An article for women that don't WANT to lift heavy

2

Replies

  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    She has a nice idea...but I agree- execution was terrible.
    I get it: women don't know how to get what they want- or what it is that they want- and most women don't want the same thing.

    And for a woman whose supposed to be a pro trainer? she's not impressive at all. I'm not taking anything that woman says seriously.

    Plus wildly annoying to list Jessica Biel as the "none standard- every day female bulky"

    pass.

    That part got me too. :grumble:
  • levitateme
    levitateme Posts: 999 Member
    She has a nice idea...but I agree- execution was terrible.
    I get it: women don't know how to get what they want- or what it is that they want- and most women don't want the same thing.

    And for a woman whose supposed to be a pro trainer? she's not impressive at all. I'm not taking anything that woman says seriously.

    Plus wildly annoying to list Jessica Biel as the "none standard- every day female bulky"

    pass.

    That part got me too. :grumble:

    It's annoying. A lot of women who say they don't want to be "bulky" mean they don't want visible muscles at all. That's why the term is subjective. It's usually a case of "that doesn't mean what you think it means," like the word "tone."
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    even better article written by an actual expert with years of experience helping women get the body they want

    http://bretcontreras.com/how-to-attain-a-slender-look-like-jessica-alba-zoe-saldana/

    Thanks for posting.

    Zoe Saldana? Are they kidding? She is bonafide skinny. Not a good example.

    I love her though; she's a great actress. And caribean latinas have nice booties anyway. Hee hee. (well, the Domincanas do and Zoe is half Dominicana. Vaya platano!)

    But, did you read the article? It was an article in response to a question. And very well done.
  • _BearNecessities_
    _BearNecessities_ Posts: 432 Member
    If you feel you should do something because someone else is telling you to do it, you're doing it wrong.

    Do what you like, do what you want, worry about you.

    The end.

    You so smaht.
  • fooninie
    fooninie Posts: 291 Member
    New rules of lifting actually explains that if you don't have the biological disposition (most women don't) to be bulky, you won't.

    Also, women bodybuilders who look like dudes are most likely supplementing with crap that makes their bodies react like men during work outs etc.

    Natural bodybuilders (women) are generally extra fit and look defined, but hardly "bulky". I was "bulky" when I was fat. No jokes.
  • SemperAnticus1643
    SemperAnticus1643 Posts: 703 Member
    Better defined arms, legs, abs and booty are what I'm in for. I could really care less about what the scale says. My biggest concern has always been the BF% and my aesthetics. But Jessica Biel is by far not "bulky" in my opinion. She looks fit.

    My point is what works for me or what I want may not be for everyone. I get that. But when a woman comes in and says "I want to look like *Christmas Abbott*, how do I get there?" and then says "But I don't want to lift heavy", then obviously you don't know Christmas Abbott's routine. Don't get upset when people say "lift heavy". But don't expect to have a body like someone that lifts heavy either.
  • nyboer
    nyboer Posts: 346 Member
    even better article written by an actual expert with years of experience helping women get the body they want

    http://bretcontreras.com/how-to-attain-a-slender-look-like-jessica-alba-zoe-saldana/

    Thanks for posting.

    Zoe Saldana? Are they kidding? She is bonafide skinny. Not a good example.

    I love her though; she's a great actress. And caribean latinas have nice booties anyway. Hee hee. (well, the Domincanas do and Zoe is half Dominicana. Vaya platano!)

    Not in for the actresses :noway: but rather the info. And not even the info how on how to look sleek, slender, whatever they called it - personally, not my goal - and if it were? Not attainable for my body type/genes. Did you click on the link to see the one-year transformation lady? Genetic out-lyer (sp?) anyone? My goodness.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    even better article written by an actual expert with years of experience helping women get the body they want

    http://bretcontreras.com/how-to-attain-a-slender-look-like-jessica-alba-zoe-saldana/

    Thanks for posting.

    Zoe Saldana? Are they kidding? She is bonafide skinny. Not a good example.

    I love her though; she's a great actress. And caribean latinas have nice booties anyway. Hee hee. (well, the Domincanas do and Zoe is half Dominicana. Vaya platano!)

    But, did you read the article? It was an article in response to a question. And very well done.

    exactly.

    i like it because it gives pretty good advice depending on where you're starting and everyone is given the same advice : to start lifting heavy and then cut back if and when you start to notice that you are looking "bulkier" than you want. i also like the fact that he reminds people that those ladies also have certain genetics behind them that will also aid in their looking slender. he also uses jessica biehl as an example of someone who didnt want to stay looking the way she did after blade 3.

    also umm it's kind of a stereotype that every woman with african decent have nice booties. i'm mixed with black and blacker and apparently that wasn't enough to keep me from being a member of the pancake tribe :cry: but , ya know squats and deadlifts ensure i keep my black card :laugh:
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    I lift heavy (for me). I like the info Bret Contreras writes about physique goals for woman. He writes many informative articles. I am a dancer.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    . i'm mixed with black and blacker and apparently that wasn't enough to keep me from being a member of the pancake tribe :cry: but , ya know squats and deadlifts ensure i keep my black card :laugh:

    I'm sorry for your loss- you win the lulz award for the afternoon though :flowerforyou:

    and I would totally give you some of my'extra'... I'm Scottish mixed with a heavy dose of Scottish- served with some Scottish.... so I'm pale- and I have a random giant *kitten* that follows me around. Shameful.
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    even better article written by an actual expert with years of experience helping women get the body they want

    http://bretcontreras.com/how-to-attain-a-slender-look-like-jessica-alba-zoe-saldana/

    Thanks for posting.

    Zoe Saldana? Are they kidding? She is bonafide skinny. Not a good example.

    I love her though; she's a great actress. And caribean latinas have nice booties anyway. Hee hee. (well, the Domincanas do and Zoe is half Dominicana. Vaya platano!)

    But, did you read the article? It was an article in response to a question. And very well done.

    exactly.

    i like it because it gives pretty good advice depending on where you're starting and everyone is given the same advice : to start lifting heavy and then cut back if and when you start to notice that you are looking "bulkier" than you want. i also like the fact that he reminds people that those ladies also have certain genetics behind them that will also aid in their looking slender. he also uses jessica biehl as an example of someone who didnt want to stay looking the way she did after blade 3.

    also umm it's kind of a stereotype that every woman with african decent have nice booties. i'm mixed with black and blacker and apparently that wasn't enough to keep me from being a member of the pancake tribe :cry: but , ya know squats and deadlifts ensure i keep my black card :laugh:

    Good summary!

    He also talks about how there is a "built-in safety" for newbie women training without a trainer (as they will be less effective and efficient). He acknowledges that not everyone needs the same goals, but weights can still be helpful to anyone.
  • Dragonwolf
    Dragonwolf Posts: 5,600 Member
    even better article written by an actual expert with years of experience helping women get the body they want

    http://bretcontreras.com/how-to-attain-a-slender-look-like-jessica-alba-zoe-saldana/

    Thanks for posting.

    Zoe Saldana? Are they kidding? She is bonafide skinny. Not a good example.

    I love her though; she's a great actress. And caribean latinas have nice booties anyway. Hee hee. (well, the Domincanas do and Zoe is half Dominicana. Vaya platano!)

    Not in for the actresses :noway: but rather the info. And not even the info how on how to look sleek, slender, whatever they called it - personally, not my goal - and if it were? Not attainable for my body type/genes. Did you click on the link to see the one-year transformation lady? Genetic out-lyer (sp?) anyone? My goodness.

    I checked out that link. I agree she's probably an outlier (even the author of the article that links to it admits that it's the most dramatic transformation they've seen). That said, I'd love to volunteer to be a "control" for that hypothesis. Get a consult with the nutritionist and trainer that woman used and see if I can get even anything close to that (I'm not keen on the bodybuilder look, so I'll stop if/when I get into the teens for BF%, but I love me some powerlifting and she still looks damn hot in her non-flexed shots).
  • brower47
    brower47 Posts: 16,356 Member
    I don't want to lift "heavy" simply because I realize that it isn't something I can keep up with, and I don't enjoy it. I think that women who do are attractive, and I admire their hard work, but it's just not something I want for myself.

    I don't think you should avoid doing something because you *might* get too bulky, that's kind of arbitrary. You don't deadlift one day and turn into the Hulk.

    If you don't want to lift, don't. "I don't want to" is a perfectly acceptable reason, IMO.

    ^^^^ this

    the idea of not lifting heavy because you will look "too bulky" - even if your definition of "bulky" is that totally not bulky woman that they showed, is just stupid. You're not going to look like her by accident!! You can lift heavy and never get any muscle definition if you keep your body fat percentage in the low to mid 20s. You want to look like a bikini model? Then lift. That look comes from lifting but keeping your body fat percentage a little higher than the fitness models:

    bikini model = 18-21% body fat
    fitness model = 15-18% body fat
    female body builder = 13-14% body fat

    If you don't believe me, then look at pictures of female body builders in the off season when their body fat percentage is around 17-18%... they look like bikini models, like magazine fashion models, like the really mega-hot women that most women on this planet say they would do anything to look like (except when they're told that they need to lift weights they're like "but I don't want to get bulky")

    "I don't lift because I don't want to and/or don't like it" is fine by me. Whatever. But all this BS about "I dont' like the way I think it's going to make me look" is stupid.

    That's why I love cavemen. Preach brother!

    Cavewoman, and I agree. She's the best.
  • jofjltncb6
    jofjltncb6 Posts: 34,415 Member
    Can I ask what made you change your mind since you posted your pro-lifting thread about looking better at a heavier weight thanks to muscle?

    Okay, now I'm in.
  • Cobblergal
    Cobblergal Posts: 4
    Unless you are lifting massive weights and want to become an oiled-up female body builder you will not get unsightly muscles. Women don't have the right hormones. I am a 65 year old retiree and enjoy weightlifting. I don't do heavy weights, but increase my reps instead of weight. My shoulders, arms, legs and backside are seeing the results. An increase in muscle mass will also increase your calorie expenditure resulting in fat loss. Not necessarily weight loss as muscles weigh more than fat. But your clothes will fit better. What I say is pick a size you want to fit into and then become "fit".:smile:
  • Flab2Fab27
    Flab2Fab27 Posts: 461 Member
    even better article written by an actual expert with years of experience helping women get the body they want

    http://bretcontreras.com/how-to-attain-a-slender-look-like-jessica-alba-zoe-saldana/

    TL;DR

    I skimmed the article but it looks like a great read for later. Thanks for sharing!
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    I love how this thread went from criticizing a really bad blog to hailing a really awesome one about the same subject.
  • Iron_Feline
    Iron_Feline Posts: 10,750 Member
    Can I ask what made you change your mind since you posted your pro-lifting thread about looking better at a heavier weight thanks to muscle?

    Okay, now I'm in.

    I'm guessing she won't be back to comment on this :ohwell:
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    . i'm mixed with black and blacker and apparently that wasn't enough to keep me from being a member of the pancake tribe :cry: but , ya know squats and deadlifts ensure i keep my black card :laugh:

    I'm sorry for your loss- you win the lulz award for the afternoon though :flowerforyou:

    and I would totally give you some of my'extra'... I'm Scottish mixed with a heavy dose of Scottish- served with some Scottish.... so I'm pale- and I have a random giant *kitten* that follows me around. Shameful.

    maybe our butts were switched at birth .. especially since my mom, grandmom, and great grandmom were all rump-o-smooth-skins :laugh:

    it's OK though because I happen to love squatting and deadlifting anyway
  • in_the_stars
    in_the_stars Posts: 1,395 Member
    hmmm... I'm lean and lithe and strong. No bulk, don't want.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    . i'm mixed with black and blacker and apparently that wasn't enough to keep me from being a member of the pancake tribe :cry: but , ya know squats and deadlifts ensure i keep my black card :laugh:

    I'm sorry for your loss- you win the lulz award for the afternoon though :flowerforyou:

    and I would totally give you some of my'extra'... I'm Scottish mixed with a heavy dose of Scottish- served with some Scottish.... so I'm pale- and I have a random giant *kitten* that follows me around. Shameful.

    maybe our butts were switched at birth .. especially since my mom, grandmom, and great grandmom were all rump-o-smooth-skins :laugh:

    it's OK though because I happen to love squatting and deadlifting anyway

    perhaps.

    all the squatz... and all the dead lifts!!!

    ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL THE TIME!!!
  • mank32
    mank32 Posts: 1,323 Member
    i don't want to look like i could break, anymore. i want to look like i could do some breaking. :devil:
  • whitebalance
    whitebalance Posts: 1,654 Member
    Idle lunchtime thoughts... What would the reaction be if someone recorded a video titled, "I'm All About That Bulk?"
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
    I don't want to lift "heavy" simply because I realize that it isn't something I can keep up with, and I don't enjoy it. I think that women who do are attractive, and I admire their hard work, but it's just not something I want for myself.

    I don't think you should avoid doing something because you *might* get too bulky, that's kind of arbitrary. You don't deadlift one day and turn into the Hulk.

    If you don't want to lift, don't. "I don't want to" is a perfectly acceptable reason, IMO.

    ^^^^ this

    the idea of not lifting heavy because you will look "too bulky" - even if your definition of "bulky" is that totally not bulky woman that they showed, is just stupid. You're not going to look like her by accident!! You can lift heavy and never get any muscle definition if you keep your body fat percentage in the low to mid 20s. You want to look like a bikini model? Then lift. That look comes from lifting but keeping your body fat percentage a little higher than the fitness models:

    bikini model = 18-21% body fat
    fitness model = 15-18% body fat
    female body builder = 13-14% body fat

    If you don't believe me, then look at pictures of female body builders in the off season when their body fat percentage is around 17-18%... they look like bikini models, like magazine fashion models, like the really mega-hot women that most women on this planet say they would do anything to look like (except when they're told that they need to lift weights they're like "but I don't want to get bulky")

    "I don't lift because I don't want to and/or don't like it" is fine by me. Whatever. But all this BS about "I dont' like the way I think it's going to make me look" is stupid.

    That's why I love cavemen. Preach brother!

    Cavewoman, and I agree. She's the best.

    aww thanks, both of you :)


    yeah I'm female and Wilma (my avatar) is a forensic reconstruction of a female neanderthal.
  • michellemybelll
    michellemybelll Posts: 2,228 Member
    hmmm... I'm lean and lithe and strong. No bulk, don't want.
    LOL
  • Sharon_C
    Sharon_C Posts: 2,132 Member
    Here's the best part of lifting heavily.....it engages your core and most women scream about wanting flat stomachs. I began to lift because I want to be stronger when I get older. I also do it because I LOVE how it makes my core feel and my back pain is gone.

    This. I started lifting because I want to get strong. I'm nowhere near bulky and that's fine by me. My point in lifting was to get healthy--no more back pain, no more hip pain. Plus I'm not struggling to lift the heavy baskets of laundry that my family produces on a weekly basis. Being strong just makes so many things easier.

    Having said that, if you don't want to lift and don't like it then you shouldn't feel pressured into doing it. To each his (or her) own.
  • fitness_faeiry
    fitness_faeiry Posts: 354 Member
    I stopped lifting 4 x week, because I didn't like how my body was looking (I bulk quickly) - my upper body especially my shoulders and arms started looking too defined because I hardly carry any body fat in those areas, hence the muscle showed pretty quick.
    Even a personal trainer at the gym asked if I was training for a competition - and my friends commented on my growing biceps.
    My nutrition was pretty good, but I found my body wasn't shifting fat in the areas I needed it to. I was under the impression you could burn fat by strength training and doing no cardio, but even eating at a slight deficit I struggled for months.

    I now do 30 minute strength resistance circuits (3 x week) plus one lifting session and 3-4 times 30-40 min low intensity cardio and I have decreased fat - it is going slowly, and I feel like my body is becoming more slender and toned rather than strong looking.

    Its all down to personal preference of course.
  • ekat120
    ekat120 Posts: 407 Member
    I love how some people's response is that women can't naturally get too bulky, when the point of the article(s) is that for some women, heavy lifting would get them a body that's too bulky/muscular *for them*.

    Personally, it would be fairly realistic for my body type to get a Jessica Biel-type body (because that's how I'm built), but that's not really the look I'm going for. I think people should lift for health purposes (e.g., preventing muscle and bone loss with aging/weight loss), but I don't want to look muscular.

    It's funny when people post pictures talking about how weight lifting didn't make them "bulky," and 99% of the time they're more muscular than I would personally want to look. I'm glad they're happy with how they look because that's all that really matters. But I don't get the impression that wanted to look thin (or "lithe" or whatever you want to call it) is really a socially acceptable goal on MFP.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.

Categories