I’m seeking recommendations that can help me get into shape. I apologize in advance for the long post, but I think my background info may be pertinent.
I was alway skinny into my late 20s and decided to lift weights to build muscle. Lifted for a few weeks with a dumbell set, saw no results, and gave up.
Then in my 30s I bought a Bowflex and decided I’d give it a serious shot. Changed my diet, ate tons of tuna, bought protein drinks, stretched, and worked out according to the recommended plan. After six weeks I still saw no results. I kept going for two more weeks, no results. I quit and sold the Bowflex.
Now I’m in my late 40s. Recently I found some sort of lateral press (I guess) by Pacific Fitness near a dumpster. I brought it home, put it together, and have been using it for three weeks now.
Here’s the closest pic I could find to what I have
http://www.argos-sports.co.uk/mall/popupimage.cfm?productid=AS1198&storename=argos
And here’s what’s amazing. At this late age, and without really changing my diet (which is crap – hamburger helper, pizza, burgers – everything that’s wrong) I am seeing results!
After the first two weeks I thought I was seeing some, now after three they are evident. Even my wife has commented.
So, here’s what I’m doing, please tell what I’m doing wrong, and how I can do better. Keep in mind that I have tried many times before with no results, so my biggest fear is that I’ll stop seeing improvement and give up again.
Everyday I spend 20 minutes on a Gazelle at a fast pace. I was doing 45 minutes at an average pace, but I read it’s better to go for a shorter time at a faster pace.
3 or 4 times a week I work out with the weights. I am lifting only 30 lbs, in 3 sets of 10 reps.
I lift using both handles (90 degrees apart) so this means I’m doing a total of 6 sets.
Then, while still sitting, I grip the ‘pulldown bar’ in an overhand fashion and do 3 sets of 10 reps. I then reverse the grip to an underhand and do the same.
Finally, I stand in front of the machine, and again do 3 sets of 10 reps overhand, then underhand, pulling the bar down towards the floor.
I follow this with a 20lb dumbell in which I do bicep curls from a sitting position, again 3 sets of 10 reps.
I had read before that once a man enters his mid 40s he can no longer build muscle, only maintain. This obviously isn’t true, at least not in all cases, because I have more muscle now in my biceps and triceps than I ever have in my life.
I’d also be curious if anyone can explain why, at this late stage, I am suddenly able to build muscle when I never have before.
Again, sorry this is soooo long!