How to start Strength Training..

HermosaKas

Hi, I'm Jasmine, and I am new here. I am still obese, like 3+, but I have a problem. I don't really know where to start in regards to working out. I was going to just start walking for the most part, but I really want to start squats.

I'll just say it, I have a really flat *kitten*. I don't know if it is really just flat, or if it is just disproportionate to my body size, but all of a sudden I am really, really insecure about it. It looks really bad, like I have a diaper on in my jeans, so I figure starting up squats would be like killing 3 or 4 birds with one stone. I would be strengthening my legs, thighs, core, and I'm sure that would help tremendously with my lower back pain AND-- fix my little, or rather "flat" problem.

My biggest concerns are, "am I too big to start"? I know for a fact that my legs are extremely weak and on top of that, I am on this medicine that has a side effect of making my muscles tremor if I over exert them. My hands even tremor and twitch if I type too hard, too fast and my vocal chords even twitch if I try to speak to fast or too loud- comes out like a stutter, so you can only imagine how difficult the squats must be. And I am concerned that I might hurt myself with bad form.--plus, because I still have so much weight to lose, would it even make a difference appearance wise? Should I even be trying to build muscle or strengthen muscle this early on while still trying to lose weight?

SN: I am totally anemic (iron deficient) last time I was checked, my levels were like 7% saturation when they should be at least 20%. I am on iron supplement treatment, but I have even finished a month.. 325mg of iron 3x a day for 3 months and one everyday there after)-- how does all this factor into weight loss and exercise?

BigT555

ill comment on what i can relate to because anemia isnt something ive ever had to deal with

weight lifting is great for when your losing weight, there is no time that is too soon to start. i can guarantee that you arent too big to start, because there is no such thing if you put it off until you have lost alot of weight you'll still have made progress, but its very likely that a good amount of your weight lost will be from muscle tissue.

dont strain yourself too much, and if your worried about form just ask someone who looks like they know what theyre doing to give you a form check. they wont mind, if anything they will be happy to help

shor0814

Never too early to start but for me I started with body weigh and didn't add weights until I really felt comfortable. You might start with box squats to work on form and depth.

Good luck!

FireOpalCO

I can't address the medication issue but here is what I see as a potential issue. Squats can be hard, you won't be able to do them for the same length of time you could do walking. You might be able to do 30 minutes of walking at a "hard for you" pace but I don't think you will be doing 30 minutes of squats. If you did push yourself on a weight training routine, you would likely not want to do anything for the next two days. So I definitely wouldn't make it an "one or the other" decision.

Why not find a simple body weight routine that you could get through once, do that in the morning and then in the evening go for your walk? Build slow.

When do you go back in to have your anemia checked?

nolanerinbryon

Hi Jasmine,
I'm no medical expert, but here goes.... have you discussed any of these ideas with your physician? Given your anemia, but more importantly the other drug's side affects causing you tremors, I would think you may want to discuss with a medical professional to avoid injury.

Since you are new, can I ask if you've read this? It's full of great advice as a newcomer:) http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

I'm sure there are some things you could try to strengthen your legs/knees in preparation for squats (i.e. walking flights of stairs, riding a bicycle). I honestly believe everyone can benefit from strengthening/resistance as part of their fitness regimen but I hesitate to say too much because I'm sure there are others who know more.... good luck!

HermosaKas

Sorry for being so late to respond, and thank you all SO MUCH for taking the time to help me with my woes! I go back to my Doc around June sometime, but I think I have decided to leave the squats alone, for now. I recently purchased a Kinect, and will be using it as my main exercise ritual. Sounds fun, now to just stop being lazy and set the d**n thing up, lol. Thanks again!