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vixeness
04-21-2005, 03:19 PM
Hi everyone, I'm new to this and need some help. First off, I'm quite small and very underweight (5'3", 90-95lbs). I was put on some medicine about 5 years ago and I ended up losing about 20 pounds in a matter of a few months. I can't quit taking my medication or I'll go through withdrawal (it's terrible, I wish I never went to that doctor..), but I really want to gain some weight and build muscle.

Now one of my biggest issues with working out, is the fact that I have a bad back. Even just doing sit-ups makes me want to curl up on my side and cry, because it hurts my back so bad. I figured maybe I should strengthen my back before anything else (in my upper body) to prevent my back from becoming any worse. However, I don't know how to do this without hurting myself. It's not the muscles that become sore, but instead my spinal column. I've had an x-ray done on my back, and the doctor found nothing wrong with it,so I suppose I just have an achy back. Anyway, my spine is clearly visible, and it makes me feel like a chihuahua. I'd really like to build up my back muscles.

Another area that I really want to work on is my chest. It is looks extremely bony, my sternum and the ribs branching off are all clearly visible. I want to get some muscle over that so it doesn't look as gross and sickly. However...there's a problem here as well. I have breast implants (I had surgery on march 1, 2005, so they're still pretty new to me). Whenever I do something that flexes my pectoral muscles, my implants get pushed outward towards my armpits. I'm afraid that if I work my pectoral muscles, my implants will either be stuck in an awkward position and I'll never have cleavage, or my implants will get damaged. I've always been very small chested, and as shallow as it may sound, I love my new breasts and do NOT want to lose them or make them look strange. I don't know if there is any way to target just the upper chest without effecting the entire muscle, though it doesn't sound likely (please, correct me if I'm wrong).

Are there certain exercises that I could do for my back and chest that wouldn't give me problems with my back or interfere with my implants? I really need to put some meat on my bones, and I can't do it simply by eating more, it just doesn't work for me.

Two more questions. One, is there anything I could take to help me gain weight? I've lost a few pounds recently, along with my booty, and I'd really like to get that back. My doctor said I need to gain at least 10 pounds to be in my ideal weight range.
Second, does anyone know of a REALLY good supportive bra? So far I've only been able to find one bra (other than sports bras...and they don't feel very supportive) that actually fits, because the base of my breasts are larger than the curve of most underwires (and getting poked doesn't feel good at all). And the one that I've found isn't very supportive because it doesn't have much coverage...my breasts bulge out of the top whenever I bend over just slightly.

Sorry about the length of this post...I just don't know much about all of this and need some advice from people with experience. Thanks!

nooneno12325265
04-21-2005, 03:35 PM
mostly people have back problems because of weak stomache muscles...so id not do back to start out i would do both...rows are a good back exercise...id start out with a low weight first to get used to it...andincreases when u feel motivated too...now for the bra...yaaa im a guy so i cant help ya there...im not sure how easy it would be to gain 10 lbs for you...because of the meds...but whats ur eating habits like? do u do cardio at all? im not even sure if u should take a weight gainer because id hate for it to turn to fat rather then muscles

terracotta
04-21-2005, 03:37 PM
Hi everyone, I'm new to this and need some help. First off, I'm quite small and very underweight (5'3", 90-95lbs). I was put on some medicine about 5 years ago and I ended up losing about 20 pounds in a matter of a few months. I can't quit taking my medication or I'll go through withdrawal (it's terrible, I wish I never went to that doctor..), but I really want to gain some weight and build muscle.

Now one of my biggest issues with working out, is the fact that I have a bad back. Even just doing sit-ups makes me want to curl up on my side and cry, because it hurts my back so bad. I figured maybe I should strengthen my back before anything else (in my upper body) to prevent my back from becoming any worse. However, I don't know how to do this without hurting myself. It's not the muscles that become sore, but instead my spinal column. I've had an x-ray done on my back, and the doctor found nothing wrong with it,so I suppose I just have an achy back. Anyway, my spine is clearly visible, and it makes me feel like a chihuahua. I'd really like to build up my back muscles.

Another area that I really want to work on is my chest. It is looks extremely bony, my sternum and the ribs branching off are all clearly visible. I want to get some muscle over that so it doesn't look as gross and sickly. However...there's a problem here as well. I have breast implants (I had surgery on march 1, 2005, so they're still pretty new to me). Whenever I do something that flexes my pectoral muscles, my implants get pushed outward towards my armpits. I'm afraid that if I work my pectoral muscles, my implants will either be stuck in an awkward position and I'll never have cleavage, or my implants will get damaged. I've always been very small chested, and as shallow as it may sound, I love my new breasts and do NOT want to lose them or make them look strange. I don't know if there is any way to target just the upper chest without effecting the entire muscle, though it doesn't sound likely (please, correct me if I'm wrong).

Are there certain exercises that I could do for my back and chest that wouldn't give me problems with my back or interfere with my implants? I really need to put some meat on my bones, and I can't do it simply by eating more, it just doesn't work for me.

Two more questions. One, is there anything I could take to help me gain weight? I've lost a few pounds recently, along with my booty, and I'd really like to get that back. My doctor said I need to gain at least 10 pounds to be in my ideal weight range.
Second, does anyone know of a REALLY good supportive bra? So far I've only been able to find one bra (other than sports bras...and they don't feel very supportive) that actually fits, because the base of my breasts are larger than the curve of most underwires (and getting poked doesn't feel good at all). And the one that I've found isn't very supportive because it doesn't have much coverage...my breasts bulge out of the top whenever I bend over just slightly.

Sorry about the length of this post...I just don't know much about all of this and need some advice from people with experience. Thanks!

Muscle isn't going to fix the problem. You have to gain 15 lbs too (as you realize). You mustn't be eating enough. Don't use appetite and hunger to decide what and when to eat. Form a meal plan of 300 calories 6 times a day (use the tips in the sticky in the nutrition forum) and stick to it even if you don't have appetite. If this is really hard you can get some meal replacement powder and make shakes.

You can lift weights but stay away from the cardio. The only cardio you should be getting is walking. And don't worry about the situps. Direct abdominal work is not necessary.

About the sports bras have you ever tried wearing 2 bras? like if you are a medium wear a medium with a large over it. There is also a thread in the chat section about bras.

I'm sure Emma will give you a more thorough response later. :)

Ma_iingan Kwe
04-22-2005, 11:06 AM
Hi vixeness. I'm new here too. I agree with terracotta about trying the 2 bras. A friend of mine actually does that, and now prefers that over sportbras.

doc1984
04-23-2005, 05:26 AM
About the bra thing....when I was in bootcamp I just didn't get enough suppor with a sports bra. Instead I put on a regular bra, and then put a sports bra over it...and it worked for me. I also thought it was quite comfortable. The only prob. is that it kinda make you feel all squished (sp?)
Hope this helps