Why you should pick up heavy things:

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Replies

  • Martucha123
    Martucha123 Posts: 1,089 Member
    You are a rockstar!
  • HeidiMightyRawr
    HeidiMightyRawr Posts: 3,343 Member
    Thank you for this! I love lifting heavy and every time I see a success story from lifting and eating properly, it makes me smile :happy:
  • mamato2babes
    mamato2babes Posts: 90
    Congrats OP! Such an amazing transformation. I, too, am a runner, and while I KNOW that lifting needs to be added, I am loath to give up my runs.

    Do you still run? And, if so, what is your weekly schedule for lifting/running combined?
  • DawnEH612
    DawnEH612 Posts: 574 Member
    Ok...so I've seen a bunch of these threads and I just read them and think - ok, I'm still close to 250lbs and I have a crap load of weight to lose so lifting weights is so far off the radar. But, why not start now, right?
    Start NOW... The sooner the better. It will rev up your metabolism and you will start feeling strong sexy muscle... YoullL wonder why you waited!
    Lifting weights transforms the body and the mind... I feel strong, more confident, more capable not to mention wear smaller clothes and can eat more!
  • DawnEH612
    DawnEH612 Posts: 574 Member
    Can you get the same results using a Bowflex..which I have but haven't really used? I'm never sure how much weight I should use.
    Lift as much as you can lift! Aim for what you can lift 5-7 times for heavy, or 8-12 moderate(if you are just staring out go lighter until you get proper form down!)
    Woman have 10 times less testosterone than males so its hard for us to build as much muscle as males. I push myself hard in the gym.. Lift to failure... And still "small" compared to guys. Of course, it does feel great when I look over and see I'm lifting heavier than some guys in my gym... I don't think they like it.. But it always puts a smile on my face, even if I don't show it. ;)
  • YoYo1951
    YoYo1951 Posts: 370
    You look amazing. Wow, what a difference. Thank you for sharing.
  • KodAkuraMacKyen
    KodAkuraMacKyen Posts: 737 Member
    Fantastic post. You look amazing!
  • thedreamhazer
    thedreamhazer Posts: 1,156 Member
    OP: i love your progress! I am excited that I've started lifting, and i'm stronger than I thought in many cases.. I hope someday I can post progress pics like you.

    Now, I have a question. Based on the fitnessfrog website, i selected light exercise, weight:205, height:5'1" and i'm 25. It says my TDEE is 2353, and a 20% reduction would be 1880... should i be eating this everyday, or go a little lower since i only lift 3 days a week? any help would be appreciated. TIA.. and again, great progress!

    Thank you! If you eat 1880, just remember that your exercise is already included in this number, so you're already eating back exercise calories ... don't add in what MFP tells you that you burned. I lift 3 days a week and just recently lowered my flat calories to 1700 for a cut. I think 1880 for 3 days a week is a fine place to start. Just track your progress and if you don't see results (in the mirror, with the measuring tape and/or on the scale), then adjust.
    How often do you lift? Are you still doing cardio? you look great!

    3 days a week, and I do still do some cardio. I box twice a week (sometimes the same days that I lift) and I also do one or two days a week of my own concoction -- basically, a lot of sprints and jumping exercises and maybe a little high rep powerlifting (as I think of it, "cardio lifting"). Personally, I don't recommend that anybody go to the gym that much if they don't enjoy it -- I go because I love it. I will say that my strength would progress more if I took more rest days.
    Can you get the same results using a Bowflex..which I have but haven't really used? I'm never sure how much weight I should use.

    I have no idea about the Bowflex. But for what weight to use, start low and progress until it gets difficult. When I started StrongLifts, I reset all of my lifts to 45 lbs (except deadlifts [95 lbs] and pendlay rows [65 lbs]) because I previously had been doing NROLFW with improper equipment and I wanted to retrain all of my lifts with the right stuff. There's no shame in starting light when you don't know what weight you can lift and you're still learning. I was squatting just the bar back in late April, and I just finished up a 185 lbs set last night. Progress will happen. :)
    Congrats OP! Such an amazing transformation. I, too, am a runner, and while I KNOW that lifting needs to be added, I am loath to give up my runs.

    Do you still run? And, if so, what is your weekly schedule for lifting/running combined?

    I ran 5k, 5 days a week at the beginning of my NROLFW training. Eventually, this feel by the wayside because of the weather (winter in Chicago is not the ideal running season). I still run occasionally, but nowadays I mostly box for cardio. I am going to begin training for a half marathon this week, though.

    A lot of cardio will take a toll on your strength gains --- as will a calorie deficit. But there's no reason that you can do both. If you enjoy running, then keep it in. Just know that your lifts may not progress as quickly.

    My current lifting/cardio schedule is:
    Sunday - Rest
    Monday - Box and Lift
    Tuesday - Cardio Lifting and Jumping
    Wednesday - Lift
    Thursday - Sprint training and Jumping
    Friday - Lift
    Saturday - Box

    However, with my half marathon training, it will look more like:
    Sunday - Long Run
    Monday - Box and Lift
    Tuesday - Easy Run
    Wednesday - Lift
    Thursday - Tempo Run
    Friday - Lift
    Saturday - Box and Sprint Training

    I will and would recommend swapping out a lifting day at least every other week for a rest day with this kind of schedule.
  • kmsairam
    kmsairam Posts: 317 Member
    You look fantastic this is why I want to start NROLFW in October, I can't wait to see the change in my body next summer.

    I'm starting NROLFW tomorrow. I'm so excited based on everything I'm reading. I'm committing to 3X/week as they suggest.

    OP: Congrats! You look great and this is very inspiring.
  • siriusalien
    siriusalien Posts: 207
    Sorry,I misspoke: My stats are as follows
    46, 66", 204 lbs Female. I consider myself sedentary so my calculations are as follows
    BMR 1626 TDEE 1951 a 30% deficit 390 so I'm allowing 1561 calories a day though my last PT was recomending 1380

    I tried 1380 tracked my macros and worked out 30 min 3x a week with PT. I did not lose, so I must have been underestimating calorie intake. It is difficult for me because I do eat out alot- thats work related and hateing being home alone...

    Thanks for the advice people-your success is inspirational
  • siriusalien
    siriusalien Posts: 207
    bump

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