Not progessing fast enough!

wilsoje74

Every exercise will have different weight. Of course your big muscles in your legs can lift more than your smaller arm muscles. Dead lifts and squats should be a much higher weight than a triceps or shoulder press. You keep records and add on each week as you can. You can't use the same weights throughout your whole workout

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

Also I agree with the advice to follow a program. It will tell you exactly how to progress.

EricRazorbacks

You've gotten the advice you need, but I just want to emphasize that you need to make sure you don't sell yourself short. You are a lot stronger than you think. When people start lifting weights, they may find that squatting, say 20 pounds, is tough. If you were doing 5x5, those last few reps may seem hard. So, the next time you go in to work out, you think, I can't do 22.5 or 25 this time because 20 was so hard last time. But, guess what? If you try it, you will probably be surprised to find out you can do the increased weight. The last few reps may be hard, but you did them. Your body is adapting. The next time you workout, you probably can add more weight even though you may think you can't. You'll be able to see these types of linear increases for a while as a beginner. Each increase in weight may seem hard every single time, but that's okay. Just keep on trucking.

BusyRaeNOTBusty

Thankyou everyone for your input. By the sounds of it I may need to push myself a little harder. Is it normal to be able to lift more on some moves than you can others? I think I could definately deadlift more and maybe squat a bit more as I do have a 20lb toddler. I can't lift more than the 4.5kg for some of the ab and arm lifts so I assumed I should wait to increase my weights until my arms etc had caught up? I heard this advice from a bodybuilding site so thought it was legit...

I am eating 2000 cals a day, 80-100g of protein and always eat back my exercise calories. Whilst my toddler is breastfeeding its only a very short morning and bedtime feed so doubt it could be taking that many calories from me.

Oh, absolutely you should be do more weights on some of the lifts. I can deadlift 200lbs but triceps extensions are only 15lbs. HUGE difference.

Maybe you should look into reading New Rules of Weight Lifting from Women. It touches on this subject.

JoRocka

typically lifts go heaviest to lightest in the following
dead lift
squat
bench
over head press

then all isolation smaller weights typically (esp for women) under that.

if your squat is higher than your dead- you may be an anomaly (like fred hatfield) or there is a technique or mental issue going on.

lemur_lady

You've gotten the advice you need, but I just want to emphasize that you need to make sure you don't sell yourself short. You are a lot stronger than you think. When people start lifting weights, they may find that squatting, say 20 pounds, is tough. If you were doing 5x5, those last few reps may seem hard. So, the next time you go in to work out, you think, I can't do 22.5 or 25 this time because 20 was so hard last time. But, guess what? If you try it, you will probably be surprised to find out you can do the increased weight. The last few reps may be hard, but you did them. Your body is adapting. The next time you workout, you probably can add more weight even though you may think you can't. You'll be able to see these types of linear increases for a while as a beginner. Each increase in weight may seem hard every single time, but that's okay. Just keep on trucking.

Thanks! Thats really helpful

Once I have a bit more money available I might look into getting a barbell with plates. I assume this is a step in the right direction?

wilsoje74

You've gotten the advice you need, but I just want to emphasize that you need to make sure you don't sell yourself short. You are a lot stronger than you think. When people start lifting weights, they may find that squatting, say 20 pounds, is tough. If you were doing 5x5, those last few reps may seem hard. So, the next time you go in to work out, you think, I can't do 22.5 or 25 this time because 20 was so hard last time. But, guess what? If you try it, you will probably be surprised to find out you can do the increased weight. The last few reps may be hard, but you did them. Your body is adapting. The next time you workout, you probably can add more weight even though you may think you can't. You'll be able to see these types of linear increases for a while as a beginner. Each increase in weight may seem hard every single time, but that's okay. Just keep on trucking.

Thanks! Thats really helpful

Once I have a bit more money available I might look into getting a barbell with plates. I assume this is a step in the right direction?

You will need heavier weights for squats and deadlifts. I found a bar and plates at a yard sale for $20.

tomcornhole

OP, you are awesome! The positive attitude you have is very inspirational. And the MFP crew seems to have maintained a helpful attitude and is helping a lot. I like this thread. Some threads like this get off the rails and end up with some silly argument between two pundits with opposing views.

lemur_lady

OP, you are awesome! The positive attitude you have is very inspirational. And the MFP crew seems to have maintained a helpful attitude and is helping a lot. I like this thread. Some threads like this get off the rails and end up with some silly argument between two pundits with opposing views.

Aw thank you

I was kinda worried I might have some people pointing their digital fingers and jeer at me but thankfully I have recieved some great advice. Glad I asked for help and didnt keep plodding along doing what I was doing