[MarkBurns]

Hey, I'm Mark,

I have a couple of questions about lifting weights.

I'm 13 and want to start lifting weights. The reason is because I have small muscles ( none at all if you ask me ).

Apart from using up energy and decreasing my blood sugar level ( which I would be able to control ), is there anything else that could affect my diabetes while lifting weights?

My second question are the right weights for me. Here is my info;

Male
Around 6 stone
About 5 Ft 9"

I will probably be getting a set of 3 different weights so a minimum weight and maximum weight would be great.

And the last question is; are there any good songs that can motivate me while lifting weights? Preferably with as little swearing as possible.

Thanks a bunch!!
-Mark

[splix]

Hi Mark,

I would suggest you try to post the question about weights and training scheme in a forum that specializes in that area. I've been lifting weights for some time (on and off for 10 yrs) and my own tip when younger people like you ask these kinds of questions, is that you should wait a bit. You’re going through so much changes right now that the age of 15 is a better age to start lifting weights. Until then your own body weight is more than enough during exercises to build up muscle and strength. Weights just add the risk on lifting things the wrong way and you hurting yourself. It’s surely not the answer you where looking for, but it's something I can stand by.

The upside with training in general is that you get more "insulin aware/respond" meaning that a smaller amount of insulin makes up for a carbon intake. I’m sure you will see that you need a lesser intake in total over the day as well. You should however cut your insulin intake an hour or two before your planned exercise not to get to low during. I find that running and biking for example gets me low during exercise but lifting weights makes less impact. I try to start out with a blood sugar between 6-8, it’s a bad idea to try to exercise right after or during a low period.

A good webpage to read up with diabetes and exercise is "runsweet.com". Here you can read about both normal and top athletes and their experience about mixing training with our medical state.

Regarding music choice, working out with weights/body mass is normally easier with something with much base pumping in the background. It helps you keep a rhythm in your sets. Armin Van Buuren, Scooter and music like that. When I lift really heavy things, I like to have more raging music like Korn, NIN, Manson, System of a Down and such.

I hope my answer is somewhat useful. If someone else feels that my suggestions is way of, feel free to fill in.

[Muzlim]

I agree with Splix, but what I would like to add here is that you focus on your diet a lot, try to eat big and clean. Don't cut on the insulin yet or cut relatively low but compensate with eating more insteadif you want to increase muscle weight- muscles are made of Glycogen and eating Proteins is important.

Try not to overload your system and use body weight training, do not train to failure. Do more sets with constant reps.

I'm a type 1 and have been doing weight training since a few years with relatively better success than my peers at the Gym.

Hope this helps.

Musklim

[sdupo]

Are you lifting to train for a sport or just as a hobby to build up your puny arms and chest? I hope you're doing this to better your health and not to impress the girls/boys. Your health is far more important. Best of luck in building your weak body.