Mine are coming along quite nicely. I’ve just finished Stage 1 of the New Rules of Lifting plan, albeit a couple of weeks later than I’d planned. I had to take a couple of weeks off recently.
First, I tweaked my back doing squats; I was somewhat pressed for time, and paying more attention to the clock than to my form. Big mistake. But a week off lifting, combined with some stretching and judicious use of cold packs and anti-inflammatories, put me right. Unfortunately, I had one workout after I got started again, and had to stop for another week due to the cold from hell. But I’m back on track. Which means that I’m off for another week before Stage 2, which is good, since it gives me time to practice the front squat with overhead press with my Swiffer.
I’d rather not whack myself in the chin with the bar.
The workouts are still very intense, and I still feel pretty wiped for a couple of days afterwards. But if I don’t perturb the muscles, I won’t make them mad enough to get bigger and stronger, right?
Nutritionally, I’m still having a bit of trouble getting in all my protein, and I’m not cutting back as much on the sugar as I should to make room for the protein. I’d really like to rely less on the soy protein powder, since it’s making me gassy.
Ah… gas. The inevitable side-effect of changing your eating habits. I am so glad my little veal-fattening pen is way back here and my ass faces away from anyone. I’ve been eating a lot more fruits and vegetables lately, and they’ve been coming back to haunt me in gaseous form.
“I’d really like to rely less on the soy protein powder, since it’s making me gassy.”
Have you tried either whey or casein?
“…since it gives me time to practice the front squat with overhead press with my Swiffer.”
This sounds scary.
I’m interested in the answer to littlem’s question, too. I’m not working out, but a mix of kidney stones — too much animal protein — and wonky blood sugar have driven me to whey and spirulina shake powders for breakfast. So far they seem OK and not too gassy, although it’s too soon to tell about long term positive results.
Well, I’m not using whey or casein because I’m trying to eat vegan. But someone (who has celiac disease, so knows from gastrointestinal upset) recently told me about brown rice protein, which she said is easy to digest, so I’m going to give that a try if it stacks up nutritionally.
Ha. Oh duh. I can’t believe I forgot you were doing vegan and not just vegetarian. Plus I was all focused on the algae part of the equation.
Thanks for the brown rice idea, though, since I’m still experimenting I’ll probably look for some to try.