Starting weight training

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do cardio and eat much less. Weight training seems like another self-defeating diet strategy. It's like, "I want to lose weight, but I was it to be easy and to eat as much as I eat now."

F off with your negativity. You're either a troll or an unpleasant person. OP literally said "My goal right now is just to get stronger" so I'm not sure why you're saying that weight training is a "self-defeating diet strategy."

Strength training is particularly important for overall well-being, especially for women over 40 since we lose so much muscle as we age. It's a good thing to do regardless of weight.

Bla, bla, bla, I am way over 50 and full of muscles form cardio! Strength training is crap that some youtubers are trying to sell you, and you bought it, because you are that kind of person that insults rather than debates. It is 100 % self-defeating diet strategy; she will gain weight.

NP here. My sports dietician and trainer told me the same thing about cardio - counter productive to gaining muscle and building bone for those of us over 50. You sound righteous and uninformed, an unfortunate combination.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do cardio and eat much less. Weight training seems like another self-defeating diet strategy. It's like, "I want to lose weight, but I was it to be easy and to eat as much as I eat now."

F off with your negativity. You're either a troll or an unpleasant person. OP literally said "My goal right now is just to get stronger" so I'm not sure why you're saying that weight training is a "self-defeating diet strategy."

Strength training is particularly important for overall well-being, especially for women over 40 since we lose so much muscle as we age. It's a good thing to do regardless of weight.

Bla, bla, bla, I am way over 50 and full of muscles form cardio! Strength training is crap that some youtubers are trying to sell you, and you bought it, because you are that kind of person that insults rather than debates. It is 100 % self-defeating diet strategy; she will gain weight.

OP here. I never asked about a diet strategy. In fact I don’t recall saying I’m even trying to lose weight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A difference in how I feel. Right now I frequently feel stiff or sore after bending over or sitting with kids. Or have trouble getting up from the floor. Wondering when I’ll feel a difference there. I know weight will be a separate battle.

I'm sixty-two and started regular strength training with an experienced trainer about 6 mos. ago (2x weekly with trainer in gym, 1x weekly at home with dumbbell set), after doing little to no exercise most of my life. Prior to that, I had experienced stiffness after sitting too long for at least two decades and had terrible posture (desk jobs and too much screen time can do that to anyone). I was told by a doctor while still in my 30s that I had osteoarthritis. Yoga helped a bit with my chronic stiffness, but sticking to a regular strength training program has helped me even more. Six months in, I'm bounding up stairs, have much more energy, have noticed improved posture, and have also experienced a boost in mood. I don't experience the same stiffness getting out of bed or after sitting too long. I can get up off the ground in seconds. In addition to strength training, I try to get up from my chair every hour and move around as much as I can throughout the day--an Apple Watch or a reminder app can help with that. It took a month of strength training 2x a week to start feeling a positive difference. Please note that you will experience soreness for a while as you begin to use little-used muscles, but that does dissipate with time. By month 3-4, when I started to add a 3rd training session at week at home, I really started to feel a difference. It has been transformative in so many ways and I don't say this lightly.

In terms of looking better, that can only come with weight loss since the fat covers up muscle definition. I'm losing weight concurrently and can definitely see improved muscle definition in my arms and legs, but I need to lose the remaining fat to see the full effect. A thin person would likely see a physical difference much more quickly.

Let me know if you have any more questions or need more encouragement. You are on the right track and just need to establish a regular strength training schedule. I know that's easier said than done when you have kids, but you will feel so much better when you do. And what a great example to set for your kids, no matter their age!

This is so helpful and I appreciate the support! I found a gym with a trainer I like so I’m going to do that for the next six weeks, then I’ll have to switch to one with a different schedule. Six months to see such a noticeable difference would be amazing! Someone else said you pick up something and suddenly it’s easier…I’m hoping by summer that will be my toddler!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do cardio and eat much less. Weight training seems like another self-defeating diet strategy. It's like, "I want to lose weight, but I was it to be easy and to eat as much as I eat now."

F off with your negativity. You're either a troll or an unpleasant person. OP literally said "My goal right now is just to get stronger" so I'm not sure why you're saying that weight training is a "self-defeating diet strategy."

Strength training is particularly important for overall well-being, especially for women over 40 since we lose so much muscle as we age. It's a good thing to do regardless of weight.

Bla, bla, bla, I am way over 50 and full of muscles form cardio! Strength training is crap that some youtubers are trying to sell you, and you bought it, because you are that kind of person that insults rather than debates. It is 100 % self-defeating diet strategy; she will gain weight.

NP here. My sports dietician and trainer told me the same thing about cardio - counter productive to gaining muscle and building bone for those of us over 50. You sound righteous and uninformed, an unfortunate combination.

What is a sport's dietitian? A quack you met at the gym.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m 40, been overweight my whole life. My goal right now is just to get stronger so I’m doing personal training plus a group class three times a week.

When will I first notice a difference? I know it’s a very long term goal but trying to set my expectations correctly and I just have no idea how soon I would see any noticeable change especially at my age.

Dear op is you are into this just to get stronger, what difference are you trying to see? That you can lift 30 lbs instead of 10?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do cardio and eat much less. Weight training seems like another self-defeating diet strategy. It's like, "I want to lose weight, but I was it to be easy and to eat as much as I eat now."

F off with your negativity. You're either a troll or an unpleasant person. OP literally said "My goal right now is just to get stronger" so I'm not sure why you're saying that weight training is a "self-defeating diet strategy."

Strength training is particularly important for overall well-being, especially for women over 40 since we lose so much muscle as we age. It's a good thing to do regardless of weight.

Bla, bla, bla, I am way over 50 and full of muscles form cardio! Strength training is crap that some youtubers are trying to sell you, and you bought it, because you are that kind of person that insults rather than debates. It is 100 % self-defeating diet strategy; she will gain weight.

Ok whatever. Sure you are over 50 and full of muscles from cardio. People can literally sit in the basement and type whatever they want.

OP, I hope you are able to be discerning as you gather advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m 40, been overweight my whole life. My goal right now is just to get stronger so I’m doing personal training plus a group class three times a week.

When will I first notice a difference? I know it’s a very long term goal but trying to set my expectations correctly and I just have no idea how soon I would see any noticeable change especially at my age.

I started weight training five months ago at age 54. At four weeks of lifting 3x a week, I felt a difference. My sleep was better and I felt stronger. At eight weeks I started to see a difference. My clothes fit better. At twelve weeks my husband commented on how good I looked and he’s cautious with comments that could backfire. (“What’s that supposed to mean?”)

During this time, I also increased my calories from 1200 to 1500 to help with muscle recovery, lost 10 pounds, and decreased my body fat from 25% to 20%. I’m adding more calories now to avoid losing more weight and will continue to weight train. No cardio for me, though I like to take walks with friends once or twice a week for fresh air not exercise. My job is sedentary.

Good luck OP! I feel better than I’ve ever felt. I wish I’d discovered weight training 20 years ago. (I was like that pro-cardio anti-lifting PP but hopefully not as nasty.) Congratulations on taking this first step.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do cardio and eat much less. Weight training seems like another self-defeating diet strategy. It's like, "I want to lose weight, but I was it to be easy and to eat as much as I eat now."

F off with your negativity. You're either a troll or an unpleasant person. OP literally said "My goal right now is just to get stronger" so I'm not sure why you're saying that weight training is a "self-defeating diet strategy."

Strength training is particularly important for overall well-being, especially for women over 40 since we lose so much muscle as we age. It's a good thing to do regardless of weight.

Bla, bla, bla, I am way over 50 and full of muscles form cardio! Strength training is crap that some youtubers are trying to sell you, and you bought it, because you are that kind of person that insults rather than debates. It is 100 % self-defeating diet strategy; she will gain weight.

NP here. My sports dietician and trainer told me the same thing about cardio - counter productive to gaining muscle and building bone for those of us over 50. You sound righteous and uninformed, an unfortunate combination.

What is a sport's dietitian? A quack you met at the gym.

No. Either a weak trolling attempt or you're an idiot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A difference in how I feel. Right now I frequently feel stiff or sore after bending over or sitting with kids. Or have trouble getting up from the floor. Wondering when I’ll feel a difference there. I know weight will be a separate battle.

I'm sixty-two and started regular strength training with an experienced trainer about 6 mos. ago (2x weekly with trainer in gym, 1x weekly at home with dumbbell set), after doing little to no exercise most of my life. Prior to that, I had experienced stiffness after sitting too long for at least two decades and had terrible posture (desk jobs and too much screen time can do that to anyone). I was told by a doctor while still in my 30s that I had osteoarthritis. Yoga helped a bit with my chronic stiffness, but sticking to a regular strength training program has helped me even more. Six months in, I'm bounding up stairs, have much more energy, have noticed improved posture, and have also experienced a boost in mood. I don't experience the same stiffness getting out of bed or after sitting too long. I can get up off the ground in seconds. In addition to strength training, I try to get up from my chair every hour and move around as much as I can throughout the day--an Apple Watch or a reminder app can help with that. It took a month of strength training 2x a week to start feeling a positive difference. Please note that you will experience soreness for a while as you begin to use little-used muscles, but that does dissipate with time. By month 3-4, when I started to add a 3rd training session at week at home, I really started to feel a difference. It has been transformative in so many ways and I don't say this lightly.

In terms of looking better, that can only come with weight loss since the fat covers up muscle definition. I'm losing weight concurrently and can definitely see improved muscle definition in my arms and legs, but I need to lose the remaining fat to see the full effect. A thin person would likely see a physical difference much more quickly.

Let me know if you have any more questions or need more encouragement. You are on the right track and just need to establish a regular strength training schedule. I know that's easier said than done when you have kids, but you will feel so much better when you do. And what a great example to set for your kids, no matter their age!

This is so helpful and I appreciate the support! I found a gym with a trainer I like so I’m going to do that for the next six weeks, then I’ll have to switch to one with a different schedule. Six months to see such a noticeable difference would be amazing! Someone else said you pick up something and suddenly it’s easier…I’m hoping by summer that will be my toddler!

PP here. Finding a trainer I liked was the key factor in making me stick to a regular strength training plan. I'm not sure I would have continued if not for liking her. Yes, in less than 6 mos. you will pick up your toddler or get up off the ground with little effort and you will suddenly notice the difference. Or you will catch yourself standing up from a sitting position and notice that you don't feel stiff for once. Regular strength training is a great goal in itself, regardless of whether or not you need to lose weight. Keep going, OP! Check back and let us know how you're doing in a few weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m 40, been overweight my whole life. My goal right now is just to get stronger so I’m doing personal training plus a group class three times a week.

When will I first notice a difference? I know it’s a very long term goal but trying to set my expectations correctly and I just have no idea how soon I would see any noticeable change especially at my age.

Dear op is you are into this just to get stronger, what difference are you trying to see? That you can lift 30 lbs instead of 10?

Op here. I want to to be easier to get up off the floor from playing with my kids. Less stiffness after sitting on the floor with them. Better flexibility. Things like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do cardio and eat much less. Weight training seems like another self-defeating diet strategy. It's like, "I want to lose weight, but I was it to be easy and to eat as much as I eat now."

F off with your negativity. You're either a troll or an unpleasant person. OP literally said "My goal right now is just to get stronger" so I'm not sure why you're saying that weight training is a "self-defeating diet strategy."

Strength training is particularly important for overall well-being, especially for women over 40 since we lose so much muscle as we age. It's a good thing to do regardless of weight.

Bla, bla, bla, I am way over 50 and full of muscles form cardio! Strength training is crap that some youtubers are trying to sell you, and you bought it, because you are that kind of person that insults rather than debates. It is 100 % self-defeating diet strategy; she will gain weight.

Ok whatever. Sure you are over 50 and full of muscles from cardio. People can literally sit in the basement and type whatever they want.

OP, I hope you are able to be discerning as you gather advice.

Ha! I’m very discerning. I’ve been overweight long enough to know the diet and fitness world is full of quacks. Not really here for advice on what to do/not do, just information even if anecdotal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m 40, been overweight my whole life. My goal right now is just to get stronger so I’m doing personal training plus a group class three times a week.

When will I first notice a difference? I know it’s a very long term goal but trying to set my expectations correctly and I just have no idea how soon I would see any noticeable change especially at my age.

I started weight training five months ago at age 54. At four weeks of lifting 3x a week, I felt a difference. My sleep was better and I felt stronger. At eight weeks I started to see a difference. My clothes fit better. At twelve weeks my husband commented on how good I looked and he’s cautious with comments that could backfire. (“What’s that supposed to mean?”)

During this time, I also increased my calories from 1200 to 1500 to help with muscle recovery, lost 10 pounds, and decreased my body fat from 25% to 20%. I’m adding more calories now to avoid losing more weight and will continue to weight train. No cardio for me, though I like to take walks with friends once or twice a week for fresh air not exercise. My job is sedentary.

Good luck OP! I feel better than I’ve ever felt. I wish I’d discovered weight training 20 years ago. (I was like that pro-cardio anti-lifting PP but hopefully not as nasty.) Congratulations on taking this first step.

Thank you! I was always pro-cardio because it was cheaper and easier to do on my own, like running or biking. But I just never stuck to it, I was so weak I couldn’t go very far, and it felt like it took so much time in a single workout to make a difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do cardio and eat much less. Weight training seems like another self-defeating diet strategy. It's like, "I want to lose weight, but I was it to be easy and to eat as much as I eat now."

Ignore this person.

Agree! This is totally wrong advice.

[Anonymous]

How does one find a trainer that they like? Do I want someone to push me or someone I like personally? I had a trainer and I tried to communicate how sick I felt when I could feel my organs straining with too much weight. It was a new sensation and very unpleasant--she kept harping on how anxious I was and insinuated I needed therapy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m 40, been overweight my whole life. My goal right now is just to get stronger so I’m doing personal training plus a group class three times a week.

When will I first notice a difference? I know it’s a very long term goal but trying to set my expectations correctly and I just have no idea how soon I would see any noticeable change especially at my age.

Dear op is you are into this just to get stronger, what difference are you trying to see? That you can lift 30 lbs instead of 10?

Op here. I want to to be easier to get up off the floor from playing with my kids. Less stiffness after sitting on the floor with them. Better flexibility. Things like that.

OP, I lift pretty regularly and still find that I have to stretch/focus on mobility. Have you seen those challenges where you sit cross legged and then get up with no hands? Might be good to try it so you can see your “before.”