Fat girl dead-lifting

Last-night I asked my trainer to take a few photos of me dead-lifting, he took some awesome photos, but it also reminded me of how far I've come, and some of the challenges I faced.



I love this photo because I look strong. Also because I'm lifting 90kg/198lbs, but there isn't any strain on my face, it looks easy.

Now here's the photo that reminds me of how far I've come:



It's not very flattering, and I wouldn't normally show a picture like this in public.... but here's why it's important to me.

Every day on these forums, I encourage heavy people to lift heavy weights.

But when you are truly big, there are some unique challenges.

When I first started out, I was 125kg/275lbs. I couldn't bend over, with my elbows outside my knees, the bar close to my shins and reach the bar to start with.

Especially not with a smaller weight on the bar and it was even lower to the ground.

I couldn't dead-lift with good form, because my belly was in the way and my arms seemed too short.... and my boobs would be pushed up by my belly fat......

I've lost 25kg/54lbs and it still looks awkward:



But now, it's possible.

When the weight is lower, it's OK to have the bar a bit further away from your shins if you can't reach the bar because of your belly. Or to have a more 'sumo' styled stance so your belly fits between your thighs.

Just make sure you adjust your form as your weight comes off and the weight on the bar gets heavier.