Arms !!

StarLilly · by **StarLilly** » Tue Sep 18, 2022 11:51 pm

Hey,

Looking for advice on sorting arms and upper back. i only want to lose about 5-7 pounds (hopefully from the right areas!) but toning is more my issue.
Any suggestions please? i tried cardio boxercise kind of thing which was great but i have a bad shoulder/neck so couldn't keep it up, lifting weights isn't really an option because of that either.
So any suggestions are welcome please!!!
Thanks :thnk

lollypopbride · by **lollypopbride** » Wed Sep 19, 2022 9:08 am

Do you run or would you think about taking it up? I'm not sure if its proven or anything but I find whenever I go back to running regularly, the unexpected benefit is how much it takes weight off my upper body. I would combine it with light arm toning exercises though so thats helps too. I say go back becuase I've let it slip of late but with 6 months to go I'm def starting again this week, I'm so concious of my arms and upper body in photos and don't want that on the big day!!

I also horseride which I find can be great for the arms.

I tried TRX too and could see myself getting toned almost within a week but I'm not sure how well this would suit if you have problems, you could look into it though!

StarLilly · by **StarLilly** » Wed Sep 19, 2022 9:39 am

Thanks!
I actually downloaded the couch to 5k app last night so trying to get into running so hopefully that gives me the same benefits as you! Good luck with your 6 month plan!

I go to Zumba but I work shift work so I could go twice a week for a couple of weeks, but then not be able to go for about 3 weeks! I'd like to try TRX-is it really tough? Same with that and Pilates though, hard to find drop in classes that I can do with shift work.
What toning exercises do you do? Do they involve lifting weights?
:thnk

HellsBelles · by **HellsBelles** » Wed Sep 19, 2022 9:44 am

I am interested in this too. I have four weeks and would like to lose some of my upper arms as my dress is a sweetheart dress. I have been trying Tae Bo which is good and uses the upper body. I also have a bad shoulder so the weights kill me. I also do the Leslie Sansome walk & jog which involves arms quite alot too

My problem though is more having the motivation to do it. It's easier to tell myself I'll do it tomorrow and then not bother, I know if only I stuck to it I'd lose 6 - 7lbs in the time I need to :-8

Littleoeuf · by **Littleoeuf** » Wed Sep 19, 2022 10:46 am

Would swimming be ok for your shoulder?? You could even add a pull buoy if you wanted to really work the arms!

tassajara · by **tassajara** » Wed Sep 19, 2022 11:10 am

In terms of building arm muscle and tone, I don't think there is anything better than pushups and tricep dips. Start off with 25 of each exercise, split into 5 sets and stretch your arm muscles in between each set.

General cardio work will then help you lose the weight as well, but you'll also have fabulous toned arms as well.

stripes · by **stripes** » Wed Sep 19, 2022 6:05 pm

Hi, in relation to those dips, when you say sets of 5, would that mean 25 and then break, 25 and then break etc. ? Thanks

tassajara · by **tassajara** » Wed Sep 19, 2022 10:31 pm

no, 5 x 5, next day 5 x 7 and so on. Currently I'm doing 5 x 25 and I'm in bits today. Start off with smaller sets so you don't injure yourself.

I use an app on my Windows phone to track my progress.

Mamabelle2011 · by **Mamabelle2011** » Wed Sep 19, 2022 11:06 pm

Considering your neck/back injuries maybe you should go for something non-weight bearing like swimming?? fantastic for toning and much less likely than trx etc to cause injury. Zumba is great fun and a good cardio work out but its doubtful how it would tone your arms. Having said that it is a really enjoyable workout! Good luck! :wv

MrsGilhooley · by **MrsGilhooley** » Thu Sep 20, 2022 1:23 pm

Mamabelle2011 wrote:Considering your neck/back injuries maybe you should go for something non-weight bearing like swimming?? fantastic for toning and much less likely than trx etc to cause injury. Zumba is great fun and a good cardio work out but its doubtful how it would tone your arms. Having said that it is a really enjoyable workout! Good luck!

+ 1, I find swimming very good for toning arms

stripes · by **stripes** » Sun Sep 23, 2022 10:30 am

tassajara wrote:no, 5 x 5, next day 5 x 7 and so on. Currently I'm doing 5 x 25 and I'm in bits today. Start off with smaller sets so you don't injure yourself.

I use an app on my Windows phone to track my progress.

Thanks a mil:)

StarLilly · by **StarLilly** » Mon Sep 24, 2022 4:17 pm

Thanks everyone!! :thnk

I'm going to try get into swimming and find drop in pilates classes. The zumba can be really good for arms but its not consistent enough for results! And i think i have no excuse not fit in tricep dips every day, don't need to leave the house, no special equipment... Come on motivation!! :o0

lollypopbride · by **lollypopbride** » Thu Sep 27, 2022 8:10 pm

StarLilly wrote:Thanks!
I actually downloaded the couch to 5k app last night so trying to get into running so hopefully that gives me the same benefits as you! Good luck with your 6 month plan!
I go to Zumba but I work shift work so I could go twice a week for a couple of weeks, but then not be able to go for about 3 weeks! I'd like to try TRX-is it really tough? Same with that and Pilates though, hard to find drop in classes that I can do with shift work.
What toning exercises do you do? Do they involve lifting weights?

Sorry StarLilly, forgot to come back on here.

Yeah good luck with the running,if you like running (I love it) its a really enjoyable excercise for some time out and keeps you motivated for everything else. I use my upper body, especiallly when trying to go a little faster, so that prob helps too. But I find it clears my chest (suffer a bit) so its def good for your upper body.

I like TRX although the last time I did it I was already in the gym a while, I will wait to be back a little while before trying it again. Its quite tough but it really feels great plus you can make it harder or easier to suit your level.

Oh I do follow a programme in the gym but the upper body toning usually involves lifting light enough weight to do bicep, tricep curls, shoulder presses, that sort of stuff. Then push ups (the girly type using your knees). I'm crap at them but I do see myself getting better when I do them regularly and its spurs me on. My legs are quite strong so I like to make my upper body stronger,I feel quite weak a lot of the time and I do worry about my back etc.

Good luck! The thought of only having 6 months is freaking me! I'm heading over to the slimming world thread now to publicly (well sorta) declare I'm back and put my tail between my legs for falling off the wagon! :-8

StarLilly · by **StarLilly** » Mon Oct 08, 2021 7:19 pm

Thanks lollypop, you seem to have a great routine already, well done! the 6 months will be no bother to you!
Can i ask about tricep dips-how far down do you dip if you know what i mean?!
Off a bed or off the bottom of stairs?

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