New to this lots of questions....

[Hollyday]

I know I'm asking alot but this is the most informative board I have found.

I'm 29 years old. I did weigh 152 and have now gone down to about 134 from counting calories and doing more cardio and a little lifting weights.

I'm 5 ft 3 inches, and would love to weigh about 115-120. I also don't just want to be thin, I want muscle definition and to start into bodybuilding.

I've been trying to come up with a plan that is close to body for life and also incorporates what I have learned here.

I would like to do the eating 6 times a day every 3 hours. ... I figure every other time it would be more like a meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner) but what should I consume for the other 3 times besides protein shakes?

I feel so confused when going into the gym and seeing all the equipment. Nothing seems to be in order as far as arms, legs etc. any advice on a good system to work out on at first.

Also now that I have done some fat burning and lost some weight, is it time to start into heavy weight lifting or should I get closer to my ideal weight first?

I just don't seem to know where to turn? It seems everything I read has conflicting advice?

Also what supplements should I start taking. The only thing I take right now is one a day weight smart vitamin.

Thanks in advance.

[terracotta]

Since you are just starting you don't want to go too fast! The first step is to learn the exercises and learn proper form. As a starting routine try an upper/lower split:

Exercise Directories:
http://www.exrx.net/Lists/Directory.html (faster loading)
http://www.bsu.edu/webapps/strengthlab/home.htm (BETTER)

Upper Body (3 sets of 8-12):

Dumbbell Incline Press
dumbbell Bench Press
Wide grip pulldowns
Cable rows
Standing Dumbbell Shoulder Press

Lower Body (4 sets of 8-12):

Sumo Squats
Lunges
Romanian Deadlift
Calf Raises

Do upper body Monday/Thursday and Lower body Tuesday/Friday. You can do 30 minutes of moderate intensity interval training on Wednesday/Saturday OR at least 6 hours after your workout.

If you reach 12 reps up the weight on the next set. After 2 months lower the reps to 6-10 (except for calf raises). After 3 months you can change things.

You can also check out www.stumptuous.com/weights.html

[jeni5.0]

Also now that I have done some fat burning and lost some weight, is it time to start into heavy weight lifting or should I get closer to my ideal weight first?

lifting heavy will only burn fat faster. i say do it!!

as for the supplements. we take the same. im going to start taking fish oil capsules to get some "better" fat. alot of girls on this site take supplements, im sure they will be able to give you better info. but since you are just starting id stick to the vitamins for now. maybe some fish oil.

I would like to do the eating 6 times a day every 3 hours. ... I figure every other time it would be more like a meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner) but what should I consume for the other 3 times besides protein shakes?

you should be eating small meals. make sure each has some good carbs and some protein. i dont know if you are wanting to do this right now, but if you know how many proteins and carbs you want to get each day, divide that by 6 and try to eat that much in each meal. (does that make sense?)

anyway, good luck. this site is great!

[rockstarsar]

I'm 5 ft 3 inches, and would love to weigh about 115-120. I also don't just want to be thin, I want muscle definition and to start into bodybuilding.

Well, try to get whole food in you as much of the time as possible, save for maybe post workout. I would buy skin fold calipers and focus on lowering your body fat percentage and maintaining your lean mass rather than going by weight on the scale. If you lift heavy and eat smartly, you won't get the "thin," emaciated look dieted down people do. But in order to have muscle definition, you will have to lower your body fat.