A LADY WHO LIFTS - 1 year of progress! (pics)

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Replies

  • mexiana
    mexiana Posts: 77 Member
    I'm starting with over 100 pounds to lose and started weight training with a trainer so I do it right. It's only been a month and I can already feel the difference in EVERYTHING! I sleep better, I have more energy, and I've lost 11 pounds, but my body feels different, like it's already tightening up. I look forward to dropping the pounds minus the sagging skin!

    You look amazing and are an inspiration to me! Healthy is definitely what I want to be too, no matter what the numbers are when I get there.
  • cristeberga
    cristeberga Posts: 251 Member
    Awesome results!! :drinker: Congratulations!! That's what I need to do now that I have reached my goal weight. I need muscles now!!
  • LesaDave
    LesaDave Posts: 1,480 Member
    Fantastic! You look GREAT!! And thanks for the encouraging pics.
  • stiggy64
    stiggy64 Posts: 40 Member
    Amazing job! You should feel very proud of what you've achieved.
  • IsleEsme
    IsleEsme Posts: 175 Member
    You are beautiful! Really well done. Loved all your responses to the questions as well. Going to get that book, thanks for the tip.
  • Bditbobcat
    Bditbobcat Posts: 171 Member
    Love this! You look fantastic!!!
  • AABru
    AABru Posts: 610 Member
    Your butt looks great! Nice work!
  • stephanj
    stephanj Posts: 898 Member
    Wow that's awesome you definitely make a good case for lifting!
  • DrMAvDPhD
    DrMAvDPhD Posts: 2,097 Member
    Looking great!!
  • WoW congrats! You look amazing! You are my inspiration!
  • fittiephd
    fittiephd Posts: 608 Member
    Your butt looks great! Nice work!

    LOL thanks! My fave progress has been on my derriere!! I am glad it's less flat now :)

    Thanks everyone!!
  • ambervaldez79
    ambervaldez79 Posts: 210 Member
    Your transformation is amazing. Even though you were slim in the previous pictures, you weren't toned at all. Now you look rock hard!!! I'm working on losing weight. My concern is hitting my goal and looking kinda flabby. I hope with my strength training that I see results similar to your results!
  • ZozoMonster
    ZozoMonster Posts: 270 Member
    Incredible!
  • cindijelly
    cindijelly Posts: 43 Member
    GIrl Power, you look good. Good for you!
  • cindijelly
    cindijelly Posts: 43 Member
    you have some great weight loss numbers also.
  • twinmummi
    twinmummi Posts: 2 Member
    Hi, you look amazing!! I'm trying to find you on IG, can you confirm your user name? Thanks!!!
  • unbeknownst
    unbeknownst Posts: 27 Member
    Wow! You look incredible. I heard about this book...will have to buy!
  • cindijelly
    cindijelly Posts: 43 Member
    You read that right, I'm one of those ladies, the kind that lifts all the heavy things and EATS all the things (especially the protein)!

    I have been on MFP since Jan 2012, love logging and love all my frands :) I started lifting 03/21/12 so now it's been a year!! I took some progress pics this morning, although I don't know if they really show all the progress I've made adequately lol.

    The stats:
    I'm 5'8", 22yo, and ~135 lbs. When I started lifting I was ~131. That's right, I weigh more! I eat at or around NET maintenance and have for a year now. 1800-1950 calories plus exercise cals, I change it around with how I'm feeling. I don't do any cardio. Basically ever. Once in a while I'll jog like a mile.

    I started lifting after finishing Turbofire. I did NROLFW through stage 5, ending in September. Took a break to try getting back into gymnastics, and then dove back into lifting in November. I've been doing Stronglifts 5x5 since November.

    Measurements:
    03/21/12 ----> 03/21/13
    Waist: 26" ----> 24.75"
    Hips (hip bone): 33"
    > 31.5"
    Thighs: 20.2"
    > 21.0"
    Arms: 10.0"
    > 11.1"
    Just below bellybutton: 29"
    > 27.25"
    Under Breasts (ribs) 29.5"
    > 27.1"
    Over Breasts: 34.5"
    > 31.0"
    True Hips (widest part) 37.5"
    ^^ I didn't measure this until 01/27/13 and it is still the same.

    Lift Progress: (start of nrolfw --> start of stronglifts --> now)

    Squats: 50 lbs (2x15) ----> 95 lbs (5x5) ----> 145 lbs (5x5)
    Rows: 30 lbs (2x15)
    > 70lbs (5x5)
    > 90 lbs (5x5)
    Deadlifts: 60 lbs (2x12) --> 95 lbs (5x5) ----> 145 lbs (5x5)
    OHP: X
    > 50 lbs (5x5) ----> 70 lbs (5x5)
    Bench Press: X
    > 55 lbs (5x5) ----> 90 lbs (5x5)

    And the pics:

    Before I started exercise (Mar 2011):
    196772_10150442658710858_883250857_18004735_5900719_n.jpg
    P1000513.jpg
    P1000511.jpg


    Mar 2012 - when I started nrolfw:
    03-21-2012frontback.jpg

    03-21-2012side.jpg


    NOW:
    P1020136_zps1f7fb24d.jpg

    P1020131_zps0bd00a4d.jpg

    P1020144_zps201626db.jpg

    P1020145_zps689269b2.jpg

    P1020127_zps7f3b0c2f.jpg

    faa91c5f-22ab-4e63-82c9-a7ddf01648fd_zpsb826382a.jpg

    P1020157_zpsbfd526e9.jpg

    8715a837-69ab-419f-af16-0de4312889db_zps1a559e43.jpg

    Hi Obliques :)
    5c7f3942-0095-43ea-8e4c-f31bed5697ae_zpsc2e4e258.jpg

    Ignore my grumpy morning faces lol! -- Abs are starting to peak in:
    P1020147_zpsad1ddf40.jpg


    Guess what I don't have to worry about anymore? Skinny arm - mine's always skinny ;)
    P1020150_zps8a222322.jpg


    A progression shot:
    26c3f1af-4753-45c1-9beb-9090044a4711_zps9b91bfec.jpg


    A few shots from my instagram -- follow me! @fittiephd
    23C992DB-8B12-430D-AE11-43A88283D6D1-3071-000002DF7F9A8E31_zpsc8bfcf4b.jpg

    BDCB6344-A4B3-4849-B148-D3925BFAD4EE-3071-000002DF73D3FBE5_zps2dfc3c32.jpg


    (new bikini bottoms!:)
    B989C630-6C35-491F-92E7-71A018AFAB75-3071-000002DF4DEF5D90_zps1c82f77b.jpg


    Now does this look bulky to you?! ;)
    fd649b98-fc3d-41c0-b626-d27f890b83d6_zpscd8ed9bc.jpg

    7441E8DD-97A4-4281-AA49-A650AE1E4568-3071-000002DF8995F8B4_zps5b53d75b.jpg



    I love helping anyone who has questions about lifting and eating properly so feel free to message me!
  • cindijelly
    cindijelly Posts: 43 Member
    You read that right, I'm one of those ladies, the kind that lifts all the heavy things and EATS all the things (especially the protein)!

    I have been on MFP since Jan 2012, love logging and love all my frands :) I started lifting 03/21/12 so now it's been a year!! I took some progress pics this morning, although I don't know if they really show all the progress I've made adequately lol.

    The stats:
    I'm 5'8", 22yo, and ~135 lbs. When I started lifting I was ~131. That's right, I weigh more! I eat at or around NET maintenance and have for a year now. 1800-1950 calories plus exercise cals, I change it around with how I'm feeling. I don't do any cardio. Basically ever. Once in a while I'll jog like a mile.

    I started lifting after finishing Turbofire. I did NROLFW through stage 5, ending in September. Took a break to try getting back into gymnastics, and then dove back into lifting in November. I've been doing Stronglifts 5x5 since November.

    Measurements:
    03/21/12 ----> 03/21/13
    Waist: 26" ----> 24.75"
    Hips (hip bone): 33"
    > 31.5"
    Thighs: 20.2"
    > 21.0"
    Arms: 10.0"
    > 11.1"
    Just below bellybutton: 29"
    > 27.25"
    Under Breasts (ribs) 29.5"
    > 27.1"
    Over Breasts: 34.5"
    > 31.0"
    True Hips (widest part) 37.5"
    ^^ I didn't measure this until 01/27/13 and it is still the same.

    Lift Progress: (start of nrolfw --> start of stronglifts --> now)

    Squats: 50 lbs (2x15) ----> 95 lbs (5x5) ----> 145 lbs (5x5)
    Rows: 30 lbs (2x15)
    > 70lbs (5x5)
    > 90 lbs (5x5)
    Deadlifts: 60 lbs (2x12) --> 95 lbs (5x5) ----> 145 lbs (5x5)
    OHP: X
    > 50 lbs (5x5) ----> 70 lbs (5x5)
    Bench Press: X
    > 55 lbs (5x5) ----> 90 lbs (5x5)

    And the pics:

    Before I started exercise (Mar 2011):
    196772_10150442658710858_883250857_18004735_5900719_n.jpg
    P1000513.jpg
    P1000511.jpg


    Mar 2012 - when I started nrolfw:
    03-21-2012frontback.jpg

    03-21-2012side.jpg


    NOW:
    P1020136_zps1f7fb24d.jpg

    P1020131_zps0bd00a4d.jpg

    P1020144_zps201626db.jpg

    P1020145_zps689269b2.jpg

    P1020127_zps7f3b0c2f.jpg

    faa91c5f-22ab-4e63-82c9-a7ddf01648fd_zpsb826382a.jpg

    P1020157_zpsbfd526e9.jpg

    8715a837-69ab-419f-af16-0de4312889db_zps1a559e43.jpg

    Hi Obliques :)
    5c7f3942-0095-43ea-8e4c-f31bed5697ae_zpsc2e4e258.jpg

    Ignore my grumpy morning faces lol! -- Abs are starting to peak in:
    P1020147_zpsad1ddf40.jpg


    Guess what I don't have to worry about anymore? Skinny arm - mine's always skinny ;)
    P1020150_zps8a222322.jpg


    A progression shot:
    26c3f1af-4753-45c1-9beb-9090044a4711_zps9b91bfec.jpg


    A few shots from my instagram -- follow me! @fittiephd
    23C992DB-8B12-430D-AE11-43A88283D6D1-3071-000002DF7F9A8E31_zpsc8bfcf4b.jpg

    BDCB6344-A4B3-4849-B148-D3925BFAD4EE-3071-000002DF73D3FBE5_zps2dfc3c32.jpg


    (new bikini bottoms!:)
    B989C630-6C35-491F-92E7-71A018AFAB75-3071-000002DF4DEF5D90_zps1c82f77b.jpg


    Now does this look bulky to you?! ;)
    fd649b98-fc3d-41c0-b626-d27f890b83d6_zpscd8ed9bc.jpg

    7441E8DD-97A4-4281-AA49-A650AE1E4568-3071-000002DF8995F8B4_zps5b53d75b.jpg



    I love helping anyone who has questions about lifting and eating properly so feel free to message me!
    Your thighs and stomach look great.
  • mrphil86
    mrphil86 Posts: 2,382 Member
    Not very often where people including myself are motivated by a woman.

    Good job!
  • fittiephd
    fittiephd Posts: 608 Member
    Hi, you look amazing!! I'm trying to find you on IG, can you confirm your user name? Thanks!!!

    it's @fittiephd :) same as my username on here!
  • This is awesome!
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    If you could go back and do it all over, would you still have started with NROL or would you have gone straight to SL?

    If I went back, I would definitely either do NROLFW to begin with or I would do Jamie Eason's LiveFit. I haven't actually done Live FIt but I've looked a lot into it and it's a similar program to new rules, starts with no cardio, adds it in in phase 2, has more lifts in each workout and focuses on certain parts of the body in certain workouts.

    I don't like how the live fit trainer pushes supplementation so much, even though I think that it can possibly be very helpful, it may not be necessary for everyone or at least not while they're starting out especially if they can't afford it.

    I like that nrolfw begins with higher reps and fewer sets and then progresses to lower rep higher weight because it assumes that the average female who is beginning lifting for the first time will *underestimate* how much they can lift (I did!) and thus should start at higher rep and then progress as their confidence progresses.

    Nrolfw workouts can be a little confusing at first if one doesn't take the time to actually read the book and read the instructions. It's a short, informational, and really well done book but a lot of people skip to the end for the workouts and then say they don't understand how it's set up. It's confusing but if you read it closely, it is all explained!

    And I like that nrolfw has a whole section devoted to nutrition and why eating ABOVE BMR and even at maintenance during lifting is CRUCIAL. I think this is the best information in the book, how to calculate your calories. In fact, I have this old post outlining it if anyone is interested:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/538943-how-to-calculate-calorie-goals-according-to-nrolfw

    I would not start with stronglifts if I went back and started over because although stronglifts is an amazing workout program, I think I would have been very intimidated by it (even more than I was!) if I had started with it. It's very much aimed at men, and as much as I am a proponent of women and men being able to lift the same, I liked having a program that I felt was aimed at me as a female when I first started. Stronglifts is great for me now because it's quick, the workouts are always the same, and it's not anything I have to think about. Plus the app is handy!

    Thanks for the great question!

    Thanks for the great response! I will definitely keep all of this in mind when I give my 2 cents to women who are just starting out.
  • fittiephd
    fittiephd Posts: 608 Member
    Your transformation is amazing. Even though you were slim in the previous pictures, you weren't toned at all. Now you look rock hard!!! I'm working on losing weight. My concern is hitting my goal and looking kinda flabby. I hope with my strength training that I see results similar to your results!

    Thank you!! Yes I was definitely never very large but my body was completely different than it is now. I've never been happier! Strength training is so empowering AND it gives great results! :)
  • CoderGal
    CoderGal Posts: 6,800 Member
    Love watching the progress on your abs :p I'm sure to you it seems to be taking forever but in post time it's like several posts ago :p

    I'll just report that my butt is looking fantastic and all the the wrinkly parts are disappearing.

    Thank you for posting, you big bulky hulk you lol..
  • taylorwaylor
    taylorwaylor Posts: 417 Member
    Woooo! You look amazing!!
  • CoderGal
    CoderGal Posts: 6,800 Member
    I like that nrolfw begins with higher reps and fewer sets and then progresses to lower rep higher weight because it assumes that the average female who is beginning lifting for the first time will *underestimate* how much they can lift (I did!) and thus should start at higher rep and then progress as their confidence progresses.

    Nrolfw workouts can be a little confusing at first if one doesn't take the time to actually read the book and read the instructions. It's a short, informational, and really well done book but a lot of people skip to the end for the workouts and then say they don't understand how it's set up. It's confusing but if you read it closely, it is all explained!

    And I like that nrolfw has a whole section devoted to nutrition and why eating ABOVE BMR and even at maintenance during lifting is CRUCIAL. I think this is the best information in the book, how to calculate your calories. In fact, I have this old post outlining it if anyone is interested:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/538943-how-to-calculate-calorie-goals-according-to-nrolfw

    I would not start with stronglifts if I went back and started over because although stronglifts is an amazing workout program, I think I would have been very intimidated by it (even more than I was!) if I had started with it. It's very much aimed at men, and as much as I am a proponent of women and men being able to lift the same, I liked having a program that I felt was aimed at me as a female when I first started. Stronglifts is great for me now because it's quick, the workouts are always the same, and it's not anything I have to think about. Plus the app is handy!
    I couldn't agree more with all of this.
  • kiekie
    kiekie Posts: 289 Member
    Uh-oh, new girl crush! :blushing:

    I look very much like your first before picture and would LOVE to make even half the progress you have. I'm 5'6", 136lb, 28-30% BF. My goal is around 125lb or whatever gets me to around 19% BF.

    I'm also doing Turbo Fire but keep getting sidetracked by the thought I really should be lifting and I'm not sure if the strength included in the programme is enough.

    So my question to you is: when you were at the size in the first picture, did you find Turbo Fire was a good way of shedding a bit more weight before lifting or in hindsight, would you have done straight to lifting, or a combination of both?
  • AnnaVee84
    AnnaVee84 Posts: 345 Member
    CONGRATS, what an awesome transformation, stories like yours are definitely my inspiration for lifting! :flowerforyou:

    i'm doing NR right now, starting stage 3 soon, super happy with my results so far but can't wait to finish and REALLY see something :love:
  • LynNann57
    LynNann57 Posts: 30 Member
    You look amazing!
    Thanks for posting- it is inspiring, and you gave some great info.
    I wish more women would lift, and reralize you don't get bulky, and your posts help prove how worth it it is.
    I love lifting too,. I just bought myself a barbell set. I just started stronglifts 5 weeks ago.I like it more than cardio! I feel much better, and I also notice my posture has improved, along with muscle tone starting to show!
    We have a bowflex and I have used that, along with free weights, before starting stronglifts! By the way, I am 55 years old, and I started lifting at 50!
    I hope to have the same results as you.
    Keep on rocking!
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