edwardgaweda

I feel like I need to add that there's no such thing as spot reducing fat, which seems to go hand-in-hand with the toning myth. "Targetting" certain muscle groups is great, but you're not going to see any difference in "tone" without losing bodyfat... which will come off wherever it wants.

Please stop using the word "tone" and any variation of it. There is no such thing as "toning." There is only losing bodyfat and seeing muscle mass due to having lower bodyfat levels. Starting Strength, New Rules of Lifting or All Pros are great places to start. Stick with free weights and compound lifts. Dedicate time to…

"Heavy lifting" actually generally implies a lower rep range (between 3 and 8), and working to failure a lot. To be honest with you, I have a hard time believing 12lb dumbbells are that challenging for you. A lot of times people I've trained with really just don't know what they're capable of until they're pushed. I would…

Nutrition nutrition nutrition. Proper macros, hitting them spot on and training hard. Cardio is going to help a ton, but no it isn't necessary; its just a tool. With that being said, maybe do some research before setting goals that high (you're aiming for the abs of a veteran bodybuilder at sub-8% bodyfat).

Ironmaster adjustable dumbbells. I promise you won't regret it. Save up for them, and then an Ironmaster Super Bench.

Ignore anyone advising you to not push yourself in the name of over training. Listen to anyone telling you to rest 1-2x per week while pushing yourself the other 5-6. Proceed to achieve goals. Profit.

First off, its most likely going to overestimate regardless. Second, if you were walking around a museum taking photos, I'd say 2mph is probably too quick of a pace.

Pretty much just start making changes slowly. You have to eat out less, prepare meals at home, and start making better food choices. Begin by just limiting "junk." Only go out to eat once pet week. Only have *insert favorite snack* every other day. The small choices and improvements add up and help you build momentum…

Great job.

I get over 90% of my carbs from fruit and vegetables. As someone else said, sweet potatoes are also good.

Free weights. Machines are to be used sparingly and to finish off muscles with some isolation work. Lift heavy, with good form and you'll love the results you get. Starting Strength, Stronglifts or New Rules of Lifting. Research and pick one.

I started lifting at 281lbs and well over 40% bodyfat. I couldn't do a pushup, my endurance was terrible, and I struggled using 20lb dumbbells for most exercises. Fast forward six months, I'm at 240 ~25% bodyfat. 415 Deadlift, 345 Squat, and 275 bench. I started out by following the New Rules of Lifting (original book)…

I second getting a copy of Starting Strength. However, squats and deadlifts might be extremely rough for you right now. Nevertheless, give them a shot under the guidance of someone who can properly judge your form (if you can). New Rules of Lifting might provide you with a better starting point right now.

Its more than likely glycogen being stored in the muscle from actually being used now. As the previous poster said, keep up the progressive overload and eat in a deficit. Eventually a true bicep will appear.

So, attempting to educate someone who thinks lifting weights "only works your arms," and who thinks she "needs cardio" to lose the fat on her posterior chain... is forcing an opinion down their throat? The question was "SHOULD I buy a treadmill?" His answer was no, and he attempted to support why that was.

Actually, he's giving OP the inconvenient truth. Do all the cardio you want; you'll be left looking like a smaller version of yourself. Muscle doesn't make women bulky, fat does. Lift.

+1 ... Planks are great. Def do these as well if you can.

Otherwise known as incline pushups.

FYI, six months ago I couldn't do a single pushup. If I even tried I just fell. At this point I only do pushups if I'm supersetting (doing them back to back with no rest) with some bench press variation; otherwise, they would do nothing for me. Strength comes with time, commitment and persistence.

Incline Pushups should be well suited for you. Inverted Rows would also work well if you can find something at a good height. Using light dumbbells for bench pressing would also be a good start. You're aiming for strength, so through trial and error find a weight that you can do for 5 reps while struggling on the final…

I'd also suggest making sure you don't have a vitamin deficiency. Also, stop doing sit ups - they're a worthless exercise that barely works the abdominals and just gives you butt-pain. Beyond that, try wearing an under armor style long sleeve shirt maybe, and gloves if needed.

That sounds like a brutal daily routine, lol. Anyway, glad I could be of some help. I'm still working on leaning out myself; its a long road. Good luck, and if you need any help or other advice feel free to PM me.

What's the reasoning behind not doing free weights? Spending 45min 3x per week doing free weight compound exercises will net you far better results than endless cardio.

There's no such thing as "toning and shaping." The goals you have involve losing bodyfat and gaining small amounts of muscle. That's accomplished through lifting weights. If you have an "issue" with gyms and prefer home workout DVDs as it seems, I'd give P90X a shot; its the closest thing to actual lifting as those DVDs…

In and done out of boredom. I felt absolutely nothing in my triceps, because I do weighted dips regularly. My elbows started bugging me around 70 though, lol.

Fresh fruit, eggs, and meat. For me, its honestly more about keeping the unhealthy options out of the house.

Excellent job. Learn to love lifting heavy, and you'll fall in love with the changes to your body.

If I stopped the eccentric portion of the lift when my elbow was parallel with my shoulder, the barbell would still be above my head. Seriously people... cut the ****. It doesn't matter what your sisters brothers friends ripped uncle does for his lifting... a partial rep is a partial rep. Avoiding locking out is one thing.…

Oh yes, tell us more about that 6" range of motion you're describing. I'm sure you feel so accomplished after moving those weights around. Half repping is bad, and you should feel bad for doing it.

Protein intake should be kept the same on both lifting and rest days. You CAN lower your carbs and raise fats on off days, but I personally - note the word personally - haven't seen any changes from trying that. My macros are the same everyday.