Weight Lifting 4 Women; So When Do I Start?

Striving4Fit_MrsOrtiz
Striving4Fit_MrsOrtiz Posts: 399 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I see so many great results here on MFP, where women lift weights. I am very interested because I had a child so my tummy area is a little loose, and my arms are getting very out-of-shape due to gaining weight.

I would like for my stomach to not ONLY be flat, but I want definition there. I want my arms to have muscle, not bulky though like a man, but sexy for a woman.

So I am 5'4, 206Ibs, I'm obviously on the road to losing weight, and having a better healthy lifestyle. I'm doing this for me, but I'm also doing this so my son doesn't develop the same bad eating habits as I had. Anyways, my question is: When do I start weight lifting? Now, or when I'm closer to my goal weight (which is 140Ibs)?

Thanks,
Karina

Replies

  • Awkward30
    Awkward30 Posts: 1,927 Member
    Yesterday! If you don't weight train while losing weight, you will lose the muscle you already have! New rules of lifting is an excellent starting point. Good luck!
  • Striving4Fit_MrsOrtiz
    Striving4Fit_MrsOrtiz Posts: 399 Member
    Yesterday!

    Lol, thank you. Um I don't have access to a gym. Any ideas on how I can do this at home. Do I buy a certain 'machine', videos, dumbells, etc???
  • ishtar13
    ishtar13 Posts: 528 Member
    start today!

    If you don't have access to weights, you can do body weight exercises to get started:

    http://nerdfitness.com/blog/2009/12/09/beginner-body-weight-workout-burn-fat-build-muscle/

    Or workout on the playground:

    http://nerdfitness.com/blog/2012/04/12/playground-workout/
  • UrbanRunner81
    UrbanRunner81 Posts: 1,207 Member
    Yesterday! If you don't weight train while losing weight, you will lose the muscle you already have! New rules of lifting is an excellent starting point. Good luck!

    ^^^ agreed!
  • Melzicious
    Melzicious Posts: 19
    Definitely start now! I recommend you pick up a copy of The New Rules of Lifting for Women and You Are Your Own Gym.
  • clowermom
    clowermom Posts: 52 Member
    The Nerd Fitness link above is a fantastic start.

    You can also do ChaLEAN Extreme. Don't let the name scare you. It's heavy lifting 3 days a week and cardio on 2 days a week.

    All you need are a set of dumbbell weights or resistance bands. And "heavy lifting" is whatever "heavy" means to you. When I started, 8 pounds was heavy. I am now curling 15 pounds. And Chalene does a great job of showing modifications to make it work for each person.

    Good luck!
  • nannabannana
    nannabannana Posts: 780
    bump
  • Striving4Fit_MrsOrtiz
    Striving4Fit_MrsOrtiz Posts: 399 Member
    Thanks everyone.

    I appreciate every tip everyone gave, and will look into it.

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