Questions from a total newbie

[Radio_Silence]

After having my child almost 4 years ago my weight spiked above 200. I decided Nov of ‘05 that I was going to lose weight and get back in shape. As of today I have lost a total of 40 lbs and I still want to lose an additional 40. At this point in my workout I’m looking for advice in regards to shaping up. I have some very specific goals which are as follows…..

First - breasts

Because my cup size has gone from a DD to almost a C I am starting to have issues with breast drop. What at home exercise can I do to lift and firm my breast and regain my pre-pregnancy perk? I’m not looking to bulk up my peck muscles, simply to tighten the skin in order to put then back where they go and keep them there and without compromising size. I would like to stay in the C cup rage.

Second - arms / waist

I would like to find a way to strengthen AND slim down, my arms.
Ditto to the waist. Increased strength but no bulk.

Third - thighs and butt.

This is one area where bulk is what I want, kind of. I am not looking to achieve the thin look in the lower body. I have always been happy with the rear view even if it is on the oversized. I want to be able to slim down over all without losing definition in my butt. To keep the ghetto booty but just transformed into a more defined section.

Last - over all skin firmness. All specifics aside my number one complaint with my weight lose is lose skin.

Keep in mind I am a mom without a gym membership and I don’t plan on getting one. My home gym consists of a few free weights and an elliptical machine. I’m looking for no fuss exercises.

Any and all advice would be appreciated

[energi]

Hi Radio Silence! I'm a mom too on a journey back to pre-preggo size. I started in Nov 2005 too

About your breasts - you can lift weights to improve the muscle underneath the breasts, but exercise won't necessarily tighten and lift the skin and breast tissue. Losing weight may help in that area, but a lot of mothers lose their pre-preggo perkiness. Building your pec muscles will actually improve the look of your chest. Try doing db presses and incline db presses; also modified pushups are good.

A lot of women are afraid to get bulky by lifting weights - in actuality, building muscle will result in a smaller size, since muscle increases your metabolism and muscle tissue is denser than fat tissue. So by challenging your arms through lifting weights, you will see them become firmer and smaller. DB curls help your biceps, and tricep kickbacks firm up your triceps. There are quite a few different exercises for your arms that you can try. Here is one website that has different exercises and shows how to execute them (don't let the descriptions like "barn door back" bother you - women generally can't build huge muscles): http://www.abcbodybuilding.com/exercise1.htm

What is your eating like? How did you lose 40lbs - are you following a program?

There are a lot of mothers here who can give you some better advice than me. Welcome to the board!

[Radio_Silence]

What is your eating like? How did you lose 40lbs - are you following a program?

There are a lot of mothers here who can give you some better advice than me. Welcome to the board!

I'm not afraid of weights In fact years ago in school I chose weight training as my elective to get out of team sports. I just haven’t been able to get into it much recently because of my current life / situation.

Primarily I just started out my weight loss by cutting calories.

Not only am I concerned with specific body issues but I’ve also hit a platue (s/p) but I anticipated such. That’s why I started out very simply. Cutting calories and working out (all be it inconsistently.)

I decided today I'd like to revamp my workout for shaping and to push past the platue. Hence why I was asking for exercises. I’m going to work out a schedule based on my reading, recommendations here and whatever else I can learn within the next day and begin Monday.

Thank you for the link. I'll most certainly check it out

[Helene]

Check out this website, it's great..I think she also has an at home training program: http://www.stumptuous.com/cms/index.php

[Radio_Silence]

Check out this website, it's great..I think she also has an at home training program: http://www.stumptuous.com/cms/index.php

thats a really good link thanks...

[Helene]

What I also suggest is: At Cotsco they sell adjustable DB's (Nautilus brand). They are really cool DB's, you adjust the weight you want on both sides of the DB's, pick them up and the weight you've selected stays in your hands. AND the DB's go fronm 5lbs to 52.5lbs so you'll more likely never bust them. Those DB's and a bench and you'll all set. BUT, the greatest thing about those DB's is that there is a video that comes with it will demos of all exercices you can do for each bodypart with the right form, etc...it's really great for a beginner that only has a bench and Dumbbell's.