Weightloss -. Running AND upper body?

grggmrtn

My first post here, but I've been lurking for awhile now

Quesion:

I've been running about 5-6 times / week since January 6, and have lost about 28 kg so far, down from over 135 kg - yes, I'm pushing myself to the EXTREME (with doctor's consent), eating about 1200 cals / day - yes, I'm a guy and should be eating more, but it's worked for me so far, with no fatigue and my progress is something I'm pretty darn proud of. Truthfully, I'm in the beginning stages of looking AMAZING, so looking in the mirror is becoming my best motivation. Who would have thought??

In any case, I WISH my upper body looked as awesome as my legs after all this running - but we're not there yet, still flabby-ish at 107 kg (I'm 189 cm tall, built big, so I think my goal weight is about 10-15 kg from now). I could use some upper body toning and/or muscle building. I wouldn't say no to a broad chest and awesome guns, even though I know that will effect my weight loss (it's about looking good, and not the numbers, right?). I don't need to look like Conan the Barbarian, but wouldn't mind being a little more Hugh Jackman-ish?

Problem: Well there are two. One, I hate weight lifting. It bores me to tears. Two, I hate going to the gym because it so often seems like a pageant to me, which made running a no-brainer.

So - what about bodyweight exercises in the comfort of my own home? Will they give me the build I want? Are pushups enough or am I lacking big time in imagination? Are there other exercises I should be doing? What about core? Do I really NEED to torture myself with situps?

Dang I need a workout plan basically - I'm clueless.

I googled this, but each link brought me to one conflicting opinion after another, and most pros seem to think that because I googled bodyweight exercises that I STILL want to invest in a home barbell set.

SO... any ideas / advice / experiences??

BIG thanks in advance

JenMc14

You can build some muscle, or at least get some definition, from bodyweight training. You won't get big mass gains without lifting heavy and eventually eating at a surplus. Really, you may have some fat left on your arms and that is part of the issue. Push-ups, pull-ups, dips, planks, variations on planks, perhaps try some PIlates. You might also checkout nerdfitness.com and You Are Your Own Gym. And, while the blog seems to be aimed at 20 something young women, Cassey Ho of POP Pilates has some pretty damn intense pilates workouts on YouTube and on blogilates.com.

DennyHodge

Bodyweight exercises are awesome and you can even do more with minimal equipment. At home, without the gym and douchers that sometimes frequent the gym. Get a pull up bar for a door way. Pullups and pushups are great compound muscle exercises that will change your upperbody quickly. Also resistance bands. Maybe invest in some dumbbells as well for simple curls, presses, etc. Very minimal but the possibilities are endless.

As a bonus, it will improve your running trust me. My times are way down, my splits are better, and I'm 100% injury free since I got stronger.

phjorg

resistance is resistance. your muscles don't know if it's lifting a barbells, or doing bodyweight training.

The reason however why gyms are great is because its EASY to INCREASE weight. It's very easy to add 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, etc lbs to your bench press over time to constantly challenge yourself and push your muscles to make them grow. It's hard to do the same thing for a pushup...

So ya, it's a lot more difficult. but not impossible. There are more than a few guides on how to use the body in different ways to increase resistance. it normally revolves around learning new and more difficult movements as you increase your strength. But it can be done. A good basic routine for just this is convict conditioning. Another is something like be your own gym. (or called something like that).

btw. if lifting a barbell bores you to tears, why do you think lifting your own body in the exact same rep/set pattern would be any different?

grggmrtn

Thanks for the replies everyone!

@JenMc14 Great links - I think I'm already a big fan of nerdfitness - AND I'm going to look into pilates

@DennyHodge I hadn't thought of resistance bands - great idea!

@phjorg Not sure why it would be any different - but it feels different - more natural maybe? In any case, I don't have any aversion to bodyweight, but the sight of barbells just makes me cringe. *shrug*

rybo

I am a HUGE fan of body weight exercises. You can get a VERY good build from them.
Check out you are your own gym, nerdfitness, unique bodyweight exercises, beast skills.com

There is always a progression to make everything harder with out every needed to add weight or resistance bands for a very long time, if ever.