So I’ve been working out for almost a month now. I am up to 45-50 minutes on my stationary bike, 5x a week and I’ve lost 12 pounds so far! :banana
I’d like to start lifting little dumbbell weights, 2-3x a week. Any suggestions of how to start? Good websites that will show me what exercises to do? Maybe even a simple video. Any suggestions welcome!
TIA!

Hi,
I lovel ifting weights ! I find it really changes your body and makes me feel stronger. Here is a site that explains quite a few exercises:

But what you need is to start slow and just get familiar with some basic lifting.
Are you doing this at home? Do you have access to a gym with a trainer? I would suggest buying one session to get a program developed for you [especially if you have any injuries]. I'd be happy to help you figure out what to do. I'm not a trainer, but would like to eventually become one.
Basically you want to do 2-3 exercises for every major body part. I break my workouts up like this
Legs - quads, hamstrings, calves, ab/aductors
back/chest
Biceps/Triceps
With a rest day between lifting. You can do it in 30 min or so, at least that's what i do!
Good luck!, I'm not sure if there are other personal trainer mamas here, I'm sure there is!
--Angela

Body for Life is supposed to be an excellent program/book (I take a lot of my ideas with my weight program from his book as well as others). I weight lift a lot and quite heavy....you really have to lift heavy and no your not going to bulk up and look like a man, that is such a myth. Just TRY to look like those female Olympian weight lifters, it's almost impossible. So dont let lifting heavy weight scare you.
Oxygen magazine I really enjoy reading as well.
Here is another good site I found that seems to explain things well with women and weights:

LOL Once you start lifting and seeing results you are going to love it and you wont stop :) I feel incredible and my body is looking hotter than ever.

:notes:

I have a book called Strength Training for Women. The author really breaks down the muscle groups, gives recommendations for how many reps to do to achieve certain goals (i.e. muscle mass, lengthening, or bone strengthening) , and aslo gives stretching guides. I do upper body (back and arms) 3 times a week. I do not do much core work due to a hernie that I do not want to aggrevate. I also don't do much leg lifting because I run every day and often bike a long ride pulling my boys at least once a week (usually 12 miles) so my legs are strong and cut : ) If I am itching for a good quad workout, I throw my kids in the trailer and we are off!
I also have interval training dvds by The Firm. I have a complete upper body lifting dvd and I also have the Box Aerobics series. They are extremely challenging, especially if you work your way up to using heavy weights for biceps, back, squats, and leg presses. Sometimes you can find older versions of The Firm tapes at stores like Ross and T J Maxx. I think they are a great investment. Especially the Box Aerobic series because the box doubles as a weight bench.
Good luck!
Judy