Toning my upper body

NewMeowLean
NewMeowLean Posts: 58
in Fitness and Exercise
Hello.

So I am trying to lose weight, but it is a slow process. At the same time I am trying to get fitter.

I have absolutely no strength in my upper body (I can't even do one push up). Yesterday I was struck: I am moving out, my mum and one of her friends (the two are tiny 50+ year olds) were helping, and they were able to lift stuff I couldn't!

My abs are also very weak and I have an awful posture. It is very noticeable, to the point that I have had friends comment on it (they were trying to be helpful).


What kind of sports could I do to help me? I starting to run, can that help my abs/posture? What about swimming (and what kind?).
I do not have access to a gym.

Thank you for your advice.

Replies

  • NewMeowLean
    NewMeowLean Posts: 58
    I have added photos to my profile. You have to click on them to see more than my middle section. In the one where you see my back you can see the rounded, slumped shoulders.

    I have wide shoulders too! (I notice that when trying out dresses or shirts that don't feet around my shoulders, but are too large around my breasts). I wouldn't want them to get any wider.
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    For strength, follow a standard *full-body* strength training program, like Stronglifts, NROL, etc.
    If you don't want bigger muscles, don't eat in a calorie surplus.

    For good posture, practice good posture, all day long. Nothing else works as well as that. Just stick your chest out and hold your head high. Simple.
  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
    I have added photos to my profile. You have to click on them to see more than my middle section. In the one where you see my back you can see the rounded, slumped shoulders.

    I have wide shoulders too! (I notice that when trying out dresses or shirts that don't feet around my shoulders, but are too large around my breasts). I wouldn't want them to get any wider.

    Your shoulders are at fixed points on your skeleton. Lifting wights can and will not make them wider. Think that through logically.

    I know you say you don't have access to a gym ,but I strongly STRONGLY recommend joining one. There are pretty cheap gyms out there, chances are you can find one for around $30-40/mo. If you make the expense a priority, almost anyone can find the money. If finances are tight, maybe downgrade your phone or cable service, reduce going out to eat, buy food in bulk, bake your own bread, there are hundreds of ways to cut costs everywhere, certainly enough to scrape together a gym membership every month.

    If it is absolutely not possible (not likely, but there are some people out there who really are THAT poor I suppose) You could invest in some kettbells to lift at home, or look into "Convict Conditioning" or "You Are Your Own Gym", which are exercises that use your own body weight to build strength and maintain muscle mass.
  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
    As far as posture, the only thing I know for sure that can help is overhead pulldowns (again, gym access you said was a problem). My chiropractor said they are great for pulling in your core and back muscles to improve posture.
  • ThePhoenixIsRising
    ThePhoenixIsRising Posts: 781 Member
    Push-ups baby!!!!

    I know you said you couldn't to them but you are wrong!!

    Start on the wall with your feet 2' away and do 3x10-15 wall push-ups every day for a week.
    Week 2 move your feet back further and repeat.
    Continue till you can do them from your coffee table and then finally down on the floor.

    Doing it this way lets your core develop to support your push up as your chest and arms become stronger.

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