Is it too early to do weights and will the make any diffrence?

caticus95

Okay so i've been at this for a week now, doing pretty simple exercise and some tiny weights with 1.5kg weight. Are the 1.5kgs actually doing anything/going to change anything? Should I increase the weight? I still find it a bit difficult to do 20 reps with them, but it's bearable. OR should I hold off weights until i've lost a bit of weight? I'm about 180ilbs.

I want to tone up my arms and someone told me it helps burn more fat if you do a few sets.

JohnBarth

Never too early to add weights. Any resistance training is better than none.

AllanMisner

If you want to build/retain muscle, you’ll need to apply progressive resistance. That means, you’ll need to increase the weight over time. At 20 reps, your lifting is more endurance-based. Strength and muscle mass will be at lower rep ranges (1 - 5 and 6 - 10 respectively). I’d lower the reps to 5 - 8 and increase the weight (a lot).

But rather than just going with adhoc lifting, how about trying a proven program. Look up strong lifts or New Rules of Lifting for Women. These are great programs for a new trainee.

jemhh

JohnBarth wrote: »

Never too early to add weights. Any resistance training is better than none.

I agree with this--it's never too early (assuming you don't have a medical issue that would cause it to be detrimental to your health, of course.)

Do you have heavier weights or do you have access to them (gym, budget to buy, etc.)? If so, I would definitely increase them. 1.5kgs is not much when it comes to strength training. They might be good for some mobility things but that's about it. I would suggest looking at several strength training programs and then planning your gear/equipment around them.

Here are a few beginner programs:

1. Starting Strength (book and available online)
2. Strong Curves (book and available online)
3. New Rules of Lifting for Women (book and available online)
4. Stronglifts 5x5 (online, also an app)
5. Ice Cream Fitness 5x5 (online)
6. All Pro's simple beginner plan (online)
7. You Are Your Own Gym (book)
8. Convict Conditioning (book)
9. Startbodyweight.com beginner routine (online)

sarahrbraun

It is never too early to add weights. Your scale loss might be a bit slower, but in the end, you will be happier with the way you look. You will be losing fat and retaining/building muscle.

I've been working with a trainer for 2 years. I've only lost about 15 lbs, but have gone from a size 16 down to a 10/12. According to BMI, I need to lose 50 more pounds. I want to lose 1 or 2 more clothing sizes, then I'll be done, no matter what the scale says.

The last time I wore a size 12, I was about 140lbs. I am currently 188lbs.

SueInAz

The best time to have started weight training was yesterday.

I started last year and wish I had started much sooner. I concur with the suggestions to go with a progressive resistance program. I've had a trainer helping me at my company gym so can't recommend any of the previously recommended programs but I've good things about many of them.

I do no more than 8 reps of any weight and as soon as I can do 4 sets of 8 with perfect form I go up in weight to something I can only lift for 4 sets of 4 reps then work my way back to 8 again. I've more than doubled what I can lift across the board since last May. I haven't lost much weight but I'm wearing most of my "skinny" jeans, I've lost the jiggle on my underarms and I feel terrific.

twrobbel

Do it! I too was hesitant on starting when I still have a lot to lose- I completely regret not starting sooner. In the few short weeks, the transformation I am seeing in the mirror and how my clothes fit is amazing. I realized I had to get over the number on the scale-and that is not a number anyone has to see. But they do see my body daily. I want to look in the mirror or take a pic and not think I look fat.

Check out the thread "Lifting Has Made Me Supah Bulky"......I look at that thread weekly as my motivation. Its worth clicking all 50 pages to see all the pics- it is what proved to me I needed to start now.

caticus95

Awesome, thanks guys.

Cryptonomnomicon

Weight Lifting

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/find-a-plan.html

http://startingstrength.wikia.com

Weight Lifting - Form /Technique

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/852401-proper-form-and-technique-sources

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1018359-do-you-cave-in-when-you-squat

Strength Training - the basics

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/850719-strength-training-the-basics

Barbell routines - when you only have dumbbells

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/902569-barbell-routines-when-you-only-have-dumbbells

lisalsd1

The only regret I have is not starting to lift earlier.

StrugglingtoMove

caticus95 wrote: »

Okay so i've been at this for a week now, doing pretty simple exercise and some tiny weights with 1.5kg weight. Are the 1.5kgs actually doing anything/going to change anything? Should I increase the weight? I still find it a bit difficult to do 20 reps with them, but it's bearable. OR should I hold off weights until i've lost a bit of weight? I'm about 180ilbs.

I want to tone up my arms and someone told me it helps burn more fat if you do a few sets.

The more muscle you have the easier to lose weight. If your fixated on the scale, start measuring body parts. You wont lose as much if your gaining muscle because muscle weighs more than fat.

You should always do weights with weight loss. It helps reduce excess skin so you do not have the sagging skin.