Newbie female needing advice on workout routine

[CelticFox]

Hello all

Was hoping to get some advice on my new workout routine (3 weeks now)

My workouts go as follows:

Monday, Wednesday, Friday:

Upper body (with 8lb. dumbbells)

One arm row - 3 x 8-15 reps
Standing shoulder press - 3 x 8-15 reps
Dumbbell shrug - 3 x 8-15 reps
Bench press - 3 x 8-15 reps
Bicep curls - 3 x 8-15 reps
Push-ups - to failure

30 minutes of step aerobics

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday:

Lower body (holding two 8lb. dumbbells)

Squats - 3 x 10-15 reps
Lunges - 3 x 10-15 reps
Stiff-legged deadlift - 3 x 10-15 reps
Single-leg calf raises - 3 x 10-15 reps
Upper and lower ab crunches - 3 sets each to failure

I know it doesn't sound like a lot of weight, but I'm brand spankin' new to weight training and very tiny (5'1", 108lbs) to boot. I'm assuming the weight is adequate as my muscles are completely tired out by the third set of each exercise.

Now, my main concern is whether it's safe to work out body parts that are still sore (delayed muscle soreness) from the previous workout. I know that you're supposed to let your muscles recover and rest for them to get bigger and stronger. Do I risk overtraining them by not waiting for the muscle soreness to go away before training again?

Also, I'm wondering if it's wise to do step aerobics on the days between my leg workouts? Step aerobics can fatigue my lower body a wee bit (though not anywhere near as much as weight training), so am I allowing my lower body to rest sufficiently if I'm doing step aerobics the day afterward?

Any advice would be muchly appreciated!

Thanks,
Missy

[PoorBoyTek]

When first starting out, it is a good idea to give your body a full rest after a good workout and slowly develop. You will find your body will start to recover faster as time develops

in regards for aerobics, I personally would lay off the in-between leg workout and find another cardio routine, but that is just me

[CelticFox]

Thanks for the advice, PoorBoyTek.

I'm thinking that I should consider doing upper body training/aerobics on Monday and Thursdays, lower body training on Tuesdays and Fridays and taking a complete break on Wednesdays and Sundays. This way I'm only training my upper andlower body two days a week instead of three.

Once my body adjusts and the DOMS isn't so intense, I'm hoping I can go back to working out upper and lower body three days a week.

It just doesn't feel right to be working out muscles that are pretty darn sore and trying to recover. The last thing I want to do is halt any strength/muscle gains.

So rest I will do!

[PoorBoyTek]

What about Saturday?