I'm working with a trainer at the downtown YMCA. I knew I was really weak after a year of dieting and 100lbs lost - I just had no idea how weak I was. For example, pre-diet curls I could do with 55#. I started July 8th with 5# and they were extremely difficult.
I go twice a week for 30 minutes of only upper body training because I'm concentrating on building my upper body strength first. Proud to say that I'm up to curling 40# and I can bench 145# easily which is within 15+-lbs of my body weight. I can also do pull-up's, never been able to do those before. Actually, I can do many things I wouldn't have dreamed of doing at my old weight and "strength". I'm just now starting see quite a bit of definition and I won't lie - it's intoxicating. I love finishing my workout, having a look in the mirror and seeing stuff popping out. Never seen that either.
I'm having a really hard time balancing my eating with working out and gaining muscle, as of yet I have not gained any weight (lost a bit from July 8th, actually) I'm just getting stronger. I know I'm going to hit a plateau soon that will force me to really start eating more but it's all new territory to me. Going from being fat, to heavy dieting, and now to trying to implement food back into my routine intelligently, it's a challenge. I eat a lot of turkey and chicken, heh. I know I'm not making the gains I could be making since I still stick to a restricted diet, but for now I'm happy with my gains. I want to at least be able to bench 150% of my body weight and curl 60's before I start working my lower body - I think I'll be there in a couple months.