Seriously weak. Help?

pursuinghappy
pursuinghappy Posts: 9
edited November 12 in Fitness and Exercise
I have NEVER in my life been able to do a proper push up. 17 years old and 145 pounds? Nope. 23 years old and 165 pounds? Still can't. My husband swears it's because I'm top-heavy. I swear it's because I'm a wimp.

So my goal through this whole weight loss and getting fit process is to increase strength along with decreasing weight.

My question is: for a total beginner, what would you recommend? Body weight exercises like push ups and squats? Weights? I've started doing a few (read: 5) modified push ups, and I'm competely wrung-out and exhausted afterwards.

Replies

  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    http://hundredpushups.com/

    Good place to start.

    Body weight exercises are always a great place to start. If you can't do straight on pushups, do them with the knees down, until you build up your strength. The key is to keep going, progress will come, don't rush it.

    If you have free weights, I'd recommend a heavy lifting routine, but you should start with the body weight exercises to build up your strength first.
  • Taylerr88
    Taylerr88 Posts: 320 Member
    if you want to just lose fat/weight. then thats just counting calories.

    if you want to gain muscle. you have to give you body a reason to recruit/activate more muscle fibers.. this comes with a good weight lifting routine that has you on a liner progression path.

    as for the push ups .. its just time really. and dedication.
  • sullyboo
    sullyboo Posts: 256 Member
    Perseverance !!! I've never been able to do them ... But I can now. It's just practice really, I can't do loads but enough to complete the levels on my workout DVDs. Like the other person said - try modified ones first then try doing one or two normal ones. Don't give up, just build up slowly at your own pace. Everyone started somewhere once. Good luck on your journey :)
  • HappilyLifts
    HappilyLifts Posts: 429 Member
    If it makes you feel any better, I am 43 and can only do 8 from on my knees but I'm working on it. on the 8th I can barely push back up!
    I cannot even do 2 triceps dips. my trainer wants me to carry on doing the 8 and I am doing overhead triceps extensions. Hopefully in a few weeks I will be able to attempt a couple of real press ups and some tricep dips. I will be so excited when I achieve them!:laugh:

    Don't give up, we can do this together!
    keep us posted on your progress?
  • pursuinghappy
    pursuinghappy Posts: 9
    Thanks to everyone who responded. I'm going to try the hundred push ups website. I really just wanted to make sure I was barking up the right tree here, and there wasn't somewhere even more basic to start. I'll just keep working at it. :)
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