Weight Training

 Hi all,

So I tried the personal trainer for 8 1-hour sessions (special starting deal at the club).  But between her schedule and mine, it was just too hard to get anything regular going (I want 2X week).  And I don't want to pay the $60/hour fee.  Also, my club membership was only for as long as I had the training, and I hate doing the treadmill etc in the club.  It's so boring, and I'd rather be at home or outside.

So I had some dumbbells at home my son left when he went off to college.  I don't know where the complete set is but I started working a bit with them using exercises I remembered from the workouts with the trainer.  I also was using my stability ball for sit ups.  Then I decided to get serious because his weights were either too heavy or too light, so I bought a new set of weights that I can mix and match and the book "Women's Home Workout Bible" which has lots of nice pictures on how to use the weights, and programs for weight training using different muscles.  Did my first full session tonight and it felt great.  So I figure Tues. and Thurs for weight training.  Starting a tap dancing class on Wednesdays, walk 4.3-4.5 miles up and down hills with friends on Fridays, and try to take a hike or walk with DH on weekends.  On Mondays, I'll either walk/jog with my dog or do my cross trainer.  I think I'm finally getting the hang of adding exercise into my life.  I'm even looking forward to it.  Who knew I would ever feel like this.  I'm in shock.

Peace everyone.
Jan

Congrats!  Sounds like you are using what you have well.  Use what you have learned from the trainer and make it a part of your life.  Make your exercise routine something you enjoy.

Thanks.  I'm trying, but it's been hard to find exercise I like enough to do regularly.  Hopefully, I've found a routine now.

Awesome! I love love love strength training.

If you are serious about strength training, I'd recommend the book The New Rules of Lifting for Women: how to lift like a man and look like a goddess.

This book will set you up with a routine and teach you things you never knew (debunks lots of myths).

Thanks.  I looked at that book too, and the one I got seemed easier to follow.  But I'll go look at that one again.  I like having the different options.

BTW, you must really be doing great.  Your arms are incredible!  How long have you been doing strength training?

Jan

Thank you! I've been doing it for about 4 weeks now. Newbie gain is a great thing! lol

I don't follow a professionally designed program yet but I intend to soon. I'm still trying to choose one that suits me. I do incorporate the general principles of most professional body building routines: lift heavy, few sets and shorter reps on heavy days, fewer isolation excesses and more of the multi-muscle group exercises.

I really started noticing a difference in my definition once I incorporated the biggies like push ups, bench press, pull ups, chin ups, squats, lunges, dips, shoulder press (my personal fav). I still do a bicep isolation exercise (barbell or dumb bell curls) and skull crushers/rope pull down thingy (lol) for my triceps, but I don't do tons of sets/reps on individual body parts anymore. I'm building up the nerve to do deadlifts but I'm scared because of my back problems.

Also, my avi pic is after my shoulder/back/bicep workout and I'm flexing a bit. Sometimes my arms just look thin/normal and not all muscular.

Thanks for sharing this, Mandy.  I was looking at ordering that book from Amazon, but haven't yet.  You've made up my mind.

Sorry for the hijack.