"Toning" aka fear of lifting heavy

grapenutSF

This made me so happy!! I want to photoshop myself into that, though. Weeeeeee!

thefuzz1290

Ditto.

HeidiMightyRawr

This made me so happy!! I want to photoshop myself into that, though. Weeeeeee!

While I love the attitude that the picture brings, it's very photoshopped.

Just look at the cupboard behind her leg on the left of the picture, it bends with the shape of her legs.

velofille

Heya, I'm new to message boards, here, so sorry if i step on any toes here

I thought I would jump on in because i have previously lost a crap load of weight (80kg/170lb?), and went on to train as a personal trainer - so i have a fairly good knowledge of how most things works (does not with help motivation unfortunately lol).

Anyway, there is no technical term called 'toning', it just means loosing fat and gaining muscle, but its not a real word per say in the industry. If you tell a PT you want to do toning, he will probably ask you what you mean by that, because of course everyone means different things usually

Doing weight lifting will increase muscle size, and make them stronger, but never to the point of a body builder without a few additives!
It will however burn more calories at rest than without it, so when you do some weight lifting, then sit on your *kitten*, you will naturally stay slimmer and loose more weight easily (so its a win win!)

Personally i love the look of females like GIllian Michaels , her body is going off!

Anyway, my story is that i had major surgery (Donated a kidney) then did my knees in soon after (was out for a year) and regained weight in my depression and down time.

Tubby2Toned

While I love the attitude that the picture brings, it's very photoshopped.

Just look at the cupboard behind her leg on the left of the picture, it bends with the shape of her legs.

Not shopped. You can easily find other pictures of her. Her legs look just as awesome. She just squats, *kitten* to grass.

DorisR184

Bump! I just started lifting & I'm LOVING this thread!

piebird79

Yay for lifting heavy!

blessmy5

Just got NROW for Women today and I'm anxious to jump in.

jetscreaminagain

Here's me almost 3 years ago when I got married. Last late June just before I started this (and I thought I still looked like I did when I got married) and then in December. I've been lifting the whole time. I started with the plan in Body for Life, which is very accessible, easy to follow, and easy to do at home only with sets of dumbbells. There's more cardio in that, so its sort of a gateway plan to weight lifting.

Then in October or November I started New Rules of Lifting. I'm very glad I have a gym because I can now load an Olympic bar with weights that exceed my body weight and lift them in the squat rack. I can load an Olympic bar with almost 100#, squat and then power that sucker over my head while I stand up. Fun stuff. I don't have enough equipment at home.

I haven't lost a pound in a while. This still bugs me a little. But it is made ok by the fact that I also have few pants because they are all too big for me. They keep getting bigger. Lifting makes me HUNGRY. But I eat. And I also get smaller.

BTW, Sunshine put up a picture on another thread, she's pointing out her neck and shoulders, and she looks exactly like a prima ballerina. That whole "long, lean, dancer" thing the afraid-of-heavy ladies look for.

sassylilmama

Just starting this myself. My friends results do not lie. Next week I will be starting P90X. I admit I am scared of it but I will hate myself if I do not at least try.

frazzle29

bump

chachita7

I am slowly increasing weights and purchased the book "Lift like a man look like a goddess"... I am in this to win it

Helloitsdan

<---- lifts heavy things and eats lots of FOOD.

This!

57rainbows

Lifting heavy intimidates me! But it's not because I think I'll bulk up - I know I'll always have my gorgeous curves and won't look like my "Conan" husband. It's the workout itself that scares me! I started going to a gym for the first time this year. They have a lot of nautilus (sp?) equipment that isolates one muscle at a time, and I do those when I go. But I don't do the weight room because I don't know how to do heavy weight exercises, I'm afraid I'll hurt myself with poor form, and yes also it's intimidating knowing everyone else in the room is all professional and crazy. I don't want to pay for a personal trainer!! And although my husband would no doubt help me out, he's in the military and deploying soon so I'm kinda on my own.

How did you get started initially? What would you recommend for me, aside from reading those books, which I'd like to do? The last thing I want is to injure myself by straining my back or dropping something on my foot or something dumb like that :-P

jarrettd

<<<45 years old, mother of 6, lifting HEAVY and loving it! NROLW rocks!

Only one gym in our rural area (and it has crappy hours), so we found a bench and weights in a local trading paper. Saved enough buying second-hand that we could afford a power cage too, so I can lift solo safely.

My young adult sons will have friends over, and they always ask about the weights. I love the looks on their faces when the boys tell them "those are Mom's"!

Don't be afraid. Read up. Watch youtube videos for form. Start slow and light, and build up as form improves. Do not be intimidated...everyone started somewhere!

niicolemariies

I started heavy lifting and looked what happened to me:

I went from this in 2009:



To this...and there is less than 10 lb difference in weight:







And these legs can press 270 lb and squat/lunge 120 lbs

AMAZING! This really motivated me. You look fabulous! I've come to a point where cardio just doesn't do it for me anymore and I've been so scared to lift heavy weights. I started just recently (2 weeks ago) and I'm already seeing great results!

Megdonald1

Couldn't agree more!! I am lifting heavy now and loving every minute of it! Sore muscles and all!!

samntha14

bump

bluefever

This was 6 weeks of heavy lifting and strict diet.

moochachip

All of you fellow women inspire me.

I'm only about 30 pounds from being able to press double my weight. I do weights 4 times a week (weight machines), and love it.

Next weekend going through free-lifting classes for women - Hoping for more muscle work then I already get.

Momkat65

Where should I start?
How does one break into heavy lifting?
I am ready to sign up!!

Yanicka1

This was 6 weeks of heavy lifting and strict diet.

Oh wow....love your *kitten* (in a non creapy way!!!!)

nutandbutter

As someone who is just about done with his NASM cert what kills me more are the trainers who perpetuate this. Makes my head spin Exorcist style when I see it in the gym.

I'm trying to find a way to tactfully address this with my trainer. Starting out with her was great, because I have hypermobile joints and I really needed a lot of help with my form, which she was fabulous about helping me with. But recently she had me increase the number of reps from15 to 20 on many exercises while either leaving the weight the same or in some cases even decreasing it, which I'm rather confused about. Maybe she has a good reason, but I need to remember to ask, because I'm not understanding the logic behind that particular change.

Now the squats I understand - since my form still isn't that great I could use more practice getting it right, but the rest, I'm not so sure about.

If it were me, I would dump her. In a nice way of course.
http://startingstrength.com/index.php/site/platform_the_squat_bar_position
^ Watch this video. So informative and would help you a ton.

Also, In!

thefuzz1290

Lifting heavy intimidates me! But it's not because I think I'll bulk up - I know I'll always have my gorgeous curves and won't look like my "Conan" husband. It's the workout itself that scares me! I started going to a gym for the first time this year. They have a lot of nautilus (sp?) equipment that isolates one muscle at a time, and I do those when I go. But I don't do the weight room because I don't know how to do heavy weight exercises, I'm afraid I'll hurt myself with poor form, and yes also it's intimidating knowing everyone else in the room is all professional and crazy. I don't want to pay for a personal trainer!! And although my husband would no doubt help me out, he's in the military and deploying soon so I'm kinda on my own.

How did you get started initially? What would you recommend for me, aside from reading those books, which I'd like to do? The last thing I want is to injure myself by straining my back or dropping something on my foot or something dumb like that :-P

You're making excuses, plain and simple. You can hurt yourself, actually more, on those machines because they limit your range of motion to a fixed movement. If you've read the books, you have sufficient knowledge to get started. If you haven't there are multiple resources available online to teach you the proper way to do an exercise.

smithmom531

Have any suggestions for those of us just starting out. A book that helped you get started or a website or anything? I have quite a bit to lose (30-40 pounds). I lost 10 in my first month and half and am happy with my progress but I want to be toned, not just thin. When the weight is finally gone I want to have muscles to show for it not bones. Any places you can point me to would be great, Thanks!

nutandbutter

Have any suggestions for those of us just starting out. A book that helped you get started or a website or anything? I have quite a bit to lose (30-40 pounds). I lost 10 in my first month and half and am happy with my progress but I want to be toned, not just thin. When the weight is finally gone I want to have muscles to show for it not bones. Any places you can point me to would be great, Thanks!

bodybuilding.com

eedossa

Finally added weight training to my routine this year. No change in my weight yet, but my clothes already fit better, and I feel so much stronger. To be honest, the weight room still feels intimidating, but that doesn't stop me anymore!

bahacca

For those starting out-
websites like bodybuilding.com
For those with gyms, ask a trainer "I want to know how to do squats. Would you please watch my form? Get an idea of how to do them from watching youtube videos. This is what I did with deadlifts. After doing them a few days I asked a trainer to help me out. They won't charge you if you are just asking for help with 1 thing. Try to work the new lifts in every week or so. If you see a guy doing a lift you want to do, ASK THEM FOR HELP! I ask guys to rerack weights for me, spot me, show me how to do different things. I even asked one guy if I should go for a personal best or not and he cheered me on. No woman on a stairclimber would have done that!!!
Join the groups here for weightlifting, bodybuilding, etc.
As for how much weight to start with, start with the bar so you can get the form right, get used to the weight, etc. If it is too heavy, then most gyms have barbells that will work for most exercises.

machinegunkate

boomp to read later.


Also, I have to say, after having a quick look through the thread a few of you are being harsh and and over-critical toward people who are saying they have never done it before and feel a little intimidated by it. ****ty attitudes that aren't needed on a support site, especially toward people who are obviously interested in trying this new venture.

jnelk

So much like about this thread.

Easiest way to get started do a Pump or Power class at a gym, that's how I learned to do everything