HALP! Heavy Lifting Made Me SUPAH Bulky!!!

PikaKnight

What program did you use? I am a big fan of Chalean Extreme. I love Chalene Johnson.

I'll probably get flak for this, but in my opinion Chalean Extreme is more cardio.

If you are interested in strength training/heavy lifting, you should look into Starting Strength, Wendler 5/3/1, NROLFW, and Stronglifts. Pick the program that suits you best from there.

If you lack equipment, I've heard good things about Convict Training and You Are Your Own Gym

janessanessa

Actually, if you follow the CLX program schedules, you only have two cardio days each week, one of then, is lifting lighter weights at a fast pace to build endurance, and the second workout is 45 minutes of HiiT intervals....if you want CARDIO then her Turbofire/Turbojam workouts encompass that. There is NO cardio in the other 3-4 lifting workouts each week. Mind you, your heart rate does get up some, but that is secondary to doing compound muscle movements, i.e. arnold presses with squats, or bicep curls with rear stationary lunges.

Sarauk2sf

While I was a cardio junkie:


After I started lifting:

I cannot recall seeing your earlier pics - fantastic progress - you look absolutely great.

janessanessa

Love this!! Lady you rock!!!

I'm nowhere near done but fighting my way down to healthy & strong

Wow, look at you! You have legs up to there!!! They're are so long. Envious of your shape.

RandiLandCHANGED

resizing

jpolinisse

LOVE that more and more women are starting to realize the benefits to lifting heavy and move past the myth!! I absolutely love being strong!!

Here are my pics (lifting pic was taken about 3 months ago so I've gotten a little bit more definition since then but you get the idea). Still not at goal but getting there

Before 323lbs


Current 183lbs

Wow!

Songbirdcw

You look incredible! The rest of us heavy lifting 'BULKY OMGZ' women salute you! :drinker:

This! I really did laugh out loud at this picture. Awesome. I'm looking forward to post my bulky gains too. You look awesome!

DontStopB_Leakin

What program did you use? I am a big fan of Chalean Extreme. I love Chalene Johnson.

I'll probably get flak for this, but in my opinion Chalean Extreme is more cardio.

If you are interested in strength training/heavy lifting, you should look into Starting Strength, Wendler 5/3/1, NROLFW, and Stronglifts. Pick the program that suits you best from there.

If you lack equipment, I've heard good things about Convict Training and You Are Your Own Gym

Agreed.

While Chalean Extreme does incorporate strength, it is *not* a heavy lifting program. I'm not knocking it, I just want to make sure people realize it does not fall in the parameters of heavy lifting.

All the programs listed above ARE heavy lifting programs.

jpolinisse

RandiLand pics are ama....you do not look like you had kids. Wow!

PikaKnight

Actually, if you follow the CLX program schedules, you only have two cardio days each week, one of then, is lifting lighter weights at a fast pace to build endurance, and the second workout is 45 minutes of HiiT intervals....if you want CARDIO then her Turbofire/Turbojam workouts encompass that. There is NO cardio in the other 3-4 lifting workouts each week. Mind you, your heart rate does get up some, but that is secondary to doing compound muscle movements, i.e. arnold presses with squats, or bicep curls with rear stationary lunges.

Like I said, it is just my opinion. *shrugs*

SatchGallamax

Gah, I'm late in seeing this thread.

Best thread ever. It's one giant happy place of all my favorite lady bodies.

Cheers to all of you for your amazing hard work!

TheApocalypse

me before i started lifting heavy- 145 pounds


me after lifting heavy holding my 18 month old. around 130 pounds- my profile pic is almost 2 years of heavy lifting.

Damn girl! You are looking great my friend...

RandiLandCHANGED

Accidentally deleted my whole post!!

Lost my baby weight (from my 3rd child) in December. Hit the gym in January after I recovered from severe pneumonia. I weighed 125 when I started at the gym and 136 now. I lifted heavy, and ate 2300-3000 calories a day. Just tryin' to get buff I do not think I look like a dude!
ONE YEAR! Last year vs last week

Now:

janessanessa

Agreed.

While Chalean Extreme does incorporate strength, it is *not* a heavy lifting program. I'm not knocking it, I just want to make sure people realize it does not fall in the parameters of heavy lifting.

All the programs listed above ARE heavy lifting programs.

I must have misunderstood then, define heavy lifting? Because I guess I consider the use 25-30 lb weights for upper arm strength etc. "heavy lifting".... i guess I must be a wuss then.

Jennisin1

Maybe it's just me, I lost 4lbs and two pants sizes, which I was stoked about....

but DAMN... I got huge arms, shoulders, traps, and lats..... not sure how I feel about the whole thing...

I'm still going strong, but now a little concerned if I am gonna like the finished product.

peggysue218

OP: Impossible to compare the two photos. You need to have a front-on pic.

janessanessa

Maybe it's just me, I lost 4lbs and two pants sizes, which I was stoked about....

but DAMN... I got huge arms, shoulders, traps, and lats..... not sure how I feel about the whole thing...

I'm still going strong, but now a little concerned if I am gonna like the finished product.

tell'n ya, Chalene Extreme. Ripped me up a bit, and I didn't gain bulk. It's not I guess what most in this thread consider "heavy lifting" but it is what you make of it. Heavier weights equal bigger results.

whierd

Accidentally deleted my whole post!!

Lost my baby weight (from my 3rd child) in December. Hit the gym in January after I recovered from severe pneumonia. I weighed 125 when I started at the gym and 136 now. I lifted heavy, and ate 2300-3000 calories a day. Just tryin' to get buff I do not think I look like a dude!
ONE YEAR! Last year vs last week

Now:

Fantastic work! You look stunning.

PikaKnight

Agreed.

While Chalean Extreme does incorporate strength, it is *not* a heavy lifting program. I'm not knocking it, I just want to make sure people realize it does not fall in the parameters of heavy lifting.

All the programs listed above ARE heavy lifting programs.

I must have misunderstood then, define heavy lifting? Because I guess I consider the use 25-30 lb weights for upper arm strength etc. "heavy lifting".... i guess I must be a wuss then.

No need to get defensive. I know some women starting off that could only squat the bar- 45lbs and are now closing in on triple digits. I use the machines at my apartments gym. Started near the end of Feb. for triceps extensions and chest presses, I started at 40lbs and am now up to 100lbs on the chest and 110lbs on the triceps. Just busting into 100lbs on the wide lat pulldown.

suelegal

Also, i just wanted to mention I started at 40, so anyone out there can do this at any age!

I am not a fan of machines...compound lifts are your friend and give the most BANG for your buck!

Ask the trainer about this: http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wiki/The_Starting_Strength_Novice/Beginner_Programs

Images deleted to save space.

I'm 61. I've been working my way through New Rules of Lifting for Women. When I started I could barely do body weight squats and not much more. I just PRd my pulldowns at 100, deadlifts at 140 and OHP at 50.

Do it! You won't regret it!

janessanessa

Agreed.

While Chalean Extreme does incorporate strength, it is *not* a heavy lifting program. I'm not knocking it, I just want to make sure people realize it does not fall in the parameters of heavy lifting.

All the programs listed above ARE heavy lifting programs.

I was not getting defensive. I am not referring to machines or bars....just referring to free weights, handheld. I don't have a gym membership or access to a gym with that equipment. So I do the best I can at home. And I still consider myself a bad *kitten*.

I must have misunderstood then, define heavy lifting? Because I guess I consider the use 25-30 lb weights for upper arm strength etc. "heavy lifting".... i guess I must be a wuss then.

No need to get defensive. I know some women starting off that could only squat the bar- 45lbs and are now closing in on triple digits. I use the machines at my apartments gym. Started near the end of Feb. for triceps extensions and chest presses, I started at 40lbs and am now up to 100lbs on the chest and 110lbs on the triceps. Just busting into 100lbs on the wide lat pulldown.

janessanessa

I was not getting defensive. I am not referring to machines or bars....just referring to free weights, handheld. I don't have a gym membership or access to a gym with that equipment. So I do the best I can at home. And I still consider myself a bad *kitten*.

firstsip

Maybe it's just me, I lost 4lbs and two pants sizes, which I was stoked about....

but DAMN... I got huge arms, shoulders, traps, and lats..... not sure how I feel about the whole thing...

I'm still going strong, but now a little concerned if I am gonna like the finished product.

I'm glad you're still going--lifting has benefits far beyond the aesthetic (hormone regulation, bone density, joint strengthening, etc.).

That being said: Are you *sure* you've gotten bigger? As the great Dizzle once pointed out... what LOOKS like something getting huge is often deceptive. Have you been taking measurements and photos right along with your lifting? Often, the reduction of body fat highlights the muscles underneath more, which can be jarring for many women as they feel they look "larger." Plus, depending on diet, rest, and amount of time spent on a particular program, water retention can definitely be a factor in how "huge" body parts might look.

PikaKnight

I was not getting defensive. I am not referring to machines or bars....just referring to free weights, handheld. I don't have a gym membership or access to a gym with that equipment. So I do the best I can at home. And I still consider myself a bad *kitten*.

No one, at any point, said you weren't. I think you are taking things the wrong way

firstsip

OP: Impossible to compare the two photos. You need to have a front-on pic.

^ This. I'm not able to see much of a difference with the two photos. The pictures are of different areas too so it's hard to tell.

So you can't see the definition between hip/waist plus the obvious appearance of abdominal muscles in one picture? It's the same area, just a slightly different angle... which, I'm fairly certain, is due to better lighting to highlight the definition (but not bulk) of the now apparent muscles.

Reinventing_Me

bump to read later

DontStopB_Leakin

OP: Impossible to compare the two photos. You need to have a front-on pic.

^ This. I'm not able to see much of a difference with the two photos. The pictures are of different areas too so it's hard to tell.

So you can't see the definition between hip/waist plus the obvious appearance of abdominal muscles in one picture? It's the same area, just a slightly different angle... which, I'm fairly certain, is due to better lighting to highlight the definition (but not bulk) of the now apparent muscles.

With the exception of the lighting (it's actually better in the first picture and dimmer in the second), what she said.


I'm sorry, but even to me, my worst critic, I can see a huge difference. And the angle of the second picture actually makes me look wider than normal, so I again, I fail to see how I can't compare those two pictures.


Course, seeing as how *I* started the thread, I can compare whatever two pictures I want to.

Desterknee

OP: Impossible to compare the two photos. You need to have a front-on pic.

^ This. I'm not able to see much of a difference with the two photos. The pictures are of different areas too so it's hard to tell.

OK. Even *if* you can't see much of a difference, which I have a hard time believing, the pictures still do serve the OP's purpose which was to demonstrate that lifting heavy does not make women bulky.

So... your contribution to this thread was what, exactly? I missed it.

PikaKnight

I think the OP should send me naked pics so I can better compare :smokin:

QFT :P

DontStopB_Leakin

With the exception of the lighting (it's actually better in the first picture and dimmer in the second), what she said.


I'm sorry, but even to me, my worst critic, I can see a huge difference. And the angle of the second picture actually makes me look wider than normal, so I again, I fail to see how I can't compare those two pictures.


Course, seeing as how *I* started the thread, I can compare whatever two pictures I want to.

I didn't mean to upset you. I wasn't saying it to discredit you or anything. I guess you missed my other post.

No, I saw it. I'm not trying to enter a competition. There is nothing to "display." This is not a thread I started to say, HEY LOOK AT HOW FAR *I'VE* COME. I simply started this thread to illustrate the fact that lifting makes women smaller, not bigger, which is why I invited other women to participate as well.

I have a few choice words to say, but I'm gonna keep quiet and acknowledge all the other lovely posters in this thread.