Adding Weights to Exercise Routine

I’ve recently decided to alter my minor exercise routine to add weights… or I want to anyway.

It first started by wanting to increase the difficulty of my crunches with a 25 pound weight. However, I have simply decided that I would like to instead do bicycle crunches, which I understand to work most, if not all, abdominal muscles.

My current routine is as follows:

One Set of 1:30 Minute Plank

Two Sets of 25 Bicycle Crunches

1 Set of 30 Pushups

1 Set of 5 Lumbar Stretches

1 Set of 30 Pushups

The lumber stretches are a bit of an artifact left from when I was experiencing lower back pain, but I still do it to avoid it coming back (plus, I think it helps to work my arms slightly in between sets if pushups).

Is there any way I can modulate my current routine to involve weights and improve resistance?

My current goals are to achieve a flatter stomach and increase upper body strength. I am aware flatter stomach is mostly done by weight loss (Currently 178, shooting for 170-175; 5’11”). I want to increase my upper body strength and endurance because I work at an animal hospital and that requires lifting AND restraining heavy/strong dogs.