question about lifting for women

perfectlytrained

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

I started my journey with 60+ lbs to lose. and lifted weights since the very beginning... My shape is more feminine than ever.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1309674-6-months-of-lifting-loving-my-body-recomp

sunflowerhippi

I am just chiming in to agree with all that was said above.

Also you in the end might need to actually ditch the scale. I am still 10lbs above goal and have been for a year now but have dropped almost 2 sizes in bottoms and my measurements are drastically down. If i were to only be using the scale and not taking pictures I would feel like a failure. So pictures too! You don't need to post them but having them for yourself to see if a great motivation.

casperkawa

I am heading out. Can't wait to read all your response.. Thanks

summer8it

Start lifting now.

I found this to be a really powerful argument for why people should lift while they are losing weight... it's from an article called "5 Things I Miss About Weighing More than 300 Pounds." (http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-13018/5-things-i-miss-about-weighing-more-than-300-pounds.html)

"five things I miss about my old, obese self:

1. Power

Being fat gave me natural physical strength. As a thin person, I have to go out of my way to be strong. Despite daily strength training I’m nowhere near as powerful as I used to be. Once upon a time I could confidently lift a couch into and out of a moving truck (a U-Haul, not a truck in motion — being fat never did give me super powers). Today, I labor under the weight of heavy things. I miss the natural, organic strength that I used to take for granted, the sheer power born of moving under the weight of my own fat day after day."

Think about it -- by carrying extra weight you are, to some extent, strength-training with every movement, every step. Start lifting now, and you will retain the strength while you lose the fat.

ameliad87

I'm about 30 pounds overweight, and about 55 away from goal. I have noticed a significant change in even just doing lifting 1x a week. I'm still super uncomfortable in the weight area, so I only go there on Saturdays with my hubby who is a lifter. I'll occasionally do a little bit of a "lifting" thing at home with my 5 pound dumbbells. Seriously, even just that little bit has increased my stamina and endurance FOR the cardio I love to do. I imagine once I actually read the NROL4W and just buckle down and do it, I'll get even faster results, but I'm taking it slowly.

And I'm still learning this, but as you incorporate lifting in, don't be discouraged by the scale. The days after I do a heavy lifting session, I either stay the same despite a deficit, or even gain. It's mainly water weight as your muscles hold onto that to repair and such (I'm not an expert, but something like that from what I've read). Give it a few days, stay hydrated, and do measurements. Even though the past month I've stayed within the same stupid 4 pounds even on a deficit, alot of that is my body adjusting to a new workout plan and being more active in general. But the measurements and how my clothes fit...have changed tremendously, even in just one month.

Start lifting now, even if just a little bit. Your body will thank you.

fooninie

Lifting will not only help with getting rid of the fat but will give you GREAT definition in the long run....Go for it!

slimzandra

Bump for links to read later. Thanks!

katimama

I've got the same questions ... looks like a lot of good responses and articles listed.

yusineddy

Great post!

WeepingAngel81

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

I'm not a typical basher, I am not going to "bash" you. I see your pic so this is obviously working for you. However, celebrity diets do tend to be extreme as you mentioned. These are not diets or lifestyles that a typical person should go into without consulting a doctor first. This can be a very dangerous change for many people. Not everyone has the discipline that you seem to have, and promoting an extreme diet is probably not a good idea. You're looking at it from a weight loss standpoint rather than an inches lost. Yes, we want to lose the weight, but figuring out TDEE is usually the best solution for those who are lifting. Extreme hunger isn't healthy.
Even though I disagree with you, I say, you keep doing what you're doing. Just be careful in promoting anything extreme.

amandzor

fitness_faeiry

Bodybuilding.com has some great FREE strength programmes specifically aimed at women. Try the Jamie Eason 12 week programme which focuses on muscle building and creating lean definition. There is a Nutrition plan too, which I have to admit is pretty strict but does give results.

GOOD LUCK!

flyygirl802

bumping this for later

there is some great info in here, thanks!

mikejholmes

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.

QFT
Sounds like you're getting lots of good advice.

As for how to start? Starting Strength by Mark Rippetoe. Seriously. Buy the book. If you're going to lift, you may as well take the time to do it RIGHT.

fitness_faeiry

Oh and the BEST book you can invest in is:

The New Rules of Lifting for Women: Lift Like a Man, Look Like a Goddess

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

I

I'm not a typical basher, I am not going to "bash" you. I see your pic so this is obviously working for you. However, celebrity diets do tend to be extreme as you mentioned. These are not diets or lifestyles that a typical person should go into without consulting a doctor first. This can be a very dangerous change for many people. Not everyone has the discipline that you seem to have, and promoting an extreme diet is probably not a good idea. You're looking at it from a weight loss standpoint rather than an inches lost. Yes, we want to lose the weight, but figuring out TDEE is usually the best solution for those who are lifting. Extreme hunger isn't healthy.
Even though I disagree with you, I say, you keep doing what you're doing. Just be careful in promoting anything extreme.

Good deal. To be fair, I'm not promoting an extreme diet.! I am pointing out that it was easier for me personally to lose weight first, that's all. I didn't mean she should follow Stallone's diet. I sure didn't. But it's an example of trimming down then building a body when you can focus more on training and eating right, without concerns of scale watching or not eating enough for the training load. This just my humble opinion.

Iron_Feline

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

Nope and more nope - and to the 10 egg white diet - *"&£^* NO!

Mainly because women have a much harder time putting on muscle than men - which means once you've lost it women will struggle like hell to gain it back.

Lifting from the beginning means you will hold on to that precious muscle and look better when you hit you're goal, which may change once you get closer due to how amazing you look with all that muscle still on your body.

I didn't gain weight when I started lifting and if you track your calories you won't eat more.

You are encouraged to eat back exercise calories here because the defect is already built in to your goal - not eating them back means your deficit is greater - encouraging the loss of muscle, something that you're trying to avoid by lifting. Now THAT'S counter intuitive.

I started doing New Rules of Lifting for Women and I'm currently doing Stronglifts 5x%. I lost 8" in 3 months when I started - the scale didn't move but I looked SOOOOOOOO much better. The scale didn't move because I wasn't logging properly.

If you do lift - and I really really suggest you do., make sure you take measurements and pictures - those will tell the true story more than the scales. In fact if you can stay off the scales for 6 weeks after you start and you'll avoid the I've out on water weight panic that stops some people.

I've yet to see anyone post who started lifting say they hated the results (with photographic proof not just the lifting makes me bulky no pics nonsense)

Good luck op :drinker:

Capt_Apollo

great contribution.

let's see your snatch??

sportyredhead01

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.

TRUTH!
Go for it! :drinker:
I wish I had years ago!

amandzor

great contribution.

let's see your snatch??

Psh, not without a drink first.

vjohn04

Why in the world would you post this?
....

WAS287GOAL170

Bump for later...Great info in this thread. Thanks!

casperkawa

Thank you all for the great advice, I am going to have to check out some of these books and websites

bc2ct

more muscle/lean mass = higher metabolism = you can eat more and still lose weight!

crunchergirl

bump

wndrwmn86

I have been lifting for about two months now and am just now starting to see results, the scale hasn't budged and I wasn't following a plan. I started following New Rules of Lifting for Women this week and am loving it. I still do cardio as well at least 5-6 times a week. I haven't been keeping the best track of my food though and that's where the problem lies. The past two weeks I have been ardent about my logging and I dropped three pounds. Even though I haven't seen big losses I feel strong and incredible and my body is looking better already. Don't get discouraged and lift!