The difference weight lifting makes....

mrsred79

Awesome!!

MissJay75

Do you have to do serious lifting to tone up? What about circuit training, how far will that get you?

Bronx_Montgomery

All woman should start lifting weights!!!!

lyndsei

motivation!!!

Vodkha

Here is something I have to ask... I lift weights and do circuit training. I am working my butt off, but unfortunately, that is not literal! I have lost almost 30lbs since November. I weighed myself today and I am up 2lbs. It is frustrating but I understand that with muscle being built, it isn't always the number but the inches. I feel a bit smaller and my clothes fit better, but the scale says 233...gulp! There has to be some point where that number decreases though right? If I am working out and eating right, even though I am gaining muscle, that number should come down? I can't possibly stay at 233 forever!

TheMarshal

This is why it drives me nuts when people (women, usually) base success strictly by the numbers seen on the scale. Muscle may weigh 3x as much as fat by volume, but it LOOKS better and also helps burn more calories in your day-to-day activities.

dzilobommo

bump!

sandrinamsilva

WOW! THANKS!

Rae6503

Here is something I have to ask... I lift weights and do circuit training. I am working my butt off, but unfortunately, that is not literal! I have lost almost 30lbs since November. I weighed myself today and I am up 2lbs. It is frustrating but I understand that with muscle being built, it isn't always the number but the inches. I feel a bit smaller and my clothes fit better, but the scale says 233...gulp! There has to be some point where that number decreases though right? If I am working out and eating right, even though I am gaining muscle, that number should come down? I can't possibly stay at 233 forever!

Unless you are at a surplus that 2lbs is probably water weight.

lisakyle_11

Thank you.... love this. perfect day for me to see.

FITnFIRM4LIFE

Great post!!! Nothing better than toned muscle!! Love this!! Lift on :-)

judypriv

This was nice to see. So far i have loss next to nothing but I am losing inches and everyone says it's the lifting and I am more toned. helps me to keep going...

Grlnxtdr0721

Love!! Thanks so much for sharing!

ryno0618

TRUTH. These types of threads are the best and most important ones to read. Thanks for posting this.

I'm not even half way to where I want to be physique wise, but i am 10lbs heaver than I was last Fall after losing 50lbs. I look better at 190 with a little muscle than I did at 180 skinny bean.

HeidiMightyRawr

I don't get the whole women with muscles thing.. sorry, it turns me right off :-/ Shapely is lovely but muscles are just not womanly. That tight round butt i would kill for, but can you get that without the rest following?

The butt is no doubt got through heavy lifting (squats, deadlifts, lunges) You could workout your lower half only but IMO that would look very weird.
I personally don't think any of those women are muscular apart from maybe the two middle ones though (black thong underwear from behind, and red bikini competitor) Those are caused by low body fat % as well, so you needn't be afraid of lifting heavy just because of those pictures. If you keep a body fat % of at least 18% I doubt you would look like those ones in particular. You would have slight muscle definition, while retaining a "softer" look

teagin2002

Ok I will post my pics:

before lifting about 6 months ago:


Two days ago with a 4lb gain, down a few inches, a lot more tone and in the same dress:


Now I am bench pressing 95lbs and leg pressing 270lbs and I feel awesome!!

jbrinda1

These are awesome pics. Thanks for the motivation.

laddyboy

Wow, this is great. I always tell the ladies not to fear the weights.

ElementalMoe

What a great post!

I loved the blog write up on Staci - It was totally inspirational - Shows what you can accomplish with healthy eating and exercise - And also such a relief to see that women don't bulk when they lift - They just look more awesome! I want my thighs to change like Staci's did. . .

lilo1971

I have no fear of weights, love to feel the sore muscles the next morning!

kaydensmom12

bump

cpiton

This inspires me! Thanks for posting

lequoise

This is such an inspirational thread, thank you!!

Libby81

That has settled it, I'm getting back in to lifting after my exams. I have the same body shape as many of the before pics which just confirms I can get this if I push hard.

Thanks for the thread

STurbs33

I love these pictures! Threads like this one make me so anxious to get a gym membership. I can't afford it right now because I'm saving money for an International Teaching Placement, but when I get back I think that will be my first purchase. I've been using dumbbells at home, but squats and dead-lifts are starting to get easy. I haven't used a barbell since my grade 11 fitness class, but I'm dying to try it now.

Picola1984

Lifting for women is getting more and more press now, and its all good

I've noticed even the glossy mags are advocating it, alongside their stupid celeb body bashing and crap they cover..... anyway

These pics are fab, I have noticed the difference since using weights and plan to carry on forever!

Brill post

dane11235813

I don't get the whole women with muscles thing.. sorry, it turns me right off :-/ Shapely is lovely but muscles are just not womanly. That tight round butt i would kill for, but can you get that without the rest following?

:huh:

tlhorsley

This the type of motivation I want and need!

Thanks for the post!!!

bio_fit

I am starting to get into weights so I am not 'anti' - but I have to say, I actually prefer the 'before' on one or two of those pictures. But you know, each to their own, i'll know when to stop.

burg1801

Damn. Great thread, I have to show my wife these.