I have been doing the exercises every other day for several weeks. My problem is that my wrists are REALLY sore. Do wrists need to get stronger? Or am I doing something wrong like gripping too tight or bending my wrists? If this is a common symptom of doing something wrong, can you tell me? I really want to resolve it and stick with the strength training.

The problem could be your form; or it could be that your wrists are weak. If so, these suggestions should help:

First, make sure that your wrists stay straight and in line with your forearms when you're doing the upper body exercises, particularly the biceps curl and overhead press. It might also help to wear wrist braces for a little additional support. If you're interested in strengthening your wrists, try doing wrist curls (description below). I hope this helps. But if the pain worsens or continues, please see your doctor promptly, since there could be a physical problem that needs to be addressed.

WRIST CURLS

• Start with one or two pound dumbbells. Holding the weights, sit in a chair, lean slightly forward, and rest your forearms on your thighs, palms facing up, with your wrists just slightly beyond your knees.
• 1-2-3-LOWER: Bend your wrists to slowly lower the back of your hands towards your shin.
• PAUSE for a breath.
• 1-2-3-RAISE: Slowly bring your palms back up, until your wrists are straight again.
• PAUSE for a breath and repeat. Do one set of 8 reps.
• For the second set of 8 reps, keep your forearms on your thighs but with your palms facing down. During the second set, your wrists will bend forward, not back as they did in the first set.
• Note: Your forearms should never lose contact with your thighs. Only your wrists move, not your forearms or upper arms.