Lifting can be addictive.

dbkyser

Its a shame that at 52 I have never really lifted besides a few curls or machines.
I finally invested in a rack and barbell and setup a weight room. I started doing the stronglifts 5X5 program and amazed at what I can do in just a few weeks. Not even adding supplements yet, just eating healthy with plenty of protein.

I started almost unable to squat the bar and now I look forward to each lifting day and adding 5 lbs each session is perfect.

I know its still light weights but feel so much better every single day.
I love this addiction.

cgvet37

It's very addictive. I started when I was in High School. I gave up on it for a while because of my back. Now I'm back to the point where all I think about is going to the gym.

peaceout_aly

Oh yeah, lifting is definitely addictive. You see results and you want more. Increasing weight on a regular basis is empowering and it turns into a lifestyle. Congrats on your recent investment and the healthy lifestyle you are pursuing! Here's to gainz!

Willbenchforcupcakes

Best addiction out there! I get itchy taking more than two days off in a row.

giantrobot_powerlifting

Love it when I read that others discover exactly what makes lifting so satisfying. Congrats!

mom22dogs

peaceout_aly wrote: »

Oh yeah, lifting is definitely addictive. You see results and you want more. Increasing weight on a regular basis is empowering and it turns into a lifestyle. Congrats on your recent investment and the healthy lifestyle you are pursuing! Here's to gainz!

I totally agree!

sunnybeaches105

Yes. Yes, it is.

SonyaCele

lifting causes the release of endorphins, which i believe is home made morphine. Yes its very addictive, i have often felt symptoms of withdrawal when i don't get my lifting in.

StacyChrz

I'm starting Stronglifts tonight after work. I am so excited to get started!!

RespectTheKitty

I really wish I could enjoy lifting. I personally find it exceptionally tedious, and as a result I don't do it as often as I should. I'd much rather run.

I also don't like dealing with the meatheads people at my gym. I can never get any lifting in because the weights area is always full of dudes strutting and grunting. (ETA) Maybe if it wasn't so intimidating, I'd be more apt to lift.

luluinca

I started lifting at 64, two years ago. I can't get enough of it now. Fighting a shoulder injury right now and it's driving me crazy that I can't do bench press, but I admit to not really missing overhead press.......

Some weeks going to the gym is the highlight of my life......LOL

UpEarly

Heh - I'm 44 and have lifted since I was 16. I still hate every. stinking. minute. #RatherBeHiking

Eddie__Jones

yes, it is.

dbkyser

I guess setting up my own gym is what I needed. I have been a member of gyms for years doing cardio and machines when not a lot of people were in there.
I am the first to admit I hated my lack of strength and did not want people seeing me struggle balancing just the bar.
Once I started at home and could care less, doing just the bar and learning the balance made it easy to start adding weights and wanting to add more and more.
I do stick to the program just to make sure I do not get an injury, but start warming up with just the bar to get in an extra set or two.

miss_aims

I really don't like running (or most forms of cardio), so I've always avoided exercise. Looking back, I mostly just needed to find something I like. Never would have figured that lifting was that thing that I like! It's a self-challenge, which I am so about!

RespectTheKitty

dbkyser wrote: »

I guess setting up my own gym is what I needed. I have been a member of gyms for years doing cardio and machines when not a lot of people were in there.
I am the first to admit I hated my lack of strength and did not want people seeing me struggle balancing just the bar.
Once I started at home and could care less, doing just the bar and learning the balance made it easy to start adding weights and wanting to add more and more.
I do stick to the program just to make sure I do not get an injury, but start warming up with just the bar to get in an extra set or two.

Maybe that's what I need to do... lift at home. It would definitely be less intimidating.

tulips_and_tea

RespectTheKitty wrote: »

dbkyser wrote: »

I guess setting up my own gym is what I needed. I have been a member of gyms for years doing cardio and machines when not a lot of people were in there.
I am the first to admit I hated my lack of strength and did not want people seeing me struggle balancing just the bar.
Once I started at home and could care less, doing just the bar and learning the balance made it easy to start adding weights and wanting to add more and more.
I do stick to the program just to make sure I do not get an injury, but start warming up with just the bar to get in an extra set or two.

Maybe that's what I need to do... lift at home. It would definitely be less intimidating.

You should! Definitely worth it. Learn proper techniques and different lifts and then if/when you want to lift at the gym you'll be confident that you know what you're doing.

It's all about mindset as well. Due to the time of day I go to the gym it's mainly young guys. I could perceive them as strutting and let the grunting and weight dropping get to me or I could ignore them and do my thing. I choose the latter. Bonus: I don't have to share weights since I use much lighter ones than they do. I see them sharing dumbbells or waiting for them to become available.

shadow2soul

Yep definitely addicting.

Other than a few of the women working with the trainers at my gym, it's definitely mostly men by the free weights. It was a little intimidating at first, but after a few workouts it didn't seem so bad. The men don't care that I'm there and just keep doing their thing.

quiksylver296

I've been working SLs for awhile. There is nothing more satisfying than pulling a deadlift PR! Love it!

Sumiblue

I'm 47, started lifting 2 yrs ago. I'm totally addicted. I quickly realized my Planet Fitness wasn't going to be able to accommodate me for long. I found a power cage & Olympic bar/weights & made a home weight room. I'm in there 5-6 days a week! I'm in the best shape of my life.

ShodanPrime

My gym time keeps me sane.

Soundwave79

I don't even think of it as exercise anymore. It's part of my daily routine now. Especially since I get my workout in right after work. To me it's more like a daily therapy session. Every day I have an appointment from 5-6 PM with the doc. I use all the stresses of the day to fuel me. Going for a new PR, seeing a new muscle popping through in the mirror, the soreness, the exhaustion are my rewards. Then of course I feel like I earned my couch time for the rest of the night.

SezxyStef

Yup almost 3 years in for me...I lift at home too.

Not that I am opposed to gyms I just prefer to be with myself and not have to worry about waiting for the equipment I need.

I like being strong and knowing that I am working towards a healthier middle old age...

It has helped with all aspects of my life...including cardio.

KDar1988

Wish I had caught the fitness bug years ago. I do enjoy lifting weights..makes me feel bad *kitten* (even if I'm really not!) LOL

arditarose

Oh my god...lifting. It's gotten to the point where I am just constantly thinking about what/when/how much I'm going to lift and what/when/how much I'm going to eat.

I am learning to check myself because I will want to bail on social gatherings so I can eat the way I want and not miss a training session.

arditarose

RespectTheKitty wrote: »

I really wish I could enjoy lifting. I personally find it exceptionally tedious, and as a result I don't do it as often as I should. I'd much rather run.

I also don't like dealing with the meatheads people at my gym. I can never get any lifting in because the weights area is always full of dudes strutting and grunting. (ETA) Maybe if it wasn't so intimidating, I'd be more apt to lift.

I'm friends with those "people" now. Yeah, we have nothing in common besides lifting but lifting is such a huge part of my life now too-it works. I look forward to coming in and seeing these guys, chatting, and I'm just wildly amused at their selfi-taking, and if they're grunting because they're hitting a PR it's just really fun.

singingflutelady

I'm addicted to lifting and find that the other lifters in my gym, especially the powerlifters are the nicest people there.

eeejer

I started at 40, set up a home gym with rack, did stronglifts, then progressed to 5/3/1. Hit 1.5x my bodyweight on squats yesterday. All lifters should check out http://symmetricstrength.com/ it is awesome for relative age-adjusted strength standards comparisons and logging.