A
male
age
30-35,
anonymous
writes:I'm embarrassed even to ask this.I want to work out and build some muscle (I'm kinda weedy). But if I buy some weights and stuff for home I know family and mates will think its funny cos I'm the lanky one and the last person they would expect to be weight training.I guess what I'm asking is what do I reply to them? and how do I have the confidence to get some weights for myself and start doing it without being patronised by, for example, my dad or brother, who would just find it funny and joke bout it or bring it up infront of others like it's some strange unheard of event?Thanks.
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male
reader, N91 +, writes (27 June 2011):
 You don't have to say anything man, just be happy and proud of yourself that you're changing your body for the better, let everybody else say whatever they like whilst they're slobbing out eating their junk food and what not...
Good luck!
A
reader, anonymous, writes (27 June 2011): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionThanks for the reassurance guys.
I've ordered some weights and will look into gym.
Still don't know what I'm gonna say before the equipment arrives at my house though.
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A
male
reader, wiseoldman +, writes (22 June 2011):
They'll only hate you if you succeed. Good luck and keep at it.
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A
male
reader, N91 +, writes (22 June 2011):
Congratulations for making one of the best decisions in your life...I've been seriously lifting for about 3 months now and have seen great gains already.
Firstly, ignore whatever the hell anyone else has to say, this is a fantastic decision that you've made and at least you're doing something about your body whilst everyone else who finds is funny is sat around on their arse.
Take a look at this website, www.muscleandstrength.com - I'm signed up there and get all of my workout plans and diet & nutrition information from there as well as it having a forum where hundreds of dedicated weight trainers will be more than happy to help you with any queries you have.
Firstly, if you're skinny, you're probably want to go on what's called a 'bulk' where basically you're beefing up a bit, putting weight on - Take note that I don't mean this as you're going to put about 30lbs of fat on, but you do have to realise that you WILL put a little fat on as you're going to be in a calorie surplus so that your body can grow, bulking is the gaining of LEAN MUSCLE, providing you're pushing yourself in the gym and eating CLEAN.
I'd also recommend signing up to a gym as opposed to training at home as you won't be able to train many things besides biceps, triceps and chest depending on the equipment that you have.
It will be a good idea to take a look at purchasing some protein powder, which encourages your body to repair the muscle and aid recovery after a workout session, depending on how much you're willing to pay with affect the quality of the powder.
If you need any more help, don't be afraid to ask me in a PM, but I'd definately sign up to the forum that I posted above - You'll be able to get beginner routines and find help on how to perfect your form on each excercise.
(I'm 5'6", 145lbs, 12.65% bodyfat which roughly equates to abut 123lbs of lean muscle and 22lbs of body fat)
Goodluck
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (22 June 2011): I think the best way to avoid mockery is to a) be upfront about it (secret working out will definitely get you teased) and b) mock yourself first (I'm so lanky blah blah blah)
I don't mean you have to tell everyone, but people like your family are totally going to find out, so you may as well get there first, then they'll have less to tease you about.
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A
female
reader, Honeypie  + ♥, writes (22 June 2011):
 Find a gym, learn how to use weights correctly so you build the "right" muscles.
Don't listen to anyone putting you down at home, nothing wrong with wanting to improve yourself, just, stay away from the easy "drugs" such as steroids.
Go for it.
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A
male
reader, idoneitagain  +, writes (22 June 2011):
All people, but especially our families, form their idea of our identity. And we usually conform to our family's version of our identity, to a lesser or greater degree. In other words, we are the version of them that they want us to be. It is a natural process.
However, it is also natural for you to have a version of your identity that doesn't match the one that your parents or siblings have. Things that make you different from what they are expecting. When we try and assert an identity that is different from the one they have in their minds, they object and protest. They do this by making fun of our new behaviour, or forbidding us to do it, or telling us that they don't think it is right somehow. Their reactions are also normal.
The fact that it feels like it is a hard thing to do, and you aren't sure what to say to them, means that you are on the right track. The process of asserting your new identity in this way, doing the things you want but that aren't expected of you, is a good thing, but only if you can be yourself in front of your family, the people it matters most to. That means, you have to be able to withstand the jokes and the objections, for a time, until they come to accept the person you really want to be. If you can tolerate the discomfort of these comments by them, and keep the attitude that it is what you want to do anywhay, you will succeed.
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A
male
reader, The Realist  +, writes (22 June 2011):
 First thing is good for you for wanting to work out. I would seek an outside source for workout advice. Maybe check out your local gym and see if you can meet with someone for a while to learn proper exercises then you will know what you need to by and do without asking family.
As for what they will say just tell them that you want to build muscle and don't really say anything else. Just keep doing what you are doing. You don't actually have to tell anyone, just let them find out whenver it happens.
A friend of mine was always tall and skinny, he never told us he was working out until one day we noticed that he had some good definition to him. In my opinion that is the best way for your friends to find out.
It may also be a good idea to look into a protein supplement. I personally don't use any of the powder but I have wanted to get into it. It's something to think about and remember when working out you want to give your body a hard work out but then it needs a good rest, this is when you want to make sure your body hass the protein for building the muscle.
Good luck to you.
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