Ladies who lift.

lemurcat12

I found Stronglifts kind of intimidating when I was a complete newby. Starting probably early summer last year, I read the New Rules of Lifting for Women book and played around with it for a while, and worked with a trainer for a while (not saying this is necessary, I did it in part because I was running a lot and wanted something that worked with my running and an injury I'd seen a PT for) and also played around with Strong Curves, which was very similar to the kinds of exercises that had been recommended to me after my injury. More recently I went back and read the New Rules Supercharged book and realized that having more experience with the various lifts it was clicking for me in a way the New Rules for Women hadn't at first, and I've been following the routines there to some extent, which gives you lots of flexibility. I kind of have Stronglifts envy, though, so keep thinking about switching to that now that I know the lifts and am not scared of looking like I'm clueless with the barbell.

For the record, I am fully aware that one of the main things holding me back with lifting is am not just picking a program and fully committing for a period of time, but keep seeing a new shiny object and wondering "what about that?!"

On my diet, I originally set it to get at least 1 gram of protein per pound of lean mass (or a bit more) so aimed at 100 grams or more, but as I raised my calories I found that keeping about 30% protein still felt right, so I actually eat more than that now (I'm 5'3, 126). I'm also moving close to maintenance so am trying to focus more on getting some protein and carbs right after a workout (don't know if this matters, but it's helpful overall anyway for me) and pushing my calories up, which I've been struggling with a little. I'd really like to eventually increase my lean mass some, as well as simply getting stronger. I've been at 1600 calories and am trying to move to 1700. (I do either 40-30-30 or 35-35-30.) I'd recommend a smaller deficit (like -15% as recommended above) to minimize muscle loss--that's why I'm pushing up my calories, too.