I appear to be a thread killer...LOL :laugh:

I have a question. I still need to lose 30/40 lbs. Should I start trying to lift heavy now or wait until I get leaner? I currently, for cardio, do the JM30DS, Jackie Warner Xtreme Training and walking/jogging, alternating them.

I've asked this before with no response then I rmemebered that I joined this group the other day and was hoping someonw here could help me figure out how and when to get started. Thanks fo the help.

I am not even close to my goal weight and I am finding that my body is canabolizing my muscle. So I am also starting to lift weights. I found a great book called the New Rules of Lifting they also have a book geared to woman. I am finding it a great place to start. I was lucky enough to have someone reply to my post and steer me in that direction and I am glad. The books full of info and a easy read.

Yes they are technically weight training dvds but I tend to feel like it is more of a cardio based workout. I can't do more than 5 lb weights and get through it I want to lift heavier weights but not sure how to get started on a good program.

No reason you can't begin to incorporate a strength training program in to your routine..The way get started is slowly and to keep things simple. You will see any number of training routines at various places online ect..These are essentially cookie cutter training programs. Many of which don't take into consideration the individuals level of trainability..But that does not mean a program that is geared torwards an experienced lifter is completely useless even for a beginner..For example. Suppose it is a upper/lower program..You train upper and lower each 2x per week. Then they lay out a selection of exercises, sets, reps ect..The upper/lower training split may be fine for a beginner though the acual structure of the individual WO may not be. So you can take the upper/lower training split and modify the individual WO to suit your individual level of trainability..Strength training requires you to develop the skill to repeat an exercise correctly. For a beginner that should be the focus in my view and the emphasis should not be on strength development until the level of trainability and technique improve. Some exercises are more complex then others..In the initial stages of training I would keep the range of exercises very limited. Obviously having a qualified coach/trainer to help you in the initial stages of training would be very beneficial. But not everybody can go that route. There are numerous books/videos ect..available that can accomplish much of the same purpose if it is centered around your specific needs as a beginner. ( poster jakejacobsen above suggested a book that may suit you well and help you get started)

There are 3 parts of the training session. The first part is a warmup..I usually take about 15-20m to thoroughly prepare myself for the fundamental part..You can start off walking and then jogging. Or walking and alternately jogging..As I begin to warm up I include jump roping among other exercises..There are plenty of means to warm up. The 2nd part is as mentioned the fundamental part which is the workout. The 3rd part of the training session is to bring yourself back to the relatively quiet state..I do flexibility exercises/stretching for about 10-15m..

I appear to be a thread killer...LOL :laugh:

I have a question. I still need to lose 30/40 lbs. Should I start trying to lift heavy now or wait until I get leaner? I currently, for cardio, do the JM30DS, Jackie Warner Xtreme Training and walking/jogging, alternating them.

I've asked this before with no response then I rmemebered that I joined this group the other day and was hoping someonw here could help me figure out how and when to get started. Thanks fo the help.

i would cut out some of the cardio and focus on strength training. if you can get to a gym that has some decent machines and free weights, the NROLW that jake mentioned is a great beginning program...lol someone stole my copy but was already into the second stage luckily.

one of the most critical aspects that i found when starting my routine was proper form. i didn't have a coach then, so my deadlifts suffered, even though i tried to watch in the mirror. i wished i would have had a partner.
warm up stretching AND warm up weights is important, as is logging your sessions.

generally, at the beginning of your week you would want to start with the larger muscle groups such as the back and legs. go around and look at the machines that are vailable; hopefully they will tell you what body parts they target. you don't have to do ALL of them..pick 4 to start for the body part. if you start with the back, lat pulldowns, cable rows or the seated row, pull ups and DB (dumbbell) rows would give you an idea of what kind of weight you can start out with. On your first set, try for 12-15 repetitions at a weight that progressively feels heavier, so that on the last rep,you don't feel as though you could do more than one or two more. rest a minute (time it) and do another set of 10 with more weight, perhaps 5 pounds. rest another minute and do a third set of 6-8 with an increase in weight of at least 5 pounds,prefereably 10. this last set should really fatigue the targeted muscle group, but NOT cause pain or injury. rest a couple of minutes and move on to the next piece of equipment.
if you record the sets and reps and the weights you use, you will be able to start off the next session with the mid set weight and work up to more.
if you do a 3-day split, meaning you take 3 days to work all the muscle groups, you might work the back and chest on monday, legs and abs on wednesday and arms and shoulders on friday. cardio follows the strength session 2 or 3 days a week, 30 minutes a day and if your goal is to lose fat, increase the intensity level one week and the duration by 5 minutes the next week.

there are a lot of videos on bodyuilding.com that can show you proper form for the complex exercises like the deadlift and squat....if you incorporate those, start off with either no bar or an empty bar until you are able to feel how your body should be positioned before adding weight.
i lost a week's worth of training because i rushed a heavy DL...was a tiny injury that HURT like hell. not permanent, thank goodness,but i learned my lesson.

your nutrition will change also, when you start building muscle, so make sure you take a look at that.

google stronglifts 5 x 5. There's even a discussion on MFP. I'm hoping someone will start a group bc I don't have time to mod one myself.

I would also add...

Don't worry about the number on the dumb bells as much as you do these:

1. How's the intensity?

2. Is the weight challenging?

3. 6 - 12 reps, try to go to failure(where you can't lift another rep, but still stay within the 6-12 reps).

4. Legs you can do more if needed, 15 - 20 reps

But like the others have said, building muscle will help continue your weight loss and a nice side effect is more curves!

Just my opinion :-)

start lifting ,muscle burns fat .
break your program into 3 days ,
day 1 back ,shoulders,biceps
day 2 chest ,triceps
day 3 legs .
do 4 sets 10-12 reps try to fail on last set
leave cardio till weights finished to increase fat burn.
also i would recomend increasing protein intake.a shake 30 mins before training or as soon as finished

I'd also remove the weight loss goal and replace with "inches" off the waist

I'd have to agree. I started my weight losses doing full body exercises like JM30DS. Since starting to lift weights I have stopped lossing weight but cm's are still being shredded of the waist line. I now have muscle definition in my upper body where it was rounded six months ago.

Lifting weights rocks.