guardup

If you don't have access to a gym - try stairs! Focus on firing your glute muscles while you slowly, purposefully, take each step. Add some weight by throwing some heavy stuff into a back pack. Also wall squats with a ball so you get the range of motion. And when the weather picks up, just go outside and do squats in your…

neenaj, I'm betting you are not as dismissive and shallow as your posts suggest. I think that in real life, if a friend came to you with a problem like this, you would give support and understanding - even if you didn't know the other side of the story. We are almost all "strangers" here online... it's very rare to get two…

BeachGirl: You broke up with someone who isn't healthy for you. This is good. However, if he truly is as terrible as you perceive him to be, then the best advice is to give back the presents and tell him to not contact you any longer. And never, ever respond to any other attempt by him to contact you. Giving back the gifts…

At our gym, we have something called a 3D Trainer... it's like a Smith Machine but it allows forward and backward movement as well as up and down. You can set the catch bars for safety at a level that is right above your chest. Then lift to failure (or til your last full rep). As long as you don't mind squirming out from…

Had a really good day at the gym today. Does anyone else do foam roll self massage after lifting? My triceps were so sore it brought tears to my eyes as I was working them on the foam roll. Good thing... my deep tissue massage appointment was postponed.

Some questions/comments for you: 1) What division do you play in? If you are D1 and want to go on to play for the Eagles then start a solid weight lifting routine and change your long distance running to CrossFit and Sprinting. If you only want to do Rugby for fun (which a great reason!) then just focus on improving your…

Her post says that she is eating her exercise calories... so she is likely eating more than 1200 calories. So I don't think that "starvation" is the issue here.

I talk about this in my blog entry: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/guardup/view/cutting-weight-63702 Hope this helps!

If you would like to build some muscle, check out my blog entry called "Lifting to Failure:: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/guardup/view/lifting-to-failure-60661 And don't worry about "bulking". I spend 2-3 hours a day at the gym and can bench press 200lbs... and I am not "bulky".

Good for you... no matter the shape or size of a person, they are still just that - a person! For those of you who battle with the idea of going to a gym for fear of how others may view you, please check out my blog entry about the topic: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/guardup/view/overweight-and-afraid-of-the-gym-73787…

I am 6 feet tall (may be closer to 5' 9.75" now with age). I weigh 158lbs. I have 17% body fat... and a good amount of muscle. I am shooting to get to 15% body fat and add another 2lbs of muscle. My B&W pics on here are from when I was at 19% BF and had about 3lbs less muscle. Once you get to a point that starts to look…

There are "Free Weight" Machines like the Smith Machine that all you to place a safety bar at a position that keeps you from dropping the weights. I use these whenever I want to lift heavy and there isn't anyone available to spot me. Also, check out my blog entry about meeting new people who you can possibly ask to be a…

The best suggestion I have is to talk to a Physical Therapist about your shoulders. They are experts at helping you find how to ease into the type of exercise you want to do in a way and pace that works best for your situation. I visit PT anytime I am recovering from an injury. They keep me from repeating the injury and…

For those who are intimidated by going to the gym, I wrote a blog entry with some advice: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/guardup/view/removing-intimidation-from-the-gym-75869 Hope this helps you create the environment you need to keep going!

I just posted a blog entry about working up to doing "real" pushups for anyone interested: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/guardup/view/building-up-to-the-push-up-75856 Hope this helps!

::drum roll:: I hit a personal best today... 1 rep max of 200lb bench press. Very pleased. :happy: Meghan

Glad to have you back! Thanks for reading my blog. I posted one entry called "Overweight and Afraid of the Gym" which seems to have resonated with a lot of people. So did the "Ugly Grunt" post. I'm glad that what I write reaches people. If it makes a difference for them and how they feel about their commitment to their…

For those who are concerned about how others look at them, you might enjoy a blog entry I wrote last Sunday: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/guardup/view/overweight-and-afraid-of-the-gym-73787 I hope it helps.

I know your feeling of uneasy. It's okay... but don't let it stop you from taking care of yourself. I won't defend this thread... but I also don't take it personally. In general, human beings are good and kind hearted. They don't intend to hurt. But humor that focuses on others often has a seed of judgment to it. I've…

When you read this response, understand that I am not taking offense at this thread. I am just making some points to ponder. Actually, most of the things I mentioned are listed in this thread. People don't like people who "hog machines". I wonder if they ever asked to work in? People stated that they think people who flex…

I have no doubt I am one of those people y'all look at and laugh at. So I might as well explain why: 1) Yes, I have muscles. No, I do not do steroids. I earned them the natural bust-*kitten* way. 2) Yes, I wear a sports bra (no shirt) up top and shorts on the bottom. This is so I can see my form better when I lift. I have…

I would love to be able to bench press 200lbs. I'm at 180. But it's rough. I'd also like to be able to hold a hand stand for a full 30 seconds. And lastly, I'd like to be able to do 20 pull ups without having to nurse my right trap for 3 weeks afterwards. (grrrr) Other than that, I hit my non scale goal ever day I walk out…

Thank you. :-) Good for you on taking up a new activity. Let us know how it goes!

Just wrote a blog entry about "Why I Lift" for all those people out there who wonder how I could possibly enjoy weight lifting. I know... I am preaching to the choir in this thread. But hey, I bet at least some of you ride the same trip I do.

I use mine every day. But I am also in the low 17s for body fat and aiming for 15s. I regularly burn between 700 and 1000 calories a day in exercise. So I have to be very aware of getting enough calories (and protein) while still holding a 200-500 calorie deficit. The most useful thing it does for me, though, is tell me…

Another thing to note is that alcohol sugars are much harder for the body to burn than any other sugars. As such, they get converted to fat easily. I'm sorry to hear about your Dad. I lost mine a couple of years ago on Thanksgiving Day. It's very hard to lose a parent. It hits you with your own mortality like little else.

My most recent blog entry is titled "The Ugly Grunt". For any women on this list who weight lift hard, you will understand that title rather quickly. Enjoy. :)

You GO Girl! If you have a chance, read my blog about being overweight and at the gym. Your effort is something to be admired - not disdained.

"It seems like most of my muscles are progressing more quickly than my biceps. The only thing I can think of is to add more bicep exercises on non-bicep days. I can do that and still allow a day of rest between. Do you have any suggestions for exercise that will really work them? I pretty much only use dumbells. Thanks! "…

Been absent for awhile between work and other commitments. I also had to change up my routine. I have this nasty knot in my right trap that needs rest and therapy. So it's weekly 90 minute deep tissue massages and stretching for the next two weeks for my upper body (because even chest exercises use the traps and…