Post # 1
Member
271 posts
Helper bee
As we all know, wedding dresses these days show off the arms…my worst feature, what’s a girl to do?
I can’t afford a gym membership, so it’s all work from home, and I have no staying power with videos. I am however, good at exercises while I’m watching TV. I’m happy to go out and purchase some weights or those elastic band thingies, but I’ve no idea what to do with them.
Has anyone around here had a similiar er, upper arm issue and conquered it with certain exercises? If so, could you help a girl out and share the technique?
Post # 3
Member
4765 posts
Honey bee
- Wedding: January 2011 - Vintage Villas
Have you tried the 30 Day Shred? I know it gets talked about a lot, but I swear by it when it comes to toning your arms! If you don’t want to do the whole workout, you could look up the exercises on YouTube (I think you can find them there! If not, def on iTunes) and just do the arm ones while you are watching TV. That video gave me the best arms ever. I haven’t done it in a while, so they aren’t looking as good now, but I was so proud of them for a few months there!
Post # 4
Member
1037 posts
Bumble bee
- Wedding: May 2010 - Carlouel Yacht Club
Try the 100 push up challenge! You can tailor it to your current abilities, and it is definitely a challenge! I think you can definitely see the definition in your arms if you stay consistent with it for a few weeks!
Post # 5
Member
612 posts
Busy bee
sit on a kitchen chair and grip the chair on either side of your legs.
slide your butt off the edge, sliding your feet out a bit so you can bend your knees and “dip” your butt down. Use your arms to pull you back high enough that you could sit back down… but dont! dip again!!
Start with 5 in the morning and 5 at night, each day, add one more! You’ll know when you’re maxed out 😉
Post # 6
Member
271 posts
Helper bee
Cardigan, Thanks for that, there are so many vids on youtube, so I’m searching now and hopefully I’ll find them!
Msbuttons. I was always a bit worried push ups worked one’s back more than the under side of the arms? I could well be wrong about that, did you find they worked for you?
Stefanie, thanks so much that’s exactly what I was looking for! I’ll start with that exercise today!
Post # 7
Member
195 posts
Blushing bee
My mom doesn’t like her arms, either. So, she bought a lace shrug to wear with her MOB dress. They come in all different colors…maybe a white one would make you feel less self conscious.
Post # 8
Member
2633 posts
Sugar bee
Well, you said you don’t like videos, but Jillian Michaels’ No More Trouble Zones is an AWESOME workout. I’d rec. it.
Post # 9
Member
193 posts
Blushing bee
- Wedding: December 2010 - University of Toronto Faculty Club
ashtanga yoga! I love it.
Post # 10
Member
3788 posts
Honey bee
Bolero. No, seriously, that’s what I’m doing!
I second the push-ups and chair-dips. Push ups work your biceps more, while the chair dips help define your triceps, which it sounds like you’re interested in. Free and straight-forward, can’t beat that!
Post # 11
Member
2767 posts
Sugar bee
buy some hand weights and work your triceps by bending your elbows up 90 degrees behind your back and pumping up and down. Also do dips if you can – maybe between two counters in your kitchen since your probably don’t have anywhere else to do them.
Post # 12
Member
106 posts
Blushing bee
I’ve been doing a version of a yoga move that my friend showed me. Basically you just hold your body up in the pushup position without actually doing a pushup for as long as you can and then repeat. Of course regular pushups work too.:)
Hey, here is another idea (I’m considering doing this!) : wearing a wrap over your shoulders, perhaps similar to this but maybe not as long:
[attachment=1057747,131588]
Post # 13
Member
58 posts
Worker bee
I’ll add a 2nd vote for No More Trouble Zones. It’s less than $10 on amazon. Even if you don’t actually use the video, she’ll show you how to correctly perform the exercises. My fiance commented that my arms looked more defined shortly after I started using the video. I started with 3 lbs, but I bet you could see quicker changes if you use 5 lbs.
Post # 14
Member
440 posts
Helper bee
Another vote for the 30 Day Shred!! I’m on Level 2/Day 4 and have seen better results with this than running 3 miles/day!! Highly recommend it!
Post # 15
Member
204 posts
Helper bee
30 Day Shred and pushups if you have time, bolero or a wrap if you don’t. Arms can really come a long way very fast, so if you commit to fitness routine you should see a significant difference. Good luck!
Post # 16
Member
271 posts
Helper bee
Thanks guys!
Those are all really great suggestions 🙂
I’m not too keen on something to cover my arms, I think it makes me look too top heavy, so workout here I come 🙁
Since you guys are all so big on the 30 day shred I shall have to give it a try! I have about 7 months to go, so hopefully it will help.
My main motivation for exercises rather than videos is I’m hoping for some that I’ll have the will power to keep doing in front of tv after I get married. Novelties always wear off for me with videos, but I seem to be good at continuing with basic exercises like the chair one (I did them yesterday and today Stefanie, thanks!)
Amariem, is a dip like a half-press up?