Arm fat and muscle gain

 

I have a problem losing weight in my arms. Ever since I had my son I can not get my arms thin again. It is really embarrassing and I wear jackets even in the summer just to hid my arms. Is there a way I can loose the fat in my arms. Also note that I build muscle really easy and I don't know how heavy the weights should be that I lift. I want to slim my arms down and not bulk up. PLEASE HELP!

 I've had this same problem since I've started my dieting. I just keep doing my cardio and push ups...they have shrunk quite a bit, but as far as weight lifting, I really don't think my upper body strength is good enough for it. Push-ups are included in my cardio, but I HATE doing them....I dunno if this helps, but I just keep pluggin' away *smirks*

Everyone is strong enough for weights. If you have to start with 3lb weights, start there. If you're flinging out pushups during a cardio class, you're not doing weights. You're doing cardio.

Pick up some weights and try military presses, bench presses and rows.

"Pick up some weights and try military presses, bench presses and rows." 

If I knew what any of those were, I might try them. (also probably why I have no upper body strength) I have 1lb weights and 5 lb weights...I've tried resistance bands but they HURT like a mother****er. I'd probably do better to try out small, with the 1lb weights first. I'll see if i cant get some in btw ones in the meantime (btw 1-5). I dunno if 3 reps of 8 push-ups in the midst of cardio counts...or even squat thrusts...but I DO plan on concentrating on this area more the closer I get to my goal weight. I'm 126 now, but wouldn't mind getting somewhere btw 115-118. Anyways, I could looks these up, or maybe you have a better way of describing them.

Gibson,  That is the area I hate the most too!  I think (hope) with weight loss they will get smaller.  Pushups help.  I am trying to only do boy ones, they seem to work it harder.  I also lift small weights.  I use 8 and 10 lb.  Good luck!

look up the workouts here:

http://www.exrx.net/Lists/Directory.html

you also cant spot reduce. Reduce overall bodyfat first.

I wish I built muscle easily, then i'd get in shape fast :(

I am a new convert to lifting weights and I LOVE it! I am seeing significant changes in my body composition although my weight is remaining the same. Of course, I'm eating like a horse now and I really love that! I keep thinking about restricting calories again (I do still have some extra fat), but I'm so enjoying my strengths gains so much that I haven't been able to bring myself to do it.

If you want to learn any exercises I really recommend the site ricen suggested. It has little videos that show you how to do the exercises and it also shows which muscles that they work too. Too cool! 

hmm, I'll take a look and see what's up...thanks :)

erm, yeah don't understand any of the wording.....I just want the 'bat wings' gone...whichever one(muscle) that is called

Yeah, that would be the Triceps Brachii muscle - though the only way to deal with looseness and jiggle is to lower the overall bodyfat percentage. You'd probably be relieved to know that the "last on, first off" principle of fat loss will most likely work in your favour here - normally your body won't store fat on your arms if there are other locations available, so it'll come off there first.

 Well, as a rule of thumb anyway - bodies are idiosyncratic that way so you may see yours doing something completely unexpected.

 Note that building muscle will have almost no visual impact compared to losing the fat - it takes very hard work for a long time to build appreciable amounts of muscle, and building muscle in a calorie deficit is almost impossible for anyone but a raw beginner. Therefore, you shouldn't fear lifting weights - it'll do more for you, faster, than any other form of exercise.

I had the same problem.  Nothing seemed to work not even lifting.  That is until I started running w/2lbs in each hand. The results are shocking.  You don't have to run w/weights you can always walk w/them - even just around the house. 

Don't really recommend wrist weights cause they might cause a strain.  

Thanks melkor, I have lost about an inch around my upper arm in the last month....just started tracking inches all over my body...so it's surprising to see the difference.  I have to get up the nerve to start to use weights...so I just need the encouragement I think...I've been putting it off. Thanks for the info though, i take the stuff in and store it always!

 

Karakd: I'll prolly try the walking with weights thing before the running part. I do have 1lb wrist weighs, but their annoying and flimsy anyways...thanks! 

I love it here, everyone's so helpful! 

my arms were embarrassing also and it seemed that everywhere I looked were women with skinny arms and I thought how lucky.

someone gave me these links to use for upper arms and they are helping...........(let me go copy them, be right back)

Working your triceps out will help with that flabby part of your arm. There are exercises for this muscle (using dumbells) including:
triceps extension
triceps kickback
Skull Crushers (Lying tricep extensions)



I thought these were so good I 'tagged' them.

I've saved them now too...thanks a bunch!