Help!! I think I hate RESISTANCE training :-(

Hello everyone!

I have noticed that I am not losing weight on my cardio routine alone.  I read a lot of fitness stuff so I KNOW I have to strength train.  I try to work it in,  but I get bored or confused or feel lost.  Please share some tips.

Hi cmpass, I'm totally on the same boat as you. I just can't seem to get myself to do weights, it's slow and painful! And you're right about having to do it in order to lose weight. I'm interested in seeing what tips this will bring...

What routine were you doing?

Original Post by floggingsully:

What routine were you doing?

For now, cardio (walk/run) for at least 30 mins. 3x a week.  I am working up to 45 minutes and keeping active on weekends (and the proverbial eating less part!)

I have a slow metabolism and I know that if I can get thru the workouts I can have much better results.  Any tips?

Original Post by busymomandwife:

Hi cmpass, I'm totally on the same boat as you. I just can't seem to get myself to do weights, it's slow and painful! And you're right about having to do it in order to lose weight. I'm interested in seeing what tips this will bring...

love your screenname!! I am on the same boat.  So busy.. I hoep we get some good tips :-)

are you at a gym?  There are people there to help you with the feeling lost and confused part.  You also shouldn't have to hire a trainer to show you the basics, gym employees should do that for free.

Original Post by cmpass:

Original Post by floggingsully:

What routine were you doing?

For now, cardio (walk/run) for at least 30 mins. 3x a week.  I am working up to 45 minutes and keeping active on weekends (and the proverbial eating less part!)

I have a slow metabolism and I know that if I can get thru the workouts I can have much better results.  Any tips?

I think he was asking what lifting/resistence routine you have - if you have a crappy one, then it might explain why it is boring or confusing. And if you don't have any routine, even more so.

For me, having a real plan, with exercises that actually had a purpose, instead of the uncertain lap around the weight machines, wondering what I should be doing and trying to remember what I did last time, made lifting go from a "I know I should" to "It's all I want to do."

If you don't have a plan, I'd suggest starting with New Rules of Lifting for Women.

^This

Second, or rather third, what amythestgirl said.  I always hated exercise, but having a plan and keeping track of what I could do made it more of a self-competition - it made all the difference in the world.

I totally recommened Jackie One-on-One workout.  It's fast paced and reps are done for one minute, rather than reps which can make strength training drag.  There are cardio bursts in between routines to keep you from getting bored.

I have really enjoyed New Rules of Lifting for Women.  I had no idea where to start and this book really helped me to love the weight room! 

Hi cmpass,

I started out with just cardio to get myself in the habit.  I work out 4-6 days a week (usually 5).  Once I developed the habit, then I switched out 3 alternating days for resistance training.  I read a book called Make over your Metabolism.  I don't really follow the eating plan (I use CC for that)--just some of the exercise tips and resistance training.  I've added a few of my own sets like triceps, but his ideas give me a good foundation to start with.  There are also some decent dvd's to follow. 

When you feel the burn in the appropriate muscles, it makes you want to be sure you go back for more because you know it's working.  Just be sure to alternate days.  You need to give your muscles something like 24-36 hours to recover--thus, get stronger and burn more calories.  Always good. I rarely feel the burn the day I train--usually it's the next day.  This is good because it inspires me not to skip the training the next day. FYI I only work out about 30-40 minutes, and I've seen results that I'm happy with.  Most weekdays it's more like 20-25 minutes since I work out before I go to work.  Getting up at 4:30 is GRUELING!  But the payoff has been fabulous.  I feel fantastic and I'm starting to look better. Sleeveless tops here I come!  lol

fstars you said, "I totally recommened Jackie One-on-One workout."  Is it a book or dvd?  Thanks.  Always looking for something new.  (sorry haven't figured our how put quotes in the nifty blue box every else uses)

I learned a lot about technique by taking a group weight class @ my gym. We were monitored for correct position and overall I feel more confident about what I am doing now. It is easy to hurt yourself if you don't know what you are doing, and so many people in the gym lift incorrectly. I still ask questions, especially when i get on a new machine.

I love weights because:

1.) I feel stronger thatn I would if I never did them

2.) They have given me much better tone and helped to reshape parts of my body. I do, however hate when I start working a part I have never worked before. It  hurts and my muscle yells @ me the next couple days. But when it gets stronger, I don't even think about it anymore. My triceps used to be weak and I hated working them, now they are pretty decent.

Good luck. My best advice is to take a group weights class which will give you guidance and maybe a little more fun. If you are not at a gym,y ou could look for a workout video. It doesn't have to be boring

Or you could buy a set of resistance bands (got mine @ Wlamart for less than $10. It has 3 different colors/resistance levels) You can start out with that, and it has directions for toning different body parts.

www.resistancebands.com

Wow! I dedin't even know about these extra responses until I got an email this morning.  Thank you all so much for your helpful input. 

Yes, I do have a gym membership.  I have a 3 yr old at home and a workout video quickly turns into playtime and it is hard to concentrate while you are looking at a sad little man in the corner because you just yelled at him to get off your back! I'll find a way to compromise...maybe get him his own mat?

Amethystgirl: you hit it right on the nose with the comment about doing a "lap around the weight machines" at the gym.  I will definitly come up with a plan and stick to it.

BTW, my routine is no routine right now.  I love cardio so it's not a problem.  i wanted to make this "public" confession and use this website as a resource for tips.

Thank you guys, I will look into the suggested books and be dertermined to add these workouts

Well, I'm no help, but I wanted to sympathize. I have a 2 year old and she loves to get in the middle of my workouts. She says she's exercising too, but all it does for me is interfere. Makes it more difficult to do my workout, or she might be whining because she wants a snack or whatever and I'm trying to just get my 20 minutes in.

As for resistance training, I'm using EA Sports Active personal trainer on the Wii. It uses a resistance band and mixes different sets using the bands with cardio thrown in here and there to get your heart working. Never boring and for a beginner like me, it's definitely a workout. And most workouts last from 20-30 minutes with about 15-30 sec of rest between each set.

I love it. If only my husband would be a little more supportive of my desire to really commit to this and help more with the 2yr old.

Man do I hear you guys about having a more supportive spouse who would watch the kids while I attempt to do this....LOL

I found the greatest deal in my area at a local gym.  They allow you to purchase group classes, say 20 of them, and you can go to any class they teach with them.  They give you 6 months to use them too.  Nice! It might be something to ask your local gyms or Y's about and see if they would set it up for you....that's how this one started and now its something available to anyone.  Additionally, they provide child watch....for FREE!!!!....while you are doing the class.  Really.  I do it in the midmornings while the hubbie is at work and we all win...I get my workout, the kids are occupied and its not taking away from family time.

One of the classes that they do is a weights class.  Now I know nothing about machines, but understand the importance of getting it into my workouts.  This weights class they do is really great for me because they use light hand weights (I only use the 5lbs, but others are using 20) and they change muscle groups every 5 minutes or so and you just pump out reps til you switch. They will count out a rhythm, go slower sometimes or fast, occassionally pulse, whatever.  I really feel those 5lbs by the end of the class! 

Bicep curls, Triceps dips, squats, lunges, forearms, tummy, obliques, back, shoulder, rotator cuff....you name it, they hit it!  I think it would probably be something simple enough to do at home too.  Grab some gallon jugs of milk and go for it.  I love it and just started doing it 1-2 times a week to start building strength.

Original Post by gymcoach79:

Man do I hear you guys about having a more supportive spouse who would watch the kids while I attempt to do this....LOL

I found the greatest deal in my area at a local gym.  They allow you to purchase group classes, say 20 of them, and you can go to any class they teach with them.  They give you 6 months to use them too.  Nice! It might be something to ask your local gyms or Y's about and see if they would set it up for you....that's how this one started and now its something available to anyone.  Additionally, they provide child watch....for FREE!!!!....while you are doing the class.  Really.  I do it in the midmornings while the hubbie is at work and we all win...I get my workout, the kids are occupied and its not taking away from family time.

One of the classes that they do is a weights class.  Now I know nothing about machines, but understand the importance of getting it into my workouts.  This weights class they do is really great for me because they use light hand weights (I only use the 5lbs, but others are using 20) and they change muscle groups every 5 minutes or so and you just pump out reps til you switch. They will count out a rhythm, go slower sometimes or fast, occassionally pulse, whatever.  I really feel those 5lbs by the end of the class! 

Bicep curls, Triceps dips, squats, lunges, forearms, tummy, obliques, back, shoulder, rotator cuff....you name it, they hit it!  I think it would probably be something simple enough to do at home too.  Grab some gallon jugs of milk and go for it.  I love it and just started doing it 1-2 times a week to start building strength.

 ^ This. Stuff like this is awesome. Might make you love weights. Def look into resistance bands. Light weight, you can travel with them easily and they are effective if used right. You can use them to put resistance on a squat, work your glutes, basically anything. And cheap.

Original Post by raynebair:

Well, I'm no help, but I wanted to sympathize. I have a 2 year old and she loves to get in the middle of my workouts. She says she's exercising too, but all it does for me is interfere. Makes it more difficult to do my workout, or she might be whining because she wants a snack or whatever and I'm trying to just get my 20 minutes in.

Thank you! Same story here! Always someihtng.  My hubby travels alot so he can't help much either.  It is hard to mention that becuase I feel like I am making excuses! lol.  We don't have a Wii (yet) but I will find other ways. I am glad I posted, i feel really motivated now.  I needed a light and friendly kick in the booty from CC to rev me up!

Here's one way to get around the little one at home getting in the way of your work outs -  Use him as your weight.  For example, do squats while holding him to your chest or he clings to your back, do floor presses by lying on the floor and pressing him up above you (of course you gotta make crazy faces and sounds every time you get to the top), you can do overhead presses by lifting him above you while standing (again appropriate faces and noises are mandatory).  Good thing is, as he grows, your resistance increases.