I'm Sexy and I Know It - My First Year of Strength Training
SpecialSundae
Posts: 795 Member
I started 2013 with a simple resolution to pick up a barbell and start making my body as sexy as I could. I had always been overweight and honestly just wanted to not get a telling off every time I went to the doctor.
I had met, both in person and online, a number of women who lifted heavy and really, REALLY wanted to be more like them, so in January last year I signed up for a subsidised course of personal training sessions on a progressive but machine based strength programme.
I also took up IIFYM and a version of TDEE-20% based on a combination of FitBit and HRM readings. Basically, I started eating more protein and around 1900-2000 calories a day, but I tracked absolutely everything.
Even spices.
Even cheat days.
Even nights out boozing.
EVERYTHING.
16 January 2013
Weight - 77.2kg (170lb)
Height - 166cm (5'5.5")
Bust - 106cm (42")
Waist - 88cm (34.5")
Hips - 104cm (41")
BF% - 42.1%
Dress size - UK 16/US 12
On days when I wasn't in the gym doing strength training I would go out for a half hour walk/run session with "Zombies Run 5K" and/or play with "Your Shape" on the Kinect.
By early March, I'd made some good progress.
I was enjoying both until I strained both calves so badly after running that I had to walk on crutches and even standing up without my crutches was agony.
So I went out and bought myself a bench, a barbell and some weight plates (all second hand). To begin with, all I could do was bench press and seated shoulder press until my legs healed enough for me to walk again.
I stuck with it and, even without doing any serious cardio, the weight was still falling off.
By May, I was down to a UK size 12 (US 8) and on 13 June I zipped up a size 10 (US 6) for the first time in my adult life.
All the while, I was getting stronger and stronger. I fell in love with the barbell and the things I could do with it. I started StrongLifts at 20kg in April and by August's 1RM test I managed a 85kg squat, 50kg bench and 90kg deadlift.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7QQPzzqj8s (Not 85kg, but one of two other PR sets on the way that day.)
I could bore you, but since then it has been eating lots, lifting lots and still losing weight.
My last 1RM test I came out at 90kg squat, 56kg bench (not paused), 90kg deadlift and 45kg OHP. I bleeding love squats and OHP!
Today is my one year anniversary of strength training and this is what I look like now:
16 January 2014
Weight - 60.7kg (134lb)
Height - 166cm (5'5.5")
Bust - 96.5cm (38")
Waist - 67cm (26.5")
Hips - 94cm (37")
BF% - c.27%
Dress size - UK 8 (US 4)
My husband took up lifting along with me and, even though he hasn't lost weight, his body fat percentage is down about 5% and he's starting to see some definition in his abs. This is despite his day involving first breakfast, second breakfast, lunch, dessert, snack, dinner and another dessert... B*stard!
What I did:
Lifted heavy.
Tracked my intake and TDEE
Ate like a pig - I make room for chocolate, ice cream and most importantly steak.
What I didn't do:
Starve
TL;DR Was always fat. Started lifting and IIFYM. Now size 10s (US 6) are too big other than in high end designer brands and I still eat like a total pig!
P.S. I'm entering my first powerlifting competition in February. I don't expect to win, but I love it!
And I look less like a man than I ever have!
I had met, both in person and online, a number of women who lifted heavy and really, REALLY wanted to be more like them, so in January last year I signed up for a subsidised course of personal training sessions on a progressive but machine based strength programme.
I also took up IIFYM and a version of TDEE-20% based on a combination of FitBit and HRM readings. Basically, I started eating more protein and around 1900-2000 calories a day, but I tracked absolutely everything.
Even spices.
Even cheat days.
Even nights out boozing.
EVERYTHING.
16 January 2013
Weight - 77.2kg (170lb)
Height - 166cm (5'5.5")
Bust - 106cm (42")
Waist - 88cm (34.5")
Hips - 104cm (41")
BF% - 42.1%
Dress size - UK 16/US 12
On days when I wasn't in the gym doing strength training I would go out for a half hour walk/run session with "Zombies Run 5K" and/or play with "Your Shape" on the Kinect.
By early March, I'd made some good progress.
I was enjoying both until I strained both calves so badly after running that I had to walk on crutches and even standing up without my crutches was agony.
So I went out and bought myself a bench, a barbell and some weight plates (all second hand). To begin with, all I could do was bench press and seated shoulder press until my legs healed enough for me to walk again.
I stuck with it and, even without doing any serious cardio, the weight was still falling off.
By May, I was down to a UK size 12 (US 8) and on 13 June I zipped up a size 10 (US 6) for the first time in my adult life.
All the while, I was getting stronger and stronger. I fell in love with the barbell and the things I could do with it. I started StrongLifts at 20kg in April and by August's 1RM test I managed a 85kg squat, 50kg bench and 90kg deadlift.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7QQPzzqj8s (Not 85kg, but one of two other PR sets on the way that day.)I could bore you, but since then it has been eating lots, lifting lots and still losing weight.
My last 1RM test I came out at 90kg squat, 56kg bench (not paused), 90kg deadlift and 45kg OHP. I bleeding love squats and OHP!
Today is my one year anniversary of strength training and this is what I look like now:
16 January 2014
Weight - 60.7kg (134lb)
Height - 166cm (5'5.5")
Bust - 96.5cm (38")
Waist - 67cm (26.5")
Hips - 94cm (37")
BF% - c.27%
Dress size - UK 8 (US 4)
My husband took up lifting along with me and, even though he hasn't lost weight, his body fat percentage is down about 5% and he's starting to see some definition in his abs. This is despite his day involving first breakfast, second breakfast, lunch, dessert, snack, dinner and another dessert... B*stard!
What I did:
Lifted heavy.
Tracked my intake and TDEE
Ate like a pig - I make room for chocolate, ice cream and most importantly steak.
What I didn't do:
Starve
TL;DR Was always fat. Started lifting and IIFYM. Now size 10s (US 6) are too big other than in high end designer brands and I still eat like a total pig!
P.S. I'm entering my first powerlifting competition in February. I don't expect to win, but I love it!
And I look less like a man than I ever have!
0
Replies
-
Congrats on your success!! You look great!! I have been lifting weights consistently for months now and I love the way it makes me feel and you motivate me to keep on pushing!! I wish you luck on the competition!!0
-
Wow!!! You look incredible! Thanks for sharing your story!0
-
awesome! very inspiring!0
-
congratulations!!!..truly inspiring!!!...i myself am starting strength training. havent done any heavy lifing as of yet but its definitely something I want to do once I get more experince with strength training and get in better shape...I have always had a negative image about my body so I am hoping this time I will finally get my dream body!!..CONGRATULATIONS you look fantastic!!...really motivates me!0
-
wow...thats just awesome
I'm kinda a newbie to weights and have just started stage 2 of NROL4W. I have noticed differences too but I feel like such a weakling still...how did you keep motivated?
pix x0 -
Congratulations!!! You look fantastic!! Thank you for sharing your journey!!! May we all look half as good as you (smile)!!!0
-
Amazing! You're exactly where I want to be! Love love love heavy lifting!0
-
Holy *kitten* that's amazing!0
-
That's seriously awesome.0
-
wow...thats just awesome
I'm kinda a newbie to weights and have just started stage 2 of NROL4W. I have noticed differences too but I feel like such a weakling still...how did you keep motivated?
pix x
It helps that I loved feeling strong from the very first day I took up weights, but focusing on the little wins makes it worth it.
I still work with a trainer sometimes (once a month in person, but he's always available on email) and he said once that only one workout in five will be amazing. One will be a total slog and three will be "meh".
Oh, and having a training buddy (or buddies) who you can have a laugh with really helps. I have my husband and I joined a strength club in my work gym who are amazing support.
I really should have done shout outs for Heather at the Strong for Life club, our trainer Greg, the fabulous sarauk2sf, the inspiring lorinalynn, the gang on NerdFitness and everyone on Eat, Train, Progress... and so many more!0 -
Wow, your story is so inspirational!!! thank you for sharing =D0
-
WOW!!!! I've seen your posts in the forums before and that's AMAZING progress! Congrats!0
-
look at you ya hottie! looking strong!0
-
beautiful results!! you go girl!
and oh yeah you look soo much younger too.0 -
Awesomeness! :flowerforyou:0
-
Another awesome story about a woman becoming SUPA BULKY from lifting heavy. Love this.0
-
All I can say is WOW!!!!!! You look GREAT!!!!!0
-
Love this! Thanks for sharing.0
-
beautiful results!! you go girl!
and oh yeah you look soo much younger too.
Somewhere I have a picture of me at 17 looking older than I do now! It's amazing what healthy living does to you!0 -
Wow ! Very inspiring!0
-
Amazing job!!0
-
So much awesome! Very inspiring. I am training for a half marathon right now, but I think my next goal will be heavy lifting! You look absolutely amazing, and I'm happy that you've found something you love so much. :happy:0
-
woot woot!0
-
Holy crap wowzers! Motivation to keep me going i have been really lazy for the lastt month or so0
-
Love this. Major congrats to you!0
-
In for the sexy!
Congrats, you look fantastic!!! Good luck in your meet!0 -
Wow, you win the game! Congrats and way to be awesome!!!!0
-
Thanks for sharing your story and your pics! You look amazing!0
-
BUMP for my wife to read
awesome results! 0 -
LOVE LOVE LOVE this success story! Very inspiring and proves that lifting heavy can yield amazing results!
Congrats on the transformation….You are hot stuff!0
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.3K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 423 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions
Do you Love MyFitnessPal? Have you crushed a goal or improved your life through better nutrition using MyFitnessPal?
Share your success and inspire others. Leave us a review on Apple Or Google Play stores!
Share your success and inspire others. Leave us a review on Apple Or Google Play stores!