ME and Tricep Dips

[Pollytc]

Hello there!! Well, I did ME for the first time tonight. Of course, I could not do all reps, but I didn't do tooooo bad for my first time around, and the fact that it has been awhile since I've actually worked out before this weekend. I did have two problems> 1. I've never been good at tricep dips. Is it because I have so much extra weight still?!?!? 2. I couldn't seem to do the one ab exercise where you are on your side and on the forearm and try and bring yourself off the ground (not sure if I'm explaing this right or not)......again, is it because I am so much overweight?!?! If you have any advice on either of these exercises, please let me know!!!

Thanks!!

Kim

 

[kathryn]

Hi, Kim!
Tricep dips can be very hard to do, and can be hard on the wrists and/or shoulders. I usually substitute another exercise for them, like lying tricep extensions (my favorite substitution) or overhead extensions.

If you are having no wrist/shoulder problems with them, you could try variations to make them a bit easier, until you build up strength. Try doing them with bent legs, so that more of your weight is held by your legs (the more bent they are, up to a 90-degree angle), the more weight they will take off the arms.

The ab exercise you're describing (I understand!) is also a tough one. You can modify it by bending the bottom leg and keeping the knee on the ground. This will reduce the amount of weight you have to lift.

Whether the difficulties you are having are because of excess weight you have to lift or weak upper body and core muscles, the "solution" is the same: find modifications that work for you. I think sometimes we make the mistake of thinking that we should all be able to do every exercise Cathe does exactly as she does it from the get-go. It's better to think of the variations she shows as a goal to work up to. Some people can more easily do them "as-is", while others of us need to work up to them. Personally, I like the challenge of having something to strive for. It's much more interesting than being able to do every move too easily.

 

[Pollytc]

Thanks for the advice, Kathryn!! I'm doing ME again on Thursday (actually Candy has me doing PH, but I want to do ME again only because I want to get comfortable with the workout). I hope this time around I'm a little more knowledgable on the weights to use, what to do or substitute for the tricep dips and the lying ab work. And you are right.......not being able to do these will give me something to work towards!!

Thanks again!!

Kim