To gain motivation, try watching Arnold Schwarzenegger's movie Pumping Iron. As far as the schedule goes, I think you could stick w/ ur old schedule, just try eating more, in fact, try 5 small meals a day instead of 3 large meals.

Well I was reading other posts about fitness, and they said they should work like arms one day, legs the next... and so on. I was doing that everyday, with what I was able to do with the "tools" I had. I think I just got tired so that's why I stopped working out. I think eating is definitely a problem, I don't eat all that much, maybe like once or twice a day... or whenever I feel like it. So that's probably the problem, and thanks for replying.

Once or twice a day? That's definitely not enough, in fact, you might get skinnier from lifting weights and eating that little since ur body does not have the nutrients to recover from a hard workout and as a result ur body basically disintegrates eventually

No no! Work a little arms and a little legs whever you lift, also chest and back. Don't just work one or the other. My trainer has me work a little of everything each day I train.

Having a better diet will help with a lot of things, including getting you motivated. When you have a better diet you're feel just all around better and not so sluggish.

Gaining weight is not easy for some people. You have to be just as attentive to your diet as someone trying to lose weight. If you need diet tips let me know. I know how rough it is to gain muscle weight.

Okay well can you tell me some tips then? I try to eat healthy but whenever we have fruit in the house, it dissappears the day we get it. So I may need some tips.
Also I don't think I workout enough, like I don't even break a sweat, but that probably has something to do with the food I'm NOT eating.... making me tired.

Are you sure you want to gain wt? I was 17 once and wanted to get more massive too, so I understand, but really, one day you will probably long for the days when you wished you could gain weight.

I was once a serious power lifter (could easily bench 300 lbs) and could squat 400 lbs., at a body weight of 140, so I speak from a lot of experience. I stopped with this kind of training in 1982 and switched to distance running around '90, but still do some strength training, just to maintain myself, nothing more. I am a firm believer in pushups. They require no equipment, and build shoulders, arms and chest especially. I still do 500/week (70-50-47 on MWF every week). I also do some light curls with about 40 lbs. of barbells (about 65 reps) three times a week, and a couple of other little things like grips. This all takes very little time and keeps my upper body very firm and strong. You definitely should not go "around the world" with every workout. Work some areas on, say, MWF, and other areas on T Th Sat. Muscle building comes on the *rest* days, after being stressed. If you want to build mass, you will also need to be sure to consume enough good quality protein. This is essential. I am a natural lover of fat-free milk, so this has never been a problem for me. You don't need to eat that much meat. Modest amounts of chicken or fish or even beef a few times a week would be plenty.

As far as motivation for workouts, that is something you will have to work on yourself. We are all different and have different thought processes, priorities etc. I have been athletic practically all my life, so it is just like brushing my teeth; comes like clockwork. For the most bang for your effort, I would recommend bench pressing, pushups, curls. Make a game of it, i.e. see how much you can improve over time. It's fun. But you will need some structure and a routine. Running and biking are also great for the legs. Again, it doesn't take all that much time...work up to about 3 miles running at least 3 or 4 times a week, and a few miles of biking will build the thighs. Good luck.

Well I am happy to say that I have started to work out, I started Yesterday with upper body (arms, shoulders, abs), however I didn't do all that much, it wasn't a very long workout... is this bad? should I be going longer? I plan to follow your advice of MWF for one part (I'm thinking upper body) and TTF (For Lower). Today was my legs and since it's getting nicer out, I rode my bike around a park about 8 times which was 2.5 miles. Question - Does biking gain muscle? or just burn calories? One last question - When will I start to see a physical improvement to my body? I heard someone mention "Muscle Milk", is this a good thing to use? If so, when should I use it, before or after a workout?

Well, when I train I go MWF weights, thursday dry land which usually includes whatever it is I'm feeling so sometimes its yoga others its cycling or just whatever they offer here at the university but all things you could technically do on your own. Then I have MTWHF swim practices two hours a day and sometimes an hour in the mornings after weights..

Biking gains muscle as long as you are pushing yourself. You won't see much results if you just kind coast, so I'd look for some hills in town. But it is a wonderful way to gain leg muscle, my coach had me cycling for a few months this year. I hated it but I got results!

How early you actually see results depends on how hard you work.

Muscle Milk is just a protein drink, I don't really care for them. I have a rough time gaining muscle, and thats pretty typical for swimmers, however I gained plenty of muscle just by having a better diet.

Lol, I'm a swimmer too Muscle milk helps to some extent, but don't make that the pinnacle of ur workout. I personally think eating healthy and a lot makes a bigger difference than muscle milk

MMAFighter, I know you're a swimmer

Have you been doing any off season training? I hate motivating myself to do it! But apparently my coach went crazy recruiting so there's no choice for me if I want to keep a scholarship! XD

This summer is going to be a real test for me haha

Ya, I've been off-season training. But I have to admit that its 60% just general fitness/dryland and only 40% poolwork though

Does biking gain muscle? Sure it does....ever seen the thighs of elite bikers? But you and I will likely never bike nearly as much as they do, nevertheless, any regular activity that stresses a muscle will cause it to adapt by getting stronger/more massive. I happen to live where I have to pedal up a steep hill to get back home after riding my bike to the place where I run, so I end things on a zesty note, you might say.

You should start to see improvement very soon--a matter of weeks. Consistency is the key, along with proper nutrition, especially enough good protein. "Muscle Milk?" Never heard of it till I just looked it up. Just as I suspected, it's just another overpriced protein supplement drink that you don't need. It is *consistent training* that will get you to where you want to be, not magic potions or snake oil. Above all, have FUN.

Alright thanks, yesterday was upper body lifting and I went from 6:17 - 6:53... I covered the clock and set an alarm on my iPod to try to reach my goal without getting discouraged... which was 7:00, I was 7 minutes short. I've made an improvement and it felt a lot better after I was done, like I actually did something. I'm not so much worried about lifting, because I think I got into a routine... I'm more worried about nutrition, I don't know exactly what I should eat and what to stay away from. I do love milk (2%) and drink it a lot so I think that's a good thing. Do you think you can give me some ideas what I should eat to get proper nutrition?

To sum it up, you need to try and stick to lean cut red meats, beans, starchy vegetables, and heavy breads(feel free to spread something yummy on the bread too). Be sure to eat three- five-- a big breakfast if you can. If you snack(which I suggest) then make sure its a granola bar or something to that effect. Trail mix is really good too.

Drink milks, juices, sports drinks, milkshakes or smoothies are good too. Cut out caffefine if you can.

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I originally wrote this for help gaining weight, however I think this is good for gaining muscle as well. Pretty much just eat a good amount of protein and you're good with muscle.

I really suggest you work on a variety of things during your workouts. Don't spend one day doing one thing. You've already got your weights out so work your back muscles when you do your arms, Or work one PART of your leg one day and another part of your leg another day.

You limbs are made of just one muscle. You can work your quads one day and your butt and calves another and still be safe! I'll write my workout down when I get to work and show you what my trainer gives me to illistrate it.

If you're not comfortable with that remember that slow and controlled lifting is the most effective. You're not powerlifting so things don't need to be fast unless you're doing cleans to a bench or another anaarobic lift. Just go slowly and you'll easily be able to lift for an hour.

Okay thanks for the advice, I'll have to go out and buy some of the foods you mentioned.

So is it possible that I gained muscle from only working out a week? If I followed the MWF (Upper) and TTS (Lower). I feel that my arms are getting tighter, is this possible or is just because I had a good workout yesterday to make them feel this way today?

Well, I always feel better when I work out.

Its good motivation to keep doing it huh?

By the way, what I meant to say above was that your limbs are NOT just one muscle, but a group of muscles. Work one part one day and another part another day. I think its more efficient and will give you more to do in a work out session.

Yeah that's what I do. For my leg workout I usually just ride my bike around the park (2.5 miles) about 3-4 times. I sometimes do some leg curls but not as much. Have you ever heard of Amino acid supplements? I was reading something in my health book about how it gives you energy (or something like that, can't remember exactly what it said) before a workout, and also B12 pills (I think)... are these good to take? one or the other? Because I don't wanna get tired during a workout, I want to go for atleast an hour-hour an a half.

I was searching "amino acid supplements" on google and a product called Amino complete showed up. Has any one tried any kind of this stuff? I want to know if it's a good idea before buying it, because I don't think I'm getting enough protein from what I normally eat, so I was thinking this is a good idea.... if it's not bad or anything. If you have opinions, please share