What weights do i buy? Female Lifting! plz help!

Loser_Girly
Loser_Girly Posts: 9 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi all,

Started my healthy lifestyle about 8 weeks ago. I've been a big girl my whole life, tried every diet out there - to which have all failed miserably a couple of weeks in because I burn myself out and didn't eat enough calories. Since I stumbled upon MFP I'm finally doing the healthy lifestyle properly and enjoying it. I didn't even know how EASY it was.

I'm 5ft 5", 25 years old and started at 243 lbs. Now im 222lbs. (I'm down 21lbs as of today!) :D

But here is the thing, I always thought cardio was the answer to weight loss. I used to burn myself out for hours a day doing just cardio... I've read some topics on here about women lifting, at first I thought "what the hell I don't wanna bulk up like a dude" then I saw success stories and wow, lifting looks damn good!! GO GIRLS! (& men!) :P

I want to do it myself, but where do I start??? I don't go to the gym as my schedule and family life don't give me much time. So I buy all my own gym equipment for at home use. I have these tiny dumbbells which I use for my 30 day shred.. but they hardly do anything at all. lol. I wanna feel the burn, put in the time / hard work and someday maybe I will be able to post some of my own success pics on MFP. :D

which is the best sort of equipment to purchase for starting my lifting? please help. Knowing me I'd go & spend all my money on some expensive gym equipment that won't help me at all. xD

Replies

  • sbro32
    sbro32 Posts: 130 Member
    Congratulations on your success so far! I'm hopping on here for the advice as well! The men and women lifters on this site are very inspiring.
  • Quieau
    Quieau Posts: 428 Member
    Wanna watch and learn! Thanks for bringing this here!
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    Barbell, weight plates, bench, and squat rack or power cage. That's what I would recommend, anyway. What you buy really depends on what kind of routine you want.
  • 89nunu
    89nunu Posts: 1,082 Member
    If you truly want to start heavy lifting you will need a bit of space, a bench/squat rack assemble, a bar and some weights. I don't know in what part of the world you are but I'm fairly certain you should be able to get all this second hand from somewhere.

    Have a look at the new rules of lifting for women, stronglifts and jamie eason's life fitness for beginners routines. They all got groups on here with more information so you get get the gist before deciding what to do.
  • notetojenn
    notetojenn Posts: 1
    I recommend this book: http://www.amazon.com/The-New-Rules-Lifting-Women/dp/1583333398
  • yogicarl
    yogicarl Posts: 1,260 Member
    Before you spend loads of money on stuff you may or may not use long term, think about using your own bodyweight to gain strength.

    Plenty of stuff on the internet - look up "progressive calisthenics", "You Are Your Own Gym", "nerdfitness", "Al Kavadlo" etc.

    Weight lifting is great if you like it, but you may find you have everything you need right there in your own body and possibly a pull-up bar.
  • WalkingAlong
    WalkingAlong Posts: 4,926 Member
    I agree with the book rec "New Rules of Lifting" but I like the men's one better, even as a woman.

    I also agree with starting with body weight. You're over 200 lbs. Doing squats, lunges and pushups will be plenty heavy enough.

    When you get bored with body weight, consider a kettlebell, like a 26 lb. one. You can do a LOT with it. Free info and workouts can be found at livefitrevolution.org.
  • Loser_Girly
    Loser_Girly Posts: 9 Member
    Thanks everyone for the help so far! I've ordered rules of lifting for women. And I'm interested in the "You Are Your Own Gym" heck i have all this heavy weight already on my body, i should use it before it all disapears! :O lol

    My brother has this rather large benchy thing with weights on that I might try and use. :P (That's how much i know about fitness stuff) don't even know what anything is called. ha

    Going to order some weights as soon as I've looked into it some more. Will definitely get a kettle bell I've seen those on the biggest loser! ;)
  • WalkingAlong
    WalkingAlong Posts: 4,926 Member
    Oh good! Don't waste your money on a plastic, "women's" kettlebell.

    http://livefitrevolution.org/?p=190257
  • Immerito
    Immerito Posts: 105 Member
    I recommend this book: http://www.amazon.com/The-New-Rules-Lifting-Women/dp/1583333398

    Also read Starting strength.

    http://www.amazon.com/Starting-Strength-3rd-Mark-Rippetoe/dp/0982522738/
  • VBnotbitter
    VBnotbitter Posts: 820 Member
    When you get your copy of new rules read through the lists of exercises so you have an idea of what everyone above is talking about, if you are new to it. Then have a look at youtube for form tip videos.

    I lift at home and have a squat rack/ cable machine combo, a bar, bench and some adjustable dumbells. I have plates that fit the bar and the dumbells ranging from 1.5kg up to 20kg. That way you can progressively add weights in increments as you get stronger.

    I love lifting at home as I can dance around to my music between sets and no one laughs at me :happy:

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