So this is what a personal trainer will do for you.

I've been working on weight machines for six months now, and have only felt the merest twinges of achiness after even what I thought was a challenging workout. This past Thursday was my first session with the trainer and he showed me various free-weight exercises. We did a couple of sets of each, and he talked a lot about how much more efficient these moves are than anything I could do on a weight machine. They're a lot faster, too, he says, because one exercise involving the whole lower body replaces four or five machines to do the same thing.

Well, that boy knows what he is ABOUT! Yesterday morning I woke up and started to get ready for a trip to the Bronx Zoo. I was a bit stiff but figured it would work itself out. But as the day progressed I realized that I must have worked every little tiny muscle in my legs in a way I haven't done since the last time I went skiing! You know that pain? Holy CRAP!! My legs are killing me! My husband says it's a good kind of pain, but I'm not so sure...

Today I'm still stiff but feeling a little better. I probably didn't do myself any favors by trekking all over the zoo yesterday, but I survived.

Moral of the story: Weight machines are wack. Free weights rule. Watch out world!

Hi Alex...

Sorry for the pain but awesome for the reason why! You go girl!

Darcy

Whoo hoo, Alex!! Ah, it hurts SO good...

WOW! I am so proud of you. You may actually motivate me to start doing some exercise. Keep up the good work...Janie

Good for you, girl! I really need to do something for abdominal and upper arms -- toning and strength. But I don't know what is good. I've also been afraid that abdominal exercises might "tear up something" related to the band. (Of course, this is from a person who hasn't done ANY kind of exercise for years! But I am NOW trying to walk and ride bike regularly.)

I'm feeling a bit better today. I can't believe it's taken three days for this pain to subside! Of course, not being able to rest might have something to do with that.

I'm *amazed* at how little actual work there was involved in creating this effect. Those free weights, when we do them right, really pack a punch. If I'd known the difference I'd have bought some 5 and 8 lb weights for my home and gotten a book! It's simple and can be done anywhere.

Marie, the upper-body exercises we went through are simple too. Two 8 lb weights in a three-part lifting motion works all the muscles in the upper body, especially the shoulders, back, and arms. Those exercises didn't make me hurt, but I can feel the work I did. The trainer said that when we do these exercises correctly while standing, our abs get all the workout they need too just by keeping us upright and balanced.

He said that training with additional weight is overkill for abdominal work because all that would tend to do is make the muscles larger. And for the vast majority of people, like us, all we want is for them to be stronger, but not bigger. For that, all we need is the usual crunches or to involve them in other exercises by standing.

My trainer is kind of a dork in the personality department, but I do think he knows his stuff. :eek:

I feel your pain, I have been working 2-3 times a week since Jan.with a personal trainer. When we frist did legs I swear for three days after I had to find handicap bathrooms. The pain was worse than the lap-band surgery. Just wait until you do arms, I could hardly drive, thought I would have an accident every time I had to make a turn. Then torture above all abs, OMG can I tell you I thought I would die. However, I now have abs of steel after putting in 8 months of training. I really think all the training will make my surgery heal faster and the weight come off faster. I only lost 10lbs during all that training but I am a lot firmer. I thought that personal traineing was my answer to weightloss, I will tell you I was up at 6:00am every other day never missed did the tread mill on days I didn't train, have spent a fortune and still only lost 10lbs Why because I can't control food. I am praying the Band will work for me. I plan on returning to my training just as soon as I can. I am really wondering though if I will be able to do the Ab workout with the band. It sure feels funny right now. I haven't told my personal trainer about my surgery yet. I am trying to figure out what to tell him, why I can't come in for a few weeks, any ideas? If any of you live in Dallas North Dallas area my trainer is great and is very reasonable.

Alex, I think whatever amount of time and $$ you spend with your trainer will definitely be worth it. You're learning how to properly use those muscles and get the most for your workouts.