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2005/06/15, 07:26 PM
Okay, so I've been doing the fitness-attempting thing for awhile...
First of all: I'm female. I'm 5'11. I currently weigh about 228 pounds. I'm pretty big and muscular, though I admit I'd like to lose a bit of body fat. I'm 18 years old, and currently on summer break, so I have nothing better to do than exercise and obsess over my eating plan... though I'm quite lost about what to do.
My workout currently consists of 40 minutes per day with the stationary weight machines and then 20-60 minutes of cardio. I do upper body one day and lower body the next and then rest on sundays.
I eat about 2,000 to 2,500 calories. FitDay recommends that I eat over 3,000 but I don't think I can. I just eat when I feel hungry. I try to eat 4-6 times per day. I also try to eat by the 40/40/20 rule though I sometimes end up with slightly more carbs than protein.
Anyway, I feel alright. I'd just rather be as effective as I can.
One more thing... I've noticed that sometimes the amount of weight I do on the machines hurts my joints, like my wrists and elbows and knees. Does that mean I'm doing too much weight, or do I need braces, or what? My muscles are strong enough to easily do it, it's just the rest of the arm/leg/whatever.
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2005/06/16, 08:52 AM
Hello,
On the pain in the joints, if I were you I would have someone watch your form while you are using the machines (someone with knowledge of proper form).
Or you can read up on proper form here. It is, I would say the most important thing about weightlifting.
I don't use machines, but I would assume you can have improper form with those also.
Good luck,
Leslie
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2005/06/16, 10:10 AM
Looks to me like your on the right track. I'd suggest changing up your wt routine a bit. Maybe add some free weights, squats, lunges, push-up etc. It's also good to vary your cardio as well i.e. run, ellip, bike, swim or just different types of running routines, hills, hiit.
I totally agree with Leslie in that it sounds like you may be using bad form. Get that corrected ASAP. I messed up my shoulder doing chest presses. I used a personal trainer for a while and this made all of the difference in my progress- my form was a mess. Poor form isn't just "form" it could also be lack of strong stabalizing (sp?) muscles. Compound exercises are great at building up a good foundation.
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Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.
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