Tired of being skinny, I want to be fit!

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Replies

  • November_Fire
    November_Fire Posts: 165 Member
    This is interesting. I'm a slim build with some wobble in my belly. I hadn't thought of weights as helping abs, just for arms! I am new to working out tho. I run and cycle but I have little-to-no upper body strength. What weight should you start with? I mean I'm feebly weak and don't want to end up injuring myself. Also, are push ups going to do my midsection any good?

    Do a pushup - it answers your question! You feel it right in your core - don't think about 'abs', think about your whole core, from your diaphragm down to your pelvic floor, the obliques and all the bits in between. Core is, well, core. Planks do your core, but push-ups will affect it too. Lifting weight will affect it because you need a strong core and strong legs to lift the weight, so lifting a free weight works a whole lot more muscles than just the hands and arms holding it.

    See if your gym offers inductions or if they have someone who can show you how to use them.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    This is interesting. I'm a slim build with some wobble in my belly. I hadn't thought of weights as helping abs, just for arms! I am new to working out tho. I run and cycle but I have little-to-no upper body strength. What weight should you start with? I mean I'm feebly weak and don't want to end up injuring myself. Also, are push ups going to do my midsection any good?

    weights for just helping arms?

    squats? dead lifts? lunges? bridge lifts?

    I don't even have an "arms" day and all I do is lift.
  • Pectinbean
    Pectinbean Posts: 62 Member
    This is interesting. I'm a slim build with some wobble in my belly. I hadn't thought of weights as helping abs, just for arms! I am new to working out tho. I run and cycle but I have little-to-no upper body strength. What weight should you start with? I mean I'm feebly weak and don't want to end up injuring myself. Also, are push ups going to do my midsection any good?

    Do a pushup - it answers your question! You feel it right in your core - don't think about 'abs', think about your whole core, from your diaphragm down to your pelvic floor, the obliques and all the bits in between. Core is, well, core. Planks do your core, but push-ups will affect it too. Lifting weight will affect it because you need a strong core and strong legs to lift the weight, so lifting a free weight works a whole lot more muscles than just the hands and arms holding it.

    See if your gym offers inductions or if they have someone who can show you how to use them.

    I'll look into this, ta! I can't actually do a proper pushup, just the knee bent ones, the shame... I don't like the gym cause I have no idea what I'm doing so I imagine an induction would be a good starting point!
  • ashleysarvi
    ashleysarvi Posts: 66
    Im with everyone else start lifting =) or even body weights moves are good. Ive developed most my muscle on body weight exercises.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member

    I'll look into this, ta! I can't actually do a proper pushup, just the knee bent ones, the shame... I don't like the gym cause I have no idea what I'm doing so I imagine an induction would be a good starting point!

    try doing them on a desk or the stairs- with straight legs- it's more translatable to straight push ups- as you can move down ward- knee push ups don't offer much progress to moving upwards to full un-modified push ups.
  • Amestris
    Amestris Posts: 152 Member
    This is interesting. I'm a slim build with some wobble in my belly. I hadn't thought of weights as helping abs, just for arms! I am new to working out tho. I run and cycle but I have little-to-no upper body strength. What weight should you start with? I mean I'm feebly weak and don't want to end up injuring myself. Also, are push ups going to do my midsection any good?

    weights for just helping arms?

    squats? dead lifts? lunges? bridge lifts?

    I don't even have an "arms" day and all I do is lift.

    So you don't incorporate any accessary lifts that target the arms? P.S. Just wondering since I am new to strength training. Thanks
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    So you don't incorporate any accessory lifts that target the arms? P.S. Just wondering since I am new to strength training. Thanks

    not really to be honest- they get hit by nature of some of the work I do- but I don't do bicep curls or tricep press downs. not regularly- I haven't had an "arm" day in probably 2-3 years. I am training for a power lifting meet right now- and I don't have time to do a full bro split- that may change in six months after the meet because I'm considering doing a physique competition- but we'll see ;)

    But the answer is no- not SPECIFICALLY... it happens- but as an after thought.

    So- how I get some arm work in mostly happens on chest day LOL
    I have cable flys- decline and incline- hits the arms a little
    Deep forward dips- lots of chest- includes biceps

    Back day- I do pull ups- I throw in chin ups (palms facing me) which are heavy bicep activation.

    Standing Overhead press- you get shoulders in there

    Over head extension/pull- that's a whole lot of everything upper body- chest- lats- arms- fabulous exercise.

    also my comment was more about the fact it seemed the implication was weight training = arms- so that's kind of why there was a specific emphasis on all the leg lifting- plus your lower body is not 50% of your body- it's closer to 70%... it needs more attention than your two arms hanging off your trunk.
  • Amestris
    Amestris Posts: 152 Member
    Thanks for the information. I recently started the beginner strength training program from a workout routine after being primarily cardio focused throughout my weight less. I'm sure I'll have to switch things up eventually. Appreciate the information.
  • allana1111
    allana1111 Posts: 390 Member
    Lift weights. Helping me immensely
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    Deny everything everyone has said here - go swimming. :bigsmile:
    No
    Why wouldn't she? Swimming is considered the best sport there is. And definitely more fun than fitness. I can tell; I do both.

    I say lifting is more fun than swimming..so my opinion is therefore superior to yours...
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    OP I would say the following..

    eat in a 15% calorie deficit
    set your macro % to 40 protein/30 fats/30 carbs
    pick up a copy of starting strength, new rules of lifting for woman, or some other program..
    lift heavy using compound movements = deadlifts, squats, overhead press, rows, pull ups/chin ups, bench press...

    repeat until you get desired results....
  • Mischievous_Rascal
    Mischievous_Rascal Posts: 1,791 Member

    I'll look into this, ta! I can't actually do a proper pushup, just the knee bent ones, the shame... I don't like the gym cause I have no idea what I'm doing so I imagine an induction would be a good starting point!

    try doing them on a desk or the stairs- with straight legs- it's more translatable to straight push ups- as you can move down ward- knee push ups don't offer much progress to moving upwards to full un-modified push ups.

    True. I did modified knee pushups for almost a year with no progression. I began doing them with straight legs off a countertop and gradually lowered the incline until i could do a proper one from the floor and it only took me a couple months to get there.
  • lightmouse
    lightmouse Posts: 175 Member
    I have gained muscle and definition in my tummy from changing my diet to 40c/30c/30f and incorporating bodyweight exercises into my training routine - as well as some exercises with 4/5kg dumbbells (Focus T25 Gamma, it's a Beachbody program). I would love to "lift heavy" and do a program like NROLFW, I really would, but I have no room at home for equipment and no access to a gym. I felt really disheartened until some friendly people on here said bodyweight exercises would work too :smile: I can do push ups, tricep push ups, one leg push ups....and I feel very proud of myself every time the number I can do goes up :smile:

    If you do have somewhere to do a lifting program though, I would go for it - you can't deny the incredible results women on here have seen!

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