chrisw77's Journal, 24 Jul 19

Thanks Keyten luv😘😘 I knew we burned calories but never understood the calculation for it. That’s really neat. I swear I’m always learning from here 🥰💕 

Chris, increased overall weights by 10 lbs, each side. I like it!  

www.jefit.com/ 

Bodybuilding.com 

laraae, for the glutes: Before any glute exercise, get into start position and squeeze the glutes for 30 to 60 seconds (single leg/ both), then do the exercise. This helps activate the glutes. Also do the exercises as slowly as you can; one slow set to failure has more benefit than doing lots of reps. Your butt should be sore afterward! Also, when you walk for exercise, squeeze the glutes with every step.  

Only 95 more to go and we'll be even. Honestly, your arm flex picture looks great. 🥰💪 

Oh good tip gz9gjg! I like to do some banded squats (resistance band around the upper knees) to activate. Works like a charm 👍 

@cb1006, @Vocatus - Awesome thanks!! I'm just now learning of Arnold presses. GET TO THE CHOPPA!!! 💪 

I don’t know what I’m doing at the gym so I take classes. Body pump and cycle both twice a week. I think it’s time to increase weight but it hard to keep form and I have a cramp in my peck ouch. Need one more day to fit in yoga 

That was the perfect link, man! Thank you!! I'm gonna have to dissect that and come up with something.  

I should have been doing this all along(list of excuses a mile long) but my exercise for the last 10 years has been 95% cardio. My legs look awesome but everything else has basically been ignored. Last Sept I tried a full body Fitness Blender video and 2 days later tore an abdominal muscle so severely I had to log roll out of bed for a couple weeks(total recovery 4 weeks). I’m terrified of this happening again and wondering how gently I need to ease my abdomen into another new routine. 5 sit-ups for a week? Another exercise entirely? 

I just wanted to add Hn that breathing properly (exhaling at the right time) is very important.  

Chris, thank you for all of yout help on FS. ❤👍 

I have lost approx. 40# since April. However it's happening much faster in my lower body than my upper... I'm losing fat but not really toning anything it seems even though I walk A LOT. Any suggestions? Please help! I feel like SpongeBob. Also, because my upper body and core are weak honestly I have a hard time figuring out what to do so I just continue to walk. 😥 it's frustrating. 

Chris: Oh my gosh, thank you so much! That is really useful information. After PT with a shoulder injury, I figured there must be a similar strengthen the opposite aspect. But I get so overwhelmed by the vast information on the internet and can’t really afford a trainer right now. Thanks for breaking down the starting place. 😁 And Charlotte: thank you for the tip as well! 

Thank you Chris (also Vocatus for adding your thoughts). Chris, what you said makes sense. I have a lot to learn! I go on walks, hikes, jogs a lot... About 160 miles a month lately. My weight "training" isn't as much but will pick up in the fall when I start at a gym. Thankfully, even what I am doing has made a big difference in how I feel. Thanks again for all the info you are sharing.  

Chris: What (if anything) works to firm upper arm "batwings" ???? I know one member had surgery, I don't want that. I am doing various dumbell exercises - but what works best? 

I got batwings too... Yikes. I have lots of issues that preclude me from the sports I used to be active in, boxing, swimming, cycling, walking, running, martial arts. Currently doing... isometrics. Lifting a can is the weight I can lift before my wrists go out ( no cartilage left). Any help appreciated. 62 yrs and can't wait for the rapture and get young, and eat great food without calories. My weight loss is steady but slow.  

Try swimming for batwings. I know my arms are tired when I am finished 🏊. 

Claire, I'm two years older than you with a litany of health issues. My goal is to do whatever I can. Water aerobics are magic. I am also able to do weights. Start light, then, if able, increase the weight. Learned much in physical therapy as well as from Chris and Diablo on this site. I wish you great success.🥰