Muscles?

shel90

shel90

Love Makes the World Go Round
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Hi everyone!

As many of you probably already know, I have been struggling with my weight in the past 3 or so years and I have posted pics in other threads showing me as someone being overweight.

I am sure some of you also have seen pics of me when I was very toned and fit before I started working 2 full time jobs for 2 years. Working 80 hours a week really killed my motivation to exercise. Then I got pregnant and was plagued with heart problems making my recovery from my son's birth a very very difficult one.

In the past 6 months, I have been feeling more healthy and all of my heart problems seems to have faded. So, I started working out starting in Jan...lost 20 lbs but I am still very flabby.

Well, 4 weeks ago, I started weightlifting 3 times a week and I just noticed this week that my muscles feel so different and my arms are showing a definition (muscle lines). Is it possible for be to develop some tone so quick?

I was told that it took an average of 7 months to see the difference as far as toning goes but I am seeing it in my arms. Just wondered if anyone experienced the same thing and if so...any advice on what can I do to get my stomach toned as well. I have been doing sit ups and nothing is working.

I am considering ordering an exercise (medicine) ball with resistant bands. My question is for anyone with experience with working with exercise balls....did u see improvement with tone and strengthening and any advice on different exercises I can do on the exercise ball>?

I bought the recent issue of "Shape" magazine and there was a feature displaying some strength training exercises using the ball but just for the stomach. I wonder if there are involving the arms and legs.

Appreciate any feedback and pls let me know if it is worth ordering. I wont order until i get feedback cuz the best quality is around $50 and I want to make sure I am spending my money wisely.

*I mentioned in another thread that I am building a home gym in my basement due to not being able to afford gym fees* I got a treadmill and an exercise bike to help burn the fat off..I need something to tone my body up.

I miss my size 9 body and my goal is to lose 50 lbs by next year. Yep, i have lots to lose!!! Before, it was 70 lbs!!! Yikes!!! Grew up always being fit and athletic until now! :eek3:
 
If you notice the changes in your arms within a short time, then you are obviously doing something right. And, I am sure the changes will help motivate you to keep going. :)

I can't say that I had the same experience. I was underweight when I started training, but people noticed that I was bulking up. However, I didn't notice any changes for a year or so until I lost my gains due to food poisoning.

I don't know how well medicine balls work, because I don't use them. But, I know you can use the medicine ball to straighten your stomach, legs and back, etc. Those inflatable exercise balls can also be used, too.

I see most personal trainers with female clients using using dumbbells and rowing machines, as well as bikes and treadmill.

Maybe ask around on a fitness/bodybuilding website forum?
 
you can use the swiss ball (another name for the same thing), to help toning your arms, there are probably several ways (a PT would know, ask them) but like i do know you can lie flat on your back on the ground, hold the ball above you, grip the ball on the sides, pull over your head, and hold it there for 1-2 seconds then pull back over your headm keeping arms striaght /or bend depending on what you intend to do, pull the ball over your stomuch , stop for 1-2 second abnd repeat...... looks easy but its real tiring.... that would be more on the shoulders toning
for the arms, you can get some small dumbbells (you probably got some?) lie your shoulders onm balls with your legs bend feets flat ont eh grond , get some grip into that position (lying on the shoulder onto the ball, bums out legs bent feet on ground) hold the dumbbells in yuur hands, and do a excercise similar to a bench press, but using the ball)...
again if you do have those light dumbbells, do alternative dumbbell curls...

erm lemme think if you dont have dumbells...

you could place your feet/lower leg on top the ball and do push-ups.....
or even lie flat on your tummy atop the ball, roll your selfback/forth along you legs using your legs in similar position as a push up but instead pushing the ground in up/down, do it so you make yourself roll on the ball with your legs on top the ball......
sorry its hard to explain if im not writing this right

im sure there are quite a few things..... why not sneak in a book shop take a gander in the swiss ball book... (if they have any) and look in arms excercises section, even the library might have some copies - never know

good luck
 
Ah, you want some abs exercises to tone your stomach. First, congratulations on losing the 20lbs and lifting weights. I like the stability ball exercises, and I've done some good ones at FREE Exercise Programs - Workout Routines & Weight Loss Diet Plans. You can set up your profile there for free, and choose any option for whatever kind of exercise you want to target some parts of your body. They offer animated pictures for every exercise there, but you gotta subscribe to get that extra feature.. though its not terribly expensive at about 20 bucks a year.

I've read that you lose one size with every 12lbs you lose. Just throwing that in. ;)
Good luck, shel!
 
you don't need a medicine ball if you wanna save money. Some suggestions... walk/jog uphill for a while and that should really help burn up your stomach. KEy to nice stomachs is diet. Also try leg raises. Just lie flat on the floor, or bed, or whatever is comfortable, and point your legs straight out and raise it without bending the knees. Try doing sit ups LAST since your stomach is already tired out and your just need a little more boost. It's not about how many reps you can do but the quality (which means no cheating too lol)
 
Bosedes906 said:
you don't need a medicine ball if you wanna save money. Some suggestions... walk/jog uphill for a while and that should really help burn up your stomach. KEy to nice stomachs is diet. Also try leg raises. Just lie flat on the floor, or bed, or whatever is comfortable, and point your legs straight out and raise it without bending the knees. Try doing sit ups LAST since your stomach is already tired out and your just need a little more boost. It's not about how many reps you can do but the quality (which means no cheating too lol)
Click to expand...


Right..I have been walking a lot uphill..

I want the medicine ball so I can do strength training for my back, arms and etc since I dont have enough room to put a full weight set.


Thanks!
 
Liza said:
Ah, you want some abs exercises to tone your stomach. First, congratulations on losing the 20lbs and lifting weights. I like the stability ball exercises, and I've done some good ones at FREE Exercise Programs - Workout Routines & Weight Loss Diet Plans. You can set up your profile there for free, and choose any option for whatever kind of exercise you want to target some parts of your body. They offer animated pictures for every exercise there, but you gotta subscribe to get that extra feature.. though its not terribly expensive at about 20 bucks a year.

I've read that you lose one size with every 12lbs you lose. Just throwing that in. ;)
Good luck, shel!
Click to expand...


Wow! Really? 12 lbs for every size. I would love to get back to size 10. I am a size 16 now...was 20 before.

Thanks for the info!!!


Really, I appreciate all the helpful suggestions. I used to work with a personal trainer and used to have memberships at fancy gyms where everything was readily available at my disposal. Now, I cant afford these luxuries anymore so I am trying to find alternative and cheaper ways to do the same exercises I did at the gym or with my personal trainer. :)
 
Technically any ab exercises you do will help your back too but yeah medicine ball is all up to you since you can do alot more other than ab workouts with med balls. I would also just watch out for ads that only asks for your money cuz you can find that all over the internet. Stomach workouts takes time and patience and good dieting at no cost :)
 
try aerobics, do "bodypump" classes if you can find it, real good
 
I use the 5 lb muscle ball - it is a MUST. There are different ways to use it - and it is not just for abs but also for legs, back, and arms. It is WORTH it. I use the exercise ball as well with the dumb bells (5 lbs each). And the resistant bands (K-mart has the best price for them) are a must. Make sure you get the beginner's exercise ball..and the low to medium resistant bands to start. Seriously - call me on VP and I'll show you what to do with them. With only these three things...you can do what an entire gym will do for you body. AND the coolest thing is - these three things are more effective than any equipment out there. I wish I could explain on here but it is too hard without pictures and a video (and sorry - but I'm not gonna post a video LOL!).

Have you tried Yoga yet? Yoga is excellent for breathing. I'm a firm believer that water and plenty of good air will help your body tone.
 
Obviously - the best way to work out is to do some sports or have a "reason" to do it - so much better than hitting gym. I love this Nike's commercial - "NEED MOTIVATION?"

[yt]nuxYu3TweGg[/yt]

We all know gym is:
1. expensive
2. hard to stay motivated
3. result is hard to obtained
4. we don't know well enough to do certain routines
5. trainer/professional is expensive to hire

Sports are the best and easiest to stay healthy but the hard part is.... we're older and we're not in schools anymore which means it's hard to find a team or some place to get involved in. I love love playing roller hockey but there are a couple of hockey places around here and it's so expensive to join - about $8000+ per team.
 
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