u/PlasticFabtastic

42 M, 285 lbs/6'9". I've been losing weight through calorie counting since last September, down from 340, and I want to start lifting to preserve/build muscle. Started attending the gym regularly just last week. However, I hurt my lower back pretty badly last May. I have recovered to the point that I am normally not in pain, but I have to be very cautious when bending at the waist while picking things up and working, or it can feel like being hit with a cattle prod.

Are there some best practices I should follow as I start lifting? Maybe some alternatives or modifications I could try for moves like deadlifts? I want to get stronger but I am feeling pretty nervous.

I saw it advised to try using a leg press machine, but the ones I have access to max out at 350, and that's only a little more than my body weight.

I'm almost through my second year of school, transferring into a university ID program in the fall. I was looking for some opinions about what would be a good minor to go with it? I was thinking Project Management, since it would be useful in my current job (I work in aerospace) but I'd really like to hear what other people think.

I am a transfer student, just got my acceptance, intending to start either in the fall or next spring. I'm entering the Industrial Design program. I am going to have to be a part time student, as I work full-time - sometimes way more than full time, in fact. Is there anything I should be aware of going in? How are the professors? What's "that one class" that people have a rough time with? How's the workload?

It's my first time taking classes outside of community college, so I'm nervous but excited. I don't even know which questions I should be asking, really.