The weight lifting thread.

[Matt]

I still lift pretty consistently however when i went home over the Xmas break i lost about 10 lbs due to getting sick twice. Now that im back, im back up to 160lb, or 72kg i think. I need to gain weight faster, any suggestions. My lifting has improved a little bit, but not all that much....

[Choleric]

I was lifting on a regular basis since my 2nd year in high school because of football and rugby.

Once I got to college it became a little bit mor inconsistent but Ive got to do it for Rugby, Im at about 200lbs, I try to maintain that, also do alot of cardio and aerobic during training/practice for rugby. This is all of course to balance out the other side of being on the rugby team, drinking all the time.

[NarutoRamen]

Originally Posted by NarutoRamen

Mind if I chime in?

I just got started again after 2+ years of absence. I went and worked out a little too much...right now I'm really sore and in a lot of pain! But I'll get through it. I'm sticking to the lots of cardio, lots of reps minimum weight routine until I build tolerance and then time to bulk.

Do you guys remember when I said this? I didn't think so..but this was like last june/july time. I couldn't work out after Aug 1st because I got into a motorycle accident. I was in horrible shape (still am) but I got through that. Now i'm trying to start my rehab but this time I want to be really serious. Now I need your guys' help because I need to get back into shape because my accident was pretty bad.

What I need help with is, do any of you guys know some regular routines/excercises that I can do? I don't want to bulk but get toned/in shape. The other thing I need help with is motivation. What do some of you guys use to motivate youself to keep going?

Just in case you guys need more info.

Height:5ft 9.5in
Weight:205-210lbs
Bodyfat: around 22-25%

Help will be much appreciated.

[Alfie]

What helps me with motivation is an exercise scheduel. I have everything set up already so everytime I go to the gym I know exactly what to do and once I'm finished I can relax. Helps me alot at least.
I'm currently setting up a new scheduel and I went to the gym today and I had no motivation whatsoever. And the result? A far from proper workout as I usually get.

That's really sad to hear Naruto! But it makes me happy that you're recovering.
So what's your main goal, lose fat and weight or build muscles?

[NarutoRamen]

Zonda...Yeah thanks man. It wasn't pretty when I went down and beleive me I'm glad that i'm recovering as well.

As for your motivation, I think that could work for me as well because I don't have any excersices scheduled so I just kind of go in and work out and that is definitely not the proper way to work out.

What I want to accomplish is to drop my body fat %, and build muscle. I dont want to be like 240lbs and all muscle but I'd like to stay between the 200-210lbs range but not have a whole lot of fat and be toned. Does that even make sense?

[Monster]

Originally Posted by NarutoRamen

What I need help with is, do any of you guys know some regular routines/excercises that I can do? I don't want to bulk but get toned/in shape. The other thing I need help with is motivation. What do some of you guys use to motivate youself to keep going?

If you want to get toned, cardio is the way to go, and light weights but with a lot of repetition. Bringing a friend along always help with the motivation issue. But for me i prefer to go alone so i can focus on doing what i want. For me, going to the gym is my time to relax, basically i just stopped thinking about anything else while lifting weights. It is good for anger and stress relief as well. I dont' think of weight lifting as an exercise but it is a way to help me relax. It does get a bit tough during those cold rainy days, it is ok to skip one day of trainning here and there, as long as you go twice a week you will be fine.

I got a question for you guys, how do you stop stretch marks from appearing, i have been lifting the same weights for a few months, and now i am noticing a few stretch marks are appearing on my biceps, can anyone help?

[Alfie]

I'd guess you actualy have quite alot of muscles under that fat so I'd focus primarily on losing it.
A good way to lose fat is to walk an hour a day. My brother did that and it worked very well. You could combine it with swimming also beause that both makes you lose fat and gives you a good workout.
Remember, swim many lenghts slow, not fast

[tccp]

Originally Posted by monster

I got a question for you guys, how do you stop stretch marks from appearing, i have been lifting the same weights for a few months, and now i am noticing a few stretch marks are appearing on my biceps, can anyone help?

For stretch marks, I'm not sure about guys but my wife uses coca butter cream. It's helped diminish her stretch marks.

[NarutoRamen]

Thanks Zonda and Monster...What about some excercises? What should I do besides cardio? Like give me some names or something.

[Choleric]

Anybody know the muscle that goes from the shoulder to the neck, and know a good lift to work that out?