Beginner Woman Needs Tons Of Help :)

[newbie13]

I am really hoping that some kind body builder woman or man is out there that will take pity on me and email me.

My name is Lesley and I have been running and lifting for like 10 years and chasing the chasing this dream of Madonna arms and a six pack stomach all the time. I tried starving myself and running twice a day and yup that seemed to get me very cut but I could not keep it up and i don't think I should have to do that. I have tried trainers that want to work on core and bulk, I have tried heavy weights low reps (I am thinking about going back to that) but generally have followed the high reps low weights.. BUT come on..I spend like 1 1/2 running and then am in the gym for an hour and I don't look like a weight lifter so something HAS TO BE WRONG.

I saw this girl who looked like I dream looking like and I should have stopped her in the street and begged her for help, but alas I am now writing you. Weight lifting seems so complicated but then at the same time so easy.. it is weights and diet right? But why can't I get cut? Why it is so darn hard? I feel like I can bulk up easily - I would just keep increasing weight and workign out to exhaustion but then I just am big.. I believe we only live once.. but I can't deal with another crappy trainer or when i started eating protein bars and lifting harder.. just getting bigger and then freaking out.

I am going to be 34 on Aug. 31st and I would like to really see a difference in myself by then, and then going forward look cut, and strong for the rest of my life.. I want this to be the last year of looking like I do... honestly I would love to meet a woman body builder in new york city that could help and me and I could pay her to get me started..but I just don't know anymore.. I just need to make a change and I am so depressed that I can't help myself

But now i am optimistic someone out there will hear my cry..

[daeton]

Originally Posted by newbie13

I tried starving myself and running twice a day and yup that seemed to get me very cut but I could not keep it up

There is your problem.

When you starve yourself, you will lose fat yes, because your body burns the fat to help your body simply keep running, just to SURVIVE. ESPECIALLY when you're running TWICE a day... theres no wonder why you got skinny.

You weren't eating enough to maintain your body properly. This is incredibly unhealthy. Once you start eating again, you'll notice that you gained fat right back, because your body knew it needed it if you started starving yourself in the future.

The best way to increase your metabolism at your age is to eat many small meals per day, of great food that will also contribute to building muscle and burning fat.

For guidelines, I would recommend "The Abs Diet" written by an editor of Men's Health Magazine. It is NOT A FAD DIET BOOK like southbeach or atkins. Rather, it is a guideline to healthy eating habits -- for men and women alike.

It details how you can eat many small meals, not be hungry all day, gain muscle and lose fat all at hte same time. You focus on eating specific foods that are very healthy for you -- certain fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, etc. Its a great book for starters on nutrition and basic health.

Don't run twice a day-- thats a bit overkill. Exercize regularly, maybe a 40 minute full body workout and 20 minutes of cardio, 3-5 days a week, if you can. Do NOT over-do it.

Hope this helps.

EDIT- plus, not to make you panic, but your body at 34 will not be like it is at 14. Aging is natural... so its obviously going to be harder to lose stubborn fat than when your metabolism was burning like crazy when you were younger.

Any others with better knowledge/expertise please assist and/or correct me.

[newbie13]

I just want to thank you for your reply. I still need help in lifting..what weights should be lifting? Should I always be increasing weight? Yes I do eat 6 meals a day.

i have fat free yogurt, banana, salad with grilled chicken and veggies and then another piece of fruit and then a cliff bar..
so I am eating..

[Mythos219]

Read the stickies on the top of this forum. Also, make the book "burn the fat, feed the muscle" by tom venuto your bible. You can get it off of limewire. The info in there will give you all the knowledge you need regarding nutrition and training. Good luck.

[writeknight]

Two books to consider:

Body for Life, by Bill Phillips
A Flat Stomach ASAP, by Ellington Darden

I haven't read "burn the fat, feed the muscle" but I would assume they are roughly similar approaches. Basically they are comprehensive programs for diet and exercise which utilize strength training.

[waltz_1986]

Sometimes when u are down.. u just need a pat on the back.. so i recomend getting a buddy with you.. to do it together.. so that there will be mutual motivation..

[Chris2512]

Originally Posted by waltz_1986

Sometimes when u are down.. u just need a pat on the back.. so i recomend getting a buddy with you.. to do it together.. so that there will be mutual motivation..

agreed, having a training partner is usually a great way to stay motivated and keep pushing each other. make sure u never get down--the mind is one of the major aspects of this whole game. if u know u can do it, u will. ok, cliches are over now my advice is to take a detailed look at the articles on this site, and some of the better threads (ie. stickies). if u want any help or suggestions feel free to pm. good luck.

[P01Shooter]

Originally Posted by writeknight

Two books to consider:

Body for Life, by Bill Phillips
A Flat Stomach ASAP, by Ellington Darden

I haven't read "burn the fat, feed the muscle" but I would assume they are roughly similar approaches. Basically they are comprehensive programs for diet and exercise which utilize strength training.

Buy Body for Life and DO IT. If I could make that everyones first step I would. It will give you a solid diet as well as workout and the only information to take with a grain of salt is the supplements advocated in it.