• FreeTrainers.com Forums
• Beginners to Exercise
• How long to see results?

Group: Beginners to Exercise

How long to see results?

Luvthemtorts Posts: 190 Joined: 2005/02/16	2005/03/17, 02:40 AM O.K. I'm three weeks into the routine and while I feel stronger I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of visible results. I realize that there are many variables that can affect the appearance of muscle tone such as amount of fat and starting muscle mass but in general when do results begin to appear? I am on the eight week weight loss and toning program. Can I realistically expect to see a difference by the end of the 8th week? I am not expecting much weight loss since I am pretty much hovering around the same weight (177)since starting. So should I finish this course or try the lean muscle mass program? Sorry for all the questions and thanks in advance for the replies!
ironmonga Posts: 185 Joined: 2005/02/09	2005/03/17, 04:25 AM The EZ answer to this is.. are you stronger than before, if so then your mucscles are growing. All good things come to those that wait. Also if your on a weight loss and toning prog you might have a long wait for your muscles to get bigger although they might emerge from any thing thats covering them, if you want bigger muscles I would try a mass building program.
Carivan Posts: 8,542 Joined: 2002/01/20	2005/03/17, 12:03 PM Stick to your routine. You said your 3 weeks in, so why don't you measure yourself today and then take another measurement in 1 week or 2. I guarantee you you will have shed inches. Don't worry about muscles popping out. It will take a while. Keep up the good work. -------------- Scales are for dead weight: We are not dead yet! Still trying to find out how to do the Hollywood Free Press. Ivan carivan@freetrainers.com Montreal Canada
Luvthemtorts Posts: 190 Joined: 2005/02/16	2005/03/17, 01:49 PM I definately have plans of sticking with it but just wanted to confirm which way to go to achieve my desired results. You know I haven't even thought about measuring myself! I have always relied on the scales which I am quickly learning is both discouraging and not particularly accurate for establishing fitness levels.
smashweasel86 Posts: 20 Joined: 2005/03/11	2005/03/17, 02:37 PM I believe you will see results soon. They will be very minor at first and as you look in the mirror daily you might miss those incremental changes. I like to use infrequent meetings as my gauge. When someone I hadn't seen in a month (it was a prissy friend of my wifes and I think her exact words were "ick, I can see your veins") commented on the vascularity in my arms I realized I had not noticed it. Anyway, stick with it and you will see the results. Good luck.
maxcdc Posts: 180 Joined: 2005/02/26	2005/03/17, 05:15 PM I work out for almost 5 mounth and something I can tell you, you are never happy with the results, I mean it's never enough, at least for me... You reach a goal, you want another :)
Luvthemtorts Posts: 190 Joined: 2005/02/16	2005/03/17, 06:36 PM maxcdc, I here ya' man!! I have lost right at 60 pounds so far and it still doesn't seem like enough (as of today 176 from 235). Hopefully by adding some lean muscle mass I will get a little closer to being happy with my appearance. Hopefully in 5 months I can look back and be proud of the gains I have made!
panther11jb Posts: 22 Joined: 2005/02/04	2005/03/17, 07:58 PM I have been lifting for 8 weeks as of today, I went from 184 to 196 in weight. I went from struggling with sets of 135 10 times, to now doing sets of 185-200. Keep up the hard work, and it will pay off, you just have to stay focused and work towards your goals, don't slack off a minute. Eat right, sleep, and keep a good routine.
Luvthemtorts Posts: 190 Joined: 2005/02/16	2005/03/25, 04:29 AM I am completing week four and have been documenting my progress with photos. I compared week one to this weeks pic and the results of the hard work and proper diet are really starting to pay off. I didn't notice much difference during my habitual daily mirror staring, but when comparing the two pics side by side there is definately something good going on! I can't wait to reach week eight and move on to the next level. Hopefully by the time I reach the end of the eight week program I can get George to post the pictures to share my results with others who thought it couldn't or wouldn't work for them!
mmaibohm Posts: 1,621 Joined: 2003/09/30	2005/03/25, 05:35 AM it must be a lawyer thing lol -------------- I am that which must be feared, worshipped and adored. The world is mine now and forever.No one holds command over me. No man. No god. I am ANIMAL! and that is enough.
zak786 Posts: 183 Joined: 2005/03/25	2005/03/25, 09:38 AM Hi I have just started doing weights wiv dumbells for 1 week. And I just work on the biceps and sometimes the triceps. I do these: Hammer Curls : 2 sets of 15 21's : 4 sets of 21 (WHICH KILL) Incline Dumbell curl: 8,10,12 I dont know how often to do these. I did it twice in a week and my arms were killing me really badly. So I dunno if I shld push myself to get bigger gains or if I might be overtraining my arms. What can I do...and how many times a week can I work out? Note that I just started. Thanx
Luvthemtorts Posts: 190 Joined: 2005/02/16	2005/03/25, 04:46 PM mmaibohm, Your the second person to mention me being a lawyer. Actually my screen name refers to my love and hobby of maintaining and breeding endangered tortoises and turtles. Out of curiosity, what leads people to derive that I am a lawyer from my name? Thanks
mmaibohm Posts: 1,621 Joined: 2003/09/30	2005/03/26, 11:18 AM Torts are a law term sorry. -------------- I am that which must be feared, worshipped and adored. The world is mine now and forever.No one holds command over me. No man. No god. I am ANIMAL! and that is enough.
Big-E Posts: 248 Joined: 2002/08/07	2005/03/30, 10:23 PM Luvthemtorts, You mentioned "as of today 176 from 235", congrats! How about some details regarding how you lost the weight?
slippery_chimp Posts: 58 Joined: 2004/10/21	2005/05/18, 09:34 PM hey - just curious if you posted the before and after pics? -------------- Buddha is my Om boy
Luvthemtorts Posts: 190 Joined: 2005/02/16	2005/05/19, 01:28 AM Thanks for the support! After the weight loss and toning plan I am now down to 172. Unfortunately, even though I am now on the progressive gains program I am still losing weight! I am kinda upset that I have lost more weight instead of going up because it is my understanding you can't lose fat and gain muscle at the same time. In my mind this means I HAVE NOT gained any muscle during this three week period. I lost the weight by simply eating a healthy diet (no fried foods, fast food or junk) over an approximate 7-8 month period. By eating the foods listed in the diet section it becomes quite easy to lose the weight at least 95% of it. The last 10 pounds is the difficult part and weight training seemed to be the catalyst for losing it. Unfortunately I did not take a before picture. I only started documenting my journey once the decision was made to start training. Not taking a before photo is a decision I certainly regret!