Females only - lifting/weight training results?

I've always been muscular, but before I would exercise to lose weight and the muscles would show up and look nice. Now that I work the muscles to get them stronger and lift heavy you can tell a huge difference. Personally, I love it.

The stomach has always been my biggest struggle, and it's still major work in process. This is the first picture I've posted of it lol

**Motivation is always great. but keep in mind that in order to see the results you want to see, you will need to first lower your body fat percentage. Lifting weights is fine and good to get stronger and it's supposed to be good for your bones, but most people suggest waiting until you reach your goal body fat percentage before trying to build muscle. Unless you're morbidly obese, I hear it's next to impossible to build muscle and lose weight at the same time. Building muscle is difficult for women because they have significantly less testosterone than men, but it can still be done. Best of luck to all the women weight trainers out there!**

I want to get stronger too but I still have some more weight to lose. I'm close to my first goal (when I'll finally not be considered overweight for my height and build) but I want to get even lower so I have a low enough body fat percentage to actually see the muscles I'll be building.

show previous quotes

Motivation is always great. but keep in mind that in order to see the results you want to see, you will need to first lower your body fat percentage. Lifting weights is fine and good to get stronger and it's supposed to be good for your bones, but most people suggest waiting until you reach your goal body fat percentage before trying to build muscle. Unless you're morbidly obese, I hear it's next to impossible to build muscle and lose weight at the same time. Building muscle is difficult for women because they have significantly less testosterone than men, but it can still be done. Best of luck to all the women weight trainers out there!

I want to get stronger too but I still have some more weight to lose. I'm close to my first goal (when I'll finally not be considered overweight for my height and build) but I want to get even lower so I have a low enough body fat percentage to actually see the muscles I'll be building.

Annnnd this is silly. Lifting as you lose weight will help you retain the muscle you have, help you become stronger, and improve your fitness. More than that you can certainly do it while lowering your bodyfat and seeing great results. I will demonstrate with a tasteful photo collage (I spend a lot of time playing on my phone...)





There is no reason not to lift as you lose weight.

I don't think that is what they are saying.

They're saying "Lifting weights is fine and good to get stronger and it's supposed to be good for your bones, but most people suggest waiting until you reach your goal body fat percentage before trying to build muscle".

In other words, lift while you cut for strength and bone health (and to preserve muscle - they left that part out). Wait to build muscle, i.e. bulk until you get to low %BF. Which is the general recommendation so your gains are more LBM, less fat.

Actually, if you're a newbie you can definitely do both, and why wouldn't you want to.

I've been lifting for over a year now. Started June 2013 after my 6 week postpartum check up after having my second baby. Erm, started out at 170 lbs at 5'3.5".








For those afraid to be all bulky and things lol:



I ended at 115 lbs before I started bulking in mid February. I've only gained 6 lbs but this made me super happy



Sorry for the spam this has truly been the best thing I have done fitness-wise in my entire life. Weightlifting means the world to me. I feel like a badass and I hope to do it forever. I've learned and have grown so much from patience under the barbell.

Love all you lifting ladies! Keep being incredible. And for those scared to start, don't be just do it!