Weightlifting..?

JessieBarkhouse
JessieBarkhouse Posts: 6
in Health and Weight Loss
I've done MFP for a while and it hasn't affected anything, so after a new perspective on it I'm going to start again and hopefully get in some more exercising!
I live in a place where everyone stares when you go out on a run - they will literally look at you and just scorn you as you run/jog by - so I don't like exercising in public, but in our garage we have an elliptical and a weight lifting bench, but our weights are sort of heavy.
I heard that weightlifting helped other people succeed, so any tips on how to start? I THOUGHT I would start with just small hand weights, but what did you all do? How long? How many times a week? :)

Replies

  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I'm a big fan of weightlifting, but....
    I live in a place where everyone stares when you go out on a run - they will literally look at you and just scorn you as you run/jog by

    So what? Put on sunglasses and music and ignore their lazy *kitten*. You'll be past them in a matter of seconds.

    That said, there's loads of books and websites that will help with beginning a weight lifting program. Start where you're comfortable but still challenged.
  • fairc3jam
    fairc3jam Posts: 136 Member
    I've done MFP for a while and it hasn't affected anything, so after a new perspective on it I'm going to start again and hopefully get in some more exercising!
    I live in a place where everyone stares when you go out on a run - they will literally look at you and just scorn you as you run/jog by - so I don't like exercising in public, but in our garage we have an elliptical and a weight lifting bench, but our weights are sort of heavy.
    I heard that weightlifting helped other people succeed, so any tips on how to start? I THOUGHT I would start with just small hand weights, but what did you all do? How long? How many times a week? :)

    Stare back, show you're flabbiness and watch them be amazed as you get thinner and leaner over time. :noway:
  • taiyola
    taiyola Posts: 964 Member
    I started with press-ups for my arms, and squats etc. Now I've a 10KG kettlebell which is certainly defining my arms! I only use it a couple of times a week for about 20 minutes and I've lost 1" off my arms, and you can see some muscle definition.

    I do weighted squats, an exercise where you get in to a squat position and then throw the bell in the air and straighten your legs, then back down in to the squat, pull-ups with the bell with two hands, then do pull-ups on each side with one arm. I'd like to try a programme like Kettleworx in the near future when I find it easier to use. At first I found it a bit difficult to lift, but now it's getting easier the more I use it.

    It's good cardio as well, and my HRM often bleeps cos I'm hitting my HR target!
  • taiyola
    taiyola Posts: 964 Member
    I'm a big fan of weightlifting, but....
    I live in a place where everyone stares when you go out on a run - they will literally look at you and just scorn you as you run/jog by

    So what? Put on sunglasses and music and ignore their lazy *kitten*. You'll be past them in a matter of seconds.

    That said, there's loads of books and websites that will help with beginning a weight lifting program. Start where you're comfortable but still challenged.

    THIS! Screw what anyone else thinks - you're doing this for yourself and not anyone else.
  • PANZERIA
    PANZERIA Posts: 471 Member
    I stopped running outside because people would yell cruel things like "sick" or "beast!" It's easy to say 'just ignore it' but you really can't. If running inside or being on an elliptical will keep you focused on your workout, do it until you're comfortable running outside. It's going to take some time, but it'll work. =) Do whatever makes you feel comfortable, and you'll get a better workout because you won't be focused on "I look so terrible right now...people are going to say things..."

    Don't take this in the wrong way. I.E. you are NOT going to get results if you stay PHYSICALLY comfortable. Mental comfort has to be there to focus on the workout, but physical comfort is not allowed. You need to push! And that brings me to my weightlifting topic.

    Don't go for the pink barbells. Pick up a book at the bookstore. The one I have heard great things about is "The New Rules of Lifting for Women." It's pretty basic and it'll get you started. When you really get into it, there are so many websites to help you improve your strength.

    Or, start looking in Oxygen magazines. They have really great starter workouts and that's how I started!

    When you start lifting, start heavy. Don't do the dinky little 3lb dumbbells. You're not going to get any results.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I was bullied big time as a young girl. I learned to "ignore it," because... what the hell do I care what some mean people might think? If they think I'm stupid or look funny or whatever... That's their hangup, not mine.

    I'm very confident in how I look now (although I do think I look like I have to poop when I run), but I still get things shouted at me when I'm out. Most of the time, I can't hear exactly what's said because my music is on, and because I just don't give a flying F what anyone else thinks.

    Focus on you. Feel pity for those people who are so narrow minded and small that they have to yell at strangers.
  • hongruss
    hongruss Posts: 389 Member
    Take a look at this routine & don't be embarrased to start light. Make sure to read through the thread or drop me a PM(if you are comfortable) & ask me if you like the look of the routine.

    http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=133395553&page=151

    It will take you to P.151, go back to page one it is all explained & is specifically for beginners, check out Youtube for form videos :)

    Russ
  • ZoeyRobinson
    ZoeyRobinson Posts: 301
    The Butt Bible is a great workout that uses weights that you can do in the privacy of your own home.
  • miss_grad
    miss_grad Posts: 102
    I'd really suggest getting a good trainer that can help you through the basics of weight-lifting. I just started with my trainer about 2 weeks ago and don't regret it.

    As for people looking at you when you run... Something I have learned about weight-loss in general, is that people will scorn you in general for your accomplishments. Especially if they don't have the will-power to do it themselves. Even those closest to you will try to sabotage your efforts by wanting to go out for a "harmless meal" at a greasy fast-food joint.

    As another poster said, you're doing this for you. Keep it up <3
  • EellaK
    EellaK Posts: 16 Member
    I stopped running outside because people would yell cruel things like "sick" or "beast!" It's easy to say 'just ignore it' but you really can't. If running inside or being on an elliptical will keep you focused on your workout, do it until you're comfortable running outside. It's going to take some time, but it'll work. =) Do whatever makes you feel comfortable, and you'll get a better workout because you won't be focused on "I look so terrible right now...people are going to say things..."

    I don't want to dismiss your concern, but you do realize both of those are compliments, in teenager-speak. Something really good is "sick" and if you're great at something, you're "beast!" That doesn't mean it's polite to yell things out of cars, but neither of those is an insult.

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