What made you fall in love with lifting?

jessspurr

I am struggling to enjoy lifting weights. I force myself to do it because of the immeasurable benefits but I definitely still have to force myself. I enjoy cardio very much and even though it’s “hard” it’s not hard like lifting weights is hard. I have been going to the gym 5 or 6 mornings a week for about 8 months and have lifted weights intermittently and not enough to really see any results that I can firmly thank lifting for. So, my question is this…what made you fall in love with lifting? I am looking for little things that I can dwell on to help me look forward to my strength training sessions. Thanks in advance for your advice!

alexapatel

I'd like to see some responses to this as well.

jessspurr

Me too! :laugh:

LishieFruit89

Seeing muscle definition made me like lifting.
Staying the same weight or gaining weight but fitting into smaller clothes made me like lifting.
Everyday tasks becoming easier because I lift weights.
Improved my running.
Less jiggle.
Feeling like a bada$$

JoRocka

You will never experience a runners high like you will from lifting- the chenical reaction just isn't there.

It's different.

It's a sense of power- and accomplishment. Not a high.

I walk out of my gym feeling like I'm a motherfncking god. I do not do that when I run. I feel good- but it's not the same.

When you start to get really heavy- if you are doing a real weight training progressive lifting program- you set goals and accomplish them it gains satisfaction.

All the sudden lifting triple digits isnt' scary- it's your warm up. All the sudden your PR is now your OWN body weight.
All the sudden the idea of lifting 300 some pounds off the floor doesn't' seem like an impossible feat for you.

These things make it satisfying. Keep at it- it gets better as you start gaining.

homeyjosey

lifting weights heavier than guys bigger than me...basically ego

A_Warrior_Princess

Seeing muscle definition made me like lifting.
Staying the same weight or gaining weight but fitting into smaller clothes made me like lifting.
Everyday tasks becoming easier because I lift weights.
Improved my running.
Less jiggle.
Feeling like a bada$$

^
I - THIS!!!! Definitely you end up shaped differently and in a good way.
Stronger, leaner and definitely less jiggle
Makes me feel sexy and strong
Quick results - within 30 days of heavy lifting 4x per week I was down a size and that for me is strong motivation!

Willbenchforcupcakes

You will never experience a runners high like you will from lifting- the chenical reaction just isn't there.

It's different.

It's a sense of power- and accomplishment. Not a high.

I walk out of my gym feeling like I'm a motherfncking god. I do not do that when I run. I feel good- but it's not the same.

When you start to get really heavy- if you are doing a real weight training progressive lifting program- you set goals and accomplish them it gains satisfaction.

All the sudden lifting triple digits isnt' scary- it's your warm up. All the sudden your PR is now your OWN body weight.
All the sudden the idea of lifting 300 some pounds off the floor doesn't' seem like an impossible feat for you.

These things make it satisfying. Keep at it- it gets better as you start gaining.

This. All of this.

bigphatcat

Better sex

UpEarly

Nothing.

I've lifted since I was 16 - I'm 42 now.

I've been miserable during every single weight training workout I've done. But I think lifting is too important to my health to not do, so I suck it up and power through what I feel I must do.

jessspurr

Oh this is GREAT stuff. EXACTLY what I was talking about. Thank you so very much everyone!

jacklis

Seeing muscle definition made me like lifting.
Staying the same weight or gaining weight but fitting into smaller clothes made me like lifting.
Everyday tasks becoming easier because I lift weights.
Improved my running.
Less jiggle.
Feeling like a bada$$

She said it all, and I will add- increased confidence from said benefits = more fun in the sac.

LiveLoveLift67

I am the opposite. I only do cardio because i should. However, when i first walked into the gym and saw how beautiful those bodies looked with muscle definition i wanted in. I fell in love with seeing how hard i can push my body out of its comfort zone.

It has changed me so much inside and out and it is like a therapy to me. If im having a bad day i can go workout and not think about it....you cant do both....

jendutton5

I lifted in high school to get a college basketball scholarship, I lifted in college because there was a huge strength/conditioning coach telling me I would lift. Then I didn't lift for alot of year. When I finally decided to turn my weight gain into weight loss, I started Chalean Extreme. It is mostly lifting, but combines cardio in several of the workout. I love it because:

1. short workouts, I can always squeeze it in
2. Big calorie burns
3. LOSING INCHES
4. I don't get (as) tired doing fun things anymore (hiking, snowboarding, golfing etc)

I would say pick a routine and stick with it, lifting takes time to see any results. Start slow and then build up. Good luck

samammay

Looking in the mirror one day and saying "hey - that wasnt there before" (definition)

Plus it makes my wife frisky.

Iron_Lotus

1.What it has done for my body
2.How it makes me feel strong and sexy
3. Gives me bad *kitten* status
4. Health benefits
5. Hard in places that used to be jiggly

JTick

One of the things I really enjoy about lifting is when I'm working in sets with a guy, and have to add weights to the bar. :laugh:

The sense of accomplishment is something I don't get from much else in my life. I had been chasing a 200 lb deadlift for what seemed like forever...the day I lifted that and then some I wanted to run to the top of the buildings and scream it to the world. Yeah, it's nice to go out and run 5 miles, but a LOT of people can accomplish that. Comparatively, not many women can lift their own body weight off the ground. Running makes me feel fit...lifting makes me feel STRONG.

jessspurr

1. short workouts, I can always squeeze it in

This IS pretty awesome.

BikerGirlElaine

I like that it's a much shorter little chunk of time. A set is a very short time to focus on. The focus is intense, but it's short.

I like focusing on the muscle that's being worked and really feeling how it is responding.

I like the intensity, and the rest -- instead of the steady state of cardio.

I like moving around and doing different things instead of just sitting on one machine for 45 minutes.

I like adding more weight or more reps than last time. You see improvements in your performance faster with weights than with cardio. It takes me forever to move up a level of resistance, but in two weeks I can add 5 or 10 pounds to a lift.

I like it when the last rep feels like I won't be able to make it, but I do it -- such a sense of accomplishment!


Hope that helps some! Looking over my list, it looks like I have ADD or something. I don't, but I do focus very intensely on what I am doing, so the smaller chunks of time really suits me.

bryntevans01

I love the ego boost it gives me, the testosterone, the definition it gives me, the weight loss, the progress in heavier weights, the community of bodybuilding, the health perks, the protein shakes, i love all things bodybuilding.

If lifting isnt your thing but you like cardio, give CrossFit a go, its the 2 together

jessspurr

Improved my running.

I definitely like this

Serah87

I love what it does to my body!!!

Love the look I get when I tell them how much I dead lift, bench press and squat. :bigsmile:

Ohhh and the smaller clothes.

JoRocka

I like that it's a much shorter little chunk of time. A set is a very short time to focus on. The focus is intense, but it's short.

LOL- my lifting sessions are way longer than my running sessions- I wish I could go back to that. le-sigh

Capt_Apollo

i get into this zen like mood in the weight room. so much around me disappears as i am preparing the squat rack or the bench. i forget what is around me and i don't even need music.

and when i'm done with my main lifts, i stop being serious and i start having fun. i have a few exercises that i've planned to do and i enjoy doing them.

it's not always like this. sometimes it's a chore. but the same goes for running. sometimes i lose myself in it, and sometimes i must push myself to do it.

Nothing.

I've lifted since I was 16 - I'm 42 now.

I've been miserable during every single weight training workout I've done. But I think lifting is too important to my health to not do, so I suck it up and power through what I feel I must do.

that is really upseting, that you've been doing something for almost 30 years that you don't like.

jessspurr

I'm gathering the sense of pride and accomplishment is a big theme. I have actually noticed that. I am already very strong and always have been so I am able to lift more than some and it does feel kind of awesome to be the only girl in the weight room.

n_unocero

I love upper body days cause of the way I look while lifting....LIKE A BEAST!! (ok maybe not)

I love leg day because....ok no one loves leg day.....but I like it because it's such a good burn. it feels like cardio and lifting at the same time. it gets my heart rate up AND makes my legs feel like jello.

JoRocka

I love upper body days cause of the way I look while lifting....LIKE A BEAST!! (ok maybe not)

I love leg day because....ok no one loves leg day.....but I like it because it's such a good burn. it feels like cardio and lifting at the same time. it gets my heart rate up AND makes my legs feel like jello.

I love leg day- so much so I have 3 of them.

I hate bench- benching sucks. I have evidence of me deadlifting on bench day.

seriously- scouts honor.

jwdieter

Love is a bit strong for me. Tracking calories and lifting is just a fun part of life. You see results, you can track progress. Like a progression game.

If you're just going to the gym and doing like 3x10 on a machine circuit with no real progression plan, I can see how it would be pretty boring.

jessspurr

Oh my gosh. It totally worked. You guys got me pumped! Thank you all so much!

JoRocka

I'm gathering the sense of pride and accomplishment is a big theme. I have actually noticed that. I am already very strong and always have been so I am able to lift more than some and it does feel kind of awesome to be the only girl in the weight room.

you know what's awesome is when you break through the "i'm the only girl here" superior attitude... and realize you're in there busting your *kitten* with the guys who look like pro's and THEY respect you... THAT's an awesome feeling.

it's nice to know you rule the roost- it is- there is no denying that- it's neither bad nor good- but there is a level of awesome above that. When you start to get head nods from professionals- it's way more satisfying.

Now go forth....

and be fabulous!!!

ModernNerd

I started seeing changes in my body pretty quickly and being a result-motivated young lady, this is what made me fall in love with lifting:) Not much beats being able to trace the outline of your abs!