Weight Training Wannabe

smithmom531 · January 2012

I started on my weight loss journey about two months ago. I have lost 8 pounds which isn't bad, it's good slow healthy weight loss. I have heard many great things about weight training and really want to start working that into my weekly routine. I am currently doing cardio 6-7 days a week with some interval training worked in there when I get the time (full time working mom with 3 kiddos and a dh who works 80 hours a week). I am a member of the Y but don't have a whole lot of time to devote there. Can weight training be done at home? I know my husband has free weights buried in the basement that he might eventually unearth for me. Right now I have 3 lb weights available to me figuring that's probably not enough but maybe a start? Anyone have ideas about where or how to start? Thanks!

31prvrbs · January 2012

I weight train from home, & and am very happy with my results. You can either grab a magazine like oxygen, or muscle & fitness hers, and do some workouts from there.

Or you can get a book like New Rules of Lifting for Women, from your local library or bookstore, it has a 6 month workout plan to help you get Ito the habit of weight lifting.

There are some DVDs that you could do, like the ones by Cathe Friedrich (she has some for every fitness level & gives excellent form pointers) @ shop.cathe.com

Collage video has a wide variety of fitness DVDs with video clips for your to watch before you buy. But it's hard to say if many of those instructors are lifting heavy enough, to help you get the progression you'll seek (which is why I highly recommend Cathe, of you go the DVD route)

smithmom531 · January 2012

31prvbs - Thanks you so much! Your information is very helpful. Much appreciated

!

fionat29 · January 2012

I've done P90X at home. I haven't really got heavy enough weights but they're good enough for now and I'm loving the visible differences in my muscles.

smithmom531 · February 2012

I've heard p90x is great, but also quite time consuming. I rarely have an hour all once to work out at this point. From your profile pics you both look like you are in great shape already and are working on toning and building muscle, am I dumb to think that I need to lose the bulk of my extra flab first and then start with weight training or is it possible for an overweight girl like I am to start the process and still see great results? Thanks for the advice ladies, it means a lot!

Josee76 · February 2012

If you have the means to buy P90X you will ge great results if you stick to it. I am currently in my 2nd round and it's worked wonders!

Good luck on your journey!
J

ahealthy4u · February 2012

One of the books I bought was Fast Lane to Fitness By Robbert Kennedy and Dwayne Hines II it was a really good Musclemag. I learned a lot fromt he book. It was also captions with The Busy Womean's Guide to Building A Sleek Physique In a Limited Amount of Time.

myboysmomx2 · February 2012

I'm a big New Rules of Lifting for Women fan. The book is great and the workouts are FUN. I wish I would have started heavy lifting before I lost most of my weight. I've heard lots of people say that you don't need to wait until you lose your weight first. Had I started the heavy lifting 11 months ago, there's no doubt in my mind that I'd be much more toned than I currently am. Here's the link to the NROL4W support group on MFP: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/102-new-rules-of-lifting-for-women-nrol4w

This group is a great place to start reading message boards, etc. I'd definitely talk w/ your husband about getting the weight set out for you so you can get started. You won't regret it. I also recommend buying the NROL4W book because you'll need to refer to it frequently during your workouts. You can get it on Amazon for under $15. The support group also gives you links that are useful such as the workout log....all you have to do is enter your weight, height, & age and it will calculate Lou Schuler's formula's for you: http://maggiewang.com/2008/05/20/new-rules-of-lifting-for-women-diet-calculator-and-workout-logs So easy to use!

Good luck!

samntha14 · February 2012

I did cardio all summer long and NOTHING! 3-4 classes a week and I didn't loose a single pound! I just didn't understand. When I signed up at my new gym, I had a long talk with one of the personal trainers during my free consultation. I figured out that it takes a combination of strength training, nutrition and cardio. I've lost 8lbs in less than three weeks. I was shocked! My calorie goal is set for 1 lb a week, so I was really surprised by these results. I really can't afford a personal trainer, so I took the ideas he and I discussed, (30 min 3x a week 1 day each for legs, arms, and core) He said circuit training wasn't good because it doesn't give your muscles enough time in between to heal and come back stronger. I'm still reading up on stuff, and believe it or not I find the best articles at www.livestrong.com. I was able to find good articles to fit nicely into what the personal trainer and the reading I've done thus far. Then I look up the exercises on youtube to make I understand the form and that I do them properly. I just typed in 3 day or 5 day workouts. It's hard to judge your calroies with strength training, but the results are amazing!

samntha14 · February 2012

I'm a big New Rules of Lifting for Women fan. The book is great and the workouts are FUN. I wish I would have started heavy lifting before I lost most of my weight. I've heard lots of people say that you don't need to wait until you lose your weight first. Had I started the heavy lifting 11 months ago, there's no doubt in my mind that I'd be much more toned than I currently am. Here's the link to the NROL4W support group on MFP: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/102-new-rules-of-lifting-for-women-nrol4w

This group is a great place to start reading message boards, etc. I'd definitely talk w/ your husband about getting the weight set out for you so you can get started. You won't regret it. I also recommend buying the NROL4W book because you'll need to refer to it frequently during your workouts. You can get it on Amazon for under $15. The support group also gives you links that are useful such as the workout log....all you have to do is enter your weight, height, & age and it will calculate Lou Schuler's formula's for you: http://maggiewang.com/2008/05/20/new-rules-of-lifting-for-women-diet-calculator-and-workout-logs So easy to use!

Good luck!

This sounds great. I was looking for reading material.

drea73 · February 2012

The heavy lifting days of Chalean Extreme are about 35 minutes long. I love it. You will probably need weights from 5-15 pounds to start at the least. I use 5's, 8's, 10's, 15,s , 20's, 25's and 30's. I really need to get some 12's.

I used to use a video called Kathy Smith's Lift Weights to Lose Weight that I liked. It will cost a lot less. But I honestly prefer the heavier lifting you will get in CE or P90x.

Katie3784 · February 2012

You can definitely weight train at home. I have designed a plan for myself using free weights ranging from 2lbs to 20lbs. I have had tons of success with this, and my arms, back, and shoulders are very toned and defined. I don't know what your fitness level is, but 3lb weights really are not good for much. Go buy some 5,8, and 10lb weights. It's definitely a worth while investment.

smithmom531 · February 2012

Thanks ladies, all the information was very helpful! I appreciate all the advice. Definitely going to get the hubby to dig out the basement and set up the free weights!

Weight Training Wannabe

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