Newbie from New Zealand

[Rabs999]

Grettings All,

I've just joined Strong Lifts, so far extremely impressed with the straight forward approach, certainly the site is free of some of the BS one reads out there. I'll be starting my 5x5 programme this evening when I hit the gym.

A wee bit about me. I've recently turned 40, so not quite a crusty old bugger but no spring chicken either! Before kids and marriage I used to weight train semi regularly 3-4 times a week. I wasn't particularly serious and didn't pay much attention to nutrition but had a reasonable work rate and managed some ok gains...nothing stellar. Then came marriage and kids and time went out the window...for close to 16 years!!!

A little under 2 years ago my wife and I decided to join a local gym, it's a simple bare bones type of outfit which suits me just fine. No show pony's nor many members of the opposite sex scantily clad distracting me (nor get me in trouble with the wife... ) Our motivation to get back in to training was three fold, one to get fitter and healthier, two to keep up with our growing brood of children (we've got 5 of them) and three achieve our respective weight, BMI goals. Mine was to gain weight, my wife to loose (she's doing awesome BTW)...When we started Jan '08, I weighed approx 64kgs, 183cms tall with approx 11-12% body fat, so pretty lean (skinny), I've got a fast metabolism so gaining weight has always been a challenge. Today I weigh 73kgs, with body fat around the same maybe a little less (10%?). I need to get measured properly again to know what my exact percentage is, but the point being all weight gains appear to have been muscle. I've been following a 4 days split to hit each body part at least once a week. So I'm of course really pleased with results. Diet is a weakness however, I don't eat enough meals in the day. I supplement with a quality protein powder and I also use creatine from time to time, mid cycle right now, but typically drop it for a while just so I don't get too dependent.

What I like about this site is as mentioned it's very straight forward with advice, the tips of correct lifting are a huge bonus, here I was thinking I was doing ok and not realising I could be doing even better simply by squeezing my glutes! And the diet/eating plans are right on the money...So we'll have to watch this space and see how I get on.

Current lifing stats are:

Bench 1RM = 95kg (209lbs) Just about died tho! typically can manage a final set of 4-6 reps @ 84kg (185lbs) again I'm blowing big time but I get there.
Squat 95kgs (209lbs) Probably need to back this one up a little as I'm not going quite as deep as I should be, so I'm a touch off thighs parallel to the floor.
Deadlift (my favourite lift) 120kg (264lbs) absolute max. I get 4-5 reps out on my final set...again lots of blowing like a steam train but feel awesome afterwards!
OHP: I've only ever done this seated and manage approx 65kg 143 lbs (on the smith machine). I suspect I'll be going lighter when I do this move standing...and with the correct form.

So that's me, really pleased to be here, looking forward to reading and posting more and of course seeing what I can achieve by following 5x5!

Cheerio

Adam

[mjh]

welcome to stronglifts Adam. Sounds like you've got a real solid base to build from.

Where in NZ are you? I'm in Hamilton, working out the Waikato Uni gym. There's a few other kiwis on the boards: jnjh, robcosimo, bluestreak, braddles... these srping to mind, but there's more besides.

I think we're very fortunate in NZ to have reactiv.co.nz whey available. If you haven't already I'd recommend you try it. Cheap and high quality, NZ made all the whey (excuse the pun).

[Rabs999]

Hi mjh,

Thanks for the welcome, and great to see a few kiwi's on board. I'm in Auckland, Rodney district...we love it up here, lots of really nice beaches and relatively quiet, well when compared to most of the Auckland 'burbs it is. It's a great place to bring up kids.

I haven't tried the reactiv.co.nz whey, and seeing how I've just run out of my current protein I'll have to have look and see about getting some.

Again thanks for saying hi and no doubt we'll talk more...have a great labour weekend!

Adam

[absnz]

Hi NZ Fellows

I'm from NZ as well.

The Hubby and I live in Auckland, the Mount and the Gold Coast. It's a long story and it's not as glamorous as it sounds. The travel really gets to you and makes getting a regular gym routine together quite difficult.

Terry is the weight training junky although he has been a bit lazy over the last 2 years and only hit the gym about 2 dozen times which is a real waste of the Les Mills membership.

I have been missing my workouts because of our new baby boy and the rigors of breast feeding (which I must add is a wonderful way to lose weight).

I'm looking forward to learning from everybody here (Terry is a pain in the back side when it comes to trying to learn stuff from him as he has been training in various forms for 30 years now - he ran marathons when he was 13 , competed in Body Building Shows in his 20's etc etc and is not great at explaining things, it's always the old "just because!!!").

Anyway nice to meet you all.

Rebecca

[Rabs999]

Hi Rebecca. Great to see another kiwi joining...Your right the travel does sound glamorous but I know from first hand experience spending lots of time on planes does wear thin after a while. I'm sure you'll get loads of support from the folks here...the site itself is brilliant...I've only been following the 5x5 routine for about 2 weeks or so and already made some gains in terms of strength...be they small - but a gain is a gain none the less!

I wish you the very best in your training endeavors and of course all the very best with the most important role you'll ever play in life...being a mum! He's already got a great start with a mother who is prepared to look after herself and get/stay in shape...makes it way easier when he's mobile and on a mission as all boys are...As my first post says we've got 4 boys...and 1 girl...mad house but fun, most of the time

Adam

[scotty678]

hey rabs, and welcome. I'm new myself and also a kiwi. Live in New Plymouth, 25 and trying to drop fat. Loving stronglifts. I've got a young family 2, 2 young girls so yeag they keep me busy!