Hi there! First post, but I have been reading this site for a while, wondering

[huff]

if I was heading in the right direction with what I am doing with weights so far?

First I have a long ways to go but am so excited about the journey!
I started doing tae bo the latter part of December and love it, joined a gym 2 weeks ago and am so glad I did!! I absolutely LOVE it! My only regret is I didn't do it sooner...but I did and am happy about that! I am 38, will be 39 this year. I weigh 218 today, started at 226.5. (edited to add I am 5'8") My bodyfat % according to the gym is 41% :-( . ughhhh... I have 3 children, ages 5,9 and 16!

My last name is so hard for most...so most of my friends just got to calling me Huff... :-)

I started on the weights last week. The trainer from the gym set us up to do lower/upper/lower and then switch the next week, workout days Monday, Wed, Friday. I have been doing at least 30 mns cardio 5 days a week, most days at least an hour... still doing my taebo on Tuesday nights and Saturday. I have taken some step classes and kick boxing classes at the gym as well and love them!

Thank you so much in advance for any input you might could add? I was just curious as to what someone that "knows" what they are doing thinks about this startup routine.

Now...the diet...woooo..... totally boggles my mind as far as the protein etc... I have been trying to almost just follow the point point system...

The routine I have done is as follows:

Upper body
tricep press down
15/20/25 lbs
12/10/8

chest press
10/15/20 lbs
12/10/8

chest flys
5/10/15 lbs
12/10/8

rows
20/25/30 lbs
12/10/12

military shld press
5/10/15 lbs
12/10/8

lat pull down
30/35/40 lbs
12/10/10

bicep curl
10/15/20 lbs
12/10/8

20 incline situps

LOwer body
Super Leg Press
120/130/140/210 lbs
12/10/10/2 reps

Adductor
100 lbs
20/5

Abductor
100 lbs
20/15/10

Quad extensions
30/40/50 lbs
12/10/8

Seated leg curl
80/90/100
12/10/9

Calf Raises
25/35/45
12/10/8

Abdomen chair- where you hang and bring your legs up to your belly and hold it
I fought to get 7....good God my abs are shot!

[tahansen24]

Wow I just wanted to say congratulations on all your drive and motivation and courage. I don't think its too late at all (better late then never that is for sure!). I just started weight training about a month or so ago as well! I know for me it is still hard to go in and I always am self consciouse even if I shouldn't be. I just think its very apparant that you are trying very hard and it looks like you have managed to learn even more than me and I admire that. I just wanted to say I think you are doing great and keep at it, don't let anyone make you feel like giving up! You will get so strong, and that will help you get motivated too. Its hard for women I think...it seems the weight room is taken over by men. I suppose it must be hard for some men to go in too...I was thinking about that yesterday. If I was a man and I was weak I might be more embarrassed than being female and weak. I suppose men expect us to be weak so I guess not as much flak for it? I don't know. Yesterday was the first time I thought about things that way. Anyway I am getting off topic. I just wanted to say good job..keep at it. Looks like you are doing awsome! I am not the best for exact advice on what/when to do everything as I am just starting too. Wish I could help more!

[theDOMinator]

congrats that you are losing weight and are very motivated. sounds like you're making really good progress too

[huff]

I appreciate your comments ....I really pushed it this week with my weights, I wanted to find out what would put me to failure. I enjoyed that. I am really enjoying the weights and am starting to feel fairly comfortable with them. I have started working on some of the other machines and am adding squats to my routine. I actually did a 210 lb leg press last week...
anyways, just wanted to thank you two for your comments. I was expecting maybe some guidance from others that know so much more than I do but I guess I shall continue to lurk and see if I can gain wisdom from reading others posts.

THanks!