A real newbie

[serina14]

Hey all! I am very new to this site and am very eager to get started. I am in need of some opinions and insight from professionals and/or average joe's.

First off about 8-9yrs ago I used Metabolife 356 and worked out at the gym and lost 58lbs. After tearing my rotator cuff, I quit the gym and continued the Metabolife, which then I became immune to. The pounds kept piling on to a whopping 67lbs of pure blubber at 194, the heaviest I have ever been...

Sept 07 I lost my dad to cancer and fell into depression and have severe anxiety attacks. Because these episodes have been so severe and so frequent I told my husband that I have to TAKE my life back. One of my co workers told me she had joined the gym(which I thought I would never hear her say those words) then I decided I would too. My husband was also ready to take control of his life and we joined together.

Now...I have lost 46lbs and am just 13lbs away from my goal weight. My BMI is 24.6% and I am proud to say I did it without a "magic pill." I'm achieving my goals by just eating right and exercise. My overall goal is to have muscle definition. I didn't do that before...I just lost the weight. When I work out with my husband, we do the same routines every single time we go...leg/back/bis...chest/shoulder/tris...then treadmill. I have plateaued twice and the trainers at the gym have told me to change up my routine but my husband doesn't fray from his comfort zone. My caloric intake is 1300 to maybe 1700. I have to ddrraagg... my butt into the gym every time I get the chance. I want to be addicted! Also, I never had surgery on my torn rotator cuff just pt and when I feel my shoulders popping and grinding I get real nervous.
What is the best way to cut my upper body with already having an injury?
Am I supposed to have gross, flabby arms?
What is a good % of bf should I maintain to start cutting?
What is the best diet for cutting?
Machines or free weights? I usually do 10-15 reps on each muscle group and I'm getting smaller but not stronger. Oh I'm of course overwhelmed about supplements. I take fish oil for omega 3 and to lube my joints and a multivitamin...what do y'all recommend to help build lean muscle mass?

I'm sure that many of you have been able to relate with my sappy story, and if I can conquer my depression and anxiety(now medication free) I can do this! PLEASE!!! I need a little help...the cut, well toned, healthy me is wanting to come out...I just have to peel all of the layers.

[bouncingpuka]

Best advice....

Find a real forum that doesn't have a bunch of kids posting on it. Bodybuilding.com is the first bodybuilding website that shows up when you do a search, so this site is full of stupid high schoolers giving out ridiculous advice. You are way to old to be here, go find a real forum.

^^^WHA????^^^^^

Um, Serina, first of all, welcome welcome welcome :-) Yes, there are some forum sections full of highschool teenagers, but you posted in the right place and there are PLENTY of knowledgeable women here ready to give you expert advice, support and guidance. I am no expert, so wait until someone else replies (which they will), but I can tell you now that 1300 cals is way too low. Find out what your maintenance calories are using the calculators (or again, wait for someone else to reply). Make sure you're getting enough protein in, complex carbs and healthy fats.
Eat frequently, lift heavy, and maybe see a physio for your shoulder before doing any damage? BY THE WAY.....you are not too old, My god, don't know what above poster is talking about. Geez.....

Hey, good for you for everything you are doing! You've got the most important thing going already ....da SPIRIT! and I hear you about the panic attacks....

:-)

[serina14]

Best advice....

Find a real forum that doesn't have a bunch of kids posting on it. Bodybuilding.com is the first bodybuilding website that shows up when you do a search, so this site is full of stupid high schoolers giving out ridiculous advice. You are way to old to be here, go find a real forum.

I guess I didn't specify what kind of advice I was looking for. So with that being said, I guess that I deserve being told I'm too old at 37 to be here on this forum. I just didn't realize that at my age I should be already reserve my room in the nursing home.

Also just an FYI...this site was recommended to my husband by a co worker to buy supplements...not by Google. I have been reading most of the threads and I see that women "older" than I am are in the shape of their lives. I want to be like that some day...before I am too old and decrepid. Besides, I don't think that the high schoolers are stupid either...actually they are pretty smart for starting early...not like old farts like me! I think I'm smart enough to know who I should take advice from and who not to...so...

Thank-you for your concern! My walker/cane and I will be on our way to geriatric land!