HALP! Heavy Lifting Made Me SUPAH Bulky!!!

Fozzi43

WHat really impresses me is the timescale of a lot of these transformations. What slightly worries me is whether my split stomach muscles from my last pregnancy would affect my ability to lift :ohwell:

I had a C section...it hasn't stopped me from doing anything different...and I'll be honest..I didn't realise having split tummy muscle WOULD make a difference?

Does it? Can someone clarify?

toomuchbootyindapants

Just wondering, how do you lovely lifting ladies feel about girls like me who don't lift and don't have any interest in lifting ever? :P

Honestly, it doesn't matter to me what you (or any of my friends) do to stay healthy (unless of course you are starving yourself or relying on crazy cleanses/master diets, etc). As long as you are happy, feel good, and are secure with yourself - I could care less. You must find something you enjoy doing - and do it - that's the most important thing.

Fozzi43

Just wondering, how do you lovely lifting ladies feel about girls like me who don't lift and don't have any interest in lifting ever? :P

As long as you are happy with whatever you are doing to get healthy and you like the results..it's nothing to do with anyone else.


Edited to add..you may not like strength training but its not only great to make you look good...it's good for the inside of your body..ie skeletal density..it's great for preventing osteoporosis.

chicbuc

Just wondering, how do you lovely lifting ladies feel about girls like me who don't lift and don't have any interest in lifting ever? :P

Edited to keep the peace.

Crankstr

Just wondering, how do you lovely lifting ladies feel about girls like me who don't lift and don't have any interest in lifting ever? :P

I feel fine about you, and if that is what makes you happy then that is your choice.

I was never interested in it either, but now that i am in my 40's I am thinking more about improving my bone density, and trying to prevent muscle loss, which happens as we age.

No one here is trying to criticize people who dont lift... for me, and many others, it has allowed us to achieve results that we desire.

We are just sharing what has worked for us...I personally do weight training 3 days and cardio 3 days.

you are a beautiful young lady and I wish you the best, whatever form of exercise you choose to do.

selina884

edit

selina884

Just wondering, how do you lovely lifting ladies feel about girls like me who don't lift and don't have any interest in lifting ever? :P

with an 800 daily calorie goal, what do I think of you?

Not much.

Crankstr

Just wondering, how do you lovely lifting ladies feel about girls like me who don't lift and don't have any interest in lifting ever? :P

with an 800 daily calorie goal, what do I think of you?

Not much.

this is not necessary, we are trying to have a positive thread here, and insulting people will only start arguing...this thread was already pulled yesterday and cleaned up because of things like this.

She does need to eat more, she DOESNT need to be attacked.

Fozzi43

Lets do like cranky said and play nicely yeah?

This is a great positive thread..lets keep the nastiness out of it?

selina884

obeying crankstrs orders

Kidostud

Ladies! A friend and I were just discussing that the term "lifting heavy" may put some off.


The idea here is to lift weights challenging for YOU. The programs that are my favorite have you start with the bar, which weighs 45 pounds. Many of you have picked up children that big, and even squatted down to pick up something you dropped while holding him... or if you don't have kids, a bag of groceries, or a backpack!

In Stronglifts, or Starting Strength you are aiming for a few sets of 5 repetitions...5....that's it...you build strength very well this way...and the next time you add 5 more pounds and give it a go.

So lifting heavy doesnt mean you have to squat 500 pounds, you just need to challenge YOUR muscles.

I hope this helps someone:flowerforyou:

I started this at 40... and my body is better than it has been since I was in my early 20's.

I LOVE what lifting has done for me...physically AND mentally.

http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wiki/The_Starting_Strength_Novice/Beginner_Programs
http://stronglifts.com/stronglifts-5x5-beginner-strength-training-program/

it helped me. thank you.

neandermagnon

Just wondering, how do you lovely lifting ladies feel about girls like me who don't lift and don't have any interest in lifting ever? :P

I don't feel anything particular about it at all... it's your life :flowerforyou: there are quite a few women on my friends list who don't lift. No big deal.

If people (men or women) ask my advice about whether lifting will help them achieve their body composition goals, then I'll advise them to lift, but how I feel about someone as a person isn't dependent on whether or not they follow my advice or want to do the same things as me.

I don't understand how people get from "I love lifting, it hasn't made me get bulky, I love how I look as a result of lifting, I love how lifting makes me feel, there are lots of health benefits to lifting heavy, here's a pic of me squatting more than my bodyweight" to "I don't like women who don't lift".... ??? No-one is saying that.

Kidostud

Ladies! A friend and I were just discussing that the term "lifting heavy" may put some off.


The idea here is to lift weights challenging for YOU. The programs that are my favorite have you start with the bar, which weighs 45 pounds. Many of you have picked up children that big, and even squatted down to pick up something you dropped while holding him... or if you don't have kids, a bag of groceries, or a backpack!

In Stronglifts, or Starting Strength you are aiming for a few sets of 5 repetitions...5....that's it...you build strength very well this way...and the next time you add 5 more pounds and give it a go.

So lifting heavy doesnt mean you have to squat 500 pounds, you just need to challenge YOUR muscles.

I hope this helps someone:flowerforyou:

I started this at 40... and my body is better than it has been since I was in my early 20's.

I LOVE what lifting has done for me...physically AND mentally.

http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wiki/The_Starting_Strength_Novice/Beginner_Programs
http://stronglifts.com/stronglifts-5x5-beginner-strength-training-program/

it helped me. thank you.

Thanks! I always feel so stupid when I read threads like this, because I've also recently starting doing SL 5 X 5, but find it really hard to up the weights. So, the weights I lift are really very light compared to most of the other lifters I read about.

Moosycakes

Sorry guys, I was just wondering Thanks for the feedback, didn't mean to cause an argument I'll leave now, you all look gorgeous

Crankstr

Thanks! I always feel so stupid when I read threads like this, because I've also recently starting doing SL 5 X 5, but find it really hard to up the weights. So, the weights I lift are really very light compared to most of the other lifters I read about.

All you need to do is worry about comparing you to YOU.

In my experience keeping the 5x5 while in a calorie deficit can be really taxing and tiring...Starting Strength is 3x5...so i kind of merged the 2 and do 2 warm up sets, one at half the weight, and one at 75% of the weight, then 3x5.

Also you could buy fractional plates...i am looking into this right now! As the weights get heavier it id difficult to go up 5 pounds, especially in OHP. So increasing in smaller increments may be the way to go.

Also, make sure you deload for a week here and there! do the same program with lighter weights, then return to the program the next week..I have really responded well to this.

toomuchbootyindapants

All you need to do is worry about comparing you to YOU.

In my experience keeping the 5x5 while in a calorie deficit can be really taxing and tiring...Starting Strength is 3x5...so i kind of merged the 2 and do 2 warm up sets, one at half the weight, and one at 75% of the weight, then 3x5.

Also you could buy fractional plates...i am looking into this right now! As the weights get heavier it id difficult to go up 5 pounds, especially in OHP. So increasing in smaller increments may be the way to go.

Also, make sure you deload for a week here and there! do the same program with lighter weights, then return to the program the next week..I have really responded well to this.

QFT! Took the words right out of my mouth!

RM10003

And that, my dear, was my intention in posting this thread. It literally makes me beam to know that at least a few women are going to conquer their fears and change their lives for the better.

Seriously--you are so inspirational! My current weight and measurements are pretty much the same as yours in the before pictures (and I'm an inch shorter than you). I had convinced myself that I could never possibly get into single-digit dress sizes, but now I'm motivated to at least try!

AllonsYtotheTardis

Just wondering, how do you lovely lifting ladies feel about girls like me who don't lift and don't have any interest in lifting ever? :P

I don't have an issue with that. It's your body. This is thread is more about showing that it's OK to lift - not that you have to.

Sarauk2sf

Just wondering, how do you lovely lifting ladies feel about girls like me who don't lift and don't have any interest in lifting ever? :P

I have no interest in running ever...it's pretty much the same thing I would imagine that runners feel about me. While they probably would like to encourage me for the benefits, I doubt that they feel any differently about me than if I did.

rosasharon

adding to my inspiration list!

3dogsrunning

Just wondering, how do you lovely lifting ladies feel about girls like me who don't lift and don't have any interest in lifting ever? :P

I know its been answered but I wanted to chime in anyway.

While I have lifted for a long, long time (not always with any particular goal), and shared pics here that would make people think that I am a "lifter", my main passion is running/triathlon. I would be more of a runner who lifts as opposed to a lifter. About 1/3 of my friend's list are strict lifters, 1/3 who are just cardio and the rest do both. I feel no different about those who aren't interested in running (or triathlon) than I do about those who aren't interested in lifting.

I do have to say that I am a huge proponent of exercise in any way shape or form. You don't want to, that's fine, but there are so many health benefits to getting active. What it is doesn't matter just move.

CoderGal

Just wondering, how do you lovely lifting ladies feel about girls like me who don't lift and don't have any interest in lifting ever? :P

I feel like I'm looking in a past mirror lol. I felt the exact same way. My back was bad I was weak I don't desire to get muscled up. No desire to start no idea how to start, it seemed like an expense, took away from things I loved etc. Then I read to much about lifting and decided to put some time into it just to give it a fair chance. Hated it at first...until I put some time into it and my bad back wasn't bad, my arthritis wasn't noticeable, my cellulite disappeared and everything south moved north and I got my teenaged butt back and then I was kinda hooked.

As for the cardio alternative, I danced for years and years and years and loved it. I also hike often. If it's making you healthier, do what you love, and share it. Don't expect anyone else to do it but I still think it's important to inform people. I'm glad someone informed me. Lifting helps me do those things I love better and gets rid of some of my health problems, makes me stronger, muscles and bones, which can avoid future health problems.

Lupercalia

Just wondering, how do you lovely lifting ladies feel about girls like me who don't lift and don't have any interest in lifting ever? :P

I honestly don't care what sort of exercise others do. Everyone should do whatever they love doing. I love to lift and train with kettlebells, so that's what I do.

That said, I do love to see all the enthusiasm for women lifting heavy here on MFP! I find it really motivational and contagious. Makes me happy!

I encourage everyone to do some sort of strength training. It doesn't have to be "lifting heavy". It could be a body weight strength training program, kettlebell training, or whatever it is that floats your boat. Just do something to work on your strength--it's important!

MrsK20141004

More pix of heavy lifting ladies, please!

You're all very beautiful--fine examples of the benefits of lifting heavy weights whilst losing fat.

:flowerforyou:

Ditto. Super inspirational.

MrGonzo05

Keep going.

ZoeLifts

Just wondering, how do you lovely lifting ladies feel about girls like me who don't lift and don't have any interest in lifting ever? :P

Everyone likes different things. I hate running and but I have always loved lifting, other people love to run. Different strokes for different folks, you know? How do you feel about a girl like me that says she hates running and doesn't have any interest in running ever unless being chased by zombies or reavers?

iulia_maddie

Just wondering, how do you lovely lifting ladies feel about girls like me who don't lift and don't have any interest in lifting ever? :P

You sound just like me about a year ago. In my case, it was because I thought lifting would be harder do to than cardio and would turn me into mini Hulk. Then i started reading into it, found out that you need testosterone and lots of food to even get remotely big, and I gave it a fair shot. Turns out I love it!
I would encourage everyone to try it,you may not have the same experience, and that is totally fine. Stick with whatever you like, like they say, the best exercise is the one you actually do!

DalekBrittany

Just wondering, how do you lovely lifting ladies feel about girls like me who don't lift and don't have any interest in lifting ever? :P

Everyone likes different things. I hate running and but I have always loved lifting, other people love to run. Different strokes for different folks, you know? How do you feel about a girl like me that says she hates running and doesn't have any interest in running ever unless being chased by zombies or reavers?

Quoting because reavers. I love you.

Kidostud

Thanks! I always feel so stupid when I read threads like this, because I've also recently starting doing SL 5 X 5, but find it really hard to up the weights. So, the weights I lift are really very light compared to most of the other lifters I read about.

All you need to do is worry about comparing you to YOU.

In my experience keeping the 5x5 while in a calorie deficit can be really taxing and tiring...Starting Strength is 3x5...so i kind of merged the 2 and do 2 warm up sets, one at half the weight, and one at 75% of the weight, then 3x5.

Also you could buy fractional plates...i am looking into this right now! As the weights get heavier it id difficult to go up 5 pounds, especially in OHP. So increasing in smaller increments may be the way to go.

Also, make sure you deload for a week here and there! do the same program with lighter weights, then return to the program the next week..I have really responded well to this.

Thanks for the advice. I'm currently slightly stuck on the OHP and BP. I'll try the deloading. I'm getting very good results and love my muscle definition that is starting to show ever so slightly (well, at least I can see it...) Also, I love the psychological effect that it has - "better not mess with me, I'm strong because I lift heavy:grumble: !" And I do feel that it has huge benefits on my health, as my back and core is generally much stronger and I have less problems with backpain.

ZoeLifts

Just wondering, how do you lovely lifting ladies feel about girls like me who don't lift and don't have any interest in lifting ever? :P

Everyone likes different things. I hate running and but I have always loved lifting, other people love to run. Different strokes for different folks, you know? How do you feel about a girl like me that says she hates running and doesn't have any interest in running ever unless being chased by zombies or reavers?

Quoting because reavers. I love you.

:blushing: People are all so concerned about the zombies, but reavers need awareness too!