Light weight training for a beginner.

nawazarrio

I have a couple of three pound weights that I am looking to incorporate into a work out. I have been doing my usual jog while carrying them but I haven't tried any actual 'weight lifting'. I am very new to this. Feel free to check my profile. I weigh 385 pounds and have only been on MFP for five or so weeks. If anyone has links to some good starter videos or plans that you have tried or even just some tips I would be grateful. Thanks so much guys!

nawazarrio

bump

ohpilot

Try Jillian MIchaels' 30 Day Shred?

nawazarrio

Thanks for writing back. I don't know if that would be too intense for me starting out but I will look into it. Thanks again!

nawazarrio

Try Jillian MIchaels' 30 Day Shred?

Thanks for writing back. I don't know if that would be too intense for me starting out but I will look into it. Thanks again!

addisondisease2

Join a gym and do starting strength by mark rippetoe.

pittures

Leslie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds, also includes some upper body workout. I often do the same one over and over and just increase my effort as it gets more comfortable.

Good Luck, you'll find something that works for you.

wellbert

Join a gym and do starting strength by mark rippetoe.

Rippetoe's program is amazing, but I suggest looking it over before starting it, as well as consulting with your doctor.

It involves a few basic (IMPORTANT) compound moves with HEAVY weights. That may not be right for you right now.

Might I suggest starting with pilates or similar? Maybe the basic P90 program (Not P90x)
They have a 28 minute strength circuit using dumbells that's pretty nice.

ahealthy4u

There are a lot of scuplting videos on youtube that you can look into as well along with being weight training. Start slow good luck to you.

Ge0rgiana

Join a gym and do starting strength by mark rippetoe.

Thank you for this recommendation. I've been looking for a resource for putting together my own workouts.

david081

Check out this site, I do a workout every other day using this. It takes twenty minutes, and I have picked out 8 upper body exercises that I use:

http://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/dumbbellexercises.html

Regards, David

hortonk201

Try Bob Harper (Biggest Loser) Weight Loss for Beginners Transformation. He incorporates weights.

ohpilot

Try Jillian MIchaels' 30 Day Shred?

Thanks for writing back. I don't know if that would be too intense for me starting out but I will look into it. Thanks again!

No worries! It's great because she gives a lot of modifications to the moves And whether or not you do it for 30 consecutive days is entirely up to you... you can always utilize rest days if you're too sore!

Kevww1982

theres good videos and stuff at www.fit2fat2fit.com and its free.

nawazarrio

Thank so much for all of these replies. I will be sure to look into all of them! I need to start slow, but I'm in it for the long haul so anything that doesn't work now may work later.

jenniebean1680

Try Jillian MIchaels' 30 Day Shred?

Thanks for writing back. I don't know if that would be too intense for me starting out but I will look into it. Thanks again!

With any of the video series that incorporate weights (Jillian Michaels, The Firm, P90X) you can start w/ lower weight and modify the movements so they are not so difficult.

For the long term, heavier is better! For starting out, to learn form and whatnot, I guess lighter is ok. But if you don't feel like the muscle you're supposed to be working is, well... Working... Then it's time to go heavier! Otherwise you're def wasting your time!

BerryH

I think this one from Scooby's would be a perfect start for you. As well as dumbbells, it includes some bodyweight exercises:
http://scoobysworkshop.com/womens-beginning-dumbbell-workout/


Here's a great selection of animated full-body exercises you can so with just your dumbbells and no other equipment, book or DVD:
http://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/dumbbellexercises.html

Can I also recommend "Smart Girls Do Dumbbells", great for putting a mini progressive programme together for beginners and not as imposing as New Rules Of Lifting.

poustotah

I highly recommend the book, 'The New Rules of Lifting for Women' by Lou Schuler. There are some great workout plans in there as well as some great information. And he's going to tell you to 'put the Barbie weights away and get heavy!' Build some lean muscle mass and burn the fat off.

Ge0rgiana

Join a gym and do starting strength by mark rippetoe.

Rippetoe's program is amazing, but I suggest looking it over before starting it, as well as consulting with your doctor.

It involves a few basic (IMPORTANT) compound moves with HEAVY weights. That may not be right for you right now.

Might I suggest starting with pilates or similar? Maybe the basic P90 program (Not P90x)
They have a 28 minute strength circuit using dumbells that's pretty nice.

I don't know why you would just go with a number recommended by a book if that's too heavy for you. Personally, my approach to this book would be to do the exercises but at a weight I could manage. Also don't know why pilates would be a substitute for weight training. Just sayin'...

dsjohndrow

You can try a few different things at home to get going. You can see them by go Googling them, or some are on YouTube.
- Curls - bending at the elbow.
- Overheard lifts - straightening the arm with the weight behind you lifting it over your head,
- Press - from the wist to over head
- Flies - laying face up - lifting them fro the side to over your head.
- Bent rows - leaning over form the floor to your shoulder.
- Weighted lunges - being the knee and putting one foot backward.
- Weighted squats - as it sounds.

3 times a week. Make sure you rest. Try 3 sets of 10 reps. You may find them light after a while, then gets some 8lbs.

Rae6503

I highly recommend the book, 'The New Rules of Lifting for Women' by Lou Schuler. There are some great workout plans in there as well as some great information. And he's going to tell you to 'put the Barbie weights away and get heavy!' Build some lean muscle mass and burn the fat off.

This. There's no reason to wait to lift heavy. Good luck.

carrie_eggo

For the long term, heavier is better! For starting out, to learn form and whatnot, I guess lighter is ok. But if you don't feel like the muscle you're supposed to be working is, well... Working... Then it's time to go heavier! Otherwise you're def wasting your time!

This.

I highly recommend the book, 'The New Rules of Lifting for Women' by Lou Schuler. There are some great workout plans in there as well as some great information. And he's going to tell you to 'put the Barbie weights away and get heavy!' Build some lean muscle mass and burn the fat off.

And this.

bugtrain

You can try a few different things at home to get going. You can see them by go Googling them, or some are on YouTube.
- Curls - bending at the elbow.
- Overheard lifts - straightening the arm with the weight behind you lifting it over your head,
- Press - from the wist to over head
- Flies - laying face up - lifting them fro the side to over your head.
- Bent rows - leaning over form the floor to your shoulder.
- Weighted lunges - being the knee and putting one foot backward.
- Weighted squats - as it sounds.

3 times a week. Make sure you rest. Try 3 sets of 10 reps. You may find them light after a while, then gets some 8lbs.

THIS!.....They are just the basic movements to get you started

wellbert

Join a gym and do starting strength by mark rippetoe.

Rippetoe's program is amazing, but I suggest looking it over before starting it, as well as consulting with your doctor.

It involves a few basic (IMPORTANT) compound moves with HEAVY weights. That may not be right for you right now.

Might I suggest starting with pilates or similar? Maybe the basic P90 program (Not P90x)
They have a 28 minute strength circuit using dumbells that's pretty nice.

I don't know why you would just go with a number recommended by a book if that's too heavy for you. Personally, my approach to this book would be to do the exercises but at a weight I could manage. Also don't know why pilates would be a substitute for weight training. Just sayin'...

Not a substitute, just a "warm up" for a while to get the body used to a little bit of stress.

OF course you're right, ther'es no reason Rippetoe's program couldn't be started with bodyweight alone, moving up to an olympic bar as the load.

M12W

That is a wonderful set of workout videos! You can choose which ones to do. Start with one mile and work up.

Ge0rgiana

Join a gym and do starting strength by mark rippetoe.

Rippetoe's program is amazing, but I suggest looking it over before starting it, as well as consulting with your doctor.

It involves a few basic (IMPORTANT) compound moves with HEAVY weights. That may not be right for you right now.

Might I suggest starting with pilates or similar? Maybe the basic P90 program (Not P90x)
They have a 28 minute strength circuit using dumbells that's pretty nice.

I don't know why you would just go with a number recommended by a book if that's too heavy for you. Personally, my approach to this book would be to do the exercises but at a weight I could manage. Also don't know why pilates would be a substitute for weight training. Just sayin'...

Not a substitute, just a "warm up" for a while to get the body used to a little bit of stress.

OF course you're right, ther'es no reason Rippetoe's program couldn't be started with bodyweight alone, moving up to an olympic bar as the load.

When I decided I was going to lift, I lifted. Actual weight. My warm-up is 15 min. of cardio to get the blood flowing. I wasn't sure how much I should be lifting or how to go about doing it, so I got a trainer for a few sessions to make sure I didn't hurt myself. I've been lifting heavy and enjoying it. Sure, I have some soreness, but it's no big deal. I don't see why she couldn't jump in and start lifting actual weights, assuming she's medically ok to do so.

nawazarrio

Thanks again for all the feedback guys. You're the reason this site is awesome.