BYE BYE belly

rebecca1988

Im female,22, 5' foot and about 110 pounds.

I am a regular gym user, 5 times a week and also would do another 1hours of walking in the park a week. I recently started doing some weights in the gym, for about 15 minutes 5 times a week including free weights, after my cardio session. I relise a low body fat % is needed to see the results, obviously it will take me a good while to see any but I just want to start lowering my % body fat now, but how low should it be? (have no idea what it is at the moment)

Also what type of exercise should I be doing for my bit of a belly? I have started doing sit up and one or two things for my abs but im not sure what I need to be doing?

Would be greatfull for any advice (gym I go to dont have helpfull staff :mad:)

prettygurrly

hmm well my body fat was 24% when I was fit, I'm 5'7 and was 23 at the time.
A friend of mine was 9% BF at 22 and she was the same height as me if not a little taller. She had no belly but she was a fitness instructor so to be expected. If you get it down to under 20 you're doing REALLY well. Don't forget that girls need some fat on their body. Something to do with hormones etc.

if you want to burn fat then you should try interval training. increasing your heart rate and then decreasing you heart rate over and over burns more fat than running on the flat for half an hour. you'll only get rid of your tum if you burn fat, you can do all the situps in the world but you wont see your fabulous muscles if you still have the layer of fat.

and then you should watch your diet. only eat good carbs, high fibre slow releasing energy and plenty of veg. keep your sugar and alcohol down and in the immediate future you should keep your fruit intake down as they are high in sugar, take a vitamin pill if you feel you're not getting what you need. reintroduce the fruit when you feel you've seen some change in your body shape.

to stave off any hunger pangs, bulk up on protein. i use a protein shake for my breakfast called slender pro. actually tastes nice and keeps me going till lunch. i like to think of protein like slices of cold ham as guilt free food. i can eat as much as i like (as long as it's not honey basted i.e. high in sugar) and not put on weight.

the last thing i would say to you is try to identify the times when you are most vulnerable to wanting "something nice" or the times that you dont eat properly. for me it's lunch time. what do you do without bread? (i try to keep my wheat down) so salad it is, but it can get tedious! if i'm home then i'm partial to a scrambled egg and some grilled bacon, lots of guilt free food

finally, you're in a gym. there are people there who have studied this stuff who can help you. everything i've just spewed out is from my own gym instructor. and 5 times a week attendance is v impressive! do you swim at all? very good for burning fat...

G86

prettygurrly wrote: »

do you swim at all? very good for burning fat...

Where did you hear that? Swimming is pretty low on the list of fat burning activities as far as I know. OP, you'd be much better getting a bit more structure to your weight training, and then work your cardio/conditioning sessions around that. Have a look at myself and gymfreaks logs to get some idea of what I mean. We follow the Informed Performance programming, which involves alternating sessions of strength work and conditioning days, and we've lost weight and got stronger in the process.

Zamboni

rebecca1988 wrote: »

Im female,22, 5' foot and about 110 pounds.

I am a regular gym user, 5 times a week and also would do another 1hours of walking in the park a week. I recently started doing some weights in the gym, for about 15 minutes 5 times a week including free weights, after my cardio session. I relise a low body fat % is needed to see the results, obviously it will take me a good while to see any but I just want to start lowering my % body fat now, but how low should it be? (have no idea what it is at the moment)

Also what type of exercise should I be doing for my bit of a belly? I have started doing sit up and one or two things for my abs but im not sure what I need to be doing?

Would be greatfull for any advice (gym I go to dont have helpfull staff :mad:)

Hi rebecca,

This is a barbell.
Find one in your gym and learn to use it.
Squat, deadlift, bench and press would be a good start.



Don't worry about machines and tiny dumbbells.
Read G86's log to get ideas on exercise.

Don't worry about ab exercises.
You will reduce fat overall including your belly through clean diet.

Transform

rebecca1988 wrote: »

Im female,22, 5' foot and about 110 pounds.

I am a regular gym user, 5 times a week and also would do another 1hours of walking in the park a week. I recently started doing some weights in the gym, for about 15 minutes 5 times a week including free weights, after my cardio session. I relise a low body fat % is needed to see the results, obviously it will take me a good while to see any but I just want to start lowering my % body fat now, but how low should it be? (have no idea what it is at the moment)

Also what type of exercise should I be doing for my bit of a belly? I have started doing sit up and one or two things for my abs but im not sure what I need to be doing?

Would be greatfull for any advice (gym I go to dont have helpfull staff :mad:)

agree with all of the above and just focus on movements like lunges, squats, press ups, one arm rows, plank, overhead press etc to begin with. Getting wayy better at doing body weight movements will help anyone get in far better shape initially and it does not require any weights.

Zamboni

Zamboni wrote: »

Hi rebecca,

This is a barbell.
Find one in your gym and learn to use it.
Squat, deadlift, bench and press would be a good start.


Don't worry about machines and tiny dumbbells.
Read G86's log to get ideas on exercise.

Don't worry about ab exercises.
You will reduce fat overall including your belly through clean diet.

Aw, does that mean killing myself with my dumbells is no good?

prettygurrly

G86 wrote: »

Where did you hear that? Swimming is pretty low on the list of fat burning activities as far as I know.

well she asked about burning fat..i.e. the period of heart rate where you're not doing cadiovascular but burning fat...as I said it's just information that I've got from my own instructor. Swimming is good in the fact it's one of the few sports that works all your muscles (particularly your abs) and has the added bonus of not working your heart so hard that you stop burning fat (as you would running on the flat). I did explain all this in my post. For fat burning you'd want to be doing a set of lengths and then taking a short break to get your heart rate down. Then start again and keep repeating until you cant go any further.

If you're not a swimmer and then you start, the change in your body can be tremendous. My flattest stomach was when I swam after every workout, just 20 lengths to also cool down after doing all my crosstraining and sprinting and walking. I shall be starting again, did thirty lengths in the pool this morning in about 35 mins as I was in pain after my workout on Friday.

Squats are good too. But as I said, if you still have the fat on your tummy you'll never see the beautiful muscles you've toned underneath (and that's a direct quote from an instructor)

Zamboni

bluewolf wrote: »

Aw, does that mean killing myself with my dumbells is no good?

I'd never want you killing yourself bluewolf

Zamboni

prettygurrly wrote: »

well she asked about burning fat..i.e. the period of heart rate where you're not doing cadiovascular but burning fat...as I said it's just information that I've got from my own instructor. Swimming is good in the fact it's one of the few sports that works all your muscles (particularly your abs) and has the added bonus of not working your heart so hard that you stop burning fat (as you would running on the flat). I did explain all this in my post. For fat burning you'd want to be doing a set of lengths and then taking a short break to get your heart rate down. Then start again and keep repeating until you cant go any further.
But as I said, if you still have the fat on your tummy you'll never see the beautiful muscles you've toned underneath (and that's a direct quote from an instructor)

Hi pretty gurrly,

You clearly mean well but if rebecca wants to drop bodyfat, her heart rate during a swim session will be inconsequential to the effect calorie restriction in her diet would be.

rebecca1988

Thanks for all the replies

I am not that worried about dropping the fat too much as I drop a stone and a half last year (still kept it off) and am really dedicated to my cardio and do feel I will be able to loose a good bit of fat (ha hopefully). Got a specific programme from gym for dropping my fat with the high intensity and rest phases in each of the machines I use. Just the fat on my stomach does not seem to decrease at all, and i have a small enough waist (25 inches) just seem to carry all my fat on my tummy. And really want to focus and getting rid of some of that fat, I am realistic and do know that I will never be able to get a washboard stomach

I dont swim as I do not have access to a swimming pool in my gym, however will be joining a new one in June and hopefully I will start swimming!

ha I also tried the barbell but I was barely able to lift it with the small weighs in my gym! so the gym instructer just took me away from it! have strong enough legs but no upper body strength at all!!!

I am realistic that it takes a lot of time to get your body the way you want it, but I put so much effort in and would really like to get the results I want am relatively fit just nor strong

rebecca1988

G86 wrote: »

Where did you hear that? Swimming is pretty low on the list of fat burning activities as far as I know. OP, you'd be much better getting a bit more structure to your weight training, and then work your cardio/conditioning sessions around that. Have a look at myself and gymfreaks logs to get some idea of what I mean. We follow the Informed Performance programming, which involves alternating sessions of strength work and conditioning days, and we've lost weight and got stronger in the process.

ya thanks I already have gotten a cardio session etc structured around weight trainning and been doing it for a week now and am fairly happy with it! just cant wait to start lifting more than the little amount I am at the moment! am very puney

G86

rebecca1988 wrote: »

ya thanks I already have gotten a cardio session etc structured around weight trainning and been doing it for a week now and am fairly happy with it! just cant wait to start lifting more than the little amount I am at the moment! am very puney

What I mean is that you need to be doing more than fifteen mins of it. With regards to the swimming, yes it's better than nothing,but so is hopping on one leg. Zamboni gave you good advice, why not give it a go? There's a reason not everyone is walking around at sub 20% bodyfat, and that's because you have to work hard at it. What you're doing at the moment isn't going to get you there, and if it ever does it's going to take a very long time. There are more efficient ways in which you could be using your gym time.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

G86 wrote: »

Where did you hear that? Swimming is pretty low on the list of fat burning activities as far as I know. OP, you'd be much better getting a bit more structure to your weight training, and then work your cardio/conditioning sessions around that. Have a look at myself and gymfreaks logs to get some idea of what I mean. We follow the Informed Performance programming, which involves alternating sessions of strength work and conditioning days, and we've lost weight and got stronger in the process.

I read recently that swimming isn't great for calorie burning because the effect of the water on you body weight reduces the resistance. It's still going to do you good but running for half an hour would burn more calories than swimming for the same time. I believe it's very good for toning though.

G86

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

I read recently that swimming isn't great for calorie burning ... I believe it's very good for toning though.

That statements a bit contradictory. Most people percieve a toned look to be a look with low bodyfat and some visible muscle; this is achieved through fat loss, which is achieved through burning calories. You've said that swimming isn't great for burning calories - which is isn't. So, it isn't going to be great for toning either.

rebecca1988

G86 wrote: »

What I mean is that you need to be doing more than fifteen mins of it. With regards to the swimming, yes it's better than nothing,but so is hopping on one leg. Zamboni gave you good advice, why not give it a go? There's a reason not everyone is walking around at sub 20% bodyfat, and that's because you have to work hard at it. What you're doing at the moment isn't going to get you there, and if it ever does it's going to take a very long time. There are more efficient ways in which you could be using your gym time.

i will try the will the barbell another go but not for awhile!!! i could barely hold it with 2kilos on each side ha! ya i will get another programme next week with a longer than 15 minutes one, a lot longer, was just to get my arms used to it

G86

rebecca1988 wrote: »

i will try the will the barbell another go but not for awhile!!! i could barely hold it with 2kilos on each side ha! ya i will get another programme next week with a longer than 15 minutes one, a lot longer, was just to get my arms used to it

Just give it one more wee go, for me:p

Good luck with it!

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

G86 wrote: »

That statements a bit contradictory. Most people percieve a toned look to be a look with low bodyfat and some visible muscle; this is achieved through fat loss, which is achieved through burning calories. You've said that swimming isn't great for burning calories - which is isn't. So, it isn't going to be great for toning either.

It's great for toning a body that has already lost the fat. If you've got a bit of a belly or bingo wings or whatever swimming won't be as effective at burning off the fat as running or cycling or whatever, but once you've burned off the fat it's one of the better ones for toning as it works a lot of your body at the one time. I don't see how that's a contradiction.

Mellor

prettygurrly wrote: »

well she asked about burning fat..i.e. the period of heart rate where you're not doing cadiovascular but burning fat...as I said it's just information that I've got from my own instructor. Swimming is good in the fact it's one of the few sports that works all your muscles (particularly your abs) and has the added bonus of not working your heart so hard that you stop burning fat (as you would running on the flat). I did explain all this in my post. For fat burning you'd want to be doing a set of lengths and then taking a short break to get your heart rate down. Then start again and keep repeating until you cant go any further.

Your instructor is wrong, on a number of points.
Swimming isn't good for the average personm simply because the average person isn't that good at swimming. Most people can only manage a slow spped for short times. You simply won't burn many calories doing this.

Also, the fat loss zone that you refer to is a myth. It's true hat at lower heart rates, your body uses a higher proportion of energy from fat. But working out in this zone is less effective as you'll burn less energy over all. If really doesn't matter where the energy comes from during training, as even if you burn all yiour "food" energy, your body will be force to burn fat jsut to get through the day.

You also rfer to intervals, which is in total contrast to the fat-loss heart rate idea.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

It's great for toning a body that has already lost the fat. If you've got a bit of a belly or bingo wings or whatever swimming won't be as effective at burning off the fat as running or cycling or whatever, but once you've burned off the fat it's one of the better ones for toning as it works a lot of your body at the one time. I don't see how that's a contradiction.

What does that mean? Being toned = having low body fat, it's just fat loss there isn't a second step.

TommyKnocker

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

I read recently that swimming isn't great for calorie burning because the effect of the water on you body weight reduces the resistance. It's still going to do you good but running for half an hour would burn more calories than swimming for the same time. I believe it's very good for toning though.

Honestly I think this is rubbish.

I would agree that for a "poor" swimmer, then swimming (faffing about in the pool) will not be the best at burning off your body fat, But if you are a competent swimmer, and can do distance swims and speed drills etc, then it is a good way to burn calories.

Look at Michael Phelps's diet when training for comps. 12,000 calories made up of pizzas, toasted cheese sandwhiches, chips etc



And then look at Michael Phelps's competition physique



Now I know he will also do supplementary gym work, but the majority of his training will be in the water. There is no way he is going to have a physique like this unless he is burning off the calories with his swims.

Now admittedly I have picked a Olympic Champion as an example, but even if you look at local club swimmers, they will all have lean physiques due to their training, which is mostly in the water.

Transform

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

It's great for toning a body that has already lost the fat. If you've got a bit of a belly or bingo wings or whatever swimming won't be as effective at burning off the fat as running or cycling or whatever, but once you've burned off the fat it's one of the better ones for toning as it works a lot of your body at the one time. I don't see how that's a contradiction.

you are all over the shop on this one.

OP hit the weights, sort diet out and do some cardio - just be consistent on everything really

Mellor

Using phelps as an example is pointless, he is at the upper end of the elite level. The average person simply can't compare. He was also doing a huge amount of time in the water.

Even local club swimmers do serious amounts of training. It's the volume as well as the fact that they are much better swimmers that adds up to the energy spent.

It's physical, anything physical burns energy. But its not the best way to go about it.

G86

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

It's great for toning a body that has already lost the fat. If you've got a bit of a belly or bingo wings or whatever swimming won't be as effective at burning off the fat as running or cycling or whatever, but once you've burned off the fat it's one of the better ones for toning as it works a lot of your body at the one time. I don't see how that's a contradiction.

You're actually not making any sense. Read the above posts, and then read some more.

TommyKnocker

Mellor wrote: »

Using phelps as an example is pointless, he is at the upper end of the elite level. The average person simply can't compare. He was also doing a huge amount of time in the water.

Even local club swimmers do serious amounts of training. It's the volume as well as the fact that they are much better swimmers that adds up to the energy spent.

It's physical, anything physical burns energy. But its not the best way to go about it.

My issue was purely with a poster quoting something that they had read which stated that "Swimming wasn't great for calorie burning".

I was merely pointing out that if you can swim with good technique, and are able and willing to put in the graft, then swimming can indeed burn calories and lots of them.

I never stated that it was the best way or the only way, simply that it would work and I thought writing swiming off was incorrect.

G86

TommyKnocker wrote: »

My issue was purely with a poster quoting something that they had read which stated that "Swimming wasn't great for calorie burning".

I was merely pointing out that if you can swim with good technique, and are able and willing to put in the graft, then swimming can indeed burn calories and lots of them.

I never stated that it was the best way or the only way, simply that it would work and I thought writing swiming off was incorrect.

Swimming really isn't the most efficient use of her time if she's trying to burn fat. Considering that she's not a pro swimmer, and unlikely to be swimming laps for speed 2 or 3 times a day.

Zamboni

G86 wrote: »

Considering that she's not a pro swimmer, and unlikely to be swimming laps for speed 2 or 3 times a day.

Just to obfuscate the matter, anyone on this forum could burn more calories in
a 1000m front crawl than a pro swimmer would. Easily.

G86 wrote: »

Swimming really isn't the most efficient use of her time if she's trying to burn fat.

But this is the main point take home point on this thread for anyone who thinks swimming is good for weight/fat loss.

TommyKnocker

G86 wrote: »

Swimming really isn't the most efficient use of her time if she's trying to burn fat. Considering that she's not a pro swimmer, and unlikely to be swimming laps for speed 2 or 3 times a day.

In neither of my posts did I recommend the OP should swim to help her lose body fat!!!

Another poster stated that they has read that "Swimming wasn't a good way to burn calories"

In my first post (where I mentioned Phelps) I stated that while this was true for a "poor" swimmer (i.e. somebody who does not swim regulary or with good technique), then swimming would not be a great way to go. BUT for folks who can swim, and can do distance and speed drills, then swimming can and will burn calories. As will any form of physical exercise, done consistantly and with good intensity.

I was just refuting the blanket assertion that swimming is not good for burning calories. I was not saying that the OP should swim.

To burn body fat the most important aspect will always be diet. As has been said here previously diet to drop weight, exercise to look good naked. And as far as exercise goes. do whatever you enjoy, as you are more likely to keep at it and again do it with intensity and consistantly and you will get results.

G86

TommyKnocker wrote: »

BUT for folks who can swim, and can do distance and speed drills, then swimming can and will burn calories. As will any form of physical exercise, done consistantly and with good intensity.

I was just refuting the blanket assertion that swimming is not good for burning calories. I was not saying that the OP should swim.

.

Aye I know what you were responding to and point taken. Myself and other posters were just trying to tailor our responses/advice to suit the OP and her abilities.

prettygurrly

well as someone who carries weight on her tummy and always finds it hard to shift after toning up the rest of me I just gave my opinion. Tell me I'm wrong as much as you like but I know the sort of stomach I had when I swam loads. I've done the same intensity of cardio if not higher since with just treadmill/x trainer/bike and rowing and never ever got to the same sort of look that I had when I swam all the time along with the cardio in the gym. never once did i say that she should just swim and ignore everything else in the gym...

yes i agree that swimming does take up a lot of time and for you to get full advantage you need to be a competent swimmer (which I am) however I was only suggesting somethings that she might try that worked for me. FOR ME for me for me. dunno how many times i can say it.

and in answer to someone else (i've forgotten who)...my first post was focussed on her diet and reducing her calories. particularly the type of calories that she takes in....learn to read.

love the way this forum likes to tell people they're wrong when all they do is offer a little advice as to what worked for them. everyone's different. some of you could do well to remember that.

good luck with the swimming if you take it up. if anything, it's a handy skill to have if you're ever on a boat and end up overboard which is the main reason why I've started swimming again with the added bonus that it will help sculpt my body. and before you all jump down my throat (again)...I'm on a boat at least once a month in my job.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

I don't understand why some of you are finding it so hard to understand what I'm saying here.

Swimming for half an hour will burn less calories than running or cycling for the same amount of time.

Swimming for half an hour will work more of the muscles in your body than running or cycling.

So, if you're looking to purely burn fat cycling or running would be better, if you're trying to achieve muscle definition and a toned body swimming would be better assuming you've already achieved the desired body fat percentage.

Sure if you're as good a swimmer as Michael Phelps I'm sure you'll burn a tonne of calories swimming, but it's unlikely you are. And yes there are probably a lot of other ways to burn calories and add muscle at the same time.

Remmy

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Sure if you're as good a swimmer as Michael Phelps I'm sure you'll burn a tonne of calories swimming, but it's unlikely you are. And yes there are probably a lot of other ways to burn calories and add muscle at the same time.

If someone is a worse swimmer than Phelps they will actually burn more calories than him in the same distance.

prettygurrly

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

I don't understand why some of you are finding it so hard to understand what I'm saying here.

Swimming for half an hour will burn less calories than running or cycling for the same amount of time.

Swimming for half an hour will work more of the muscles in your body than running or cycling.

i dont think anyone has disputed that swimming burns less calories. I never said that it doesn't. the OP asked for tips on how to get the fat off her tummy which is what I answered. the way i looked at her post was that she was pretty fit already but finding it hard to shift that last wobble off her tum. and again, swimming IN CONJUNCTION with a good exercise regime in the gym will help get rid of it...well it did for me. you need to do different types of exercise to get a good body shape. your body just gets used to doing running on the flat and if running on the flat isn't getting rid of your tum then you may need to try something new...hence why i suggested swimming. really wish i hadn't now.

metamorphosis

Ok guys, lets play nice all around. Attack the post and not the poster.

Mellor

Zamboni wrote: »

Just to obfuscate the matter, anyone on this forum could burn more calories in
a 1000m front crawl than a pro swimmer would. Easily.

Remmy wrote: »

If someone is a worse swimmer than Phelps they will actually burn more calories than him in the same distance.

Zamboni, Remmy, of course you would burn more. But i'm not sure why you think this is important.
You'd burn more calories running a marathon compared to a marathon runner.
Calories per hour wouldn't be anywhere close though
Calories/distance is a totally useless measurement imo

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

I don't understand why some of you are finding it so hard to understand what I'm saying here.
So, if you're looking to purely burn fat cycling or running would be better, if you're trying to achieve muscle definition and a toned body swimming would be better assuming you've already achieved the desired body fat percentage.

I don't understand how you are finding it so hard to understand what we are saying.
This idea of muscle definition and toned body after reducing body fat doesn't exist. Simple.
If you want more defined muscles, then you need to lower your body fat. There is no second step.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

prettygurrly wrote: »

i dont think anyone has disputed that swimming burns less calories. I never said that it doesn't. the OP asked for tips on how to get the fat off her tummy which is what I answered. the way i looked at her post was that she was pretty fit already but finding it hard to shift that last wobble off her tum. and again, swimming IN CONJUNCTION with a good exercise regime in the gym will help get rid of it...well it did for me. you need to do different types of exercise to get a good body shape. your body just gets used to doing running on the flat and if running on the flat isn't getting rid of your tum then you may need to try something new...hence why i suggested swimming. really wish i hadn't now.

I wasn't actually talking to you. Sorry for the confusion.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Mellor wrote: »

I don't understand how u are finding it so hard to understand what we are saying.
This idea of muscle definition and toned body after reducing body fat doesn't exist. Simple.
If you want more defined muscles, then you need to lower your body fat. There is no second step.

So if I weigh like 15 stone (I don't) and lose about 5 or 6 of it through diet and a bit of jogging or whatever you're saying I will automatically have well defined arms, stomach muscles, shoulders etc. etc. and that all skinny people have well defined muscles?

Mellor

You may or may not do, it depends on your muscle mass. But your certainly be more defined than you were.
No. A lot of skinny people have no muscles, hence they aren't defined. Some people who are skinnny aren't actually that low in body fat %.

If you have no muscle mass you're are obviously going to have to build some before you can attempt to have any definition.


Show me an example of this toning. Al you'll find is increasing muscle mass or cutting body fat

prettygurrly

Mellor wrote: »

A lot of skinny people have no muscles, hence they aren't defined. Some people who are skinnny aren't actually that low in body fat %.

that can be true yes...are you not contradicting yourself here? what about the people that are skinny, have low BF but dont have any definition, i.e. little muscle tone? they do exist...

Zamboni

prettygurrly wrote: »

that can be true yes...are you not contradicting yourself here? what about the people that are skinny, have low BF but dont have any definition, i.e. little muscle tone? they do exist...

He is not contradicting himself.
He is making the point that there are people who would be regarded as skinny but have no definition due to their bodyfat levels.
If you want to see it in action, take a bunch of malnutrioned ladies from the Dublin 4 area and put them in bikini's.
They may be regarded as skinny, but they have no shape/defintion etc as the ratio of lean muscle mass is too low in comparison to the bodyfat levels.

G86

OP, were you training yesterday? How'd you get on?

rebecca1988

G86 wrote: »

OP, were you training yesterday? How'd you get on?

i was indeed, since sunday im waiting for the guy that showed me the weights etc last time and going to get him to help me! hopefully he will be there tomorrow! so until then i will stick with the ones I am doing at the minute!

i moved up a kilo on one of the machines today, so maybe im getting stronger

when i do start doing more weight tho, say for example i was using a 3 kilo free hand weight (or whatever there called), any idea how long it would take me 2 move up to 4? also how many days a week do you all do weights do not know if i should be doing them 6 days a week, which i am at the minute....

G86

rebecca1988 wrote: »

i was indeed, since sunday im waiting for the guy that showed me the weights etc last time and going to get him to help me! hopefully he will be there tomorrow! so until then i will stick with the ones I am doing at the minute!

i moved up a kilo on one of the machines today, so maybe im getting stronger

when i do start doing more weight tho, say for example i was using a 3 kilo free hand weight (or whatever there called), any idea how long it would take me 2 move up to 4? also how many days a week do you all do weights do not know if i should be doing them 6 days a week, which i am at the minute....

Well done on upping the weight, it's more about confidence than anything else, I can tell you now you'll be capable of lifting a hell of a lot more too

What are you using the 3kg's for? Bicep curls etc.? To be honest, it does seme very light,I'm sure you'd be well able for heavier than that - but you won't know til you try.

I think what you should do to start with, is get that guy to show you how to squat, deadlift and bench - and then give you supplementry work to add in around that, such as what you're doing at the moment. A decent weights session will take you an hour or more, 45mins at least, and it'll take alot out of you - so the best thing to do would be to split your week. You could do 2 days of weight training only, and 3 days of cardio based workouts.

If he doesn't know how to teach those lifts (which is quite possible), have a look around the gym and see if there's anyone who looks like they know their stuff, and maybe ask them for a hand. Most people are happy to help, and it's normally the biggest, grumpiest looking guys who are the most helpful ). But I know that might be a bit intimidating, so even maybe look at booking in one session with a personal trainer to nail the basics.

I know it sounds a bit daunting, when you've never gone near a barbell before, but once you get a bit of confidence I bet you'll love it. Why don't you google those lifts, with female lifters, and you'll get an idea of what they are - and also see that the women aren't hulk hogan lookalikes

I know you're just starting out, but the thing is that 15mins of 3kg weights at the end of every session really isn't going to help you reach your goals in the slightest, and that's going to get pretty disheartening after a while. Why don't you give it a proper shot, learn the basics, work from there and see how you get on. I'm jealous really, because you'll make soo much progress really quickly since you're just starting out, and it'll be a huge motivator. A lot more motivating than standing curling 3kg whilst bored out of your skull:)

rebecca1988

G86 wrote: »

What are you using the 3kg's for? Bicep curls etc.?


I know you're just starting out, but the thing is that 15mins of 3kg weights at the end of every session really isn't going to help you reach your goals in the slightest, and that's going to get pretty disheartening after a while.

haha ya i tried the 4kg for bicep curls and no joy! a week and a half ago and was too heavy. im doing 6 on machines with my legs at the minute and moved up to 7 today! wana start light and move up

thanks for the help!!

Mellor

prettygurrly wrote: »

that can be true yes...are you not contradicting yourself here? what about the people that are skinny, have low BF but dont have any definition, i.e. little muscle tone? they do exist...

They are people with no muscle at all. (see bikini example)
For them to get definition they'd need to add mass. Which would increase their weight, they simple couldn't get defined at current weight/fat/muscle levels. Fat free mass and fat mass are the only variables.

rebecca1988 wrote: »

i moved up a kilo on one of the machines today, so maybe im getting stronger

when i do start doing more weight tho, say for example i was using a 3 kilo free hand weight (or whatever there called), any idea how long it would take me 2 move up to 4? also how many days a week do you all do weights do not know if i should be doing them 6 days a week, which i am at the minute....

If you are moving up you are gettign stronger. This will happen easily at the start and you get used to working out. Don't be afraid to take a jump if you finsihed all reps easily.
The way I see it, if the last rep of your last set is easy its time to move up. Sometiems after movign up I miss some of the final reps, but I keep trying until I get them all and then move up again.

As for days it depends on the person really. For example; I train a min of 3 days a week. With 2 sessions being mostly weights. My third session is cardio/conditioning, but even those sesions have a big element of weight training (although very different style compared to my normal sessions). If I get a 4th of 5th session its basically what ever I'm in the mood for or where I am that decides.

Best of luck, keep it up