Questions about weight training

Adg52
Adg52 Posts: 3
in Fitness and Exercise
I started lifting weights about a month ago. I'm a short and skinny female. I'm tired of being weak and looking like a stick. My boyfriends best friend is a competitive body builder and his wife is a fitness model. They have been helping me some but I don't want to annoy them to death with questions so I figured I would find somewhere else to ask. Hopefully you all can help me!

Here are some questions I have.
My weight has not changed at all. I have not lost or gained an ounce in the past month. My jeans feel a bit tighter a day after squats but it goes away in a few days. I know it takes more than a month to build muscle so is this just my muscles retaining water?

What is creatine? I hear people talking about it. Should I be using it?
What is "pre-workout?"

How long will it take for me to really start gaining muscle? I have increased the weights I use a few times now but I'm still not lifting a lot. I've never been to the gym until now and I'm very weak. I want to lift more but I also don't want to risk getting injured. I only lift when my boyfriend, his friend and his wife are with me. On the days I have to go alone I use the weight machines because I'm afraid to lift without people there in case I'm doing something wrong or get hurt (24 hr gym and sometimes the gym is empty when I go at night)


I feel dumb asking these questions but everyone has to start somewhere I guess.

Replies

  • jwdieter
    jwdieter Posts: 2,582 Member
    Need a calorie surplus to put on muscle. Lifting alone won't do it.

    Creatine isn't particularly important. Pre-workout isn't either. Once you get some experience and lift for a while, you can try some products out if you want to spend some money.

    How long to start gaining muscle? Can start gaining muscle today with a calorie surplus and lifting program. Every day a tiny little bit. In a few months of consistent, progressive training you should be able to see a difference.

    Look into a starter lifting program (Stronglifts, New Rules of Lifting for Women, Starting Strength, etc). Don't just wing it at the gym.

    This thread is a nice compilation thread of reading material:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/833026-important-posts-to-read
  • Adg52
    Adg52 Posts: 3
    Thank you! :)
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    You're not eating enough. Ask your friends for eating and calorie advice.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    I started lifting weights about a month ago. I'm a short and skinny female. I'm tired of being weak and looking like a stick. My boyfriends best friend is a competitive body builder and his wife is a fitness model. They have been helping me some but I don't want to annoy them to death with questions so I figured I would find somewhere else to ask. Hopefully you all can help me!

    Here are some questions I have.
    My weight has not changed at all. I have not lost or gained an ounce in the past month. My jeans feel a bit tighter a day after squats but it goes away in a few days. I know it takes more than a month to build muscle so is this just my muscles retaining water?

    What is creatine? I hear people talking about it. Should I be using it?
    What is "pre-workout?"

    How long will it take for me to really start gaining muscle? I have increased the weights I use a few times now but I'm still not lifting a lot. I've never been to the gym until now and I'm very weak. I want to lift more but I also don't want to risk getting injured. I only lift when my boyfriend, his friend and his wife are with me. On the days I have to go alone I use the weight machines because I'm afraid to lift without people there in case I'm doing something wrong or get hurt (24 hr gym and sometimes the gym is empty when I go at night)


    I feel dumb asking these questions but everyone has to start somewhere I guess.

    Yes. It is probably your muscles retaining water. When I started a strength training program after a long layoff, my weight went up by 2lbs and stayed there the entire month.

    I'll defer the creatine question to others. I have not used it.

    Pre-workout is not necessary. People often use it because it contains stimulants and gives them energy. I have used it the odd time, but I don't see it as necessary. Plus you get used to the caffeine in it and it isn't as effective.

    If you want to gain muscle, you need to eat in a calorie surplus and progressively overload your muscles. You may want to check out this group
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/10067-eat-train-progress-

Categories