[ntsly]

Hey! Well, I've been subscribed for a little while now, but I haven't been able to think of anything really good to say. Recently, though, I joined a gym. It is really the first time I've had the opportunity, and I love it! I've always been "Strong for my size" and the army made me "Stronger for my size" and my work was extremely physical. So I've always had a decent bit of excercise in life, but because of the hours worked, and my commute distances, I never had time outside of work…So now I do, unfortunately, I also lost the physical portion of my work. And thought that if I wanted to keep up the shape I was in, I was gonna HAVE to join some sort of gym. A humbling experience 🙂

The problem was and is, I hate being weaker, than anyone. And the gym….There's always someone stronger 🙂

And I found I could barely do a pull up….Which was sad, because in the army I could do ten.

So, off to 24 hour fitness! The first workout I tried was a circuit training course…11 machines followed by some running or other cardio.

This was the humbling portion stage 1. BY the time I abandoned the machines and got the nerve up to tackle the free weights, my workout looked like this:
Leg press: 260 pounds 3 sets of 12

Seated Leg extension: 80 pounds 3 sets of 12

Seated Leg curl: 100 pounds 3 sets of 12

Seated bench press: 105 pounds 3 sets of 10

Seated shoulder press: 50 pounds 3 sets of 12

Tricep curl machine: 60 at 3 sets of 15

Preacher curl machine: 60 at 3 sets of 12

And a seated row machine at 90 pounds 3×15

After doing that for a week I got the nerve up to pick up a dumbell, and try hammer curls…

That wasn't so bad…Then I was reading about how to use actual weight weights and decided that my next time at the gym I would not use any of the circuit training machines 🙂

I made up a begining weight program for myself that consisted of Squats, Hack Squats, Calf raises, Bench press, Dumbell shoulder press, Pull downs, Hammer curls, and seated curls….

For the first time since I had joined the gym, I had DOMS…At first I was elated, but that wore off quick as I walked around for a couple days barely able to bend my legs  😛 I couldn't believe how sore my legs had been after what seemed like, significantly less weight than I had been using on the machines. So that was the humbling lesson part 2. Free weights are harder to use than the machines. The machines trick you into thinking you are pretty strong, the free weights make you sore and teach you you have a ways to go, hehehehe…..

I am doing better now though.

I can do my sets of squats without being super sore, just a pleasant, "getting stronger" sort of sore, and I have brought my arm and chest excercises gently to that level, too. And brought yoga back into the mix afterwards as a pleasant cool down.

The current (rather sad) workout specs:

SQUATS (deserves the capital letters): 135 pounds 3×10  <—-start and end with this one, so twice
Hack squats: 100 pounds 3×8
Calf raises: 90 pounds 3×15
Bench press: 115 pounds 3×8
Cable pull downs: 90 pounds 3×10
dumbell Hammer curl: 25 pounds 3×6 (alternating)
Seated curl: 20 pounds 3×10
Seated dumbell shoulder press: 25 in each hand:3×10
seated Bench push ups: Body weight: 2×10

Finish my squats, run for 4 or 5 minutes, then stretch….

Is this okay? I was trying to go for a full body workout to develop strength…
I also REALLY need to work on my diet, I don't eat enough or consistently. I try to eat balanced foods, but trying to learn my new job has been stressing and several times I have missed meals for whole days. Also is caffeine really that bad? I have a cup of coffee maybe 3 to 4 times a week, is this gonna hurt me?

I'll try to keep you updated on any progress, thanks for listening 🙂

[hatour]

keep it up and you will begin to see improvement.  😀  you might want to seek out some professional help (ie weight trainer) if you want to make a serious go at it.

[The_Pimp_NeonBlack]

As was said by dear Hatour: 'tis best to seek the profession advice or a Personal Trainer (especially one whom can dedicate their time to you when you need), a doctor and a dietition.

You need to increase the ammount of times in which you eat to help regulate your metatoblism.
Missing meals is a cardinal sin.
You need to eat four or five small meals a day and eat the right foods.
No junk, instant or takeaway food.
With your work and stress: best to find meals that are easily prepared but still health. Or meals you can make before going to work that can be eaten throughout the day.

You may also wish to change your thrice weekly coffee for Tea. Chai or Green for prefernce.
Caffine and training to not mix because of the energy spikes and the lethergy with does follow.

That being said: The Pimp doth wish you all the best in your endeavours and if you need help or have questions foor any whom do dwell here, do but ask and it shall be answered.

May Good Fortune shine upon you.

Peace
The Pimp NeonBlack

[ntsly]

Thank you! I have been trying to figure out something along the way of food I can make and munch on through the day, that's still healthy. And I will try the tea, I'm pretty good with Chai.

As for trainers….Expensive.

I was especially worried about trying the free weights because of all the horror stories growing up in PE class about how you HAD to have a spotter. I was scared to touch them without a spotter….But there are no spotters in the gym unless you pay for them….Or so I thought, there was a nice guy who noticed me struggling on the last repetition of my first try at the bench press. He stopped and helped and was quite gracious about it 🙂

So I'm saving for a session of training….From the way they were talking to me when I was first questioning them though, I kind of got the impression they didn't really support the idea of a girl lifting heavy weights…Or of developing any more of a build than "standard hot chick"….Suppose you have to find a good fit 🙂

My doctor just says to eat better, and that I'm very strong, and very healthy….She of course gave some tips for how to eat better, too.

Anyhoo, thanks again 🙂 And I'll keep ya posted with any more questions I have or discoveries 🙂

[Lingster]

A lot of free weight exercises can be performed inside a "cage" or "rack" which have "spotter bars"
or "safety pins" in place.  So if you don't have a spotter for the more dangerous movements, you can perform them inside a cage so that you can't drop the weight on yourself, or get pinned beneath it.  This is really important with the bench press and variou squats.

[ntsly]

Just an update….I felt kind of weak today, I did the workout anyway, but couldn't finish a couple of my sets, muscle failure before the end…. And I was thinking how shaky my legs were while on the last set of squats and next thing I knew I was out of form and over balanced and about to fall…..Just caught it in time, lucky 🙂

Also, there was a bunch of guys at the gym tonight, young, looked like they might be getting ready for something involving some sport at one of the schools…They weren't terribly friendly. I tried to be bright and cheery if one of them was looking at me, but mostly I just caught them giving me dirty looks. Especially these two bigger guys when they saw me go towards the dumbells, talking to each other while looking at me and shaking their heads….Not the usual vibe I get from the place…Kind of unwelcoming. They had their own cheerleader, too….This little petite girl with big boobs and a pixie body and glam makeup….She had on a cute little workout suit, but never actually touched any kind of machine or weight, she just encouraged the boys….I think I was expected to be more like her and not be trying to lift heavy things….That's what it felt like 🙂

I am trying to ignore people like that, but the place was filled with them tonight, so it got me a little unmotivated and down. But I'll still go, and keep trying 🙂

[The_Pimp_NeonBlack]

Yes. 'Tis always best to ignore creatures such as they.
They have been encountered many times in many places and, being of the male aspect of the speices, they hast often sort to bully I or offer open conflict. The are easily bested. First with the Soul, then Mind and finally with flesh.
As for their little training pet cheerleader. You would also do well to avoid those as well.
They are psychic vampires towards other females -especial those they feel as a threat towards them or their image. They often try to belittle and redicular you for lifting weights and not being such as they.
Ignore them and all shall be well. Rise above what they do and they shall be bested. Hodl true to yourself and your ideals.
For, in Truth, you have nothing else.

And trainers are quite expensive, though 'tis best to find a gym with an 'in-house' trainer to begin with. Since their presence is usually part of the gym membership fees.
Though what is truly best is to befriend a fellow trainer more advanced than yourself so they can spot and support you. Or, better still, have a friend with similair goals to yourself. Gender is not issue as long as they are supportive.

Your greatest adversary in your endeavours shall be stigma.
There you can have no true aid from others in this battle. For it must be waged in your own heart and mind. Once you find yourself victor, than there is nothing you cannot achieve.

Apologise for having to endure my's spirally raves.

May you be successful in all coming endeavours.

Peace
The Pimp NeonBlack

[NecrochildK]

Also, there was a bunch of guys at the gym tonight, young, looked like they might be getting ready for something involving some sport at one of the schools…They weren't terribly friendly. I tried to be bright and cheery if one of them was looking at me, but mostly I just caught them giving me dirty looks. Especially these two bigger guys when they saw me go towards the dumbells, talking to each other while looking at me and shaking their heads….Not the usual vibe I get from the place…Kind of unwelcoming. They had their own cheerleader, too….This little petite girl with big boobs and a pixie body and glam makeup….She had on a cute little workout suit, but never actually touched any kind of machine or weight, she just encouraged the boys….I think I was expected to be more like her and not be trying to lift heavy things….That's what it felt like 🙂

Makes me glad the gym I go to has such a friendly atmosphere. There's always so many people that they stay open 23 hours on weekdays. You never see that kind of attitude there. Though it could be being in Louisiana too. You find a lot more friendly people in general here than you normally do in other places.

[The_Pimp_NeonBlack]

Though it could be being in Louisiana too. You find a lot more friendly people in general here than you normally do in other places.

Ah, Louisiana is a most wonderful place.
The most favoured of places within the so-called United States.
Maybe it is favoured because when an exceedingly tall gentleman wearing a thick coat, large brimmed hat and leaning on a cane walks down the daylight streets, he seldom gets a second glance.
Unlike most other places in the World.
Oh, well.
Human Nature cannot be helped I's suppose.

Peace
The Pimp NeonBlack

[NecrochildK]

Ah, Louisiana is a most wonderful place.
The most favoured of places within the so-called United States.
Maybe it is favoured because when an exceedingly tall gentleman wearing a thick coat, large brimmed hat and leaning on a cane walks down the daylight streets, he seldom gets a second glance.
Unlike most other places in the World.
Oh, well.
Human Nature cannot be helped I's suppose.

Peace
The Pimp NeonBlack

Curiosity isn't such a bad thing all the time. After all, it is how we learn. If I were to see such on the street, likely I would do a double take and wonder, curious about such an unusual person, what they're like, where they're from, etc. I do have a couple of friends here that are really tall, one of them is your average video gamer and anime fan. The other, has led such a rich life and is very knowledgeable, one of the more interesting people I know, though elusive, he often goes into a hermetic lifestyle where for long periods of time no one knows where he is, though some may spot him at a place of work. Anyways, I ramble on and this isn't my thread 😉 Sorry.

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