I'm Sexy and I Know It - My First Year of Strength Training

I started 2013 with a simple resolution to pick up a barbell and start making my body as sexy as I could. I had always been overweight and honestly just wanted to not get a telling off every time I went to the doctor.

I had met, both in person and online, a number of women who lifted heavy and really, REALLY wanted to be more like them, so in January last year I signed up for a subsidised course of personal training sessions on a progressive but machine based strength programme.

I also took up IIFYM and a version of TDEE-20% based on a combination of FitBit and HRM readings. Basically, I started eating more protein and around 1900-2000 calories a day, but I tracked absolutely everything.

Even spices.

Even cheat days.

Even nights out boozing.

EVERYTHING.

16 January 2013
Weight - 77.2kg (170lb)
Height - 166cm (5'5.5")
Bust - 106cm (42")
Waist - 88cm (34.5")
Hips - 104cm (41")
BF% - 42.1%
Dress size - UK 16/US 12



On days when I wasn't in the gym doing strength training I would go out for a half hour walk/run session with "Zombies Run 5K" and/or play with "Your Shape" on the Kinect.

By early March, I'd made some good progress.



I was enjoying both until I strained both calves so badly after running that I had to walk on crutches and even standing up without my crutches was agony.

So I went out and bought myself a bench, a barbell and some weight plates (all second hand). To begin with, all I could do was bench press and seated shoulder press until my legs healed enough for me to walk again.

I stuck with it and, even without doing any serious cardio, the weight was still falling off.

By May, I was down to a UK size 12 (US 8) and on 13 June I zipped up a size 10 (US 6) for the first time in my adult life.



All the while, I was getting stronger and stronger. I fell in love with the barbell and the things I could do with it. I started StrongLifts at 20kg in April and by August's 1RM test I managed a 85kg squat, 50kg bench and 90kg deadlift.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7QQPzzqj8s (Not 85kg, but one of two other PR sets on the way that day.)

I could bore you, but since then it has been eating lots, lifting lots and still losing weight.

My last 1RM test I came out at 90kg squat, 56kg bench (not paused), 90kg deadlift and 45kg OHP. I bleeding love squats and OHP!

Today is my one year anniversary of strength training and this is what I look like now:




16 January 2014

Weight - 60.7kg (134lb)
Height - 166cm (5'5.5")
Bust - 96.5cm (38")
Waist - 67cm (26.5")
Hips - 94cm (37")
BF% - c.27%
Dress size - UK 8 (US 4)


My husband took up lifting along with me and, even though he hasn't lost weight, his body fat percentage is down about 5% and he's starting to see some definition in his abs. This is despite his day involving first breakfast, second breakfast, lunch, dessert, snack, dinner and another dessert... B*stard!

What I did:

Lifted heavy.
Tracked my intake and TDEE
Ate like a pig - I make room for chocolate, ice cream and most importantly steak.

What I didn't do:

Starve

TL;DR Was always fat. Started lifting and IIFYM. Now size 10s (US 6) are too big other than in high end designer brands and I still eat like a total pig!

P.S. I'm entering my first powerlifting competition in February. I don't expect to win, but I love it!

And I look less like a man than I ever have!