Veiny and tough.

[Guest guest]

=) Glad we are getting lots of mileage out of that one!

I think the reason I am intimidated by the weight room is that in the

past when I lifted free weights, I have hurt myself. And I am new to

this. I trust the machines, but I am sure that once I am stronger and

a little more confident about myself I will venture into the free

weight room and start kicking some tough, veiny behind. I am going to

check with the gym and see if I can get a personal trainer to help me

out the first time so that I can see and feel how the exercises feel

when they are done correctly.

Ken - I am just a beginner. There are people on this board who have

been at BFL for years. I just offer up my opinion for two reasons.

One, if we are both beginners, then you can hear what another beginner

is doing. The disadvantage to being a beginner is that I can see some

results, but they aren't earth-shattering, so othersprobably have a

muh better prospective than me. Two, when I give inaccurate advice,

everyone responds and I learn much more about what I should be doing.

- Good point! I never really looked at it that way (that all of

the " cut " people are in the weight room and all the people who aren't

are in the machine room). It isn't that I am not interested in working

with free weights, I just need someone to show me how (and to lose

some of the self-consciousness of being flabby in the weight room).

~.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/17/2004 10:56:10 PM Eastern Standard Time,

bgarlock49@... writes:

Don't

worry. People appreciate the motivation they see in others, even if

they DON'T have the 'look' when they start.

Bruce

>>>I agree 100% Bruce. I for one am in complete awe at the sight of people

who are working hard for their dreams.

Kelley

Team In Training

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

To make a secure donation online go to:

http://www.active.com/donations/fundraise_public.cfm?key=BKroto

[Guest guest]

> It isn't that I am not interested in working

> with free weights, I just need someone to show me how (and to lose

> some of the self-consciousness of being flabby in the weight room).

>

> ~.

........................................

Hi ,

I was intimidated by the free weight room when I first started BFL

too. Guess it's a chick thing. And I was intimidated for the

exact same reason you are. " Oh my god, what are those ripped guys

going to think if this chunky white girl goes in there and starts

lifting weights?!?! "

Well, I got over myself pretty quick, because I really REALLY like

free weights much better than machines. If there's a choice between

machines and free weights, I will go for the free weights every

time. So the first time I walk into the free weight area, I was

really surprised. All these big buffed guys were so NICE!!! Wow,

what a surprise.

And the looks I got were not, " What does she think she is doing

here??? " but more along the lines of " Cool! There's a chick that's

not afraid of the weights! " Also, even though I don't throw around

huge weights, I have had a couple guys say they were impressed that

I'm not sticking to the " pink " weights (you know, the plastic covered

ones that are like 1-3 lbs. LOL).

If you can't get a personal trainer (ideally this would be best to

cover form issues) then do some observation of the guys working out

in the free weight room. Ask for help on form, or for a spot. Trust

me, they will be happy to help you.

Jen B. (catching up on a week's worth of posts)