Do you lift heavy? Are you bulky?

I think this needs to be reiterated because in the mission of trying to help women be more comfortable with lifting heavy, I think that sometimes the biggest issue is communication. Both sides are using terms that are hot button issues for the other side, like "bulky" or "skinny fat".

But I really like how Stephanielynn and Lora are using phrases here that might help explain things better, or are more "user friendly", my favorite parts are bolded. Plus, I just really wanted to quote Stephanie's pics again!

All this, plus flexing. When we're proud the first time we see a bump on our bicep, we flex for all the pictures. When we post inspirational pictures, they're often of women flexed.

When not flexed, even really muscular women look different.

Take Christmas Abbot. Some women might not want to look as lean and muscular as she looks WHILE she's lifting, or changing a tire.



Not flexed, she's as slender and feminine as any model or yoga chick.



In street clothes, she looks like every guy's fantasy version of a girl next door. As long as that fantasy includes kickass tattoos.

Bingo. You nailed something that's so hard for SOME women to see.

I most certainly am not at the same level as the ladies who've recently posted but I'm far from bulky and LOVE lifting heavy (for me)! My pics are in my profile with a one year progress pic taken last week (last pic). There is still so much more to accomplish and this thread is great inspiration!!

You look amazing! Incredible progress in one year!

Lifting made me bulky.

Don't do it ladies. I lift heavy and turned in She-hulk. It's just terrible.

Here we go again........

IKR?! Here we go again, showing lovely ladies working hard to achieve outstandingly lean, fit, strong, and sexy bodies! It's amazing and beautiful! It's so awesome that the thread rolled and can continue to show case all this exceptional work, dedication, and effort. I live for threads like this.

...That is what you meant, right?

Here we go again........

I know, right? Isn't it fantastic!!! I love how much these threads inspire people like yourself.



So sorry you couldn't figure out how to post your gif. I'm sure it would have been inspirational to the awesome women of MFP.

I loved see every picture and story in this whole thread. I started weight lifting last week even though I've failed many times to stay with it. I found that the biggest problem was the gyms being overcrowded. I joined a large gym that I've always wanted to be a member of and I test drove it this last week with great results! They have so much room that even at 5PM you can take your own squat rack/bench press/dumb bells without any competition. They also have a women's center but it's not really tailoring to my preferences.

I lost 70 pounds, have gained some back, and look too squishy for my taste still. People say I'm thin but its only from consistent running and semi-decent calorie counting. I'm excited to continue on this journey as I know this is the route that will get me to where I want to be and I hope to share my results someday.

Here we go again........

IKR?! Here we go again, showing lovely ladies working hard to achieve outstandingly lean, fit, strong, and sexy bodies! It's amazing and beautiful! It's so awesome that the thread rolled and can continue to show case all this exceptional work, dedication, and effort. I live for threads like this.

...That is what you meant, right?

That's how I am going to take it!!:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Unless I am at the gym or flexing most people are surprised when I tell them I lift weights. Been at maintenance for almost a year after getting to goal weight from lifting and counting caloires. Muscle and weight gains have stopped and I am just working on getting stronger and staying healthy.

I'm so sick of these threads! I mean really. How many times a day do we need someone telling us lifting won't make us bulky?









Oh wait.... I'm the OP of the first thread. It was in direct response to a thread where a woman was claiming lifting made her bulky, or was afraid of it, or something.

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

^^She was a friend of mine I was disappointed that she quit. She didn't quit because people told her she looked great. She quit because people start accusing her of being an attention *kitten* and fishing for compliments and that she was stupid for not appreciating how great she looked.

I do agree with you that she looked awesome (to me), and it wasn't bulkiness but low bodyfat that was her actual issue which is something that she could correct by eating some ice cream every night after dinner. Didn't get a chance to tell her that before she was run off the site tho.

That's a damn shame about that girl. I missed that part of the thread.

Now I want ice cream.

Here we go again........

IKR?! Here we go again, showing lovely ladies working hard to achieve outstandingly lean, fit, strong, and sexy bodies! It's amazing and beautiful! It's so awesome that the thread rolled and can continue to show case all this exceptional work, dedication, and effort. I live for threads like this.

...That is what you meant, right?

I like you.