Weight Lifting Challenge

[Molli526]

OK, I am really bad about lifting and I know it is SO good for me. Since I did well on the 21 day challenge, I was wondering if anyone would want to join me in a weight lifting challenge? Maybe 6 weeks- at least 2x a week to get us started?

Let me know, I would love a buddy!

[Julia1Pin]

6 weeks - 2/week. I think I can do that. I just bought some new weights for self (the old ones were getting too light) so I ought to use them.

Do you want to try for 30 minutes/session?

[Molli526]

30 minutes is very do-able for me. I am packing my bag to go tomorrow after work so there is no excuses!

[KelLeg]

I'd be happy to be involved. I pretty much already do this, though. I'm a real believer in strength training. Not only does it shape your muscles, your metabolism goes up for about 2 hours after (I think!). Anyway, good luck. I think you will be happy if you do this. Maybe 8 weeks would show you more results. You should try to find this out in Shape or Fitness mag.

[NydiaC]

I'll join you. I've been trying to make this a regular activity for me for a long time, but haven't yet succeeded. Maybe this will do it.

[HARRYET]

I'll join you as well.

I just met with a personal trainer last week and she set up a whole body workout for me. Boy did it feel great doing it.

Last night was the 2nd time I did the routine, my quads will be feeling it later. I'm leaving town for Boston on Saturday, so I'll get in 3 sessions this week, and 2 sessions next, after I return. Then I plan on meeting w/the P.T. again for a couple more routines so I don't get bored.

Good Luck everyone.

Ann :)

[LaraW]

I would love to join you for this!

Are you talking about any specific muscle group or are you talking about overall body toning? Just wondering.

Lara

[gabbyh]

Molli.
Thanks for the inspirational thread...this how I got started last year...a girl I work with was on her 39th straight month of 12X per month at the gym...it was enough to get me motivated...for almost 4 months...then our trip to Australia did me in...since then I've acquired a BowFlex on ebay, and canceled my gym membership of 23 years...so I need to get moving...it is really true that 12 weeks of weight/strength training on a consistent basis will show results! And at 50, I know how important it is to help me jump out of bed in the morning pain-free!
Let's get moving!!!
Molli, start up the "Weight Training Challenge" thread!

~Gail H.

[Molli526]

Welcome Julia, KelLeg, Nydia, Ann, Lara and Gail!

I am feeling good. I got in my first lifting session for the week. I am working my overall muscles for about 30 minutes each session, at least twice a week. I am shooting for twice but if I make it in on Saturday, I will be a happy girl.

I'm just doing a 6 week challenge to get me started. I found with the 21 day challenge I just completed, it has changed my mindset into feeling like I should "do" something everyday. I also think starting now will get me through the holidays and all those temptations.

My goal for the end of the challenge is to not necessarily see results just yet, but start a healthy habit that I will see results with in the coming weeks. I also figure that if I start it this time of year, when it is quite hectic, there will be no excuse when things calm down.

I am also taking my measurements so I can chart my progress.

I am glad you joined me- we will rev up our metaolisms and get leaner and stronger in the process!

Woohoo!

[Leslie w]

Can I join too?! 2x a week is perfect for me. I'm a yoga nut and try to get in at least 3 sessions a week. My practice includes a lot of strength training using my own body weight but I'd like to take it further. Not to mention ski season is approaching and I need to get into condition for that. I have a lot of free weights and a strength training video that I"ve used in the past. I'll dig it out and start it tomorrow.

[Sara Emily]

Molli, I saw and responded to our old 21 day challenge thread before I saw that you started this seperate one, so I responded there. In a nutshell, I think this would be the PERFECT follow-up for those of us who just completed the 21 day challenge, and the PERFECT good start for the others. I officially started on Monday without realizing it. I'll hit the strength training circuit at the gym again tomorrow and give it my best effort. :D

How nice to have so many "takers!" What a strong, vibrant, healthy bunch we will be! :D :D

[HRJ]

I'd like to join in, too. I have a gym membership that's been unused for MONTHS! It's getting embarrassing -- and expensive!

Actually, I've been taking a nutrition class at the university where I work, and just this morning we had our lecture about osteoporosis, which is my professor's research specialty. She presented all kinds of studies that show how weight-bearing activities and strength training can help build bone and stave off the onset of osteoporosis -- another good reason to get in the habit. I sat there in class determined to get to that gym -- and here's the reinforcement I need.

Thanks for starting this thread, Molli.

Helene

[KelLeg]

Molli, taking measurements is a great idea and I think you idea about just getting into strength training is right on!

[slknight]

I'd like to join in too. I did the 21-day challenge at the end of October. I'm needing some new motivation. I can't stand weight lifting, but I know it's good for me. I can't start this week because of a business trip to New York, but I'll join in next week (will probably lift Tuesday and Thursday).

-Susan

[JoanneOR]

Hi Molli and everyone else! I've thought about this and wasn't sure if I would be able to do it or not. As Molli knows I started the 21-day challenge and wasn't able to go 21 straight days, although I have increased my exercise consistently, working out at least 5 days a week. The challenge really motivated me to pick up the pace.

Anyway, I'm going to join in this challenge, too. I feel confident I can do it and I know I'll feel better. I do alot of cardio, but I definitely need to do more strength training. I regularly go to a body sculpting class on Wednesdays, which I did today. We do alot of weights. So I just have to fit in one more day on my own, maybe two more, who knows!

Thanks for the new challenge and good luck all!

[Molli526]

Welcome Leslie, Sara Emily, Helene,Susan and Joanne!

How is everyone doing out there? Everybody got in a session of strength training yet? I over-did it on Tuesday. Well, maybe not over-did but I definitely feel the muscle groups I worked. I am excited for this.

Go team! Talk to us!

[HARRYET]

Hi Molli,

Just checking in.

I've gotten in 2 weight training sessions so far this week. I love the feeling of lifting, and the effects after! I'll go again tomorrow for 3x this week.

Next week will be a little tougher for me though. I leave for Boston on Saturday, and return on Wednesday. My family doesn't know the meaning of the word "exercise" so there won't be much of that going on. So I'm hoping to lift next Thursday and Saturday.

Good luck everyone!

Ann :)

[KValley]

Can I sneak in here? I am just tickled to see this challenge going and I wanted to share a little piece of inspiration/motivation that happened to me today.

I've been strength training for about 3 years steadily now and I love it- I have gained a body confidence that I never thought possible- I am strong and just full of girl-power now. I've got biceps, quads, abs- now if only I could get rid of these hips! ;) Seriously though, even my JLo backside is much firmer! I love the thought that these 32 yr-old bones and muscles are in better shape now than they were at 18. No amount of cardio can do that. I allow myself total vanity in this respect- loving to see my biceps when I pound the bag during kickboxing or seeing my inner thighs flex when I land a round-kick. Way cool.

I read an article earlier this year in which fitness guru Kathy Smith said if she had to choose between cardio, yoga, and strength training, she would choose the latter because the overall benefits were so great (hope I got that right- I'll look for the article- think it was in Health or Walking). Anyway, I hope you end up loving it as much as I have.

But, my moment of inspiration today: I was totally un-athletic in high school. Not overweight, not out of shape, just terribly insecure and susbsequently scornful of the "jock" (i.e. popular) crowd.

Earlier this week, a guy from my graduating class joined my gym. I haven't seen him since the day we graduated (umm, June 5? 1987). We were part of completely different crowds which never mixed (him popular, me geek), but of a class of 140 it's hard not to know everyone! In a sure sign that everyone grows up, we've chatted a bit every day - probably more than in 4 years of high school!

Today he asked me how long I've been training- I said 3 years and he asked how often I competed. WHAT? I told him that I didn't and he replied that I looked great and he assumed I was training for competition.

WAHOOOOO- this made my day, possibly my month. :D :D :D Went a long way towards recovering from old high school woes :p

I'm going to be checking in with y'all, too. I just took my measurements this morning- needing some inspiration to get me through the holidays and away from the biscotti that beckon from the TUpperware on top of the fridge.

Let's go, ladies!!! :D

Julie

[Molli526]

Julie-

What a great compliment. Kudos to you!


Well ladies, I completed my 2 sessions this week. Once I got there, I was feeling good. I may even sneak in on Saturday.

How is everyone doing?

[aggie94]

Julie,

That's SO awesome!!! I'd be on Cloud 9, even though I don't like to admit to myself or others that peoples' opinions really do make a difference. You deserve to gloat over that one for a long time!

[KelLeg]

Julie, you and I are a lot alike (both 32, graduated in '87 too). I was similar to you in HS. I wasn't a "geek," but I was definitely not athletic. I remember my mom always saying, "your sister is the athletic one." Anyway, I have worked out consistently since I graduated college and added strength training about 3 years ago too. I have also noticed a lot of definition in my muscles and am thrilled (though, I still wish I had the "body confidence" you do). Anyway, I definitely consider myself athletic now. At my 10-year HS reunion, I had a lot of people telling me how great I looked. I think lifting weights makes all the difference.

I have lifted twice this week. Once at the Y, and once here. I'd like to get to the Y for another time b/c I work out harder there than at home! Plus, they have more to do (I have a set of 15s, 3s and 5s). Anyway, sounds like others are doing well. Way to go!

[KelLeg]

Julie, oops I wanted to tell you congrats on your nice compliment! That is awesome and you should bask in the glory.

[gabbyh]

Thanks to all of you guys, I worked out after work yesterday...
My boss was out sick and I got called in to work 10A-6P...I usually work 3P-11P, and do my weight lifting routine in the AM...so I was already "out-of-sinc" when I got to work...it was a busy day, and as I got in my car to drive home I was exhausted...as I started my 30 minute drive I began to think about the "Weight Lifting Challenge"...I KNEW I should work out, but boy, I didn't feel like it...well...
not wanting to let you guys down...I got out my cell phone and called my hubbie. Told him I was going to "BowFlex it" before I made dinner!! His response: "Whaaaaaaaaaaaaat.....that's great!!!" And not only did I do a great workout...I had my best time yet...and I felt GREAT!!
Thanks to all of you for your support...let's keep posting!!!
~Gail H.

[Julia1Pin]

I did 35 minutes of weights yesterday, and will do one more day either today or tomorrow.

[LaraW]

I was going to post yesterday, but I was really busy and actually had to work!:eek:

I made it to the gym this week Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

I was slowed down a bit yesterday, as I think I overextended my wrist on Tuesday and now it hurts! :mad: Hopefully, having some time off as I won't likely be back to the gym until Tuesday will give it some time to heal.

Good job to everyone who has been checking in, going to the gym when you don't feel like it is SO hard, but I always am glad that I went when I am done.

What a great compliment, Julie!

This is a wierd question but I don't know where else to ask. Does anyone know how fast you lose muscle? Because of our move this summer, I did not make it to the gym for about 6 months. I had a dr. appt this fall, in October, and when they weighed me I discovered that I had lost about 15 lbs. Part of that I know is that I am a stress-non eater, and was under a lot of stress for a long time, but also I thought that I had probably lost a fair amount of muscle. I was really surprised that I had lost that much.

I have noticed that I fatigue sooner than I did before our move, and my cardiovascular endurance is way down also. Oh well, gotta start somewhere! :)

Lara

[KelLeg]

Lara, I don't know how fast you lose muscle, but I have heard that if you lifted weights before, you get back into shape much quicker. Hope that is the way it goes for you! I'm glad you are back into it.

[HRJ]

Well, I only worked out once last week -- does that mean I've flunked the challenge already? :confused:

On the other hand -- I did do a heck of a lot of snow shoveling on Sunday -- and it was big, wet, heavy snow, too -- my muscles were actually a lot more sore after that than they are after a typical trip to the gym. Does that count?

I'm really not in good shape at all, so I suspect that my idea of a "good workout" pales next to some of you folks. I've started doing the circuit of the weight machines at my gym, but the settings are pretty low (20-30 lbs) and I usually do 10-20 reps (is that what you call them?). That's about all I can handle right now.

But, I did more exercise last week than I have in a long time, so I guess I'm off to some kind of a start, even if I didn't make it twice, like the challenge calls for.

Helene

[NydiaC]

Well I'm just a bum! :( I hadn't done much exercise at all in the last 3 weeks. I wanted to start this challenge to get back into the swing of things since Thanksgiving when I was sick. However, I worked out twice last week, and only once with weights; I ran another day. I'm officially going to start this week. My commitment is twice a week with weights, and to resume my 1/2 marathon training program (run 5 days/week). I have 9 weeks left of that program and the Christmas munchie season is upon us. Gotta lose those 4 pounds gained since Thanksgiving :eek: and not gain any more.

I plan to do my weight training tonight and to run 3 miles. I'll check in tomorrow and let you know how I did. (...there, I said it. Goals in writing, therefore MUST accomplish them... :p )

[Molli526]

HRJ-

You aren't kicked out of the challenge! It is a goal and we are just here to motivate each other to get it started. I do think your snow shoveling counts for something though :) I am thankful we haven't gotten dumped on here!

I will be lifting on Tuesday and Thursday this week.

I am not the strongest girl in the gym. I do about 10-12 reps x 2 sets. I do what I can handle. Someday I will be ultra buff!

I just read in a magazine that a pound of muscle burns 35 calories! Even more incentive!

[Sara Emily]

I made it to the gym today, and did 30 min. on the treadmill and a really good strength training session. I had planned to finish up with a 25 min. program on the recumbent bike, but my thighs were too tight and sore to go any real distance, so I stopped after five minutes.

Helene, your snow shoveling sounds like an EXCELLENT "real life" workout. And .... you had something to SHOW for it when you were finished! Don't be discouraged about starting with smaller amounts of weight and about going at your own pace. You are doing something GOOD for yourself, at whatever level you are, and you are making PROGRESS in the right direction! THAT is what ultimately counts!! I have always been the least athletic person you can imagine and now, at middle age, I can scarcely believe the progress I am making and the good body definition I am gaining, thanks in large part to the weight training. It makes you feel so proud of yourself and is such an upper to tackle each new little goal. You sound like you are off to a great start. STICK WITH IT, and we'll cheer with and for you!! :D

Gail and some of the others sound UNSTOPPABLE at this point, and that's such an inspiration! Wishing the best to all .....

[NydiaC]

Well, I'm off to a good start. I did a 20 min upperbody workout last night and ran. Tonight my goal is a 20 min. lower body workout and to run again. It sure is tough making time when I have all these things to do to get ready for Xmas but I feel so much better when I do it. I'll check in tomorrow with a progress report. :)

[LaraW]

NydiaC, do you think the hardest part is just getting started? I have found that to be the case with me. Great job on a good week!

Congratulations to everyone!

Tomorrow is going to be a challenge, since my gym is closing early. I'll have to figure something out....maybe I will take off from work early and get in a little workout.

Have been to the gym twice this week, yesterday I got a solid 30 min of cardio and another solid 30 minutes of weight lifting. Today was a short day, but still got a pretty solid 30 minutes of weights in.

This board is great! It is such an inspiration to have so much support!

[NydiaC]

Originally posted by LaraW
NydiaC, do you think the hardest part is just getting started? I have found that to be the case with me.

Yes, definitely finding a routine and getting started are the hardest! Otherwise, 20-30 min. of weight training isn't that big of a deal.

Tonight will be another for me to weight train. This time its 20 min of lower body workout plus a 35 min. tempo run. I know my dog will certainly appreciate it. ;)

[KelLeg]

With all of the coffees and Christmas programs, etc. I'm having trouble sticking to my regular schedule. But, I did lift some weights on Monday and did my whole routine on Wednesday. I'm going to the gym tomorrow (Sat.) morning and will do another full routine. Next week will be tough again too. Keeping to my normal schedule is difficult with school letting out, etc. After Xmas break is over I should be able to get back to normal, but I'm still going to really try to stick to two weight sessions a week during this hectic time.

Good luck to everyone else. And, if you are stuck out of town and feel you need to lift a bit, you can always pick up a gallon of milk or a bottle of Tide! Not quite your normal routine, but "lifting" nonetheless. Sounds kind of lame, but it's a thought. Also, I like to do pushups and tricep dips off of a chair or bench.

[HARRYET]

Last week was good, I got in 3 weight training sessions before leaving on Saturday for Boston. Then I did nothing for 5 days. I got back late Wednesday night, and Thursday headed to the gym. I did 40 mins of cardio, a pilates class and 45 mins of weight training. I just got back from the gym today, and got in 45 mins of weight training and 40 mins of cardio.

Boy does it feel great to work out!!

keep up the good work everyone!

Ann :)

[Molli526]

Well, I had a bad week. I started out well. I had a nice run on Monday and on Tuesday, the day I lift, I felt terrible. It was in my chest so DH told me to not work out. I felt terrible all week so needless to say, I didn't do a thing all week! I am going to the gym tomorrow and I am pumped!

[LaraW]

Molli, hope you are feeling better!

I went to the gym twice this week, but they closed early on Thursday and I wasn't able to get there after work like I had planned. I managed to lift two times though. I am planning to try to get my yoga routine done tomorrow. This coming week I am hoping that I can make it to the gym my three regular days. We are going out of town for a week after Christmas so I don't know how much I can work out then. I have a membership to the Y, which supposedly we can use at any Y, so maybe my sister and I can go work out together. That would be great!

Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

Lara