This is long overdue, but I wanted to throw in a quick recap for Stage 2 of the New Rules of Lifting For Women Plan.
Recap of Stage 1 can be found here.
After a very long and tiring 8 weeks of Stage 1, the short and sweet Stage 2 was a refreshing change up.
Unlike Stage 1, Stage 2 was a quick and dirty plan consisting of only 4 sets of each workout, instead of the previous 8. Each set was a little more challenging with longer workouts (9 workouts opposed to 5), harder moves (dumbbell prone cuban snatch, anyone?), consistent reps (2 sets of 10 reps down the line), and longer rests (75 seconds down the line).
Even with all that, I prefer Stage 2 to Stage 1 in a heartbeat.
Weights
| Stage 2 | ||
| Workout A | ||
| Front Squat/ Push Press | Workout 1 | 30 lbs |
| Workout 4 | 50 lbs | |
| Step-Up | Workout 1 | 20 lbs |
| Workout 4 | 25 lbs | |
| Dumbell One Point Row | Workout 1 | 10 lbs |
| Workout 4 | 15 lbs | |
| Static Lunge w/ Rear Foot Elevated | Workout 1 | 20 lbs |
| Workout 4 | 25 lbs | |
| Cable Horizontal Wood Chop | Workout 1 | 30 lbs |
| Workout 4 | 40 lbs | |
| Workout B | ||
| Wide Grip Deadlift from Box | Workout 1 | 50 lbs |
| Workout 4 | 60 lbs | |
| Blugarian Split Squat | Workout 1 | 10 lbs |
| Workout 4 | 25 lbs | |
| Underhand Grip Lat Pulldown | Workout 1 | 50 lbs |
| Workout 4 | 65 lbs | |
| Reverse Lunge from Box | Workout 1 | 8 lbs |
| Workout 4 | 12 lbs | |
| Dumbell Prine Cuban Snatch | Workout 1 | 8 lbs |
| Workout 4 | 12 lbs |
*Note I only included the stats for the workouts that required an increase in weight. Push-ups and crunches were left out of the final numbers.
Stage 2 didn’t feel as if there was enough time to increase weight increments too much, but even a slight raise in numbers over the 4 weeks makes me happy. Any major increases above can probably be traced back to starting out too light – a bad habit I see that I do.
What I liked most was that Stage 2 wasn’t long enough for me to become terribly comfortable with it. It was just enough for me to get the slightest hang of it before moving on. My body grows bored very quickly of the weight room and prefers to be constantly challenged in new ways. Shorter plans allow me to constantly change it up.
Stage 2 felt like it was very core focused. My abs hurt after the first day with the ‘cable hoizontal chop’ found in workout A and the swiss ball/ reverse crunch/ lateral flexion combo in B required a good amount of mat time. I became very comfortable with the ebb and flow of it all.
The only thing I wasn’t a fan of in Stage 2 was the 75 second rests between each rep. I tried really hard to stick with that, but when it came to the time spent on the mat, I felt like I was just twiddling my thumbs. I had to remind myself to step back and relax. Strength training isn’t about how fast you get through the routine and those rests are built in for a reason. I kept thinking back to the book when the author said you would still get a workout speeding through the sets, but it won’t be the same workout and it probably won’t be the one you want. Thinking of that forced me to stick with the rest times as much as I could stand.
Measurements
| 5/26/11 | 7/15/11 | 8/22/11 | |
| Chest | 34in | 34in | 34in |
| Right Bicep | 11in | 11.25in | 11.25in |
| Left Bicep | 10.75in | 11.15in | 11.15in |
| Waist | 31in | 30.25in | 30in |
| Hips | 39in | 38.65in | 38.4in |
| Right Thigh | 21.5in | 21.30in | 21in |
| Left Thigh | 21in | 21in | 20.80in |
No big changes this stage, just a tiny bit here and there. Nothing is getting crazy bigger, so I’ll take that as a good sign. 
Photos
End of Stage 2 Photos: 8/22/11
Wow. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting to see a vast improvement in the photos, but having them go down the page like that, I definitely see a difference. Especially in my back. Everything just looks…smoother.
I also feel like the little pouch in my stomach has gone down some. Now, I’m DEFINITELY motivated to kick it into high gear with Stage 3!
{ 49 comments… read them below or add one }
Keep up the awesome work!
Awesome progress!!!
I LOVE when bloggers promote lifting weights. I HATE when people are like “I don’t want to bulk up” Clearly you are showing that it’s not going to happen even lifting heavy weights. Thanks for sharing, it takes a lot courage to put up picks in a bikini. Keep up the great work!
What great improvements! You look great.
Wow! Great job! I seriously have no idea what some of these moves are lol but now I want to get my hands on that book :p
you are brave, posting those photos – but good for you! glad you have seen improvements :))
You’re so brave to put up photos of yourself like that, but I respect the honesty and transparency SO MUCH. You look fantastic, girl, and I’d be proud if I were you! Keep it up!
I love those rows that incorporate core work (like stage 2!) I’ve been switching up my routine and doing those, and I always feel it afterwards.
You look great, Meghann!
Lookin’ good, girl!
Good job! Super excited for stage 2!
Nice progress! You’re looking great!!
You look fantastic!
I see the biggest difference in your back! I hope you are wearing your sunscreen
Have you been checked for scoliosis? Your shoulders are uneven like mine.
I haven’t been checked for scoliosis since I was little, but now that you mention, my shoulders are uneven…
I have some slight scoliosis too, and it looks a little like that.
For me it just means one bra strap is hitched a little tighter than the other
Great job you look fantastic!! I need you to come train me!
Awesome gains Meghann!
How do you do Bulgarian Split squats, with a barbell or dumbbells?
Like this http://www.body-perfect-fitness.com/Dumbbell-Bulgarian-Split-Squat.html
Nice. I prefer using dumbbells over the barbell for bulgarians too because the barbell seems to strain my lower back for some reason.
you look awesome!!
You’re looking awesome!! There is definitely a noticeable difference!!
Nice job! I definitely see some improvement in those pics too. I agree with the 75 second rests in stage 2, they are my least favorite. In fact, I find myself cutting them short b/c I just don’t feel like it’s necessary. The only other thing I’m not digging about this stage is the interval training at the end of 2B. I’ve only done it once out of 3 workouts. I feel like I already do interval training with running and usually the days when I do NROLFW aren’t scheduled to be running days for a reason so I’ve struggled with that part. I’m excited for stage 3 soon too!
I am really confused by the workouts (I REALLY need to buy the book. Still afraid of the weights area) – but you look great!! I haven’t stared so intently as a woman’s ass before as I just did to yours – but that’s where I see the most results
Hee. Can’t wait to hear about Stage 3!
Ha! I’m pretty sure I’ve ever stared at my own butt as intently either!
Great job!! I read this book, but I confess it’s been sitting on my shelf since. You’ve inspired me to break it out and hit the weight room!!
Great job! Your back does look different and overall you look more toned. Keep it up!
Wow you can definetly see some great changes!!!!! Goes to show you how important ST can really be!!!
Awesome job! I love seeing improvement when doing weights.
Also girl, you look fantastic! Your thighs especially look more toned. Great work!
You’re definitely looking leaner (but not meaner?)! Nice work.
I need to get back to weights. I love the challenge!
You look so ripped and toned. Definitely a motivation to start lifting again. I always feel so much stronger when I do it but for some reason weight training falls of my list of priorities. It’s time to get serious and maybe give the book a try. Also you might want to stop over and read my post about volunteering for the Syracuse HIM last year. Beware of those water bottles at aid stations in your upcoming HIM – it’s down right dangerous.
Thanks for the tip! Checking out your post now.
You go girl! You look fantastic!
You look great Meghann! I’ve always read that the key to shaping and tightening the body is to add in strength training and not do just cardio, and you’re proof of that! Awesome job!
I know what you’re saying about rests between sets. I always rush through, even though I know I should give myself time to chill out. Patience is not my virtue!
Whoa, girl!! That’s awesome! Great job! I have to get my hands on that book for sure.
You can definitely see the progress! Wow! I always thought you looked fit before, but now even more so! Thanks for sharing these reviews of NROLFW!! I might have to get ahold of it and try the workouts!
Nicely done…looks like a great plan!
You look great! Work it, girl!*
Great job Meghann!! I just bought the NROLFW book and I’m looking forward to start! Did you find that the book was easy to follow? I’m always afraid of getting to the gym, not knowing the workouts and then waste time just reading it instead of actually working out. Haha.
You look great! Keep up the good work!
You can totally see a difference… awesome job!
Awesome job! I’m about to start Stage 1 next week! I’m excited that you’re seeing such great results!
I can see LOTS of changes! You’re killing it Meghann!
I think you look great in those photos! And to lose inches progressively on your waist and thighs is great! Muscle burns more calories than fat!!!
Keep lifting girl! I love it! I’m so happy you’re spreading the strength training love!
I randomly found this book at Border’s for $1.20, so I couldn’t pass that up! I am scared of the weight room though!
Wow! You can definitely tell the difference with the photos – looking good
Great job- keep up the hard work! One of my girlfriends and I decided last night that we need to whip up some new workout routines and shape up… Any tips?!
Massive improveent in the photos! Keep it up
Wow, you can totally tell the difference! Great job. I may have to check out that book, I need a good weightlifting program.