Desperate for Help

Bigger Stronger Leaner Competitive Bodybuilding
1

Hello,
First I want to say hello, as this is my first post, and hope I’m in the right spot for this.

Ok, from the beginning. First off I am a Martial Arts Instructor. Been doing the Arts for a littleover 33 years, and am 53 years old.
A little over a year and a half ago, I became very ill with a ruptured intestine, surgery was needed and 50 staples later I come out of it. Almost died as the infection was extreme.

The meds they put me on made me gain weight fast, and within 4 months I was up to 315 lbs, and I am 6’ 1" tall. I teach part-time at a fitness center near me, and have done alot of cardio to bring my weight down to 250, but I am not in shape anymore, as this bout of illness kicked my butt big time.

I still have my bad days, but I live with it. Ok moving on, sorry for long intro, but needed everyone to know where I have been.

Now I have never touched weights in my life, and working at that fitness center peaked my interest, as I have played with the leg machines and such just to get a burn.

What I am looking for “IF” possible, is a weightlifting routine that I can put some “size” back on my limbs and loose the fat all in one. Don’t know if such I thing exsist, but that is what I am here for, to hear from the experts. I know I will ache, I don’t care as I have to rehab myself this way, as I “feel the need”

What I have now are smaller arms and legs, although I did retain some of the muscle I put on with the Arts. You would never believe however how fast you can loose it!! There are some PT at the gym, but the routines I see them put people on and see no results kind-of scares me that they don’t know as much as they think. I also don’t know all the jargon so please keep it in mind. I need help big time.

Anyway I’ll leave it at that for now, and if someone needs more info just ask. Great site and thanks for listening!!

P.S. I also have to watch what I eat, so that plays into the nutrition end of things. I take a multivitamin, and a few others helpers, but would like some suggestions on this area to. Thanks

2

First off, age and current condition doesn’t matter much when you start talking about lifting. You have just as much, if not more, to gain from lifting than a healthy 19-year-old. Increased bone density, muscle-mass, strength to help avoid injury, and better joint health. Your body’s functionality is a use-it or lose-it kinda situation. Pushing yourself further than usual with lifting will force your body to grow stronger.

Take it slow and easy at first. Start by lift a small amount of weight and slowly add weight if you feel confident. Stop if something hurts.

As far as what program to use, that’s a long story. Search around this site, you should find something that should work for you. Ask questions if you’re having trouble finding one.

From a nutrition standpoint, eat more protein. Beyond that, read-up on some of John Bernardi’s articles.

You’re right, most personal trainers don’t know as much as they seem to. Often times they tell clients what they want to hear, or just start blindly recommending whatever training methodology is popular. I’d recommend finding a program here that works for you, and ask the PT’s if you?re having trouble with exactly how to perform a lift.

3

Thanks, I have looked around here already, well not all, but never lifting before I don’t understand what alot of what I need to know means. I know what reps and sets are. I had heard that the Waterbury Method would be a start for a beginner… But I don’t know which one. Do you think what I wrote like loosing some fat through weightlifting will work? I really appreciate your help!!!

4

Welcome to T-Nation! with your questions, have you checked this out?

http://www.T-Nation.com/readTopic.do?id=640350&pageNo=0

lots of direction there for a newbie, also as someone who has never lifted weights before, its definately possible for you to build your strength and muscle whilst losing fat, but losing fat will really come down to your diet, so get your lifting worked out and start kicking ass, but make sure to focus just as much on your diet, anyway, links to all appropriate info in that thread to get started, good luck

5

Thanks, I will check it out and see what I can come up with!!! Appreciate the help!

6

Just another quick question, is there anyplace on here or somewhere else where you can see the various exercises being performed correctly with the proper form, as I know that is important. Thanks

7

Anyone help!

8

its all in that thread man, but heres the link from it anyway

http://www.uwlax.edu/strengthcenter/videos/video_index.htm

9

Oh ok, and thanks so much!!!

10

[quote]martialartist wrote:
Just another quick question, is there anyplace on here or somewhere else where you can see the various exercises being performed correctly with the proper form, as I know that is important. Thanks[/quote]

www.aceathlete.com/hatch/video.htm

a good site if you’re interested in the O lifts

11

Thanks, I just wish I could find a workout routine that was explained out more. I admit that as I have never touched a weight in my life, and all the articles are great that everyone has found for me, it’s another thing to put a workout together. Does anyone know where I’m coming from? Thanks in advance.