Stop demeaning female bodybuilders

24

Replies

  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    My goal is to drop my body fat so I'm in a healthy bmi, then my goal after that is build some good muscle all over. I admire women with a lot of body muscle it looks great and shows a lot of dedication and will power

    Just throwing this out there....

    Rather than getting to a healthy BMI first....do the work now to maintain the muscle you have now rather than sacrificing it to TRY to build muscle later. It's a whole hell of a lot easier to maintain muscle than it is to build it........for males. It's exponentially harder for women.

    After 50 mins of cardio I do 10 mins of resistance alternating upper and lower each day, I do this 5 times a week. I have been upping the weights over time.

    I should have been more clear sorry. What I meant was after I drop a good amount of body fat I will be doing mostly weights and reduce my cardio. By weights at this point I mean some serious deadlifting. :happy:

    You should consider flipping those. 50 minutes strength 10 minutes cardio. Actually I would do 40/20. 10 minutes 5 times a week isn't going to do much to preserve your lean mass. I started seriously lifting when my body fat was still high and it was a really good decision. You won't accidentally look like me.
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    What's the purpose of even posting this? It's like we're trying to find a reason to have an argument about different physiques.

    I think it is awesome that some people choose to put that type of dedication into their physique and achieve their goals, but most people probably don't care. I've seen bodybuilder type women at the gym and ain't nobody checking for them.

    In any case, could prove to provide some late afternoon entertainment at work today.
    I'm not even a bodybuilder, but I guarantee the way I look when I'm at the gym with my hair in a bun, bright red face and sweat dripping everywhere that no one is checking me out, either.

    When I'm outside of the gym with my hair pretty and cute clothes and normal-colored face, it's a different story. I'm not at the gym to get checked out. I'm at the gym to get in shape and burn calories.

    See above for clarification of misinterpreted slang.

    LOL I wonder how many times people are going to do that in this thread.

    LOL. Some of use just don't get out much. :blushing: :frown:
  • dym123
    dym123 Posts: 1,670 Member
    Now days It seems to be ok to demean, belittle fit people "fit shame". Look at what happened to "Fit Mom" or the pregnant crossfitter. Just read an article about a pregnant woman getting nasty comments while working out at the gym. Since when is being fit and healthy a bad thing? I don't get it a lot, but I have gotten more negative comments being thinner and fitter than I did when I was 100lbs overweight? When I was overweight no one said boo about what I was eating, now people have no qualms about commenting about my eating choices. I get comments when I decline unhealthy foods, but then get comments when I do eat so-called unhealthy foods. Can't win.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    What's the purpose of even posting this? It's like we're trying to find a reason to have an argument about different physiques.

    I think it is awesome that some people choose to put that type of dedication into their physique and achieve their goals, but most people probably don't care. I've seen bodybuilder type women at the gym and ain't nobody checking for them.

    In any case, could prove to provide some late afternoon entertainment at work today.
    I'm not even a bodybuilder, but I guarantee the way I look when I'm at the gym with my hair in a bun, bright red face and sweat dripping everywhere that no one is checking me out, either.

    When I'm outside of the gym with my hair pretty and cute clothes and normal-colored face, it's a different story. I'm not at the gym to get checked out. I'm at the gym to get in shape and burn calories.

    See above for clarification of misinterpreted slang.

    :-) See above edit. You hadn't even posted yet when I started writing this.
  • suremeansyes
    suremeansyes Posts: 962 Member
    I'm a natural female bodybuilder and I get called gross.

    PSSSHHHHH.

    You're gorgeous. And not like I know because I've looked at your pictures a few times.

    I know because I've looked many times.
  • hmg90
    hmg90 Posts: 314 Member
    I agree about not being demeaning towards anyone, regardless of their bodies. Calling someone's body "disgusting" is really, really rude, and I associate that kind of thing with internet trolls.

    Needless to say, that goes both way. Overweight people shaming those who are thin, thin shaming the obese. Slim women shaming female bodybuilders, and female bodybilders referring to just about everybody as "not in shape".

    I don't dislike female bodybuilders at all, but I have experienced a few times that they are critical of others and have a low bar for calling others "skinnyfat". Some love to promote the "strong is the new skinny" and how health is more important, although some appear to be obsessed. Sometimes it's accompanied by random commandments, telling strangers over social media to "lift properly girls!"
    In a discussion about weight goals one fitness woman gave me a strategy as to minimize my body fat. I wrote that I wasn't really interested in going below 18% and that 22-23% was fine by me. It then turned into a discussion where I felt like I had to defend my goal, and the simple reason is that I think a woman's body is more attractive with a bit more fat on it, and secondly, that going down to 18% bodyfat, a woman's fertility gets compromised. These are really just facts, but I was called "hateful".

    I am fine with whatever other people want for their own bodies, as long as they are fine with me handling mine. One person's goal is not everybody's goal, and that's ok.
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    I'm a natural female bodybuilder and I get called gross.

    PSSSHHHHH.

    You're gorgeous. And not like I know because I've looked at your pictures a few times.

    I know because I've looked many times.

    :blushing: :flowerforyou:
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  • jvsghost
    jvsghost Posts: 11 Member
    Nothing wrong with a well muscled female. I think the majority of the time guys and gals that demean female body builders have their own self esteem issues. I support anyone that works as hard as a body builder.
  • sassyjae21
    sassyjae21 Posts: 1,217 Member
    What's the purpose of even posting this? It's like we're trying to find a reason to have an argument about different physiques.

    I think it is awesome that some people choose to put that type of dedication into their physique and achieve their goals, but most people probably don't care. I've seen bodybuilder type women at the gym and ain't nobody checking for them.

    In any case, could prove to provide some late afternoon entertainment at work today.
    I'm not even a bodybuilder, but I guarantee the way I look when I'm at the gym with my hair in a bun, bright red face and sweat dripping everywhere that no one is checking me out, either.

    When I'm outside of the gym with my hair pretty and cute clothes and normal-colored face, it's a different story. I'm not at the gym to get checked out. I'm at the gym to get in shape and burn calories.

    See above for clarification of misinterpreted slang.

    LOL I wonder how many times people are going to do that in this thread.

    LOL. Some of use just don't get out much. :blushing: :frown:

    Lol, I understand because I don't either :tongue:
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    My goal is to drop my body fat so I'm in a healthy bmi, then my goal after that is build some good muscle all over. I admire women with a lot of body muscle it looks great and shows a lot of dedication and will power

    Just throwing this out there....

    Rather than getting to a healthy BMI first....do the work now to maintain the muscle you have now rather than sacrificing it to TRY to build muscle later. It's a whole hell of a lot easier to maintain muscle than it is to build it........for males. It's exponentially harder for women.

    After 50 mins of cardio I do 10 mins of resistance alternating upper and lower each day, I do this 5 times a week. I have been upping the weights over time.

    I should have been more clear sorry. What I meant was after I drop a good amount of body fat I will be doing mostly weights and reduce my cardio. By weights at this point I mean some serious deadlifting. :happy:

    You should consider flipping those. 50 minutes strength 10 minutes cardio. Actually I would do 40/20. 10 minutes 5 times a week isn't going to do much to preserve your lean mass. I started seriously lifting when my body fat was still high and it was a really good decision. You won't accidentally look like me.

    Thanks, that's a good idea, I'll increase my strength at the gym then. I just thought any muscle I gained might not be visible under my body fat. I'd love to have your muscles !

    Muscle helps burn the fat, so it's win/win. As long as you have the fat, no, you won't be able to see it. But once you lose the fat, it'll be there already and you won't have to do double the work.
  • Serah87
    Serah87 Posts: 5,481 Member
    Now days It seems to be ok to demean, belittle fit people "fit shame". Look at what happened to "Fit Mom" or the pregnant crossfitter. Just read an article about a pregnant woman getting nasty comments while working out at the gym. Since when is being fit and healthy a bad thing? I don't get it a lot, but I have gotten more negative comments being thinner and fitter than I did when I was 100lbs overweight? When I was overweight no one said boo about what I was eating, now people have no qualms about commenting about my eating choices. I get comments when I decline unhealthy foods, but then get comments when I do eat so-called unhealthy foods. Can't win.

    Totally agree!!!
  • pettychia
    pettychia Posts: 109 Member
    Lions do not concern themselves with the opinions with sheep.

    Period.
    I'm going to try to remember this. Thanks!
  • jvsghost
    jvsghost Posts: 11 Member
    Also I would like to point out that contrary to popular belief you can cut weight and build muscle at the same time. Now don't get me wrong, you won't make the muscle gains you would from bulking, but your muscles will grow as you lose fat. I know as I've dropped 30 lbs of fat and increased my muscle mass exponentially as well as my lifts.
  • wheird
    wheird Posts: 7,963 Member
    I agree. I like a woman with strength and muscle. And while I do not see the shredded look as particularly attractive, it is a short phase in any BBs competition season. And you get to appreciate the results of their hard work and marvel st the human form. Most of the year they have a nice, strong physique that is just yummy.
  • wheird
    wheird Posts: 7,963 Member
    Also I would like to point out that contrary to popular belief you can cut weight and build muscle at the same time. Now don't get me wrong, you won't make the muscle gains you would from bulking, but your muscles will grow as you lose fat. I know as I've dropped 30 lbs of fat and increased my muscle mass exponentially as well as my lifts.

    Did you start fairly recently?
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  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    Lions do not concern themselves with the opinions with sheep.

    Period.
    I'm going to try to remember this. Thanks!
    You look FANTASTIC!
  • ValGogo
    ValGogo Posts: 2,168 Member
    I'm not a huge fan, BUT, I love to see the differences in Ab plcement. I think abs are like fingerprints....they are all different.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    My goal is to drop my body fat so I'm in a healthy bmi, then my goal after that is build some good muscle all over. I admire women with a lot of body muscle it looks great and shows a lot of dedication and will power

    Just throwing this out there....

    Rather than getting to a healthy BMI first....do the work now to maintain the muscle you have now rather than sacrificing it to TRY to build muscle later. It's a whole hell of a lot easier to maintain muscle than it is to build it........for males. It's exponentially harder for women.

    After 50 mins of cardio I do 10 mins of resistance alternating upper and lower each day, I do this 5 times a week. I have been upping the weights over time.

    I should have been more clear sorry. What I meant was after I drop a good amount of body fat I will be doing mostly weights and reduce my cardio. By weights at this point I mean some serious deadlifting. :happy:

    You should consider flipping those. 50 minutes strength 10 minutes cardio. Actually I would do 40/20. 10 minutes 5 times a week isn't going to do much to preserve your lean mass. I started seriously lifting when my body fat was still high and it was a really good decision. You won't accidentally look like me.

    Thanks, that's a good idea, I'll increase my strength at the gym then. I just thought any muscle I gained might not be visible under my body fat. I'd love to have your muscles !

    Muscle helps burn the fat, so it's win/win. As long as you have the fat, no, you won't be able to see it. But once you lose the fat, it'll be there already and you won't have to do double the work.

    Makes sense. It's just so confusing when you read up on it, so much conflicting advice. I watched a you tube video from a well known PT who suggested to lose the fat first, then build.....so I guess being so confused I just went along with that really
    I've been struggling like crazy the last few years (BC change screwed me up something terrible). I don't overeat and have been doing quite a bit of cardio and looking worse and worse every day.

    In January, I bought a dress to wear to a concert and I couldn't wear it without something over it because the fat on my hips was sagging down so much (like saddle bags, only on the hips instead of thighs). I was incredibly frustrated. I was thin most of my life without even trying and the first time I had to lose weight, it came off super easy and stayed off for years and years.

    Finally, at the end of February, I rejoined my gym and committed to learning to use free weights. I've been working with a trainer twice a month to give me a good foundation and also going at least twice a week, sometimes three times. I've cut back on the cardio, too.

    I gained 5 pounds and my pants got a little tight and I was feeling REALLY frustrated again, like nothing was going to work. Then about two weeks ago, I put that dress on and I looked in the mirror and that hip fat, while not gone entirely, had shrunk enough that I could leave the house without throwing a wrap over the dress.

    I know my story isn't as dramatic as others', but it's been eye-opening and seeing that one small change has kept me going. So now I'm a converted believer. :-)
  • Cliffslosinit
    Cliffslosinit Posts: 5,044 Member
    Also I would like to point out that contrary to popular belief you can cut weight and build muscle at the same time. Now don't get me wrong, you won't make the muscle gains you would from bulking, but your muscles will grow as you lose fat. I know as I've dropped 30 lbs of fat and increased my muscle mass exponentially as well as my lifts.




    Could it be the fat is gone and now muscle is more visible??
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  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    A lot of people only work out so they will look more attractive to others. So when they see people who are taking physical fitness to such an extreme they can't understand why they are doing it if it is not making them more attractive to others. They just don't understand the goals and motivations of a bodybuilder.

    Note: To clarify I do not mean to say that bodybuilders are not attractive in general, but the competition/stage look with the thick glossy tans and the lights and the hiked up swimsuits and the low body fat levels that are not normally maintained, that look, while I understand it has its purpose, is not attractive to many people and is kind of freaky. So when average people see it on a poster or wherever they make rude comments even though they shouldn't.
    I have a friend at my gym who does figure competitions and I think she looks really good every time I see her person, but I did see some of her competition pics one time and in my head my initial reaction was 'yikes!'

    I would say most people DO NOT work out to look more attractive to others. It's an added side benefit but not the main motivator.
  • Oh hey there. I wrote this article!

    I'm glad some of you enjoyed it and that it's provoked some conversation. Love seeing some of the responses for this.

    I agree it's just as wrong to body-shame someone who is overweight as much as someone with a bodybuilder's physique - I like that someone pointed that out. They're very different situations, but the principle still stands.
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  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    Oh hey there. I wrote this article!

    I'm glad some of you enjoyed it and that it's provoked some conversation. Love seeing some of the responses for this.

    I agree it's just as wrong to body-shame someone who is overweight as much as someone with a bodybuilder's physique - I like that someone pointed that out. They're very different situations, but the principle still stands.

    LOL. Hi! That's funny.
  • beertrollruss
    beertrollruss Posts: 276 Member
    I love the female bodybuilders. I miss the bodybuilding contests in the 80's when it was just male and female bodybuilding without the fitness, figure and bikini events. When I watch female bodybuilding, I judge the physiques the same way I judge the males. Most female bodybuilders have the same objectives as males, to see how far they can push themselves. Unfortunately, I'm guessing many of them have a hard time trusting and meeting new people because so few people will just talk to them like they're a normal person. I have a son, but if I had a daughter, I would still show her how to lift weights. I wouldn't push her to be a bodybuilder but I would be totally supportive if she was one.