I started going to the gym with my husband last week. I’m currently trying to drop some weight and get in shape. I also want to work my way up from walking to jogging.

We go for one hour Wednesday through Saturday and I do 30 minutes on the treadmill (walking 5 min, jogging 1 min, and so on) and 30 minutes of weight training (alternating upper and lower body daily). I also hop on my recumbent bike about three times a week and do ab workouts every day I go to the gym.

I lost 4 lbs last week, so something’s working, but I’m astounded by how weak my muscles are. I’m doing 45–55 lbs on leg workouts (curls, extensions, hip adductions and abductions). And my arms are much weaker (I can only do 10 reps of biceps curls at a measly 20 lbs!). I know I can’t expect to be physically strong when I’ve never done weight training before, but I wasn’t expecting to be this weak. Is this normal?

Also, today I felt really light-headed and a bit nauseous after my cardio. I worked out my arms anyways, but I didn’t do as many reps as I did last week. I’m supposed to get better over time, not worse, right? It seems harder every time I go.

I’m definitely not dehydrated and I’m certainly not working my body too hard. I also ate an apple and peanut butter before my workout (and ate breakfast this morning), so I don’t think it’s a food thing. Is it just that I’m incredibly out of shape? Am I being too hard on myself or should I stop whining and push myself harder?

Topics: health, exercise, fitness, weight training, gym, cardio