Getting Started
This is about me and my tips. I encourage everyone to talk about their beginning and add their tips here. Please also use this for asking questions as your just starting out or thinking about using this program.
I wish I had something profound to say about getting started in the program, but I rarely have anything profound to say so there you are. Also, everyone is going to be in a different place when they get started. Personally, I’ve been in and out of the weight room since high school 15 years ago. I’ve only taken my trips to the weight room seriously twice. I had a personal trainer a few years ago, she was awesome but her goal was to keep me paying her not to make me independent. We had a good time training and it was challenging.
The second was during this weight loss. I lost 30 pounds in a short period of time (March to July 1) and then wanted something more and found myself once again with a trainer. Again it was fun, but didn’t promote independence. I’ve always been driven, and he had a great time challenging me, what I could do and was willing to do he thought was pretty impressive. I’ve never been okay being deemed as “impressive for a girl” as I was always a boy, in athletics I never wanted to compete against the girls, why would I when I could beat the boys? To be fair, I’m a BodyStep and BodyPump instructor. I had started running again, and taking spin classes, not to mention finding every opportunity possible to be active and push myself into uncomfortable exercise opportunities. So I came into this with strength
I digress. When those sessions ran out I had to figure out how to be independent in the weight room. I began been reading on mfp about nrol4w and decided to buy the book. I liked with Lou had to say and how he presented it. It gave me the confidence to go it alone in the weight room.
So this leads me into things that are important to remember for me (notice I said for me):
1) There are a ton of links in the description of this group, use them.
2) As with any program, if you have injuries or it has been a long time since you exercised, talk to your doctor and make sure that the program is right for you.
3) Research different programs and make sure you’ve selected one that you like. It may have cost me $10 or $15 bucks to buy this book off Amazon for my Kindle, but the library is free, so is bodybuiling.com. Look around a little.
4) Muscle soreness is inevitable, it is important to know the difference between muscle soreness and bodily injury. It’s a good thing to push through muscle soreness, it’s a bad thing to continue to work through injury.
5) Repair days are crucial, and when you are sore the day after a hard lift it is important to keep moving. Take some advil and go on a walk. I suggest you invest in a foam roller on top of the book.
6) Take before and after pictures. You don’t have to post them anywhere, but since this is your body and you see it every day it may be the best way to really see a difference.
7) Get your measurements. Take out the seamstress measure and take your inches (thighs, calves, hips, waist, bust, upper arms), you may not see the scale move so between this and the pictures it will hopefully keep you encouraged.
8) Don’t be afraid to get outside of your comfort bubble. This is exercise, not a Sunday walk in the park, you have to learn how to push yourself and use the resources (like this group) to gain encouragement. It’s okay to be afraid, it’s not okay to give into your fears.
9) When should I start? Start your program Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday . . . see where I’m going? Start when it’s right for you, all that matters is that you just start. Pick a day a week or 2 in advance to give yourself time to research or mentally prepare.
10) Am I fit enough or too fit to do this program? This is a self driven program, anyone at any level should be able to do it and get results (with a doctor’s release).
11) Swagger, do it like you own it and no one will wonder if you it belongs to you.
