Just Started
claralifts
Posts: 1
Hi Everyone.
I have been reading about Stronglifts 5 x 5 for the past couple of months, finally am going through with it. I am a big girl but not as strong as I thought I was!
I am just starting out with my personal trainer, and he is working to get me from dumbbells to barbells soon, and keep progressing from there.
Would just like some people to talk to. My friends don't really understand why I do not want to do constant cardio, and my family just feels I will flake out and jump back on the junk food pig out again after 2 weeks.
Nice to meet you all.
I have been reading about Stronglifts 5 x 5 for the past couple of months, finally am going through with it. I am a big girl but not as strong as I thought I was!
I am just starting out with my personal trainer, and he is working to get me from dumbbells to barbells soon, and keep progressing from there.
Would just like some people to talk to. My friends don't really understand why I do not want to do constant cardio, and my family just feels I will flake out and jump back on the junk food pig out again after 2 weeks.
Nice to meet you all.
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Replies
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Hi, I've been lifting for a few weeks. I suppose because I'm losing weight my lifts have remained (very) low. So I don't feel as though there's really a place for me to post. I would love to chat to someone in a similar position, whilst still having experienced people around to point out if I say something silly!0
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Hi to you both,
I am also quite new. Will be doing my 6th workout today. I am also training for a 10K using the Couch 2 10K program. I have just started logging my food again after a long break. I have 35 lbs to lose.
At the moment I am doing body weight squats because I can't get below parallel with the bar. I am considering hiring a personal trainer to help me with my form. I cannot do Overhead Press with the bar yet either, so still using dumbbells for that.
At the moment, I am mostly getting over the nervousness of being in the weights area of the gym and feeling like a noob.
Would be nice to chat with some people in a similar position. 0 -
I'm so glad you both posted.
I started off at home, and couldn't squat to parallel without a barbell, let alone with. I now squat 5x5 with 62.5lb. My overhead press is still an empty barbell though.
My current plan is to continue focusing on my form and lose weight to 9st 2. I'm researching what to do when I reach that goal (which I hope to hit early September).0 -
Welcome to all of you! Feel free to add me if you want.
I am on my 9th week and loving it! You will too!0 -
Hi - great to see there are so many other newbs.
I'm training for a half but I've just signed up to a gym and I'm hoping to start this program tomorrow. Feel free to add me too! 0 -
Hi! Me, too! Literally just started Stronglifts 5x5 today!
And I'm a little bit excited about it, as you may be able to tell from all! the! exclamation! points!0 -
I'm trying to get started! I can deadlift 115lbs, but when I try to squat I get all shaky and can't manage to do one with good form with the empty bar. Like some of you, I'm going to focus on body weight squats and maybe practice with a broomstick so I get used to having my arms at that angle.
I do OHP, bent over rows, and chest press with dumbbells. I could probably manage the empty bar (or even a few pounds over) for the row, but I need to get more comfortable in the barbell section of the gym so I don't feel awkward stacking up plates to raise it to the right height. I might even be able to manage the bench press with the empty bar, but again with the comfort and fear of having to do the roll of shame with the empty bar I am moving slowly up in weight for each of these, so I WILL get to that barbell for everything! 0 -
Welcome to the group! Please don't feel out of place here, we were all where you are at one point. It's really all about lifting heavy for YOU!
comparison is the thief of joy, that's what I tell myself when looking through the monthly workout thread. add me if you would like! 0 -
Hey there,
I am in week 6 now, but I still feel like I just started.
If you want, you can add me! I know how it is, not being able to talk to anyone around you.
I mostly have the problem, that people (friends and family) keep reacting with "you're lifting? But you will get bigger! Shouldn't you try to lose some weight?" And yes, I tried to explain it everytime, why lifting will help, but this just doesn't seem to break through this wall of "women who lift will get big".
So I was really happy to find so many people on here who support me 0 -
Hello to all the new buddies!!!
Please don't ever feel out of place, anyone can post and anyone can ask questions. I am a newbie too, starting week 5 today! It's awesome!!
Please also add me as a friend
And friends and family never seem to get it. I also have to explain over and over that NO i will not look like a bodybuilder.0 -
Welcome! Everyone here is very nice and supportive and always offers great advice if and when you need it.
Feel free to add me as well - I just started my second 12-week session of SL (I half-assed my first 12 weeks - still made strength gains, but wasn't as dedicated to it as I should have been).0 -
Hi, nice to "meet" you.0
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I think I am going to re-start, too. I feel like I have sacrificed form for weight increases with my squats. While I probably dip below parallel 75% of the time, I want true ATG squats and am willing to deload to get there.
My biggest challenge is that I am also trying to lose weight/fat, so figuring out how to eat is hard. I feel like so many woman talk about how the inches just fall off them when they start lifting, and that hasn't been my experience at all. I am eating at a slight deficit (~150 calories---I'm only 5'1" and I don't have a lot to work with), but I'm bigger than I was at this time last year.0 -
Hello! Glad to see more ladies interested in lifting ^^. I'm on my 5th month of the program now. Feel free to add me 0
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My biggest challenge is that I am also trying to lose weight/fat, so figuring out how to eat is hard. I feel like so many woman talk about how the inches just fall off them when they start lifting, and that hasn't been my experience at all. I am eating at a slight deficit (~150 calories---I'm only 5'1" and I don't have a lot to work with), but I'm bigger than I was at this time last year.
This is my biggest hang up, too. I'm eating at a deficit and hoping to reduce my body fat by a couple of percent more. I've been successful with cardio and some resistance training (read: BodyPump)... I'm a little nervous about losing the big calorie burns of spin and intervals. Not sure I can let go yet. But I've been talking about wanting to lift for ... a year? I keep waiting to be "ready". WHY?! I need to just start and adjust as I go.0 -
My biggest challenge is that I am also trying to lose weight/fat, so figuring out how to eat is hard. I feel like so many woman talk about how the inches just fall off them when they start lifting, and that hasn't been my experience at all. I am eating at a slight deficit (~150 calories---I'm only 5'1" and I don't have a lot to work with), but I'm bigger than I was at this time last year.
This is my biggest hang up, too. I'm eating at a deficit and hoping to reduce my body fat by a couple of percent more. I've been successful with cardio and some resistance training (read: BodyPump)... I'm a little nervous about losing the big calorie burns of spin and intervals. Not sure I can let go yet. But I've been talking about wanting to lift for ... a year? I keep waiting to be "ready". WHY?! I need to just start and adjust as I go.
Same here. I have about 10-15 pounds left to lose (pretty much all in my stomach and thigh area!!!) to really be comfortable. I'm 5'5. I went from 180 pounds down to now 150ish. I ate around 1350 cals a day and doing only cardio but since I started 5x5 I upped at 1500 and seem to still be losing (TDEE-20%). I think building muscle will also burn fat faster. It's all a game of trial and error. The inches have NOT fallen off either for me. Not yet anyway.0 -
Same here. I have about 10-15 pounds left to lose (pretty much all in my stomach and thigh area!!!) to really be comfortable. I'm 5'5. I went from 180 pounds down to now 150ish. I ate around 1350 cals a day and doing only cardio but since I started 5x5 I upped at 1500 and seem to still be losing (TDEE-20%). I think building muscle will also burn fat faster. It's all a game of trial and error. The inches have NOT fallen off either for me. Not yet anyway.
^ This was me when I first started lifting 2ish years ago, and all I can tell you both is be patient
The first time I started lifting it took me about 6 weeks to start seeing results. The first 3 weeks were hell, because I was retaining water (I had never lifted anything heavier than a 10 pound weight prior to SL), and even though I was eating at a deficit, I had upped my calories from 1200 to 1600, so I was adjusting from eating more as well. I felt bloated, sore, and swollen, and my pants were fitting tighter than ever, but then between weeks 5 and 6, all of a sudden I had a huge drop on the scale, and sure enough, all of my measurements were down as well.
The water I was retaining was definitely masking any weight/fat loss I was having, but as soon as my body got used to doing the program, the "woosh" happened, and it literally felt like the weight and inches came off overnight. It will happen, just keep at it 0 -
Same here. I have about 10-15 pounds left to lose (pretty much all in my stomach and thigh area!!!) to really be comfortable. I'm 5'5. I went from 180 pounds down to now 150ish. I ate around 1350 cals a day and doing only cardio but since I started 5x5 I upped at 1500 and seem to still be losing (TDEE-20%). I think building muscle will also burn fat faster. It's all a game of trial and error. The inches have NOT fallen off either for me. Not yet anyway.
^ This was me when I first started lifting 2ish years ago, and all I can tell you both is be patient
The first time I started lifting it took me about 6 weeks to start seeing results. The first 3 weeks were hell, because I was retaining water (I had never lifted anything heavier than a 10 pound weight prior to SL), and even though I was eating at a deficit, I had upped my calories from 1200 to 1600, so I was adjusting from eating more as well. I felt bloated, sore, and swollen, and my pants were fitting tighter than ever, but then between weeks 5 and 6, all of a sudden I had a huge drop on the scale, and sure enough, all of my measurements were down as well.
The water I was retaining was definitely masking any weight/fat loss I was having, but as soon as my body got used to doing the program, the "woosh" happened, and it literally felt like the weight and inches came off overnight. It will happen, just keep at it
Goooosh, that is motivating!
Yesterday I had the struggle with my "not so progress showing" progress pictures after 5 weeks. Thank you so much for this text!
We have to keep going!0 -
YES!! Thanks for posting this. :flowerforyou:0
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Welcome to the group...
one thing about lifting is this...you either love it or you don't..and if you love it you will stay with it...
11 months in almost and still loving it...
And yes be patient...
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/of-whooshes-and-squishy-fat.html
wooshes are amazing...don't let slow losses be discouraging...don't let deloads do the same it's all part of the process of building a stronger body.0 -
Hey everyone!
I started the program yesterday and plan to stick with it. I did the New Rules of Lifting program last summer for a few weeks, but I didn't feel that it was the right program for me because I wanted to do more compound lifting as opposed to all the accessory muscle lifting that was in the New Rules program. I upped my calories from 1400 to 1500 and hope that's good enough (but of course I eat whenever I'm hungry regardless of whether or not I've reached my cals for the day). I'm also doing the Turbofire HIIT workouts for my cardio.
Please feel free to add me! The more friends I have doing the program the more I will remain motivated :-)
SN: My first bench press was 80 lbs yesterday, and although I was able to complete the 5x5, I think I need to deload in order to not plateau :-(0 -
Hellooo! I'm also pretty new to this! I've been lurking the forums and was so inspired by all you strong ladies for...probably over a year before I finally decided to bite the bullet and give it a go! I'm in my 3rd week now and I've been enjoying it so far!
I also had the same worry about the time it takes to really start seeing physical results, especially since I'm only doing a little cardio outside of lifting (total switch!), but I'm trying to be patient! I'm also trying to exercise lots of patience in the weight room, as I'm new to lifting and am not quite strong enough for the bar for most lifts (bench press, OHP, rows) yet, and I'm still working on my form with the 95lb deadlift starting weight, but I feel like I'm getting there! My gym has lots of those bars that have weight on them already (EZ bars?) so I've been using those for now and increasing steadily when I feel comfortable with the form at that weight, as I'm still worrying a lot about form (I feel like such a n00b) even though I had a trainer show me all the lifts my first time.
Anyways... welcome to other newbies (and hello to you inspiring vets who got me into this) as well! We're gonna be *kitten*-kicking lifter ladies in no time!
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Same here. I have about 10-15 pounds left to lose (pretty much all in my stomach and thigh area!!!) to really be comfortable. I'm 5'5. I went from 180 pounds down to now 150ish. I ate around 1350 cals a day and doing only cardio but since I started 5x5 I upped at 1500 and seem to still be losing (TDEE-20%). I think building muscle will also burn fat faster. It's all a game of trial and error. The inches have NOT fallen off either for me. Not yet anyway.
^ This was me when I first started lifting 2ish years ago, and all I can tell you both is be patient
The first time I started lifting it took me about 6 weeks to start seeing results. The first 3 weeks were hell, because I was retaining water (I had never lifted anything heavier than a 10 pound weight prior to SL), and even though I was eating at a deficit, I had upped my calories from 1200 to 1600, so I was adjusting from eating more as well. I felt bloated, sore, and swollen, and my pants were fitting tighter than ever, but then between weeks 5 and 6, all of a sudden I had a huge drop on the scale, and sure enough, all of my measurements were down as well.
The water I was retaining was definitely masking any weight/fat loss I was having, but as soon as my body got used to doing the program, the "woosh" happened, and it literally felt like the weight and inches came off overnight. It will happen, just keep at it
This is super reassuring.
I've been eating 1800 (Katch-McArdle, moderate activity TDEE -20%) for a while. I may reduce a little further, if I'm too sore for any cardio at all (I really do like my intervals class - I'm not sure I'll give it up yet). And I stopped doing BodyPump because I couldn't handle having the smart bar on my back for the whole 6 minute squat track (I had gotten up to a 47lb bar, though - so I feel like I've gone about as far as I would anyway).
I'm happy enough with my weight. It's heavier than I expected to like - I was 144 last time I had the quick body composition test done at the gym - but I've whittled away my body fat and am floating around 21% now. I'd just like to see... you know... what legitimately lifting will do for me. If I can reduce a little further. I'd like to find out.0 -
Same here. I have about 10-15 pounds left to lose (pretty much all in my stomach and thigh area!!!) to really be comfortable. I'm 5'5. I went from 180 pounds down to now 150ish. I ate around 1350 cals a day and doing only cardio but since I started 5x5 I upped at 1500 and seem to still be losing (TDEE-20%). I think building muscle will also burn fat faster. It's all a game of trial and error. The inches have NOT fallen off either for me. Not yet anyway.
^ This was me when I first started lifting 2ish years ago, and all I can tell you both is be patient
The first time I started lifting it took me about 6 weeks to start seeing results. The first 3 weeks were hell, because I was retaining water (I had never lifted anything heavier than a 10 pound weight prior to SL), and even though I was eating at a deficit, I had upped my calories from 1200 to 1600, so I was adjusting from eating more as well. I felt bloated, sore, and swollen, and my pants were fitting tighter than ever, but then between weeks 5 and 6, all of a sudden I had a huge drop on the scale, and sure enough, all of my measurements were down as well.
The water I was retaining was definitely masking any weight/fat loss I was having, but as soon as my body got used to doing the program, the "woosh" happened, and it literally felt like the weight and inches came off overnight. It will happen, just keep at it
This is super reassuring.
I've been eating 1800 (Katch-McArdle, moderate activity TDEE -20%) for a while. I may reduce a little further, if I'm too sore for any cardio at all (I really do like my intervals class - I'm not sure I'll give it up yet). And I stopped doing BodyPump because I couldn't handle having the smart bar on my back for the whole 6 minute squat track (I had gotten up to a 47lb bar, though - so I feel like I've gone about as far as I would anyway).
I'm happy enough with my weight. It's heavier than I expected to like - I was 144 last time I had the quick body composition test done at the gym - but I've whittled away my body fat and am floating around 21% now. I'd just like to see... you know... what legitimately lifting will do for me. If I can reduce a little further. I'd like to find out.
Lifting will do amazing things for you Keep in mind that you're very likely going to see a scale increase at the beginning, it's pretty much inevitable due to the water retention from starting a new program, but it does eventually even itself out, provided you keep eating at a deficit.
Also, from experience (this doesn't happen to everyone but it sure did to me), the heavier the weights get, the more ravenous I get, especially on deadlift days, so keep a tight track on your calorie intake while you're lifting.
ETA: I deal with my hunger by eating a LOT of protein, a decent amount of fat, and LOTS of veggies (more fiber=more satiety), and I always leave room for a serving of ice cream or similar at the end of the day so I don't go nuts. :bigsmile:0 -
Lifting will do amazing things for you Keep in mind that you're very likely going to see a scale increase at the beginning, it's pretty much inevitable due to the water retention from starting a new program, but it does eventually even itself out, provided you keep eating at a deficit.
Also, from experience (this doesn't happen to everyone but it sure did to me), the heavier the weights get, the more ravenous I get, especially on deadlift days, so keep a tight track on your calorie intake while you're lifting.
ETA: I deal with my hunger by eating a LOT of protein, a decent amount of fat, and LOTS of veggies (more fiber=more satiety), and I always leave room for a serving of ice cream or similar at the end of the day so I don't go nuts. :bigsmile:
Okay. I'll give it at least a month before I freak out and start to drop calories. Thank you.
Your ice cream at the end of the day is my oatmeal cream pie ... often for breakfast. LOL.0 -
Also, from experience (this doesn't happen to everyone but it sure did to me), the heavier the weights get, the more ravenous I get, especially on deadlift days, so keep a tight track on your calorie intake while you're lifting.
i love this :laugh: my most habitual workout place is half a mile from the grocery store and atm i'm usually lifting in mid-afternoon, so i can go over and pick up whatever dinner will be when i'm done. since sl entered my life, that grocery trip can get pretty ugly to watch.
i'm maintaining my recent pattern of biking ~15 miles a day too, so lately i've been made aware that my system needs more than it's getting from me. experimenting with taking a handful of trail mix with me to the gym, and inhaling it the moment i'm out of the place, before i get back on my bike.
this thread in general is very reassuring, and i'm glad to see it. i was starting to think i must be medically weird, even though i'm probably stronger than i've ever been - and i never thought i was weak to begin with. i'm in around my 4th week of sl (4th month since first touching a weight), and only just getting comfortable with the bare bar for ohp and bp.
for squats 75lb seems to be the absolute highest i can go and still keep my form for 5x5. i've been ducking the barbell rows so i don't have useful numbers (i know). but for dl the most i've done for the full 1x5 was 85 pounds so far. that was too heavy for my form though, so i'm backing up again starting today.
the main thing i'm seeing is that my core needs to get serious if i want to keep this stuff up. so i'm probably going to launch off the crazy core lady's thread and diversify in that direction for a week or so, with less focus on going anywhere further with the sl lifts. feels like the right move, so i'll see what happens.0 -
I did my first workout today. I worked with a trainer a couple of days ago to get my form down. I was really excited to get started with this, but I had to wait until the trainer was available because I am super accident prone, so I didn't want to start without working with him first. And I must say, I loved it! I had more fun in the gym today than I ever have. And yes, I was lifting the empty bar, but I didn't care. And I had to ask to work in, BUT, the guy didn't bite! That's right! It wasn't nearly as scary as I thought it would be! And I felt like a bad S.O.B. when I was doing it.0
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Hello! I started the SL's program in May but got sick and took 20 days off in June. I have done 18 Stronglifts workouts so far and am looking forward to many more.0
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I'm trying to get started! I can deadlift 115lbs, but when I try to squat I get all shaky and can't manage to do one with good form with the empty bar. Like some of you, I'm going to focus on body weight squats and maybe practice with a broomstick so I get used to having my arms at that angle.
I do OHP, bent over rows, and chest press with dumbbells. I could probably manage the empty bar (or even a few pounds over) for the row, but I need to get more comfortable in the barbell section of the gym so I don't feel awkward stacking up plates to raise it to the right height. I might even be able to manage the bench press with the empty bar, but again with the comfort and fear of having to do the roll of shame with the empty bar I am moving slowly up in weight for each of these, so I WILL get to that barbell for everything!
If the squat rack isn't being used, I put the low bars down on the lowest setting and it's about perfect for setting the bar on to do the barbell rows. At least that's what I did until I figured out about bumper weights. I also do the OHP in the squat rack with the higher bars adjusted where they need to be, as long as no one is waiting for it after I do my squats. One of the guys told me that I could move a bench over there to do bench press too if I needed but I've only needed assistance once so I asked one of the guys at rest if he wouldn't mind spotting me on my last set of 5.
Good luck with getting used to the barbell side of the gym!0 -
I'm a newbie as well. Just started on Thursday. I'm excited as it's a change up from my 1 set-10 rep routine that I've been doing for a few months (and seeing gains but felt 5x5 would fit me better). I've started getting together a home gym as the squat rack at my gym is over-populated and I can rarely get in. Eventually will move from gym to home fully and excited about it.
I started with (I have lighter barbell at home but will eventually buy an Olympic one).
Squat 20 kg
Bench 10 kg
row 15 kg
They felt easy but I figured I'd start easy and work my way up so that my form was better - this is the first time I'm really doing barbell squats and I like them. Practiced a lot with bodyweight squats. Looking forward to working with you all!0
