Things you notice after weight/strength training

Psysix

I've been weight training for a couple months now and I've noticed my balence has improved quite a bit. Also, I have more energy. What are some of the things you've noticed after strength training? How long have you been training? What is your routine?

mrp56839

Definately more confidence. I feel pretty badass some days.
How my body moves...everything turns into a squat!
Imbalances between my right and left sides are more noticeable.
Yes, to more energy and better overall balance as well.
I chase the burn now. It's like a craving and the best stress relief.

Twice a week since mid Oct. My routine is whatever my PT tells me to do that day. He writes it in my book and I have no desire to run my own show right now. Lol given my progress in such a short time, I think he knows what he's doing.

lorrpb

What I notice is that I can do things I used to not be able to do: get into the truck, climb the steps, climb hills, bend over, lift things over my head, etc etc. And yes, I love to squat because when I started I could only do a wall squat half way down. Now I can do a full squat with a good amount of weight, (but not an amount that would impress anyone here).

arditarose

I'm stronger. I look better. I have NICE arms. I weigh more than what I look like I do.

I train in the power/strength range twice per week and the hypertrophy range twice per week, split into a 4 day upper and lower program

CarlydogsMom

Many of the above, but one of the most enlightening, freeing things that happened when I started lifting is the lack of concern about the fluctuations in my scale weight. I watch trends, but now know that fluctuations within a 5-pound range ARE OK and I don't need to FREAK OUT. I watch trends, but now I have moved from having a goal of a certain weight to having goals of strength, flexibility, stamina, and balance. It's been a delight to give up the obsession with staying at the same scale weight.

I also quit obsessing about eating low(er) carb. Used to really try to minimize carbs, but now I know how important they are for anaerobic exercises like weight lifting, and for energy for things like bike riding. I continue to focus on getting my protein, but now don't obsess about the whole carb thing.

So...two things that changed my approach to my health, my nutrition, and my overall emotional/mental quality of life that weight training/lifting did for me.

To say nothing of being able to deadlift, squat, bench, and press weights I never dreamed of being able to do!

DancingMoosie

I no longer have back pain. This is so amazing to me, as I suffered with terrible pain, rx meds, muscle spasms, etc. for years.

RoseTheWarrior

Confidence and the ability to do a lot more. Lifting is so great because you can really see differences every time - adding reps, adding weight. Nothing makes me feel as good as lifting does! I also have a little over 50 lbs left to lose, and as I lose it, my body won't be all squishy. By the time I'm at goal weight I'll have some nice body form

kimiuzzell

CarlydogsMom wrote: »

Many of the above, but one of the most enlightening, freeing things that happened when I started lifting is the lack of concern about the fluctuations in my scale weight. I watch trends, but now know that fluctuations within a 5-pound range ARE OK and I don't need to FREAK OUT. I watch trends, but now I have moved from having a goal of a certain weight to having goals of strength, flexibility, stamina, and balance. It's been a delight to give up the obsession with staying at the same scale weight.

I also quit obsessing about eating low(er) carb. Used to really try to minimize carbs, but now I know how important they are for anaerobic exercises like weight lifting, and for energy for things like bike riding. I continue to focus on getting my protein, but now don't obsess about the whole carb thing.

So...two things that changed my approach to my health, my nutrition, and my overall emotional/mental quality of life that weight training/lifting did for me.

To say nothing of being able to deadlift, squat, bench, and press weights I never dreamed of being able to do!

^^^all of this - I could have written this one myself!

Keep on lifting

middlehaitch

My tummy doesn't jiggle as much when I laugh.

Cheers, h.
Ok and all the feeling stronger, being fitter and looking better too. But the tummy jiggle is great- I can collapse laughing in public again. h

Sued0nim

All of this

plus the spring in my step when I walk

plus no more asthma meds (that's the cardio as well as the strength)

and the fact I'm no longer invisible to other people .. which at my age says something

cafeaulait7

The 'new' muscles are always the most exciting part for me That's just fun, lol.

I have an important new goal for one aspect of my lifting: getting my scapulas closer together after a chronic pain problem has them moved apart. I've been doing a new strength regime for those muscles for 3+ weeks now (physio really doesn't work well the way they always have me do it), and I have little baby 'new' muscles already! I'm thrilled, and it's no more painful than the physio I have every year for months.

I haven't gotten someone to measure the distance like my physio does, but I'm doing that this week. And taking pictures! I always love it when you can see changes, but this is especially exciting because it could really help my pain. Low reps, heavier weight FTW.

lisalsd1

I look better and can eat more.

SingingSingleTracker

Psysix wrote: »

I've been weight training for a couple months now and I've noticed my balence has improved quite a bit. Also, I have more energy. What are some of the things you've noticed after strength training? How long have you been training? What is your routine?

That's great to hear your balance and energy have both improved!

I would echo the energy improvement. Especially when it comes to applying one's fitness from lifting to yard work, household chores, moving things around (furniture, groceries, bags of dirt for the garden, etc.), and as a parent with little ones (It's been about 15-20 years since I had "little ones around the house" - all the lifting of them, strollers, car seats, kids bikes, toys and on and on is simply easier.

Been at it with lifting (and cardio) for 25+ years, so these days the energy benefits and stamina to do things I want to do compared to others I see my age who do not remain in good fitness keeps me motivated to just keep - keeping at it.

DeadsAndDoritos

The biggest change is that I love working out! I never thought I'd be that person. I'm actually becoming a bit of a bore who can't talk about anything else.

I've been doing it properly and regularly since late August.

Willbenchforcupcakes

Almost all of my daily pain is gone. My nerve pain in my neck and upper back stays away as long as I lift. My knee is stronger and more stable.

Lifting, and specifically powerlifting, has also given me the mental strength to get through the hardest two and a half years of my life with my head up and looking forwards to the future.

sgthaggard

I've noticed that it's harder to shave my legs - too many corners and dips.

jemhh

HappyCampr1 wrote: »

I notice other women's arms and shoulders. I can tell who does strength training and who doesn't and that's cool.

As for myself...everything everyone else has mentioned and more.

I notice the same thing. There was a woman looking at yogurt at the grocery one time and my first thought was whoa, she has great arms. I wanted to say "you have great arms" but thought I'd come off as creepy so I didn't say anything. There's also a woman who works on the grounds crew where I work and she has great arms but especially visibly strong forearms, from all of the physical labor that she does.

lkpducky

DancingMoosie wrote: »

I no longer have back pain. This is so amazing to me, as I suffered with terrible pain, rx meds, muscle spasms, etc. for years.

Same here! Lifting greatly reduced my neck and upper back pain.

Hornsby

Just generally feeling like an overall bad *kitten*...

Sumiblue

Yup, I feel like a bada$$ & love it. I no longer hate clothes shopping or what I see in the mirror. My mental state (anxiety/depression) has improved exponentially.

G33K_G1RL

In addition to what has already been said

Much better control during kickboxing, especially for kicks. I used to throw those around to get my high kicks, now I have the strength to hold them up statically.

Now if I could get those last few inches of flexibility to actually get my splits

singingflutelady

I am clumsy and I find that I have better balance and can stop myself from falling a lot more especially on ice.

ninerbuff

That I can still reasonably do lots of physical activities that I could do 25 years ago. Staying "young" IMO is still being able to physically do what you've always like to do.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

singingflutelady

Also it has given me so much confidence to try things i didn't think I was able to do or I was scared of such as waterskiing.

hellonew2015

I started you are your own gym yesterday and could not last more than 3 minutes / mountain climbers wow it is so hard and I could not touch my knees to elbows, can't wait to feel like all of you

lyndseybellz

eatttinggg all. the time!!!!

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clairethorne1980

I've started weight training around 5 weeks ago and love it. My body is still getting used to being made to do things it's never done and this week I have had an energy crash. Looking forward to losing 6st and looking good

steph2strong

Doing more strength and less cardio has improved my core and posture, and improved my running- it's easier and i'm faster. Also improved balance and overall improved physique.

ElizabethOakes2

I accidentally broke the big casserole dish making dinner because it was a lot lighter than I expected when i picked it up. I yanked it like I would have two months ago and it flew up and hit the cabinet and broke in half. ... "Guess what? We're having single-pan cook up instead of casserole, honey!".
oooops...

aerochic42

Your clothes can fit even worse as your body changes shape.