I don't know how to strength train!

performfully

MFP community! Please help. I have googled and found blog posts but nothing that is truly helpful.
BG: I was never a strong person, but ended up on bed rest for months (between 6-7) during pregnancy. I am very weak. I was to the point that once off bed rest, I could not walk up or down stairs. It's been about 10 months, and I started seriously exercising about 8 weeks ago. I gained a total of 70 lbs, and was already about 10 lbs above my normal (and goal) weight. I lost 30 instantly from delivering my daughter, but then stayed there until I came here again, and have lost almost 15 since.

TLDR; I have 35-40 lbs to lose and am still very weak.

I've been doing medium intensity cardio (mostly Turbo Jam) and calorie counting, but now I'm comfortable enough to start getting muscle back. I can not do a pushup, use an elliptical without serious burning in less than 2 minutes, and ab exercises are ridiculously painful. We have dumbbells (2 & 5 lb, and then my fiance has 10 lb and up). I have a gym membership but I'm definitely uncomfortable there. I have never ever done any strength training.

So, please help me gather my resources! What should I do? Where do I start? I need strength in every bit of my body! Beginner program recommendations? I don't do well without a schedule. I have T25 but it's too difficult for me.

Calliope610

It's my bedtime (workout tomorrow @ 5:00AM) - sorry I don't have time to properly address your post, but maybe these links with help...

Want to lift heavy things?
http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

Stronglifts Summary
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/560459-stronglifts-5x5-summary

Stronglifts Womens Group
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/4601-stronglifts-5x5-for-women

bajoyba

Lifting heavy weights is great, and I love it. But before I started lifting, I did lots and lots of body weight training, and for someone who may not feel ready for a barbell or may not be interested, body weight exercises are still really great, and I still do them.

I don't know of any specific programs off the top of my head, but you can probably find one online. I only skimmed through this one, but it might give you some ideas: http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2009/12/09/beginner-body-weight-workout-burn-fat-build-muscle/

Things like push-ups, squats, lunges, and planking exercises are all easy enough to do in the privacy of your own home and can be modified in a lot of different ways depending on your fitness level. If toe push-ups are too hard, you can do them on your knees, or you can do them against a wall or a counter top and work your way into more difficult positions. Planking exercises will help build up your core, and many of them can be modified to be done on your knees as well.

Yoga can also be really great for building strength and balance. You can find lots and lots of free yoga workouts on YouTube - I tend to prefer "yoga flows", which combine yoga poses into a continuous string of movements and provide more of a workout.

And if you do feel ready for the barbell, Stronglifts 5x5 is a good beginner's lifting program, and it's very easy to follow.