I am worried about my routine

xyz101 · 12-Jan-05, 01:50 PM

Some people are addicted to working out...It is a burden for me...I really don't enjoy it but I still do it...I train 3 times a week my chest, arms and shoulders for 30 minutes..Another thing is I try not to struggle too much on my last rep (lighter weights) because it drains all the motivation from me just like a 45 min workout..I figured if I,m gonna stick to it, might as well do something that's isn't a pain in the a$$...

My question is, is 3 times a week 30 min still enough to see results and if my last rep is never a tough one (more or less) does it mean that I'm wasting my time..Do you have to suffer with heavy weights to get cut, I really don't like having trouble lifting the last one so I just do 12 reps instead of 8 with a heavier weight! ex.: biceps curl: 12 reps at 20 pounds or 8 reps at 30 pounds, struggling for the last one...which is better and even if the second choice is the obvious one, is 12 reps at 20 pounds still a good alternative for getting cut even if it goes like a breeze (more or less)

sooner_ed · 12-Jan-05, 02:05 PM

I'm not trying to discourage you, but I would like to ask a question. If lifting weights is a burden for you, why are you doing it?
As far as not struggling too much on your last rep, it really just depends on what you're trying to accomplish with your workouts. If you're looking for strength, you will never get it without the effort.
You ask the question, is three times a week 30 minutes, still enough to see results. It depends on what kind of results you're wanting to see. You say you're wanting to get cut. Getting cut is about 90% diet. As far as the lifting goes to get cut, I will let someone who has more experience answer that one.
You will experience great success in fitness by finding something you enjoy doing, not something that is a burden. But anyway, I salute you for lifting anyway. It shows you have great resolve in wanting to look and feel better and that is what counts!
I'm pretty sure I have been a little too vague in answering your questions though. Sorry.

CF-OC_gal · 12-Jan-05, 02:49 PM

Perhaps try a different approach to working out. Like dieting, you are most likely to find success in engaging something you like to do. Do you prefer to hike or walk or bike or play squash or kayak or mountain climb or ski etc. You get the idea.

Choose an activity you like and maybe use the weight training to enhance your performance/enjoyment of it.

I actually hate doing cardio but I am managing to make gains by learning about how to make gains part of the game. I hate the feeling I get when cycling or running hard, but I do like to see my fitness numbers improve.

See if you can find a plan that has some short term achieveable goal to start with. Yes you can make some kind of a gain in 3 x 30-40 minute weight training workouts. You just have to establish what you are going to track.

wndrdr1111 · 12-Jan-05, 04:15 PM

You have to find activity that you enjoy. Doing weights just for the sake of doing them won't get you anywhere.

What is it about lifting that you don't like?

If you do feel like you'd still like to continue doing weights find a training partner. That will give you a bit of extra motivation and make your workouts hard.

I, personally, have to say that I don't enjoy pain while doing a heave set for squats or deadlifts or some other excercise but the feeling of satisfaction when I have done a rep more than last week is definitely worth the little bit of pain. A nice physique is also a bonus

So ask yourself a question why it is that you do weights and try to figure out whether that's what you want and if it will make you happy. If not then find another activity which you will enjoy. If you do stick to lifting mix it up a little - get a training partner, try new excercises, do some cardio, train other body parts etc.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,
Tom

xyz101 · 12-Jan-05, 08:43 PM

Well I'm working out because, to me, having a nice and healthy body is more important than wealth...it should be every man's priority in life..I don't want to be envious of other people's achievements all my life and it certainly helps with the girls and the general karma! what I like about bodybuilding isn't the actual exercise but the immense feeling of satisfaction you get after each workout..

Back to the topic...I have seen on T.V that it takes around 20-30 minutes of exercising in order for the body to start burning fat, does that mean that my 30 minutes workouts are useless if I want to lose some fat (Is it the same thing for walking??)
Basically the thing that's worrying me the most is the fact that I don't hit my last rep with difficulty, I have read somewhere on this site that it is a waste of time if that doesn't happen..So, do you really have to struggle with the last rep in order to see improvements, or simply being consistent a light and simple workout could be rewarding in the long run?? (I'm trying to look like a personnal trainer, not a bodybuilder..)

**Lady C** · 13-Jan-05, 06:21 AM

Every bit of exercise is good for your health so , no , it is not a waste of your time there. You will not see any muscle gains if you do not tax the muscles.

To lose weight you need to expend more calories than you consume. That can be done in walking, weight lifting, running, biking, rowing, snow boarding, or simply eating less calories. To get to look like a personal trainer (whatever that look is) or a bodybuilder you have to set some goals and work towards them. None of them happen half-assed.

xyz101 · 13-Jan-05, 09:46 PM

Excuse me what do you mean by "taxing" the muscles?

**Firehawk** · 13-Jan-05, 09:57 PM

It sounds to me like you don't have any goals as far as weightlifting goes. You have to make it a passion. You need to try to always increase the weight or get another rep somewhere in every workout. You have to get that mindset like you want to do better. Always go into each weightlifting session with the intension of wanting to build muscle and strength. It's important to think that way because THEN you will learn to really like it.

It was WORK for me at first too, now I LOVE IT. I am reading SOMETHING about fitness every single day now. Make it your life.

LOL I sound like one of those NBC's THE MORE YOU KNOW commercials or whatever the hell it was lol.

**Lady C** · 13-Jan-05, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xyz101

Excuse me what do you mean by "taxing" the muscles?

Definition: An excessive demand; strain.

In other words, the last rep MUST be hard to tax the muscle.

gcs118 · 13-Jan-05, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady C

Definition: An excessive demand; strain.

In other words, the last rep MUST be hard to tax the muscle.

Yep sounds like a good definition...government makes us pay TAXES. (excessive demand).

sLIDE · 14-Jan-05, 04:37 PM

I used to hate working out. I used to force myself to do it because I only wanted to do it to look good. I used to dread coming home and working out and just wanted to get it out of the way as quickly as possible.

Oh how things change! I think the main thing that changed me was not the desire to look good, but the desire to make the most of my health whilst I have it. Some people may need to look good to feel good, and I do to a certain extent - but the thing that keeps me going is that being fit and healthy is so much more than looking good.

The main way I feel the benefits of working out is in my mind. When I walk out of the gym doors every night, fresh out of the shower I feel my most alive and it is for this feeling that the gym keeps me coming back and back. Cardio is wonderful for getting the brain releasing all those happy chemicals!

Don't let it run you down - run AT it!!!