When did you start noticing a difference? (strength training)

myssjaxson

How long did it take for you to notice a difference (the slightest difference even) after strength training/toning? Just curious. I know it widely depends, I'm not asking how long it takes, I'm asking for individual curiosity

Add: I've lost 56lbs (overall goal being 70lbs) and started calisthenics maybe 3 weeks ago or so. I'm doing crunches, squats, bicycles, mountain climbers, boats and so on with some cardio too and about to start weight lifting. I've noticed a very slight difference lately, others wouldn't be able to tell but just me noticing a bit of a difference. Its nice motivation.

Runagain_4

Not really strength training, but I started Pilates and daily walks in September. In mid-November (about 12 lbs lost and 2x weekly Pilates) I started to notice a difference in my waistline. In mid-December (about 16 lbs lost + Pilates) I started to notice a real definition in my arms, and my clothes started fitting differently (not only looser, but more streamlined). December is also when others started to notice a difference. Since September, I've gradually increased daily walks from about 2 km a day to anywhere between 5-10 km a day, and have continued doing Pilates 2x a week. Even though I'm still about 12 lbs from my goal weight, the clothes I used to wear at that weight now fit looser than they did then. It's like everything has shifted (in a good way).

mrp56839

I noticed a difference in the way I felt after about 2 weeks. I'm at a loss of 26lbs since mid Oct (40ish more to go) and I'm now really starting to see some definition in my arms and I found a 2-pack last week! The guys at the gym that I work with have commented that I'm "shaping up nicely" as well, so it must be starting to become more noticeable.

sijomial

I started noticing a difference in 1974.

DopeItUp

Day 1.

cnbbnc

That's hard for me to answer. The difference in my actual strength happened pretty quickly. That in itself was enough motivation to keep going because while I didn't SEE a difference, I was able to handle heavier weights so I knew I was progressing.

As far as what's visible, I started out with a pretty high fat percentage, so while I could feel my body firming up, I couldn't see it. I'm down 30lbs now (been lifting for 4mos) and almost at my goal weight. I can see slight definition here and there because I've lost some fat, but it's going to take me a fair amount of time to drop my fat further to really be able to see anything. I will say that since I've been lifting I've dropped inches like crazy.

Anyway, in answer to your question my strength gains started after a few weeks, and what I could feel starting to change was a month or a little longer... I don't expect to visualize any major differences for another 6mos anyway. I think of weightlifting/recomping as a fun ongoing project. Just have fun with it and it will come.

lisalsd1

Strength difference- quickly.

Appearance difference- a couple of months (note: I did not modify my dietary habits during that time). The a appearance difference comes in waves.

gothchiq

It took about a month to see any noticeable change. That said, I'm middle aged, so it could be faster for younger people.

kshama2001

I noticed strength gains the second week. I had some dimpled skin that went away really quickly. It's been a little over two months and I am not noticing any change in definition yet, but when I started strength training during a period of time when I was not trying to lose weight, people noticed definition within a few months.

lorrpb

It was easier to climb steps& get into pickup within 1-2 weeks. I was really bad off to start.

ForecasterJason

After I started doing somewhat consistent lifting, I noticed strength gains within a few weeks. It took about 3 months before I had any weight gain.

spingirldc

If you've also changed your diet, I'd say you notice a difference in a month. You lose inches much faster with strength training.

Bob314159

I was already losing weight - 35 pounds down. No diet change when I started weight training 3 hours a week. I started seeing changes in posture and a thinner waist after 3 weeks. At five weeks - I got a rush of comments from other people and until then no one had noticed the 34lb loss.

loulamb7

Phase One - 1 to 3 weeks - ouch phase - you feels sore.
Phase Two - 3 to 8 weeks - feel stronger phase - soreness is gone start to feel stronger and notice some physical changes.
Phase Three - if you're on a deficit, you continue to get stronger, but eventually newbie muscle gains level off - if you're lucky enough to be able to bulk, you get stronger and add muscle.

FrankWhite27330

Tool maybe 3 months for other people to ask... how often I go to the gym. Before that it was how much weight have u lost.....

marsh5224

I started taking classes very similar to what you are describing about 3 times a week. Then added a free weight class twice a week. I lost a total of 15 inches within 7 weeks. Starting my fifth month now and still losing inches but not as fast of course. I am 5'1 and have about 50 lbs to lose. Highly recommend taking your starting measurements! It keeps me motivated.

Sumiblue

Strength gains right away, shoulder & bicep development within first month (I had a good base of muscle to start with). But I didn't have my deficit right. That took me almost a year to get right. When I did, the fat started coming off quickly and I lost 8lbs and several inches since October 1.

mrp56839

Sumiblue wrote: »

Strength gains right away, shoulder & bicep development within first month (I had a good base of muscle to start with). But I didn't have my deficit right. That took me almost a year to get right. When I did, the fat started coming off quickly and I lost 8lbs and several inches since October 1.

when you say you didn't have your deficit right, what do you mean? I'm struggling with quite a bit more to lose, staying in a "moderate" deficit (whatever moderate means) and trying to increase my strength. Reducing my deficit is terrifying at this point with 40-50lbs left to go.

Sumiblue

You should have a moderate deficit. Cut too much and you just end up miserable and likely to binge. It's better for your metabolism, too. I was actually eating too much. I was probably closer to maintenance calories. My wt. went down, up, down. But I got a Fitbit to get a better idea of my TDEE & log my workouts. I eat back most of what MFP gives me.

Capt_Apollo

don't do so many ab exercises, and you'll notice your stomach get flatter quicker. if you do a lot of ab work, your abs will get bigger, giving you the appearance of being fatter/bloated.