Want to start lifting yesterday

Th3Ph03n1x
Th3Ph03n1x Posts: 275 Member
edited November 11 in Fitness and Exercise
Hubby is resistant to the idea. He is afraid I will hurt myself and wants me to do Yoga or Tai chi or something to increase flexibility first.

If there any articles you guys can point me to to ease his mind? I know lifting will help me achieve my goal better than any other exercise.
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Replies

  • AliceDark
    AliceDark Posts: 3,886 Member
    I'm afraid I can't think of any articles that discuss lifting safety and women, but here are the two things that come to mind:

    http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

    http://www.niashanks.com/
  • Th3Ph03n1x
    Th3Ph03n1x Posts: 275 Member
    AliceDark wrote: »
    I'm afraid I can't think of any articles that discuss lifting safety and women, but here are the two things that come to mind:

    http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

    http://www.niashanks.com/

    Thanks I appreciate it... it's not because I'm female he's worried though. It's because I'm out of shape. i told him I'd start at a low weight but still...
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    First of all, you are going to start out so light, there is a miniscule chance you are going to hurt yourself. Women tend to go much lighter than they can actually lift, whereas men tend to try to overdo it thinking (or wanting to think) they can handle more than they can. You aren't going to immediately try lifting 100 lbs. You are likely going to start at 40 pounds or less and learn form, then add 5 pounds every week. But it is not you that needs convincing..... The book New Rules of Lifting for Women touches on this but I don't know if that kind of info is out in an article anywhere, I will look.
  • knittnponder
    knittnponder Posts: 1,953 Member
    edited January 2015
    My own anecdotal experience is that I am more flexible because I lift. I used to do Taekwondo where we stretched during every workout but I still had very poor hip flexibility. I haven't done TKD for a few years but I've been lifting for just over a year and I'm very lazy about stretching. My hip flexibility has improved so much that I can get in a full squat now and can even push my knees out with my elbows in that position. (*kitten* to grass as they say) I credit the squats and other weight lifting exercises.

    Here's a link to an article I found though: http://breakingmuscle.com/mobility-recovery/can-lifting-weights-make-you-flexible

    And here's a WebMD article: http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/news/20100604/resistance-training-improves-flexibility-too

    ETA: They may be citing the same study in both articles.
  • Th3Ph03n1x
    Th3Ph03n1x Posts: 275 Member
    knittnponder wrote: »
    My own anecdotal experience is that I am more flexible because I lift. I used to do Taekwondo where we stretched during every workout but I still had very poor hip flexibility. I haven't done TKD for a few years but I've been lifting for just over a year and I'm very lazy about stretching. My hip flexibility has improved so much that I can get in a full squat now and can even push my knees out with my elbows in that position. (*kitten* to grass as they say) I credit the squats and other weight lifting exercises.

    Here's a link to an article I found though: http://breakingmuscle.com/mobility-recovery/can-lifting-weights-make-you-flexible

    And here's a WebMD article: http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/news/20100604/resistance-training-improves-flexibility-too

    ETA: They may be citing the same study in both articles.

    Awesome much appreciated
  • Th3Ph03n1x
    Th3Ph03n1x Posts: 275 Member
    deksgrl wrote: »
    First of all, you are going to start out so light, there is a miniscule chance you are going to hurt yourself. Women tend to go much lighter than they can actually lift, whereas men tend to try to overdo it thinking (or wanting to think) they can handle more than they can. You aren't going to immediately try lifting 100 lbs. You are likely going to start at 40 pounds or less and learn form, then add 5 pounds every week. But it is not you that needs convincing..... The book New Rules of Lifting for Women touches on this but I don't know if that kind of info is out in an article anywhere, I will look.

    I know he just doesn't believe me sometimes unless I show him. Lovely kitty btw
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    http://weighttraining.about.com/od/techniquesandstrategies/a/safelifts.htm
  • AllanMisner
    AllanMisner Posts: 4,140 Member
    It might seem counter-intuitive, but I’ve hurt myself worse doing yoga than lifting. However, why just focus on one dimension of fitness? Strength, flexibility, balance, speed, agility, endurance, and recovery are all parts of the game of life. Make all of it part of your training to have a better life.
  • Th3Ph03n1x
    Th3Ph03n1x Posts: 275 Member
    AllanMisner wrote: »
    It might seem counter-intuitive, but I’ve hurt myself worse doing yoga than lifting. However, why just focus on one dimension of fitness? Strength, flexibility, balance, speed, agility, endurance, and recovery are all parts of the game of life. Make all of it part of your training to have a better life.

    My ultimate plan is three days lifting 2 days of cardio and one day of Tai Chi, Yoga or something similar then a rest day or possibly even three one and one... BUT I don't want to jump into it all at once and be overwhelmed. I was thinking I'd do one thing for a month then add in another. I feel like lifting will go farthest towards the result I want so that is where I want to start.
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    Is it imperative that you have his approval of your plan?
  • JessaLee0324
    JessaLee0324 Posts: 118 Member
    deksgrl wrote: »
    Is it imperative that you have his approval of your plan?

    I was wondering the same thing.
  • Th3Ph03n1x
    Th3Ph03n1x Posts: 275 Member
    deksgrl wrote: »
    Is it imperative that you have his approval of your plan?

    No in the end I'll do what I want to do but if I can get him to understand why I want to do it this way it will save aggravation because the topic will come up off and on until he's convinced. We're both pretty stubborn.
  • AllanMisner
    AllanMisner Posts: 4,140 Member
    Th3Ph03n1x wrote: »
    AllanMisner wrote: »
    It might seem counter-intuitive, but I’ve hurt myself worse doing yoga than lifting. However, why just focus on one dimension of fitness? Strength, flexibility, balance, speed, agility, endurance, and recovery are all parts of the game of life. Make all of it part of your training to have a better life.

    My ultimate plan is three days lifting 2 days of cardio and one day of Tai Chi, Yoga or something similar then a rest day or possibly even three one and one... BUT I don't want to jump into it all at once and be overwhelmed. I was thinking I'd do one thing for a month then add in another. I feel like lifting will go farthest towards the result I want so that is where I want to start.

    Those sound AWESOME!!!!! Why not ease into each of them at the same time? Your plan is sound, your mind is right, go forth and make yourself the best you can be.
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    Th3Ph03n1x wrote: »
    deksgrl wrote: »
    Is it imperative that you have his approval of your plan?

    No in the end I'll do what I want to do but if I can get him to understand why I want to do it this way it will save aggravation because the topic will come up off and on until he's convinced. We're both pretty stubborn.

    My SO was skeptical too at first. He didn't understand why I wanted to do it and believed all of the myths about women lifting. But, he supported my decision and helped me put together a home gym and even went and found all of his old equipment from years ago. So between the stuff I bought used and his stuff, I have weights out the ying yang. Now he is glad I'm lifting, for many reasons. ;) Just tell him your sex life will get better and he'll be on board. lol!

  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    deksgrl wrote: »
    Is it imperative that you have his approval of your plan?

    This... just do you.
  • Th3Ph03n1x
    Th3Ph03n1x Posts: 275 Member
    AllanMisner wrote: »
    Th3Ph03n1x wrote: »
    AllanMisner wrote: »
    It might seem counter-intuitive, but I’ve hurt myself worse doing yoga than lifting. However, why just focus on one dimension of fitness? Strength, flexibility, balance, speed, agility, endurance, and recovery are all parts of the game of life. Make all of it part of your training to have a better life.

    My ultimate plan is three days lifting 2 days of cardio and one day of Tai Chi, Yoga or something similar then a rest day or possibly even three one and one... BUT I don't want to jump into it all at once and be overwhelmed. I was thinking I'd do one thing for a month then add in another. I feel like lifting will go farthest towards the result I want so that is where I want to start.

    Those sound AWESOME!!!!! Why not ease into each of them at the same time? Your plan is sound, your mind is right, go forth and make yourself the best you can be.

    That might be a good idea actually. I'll have to mull over it this weekend. I'm starting something Monday.... thanks for the suggestion.
  • Th3Ph03n1x
    Th3Ph03n1x Posts: 275 Member
    deksgrl wrote: »
    Th3Ph03n1x wrote: »
    deksgrl wrote: »
    Is it imperative that you have his approval of your plan?

    No in the end I'll do what I want to do but if I can get him to understand why I want to do it this way it will save aggravation because the topic will come up off and on until he's convinced. We're both pretty stubborn.

    My SO was skeptical too at first. He didn't understand why I wanted to do it and believed all of the myths about women lifting. But, he supported my decision and helped me put together a home gym and even went and found all of his old equipment from years ago. So between the stuff I bought used and his stuff, I have weights out the ying yang. Now he is glad I'm lifting, for many reasons. ;) Just tell him your sex life will get better and he'll be on board. lol!

    LOL I'll show him the pictures from the first link AliceDark provided too. I think that will go a long way.
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    You mean he is afraid of you getting stronger than him.
  • Th3Ph03n1x
    Th3Ph03n1x Posts: 275 Member
    yopeeps025 wrote: »
    You mean he is afraid of you getting stronger than him.

    I don't think so. I know him well enough I'd wager if he gets worried about that he'll just start lifting again (he's lifted before but it's been awhile) with me. Of course the way he is if it did happen I wouldn't be surprised if he wore it like a badge of honor.
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    edited January 2015
    Th3Ph03n1x wrote: »
    yopeeps025 wrote: »
    You mean he is afraid of you getting stronger than him.

    I don't think so. I know him well enough I'd wager if he gets worried about that he'll just start lifting again (he's lifted before but it's been awhile) with me. Of course the way he is if it did happen I wouldn't be surprised if he wore it like a badge of honor.
    Ok so DH used to lift and does not want OP to lift for safety reasons. Sounds like he can easily show you how to lift. He wants his wife to be nice and weak and oh yeah bendable. :lol: There is something wrong with all of this.
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    Both of you should download the Stronglifts 5X5 app and follow it. You can find it on the stronglifts website. It walks you through and slowly up your weight. I love it.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    get the book New Rules of Lifting for Women, lift like a man, look like a goddess. or starting strength
  • AmandaHugginkiss
    AmandaHugginkiss Posts: 486 Member
    Go to a landscaping store and get yourself a couple rocks or boulders ranging from 40 pounds to 100 pounds. Pick them up and carry them around the yard and tell him you're "gardening."

    Or get Strong Curves and show him pics of all the women's *kitten* on Bret Contreras' website. There are so many resources out there for lifting and form. I recommend Bret Contreras and Mark Rippetoe. Those guys know what they're talking about, particularly Mark Rippetoe when it comes to proper form.
  • Sumiblue
    Sumiblue Posts: 1,597 Member
    Stronglifts is great! Weight bearing exercise is important for women because of osteoporosis. lift weights properly to get strong so you won't hurt yourself. For most of the 5x5 exercises I started with just the bar (45lbs) but for overhead press I had to start with 30lb. & work my way up. I've been doing this since October and OHP is my weakest lift but I did a set at 60lbs. & deadlift 120 currently. New Rules of Weight Lifting is also awesome, as recommended by previous posters. There is a lot of info in that book on proper form. Just don't rush it, it's not a race. Take proper rest days and eat and you will be fine!
  • tiffanylacourse
    tiffanylacourse Posts: 2,986 Member
    I would say to try StrongLifts 5x5. I'm getting ready to start it and I am WAYYY out of shape. It starts out at very low weights and progresses at your pace, with de-loads when necessary.
  • Th3Ph03n1x
    Th3Ph03n1x Posts: 275 Member
    quiksylver296 wrote: »
    Both of you should download the Stronglifts 5X5 app and follow it. You can find it on the stronglifts website. It walks you through and slowly up your weight. I love it.

    I've already downloaded the app. I am so pumped about this I can't hardly stand it. I think I'm just going to split between it and what he wants and maybe he'll settle down because compromise.
  • Th3Ph03n1x
    Th3Ph03n1x Posts: 275 Member
    AmandaHugginkiss wrote: »
    Go to a landscaping store and get yourself a couple rocks or boulders ranging from 40 pounds to 100 pounds. Pick them up and carry them around the yard and tell him you're "gardening."

    Or get Strong Curves and show him pics of all the women's *kitten* on Bret Contreras' website. There are so many resources out there for lifting and form. I recommend Bret Contreras and Mark Rippetoe. Those guys know what they're talking about, particularly Mark Rippetoe when it comes to proper form.

    I actually have Strong Curves and I've browsed it a little. Some of the things the author talks about in the intro really struck home with me. I think I want to start with Stronglifts though because it's so simple to follow and do Strong curves later.
  • Th3Ph03n1x
    Th3Ph03n1x Posts: 275 Member
    yopeeps025 wrote: »
    Th3Ph03n1x wrote: »
    yopeeps025 wrote: »
    You mean he is afraid of you getting stronger than him.

    I don't think so. I know him well enough I'd wager if he gets worried about that he'll just start lifting again (he's lifted before but it's been awhile) with me. Of course the way he is if it did happen I wouldn't be surprised if he wore it like a badge of honor.
    Ok so DH used to lift and does not want OP to lift for safety reasons. Sounds like he can easily show you how to lift. He wants his wife to be nice and weak and oh yeah bendable. :lol: There is something wrong with all of this.
    yopeeps025 wrote: »
    Th3Ph03n1x wrote: »
    yopeeps025 wrote: »
    You mean he is afraid of you getting stronger than him.

    I don't think so. I know him well enough I'd wager if he gets worried about that he'll just start lifting again (he's lifted before but it's been awhile) with me. Of course the way he is if it did happen I wouldn't be surprised if he wore it like a badge of honor.
    Ok so DH used to lift and does not want OP to lift for safety reasons. Sounds like he can easily show you how to lift. He wants his wife to be nice and weak and oh yeah bendable. :lol: There is something wrong with all of this.

    No that's not it...lol. The second part plays into it I'm sure but not the first. He's knows me well enough to know if I want to do it I'm going to do it. He has shown me some stuff. He's helped me find my max on the bench and choose a starting weight for reps but he operates on outdated info. What he "knows" from way back when and what I have learned reading from now are worlds apart.
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member

    yopeeps025 wrote: »
    Th3Ph03n1x wrote: »
    yopeeps025 wrote: »
    You mean he is afraid of you getting stronger than him.

    I don't think so. I know him well enough I'd wager if he gets worried about that he'll just start lifting again (he's lifted before but it's been awhile) with me. Of course the way he is if it did happen I wouldn't be surprised if he wore it like a badge of honor.
    Ok so DH used to lift and does not want OP to lift for safety reasons. Sounds like he can easily show you how to lift. He wants his wife to be nice and weak and oh yeah bendable. :lol: There is something wrong with all of this.

    No that's not it...lol. The second part plays into it I'm sure but not the first. He's knows me well enough to know if I want to do it I'm going to do it. He has shown me some stuff. He's helped me find my max on the bench and choose a starting weight for reps but he operates on outdated info. What he "knows" from way back when and what I have learned reading from now are worlds apart. [/quote]

    so he on that you are going to get bulky crap? Yeah that is some outdated stuff.

  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    Th3Ph03n1x wrote: »
    yopeeps025 wrote: »
    Th3Ph03n1x wrote: »
    yopeeps025 wrote: »
    You mean he is afraid of you getting stronger than him.

    I don't think so. I know him well enough I'd wager if he gets worried about that he'll just start lifting again (he's lifted before but it's been awhile) with me. Of course the way he is if it did happen I wouldn't be surprised if he wore it like a badge of honor.
    Ok so DH used to lift and does not want OP to lift for safety reasons. Sounds like he can easily show you how to lift. He wants his wife to be nice and weak and oh yeah bendable. :lol: There is something wrong with all of this.
    yopeeps025 wrote: »
    Th3Ph03n1x wrote: »
    yopeeps025 wrote: »
    You mean he is afraid of you getting stronger than him.

    I don't think so. I know him well enough I'd wager if he gets worried about that he'll just start lifting again (he's lifted before but it's been awhile) with me. Of course the way he is if it did happen I wouldn't be surprised if he wore it like a badge of honor.
    Ok so DH used to lift and does not want OP to lift for safety reasons. Sounds like he can easily show you how to lift. He wants his wife to be nice and weak and oh yeah bendable. :lol: There is something wrong with all of this.

    No that's not it...lol. The second part plays into it I'm sure but not the first. He's knows me well enough to know if I want to do it I'm going to do it. He has shown me some stuff. He's helped me find my max on the bench and choose a starting weight for reps but he operates on outdated info. What he "knows" from way back when and what I have learned reading from now are worlds apart.

    Yeah, I know what you mean. I learned to just not argue with him, I agreed with everything he said, and did things the way I was learning it anyway. And now it's fine. I tell him hey, I deadlifted 120# today 5 x 5 and he says wow, that's great, I'm so glad you found something you like and are sticking to.

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