Please Put My Mind to Rest - Re: Light Weights & Toning?

[lorajc]

Okay - I realize I've asked this before....however, I'm so frustrated. I'm 56...and have a history of spinal injuries.....and I guess I'm coming to find out that I cannot lift heavy any longer (even though my doc told me not to lift heavier than 10 lbs) -- I do try every once in a while when I get carried away....when my pain subsides long enough for me to work out for brief periods of time.

Anyway, I just had a period like that yet again.....I got caught up doing Lauren Brooks Shut Up and Train and loved it and went heavy "for me" up to 25 pounds and now I'm in so much pain and so spasmed up that I've been having to do yoga for days and in bed late into the day not wanting to get out of bed due to pain......and this is basically the scenario....for when I do this to myself time and time again!!

So short of beating my head against a brick wall....I guess I have to accept that I cannot lift heavier than around 10-12, maybe 15 on occasion.....maybe......

So, can I get toned like this?

Bottom line......if I do TA, Barre and occasionally lift heavier, say 8-10....will I? I need to take care of myself....can't keep doing this!

[mrsyancy]

Definitely yes. There are too many women out there who do not lift heavy weights and some barely lift at all, that are very fit and toned. I truly believe it mostly comes down to how you eat anyway. So yes you can and even it wasn't completely possible, taking care of yourself, I think, is more important than trying to get "toned". Take care of yourself first. Hth

[bubbles76]

I was nicely toned doing nothing but Body Pump (as you know, is low weights/high reps), running, some body weight exercises, and kickboxing. I also watched my diet, as far as portion sizes and getting enough water, fruits, and veggies. I cannot run anymore, so it's trickier to get my lower body to tone up as nicely as the upper body, but I think it can be done.

My point is, don't torture yourself. And tag this thread so you remember to come back to it, in case you try to go over 15 pounds again . It's so much better to take care of yourself than to fit into a certain look. I had to come to that point this year. I also had to "take it down a notch". Even though I can physically lift the weights that I want to, my body rebels and shuts down or slows down when I do. It's frustrating, the battle between the mind and the body, but the body is going to win every time.

[Candiceena]

Absolutely!!

I got quite toned and also, down to my lowest weight & best/highest level of fitness (meaning strength, flexibility/mobility, endurance, cardio health - ie not getting easily winded) by doing lots of "pink FIRM" types of workouts and I never owned a dumbell over 12 lbs.

This is not scientific at all, hehe, but I believe HUGE muscles need heavier weights to "tone up" (ie: quads & glutes) ... but if you do lots of different types of movements w/ weights, I think you can get the same results (ie instead of a lunge try doing a lunge kitty-corner) ... additionally, look at Sandra Koulorides, she is IMHO very fit & toned & athletic looking - she looks healthy & in great shape! And her HoCo workouts are not "heavy weight". Well, when I do them, my body weighs a lot and since it's body weight, I guess that is heavy weight, hehe! But I dont think she uses really heavy weights in a lot of her workouts.

Last thing ... echoing what others have said ... do not discount a clean-ish diet and portion sizes.

[videofit]

You can get toned, strong, fit using no weights, just body weight.

Compared to the 'old days' of The Firm when I was using heavier weights, I stopped injuring myself when I switched to low weight, high rep DVDs. I remember being shocked when I did one of my first Margaret Richard workouts ("Why is this hard? I'm strong!"). My body looked much better, too.

What is light for you or heavy for you may not be for someone else.

[donnamp]

Lora,
I think you can absolutely get in shape lifting lighter weights what you are doing now is counterproductive as you are tearing your body down. My best advice is for you to listen to your Dr. given the nature of your injuries- you don't want to reach the point where you cause further injury and can't do anything.

I say donate those heavier weights and get them out of the house to avoid temptation to ever pick them up again!

Donna

[lorajc]

Originally Posted by bubbles76

I was nicely toned doing nothing but Body Pump (as you know, is low weights/high reps), running, some body weight exercises, and kickboxing. I also watched my diet, as far as portion sizes and getting enough water, fruits, and veggies. I cannot run anymore, so it's trickier to get my lower body to tone up as nicely as the upper body, but I think it can be done.

My point is, don't torture yourself. And tag this thread so you remember to come back to it, in case you try to go over 15 pounds again . It's so much better to take care of yourself than to fit into a certain look. I had to come to that point this year. I also had to "take it down a notch". Even though I can physically lift the weights that I want to, my body rebels and shuts down or slows down when I do. It's frustrating, the battle between the mind and the body, but the body is going to win every time.

Hi -- just curious how old you are.....i've always loved your posts and felt a connection with you....if you dont mind saying....you are always a true inspiration.

[lorajc]

Ladies - I just want to thank you all for keeping this thread kind. I feel in some of my other posts about this issue, the thread has gone South....so to speak. I thank you again for your great advice.

One thing is that body weight exercises don't really work for me, as they aggravate.

Also, I want to clarify something that has gotten misunderstood in the past. I have a background/history of being in the medical field and have even worked for a NeuroSurgeon and learned MUCH about my injury and spinal injuries......so when I ask questions here, I'm certainly not asking for medical advice, as ALSO, I've been to multiple doc's and PT's and live in a small town and they are clueless.....so when I come here and ask questions, I'm asking for GENERAL life experience type of questions, like do you have a back injury and what do you do? Not what am I supposed to do for my specific problem. I just wish more threads would go this direction and not the other.......nuff said.....thanks Ladies!! I hope that you understand a little more.

Also, to clarify, I have not "reinjured" myself working out....I have had multiple injuries from falls, car accidents, falling down stairs, etc......the only problem I have working out is what the title of this thread is and to be TOTALLY honest.......for those that think I overdo it, for the past 2 weeks, I have hardly worked out other than Kundalini and a few Essentrics sessions.

Thanks ladies.

[bubbles76]

Originally Posted by lorajc

Hi -- just curious how old you are.....i've always loved your posts and felt a connection with you....if you dont mind saying....you are always a true inspiration.

Awww thanks! I turned 40 this year

[Nuggie's Auntie]

Originally Posted by lorajc

Okay - I realize I've asked this before....however, I'm so frustrated. I'm 56...and have a history of spinal injuries.....and I guess I'm coming to find out that I cannot lift heavy any longer (even though my doc told me not to lift heavier than 10 lbs) -- I do try every once in a while when I get carried away....when my pain subsides long enough for me to work out for brief periods of time.

I feel your pain on this! While I don't have a doctor-recommended upper weight lifting limit, I do find my wonky bits start getting better, so I get ambitious and try to do more than maybe I should, then I pay for it. I'm starting to learn that certain exercise is just off-limits for me.

I certainly think you can get very good results from lighter weights! Most important thing is to feel well and function well.