Is there a point to lift weights at this weight?
fatgottago
Posts: 223 Member
I just found a free program on bodybuilders.com and it is 12 weeks. It involves lifting and cardio. I feel embarrassed doing the weights so I have always skipped them. I noticed on Biggest Loser that Danni has lost weight and toned up. I was wondering if any of you lift weights and have you seen results. I am a big girl and didn't know if it would do me any good or not to lift weights right now?
0
Replies
-
There are four basic components of fitness:
1. Muscular Strength
2. Muscular Endurance
3. Cardiovascular fitness
4. Flexibility/mobility
A program which address all would be ideal. IMHO, you should not skip resistance training. Don't be embarassed. Eveyone started somewhere.
Good luck!
Joe0 -
I think it would be great for you to start lifting asap. Muscle makes you stronger and healthier. The more muscle mass you have the more calories your body has to use to maintain it, so you have a greater advantage for fat loss. Plus, it makes you feel great!0
-
Thanks.... I just wish I had a home gym. I hate hate hate going to the gym and trying to lift weights. I feel like everyone is starring at me..... I am going to give it a try and see if it will help my weight loss. I have to do something I can't stand being this way anymore.0
-
Trust me; pretty much everyone feels that way when they start lifting, and pretty much nobody is ever really staring at you because they're all too busy staring at themselves. Don't stand between them and the mirrors, and you'll be fine.
Step 1 is make a plan - looks like you got that covered, so you're already ahead of the game. Make sure you go over what all the exercises are and how to do them right before you go in. Step 2 is to go in and do it. Headphones help. Then walk in there like you own the place, 'cause you kind of do. (Or at least you're renting a part of it for the time you're there, which is close enough.)
The phsyical and mental benefits really are worth it. Good luck!0 -
At last check i was in the high 290"s and i started strength training am only 2 weeks in but can already notice the lifting is easier. I also started strength training after my 1st week of my new eating habits, i joined a quiet gym that i felt comfortable in so if you have options look around.
Basically my point is give it a go, always feel a sense of accomplishment after.xx0 -
You should definitely include strength training! As someone else said, muscle mass = calorie burn- maintains longer than just doing cardio alone.
I understand about not being comfortable at the gym- I'm a bigger girl too, and was absolutely terrified of that weight area of the gym. But I hired a trainer (I know, not an option for everyone), and I slowly learned to get over my fears of what I looked like. People are going to judge you (sad, but true), but in the end, who cares?!? You're there for yourself and to become healthy!
Stand strong, and make the effort, because maybe people are actually saying- "good for her, working on getting in shape!" At least, that's what I tell myself that people are saying about me if I feel them "staring" !! :laugh: Just remember- most people at gyms are a little vain, and spend most of their time concerned about what THEY look like, not you.
I will tell you that I absolutely LOVE strength training. I love being able to do strong lifts now, and am seeing muscle definition, and it's really fulfilling (I'm still waiting on all the fat to melt away, but still!) !! Just learn good form, start light, and go for it! You could also try body resistance exercises at home before hitting the gym- things like push ups, dips using a chair, etc. or buy some hand weights at first- may help start to build your strength up in the beginning.
Good luck, and I say go for it!!0 -
Thanks yall. This battle has gone on for too long. I have been fat since birth, I know no other life. I hope this will change things. If I can run on a treadmill in front of others I can life weights....0
-
Lifting will help you preserve muscle while you lose fat. It's much easier to keep your muscle while you eat at a deficit than it is to build muscle back up once you've lost it.
I started lifting about a month ago and I'm hooked-- I personally find it really empowering, especially as a person with disabilities.0 -
Instead of doing the free weights I do the circuit in my gym and each of the weight machines are set up in an outward facing circle so no one is really staring at one another. The weights make a huge difference and will help you see inches drop off your measurements. Oh and as for being a big girl, I started at almost 370 doing the weights and treadmill and I am down about 87lbs. now since May. Good luck to you!0
-
go to this website foodaddicts.org read and see if it applies. this is a 12 step program about food and it works, provides supports from others, gives you the disiplines needed for you to succeed. There are meetings everywhere look at the website and find a meeting close to you. i cost nothing to join or participate. this is the best deal in town. Good luck0
-
There is nothing more beneficial aside from eating healthy that you can do to start burning fat than to lift weights and build muscle. Cardio is beneficial to your health as well but will not burn fat very effectively. That's why they focus so much on weight training on the Biggest Loser. Muscle burns fat. The more muscle you have, the more fat you burn. Last night on the show they said Danni had gained 19 lbs of muscle and you can see it in her. She looks better than any other contestant, by far!
Eat your calories in a balanced diet (don't try to starve yourself into losing lbs.), lift weights and get the cardio in also. You WILL lose weight as long as you continue with that recipe.0 -
find a gym that offers classes such as resistance training. we use a lot of kettlebells in our classes and we are all toning and we are all different ages and sizes.
0 -
Yes I'm doing it. My butt looks better, I have more strenght, more endurance, and I'm losing weight consistantly every week. It's worth it.0
-
In the beginning I would not have DREAMED of Resistance or Strength Training as part of my Program. I sort of 'Fell Into' it by accident and I am FOREVER Grateful that I did!! I CANNOT Imagine skipping Strength Training now! 0 -
you can lift weights at any size
as a matter of fact, i would recommend lifting while losing. the more muscle you gain, the easier it is to burn fat.
Also, while dieting and weight training, you'll tone up better and won't have a lot of looseness that you generally see with ppl who diet only.
Go for it, don't be afraid. Gotta start somewhere!!! 0 -
I use some adjustable dumbbells and a stability ball for a bench, works really well it was a bit of a down payment but cheaper than a gym membership. just like coltsman said (although SAINTS for life) more muscle= higher resting metabolic rate= more cal burned each day(doing nothing)= faster weight loss, goodluck0
-
Everything else aside, PLEASE do not base what you do around what you see on Biggest Loser. Those people train for 8 hours a day and are under highly medically supervised diets. There is NOTHING realistic about reality shows, but this one really takes it!0
-
Dont be ashamed. I weigh 250 and I be at my gym bench pressing and everything..0
-
I just found a free program on bodybuilders.com and it is 12 weeks. It involves lifting and cardio. I feel embarrassed doing the weights so I have always skipped them. I noticed on Biggest Loser that Danni has lost weight and toned up. I was wondering if any of you lift weights and have you seen results. I am a big girl and didn't know if it would do me any good or not to lift weights right now?
If you want to do weights...go for it!! Exercise is never a waste of time.0 -
I didn't have to read anything after the title to tell you the answer is yes. It's good for your bones as well as your muscles. I started weights at 190 pounds and I wish I'd started sooner. The 15 pounds I've lost since then looks like twice that because of body composition changes. Plus, once you get into it, it's really fun. I'm psyched this week because I maxed out the leg press (310 pounds) on a set of 10 reps. My legs look awesome! I still do tons of cardio, but a mix is good.0
-
Definitely lift weights! If you have a CrossFit affiliate nearby, I suggest you start with them. Coaches will guide you and scale the weight to your ability and push you when you need it. OR check out crossfit.com. They have the work out of the day (WOD) posted there and also have demonstrations or the exercises. Been CrossFitting for 2 years and LOVE it. Big change in my body composition.0
-
Yes! Start lifting now!!! I wish I started sooner, and now i love it, look forward to my next workouts and lifting heavy and getting stronger!
One thing that helped me feel more confident walking around the free weights area was having a plan. I have my lil paper and know what exercises I'm doing that day, so I feel less like a lost puppy standing around. And one thing I noticed is that noone notices or stares, haha they are all doing their own thing! Mostly the guys are just helpful, esp if there are heavy weights that are left on the bars, I get help to unload them, and also to move the pulleys down haha since I'm so short. I've gotten a few compliments on form, and that's it - people are just kinda doing their own thing, and everyone started somewhere, so don't let what anyone else thinks get into your head. You pay to be there and have every right to, and you're all working towards the same goal - now GO GET IT!!!! Have Fun!! :bigsmile:0 -
Yes, start lifting now! You'll retain precious lean body mass keeping your metabolism high and helping you to achieve the figure you want as the fat comes off.0
-
I was so intimidated my first day lifting weights that I almost cried. Turns out, it was not as big a deal as I'd made it out to be. The few people who actually noticed me, were very friendly and very helpful. Even the big scary looking guys were very accommodating. One fellow helped me with an issue I was having and then congratulated me for getting started.
So swallow your unfounded fear and get started. There are many wonderful benefits in addition to weightloss.
Also if you have questions you can always join this group:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/10067-eat-train-progress-
They are very helpful.0 -
The muscles will grow now just the same as they will later. The sooner you start the sooner they will grow.
If you are embarrassed there are lots of body weight routines you can do at home. Honestly, you should not be embarrassed. That thought is in your head, and probably nobody else is paying close attention to what you are doing. So long as you are working hard and sweating most people in a gym are helpful.0 -
I say go for it....I started weight lifting about two months ago after almost a year. Figured why not, worst case scenario is that my weight goes back up . I have noticed between the dancing, running, weight lifting, and x train fit (i use that one as my strength training) I am a lot stronger then I was. And while my weight has stabilized (mind you I'm due to start my TOM this week) I look a lot better then when I started (in my profile pictures you will notice it). I do unfortunately have to use the weight machines currently (its because of an elbow injury I had back in high school that still acts up where if I do too much I lose feeling from my elbow down) but I find I am able to do at least 50-75lbs with my upper body, and 137.5lbs with my abs and lower (I have also found that leg press helps with my right knee issue that hasn't been acting up as bad while running).
As I said though, I have been doing it for 2 months, and honestly really love it. Mind you I do it only 3 times a week at max especially since I have a 13 month old and other responsibilities. Go for it.0 -
Lifting weights is always a "good" thing. If after a while, you get more confident on your own, seek out more information here, or at your gym from people that you start to see on a regular basis who can tell you what works for them, etc0
-
Don't psych yourself out! I know that as an extremely overweight person myself, I always thought people were thinking the worst about me when they saw me at the gym. That was mostly me projecting my insecurities. I've had a few people I thought were judging me ask if I need help or had questions.
There will always be jerks in your world, but screw 'em! Just do what you need to do for you. :flowerforyou:0 -
I definitely do strength training. I don't want to lose any lean body mass that I already have. As an overweight woman, I'm pretty sure my leg muscles are strong just from carrying me around. I want to preserve that as I lose fat.0
-
I would say the answer to your question is a resounding YES! I think everyone that lifts will agree that when you start lifting and building muscle you will see and feel a big difference much sooner than if you did only cardio. You might be sore, and you should be but not so sore you can't move, but the kind of sore or stiff that says you worked out. Sore or a little stiff just means that you are well on your way to growing muscle and increasing your metabolism.
As far as feeling awkward at the gym, don't. Everyone that is there is there for one primary reason, taking control of their body, health and mind. (The retirees,- that use the gym as their social club and do nothing other than talk, get in the way, interrupt your workout, and just sit on the machines being the exception.) If it is an option, try to find out when the least busy time is and work out then.
I think you'll find the people that actually do lift to be very helpful and supportive.0
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.4K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 426 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions