new, need help!

sjames · #1 (**permalink**) Feb. 20/06, 04:56 PM

hey, i'm new to this community and working out--i'm completely oblivous to everything i should be doing.

I'm 17 and i weigh 160 lb. I just got a bench a few weeks ago and i haven't really used it yet. The only good thing i've done so far is figure out a good weight setting for bench press...which is only 100 lb. ( I really hope to change that soon) Anyway, i want to get in better shape before i go off to college next year but i'm still unsure about how much weight lifting i should be doing each day.

I mainly want to build my chest, arms, and shoulders. For my arms i can only curl about 15 on my right and 25 on my left. so i need to even out my arms and also greatly increase my strength because that's pretty embarassing. So, how much should i do each day?

also, i'm pretty flabby so i would like to lose some fat but i've been told it's impossible to gain muscle and lose weight at the same time. So i'm confused on that situation. I know it would take some cardio and diet change but that's about all i'd know.

I would greatly appreciate it if anyone could just tell me a work out routine i can base all my workouts from i.e. how much lifting i should do a day, how many miles should run a week, what i should be eating. pretty much anything would be helpful.

thanks in advance

EliteMarine · #2 (**permalink**) Feb. 20/06, 05:45 PM

Just a quick tip and i'll let the others answer your main questions. Do not eat junk. You are what you eat and if you eat like **** you will look like it.

Nobody · #3 (**permalink**) Feb. 20/06, 06:06 PM

Not necessarily. I mean, people eat junk food all the time and they look fine.

I think Marine wants to say that your body is made in the kitchen. And if you want something you need to eat right.

Eating junk food will only set back your training.

Scott_Free · #4 (**permalink**) Feb. 20/06, 06:22 PM

Since you are new to the workout routine, go light and watch your form on all your exercises. Through form comes safety and then you can up your weights. It won't take you long to get your muscles use to things and see some progress in the amount of weight you can push/pull.

Even though most people only want big guns and chest, you dont want to be that guy who looks like he is riding around on a chicken. Work your whole body, core exercises like squats and deadlifts will build your muscle core which will assist in getting you the gains you want.

Some people will recommend an over all body workout 3 times a week for a start, from there you can decide if you prefer that or if you want to start splitting things up.

Remember form and saftey then weight.