Weight lifting! HELP! :)

Tldavis3s
Tldavis3s Posts: 83 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hello,
I have been a member of MFP since November and I have lost the weight I wanted to lose! But the problem is that I still do not look like what I had in mind! I have been doing cardio but not much else as far as exercising goes. I walk on a treadmill and I do interval cardio training as well as riding bicycles with my husband regularly. I feel that the only way I will end up looking how I want is by starting to strength train.

So, can anyone tell a beginner where to start? Should I just start out really easy and work my way up with the weight or start by something that is hard for me to begin with? I don't want to over do it the first night and end up hurting for a week! Any pointers would be great! It's been around 5-6 years since I have done any sort of heavy lifting.

My background if you need it is that I am 5'3 and 21 years old. I now weigh in at 138 lbs.

Thanks!

Replies

  • jrompola
    jrompola Posts: 153 Member
    Hello,
    I have been a member of MFP since November and I have lost the weight I wanted to lose! But the problem is that I still do not look like what I had in mind! I have been doing cardio but not much else as far as exercising goes. I walk on a treadmill and I do interval cardio training as well as riding bicycles with my husband regularly. I feel that the only way I will end up looking how I want is by starting to strength train.

    So, can anyone tell a beginner where to start? Should I just start out really easy and work my way up with the weight or start by something that is hard for me to begin with? I don't want to over do it the first night and end up hurting for a week! Any pointers would be great! It's been around 5-6 years since I have done any sort of heavy lifting.

    My background if you need it is that I am 5'3 and 21 years old. I now weigh in at 138 lbs.

    Thanks!

    Where do you expect to be doing your weight training? At a gym or at home? If at a gym which gym? If at home what equipment do you already have?
  • Tldavis3s
    Tldavis3s Posts: 83 Member
    There is a local gym in my town that has just about every type of equipment you can think of. I plan on starting there asap.
  • mikejholmes
    mikejholmes Posts: 291 Member
    I would pick up Starting Strength by Mark Rippetoe. He explains in detail what exercises to do, exactly how to do them, and how to find an appropriate starting weight to work with.
  • whierd
    whierd Posts: 14,025 Member
    I have typed this out a few times today, so I will give you the Cliffnotes version.

    Buy and read Starting Strength, 5/3/1, New Rules of Lifting for Life, or the Stronglifts5x5 website.
    Watch Youtube videos of the exercises in your strength training routine.
    Start with an unloaded bar on each lift and progress slowly each workout.
  • jrompola
    jrompola Posts: 153 Member
    There is a local gym in my town that has just about every type of equipment you can think of. I plan on starting there asap.

    Personally I would check out bodybuilding.com then.

    This may be a little too simplistic since you lifted in the past, but check out this routine.
    http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/new-year-start-here-7-day-beginner-trainer.html

    Or maybe this one once you become comfortable with the equipment and various lifts
    http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/jim-stoppani-six-week-shortcut-to-shred.html
  • MichealeEasley
    MichealeEasley Posts: 3 Member
    The New Rules of Lifting for Women, by Lou Schuler.
  • Tldavis3s
    Tldavis3s Posts: 83 Member
    Ok, thanks everyone! I am doing my research on all of the books and websites now. Thanks for the recommendations!
  • tartsul
    tartsul Posts: 298 Member
    The New Rules of Lifting for Women, by Lou Schuler.

    yes! this is where i started, and i love it.
  • FrnkLft
    FrnkLft Posts: 1,821 Member
    I have typed this out a few times today, so I will give you the Cliffnotes version.

    Buy and read Starting Strength, 5/3/1, New Rules of Lifting for Life, or the Stronglifts5x5 website.
    Watch Youtube videos of the exercises in your strength training routine.
    Start with an unloaded bar on each lift and progress slowly each workout.

    This. I would go with 5x5 however. The reason is that it is a VERY simple routine focusing on 4 main lifts that workout everything. Starting Strength is good too for the same reason, but I've found 5x5 tobe ther better option.

    The key here: take the time to read about the routine, and take the time to learn about good form. You will be surprised how much more engaged you are when you understand what you're doing and can work towards doing it better.

    I have to plug this too: 5/3/1 is awesome, but it's better for someone who has more experiance with lifting, since it is a bit more involved and progresses more slowly. At the outset, a program like 5x5 will start you at an easy level, and quickly get you up to speed.
  • BoiNeezy
    BoiNeezy Posts: 227 Member
    Start off light safety first always when just beginning
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    I have typed this out a few times today, so I will give you the Cliffnotes version.

    Buy and read Starting Strength, 5/3/1, New Rules of Lifting for Life, or the Stronglifts5x5 website.
    Watch Youtube videos of the exercises in your strength training routine.
    Start with an unloaded bar on each lift and progress slowly each workout.

    any of this. if you've been here since november, you've seen 4,438 threads giving this advice along with a warning that losing without resistance training often leaves a person unsatisfied at goal weight. so get started on a program and spread the word to others that strength training can help avoid disappointment

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