HALP! Heavy Lifting Made Me SUPAH Bulky!!!

3dogsrunning

I debated sharing these (I've posted before) because my after pics were at competition so I didn't want to get into the whole "bulky" thing. I've spent forever looking for another after picture to show that isn't how I look all the time. I wish I had taken pics to show at different body fat levels.



The best after pic I could find at a higher body fat.

BurtHuttz

GASP! You look so amazing.

I think people have a hard time seeing through the tan and the pump. Even at the competition you do not look bulky. I'll bet two weeks after that competition you looked soft and feminine and people wouldn't even know you lifted unless you were wearing extremely tight clothes and flexing.

DontStopB_Leakin

Here is me about mid-way into losing weight. I was still very fluffy but willing to put on a bikini. I think I was somewhere close to 160, size 12.



Then, same swimsuit and 125 pounds and a size 6-8, lost weight dieting and doing only cardio. My bf% was in the mid-30s.



March, 2013, 129 pounds (4 pounds heavier than the photo above) and a size 4. My bf dropped to the low 20s, right around 22% here.



Now, late April 2013, 126 pounds, size 2-4, and bf% right around 19%.



And these last 2 were taken within a day of each other. The first one is flexing and trying to look all bulky (HA!) and the second is what I look like when I'm not flexing.





I'm 40 years old and I've had kids. My body looks better now than it has looked since I was a teen. I wasn't at all kind to my body in my 20s and 30s, but it bounced back with heavy lifting.

You look effing amazing. Seriously...I'm totally swooning over here.

DontStopB_Leakin

I debated sharing these (I've posted before) because my after pics were at competition so I didn't want to get into the whole "bulky" thing. I've spent forever looking for another after picture to show that isn't how I look all the time. I wish I had taken pics to show at different body fat levels.



The best after pic I could find at a higher body fat.

WHY DIDN'T YOU SHARE SOONER?!


Holy effing mother of GOD you look AMAZING!

alsunrise

I debated sharing these (I've posted before) because my after pics were at competition so I didn't want to get into the whole "bulky" thing. I've spent forever looking for another after picture to show that isn't how I look all the time. I wish I had taken pics to show at different body fat levels.



The best after pic I could find at a higher body fat.

Your legs are AMAZING!!!

_chiaroscuro

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/978665-yes-i-think-you-re-bulky-congrats-anyway

No, I haven't "missed the point." I have a different opinion. Rather than fill your thread with more drama, I started my own for people who aren't on the NROLFW bandwagon.

So congratulations to you for reaching your personal goals. I am happy for your success, and wish you the best of luck in maintaining your ideal body.

Now I'm off to do some fun cardio and work toward my own.

Omg seriously there is no getting away from you! You don't like it! We know! Nobody cares!

Elzecat

bumping even though I don't know how to post photos and don't really have good pictures to post yet anyway, but I like seeing all of your awesome results!

I need a more positive thread than the other one I just read (the anti-bulky ladies thread. ugh.)

ZoeLifts

I debated sharing these (I've posted before) because my after pics were at competition so I didn't want to get into the whole "bulky" thing. I've spent forever looking for another after picture to show that isn't how I look all the time. I wish I had taken pics to show at different body fat levels.



The best after pic I could find at a higher body fat.

WOW!! I have never seen these before! You look amazing!

Barbellerella

Love all these beautiful strong women..

Oh and BTW, chicks who dead lift are AWESOME!!:drinker:

thecanface

YAYYY!! for being bulky!! i love it. and i love this thread. and i love lifting weights.

3dogsrunning

GASP! You look so amazing.

I think people have a hard time seeing through the tan and the pump. Even at the competition you do not look bulky. I'll bet two weeks after that competition you looked soft and feminine and people wouldn't even know you lifted unless you were wearing extremely tight clothes and flexing.

Thank you and exactly.

Here are a few a couple of days before and you can see a big difference without the tan and stuff ( I forgot about these, I did a fun photoshoot with a friend) so yeah, a few weeks after I was a lot softer.

edit for super hugeness. Will repost.

Your legs are AMAZING!!!

You have no idea what a compliment that is. I have always been really self conscious of my legs. Part of the reason I did the competition was to challenge myself. I had not wore just a bathing suit in front of people since before high school so it was kind of a big deal. LOL.

@ Lea - I didn't want to get the ew bulky thing going. And thanks!

carolyn0613

i want to be like you-ho-ho...

michelefrench

I wanna be bulky too :sad:

bhb301

Wow everyone looks amazing...

sandy_gee

Here is me about mid-way into losing weight. I was still very fluffy but willing to put on a bikini. I think I was somewhere close to 160, size 12.



Then, same swimsuit and 125 pounds and a size 6-8, lost weight dieting and doing only cardio. My bf% was in the mid-30s.



March, 2013, 129 pounds (4 pounds heavier than the photo above) and a size 4. My bf dropped to the low 20s, right around 22% here.



Now, late April 2013, 126 pounds, size 2-4, and bf% right around 19%.



And these last 2 were taken within a day of each other. The first one is flexing and trying to look all bulky (HA!) and the second is what I look like when I'm not flexing.





I'm 40 years old and I've had kids. My body looks better now than it has looked since I was a teen. I wasn't at all kind to my body in my 20s and 30s, but it bounced back with heavy lifting.

You look AMAZING!!!! I hope I look that good when I'm 40, you give me something to strive towards!!! :flowerforyou:

Gawsh, nevermind when I'm 40, I wish I looked like that now!

freckledLeanne

LOVE this thread. Thanks ladies for sharing all of your awesome pictures. I've been lifting heavy for a little while now, and it's crazy how much faster my body has changed than when I was doing cardio/weight machines. It makes me feel super badass, especially now that I'm doing squats and deads among the dudes with my 29-wk baby belly. Keep up the hard work, ladies.

thecanface

Here is me about mid-way into losing weight. I was still very fluffy but willing to put on a bikini. I think I was somewhere close to 160, size 12.



Then, same swimsuit and 125 pounds and a size 6-8, lost weight dieting and doing only cardio. My bf% was in the mid-30s.



March, 2013, 129 pounds (4 pounds heavier than the photo above) and a size 4. My bf dropped to the low 20s, right around 22% here.



Now, late April 2013, 126 pounds, size 2-4, and bf% right around 19%.



And these last 2 were taken within a day of each other. The first one is flexing and trying to look all bulky (HA!) and the second is what I look like when I'm not flexing.





I'm 40 years old and I've had kids. My body looks better now than it has looked since I was a teen. I wasn't at all kind to my body in my 20s and 30s, but it bounced back with heavy lifting.

you look stunning!!!

BhanGoes

HOLD YOUR HORSES.

I hope you all pause for a moment to really really feel in your hearts how your words and actions have inspired people to make positive changes in their LIVES. I mean, peoples' lives are changing for the better! Total strangers on the street, and excellent coaches and cheerleaders on MFP.

Amazing. I love it. Pay it forward and KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

thecanface

OP:

Before, a few months prior to heavy lifting:



170 lbs. Size 12 dress. Approximately 30% BF.
Waist = 33 inches
Hips = 41 inches
Under bust = 38 inches
Thighs = 23 inches
Arms = 13 inches



Now, 5 months after starting a progressive loading heavy lifting program:



151.8 lbs. Size 4 dress. Approximately 20% BF.
Waist = 27 inches
Hips = 36.5 inches
Under bust = 31 inches
Thighs = 21.5 inches
Arms = 11 inches


17.2 lbs lost. 4 sizes lost. Approximately 10% BF lost. 21 inches (and counting) lost.



Still think heavy lifting will make you "bulky?" Think again.


Heavy lifting ladies, I invite you to post YOUR before and after pics. Maybe, just maybe, we can attempt to snuff out this, "WEIGHT LIFTING WILL MAKE ME HYOOOOGE" myth.

:flowerforyou:

ummlovelovesyou

BUMP! Love all of these photos...so inspirational :happy:




SOMEONE teach me how to lift :sad: