(those are to irritate Fr. Eckardt, on the off chance he's reading)...when you've not been to the gym for 4 years and then you start back up again - IT HURTS. As in trying to put on my seat belt (Jo, I can really sympathize now!), put on a shirt, anything that requires LIFTING these arms. YOUCH.
Elliot knew what he was writing about: "I grow old, I grow old, I shall wear my trousers rolled. Do I dare to eat a peach?" No I do not dare. They are not on Atkins! :)
3 comments:
I feel responsible for this in some way. But your inability to use your arms is not just age--it's going at it like you did four years ago.
I took weight lifting for my high school PE credit. It's true. I was actually scrawnier before then. Stopped working out. Waited a year. Went back to a gym and start lifting the same weight as I had a year before. Two days later lost ability to turn steering wheel or comb hair. This was at 19 years old.
I've started and stopped more times than I can count. I cannot advise you on exercises, but as a professional on-again-off-again exercise dude, take this advice: go back as soon as you can. Do every exercise you did the first time, but *use the lightest weights available.* It will feel like torture, but you must. Then wait one or two days and do it again. This time use about 10-15 lbs more than the second time. Repeat.
Thanks, Christopher. Will give that a shot. I did go back yesterday, but I didn't have your good counsel before me. I just did the machines she assigned for my Friday work out (back and abs) and that did touch some of those muscles. I also did the stair stepper. Wow! Did 30 minutes on that was soaked through. Next time I'm planning on getting back to the gym is Monday and I *think* she's got chest and abs assigned for that day. But in any case, I will make a special point to hit the triceps again - that's what's killing me!!!
Yes, what Chris says, you loveable goof!
Start with light weights and take it VERY slow. Sure, it will be embarassing for a while to use five pound dumbells on each arm, while the big he-man types are curling 50 pounds on each arm, but...that's the only way to do it!
S L O W L Y build up.
Light weights, low reps.
Otherwise, you are not going to develop muscle mass, just tear muscles beyond their ability to repair themselves.
AND...recovery time between muscle workouts is essential, at least 48 hours, but you can alternate a good deal so you are not exercising the same muscles.
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