Get Motivated! How to Start a Weight-lifting Program
Are you getting to the point in your life where each and every corn chip you consume processes into an extra pound that you store in your saddle bags? Perhaps you should lift more than a thirty-two ounce soft drink. Hey we are all getting older, so don't give me that I'm too old for all that macho gym stuff.
Ok you got me there, I can see the gray on the sidewalls, and it looks like you haven't passed up many bagels at work, so why don't you do yourself a favor and give me a chance to convince you that this is an opportunity that you need. After all, there has been a lot of fad diets on the market, and there has been a lot more money made off of couch potatoes (just like you) than I care to even think about. So don't be a sucker and buy into all that carb-counting yuppie south beach snake oil!
Pull out some of your old work gray sweatpants and old sweatshirt and get down in the basement where your old-fashioned steel weights and heavy steel barbell is gathering dust bunnies. Ok, now that I've got your attention let me give you some helpful pointers before we have dial 911 and reserve a private room for you down at the local saw-bones warehouse for the broken-down.
Remember to Always Stretch and Warm-Up Before you Start a Workout
Don't you dare touch that barbell just yet you go-getter you. Don't you think you need to do some warm-ups first, Arnold? Just spread your legs and swivel those hips and do that thing for a count of ten. Now relax, and take a deep breath or two. Ok, now with those legs spread apart try to touch those toes--easy now you should never bounce like that because you are going to tear something in the back of those robust thighs of yours. Slowly attempt to touch your toes and hold it for a count of ten. Now slowly stand up straight and repeat that for about ten times you do that and I go sit down and enjoy my beer, call me if you need anything important there--bud--you're looking good!
So how's it going, ya feeling it yet? Now pick up that jump rope and lets get that heart pumping tough guy, the cardiovascular system is one of the most important systems we got and your butter intake isn't doing it much of a favor (but it sure is good). Come on now you can jump rope, your second grade gym teacher had to pop you on the head to get you to stop so get at jumping. There you go, now do that for about, oh let's say about ten minutes or until you feel that you should stop.
When you feel that blood pumping, stop and just walk around the basement for just a couple minutes so that you can slowly recover and NEVER, NEVER, NEVER just sit down! If you do just sit down you run the risk of a physical meltdown (we don't want to have you stroke-out).
For a complete stretch and warm-up routine, please check out "http://www.netfit.co.uk/stretching.htm" -- They give several sample stretch routines, with pictures, and detailed descriptions of body placement.
