HALP! Heavy Lifting Made Me SUPAH Bulky!!!

WOWWWW~~~!!!! How does one get started with a lifting program? I see things on the internet of course but have no idea how to do the exercises because they have names only, what weights are required, etc. Anyone point me in the right direction???? Do I have to buy a program or are there free workouts online? Looks like Stronglifts 5 x 5 requires a membership? 5/3/1 talks about weight lifting like I should know what they mean.

I was in the same stage as you are now before I started lifting. I knew what workouts to do but didn't know HOW to do them, I was afraid of looking stupid. I highly recommend stronglifts. It does not require a membership, you don't have to pay anything. If you want to read the PDF file they send you telling you all about the program then you just put your email into their list and they send it to you (it's very long and kinda boring TBH). If you don't want to do that, a quick internet search will tell you what you need to do and there is tons of threads on here explaining the workouts. It's really very simple. There's also a 'stronglifts 5x5 for women' group on here that you can join too. You can then research proper form for the lifts or have someone with more experience help you if you go to a gym.

Thanks, what about (excuse me for not knowing the correct name lol) the machines that are cabled? It seems like I can get a lot of ROM on those? I also work at a hospital and closely with a group of radiologists so I've been chatting with one of the docs who is very into lifting about things to try as well. He totally agrees that one will never lose weight unless you replace fat with muscle, not by dieting or exercising (alone), only by weight lifting and smart eating

Wow I love all these pics and how amazing you can look from lifting. Thank you for sharing!

I have been increasing weights for a year, but for women how much do you lift/increase on various machines??? I know everybody is different, but ballpark. FYI I am meeting with a trainer next week, but I never know if I am doing enough/too much.

I've got a lot to lose, but oddly over the last year or two even though I haven't had a dramatic weight loss or even INCHES I look different/better. WTH?? :huh:

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