I'm going to start some weights.. need advice!

[TTC5]

Well this is a good thing with having to try again lol.. introduce weights!

I just got out dh's dumbells and added 1kilo on each hand and did 3 different arm techniques with 10 reps of each type.. so 30 reps each arm.

Didn't take long lol so wondering if it will really do much? How much are we aiming for??

ETA: Just added in 10 girly push ups lol and 10 lunges without weight.

[Plum3]

I started weights a few weeks ago and in that short time have noticed such a big difference. I am talking in terms of strength not muscle, but hopefully in time I will be able to physically see some muscle as well.

My DH does MMA and does strength training so he has developed a weight program for me. I do a different program each session and do 2-3 per week at the moment. Anyway so here's an example:

4 sets of bicep curls (reps of 10, 12, 10, 8) with a 2 min rest in between reps (5kg of weight)

4 sets of bent over rows (reps of 10, 12, 10, 8) on each arm with a 2 min rest between reps (6.5kg weight).

4 sets of lunges and pushups (with the pushups I aim for 10 set but I usually do 3-4 full ones and then the rest on my kneees.). I never used to be able to do even 1 push up so I am pretty pleased with myself ;)

3 planks (depending on how I feel though, sometimes I'm too buggered)

Hope this helps :)

[Hobbermittens]

I don't really count what I am doing, I just do stuff until I am tired. Bec, I think I might copy what you are doing. I hope it is okay that I can only do girl push ups?

[TTC5]

I can only do girl ones too lol

[Plum3]

I have never ever been able to do proper push ups until now. I surprised myself. I think after a few weeks of lifting weights you will probably find that you can do proper ones too. My goal is to get to 10 full ones eventually.

[begonia]

Bec I've been doing weights for 9 months now and can totally see/feel a difference. We had family photos taken about a month ago and in one I am lifting DD2 and my arms look ah-ma-zing. My photog even commented on them, LOL! And oh my aren't planks killer?!?! I do bicycle crunches for my abs and they wear me out.

TTC5, I am pretty sure Atomic mentioned on another thread one of the best ways to raise your T with your weight training is do combined moves, so squats while holding the weights and extending them overhead, or lunges with bicep curls, etc. Another great weight move we used to have to do when I was on a running team was take a lightweight dumbbell, maybe 5lbs, and jog in place but use your arms as though you were running, only exaggerate it ... really bring it back til your elbow is the same height as your shoulder, then bring it forward again til elbow is same height as shoulder. (hope that makes some sense!) That works your entire arm/shoulder out and will really sculpt your arms!

[Plum3]

Ohh I can't wait til I can see some muscle. I'm pretty scrawny so would love to feel and look a bit stronger. I H A T E planks, they are the enemy.

[ELP]

This thread has boosted me on to get back to some gentle at home lifts again:agree: We should make this the daily weights support thread too, so when ever we see it bumpped we get off our chairs and do a few more crunches/lifts!! I need the constant reminder or I just get too happy sitting and reading lol:)

[ELP]

BTW What are planks???????????

[TTC5]

This thread has boosted me on to get back to some gentle at home lifts again:agree: We should make this the daily weights support thread too, so when ever we see it bumpped we get off our chairs and do a few more crunches/lifts!! I need the constant reminder or I just get too happy sitting and reading lol:)

OMG I was so going to start us a thread just for this but thought nahhh everyone would think I'm an idiot :P

[TTC5]

BTW What are planks???????????

Is it like where you lay down then lift your body up by resting on your tip toes and bend your arms at 45deg angle with your knees off the ground? Good for the core?

[Plum3]

Yep, exactly right :)

[TTC5]

Cool, thought so :)

[ELP]

OMG I was so going to start us a thread just for this but thought nahhh everyone would think I'm an idiot :P
Not an idiot at all!!! Its the one main area that I need daily reminding/encouragement/kicking in LOL! Maybe you can add to the title of this thread 'need help and daily encouragement! Please join in!' We cankeep chat about supps and timings on the main thread but swap tips and reminders for on here:agree:

[atomic sagebrush]

I don't really count what I am doing, I just do stuff until I am tired. Bec, I think I might copy what you are doing. I hope it is okay that I can only do girl push ups?

It's prob best NOT to go until you're tired, you don't want to risk overdoing it anyway. Just do something like what Bec's husband has outlined for her :agree: but I would def. add in squats as well and also perhaps an over-the-head lift.

[atomic sagebrush]

Bec I've been doing weights for 9 months now and can totally see/feel a difference. We had family photos taken about a month ago and in one I am lifting DD2 and my arms look ah-ma-zing. My photog even commented on them, LOL! And oh my aren't planks killer?!?! I do bicycle crunches for my abs and they wear me out.

TTC5, I am pretty sure Atomic mentioned on another thread one of the best ways to raise your T with your weight training is do combined moves, so squats while holding the weights and extending them overhead, or lunges with bicep curls, etc. Another great weight move we used to have to do when I was on a running team was take a lightweight dumbbell, maybe 5lbs, and jog in place but use your arms as though you were running, only exaggerate it ... really bring it back til your elbow is the same height as your shoulder, then bring it forward again til elbow is same height as shoulder. (hope that makes some sense!) That works your entire arm/shoulder out and will really sculpt your arms!

That is totally best BUT if a person finds they can't do all the moves at once, it's ok to only do them one at a time. Do the doable and then in time you will find yourself able to do more than you ever thought possible!!

Also if you are just beginning you might find that 5 lbs is too much, and that's ok. Just do 3,2 or even 1 lb weight, remember that it's YOUR own individual body that matters, it doesn't matter if you are not lifting as much as anyyone else, as long as you are lifting more than you were. Start out with light weights and work up, that way you can prevent injury and you won't get discouraged with exercise!!

[Alexis2007]

A lot of these exercise routine ya'll are talking about reminds me of Jillian Michael's 30 day Shred. She has LOTS of dumbell exercises and ab exercises. Cardio too. I need to get back into that. For now I'm just going to the gym and doing the weight machines there.

[ELP]

Is it like where you lay down then lift your body up by resting on your tip toes and bend your arms at 45deg angle with your knees off the ground? Good for the core?
?? A bit like push ups??

I did some lifts yesterday, I raised DD4 above my head, lowered her down ,then crouched down, then stood up again, if that makes sense. I only did it slowly 15 times but this morning my legs are aching like hell lol!! I think I'll switch down to 10 maybe 2x a day with that one!

[gizmo77]

ooh i was just gunna start something like this!! thanks! im going to try some of your guys's ide and ill post my exercise plan too for you guys! im starting step today..right now in fact!

[gizmo77]

I started weights a few weeks ago and in that short time have noticed such a big difference. I am talking in terms of strength not muscle, but hopefully in time I will be able to physically see some muscle as well.

My DH does MMA and does strength training so he has developed a weight program for me. I do a different program each session and do 2-3 per week at the moment. Anyway so here's an example:

4 sets of bicep curls (reps of 10, 12, 10, 8) with a 2 min rest in between reps (5kg of weight)

4 sets of bent over rows (reps of 10, 12, 10, 8) on each arm with a 2 min rest between reps (6.5kg weight).

4 sets of lunges and pushups (with the pushups I aim for 10 set but I usually do 3-4 full ones and then the rest on my kneees.). I never used to be able to do even 1 push up so I am pretty pleased with myself ;)

3 planks (depending on how I feel though, sometimes I'm too buggered)

Hope this helps :)

this is great. whats MMA? also ive seen this on other testosterone boosting exercise sites that you should alternate the number of reps you do per set. is there a specific reason for that?

[gizmo77]

?? A bit like push ups??

I did some lifts yesterday, I raised DD4 above my head, lowered her down ,then crouched down, then stood up again, if that makes sense. I only did it slowly 15 times but this morning my legs are aching like hell lol!! I think I'll switch down to 10 maybe 2x a day with that one!

heres a pic of it:

http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/abdominalcorestrength1/qt/plank.htm

[Plum3]

?? A bit like push ups??

I did some lifts yesterday, I raised DD4 above my head, lowered her down ,then crouched down, then stood up again, if that makes sense. I only did it slowly 15 times but this morning my legs are aching like hell lol!! I think I'll switch down to 10 maybe 2x a day with that one!

Oh, good one. Bet your legs are sorer today? I am always sorer on day two.

[Plum3]

this is great. whats MMA? also ive seen this on other testosterone boosting exercise sites that you should alternate the number of reps you do per set. is there a specific reason for that?

MMA is mixed martial arts. Have you seen UFC on TV? I'm not sure what alternating reps does, I will ask DH and see what he says.

[ELP]

heres a pic of it:

http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/abdominalcorestrength1/qt/plank.htm
:suprise:OOOOOOOOO I see now!!!!!!!!!!!!:agree: I'm going to start some of these, thanks for posting:agree: and the legs are still stiff as boards! I look like I'm walking like Jon Wayne:rofl: Goodness knows what the neighbours think I've been up to!!!!!!!!!!!

[gizmo77]

:suprise:OOOOOOOOO I see now!!!!!!!!!!!!:agree: I'm going to start some of these, thanks for posting:agree: and the legs are still stiff as boards! I look like I'm walking like Jon Wayne:rofl: Goodness knows what the neighbours think I've been up to!!!!!!!!!!!

HAHAH!!!! just keep smiling and ppl will think youre having a great ol time in life! ;-)

[cemas]

Hi Girls,
i had a question. Is it Ok to do the muscle training exercises in small bits throughout the day or they have to be done at a strech of 20 to 40 mins. i mean can i do like 2 sets of squats at 10 am, then 2 sets of push ups at 12pm....then arm lifts ate 3pm....etc in my work breaks??? will that help T or we have to do them for a continuous period with a min breaks???

[ELP]

Hi Girls,
i had a question. Is it Ok to do the muscle training exercises in small bits throughout the day or they have to be done at a strech of 20 to 40 mins. i mean can i do like 2 sets of squats at 10 am, then 2 sets of push ups at 12pm....then arm lifts ate 3pm....etc in my work breaks??? will that help T or we have to do them for a continuous period with a min breaks???I've been doing mine in small bouts throughout the day:agree: Every bit helps and I don't really have any organised spaces in the day for long routines so just do what I can.

[cemas]

thanks elp

[begonia]

Cemas ITA with ELP! On days I don't go to the gym I'll do little things here and there when I think about it. I think it absolutely helps.

[cemas]

thanks begonia, one thing that i have seen is that since i started this weight training in whatever small amounts i am very tired and sleepy by evening and mid afternoon.....could it be coz of my body adjusting.....i was not doing any kindof exercise since last year since this swaying....
anyone experianced it?

[gizmo77]

makes sense, youre working your body harder so it needs more rest. thats how my body responded too. since i started working out id get sleepier at night and sleep harder THRU the night. when i had insomnia mostly it was from not being as physically active during the day (not working, sitting around, resting, etc). as soon as i demanded my body to work harder, i slept like a baby (who sleeps thru the night ! haha)

[atomic sagebrush]

Yes I agree, your body might need more sleep because it's building muscle. Exercise is a magic cure for insomnia!!

Also, I do think that eating a boy-friendly diet makes you sleepy because you're always digesting something.

[cemas]

Is it OK to do weights during 2ww????

[gizmo77]

i dont see why not. ppl can exercises during pregnancy (or potential pregnancy) as they were BEFORE pregnancy as long as you arent straining yoruself in the later months right? but i guess the point of weights was to increase T and build muscle before the attempt. so if youre doing it to make sure its a boy, its prob too late to do it during 2ww, but would still be ok for trying to remain healthy reasons...

[begonia]

i dont see why not. ppl can exercises during pregnancy (or potential pregnancy) as they were BEFORE pregnancy as long as you arent straining yoruself in the later months right? but i guess the point of weights was to increase T and build muscle before the attempt. so if youre doing it to make sure its a boy, its prob too late to do it during 2ww, but would still be ok for trying to remain healthy reasons...

ITA with this. I've actually kept up with my weight training even though I am pg now; as the belly grows some of the exercises will have to change though.

[atomic sagebrush]

Is it OK to do weights during 2ww????

Yes!

[TTC5]

I'm on day 3 of adding weights to my gym program - yayy. I don't do alot but I figure better than none.
Q - yesterday I held 1kg weight in each hand while walking on a treadmill for 30 mins. Would this be a form of weights?

[atomic sagebrush]

I'm on day 3 of adding weights to my gym program - yayy. I don't do alot but I figure better than none.
Q - yesterday I held 1kg weight in each hand while walking on a treadmill for 30 mins. Would this be a form of weights?

A little bit, but it's better still if you can do some arm movements while walking, even if it's just simple like bicep curls. The more muscle groups you move simultaneously, the more T you'll make.

[TTC5]

I did kind of swing my arms up to hip height and back down as I walked, if that makes sense?

[atomic sagebrush]

That would def. help!!

[TTC5]

Ah good!!

[Demeter]

A lot of these exercise routine ya'll are talking about reminds me of Jillian Michael's 30 day Shred. She has LOTS of dumbell exercises and ab exercises. Cardio too.

I have the 30 day shred and the cowbell shred, but thought I couldn't do it because of the cardio. I'll start doing them with my higher calorie diet.

[atomic sagebrush]

I have the 30 day shred and the cowbell shred, but thought I couldn't do it because of the cardio. I'll start doing them with my higher calorie diet.

Cardio in moderation is fine as long as those muscles are growing rather than shrinking!!