Started lifting weights again.

[Handprints]

I found this pic of me from four years ago:

http://fileserver6.jpghosting.com/images/arw2004_5faf1a60ec1730d7ee2fde0e11ca6fa3.jpg

Damn, I forgot I was that beefy. I was 210 lbs then. Today I'm 185.

Went to the Y last night and it's like HOLY SHIT WHEN DID I BECOME A FUCKING WEAKLING?! Oh well. I'll get the muscle back. Really, I will.

Good move! Remember - the rules haven't changed: warm up aerobically until hot and sweaty; treat light weights like heavy ones; nothing's more important than core strength; and if you don't work your legs, you get to change your name to Guido.

Best of luck,
H

 

[R. Richard]

Looks just fiiiiiiiiine to me...


hey, if I lifted weights (to tone, not to bulk. I don't wanna look like Arnie's little sis) would it increase my testosterone and sex drive? Cos it goes into hibernation a bit in the winter and could use a boost...

x
V

You should definitely try exercise, lifting weights or otherwise. Regular, reasonably vigorous exercise will not only tone your body, but also the rest of your system.

As to bulking up, if you are a normal female, you CAN'T bulk up, unless you follow a very difficult, very strenuous, very strict program. Bulking up basically requires testosterone. Young males have a lot, older males less and females far less. The very muscular female body builders you sometimes see are the product of very difficult, very strenuous, very strict programs, plus they get shots for chicken pox [well, they told me the shots were for chicken pox.]

 

[R. Richard]

Sigh. I'd like to exercise but I don't have the room or the money.

I can't practice martial arts unless I have a fair bit of space. And a dojo cost money. Sigh.

All you need to exercise is a personal workout mat and a program of bodyweight exercises [pushups, situps, abs crunches, oblique crunches, isometrics, etc.] You can get bodyweight exercise programs from the Internet.

 

[OhMissScarlett]

All you need to exercise is a personal workout mat and a program of bodyweight exercises [pushups, situps, abs crunches, oblique crunches, isometrics, etc.] You can get bodyweight exercise programs from the Internet.

That's very true. I have very little space and have managed to get in better shape with just a mat and some dumbells. Pilates is also great for toning up in a very small space. It sounds girly, but it will kick your ass.

 

[TheeGoatPig]

I don't even have room for a mat in my house. If it can't be done when standing, or at the most, leaning over, I'm not going to be able to do it.

But lucky me, I get out to the kung fu school two nights a week most weeks (aside from the last two where I have been laid up ill )

 

[AvoidingRealWork]

Good move! Remember - the rules haven't changed: warm up aerobically until hot and sweaty; treat light weights like heavy ones; nothing's more important than core strength; and if you don't work your legs, you get to change your name to Guido.

Best of luck,
H

Thanks!

For aerobics I usually do something low-impact, either stationary bike or stairmaster. With freeweights, I make sure to do arms, chest, shoulders, lats, lower back, abs, hams, quads, calves. Three sets, 8-12 reps.

Everyone is different, and different types of exercise are good for different types of people. Weights are really, really good for me. My pulse is elevated through the entire workout, so I get cardio as well as strength. The aches and pains that are part of daily life when I'm not working out go away when I do. My energy level is elevated, my sex drive is dramatically increased, and I have much less trouble with depression and anxiety.

As far as results, I don't want huge bulk. I can't naturally bulk; it's not in my DNA. But I know I can put on about 20 lbs of muscle, and get chiseled and sculpted at the same time. Lean and defined. That would be nice .

 

[OhMissScarlett]

Thanks!

For aerobics I usually do something low-impact, either stationary bike or stairmaster. With freeweights, I make sure to do arms, chest, shoulders, lats, lower back, abs, hams, quads, calves. Three sets, 8-12 reps.

Everyone is different, and different types of exercise are good for different types of people. Weights are really, really good for me. My pulse is elevated through the entire workout, so I get cardio as well as strength. The aches and pains that are part of daily life when I'm not working out go away when I do. My energy level is elevated, my sex drive is dramatically increased, and I have much less trouble with depression and anxiety.

As far as results, I don't want huge bulk. I can't naturally bulk; it's not in my DNA. But I know I can put on about 20 lbs of muscle, and get chiseled and sculpted at the same time. Lean and defined. That would be nice .

It doesn't take long to notice how much better you feel, does it? I think after only two weeks, I had a lot less back pain and could stand much straighter. My back doesn't pop in and out of place like it used to either. The best thing is, that I can tell my new muscle is burning fat. I started out with just 3lb hand weights and a good cardio/weights program. I'm up to 5 lb. now, lol, I'm working on it!

 

[Boota]

ARW, the first time back in the gym after shoulder surgery just made me feel pathetic. I was off a year and went from benching 550 pounds to barely being able to move the bar once.

I don't imagine your situation is as extreme as mine was at the time, but the idea is the same. Forget time frames and what you think you should be able to do. If it takes a month or two to get back where you think you should be, so be it. Even three or four months. Too much too soon is the worst thing you can do. Respect the iron or it will make you pay.

If you're topping out so close to your starting weight, and it concerns you about the amount of weight you're lifting, you might want to consult a trainer. It could be something as simple as a minor technique adjustment. I used to work out with another guy who is much bigger than me, but we were barely able to break 200 pounds on benchpressing. Fortunately for us, two of the other guys in the gym were powerlifters training in hopes of reaching the Olympics and they saw us struggling. After about ten minutes instruction in technique I broke 300 pounds for the first time. I had been lifting for years, I just hadn't been doing it right. I thought I was, I was sure I was. But I wasn't.

 

[R. Richard]

ARW, the first time back in the gym after shoulder surgery just made me feel pathetic. I was off a year and went from benching 550 pounds to barely being able to move the bar once.

I don't imagine your situation is as extreme as mine was at the time, but the idea is the same. Forget time frames and what you think you should be able to do. If it takes a month or two to get back where you think you should be, so be it. Even three or four months. Too much too soon is the worst thing you can do. Respect the iron or it will make you pay.

If you're topping out so close to your starting weight, and it concerns you about the amount of weight you're lifting, you might want to consult a trainer. It could be something as simple as a minor technique adjustment. I used to work out with another guy who is much bigger than me, but we were barely able to break 200 pounds on benchpressing. Fortunately for us, two of the other guys in the gym were powerlifters training in hopes of reaching the Olympics and they saw us struggling. After about ten minutes instruction in technique I broke 300 pounds for the first time. I had been lifting for years, I just hadn't been doing it right. I thought I was, I was sure I was. But I wasn't.

If you don't already know, Boota, check out a bench shirt. A good bench shirt is good for some real percentage gains and you are forced into correct technique. [Who woulda' thought that the legs need to get involved with a bench press?]

 

[jomar]

Don't listen to any of them! They're old school. Just buy a bunch of those muscle stimulation units that rehab therapists use - you know, the ones with a cuff that goes around your arm or leg and sends a pulsing electrical current to contract and release the muscle. Yeah, those. Buy a bunch of them, hook 'em up to your arms and legs, drink pretty heavy (unless you know a guy ), go to sleep and in a few months you'll be all beefed and toned up. Some pesky side effects may occur but so what!!!

 

[TheeGoatPig]

I've been reading up on how weight machines are actually pretty bad for you, and on better techniques using your own body weight, and medicine balls and such. Very interesting stuff really.

 

[AvoidingRealWork]

ARW, the first time back in the gym after shoulder surgery just made me feel pathetic. I was off a year and went from benching 550 pounds to barely being able to move the bar once.

550 lbs?! I'll be ecstatic if I can max at 250. Bench numbers will be low for me, as I have long arms and a very long range of motion.

If you're topping out so close to your starting weight, and it concerns you about the amount of weight you're lifting, you might want to consult a trainer.

I'll rapidly improve in the first few months. I'm starting so low there's nowhere to go but up. Once I do top out, maybe I can look into getting some professional help. OTOH, if a) I'm feeling good, b) I'm looking good, and c) I'm not injuring myself in any way, I won't fret too much about it.

 

[R. Richard]

I've been reading up on how weight machines are actually pretty bad for you, and on better techniques using your own body weight, and medicine balls and such. Very interesting stuff really.

If you just want to get in shape, bodyweight exercises work well. However, if you are already in good shape, weight machines are a good way to increase resistance levels to beyond the bodyweight range. Even with just bodyweight, you can use plyometrics to give the effect of more resistance.

 

[lushlucid]

I'm so going to the gym today =P