Workout

[Monky]

Finally been hitting the gym again for about a month. Ive been able to go 4-6 times a week to help keep me in the habit. It feels good to finally feel progress. Weight loss still needs to happen but I'm guessing I'll see more of that once my body is done wiht the first wave of turning fat into muscle and can start attacking the excess fat. At least that's my hope. LOL. I do plan to start trying to add 3 cardio sessions in.

If you are hoping to lose with just lifting.. you're in for a wait.. you can't lose weight without burning the calories, and going to the gym does not 'burn' as many as cardio.. you will naturally burn more with the increased muscle, but chances are you won't notice anything for a while.. pants will fit better as things are tightened up.. but it's not really a change in composition for fat.

That's just my thoughts though... I know for me I can focus on one of the two at a time.. either drop weight, or gain size.. I can't seem to do both at the same time. I'm not a competitor so I don't have coaches and what not or someone to make meals for me.. it all goes to what you're putting in though. Regardless of what you do in the gym.. it starts in the kitchen.

Right now.. I'm in a horrible place for training. working 60+ hours a week.. and when I say plus... it's usually around 74 a week. I have zero energy or motivation for the gym, just trying to keep life rolling along and see the fur kids and maintain a house.. I'm not happy. Not happy to the point of just going and getting a job in retail at 40 hours a week and saying fuck having $$$.

[Dave_L]

Monky, I know I need to do cardio and eat better to really see weight loss. Right now, Im happy with not going up in weight. LOL. I'm trying to start eating better and getting some walking in after work now that we have more daylight. That said, its all for nothing if I dont eat better. But baby steps. Being consistent at the gym was a big step. Now I can start adding in more and not feel overwhelmed.

[Dave_L]

Still staying with it and strength and muscle mass is coming back. Still not cardio but I HATE cardio and my knees/ankles dont take it too nicely. It's definitely nice to be staying with it and things that were heavy aren't so heavy again.

[Irving]

It's past time that I get back into shape again. I'm having to use 40' ladders all the time now and I'm not really strong enough to do it alone.

I don't go to gyms and prefer to workout at home with what I have, which is mostly body weight. Can you guys with experience recommend some exercises that will help me to strengthen my lower back?

[Dave_L]

It's past time that I get back into shape again. I'm having to use 40' ladders all the time now and I'm not really strong enough to do it alone.

I don't go to gyms and prefer to workout at home with what I have, which is mostly body weight. Can you guys with experience recommend some exercises that will help me to strengthen my lower back?

I'd probably just do core workouts. That'll strengthen your base/lower back. Most of the lower back stuff is just bending, twisting, etc to stretch it and build strength up. Rows, pulls ups, etc are mostly upper back.

[Irving]

Nothing special like one legged roman dead lifts?

[Dave_L]

Lower back is just tricky. There isnt a ton in regards to the lower back specifically other then back raises/bends. The rest comes from building the core, from what I know.

[hurley842002]

Deadlifts, stiff legged deadlifts, back raises, planks, any of those will help with core and lower back strength.

[Irving]

Thanks guys.

[hurley842002]

Well, vacation starts June 18th, so time to buckle down for the next month. Going on a low carb, clean diet, along with adding L-Carnitine and CLA into the mix, and continuing a 7 day a week gym routine. Change in diet will be the deciding factor on end weight/appearance.