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skinny, but want to loose a few pounds

wacky47 Posts: 2 Joined: 2006/08/15	2006/08/21, 12:53 PM Here is the deal, I am almost 5'4 and weigh roughly 123. However, I Know there is excess fat that I have built up since my crew and soccer days and need some motivation/help on how to do so. My ideal weight would be 118 because when I was in high school that is what I weighed and was happy with my size. I was in great shape, very fit and it was easier to workout at a practice than it is now on my own. I need to work on my lower abbs and inside thighs and of course what all women hate, the flabby arms that i received after my softball days as well?! so the question is i set up my fitness plan as intermediate but what weight do i begin at for sets?
edivecchio Posts: 81 Joined: 2006/05/20	2006/08/21, 01:20 PM Sounds to me like you are trying to tone up and trim down a little. Pick a weight that you can do high reps with. High reps is like 15-20 per set. Lifting lighter and more reps is for more definition. You will just have to work at which weight works best for you. If for instance your plan says 4 sets. And the reps are 20 for the 1st, 20 for the 2nd, etc. make sure you use a weight that your muscle will be burning with on that last rep. You obviously won't to go lighter when doing higher reps for toning, but not to light. Hope this helps. Welcome! :big_smile:
ATIGER Posts: 992 Joined: 2003/02/26	2006/08/21, 01:47 PM I would have to go the other way and say lower reps with higher weight. Around the 8-12 rep range at a weight that make sthe last rep really hard. i believe the high rep for definition to be a myth (not saying that you are wrong edi, just giving my opinion)
flyonthewall Posts: 1,823 Joined: 2005/01/18	2006/08/21, 01:52 PM I have to agree with atiger. I think you'll see results a lot quicker with higher wts in the 8-12 range. Make sure you're including compound moves like squats, lunges, pull ups, pull downs, rows, presses etc. -------------- Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.
7707mutt Posts: 7,686 Joined: 2002/06/18	2006/08/21, 02:07 PM No offense to edivecchio but the high rep low weight scheme is good for a cardio style workout but to lose fat and gain muscle, heavier weights and a rep range in the 6-10 rep range works best. 10-20 reps per set really do nothing but work the heart a bit. ANd that is what cardio is for, so why waste the lifting time? Heavier weight training has actually been show to cause a more effective weight loss than the higher rep range low weight myth. That was bulit for the weak-not-wanting-to-work-hard groups that came out in the last few decades. YOu have to work the body hard for it to build muscle. -------------- Less Talk, More Chalk! The Men and Boys are Separated by one thing: The Squat Cage! 7707mutt@freetrainers.com
edivecchio Posts: 81 Joined: 2006/05/20	2006/08/22, 08:34 PM Fair enough. You learn something new every day. That's why I like this site. Thanks mutt. :)
msmogreen Posts: 717 Joined: 2006/04/22	2006/08/22, 10:37 PM Yet if you sign up for a free program here with weight loss and definition as your goals, the program gives you 10 to 20 reps. So, it is a bit confusing. I'm trying to trust in and strictly follow the programs here, but they seem to contradict what everyone is saying. Does everyone then just ignore the suggested reps and add more weight? I'm getting really confused.