Too Heavy to start Stronglifts?

Samblantha
Samblantha Posts: 20 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
. I've fiddled around with weight machines before, not knowing what I'm doing, not getting any results, feeling like I'm wasting time. As of late though, I've had several people (mostly Mfp) recommend heavy lifting.
So the question is: has anyone that has 100+lbs to lose done stronglifts? And did it work for you pretty well? Any other advice?

Replies

  • RunDoozer
    RunDoozer Posts: 1,699 Member
    I was only about 40 lbs over weight when I started stronglifts. Now I am about 20. I dont see any reason that would prevent you from doing it. I would say go for it. I also didnt have much luck with weight machines. But I definitely notice one after 2.5 months that i've been doing it. Start light as the program says youll find out fairly quickly if youre able to do it or not.

    Also I would still be doing some cardio on off days but not so much on lifting days
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    i still have about 60 pounds i'd like to lose and i'm doing it.

    you might notice more by way of changing body recomposition than change in scale weight which means that you've lost much more weight than what the scale says
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    The sooner you start, the better.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    Check out the awesomeness that is Deeva:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/824518-fat-girl-dead-lifting?
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Stop thinking about it and start doing it
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    Check out the awesomeness that is Deeva:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/824518-fat-girl-dead-lifting?

    That's what I came here to say!
  • geekyjock76
    geekyjock76 Posts: 2,720 Member
    One of the reasons you find so many advocates for women lifting heavy is that it boosts a person's efficacy like nothing else. Fat loss is a very mental game and a lot of people give up because of the psychological wear and tear. When a person looks at the dumbbell rack and realizes they've gone up in weight time and time again, and perfected lifts they once thought were next to impossible to perform, they feel like anything is possible and the sky is the limit.
  • nz_deevaa
    nz_deevaa Posts: 12,209 Member
    There are adjustments to your form that you will have to make in order to accommodate your body, but you too could look this elegant when lifting your bodyweight:

    8456263939_dc4e36b314_z.jpg

    Just start!
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    There are adjustments to your form that you will have to make in order to accommodate your body, but you too could look this elegant when lifting your bodyweight:


    You still look better than me - I apparently look like a chipmunk when I do them
  • nz_deevaa
    nz_deevaa Posts: 12,209 Member
    There are adjustments to your form that you will have to make in order to accommodate your body, but you too could look this elegant when lifting your bodyweight:


    You still look better than me - I apparently look like a chipmunk when I do them

    My husband said "At least your boobs look good."
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    There are adjustments to your form that you will have to make in order to accommodate your body, but you too could look this elegant when lifting your bodyweight:


    You still look better than me - I apparently look like a chipmunk when I do them

    My husband said "At least your boobs look good."

    It always comes back to the boobs doesn't it? Which for the mammary gland challenged like me is a little depressing... I will just have to settle for looking like a not very well endowed chipmunk.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    i did not pick up on any chipmunk vibe
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    i did not pick up on any chipmunk vibe

    Did you even see the pic of Sara deadlifting?

    164px-Sandy-doing-deadlifts.png
  • nz_deevaa
    nz_deevaa Posts: 12,209 Member
    i did not pick up on any chipmunk vibe

    Did you even see the pic of Sara deadlifting?

    164px-Sandy-doing-deadlifts.png

    BWAHAHAAAAAA!
  • 1Fizzle
    1Fizzle Posts: 241 Member
    Stop thinking about it and start doing it

    ^^^^This times a million!!

    LOL@ the lifting Chipmunk gif
  • andeey
    andeey Posts: 709 Member
    *raises hand*

    Yes, started strength training and lifting straight away (with 100+ to lose). I hear you with the machines ... but I also hired a personal trainer to make sure my form was correct and hold my hand through the whole process and although we have used a lot of machines to supplement, we do a ton of compound work, too.

    I don't follow the Strong Lifts or 5x5 you see here a lot; my trainer tells me to what to do and I do it. So if you're just starting, you can certainly follow one of the programs available to you (and like Deeva said, you might need to alter some stuff based on how you carry your weight), but a trainer is also great, even if you hire one for a short time to get the basics down.

    I absolutely recommend starting straight away. Go kill it!
  • Otterluv
    Otterluv Posts: 9,083 Member
    I don't do Stronglifts, as I'm in the midst of a different program, and I was using a different one prior to that. But, I can tell you that my weight hasn't caused any issues with lifting. Sure, a few form adjustments (as the brilliant Deeva said). Nothing major though. What lifting has done for me is incredible. I am several sizes smaller than any other time that I was this weight (yay for body recomp!), it has also upped my confidence and kept me interested in fitness. Honestly, I have found no negatives.

    Good luck and have fun!
  • dragonfly_em
    dragonfly_em Posts: 122 Member
    go for it! started w/ 100+ to lose and it's not stopping me from lifting heavy stuff and it's fun! much more effective for me than plodding away on a treadmill. body pump was my jumping off point...gave me confidence and technique. and a great trainer who go me going.
  • Lady_Bane
    Lady_Bane Posts: 720 Member
    I went from a DD to an A. My poor boobs look like *kitten*.
  • Vailara
    Vailara Posts: 2,472 Member
    I started Starting Strength (similar to Stronglifts) when I was about 100 pounds over my start weight. I didn't come across any major disadvantage to lifting whilst being heavy. I'd say that the main drawback is that lifts are compared to your bodyweight, and if most of your bodyweight is fat, then it's not helping you lift. But that only matters if you're using that as a benchmark for your lifts. If you have a tummy, it feels like you have to widen your legs/knees on the squats a little to let your tummy go between your thighs. Otherwise, I'm not sure that it's that much different to lifting at your ideal weight.

    I'm so glad I decided to build up some strength early on as it has made life so much easier. According to my body fat scales, just about ALL of my loss has been fat (rather than muscle). I don't know how accurate that is, but I do think it's bound to be beneficial to try to maintain some muscle.

    There is a lovely Stronglifts group here which I would recommend.

    Nz_Deeva, I love the pictures you posted! I salute you!
  • Otterluv
    Otterluv Posts: 9,083 Member
    "Heavy lifting" isn't a cure all.

    Don't listen to him, heavy lifting will make you smarter, richer, and better looking. You'll never get sick again, ever ever ever. Honest.
  • traceytwink
    traceytwink Posts: 538 Member
    If your worried about starting the gym instructors are there to help you thats what they are paid for go ask them and they can help you to work out a great programme,good luck x
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    If your worried about starting the gym instructors are there to help you thats what they are paid for go ask them and they can help you to work out a great programme,good luck x

    I wouldn't advise getting programming from a random trainer at a random gym
  • ChasingKatie
    ChasingKatie Posts: 331 Member
    I started at over 300 lbs. Like others said there are some adjustments to form, my stomach was getting in the way sometimes, but its all good now. Just lost my office gym that had all the heavy weights without the people staring, not sure what Im going to do now.
  • traceytwink
    traceytwink Posts: 538 Member
    If your worried about starting the gym instructors are there to help you thats what they are paid for go ask them and they can help you to work out a great programme,good luck x

    I wouldn't advise getting programming from a random trainer at a random gym
    True I guess it depends on whether the gym is a good one with expert staff because they should have qualifications to be working there, check to see what kind of qualifications they have your entitled to ask them
  • Lupercalia
    Lupercalia Posts: 1,857 Member
    I started stronglifts when I was about 60 lbs from my initial goal. I am now about 30 lbs from my initial goal.

    I was a member of a weird "club" that didn't have much in the way of free weights, so I wasn't able to start earlier, but I sure would have if it had been possible. In my earlier days of losing, I was walking a lot and working with kettlbells at home. Worked great.
  • Lupercalia
    Lupercalia Posts: 1,857 Member
    One of the reasons you find so many advocates for women lifting heavy is that it boosts a person's efficacy like nothing else. Fat loss is a very mental game and a lot of people give up because of the psychological wear and tear. When a person looks at the dumbbell rack and realizes they've gone up in weight time and time again, and perfected lifts they once thought were next to impossible to perform, they feel like anything is possible and the sky is the limit.

    Also, THIS ^^^ is a great comment, and definitely echoes what my experience has been.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    One of the reasons you find so many advocates for women lifting heavy is that it boosts a person's efficacy like nothing else. Fat loss is a very mental game and a lot of people give up because of the psychological wear and tear. When a person looks at the dumbbell rack and realizes they've gone up in weight time and time again, and perfected lifts they once thought were next to impossible to perform, they feel like anything is possible and the sky is the limit.

    Also, THIS ^^^ is a great comment, and definitely echoes what my experience has been.

    Very true for me also.

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