question about lifting for women

casperkawa

First I am about seventy pounds over weight, should I lose weight before starting to lift? I don't want to be fat and muscular.lol. and then I don't know how to get started. Any help would be greatly appreciated:)

Llamapants86

The goal of lifting weights while on a deficit is to keep your existing muscle mass. It is much easier to keep what you have than to rebuild it later, so start now.

To get started look up a beginner program and stick to it. It should be simple, don't over complicate it. I follow stronglifts 5x5 but people also recommend starting strength and nrol

BlueBombers

No no no. Start lifting NOW...I cannot stress that enough. Lift heavy as in heavy for you.

I saw HUGE changes when I started adding lifting to my routine compared to when I did cardio alone. You will not get bulky, you will look fabulous.

NYCNJLIFE

From my experience start lifting and add in the cardio. Lifting gives quick results (increased strength, toned look- even under fat that needs to be lost) and that makes me stick with it better than in 6 months down the line blah blah blah.

PennyHarris123

what bluebombers says....DO IT!!! you won't regret it at all good luck!

teresamwhite

i second the BlueBomber! I wish I had started lifting when I first got serious about losing weight, instead of spending hours on a treadmill. I've been lifting about 2-3 weeks, and even though the scale hasn't gown down much (about .5 lb), i've lost inches, because my tight pants fit perfectly! (I couldn't get the button together before, and now I can...)

Megmo127

Never wait to start lifting!

Building muscle is a great way to build confidence It's addicting! Muscle tissue takes up less space than fat & if you've got yourself in a nice deficit, plus a little cardio (HIIT works wonders!) along with a 3-4 day lifting split separating each body part, you'll see & feel progress!

Fit_Fox88

Definitely start lifting now! You won't regret it. It's so much better than cardio alone. Find a beginner's program, there are tons out there. I'm currently doing Jamie Eason's Live Fit program on bodybuilding.com. It utilizes more machine work in the beginning, but it worked out well for me being new to lifting and not having as much access to free weights in my apartment gym as a regular gym. Good luck!

Kiki829

This was going to be my question, too. I need to lose about 130 pounds (that's my goal!), but I am currently training for a half marathon in September. I *want* to start lifting, but I'm terrified of the scale not moving. Ack...just to get over the mental part of it. I have a lot fo free weights at home, and a barbell (although that is too heavy for me to lift right now). Is it super embarrassing if I have to start with 10 lb weights for my arms? Do I add weight each week? You ladies are definitely inspiring, so keep it coming!!

bmannen1

The more muscle you have the more fat you burn while doing nothing making weight/inch loss faster. In 5 weeks of doing stronglifts 5x5 I have lost 8 inches. Make sure that you take measurements and pictures and rely on that not the scale (easier said then don't I know).

timbrom

This was going to be my question, too. I need to lose about 130 pounds (that's my goal!), but I am currently training for a half marathon in September. I *want* to start lifting, but I'm terrified of the scale not moving. Ack...just to get over the mental part of it. I have a lot fo free weights at home, and a barbell (although that is too heavy for me to lift right now). Is it super embarrassing if I have to start with 10 lb weights for my arms? Do I add weight each week? You ladies are definitely inspiring, so keep it coming!!

Start wherever you have to. If 10 lbs is what you can do, 10 lbs is where you should start. Try to add weight or do more reps each time you lift. Get on a solid program like Starting Strength, or Stronglifts 5x5. You could also see if you can find a cheap standard straight bar used or something. I have one that weighs 10 lbs. That'll get you started until you can use the 45 lb barbell.

wibutterflymagic

As everyone has already said....START LIFTING NOW!!! You will also not "bulk" up as women can not get big like men without a TON of work and major diet changes.

By doing just cardio on a deficit you will actually lose muscle if you aren't eating enough. Start lifting, eat more protein and less carbs and you will build muscle that will help to burn more calories when you aren't working out. You will start to see changes even if your weight doesn't drop a lot; your body will start to burn fat and create muscle.

JoRocka

No no no. Start lifting NOW...I cannot stress that enough. Lift heavy as in heavy for you.

I saw HUGE changes when I started adding lifting to my routine compared to when I did cardio alone. You will not get bulky, you will look fabulous.

This.

There are zero reasons to wait to start lifting and about a million to start yesterday!!!

levitateme

No no no. Start lifting NOW...I cannot stress that enough. Lift heavy as in heavy for you.

I saw HUGE changes when I started adding lifting to my routine compared to when I did cardio alone. You will not get bulky, you will look fabulous.

This.

There are zero reasons to wait to start lifting and about a million to start yesterday!!!

Yes, yes, yes. I started in January but didn't do anything but cardio until mid-March. Really wish I could go back and start lifting from the beginning. DO IT. Lift heavy weights (heavy for you) and be awesome.

SezxyStef

Capt_Apollo

I don't want to be fat and muscular.

you won't be.

and then I don't know how to get started. Any help would be greatly appreciated:)

here are some articles that you should read to help steer you in the right direction.

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2010/02/15/how-to-build-your-own-workout-routine/

lift weights http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2013/02/28/strength-training-101/

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2014/03/03/strength-training-101-how-to-squat-properly/

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2014/01/14/strength-training-101-where-do-i-start/

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2014/02/06/strength-training-101-how-much-weight-should-i-be-lifting/

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2013/03/05/101-equipment/

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2013/09/11/7-strength-training-myths-every-woman-should-know/
[/quote]

vjohn04

lift weights now. you can do cardio if you want. eat less calories than you burn.

_HeartsOnFire_

No no no. Start lifting NOW...I cannot stress that enough. Lift heavy as in heavy for you.

I saw HUGE changes when I started adding lifting to my routine compared to when I did cardio alone. You will not get bulky, you will look fabulous.

Want to lift heavy things?
http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

Stronglifts Summary
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/560459-stronglifts-5x5-summary

Stronglifts Womens Group
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/4601-stronglifts-5x5-for-women

Along with the links up above...

stevee290

I wish I started lifting from day one.

navygrrl

Definitely start lifting NOW. The only reason I do cardio now is so I can eat more food, LOL. Since I started lifting, I have seen improvements in my body shape. I was losing just fine before lifting, but that was mainly just the scale moving. Now I am seeing progress in other measurements. Plus, I feel like a badass.

Marcillene

I agree with llamapants86's post... I actually had that happen to me, I did not lift while loosing most of my weight I wanted to, and in turn I lost muscle mass because I was not strength training/lifting.. and it is much harder to rebuild muscle than it is to lose it. I think the word is called "Skinny-fat", where you are skinny, but have fat because you lost and did not build muscle and strength train to keep the muscle you do have.

_HeartsOnFire_

I'm also going to add...be prepared when you start lifting to not see the scale # move for awhile. TAKE MEASUREMENTS! Track those. Your muscles will retain water for repair. I've been lifting for 8 weeks, today my scale moved down 1 lb...however I've lost inches everywhere. 2" in my leg! So take measurements, take progress photos, and put the scale away.

Cranquistador

I am down 40 pounds, but I think it looks like more due to lifting for the past two years. Get started NOW. I am happy I did.

Before

Now

BusyRaeNOTBusty

Yes, lift now.

Lifting while dieting maintains the muscle you currently have. Your body composition will be much better when you hit your goal if you lift while losing.

Kiki829

Measurements it is! If I keep lifting, and keep running (because I like it!), AND keep in deficit, the scale has to move at some point, right??!! I mean, I have over 100 lbs to lose! I think I have decided on the Jamie Eason program. I have most of the equipment for that at home, except for the leg press days, etc. I do have a question, though. Can I combine 2 of her upper body days and just do those in 1 days, then do the legs and the other set of exercises the next day? Or should I really split it all out into 4 days?

JennEason1

START LIFTING NOW!!!! Lifting weights will help you burn fat too! I used to be a cardio junkie and was skinny but jiggled all over and had no definition. I started lifting weights, and lifting heavy at that! I saw results very quickly and found myself addicted to it. I agree with the others though. Stronglifts 5X5 is a great program. Good luck girl!

Curlysasha

First I am about seventy pounds over weight, should I lose weight before starting to lift? I don't want to be fat and muscular.lol. and then I don't know how to get started. Any help would be greatly appreciated:)

THANK YOU I NEEDED THIS TOO

Kiki829

My plan is to progress to Stronglifts 5x5 after completing the Jamie Eason program.

WeepingAngel81

I am with everyone else here who says to start now! I am only down 10lbs, but like Cranq, it looks like more because I have lost inches. I have lost 4 pant sizes in total. I don't have real solid before/after pics, but there is one arm pic in my profile pics that was taken a month apart. The before pic is on the top and the after is on the bottom. I saw drastic changes in my waist (though I am still working on that flat belly), and my though my breasts shrunk, they look perkier.

I was terrified to step into the weight room the first time. I stuck with using the machines first, and as I was using them, I watched those who were using free weights. As I gained more strength and confidence, I stepped into the free weight area. I'm not the strongest out there, but that doesn't matter. It's working, and that's what counts.

jmangini

First I am about seventy pounds over weight, should I lose weight before starting to lift? I don't want to be fat and muscular.lol. and then I don't know how to get started. Any help would be greatly appreciated:)

THANK YOU I NEEDED THIS TOO

I'm going to go against most people on here. I find it much easier, to slim way down first then work to tighten up. Everyone pretty much initially gains weight when they start training. I think this is due to 3 main reasons. 1. You will get hungrier and make it harder to cut calories. 2. Most people will feel they can eat more since they are training. (This is evident on here as you are encouraged to burn calories then eat them right back. Kinda counterintuitive in my mind.). 3. You're body will initially hold extra water, which discourages many people and they lose motivation. I've only been totally ripped with very low body fat once. I dieted to go from 183 to 147 then worked out to get muscular and toned. I did it this way after learning that Sylvester Stallone had done that to get in shape for Rocky 3. He went on an extreme diet of 10 egg whites and a piece of toast a day adding fruit or oatmeal cookie every day. He dropped to 155lbs then started training and increasing his calories. I did something similar and went from a 34 inch waist to a 30 with lots of muscle. When I workout and try to really trim down, it is very difficult and requires good discipline because I get extreme hunger. I've done it but it was much harder and took longer. Anyway that's my 2 cents. I'll wait for the usual bashers now

Reddirtblacktopqueen

Thank you, thank you and thank you for all the great responses here! I have been doing all cardio and have wanted to lift but just didn't know where to start. You all have given great insight and encouragement. :bigsmile: