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b181/mcldml811/ProgressPictures021.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b181/mcldml811/ProgressPictures020.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b181/mcldml811/ProgressPictures003.jpg

looking good chica!