I am really weak and I don't want to be anymore.

Hi everyone. I am posting on here because I realized I am really weak, and I don't want to be anymore. I have a small frame, I am 5'1'' and 100 pounds, but I cannot lift anything moderately heavy, and I want to be able to. I do cardio for about an hour 5-6 days a week because I like how it makes me feel, but I realize this does not help build muscle so I do some exercises with 8 lb weights, and this has definitely helped give me some definition in my arms, but I don't really know what I'm supposed to be doing. Because I lost 30 lbs from a few years ago by eating healthier and exercising, I'm afraid that if I don't do all this cardio, I will go back to where I used to be, which was chubby for my frame. Plus, cardio just makes me feel great. I never really had a problem being weak until I realized that maybe it's just not healthy, and I don't want my bones to suffer. I am 19 by the way. I think I used to be stronger at 130 lbs, even though I had a lot of body fat. I would not mind gaining a few lbs, esp if it were muscle so I could feel stronger. Does anyone have any suggestions for what I should do? Up until recently, I could not even do one push-up. So I kept trying and trying every night, and now I can do 8, although this is very hard for me. I don't want it to be.

I would appreciate any advice you all could give me. I already eat a lot of protein and vegetables, but I think my lack of muscle has a lot to do with my exercise routine. I'm just unsure about changing it because I like it the way it is.

Try the book New Rules of Lifting for Women. It's worth it.

It is true that you will gain weight from muscles being built, but that is good weight. Strength is very important, especially as you get older...also, you do not need to worry that you will look like a guy, bulking up---women have too much estrogen to have that happen.

I started lifting weights at the age of 53 and wished that I had started way earlier!  It has given me a lot more confidence as I feel strong and powerful...it makes you feel like a big cat---if I were you, I would book a couple sessions with the personal trainer at the place you work out to learn form and how not to get injured...it is the quickest way to get on the right track...you will love it!

By the way, I can do 40 pushups, not knee ones...and I am working on one handed...so if an "old" lady like me can do it, so can you! You will get better and better each night, so keep it up!  It took me two years, but it was worth it!

Congrats for your weight loss and awesome workout ethic!  You inspire me to continue my cardio to lose weight!  Thanks.

I definitely second the suggestion about New Rules of Lifting for Women - its amazing

What a nice ambition for a young lady to have!

 You've already stumbled over the most important principle - strive to improve on what you did last time, and you will. Now comes the hard part - you probably need to scale back cardio for a bit while you get used to strength training. Don't worry though, you aren't going to miss out on anything and you won't get fat - strength training done right burns more calories than cardio does. And makes you feel powerful to boot ;)

  The New Rules of Lifting for Women is a very good book and I second that recommendation - but you should also check out what the wonderful Mistress Krista has for you on Stumptuous.com. Learn what Krista has to teach, and you're all set for really enjoying and taking advantage of NROLW - the workouts in that book were designed by Alwyn Cosgrove, a hero to both Krista and me.

Don't be so concerned with your weight that you sacrifice great fitness.

Visit Cassandra Forsythe's site for good articles on the optimal diet to build muscle and get ripped and other great advice (she is co-author of The New Rules of Lifiting for Women).