What kind of progress did you see in the first 4 months?
VeryKatie
Posts: 5,963 Member
Hello all!
I'm just curious as to what kind of visible progress you saw while doing Stronglifts in your first 4 months. Were you eating at a deficit, maintenance, or bulking? I suppose I'm asking for physical appearance rather than your strength number (weight) gains. Although that would be nice to know too!
For example, did you notice your arms looking more defined? Or your back getting down right awesome and muscular? Perkier bum? I'm wondering since people always say women gain muscle slowly, you know? And also I might be getting a wedding dress fitted in 4 months haha.
Thanks
I'm just curious as to what kind of visible progress you saw while doing Stronglifts in your first 4 months. Were you eating at a deficit, maintenance, or bulking? I suppose I'm asking for physical appearance rather than your strength number (weight) gains. Although that would be nice to know too!
For example, did you notice your arms looking more defined? Or your back getting down right awesome and muscular? Perkier bum? I'm wondering since people always say women gain muscle slowly, you know? And also I might be getting a wedding dress fitted in 4 months haha.
Thanks
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I'm only 3 months in but have been pretty consistent with workouts. I try to stick to a deficit but sometimes I eat more without logging because I like food. I need to get more serious about that! Anyway, I'm interested to hear from some of the veterans of SL, too. I have lost 1.5 inch over all and negligible weight. My arms got more defined within a few weeks but I used to have very developed shoulders and biceps pre-preg from a physically demanding job with lots of lifting. Maybe my arm muscles were happy to get some work, lol. As I was doing 5x5 last night and looking in the mirror I realized that I'm starting to like what I'm seeing. I'm starting to see some definition in my legs and I feel/look a bit tighter overall. Maybe in another month I will be even happier. Hope you get that wedding dress fitting!0
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I was eating at a deficit for the first few months of SL. (Still am at the moment.) I feel like I leaned out, but I think pictures speak louder than words. My measurements didn't change much, but I think in my comparison pictures I look a smidge leaner. The main changes I noticed: stronger, a perkier bum, a bit more quad definition, and a slightly flatter stomach.
For stronger: I went from squatting around 85-95, to current of 150. (I got up to 175, but I had to deload to work on my form. I had a few form issues that I didn't realize until I participated in a weight lifting event. My bench has gone from 65 to 105-110. My OHP has gone from 60 to 95. My row has gone from 60 to 115. My deads have gone from 150 to 195.
I have some pics that may or may not be safe for work. I'm in a swim suit or boy shorts w/ a sports bra. I'm including them, if you'd like to see though.
Pictures below.
Front comparison (August 23-December 20-ish) (started SL end of Sept.)
Side to side - I feel like my stomach slimmed down and my bum got a bit perkier.
Stomach comparison
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I was eating around maintenance when I started this past summer. I've transitioned to a small deficit (most days). Some physical differences is that I look more muscular. Stomach, arms, quads, back, and butt have more definition. My shoulders and butt take up more room in my clothing.
Your wedding dress fit will depend on the cut of it and how your body adapts to your lifting and eating program. If you're eating at maintenance, changes in fit will be slight. If you're eating at a deficit, you'll likely just lose fat and retain most of your muscle.0 -
I started the program in mid-August, but couldn't do squats until 5-6 weeks later. I have lost 17 pounds, ~10 inches overall. However, I don't *see* any changes and my clothes fit exactly the same. I do have a significant amount to lose, so I think seeing the changes will just take more time. I am eating at a deficit.
Not posting this to be a downer or discouraging. Just my experience.
On the other hand, weights for my lifts have progressed nicely. Most include voluntary deloads for form and futzing around.
From mid-August to this week:
Squats - 45 (started late-Sept) -> 115/120
Bench - 50 -> 72.5 (after deload from 82.5)
Row - 45 -> 75 (after deload from 95)
OHP - 20 -> 40 (after deload from 47.5)
Deadlifts - 65 -> 1700 -
I'm only on week 9 of SL right now but I started back in November. So far I've lost just over 10 lbs since then as I'm lifting while in a deficit. I don't see too much difference physically, but part of the factor is it can be hard for some to notice their own changes. Other people have noticed, however. I've even had my boss call me to see if I wanted to order a smaller work shirt. Though, I do notice a little in arms but I have a long way to do in stomach and such.
But lifting numbers wise: 45 - 140 squat
30 bar practice to 175 deadlift (near body weight)
45 to 85 bench
40 to 60 OHP.
row went different routes but i'm now to 950 -
This is my progress shot on my arms, Aug 7 to Dec 7th. So 4 months exactly.
I was also losing weight at this time at a steady rate of 1lb/weekly so that is obviously increasing muscle visibility as well.
Everything has become more defined - I almost have abs (I still carry a lot of fat there). I have nice calves. There is some definition in my quads. My butt is nicer looking for sure. You'll have to just take my word on that one.
Recently hubby pulled up pics from our honeymoon (pink tank top). I was same weight as the latest bikini photos, but clearly have a higher body fat. I attached a picture with my arm out that really illustrates that - my arm is obviously flabbier, my shoulders are round and soft and lack definition. However I am the same weight in that honeymoon photo as in the Dec 7 photo (green bikini).
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