Starting the gym - slightly underweight but still 'flabby'

Thanks so much! What do you think about cardio? That's the bit I'm the most unsure on!

Thank you!

Do you think doing cardio will hinder my muscle progress sinuce I'll be burning off the calories and energy rather than using them do gain muscle?

It shouldn't be a problem, In find the best thing for me was to do intervals on the treadmill. Worked a treat.

For the time being your focus should be on lifting and eating. However, doing some cardio is important, just don't go nuts with it!

20-40 mins 2-3 days/week of some low intensity stuff- think walking at an easy pace on an incline on a treadmill or some easy stationary bike work.

Basically anything that gets your heart rate up a little but doesn't get you tired or out of breath.

How's your workout going OP

Any progress?

Exactly! 'Oh no! If you lift more than a bag of sugar, you will look like Hulk Hogan!'

lol, even for a guy it takes a lot more than just "lifting heavy" to get "big" or "bulky"

I did a strength routine for almost a year and while I got a ton stronger, I didn't get huge or even that much bigger, but that was more due to a lacking diet and a program that wasn't ideal for muscle building, ok I still gained some but I got a good bit of fat too

Now, ive researched a lot more and am having to shed the excess fat before trying to build muscle, so yeah don't go trusting other gym goes 100%

Hey! I've been at weight training for about 2.5-3 weeks now, using the barbell, free weights, cable machine, lat pull down machine etc and trying to eat as clean as possible with lots of protein. I've also discovered protein shakes, mmm!
I think so far I've noticed a slight bit of change, but not much, but I have only been at it properly for less than a month. I'm enjoying having something other than University to concentrate on though so I'm feeling super motivated!

Good stuff. One thing I did notice from your OP, but not sure if someone has mentioned is that 3x10 deadlifts is a lot of work. Considering that it will (should) be your heaviest lift and as a result is quite taxing, doing 30 in a workout could be more than is sensible. Obviously depends how heavy you go.

The people at my gym tell you not to lift that heavy if you're a woman so you don't get 'bulky' what a load of rubbish. They literally say to you, 'don't use over 4kg...'

It's such a rare and beautiful moment when a girl realises this especially when she's a beginner just starting out

Good luck!

and make a blog on tsr tracking your progress for all your workouts, it'll give you more motivation to progress and will force you to do that workout even when you're feeling **** because you know the regulars on the fitness section would be disappointed with you otherwise and it's nice to flick back to the first blog page and admire how far you've come

T.S

Thank you
I've started an Instagram page although admittedly it's more full of clean food at the moment than the gym. Don't think I'm quite ready for the whole 50kg squats photo just yet! But it's definitely keeping me motivated to eat well, a six pack is made in the kitchen and also go to the gym, especially following so many people who manage it every day!

No it is not. The muscle is built through heavy exercise then the fat is lost through diet to make the six pack visible. Plenty of guys/girls with really low body fat do not have six-packs!

"6 packs" are also a lot to do with genetics, I'd agree with the rest though, I've got abs somewhere hiding under that keg.

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No it is not. The muscle is built through heavy exercise then the fat is lost through diet to make the six pack visible. Plenty of guys/girls with really low body fat do not have six-packs!

Hey! I've been at weight training for about 2.5-3 weeks now, using the barbell, free weights, cable machine, lat pull down machine etc and trying to eat as clean as possible with lots of protein. I've also discovered protein shakes, mmm!
I think so far I've noticed a slight bit of change, but not much, but I have only been at it properly for less than a month. I'm enjoying having something other than University to concentrate on though so I'm feeling super motivated!

I'm pleased to hear this

Exercise is a great outlet for relieving stress and to focus on something different.

I like to use it as a way of stopping myself from sitting around all day