Not convinced (Give me proof)-Women & Weights

DiaryOfaThickFitWoman

Sooo, I've heard weight lifting/training DOES NOT bulk women up (cause we don't have testosterone, etc.,) and I can believe this- to an extent, but I'm still not totally convinced. I see alot of women on here lifting, but it always seems that their already at the goal weight or within 10-15lbs. I never see any transformations from someone who HAS lost +65lbs or needs to lose +65lbs.

I'm very scared to utilize weights at such a large size, how would it NOT bulk me up? I just need some solid information on how to go about this, and some pics would really help!

I have no desire to be bulky, or even muscular, at all- I just want to be toned and defined at my goal weight.

SW: 247
GW: 168
HT: 5'5 1/2
Frame: Curvy

Thanks in advance (no negativity, please)

thatsnumberwang

It takes a *lot* of work (and a whole lot of extra calories) to build an extra lb of muscle. Even men who have tons of testosterone have to struggle and fight for every lb of muscle they gain. Women just aren't built to bulk. Try reading some excerpts from New Rules of Lifting for Women. Hopefully some other ladies on here can post success stories for you to help convince you too!

amann1976

simply put your can't add bulk if you are not eating at a surplus... any gains or loses will always start and end with what you put in your mouth. the cardio and the lifting is just to make what you have or what you are gaining look better.

coyoteo

I lose weight and feel way better when I am lifting. When I started mfp, I did cardio and it didn't really do much....started lifting and dropped 30 pounds. Can't wait to get back at it.

Rogue_Minx

Being lean implies that you would like lean muscle.

I lift weights four times a week and I do not have any bulk at all. I use lighter weights with higher reps and it helps to cut inches down on my body. A pound of fat and a pound of muscle weight the same but a pound of fat can be the size of a grapefruit while a pound of muscle is more like a tangerine. This makes your body smaller without packing on the weight or "bulk" that you're talking about.

I don't have any pictures to show you, sadly, but I can tell you that lifting weights has definitely helped me out. I HATED going to the gym just to sweat my butt off doing cardio. I sweat while I lift but I can feel myself getting stronger and THAT is why it's worth it. And I'm not bulky at all.

LIfting also helped to tone down the loose skin I was getting after losing 30 or so pounds. To me, losing weight was pointless if I was left with icky flaps of skin under my arms and on my belly.

Give it a try!

empot

Hey! I've been on my weight loss journey for about a year and a half. I've lost over 100 lbs in total. About 88 since joining mfp. I lift heavy 3 days a week, and I'm toned but not bulky. I haven't lost any lean body mass in my process, all fat. Lifting will sculpt your body and help it be an effective fat burning ( muscle burns more calories at rest than fat). I highly encourage you to pick up those weights!!!

GaiaGirl1992

It also depends on what your definition of "bulky" is. Unless you're taking a bunch of different supplements, you won't get anywhere close to body builder big.

starcatcher1975

I lift weights and I have a ton of weight to lose! I also do cardio to help with weight loss. I was worried about it stalling my weight loss but I'm still losing inches so I'm ok with it. I have a friend I see about once a month and the last 2 months she's said she can tell a difference even though I've not lost that many pounds. I figure why wait until I'm close to goal weight to start getting firm- work on both at the same time. But that's just me

ETA: I lift heavy- for me. And I am currently following NROLFW

LorinaLynn

Lifting in a deficit, you're not going to gain muscle mass. You're doing it to preserve the muscle you already have, while losing the fat.

Fat takes up much more space per pound than muscle. The more fat you lose, and the more muscle you keep, the fewer pounds you'll have to lose to achieve the same body size. And the more muscle you keep, the better your shape will be at that size.

LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo

Sooo, I've heard weight lifting/training DOES NOT bulk women up (cause we don't have testosterone, etc.,) and I can believe this- to an extent, but I'm still not totally convinced. I see alot of women on here lifting, but it always seems that their already at the goal weight or within 10-15lbs. I never see any transformations from someone who HAS lost +65lbs or needs to lose +65lbs.

I'm very scared to utilize weights at such a large size, how would it NOT bulk me up? I just need some solid information on how to go about this, and some pics would really help!

I have no desire to be bulky, or even muscular, at all- I just want to be lean and defined at my goal weight.

Thanks in advance (no negativity, please)

That can't happen without lifting some serious weights (and I mean real weights, not those tiny girly dumbbells). You really think those women you mentioned didn't lift while they were still heavy? How would you know? Please never ever judge people just because of what you see. FYI, I was obese just 3 years ago and I lift heavy while dieting & cardio. If all I did was cardio & diet then I would end up thin but with a saggy skin no matter if I'm at a goal weight or not.

DiaryOfaThickFitWoman

Sooo, I've heard weight lifting/training DOES NOT bulk women up (cause we don't have testosterone, etc.,) and I can believe this- to an extent, but I'm still not totally convinced. I see alot of women on here lifting, but it always seems that their already at the goal weight or within 10-15lbs. I never see any transformations from someone who HAS lost +65lbs or needs to lose +65lbs.

I'm very scared to utilize weights at such a large size, how would it NOT bulk me up? I just need some solid information on how to go about this, and some pics would really help!

I have no desire to be bulky, or even muscular, at all- I just want to be lean and defined at my goal weight.

Thanks in advance (no negativity, please)

That can't happen without lifting some serious weights (and I mean real weights, not those tiny girly dumbbells). You really think those women you mentioned didn't lift while they were still heavy? How would you know? Please never ever judge people just because of what you see. FYI, I was obese just 3 years ago and I lift heavy while dieting & cardio. If all I did was cardio & diet then I would end up thin but with a saggy skin no matter if I'm at a goal weight or not.

Before this thread goes toward a negative direction, I'm not judging or accussing anyone of anything- all I said was: I never see any transformations from someone who HAS lost +65lbs or needs to lose +65lbs.


With that being said, thank everyone for their input thus far, I appreciate it.

nikinyx6

I wish Yoovie was here today...she has a lifting story to change your mind

amann1976

if you want to see reasons why you should lift weights look most of those people on the biggest loser who lose a lot of weight with a lot of cardio... their end result usually shows no muscle tone what so ever in their body.

Glowbee

http://muffin-topless.com/

I also lift to lose, and I don't look like a She-Arnold

DiaryOfaThickFitWoman

http://muffin-topless.com/

I also lift to lose, and I don't look like a She-Arnold

Lol, too funny, thx!

SLRamirez2012

Add me as a friend and look at all of my pictures... I lift at least 3x a week.... and I am def not huge. I am toned in places, if anything!

kaotik26

Here is the advice a long time friend and personal trainer gave me the other day:

"You aint gonna bulk, you need testosterone and hours of dedication to lifting to bulk. High reps low weight is better to start with for stabilizing the muscles and is also good for toning. After 4-6 weeks change it up to avoid a plateau."

What I have done in the past is lift enough weight so that at around 12-15 reps I can barely lift the weight. Then take a break before another set (3 sets in all). Like she said though, it takes a lot of time, dedication, testosterone and 3500 calorie days to bulk up.

**And she wasn't talking about low weight in terms of tiny 5 lb dumbells, just light enough to be able to get a good amount of reps in!

tabithajoyy

Girl muscle burns fat! I lift and have lost 80lbs and muscle has changed my life. Lifting has made my body more firm and lose TONS of inches. You won't bulk! I promise!

amann1976

http://muffin-topless.com/

I also lift to lose, and I don't look like a She-Arnold

Lol, too funny, thx!

make sure you invite me over when you make some of those recipes

toomuchbootyindapants

I started lifting weights when I was 175 lbs and 35-36% bodyfat and a size 12 (prior to that I had done things like C25K or 30DS).

I'm 150-155# now, about 23-24% bodyfat (always a range) and a sz 6 or small 8 (oh, and I'm 5'5").

I've already posted some pics in another thread so to save time, I'll link you to page 11 (scroll down to find me):
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/812464-show-me-ur-heavy-lifting-results-please?page=11

I am not "bulky" though I do carry some extra fat on my body still - and my back doesn't look all beefy when I'm just standing there, un-flexed. My quads are...quite large (and I do squat more than my bodyweight regularly)...but I'm genetically built to be dominant there anyway.

amann1976

Here is the advice a long time friend and personal trainer gave me the other day:

"You aint gonna bulk, you need testosterone and hours of dedication to lifting to bulk. High reps low weight is better to start with for stabilizing the muscles and is also good for toning. After 4-6 weeks change it up to avoid a plateau."

What I have done in the past is lift enough weight so that at around 12-15 reps I can barely lift the weight. Then take a break before another set (3 sets in all). Like she said though, it takes a lot of time, dedication, testosterone and 3500 calorie days to bulk up.

**And she wasn't talking about low weight in terms of tiny 5 lb dumbells, just light enough to be able to get a good amount of reps in!

your friend doesnt no what he is talking about there is no such thing as toning... before you argue just look it up on your own.

zaph0d

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

palmerig88

I lifted weights while I was losing. I started tracking calories on January 30th this year and the first time I tried weightlifting was February 22nd, although I didn't take it as seriously for the first couple months. I still left my exercise cardio heavy until I dropped more weight.
I did lose the last 20-25 pounds with the majority of my exercise focused on weightlifting and kept cardio to sports only. I stopped getting on the treadmill, elliptical, etc and spent the entire time I was at the gym lifting. I got calorie burns from running around on the softball field.
I liked what lifting was doing for my body. Please remember it doesn't happen overnight. You really have to stick with it.

Me in December last year:


12311 by JenniferSPalmer, on Flickr

Me in March, I had lost about 15 pounds already, notice the amount of fat on my legs:


Image03182012180601 by JenniferSPalmer, on Flickr

Me in June after a total weight loss of around 35 pounds and more focus on lifting:


62012 012 by JenniferSPalmer, on Flickr

Notice how much less fat was on my legs.

A pic of me after I had lost about 5 pounds:


16473868_7658 by JenniferSPalmer, on Flickr

A pic of me from a couple days ago, maintaining weight loss of 50 pounds since July, then lost 5 pounds while trying to figure out the right calories, have been able to remain steady since October.


12412 010 by JenniferSPalmer, on Flickr


I am 5'6" tall and went from 190 pounds to 135 pounds.

FitLifeDiva

Awesome progress! This is a great thread! I believe lifting s the next step to get me to my final goal of 150. I just ind it more difficult mentally to get in the gym to lift. Cardio ill do everyday!

DiaryOfaThickFitWoman

Here is the advice a long time friend and personal trainer gave me the other day:

"You aint gonna bulk, you need testosterone and hours of dedication to lifting to bulk. High reps low weight is better to start with for stabilizing the muscles and is also good for toning. After 4-6 weeks change it up to avoid a plateau."

What I have done in the past is lift enough weight so that at around 12-15 reps I can barely lift the weight. Then take a break before another set (3 sets in all). Like she said though, it takes a lot of time, dedication, testosterone and 3500 calorie days to bulk up.

**And she wasn't talking about low weight in terms of tiny 5 lb dumbells, just light enough to be able to get a good amount of reps in!

your friend doesnt no what he is talking about there is no such thing as toning... before you argue just look it up on your own.

What do you mean, there's no such thing as toning?

butterfli7o

I wish Yoovie was here today...she has a lifting story to change your mind

This!!

FSL010

Well, there are two ways that you can build muscles. One is that you lift heavy for less reps and the other is you lift light for more reps. When you lift heavy, you actually increase the numbers of muscle fibers and when you lift light for more reps you increase the sarcoplasmic fluid in the muscle. Both take a lot of time and dedication, unless you are on steroids.

For women, i don't think they will get bulky. The muscles will just have a nice definition so don't worry and start working out, you will know yourself!

DiaryOfaThickFitWoman

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

I actually want to be a Staci at 170lbs- that is more of my preference and body type:

SW: 247
GW: 168
HT: 5'5 1/2
Frame: Curvy

FSL010

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

I actually want to be a Staci at 170lbs- that is more of my preference and body type. My goal weight is 168lbs.

Then lift

drcollins80

I started at 205. I'm now at 168, and that's from two rounds of Chalean Extreme, a DVD workout set that focuses on very heavy lifting. It's fantastic. I plateaued for a while at 168 (my goal is 160), so I've just started adding more cardio. But I'm not going to stop the heavy lifting. Muscle takes a lot of calories to maintain in your body. That means having more muscle makes you burn more calories at rest. Plus, it feels fantastic!

palmerig88

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

I actually want to be a Staci at 170lbs- that is more of my preference and body type. My goal weight is 168lbs.

Then lift

No, it looks to me like she prefers the look of a "softer" woman at a healthy body weight with NO muscle tone. Right?