Ladies, don't be afraid of lifting heavy (pic)!

a_vettestingray

I know that the horse has been kicked again and again. There are so many incredibly amazing transformations of ladies who lift heavy, but I still see a lot of women making comments in the forum, "oh, I don't want to get bulky. I just want to tone." I have shared some of my progress with my fellow lifters on my friend's list, but I think I am ready to go public to help debunk the BULKY myth.



That's only a two pound weight loss!

My Fitness Path:
All of 2011 - cardio only and 1200 cal diet (sometimes), lost 10 lbs but got stuck around 130lbs and didn't like the way my body looked. 28% BF
Early 2012 - to prepare for Hawaii, I decided to do some Jillian - 30 Day Shred and low cal diet (WW). Lost a couple pounds but still looked the same and the weight came right back when I went to Hawaii. I returned and did 30 Day Shred again and then Ripped in 30 right after. I started lurking in the forums and got curious about heavy lifting.
May/June 2012 - Picked up New Rules of Lifting for Women. Did Stage 1 and got some pretty good results, but wasn't watching my diet. Went on Vacation for a month and didn't work out or watch my diet. Put on a couple pounds. Restarted NROL4W in late Aug. Stage 2 looked too complicated with too many lifts to remember.
Oct 23 2312 - Got over my fear of the barbell and started Strong Lifts 5x5. I learned more about diet and ignored MFP's lo cal recommendations and I eat at TDEE - 15%, 40% protein and 30/30 carbs and fat. I try to eat pretty "clean" but sometimes go with if it fits in your macros (IIFYM) and I like craft beer.
Today (12/8) - Ending week six and starting week seven this weekend. Holding steady at 125lbs (3 weeks now), waist went from 27.5 to 25.25 inches. Body fat measuring 20.5% this morning.

After reading about Staci the powerlifter, I got inspired. I don't really care about my body weight so much anymore. I care about adding weight to the barbell and lowering my body fat %.

I weights and really believe more women should conquer their fears and go for it!

nexangelus

Wit woo! Go you! Nice pics!

NCchar130

That is AWESOME!!

adavis59

You look amazing! WOW!

Momwasix

awesome job.

McBully4

Awesome!

kardsharp

You are my inspiration!

LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo

You look fantastic!!!

Crazy4Healthy

Very nice, you look awesome!!

LorinaLynn

Love it! :drinker:

BigRich822

I can sum that up in one word WOW!!!!!!

Yanicka1

Love it.

a_vettestingray

Thanks everyone! Hopefully this post inspires someone to pick up some weights today!


Lorina - Your posts are what got me curious about weights! Thanks so much for spreading the good word!

Crayvn

how much weight are you lifting? (pds)

dancngdolfn

Thank you for posting that helped me a lot. I stopped RI30 cause i wanted to drop more pounds and wait to tone but now i am going to get right back into it and add some more. Thanks for being an inspiration .

a_vettestingray

how much weight are you lifting? (pds)

Not as much as a lot of women on the SL 5x5 forum, but we all start somewhere.
Squat - Was at 100 but had to deload to focus on form, back up to 95.
Bench - 70
Row - 80
Overhead Press - 60
Dead lift - 145

juliebeannn

reading about staci the powerlifter hero -- aka superhero -- was what got me into lifting heavy also. she's my hero.


you look awesome girl! keep it up!!!!

lenoresaari

TDEE how do I figure that out on a day to day basis?

gemmaldavies

thats incredible. 2 pounds??? :noway:

well done. u rock that body x

VeganZombie13

amazing!

XXXMinnieXXX

You look incredible. Great message to put out there. I still have weight to lose, but plan on starting lifting in the new year to change my shape. X

a_vettestingray

TDEE how do I figure that out on a day to day basis?

This site has a pretty good calculator:
http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

Then "My Home" > Goals > Change Goals > Custom and enter the recommendations from the website.

It is much easier than trying to add in each activity you do all day and then eating those exercise cals back. My job forces me to be seated a lot. I do SL 3 times a week (takes about an hour, but only actually lifting for part of that) and HIT Cardio for 10-20 mins a few times a week. I use 3-5 hours of moderate exercise. I just aim to always eat around 1870 a day, everyday. Makes it much easier, imo.

a_vettestingray

You look incredible. Great message to put out there. I still have weight to lose, but plan on starting lifting in the new year to change my shape. X

Why wait? You can start body re-composition right now. Muscle is much more efficient than fat, so start adding muscle now and I think you will begin to like your body quicker than just focusing on trying to lose weight right now.

MandaJean83

Holy cow!! Your before body is my EXACTLY before body. And I am just now starting to lift. You have totally inspired me, and you look AMAZING!! I'm gonna FR you right now!

xsmilexforxmex

You look great! Thanks for sharing! It's some good motivation and good reason not to watch the scale too much!

catpea33

Wow, such amazing results! You've really inspired me to look into New Rules as something to do after Insanity.

fit_spired_vicky

This is so inspiring and amazing! You look awesome!

tru2m3

Wow!

AmyRhubarb

Fabulous - I love seeing these posts! Your results are awesome - keep up the good work!

fitnessdiva31

Awesome!:happy:

Jill_newimprovedversion

WHAT a PHENOMENAL TRANSFORMATION! You've got to feel even more terrific than you look!!

After reading about Staci the powerlifter, I got inspired. I don't really care about my body weight so much anymore. I care about adding weight to the barbell and lowering my body fat %.

I weights and really believe more women should conquer their fears and go for it!

WOW, thank you for DEBUNKing this myth- and I'd never heard of Staci, found this link to share her story-
Equally INSPIRING!
I'm really going to look into this now.......
http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/