when lifting, when did u see results?

jardimgirl

how long did it take to see a difference, and what kept you going?

AABru

About 6 weeks...I started showing actual muscle definition. I showed strength gains almost immediately and pretty continuously. I kept at it until I injured myself, and I am currently seeing a PT for tendonitis. I have lifted since high school (am 39), and I kept lifting because frankly lifting heavy things feels like hurting people without actually hurting anyone. It is a great stress relief for me. I love to feel strong...it makes me feel pretty.:blushing:

aquarabbit

About 2 weeks for me. It was seeing those types of results that quickly that kept me going.

Edit: Oh, and it was that my booty was looking much better and my shoulders started looking stronger.

Booksandbeaches

Maybe 3-4 weeks. I saw a difference in arms and legs. I like the results. I like taking it to the next level.

a_stronger_me13

Depends on your current composition and where you naturally store body fat.

Give it 6-8 weeks.

MB_Positif

I can't really pinpoint when I started to see results aesthetically, but I saw strength gains pretty quickly. What keeps me going is setting specific weight goals for the compound lifts and charging toward them. I've already met the goals I had set for February so I am rethinking things as we speak!

MercenaryNoetic26

A few months after starting over last March. I thought that was fast and due to muscle memory.

Hiatus was due to having a baby. I chose not to work out during last trimester and was lazy afterwards up until the baby was 6mos. I haven't missed a workout since I started back up.

jardimgirl

i hear lifting is the fastest way to achieve a lean "toned" look, true or not im not sure. thats why i ask

a_stronger_me13

i hear lifting is the fastest way to achieve a lean "toned" look, true or not im not sure. thats why i ask

Lifting along with a small caloric deficit and adequate protein is the best way to preserve lean body mass while losing fat and therefore the best way to get "toned".

MB_Positif

i hear lifting is the fastest way to achieve a lean "toned" look, true or not im not sure. thats why i ask

Lifting will help you build and/or maintain muscle mass and aid in lowering your body fat percentage which may give you the look you are after.

PetulantOne

I can't really pinpoint when I started to see results aesthetically, but I saw strength gains pretty quickly. What keeps me going is setting specific weight goals for the compound lifts and charging toward them. I've already met the goals I had set for February so I am rethinking things as we speak!

^This

Except I haven't crushed February yet

DamePiglet

About 2 weeks for me. It was seeing those types of results that quickly that kept me going.

Edit: Oh, and it was that my booty was looking much better and my shoulders started looking stronger.

This.

No change in the scale at first, but people noticed the difference in composition within just a few weeks.

susanrechter

3 weeks.
I have always done work with my arms bc I don't want bingo arms. When I started lifting heavy I felt better and tighter. Lost inches in my waist, hips, but gained 3 pounds. I know if I develop muscle mass, I will metabolize better and weight loss will come if I eat at deficit. It's all good. My body craves good nutrition and exercise, when I satisfy those cravings, my body rewards me with good health and bonus...good looks!

33Freya

I was using Pocket Trainer to learn lifting/functional fitness for a few (6?) weeks before I switched my program to heavy lifting and changed my diet to include 1-2g protein for every kg of my body weight. I see my arms, shoulders, and quads, and my glutes developing after 3 weeks of focused diet and heavy lifting.

What keeps me going? Dedication to myself, my set goals (aesthetic and strength), my cheerleaders (my man, mfp, coworkers, and friends), and the plan to stick with this for 12 weeks and then reassess. 9 weeks took go :drinker:

33Freya

i hear lifting is the fastest way to achieve a lean "toned" look, true or not im not sure. thats why i ask

Lifting along with a small caloric deficit and adequate protein is the best way to preserve lean body mass while losing fat and therefore the best way to get "toned".

^^^ yep!! What she said

Docmahi

I had so much friggin body fat I didnt see definition until I had dropped 30-40 pounds so maybe 6 months - that was when I could physically see the results in the mirror

that being said I noticed my arms and chest develop within 2 months or so - pretty quickly

devil_in_a_blue_dress

About 2 weeks for me. It was seeing those types of results that quickly that kept me going.

Edit: Oh, and it was that my booty was looking much better and my shoulders started looking stronger.

This.

No change in the scale at first, but people noticed the difference in composition within just a few weeks.

Me too. I had very obvious changes in my chubby bellah within 2 weeks. I thought I was imagining it but then my husand mentioned it. Within 3 months of lifting (4 counting the one I had to take off for surgery) I have an entirely different midsection.

jardimgirl

wow these are all great!

thatonegirlwiththestuff

Couple of weeks for me. I could really feel it before seeing it. My quads and biceps were harder to the touch, and then one day...BOOM, there was the definition.

ca_76

Between weeks 3 and 4 I noticed a visible difference in my stomach. Now I am at 6 weeks at the same weight on the scale, but in a swim suit I'm looking much better, especially in my arms and stomach. My jeans are looser also. I have to pull up a now saggy pair that fit snuggly 6 weeks ago. Lifting rocks!

jardimgirl

Between weeks 3 and 4 I noticed a visible difference in my stomach. Now I am at 6 weeks at the same weight on the scale, but in a swim suit I'm looking much better, especially in my arms and stomach. My jeans are looser also. I have to pull up a now saggy pair that fit snuggly 6 weeks ago. Lifting rocks!

that sounds fantastic! my main issue is my belly so i hope to get results like that too!

DamePiglet

Between weeks 3 and 4 I noticed a visible difference in my stomach. Now I am at 6 weeks at the same weight on the scale, but in a swim suit I'm looking much better, especially in my arms and stomach. My jeans are looser also. I have to pull up a now saggy pair that fit snuggly 6 weeks ago. Lifting rocks!

that sounds fantastic! my main issue is my belly so i hope to get results like that too!

You will. My belly is nearly flat (see my new profile pics) and things are getting "all the toned" lol

pusheen12

To all the lifters, how did you know what lifts to do? You are inspiring me even more!

stealthq

When I was lifting (heavy, but machines) and fatter, I noticed very little change in appearance. Yes, I became tons stronger, more firm, and I could feel muscle jump that hadn't been there before, but I couldn't see it.

When I dropped a fair bit of fat, suddenly I could the muscle I'd been developing.

I've dropped even more fat since then and have some definition. Just last week, I switched over from machines to free barbells - I'm following Starting Strength. It took two sessions of squats to notice a difference in my quads - they're more compact and rounded. When I flex, definition pops above my knee that was not there before. I'm sure I'm the only one that would really notice at this point, but I'm happy so far.

terrie_k

I've been doing 'new rules of lifting for women'. Whether you follow the program or not, good information on eating an what is happening with your body.
Noticedy butt lifting, and some pants tighter, around 4 week (lift 2-3, mostly 2 times a week). Weight increased first weeks about 2 lbs but now I think my metabolism has kicked in because I'm hungry earlier for supper, but get full faster and have dropped almost all 2 of those lbs. my natural waist, biceps and back are where I are it but my butt is where I feel it.

93nan

Great question OP!

terrie_k

Also suggest compound exercises with free weights so you can be at the gym a shorter period of time with same results since they work out more than a targeted exercise.

Anna_Joys_Journey

I'm hoping I see changes soon! I'm unable to use free weights or the gym right now (aside from some 5&10 lb dumbbells at home-but I've no idea what to do with those)...but I've been working out with a suspension trainer at home. Just a week in, but my legs already feel stronger. I thought I was insane for thinking that, but after reading these replies-maybe I'm not.

a_stronger_me13

To all the lifters, how did you know what lifts to do? You are inspiring me even more!

Pick up a tried and true program like one of the following:
New Rules of Lifting (For Women)
Starting Strength
Stronglifts 5x5

Do them according to the program, frequency and workout rotation, religiously. Don't even think about adapting them until you've perfected your form.

New Rules is a lot of different lifts which can be confusing especially with the rotation of workouts and phases. Starting Strength and Stronglifts 5x5 provide more of a quick and dirty approach and focus on working the big 4 compound lifts, squats, deadlifts, bench and strict press along with some very smartly chosen accessory movements, which will target all of your muscle groups pretty well.

mrdexter1

how long did it take to see a difference, and what kept you going?

my G/F went to gym first time in her life twice per week for an hour with a personal trainer and within 3 months not changing a thing she ate.....

She lost 4Lb in weight but a massive 12 inches of her arms chest waist and leg measurements when adding the total loss up and achieved the toned look most look for, but admittedly she looked good before she started !

supergirl6

I saw strength results almost immediately. Within two weeks I'd stopped having pain in my knees when I ran. Within a month I stopped needing any modifications to exercises due to my weak core.

I suspect my weight loss was primarily from my diet, not my weight training.

I saw muscles appearing within the first couple of months - I have a lot of fat on top of them still, but my biceps and my calves started to show serious definition pretty fast. 80 lbs down and I can really see what I've been building under the fat. It's kind of awesome.