Any ladies start out lifting light moving to heavy

Welcome2theHellmouth

I have just started at home barbell strength training. I am so out of shape that I have started at 6, 8 and 10lb dumbbells and by the 3 rd set can barely lift without feeling like my arms will fall off. I am increasing weight a little at a time. Anyone else start at such a low weight and build up to heavier with good results? Any results pics welcomed! I am 5'8 196 so I still have alot of fat to lose. I do incline treadmill for cardio also. Gotta start somewhere!

kateauch

Bump- I'd like to see the replies to this question as well.



Also- OP, LOVE the SN! As a fellow scoobie, I can dig it!

aledba

As an example, I was doing 3 lbs for tricep kickbacks a week ago. I can do 10 lbs now. A month ago, I could do squats but hold no weights. Today, I can do 3 sets of 15 goblet squats with a 25 lb dumbbell. If you are persistent and eat the right lean proteins, you will get stronger. Add weight to sets where you can, try to push a little harder and you will find yourself exceeding your goals in no time.

mscleo1115

I started my barbell training with just the bar which is 35 pounds, mainly because I wanted to get my form down really well before I started adding weights which increased by about 5 pounds per week. I perform the lifts 3 days a week. I like Stronglifts 5x5 and Wendler's 5/3/1 method to gradually increase strength.

Tracey_B_72

I started using dumbells 6 weeks ago, I started with 1kg went to 1 1/2kg then 2 1/2kg pretty much within a week, then I went out and got a set that went up to 20 kg. Then I changed from using to using lbs as I found it easier to get my head round.

I followed a 30 day dumbell challenge I found on pinterest and was also using an app called Jefit to log what I had to do then I followed the app to do the workout, some of the exercise I had to substitute and Jefit gives a list and for what section.

I was doing 2 sets of 10 reps but tomorrow I start day 3 of doing it again using the challenge for some structure as I'm still new to lifting, I'm doing 3 sets of 8 now but looking to up it to 12 by day 30, I also do 7 different lifts each session and I'm now doing 10lbs on kickbacks and lateral raises, 12 lbs on all other arm exercises unless I only need 1 dumbell then I go to 14lbs, on leg days I'm using 14lbs to get used to the 3 sets but I was doing 17lbs so will go back up to that.

6 weeks ago I took measurements and I've lost 1 1/2in off each thigh, 1in off hips and bum but I think my 1st 3 weeks were finding my levels, so I'm really looking to where I'll be in another 30 days.

My aim is to tighten my wobbly bits and I'm achieving it with something that fits into my life, I'm by no means an expert and I'm still learning as I go along but hopefully I've given you some idea of where you can go to, I found getting my weights right were important because it's all about form.

JCLondonUK

Oh yes, don't worry, you will get stronger!

I started with ridiculously low weights, and mostly just did bodyweight exercises to start with until I built enough strength to lift the bar. I've still got a long way to go (I've been lifting for about 3 months now) but already I can DL 65kg, bench press 35kg, just about manage 165kg on the leg press machine ... etc (I can't remember my latest weights with the other lifts). Eat well, especially with lots of protein, rest properly, pay attention to proper form, and you will amaze yourself.

If you use the search function, there are some really helpful threads where the experienced lifters have explained things in detail.

Have fun - lifting is a blast.

Welcome2theHellmouth

Thanks guys! I am confident I will progress fast! This board helps loads!

Also- OP, LOVE the SN! As a fellow scoobie, I can dig it!

Glad you like it! Love it when people get it! Good to know there are fellow scoobies out there!