quesion/debate about women weightlifting
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amyrebeccah wrote: »ILiftHeavyAcrylics wrote: »revallyson wrote: »If you want to learn female-led, female-centric weight lifting, I HIGHLY recommend going to http://www.stumptuous.com/ ... She's been lifting for years, used to be quite pudgy, has worked her *kitten* off (literally), and has a wicked sense of humor. She also has lots of exercises listed, how to do them, videos, etc... for free. There's no cost at all... it's basically just her blog. She's my inspiration when I have down moments.
Oooh, thank you! I'm really put off by a lot of the male trainers (~cough~BretContreras~cough~) and their very douchey treatment/discussion of women. I do not want to hear what he thinks makes a woman "look hot." I want to hear about women kicking *kitten* and taking names while they get strong, thank you very much.
I kinda thought I was the only person who felt that way about Bret Contreras. The man may know his stuff but I hate that article of his that always gets posted.
I didn't post it because I was interested in his opinion of who is and isn't hot. I posted it because it happened to reference the exact person she mentioned, and because it discusses weight training for that kind of body type, which was what the OP was interested in. It's not why I train or the body I'm going for, but I'm not the OP.
LOL, don't worry, I thought it was an on topic link for you to post, you weren't tainted by association in my mind.
The article itself just makes me want to slap the man, though. But, then, I'm also not the kind of woman who would fuss over "what if the menz don't like my workout!!?!?!" so, you know....~shrugs~0 -
Weight training is super beneficial - it helps prevent bone loss, muscle burns more calories at rest than fat... the list goes on. You don't need to wait to start, it will only help you towards your goals.
The biggest thing I personally would note from all of this is:
Muscle takes up less space than fat so be sure to take measurements before you start a lifting program so that you can account for body re-composition and not feel defeated if the scale doesn't move at first.
Yes. Take pictures too. This was me when I first started lifting on the left, and a year later starting my first bulk on the right:
Also, regarding how long it takes to build muscle, this should give you an idea. I have lifted an average of 3 times per week for two years, every week but two (I take a week off to go on vacation every year). Most of the progress I saw in terms of muscle building happened while bulking-- during the year I ate at maintenance I just got smaller.
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Women don't bulk up like men do. I have a friend that's been weight lifting for years. She lifts over 185lbs she has an amazing body and I promise she doesn't look like a bulky man. Some women can even out lift men. She did say however that some men can be imitated by women lifting and even look down apon it. I say if you want to try it go for it.! Good luck:)0
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If bulking up "man style" were that easy, every guy on the planet would be jacked. To "bulk" up you're going to have to have some crazy genetics on your side and you would have to eat a surplus of calories and really, you'd have to do some other program beyond New Rules...it's a great beginner program but don't kid yourself into thinking that's a body building program.
Here's how bulky you get lifting heavy things...
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ILiftHeavyAcrylics wrote: »Weight training is super beneficial - it helps prevent bone loss, muscle burns more calories at rest than fat... the list goes on. You don't need to wait to start, it will only help you towards your goals.
The biggest thing I personally would note from all of this is:
Muscle takes up less space than fat so be sure to take measurements before you start a lifting program so that you can account for body re-composition and not feel defeated if the scale doesn't move at first.
Yes. Take pictures too. This was me when I first started lifting on the left, and a year later starting my first bulk on the right:
Also, regarding how long it takes to build muscle, this should give you an idea. I have lifted an average of 3 times per week for two years, every week but two (I take a week off to go on vacation every year). Most of the progress I saw in terms of muscle building happened while bulking-- during the year I ate at maintenance I just got smaller.
Show off. You've probably never eaten a cupcake or ice cream a day in your life.
*glances at profile pic*
Nope. Not even once.
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this article sums it up.
http://www.ncscooper.com/local-woman-quits-gym-for-fear-shell-look-like-starla/0 -
I know what you mean. Some fitness girls look too heavy in the arms. Just don't lift heavy with arms shoulders and chest exercises. If you want a feminine look lift heavy with leg, butt, back exercises only. Don't forget your abs and you won't need weights for those.0
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ILiftHeavyAcrylics wrote: »ILiftHeavyAcrylics wrote: »Weight training is super beneficial - it helps prevent bone loss, muscle burns more calories at rest than fat... the list goes on. You don't need to wait to start, it will only help you towards your goals.
The biggest thing I personally would note from all of this is:
Muscle takes up less space than fat so be sure to take measurements before you start a lifting program so that you can account for body re-composition and not feel defeated if the scale doesn't move at first.
Yes. Take pictures too. This was me when I first started lifting on the left, and a year later starting my first bulk on the right:
Also, regarding how long it takes to build muscle, this should give you an idea. I have lifted an average of 3 times per week for two years, every week but two (I take a week off to go on vacation every year). Most of the progress I saw in terms of muscle building happened while bulking-- during the year I ate at maintenance I just got smaller.
Show off. You've probably never eaten a cupcake or ice cream a day in your life.
*glances at profile pic*
Nope. Not even once.
Is that Mr.M on that cupcake?0 -
ILiftHeavyAcrylics wrote: »ILiftHeavyAcrylics wrote: »Weight training is super beneficial - it helps prevent bone loss, muscle burns more calories at rest than fat... the list goes on. You don't need to wait to start, it will only help you towards your goals.
The biggest thing I personally would note from all of this is:
Muscle takes up less space than fat so be sure to take measurements before you start a lifting program so that you can account for body re-composition and not feel defeated if the scale doesn't move at first.
Yes. Take pictures too. This was me when I first started lifting on the left, and a year later starting my first bulk on the right:
Also, regarding how long it takes to build muscle, this should give you an idea. I have lifted an average of 3 times per week for two years, every week but two (I take a week off to go on vacation every year). Most of the progress I saw in terms of muscle building happened while bulking-- during the year I ate at maintenance I just got smaller.
Show off. You've probably never eaten a cupcake or ice cream a day in your life.
*glances at profile pic*
Nope. Not even once.
Is that Mr.M on that cupcake?
CheekyILiftHeavyAcrylics wrote: »ILiftHeavyAcrylics wrote: »ILiftHeavyAcrylics wrote: »Weight training is super beneficial - it helps prevent bone loss, muscle burns more calories at rest than fat... the list goes on. You don't need to wait to start, it will only help you towards your goals.
The biggest thing I personally would note from all of this is:
Muscle takes up less space than fat so be sure to take measurements before you start a lifting program so that you can account for body re-composition and not feel defeated if the scale doesn't move at first.
Yes. Take pictures too. This was me when I first started lifting on the left, and a year later starting my first bulk on the right:
Also, regarding how long it takes to build muscle, this should give you an idea. I have lifted an average of 3 times per week for two years, every week but two (I take a week off to go on vacation every year). Most of the progress I saw in terms of muscle building happened while bulking-- during the year I ate at maintenance I just got smaller.
Show off. You've probably never eaten a cupcake or ice cream a day in your life.
*glances at profile pic*
Nope. Not even once.
Is that Mr.M on that cupcake?
:laugh:
No but I should totally make a Leo the Chihuahua cupcake.
It's a red panda. I was experimenting with fondant.
We would literally drive down there to pick it up.
If we do a meet-up this summer I'll see what I can do. 0 -
Lift before you lose the weight! I cannot stress the amazingness that happens when you lift in a deficit. Trust me, no one has ever used the word "bulky" to describe me.0
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ILiftHeavyAcrylics wrote: »Ooooh, please do a cupcake with my pretty dog, too! I kind of think I should make her my profile as well, not to still Mr. M's thunder, but because if I'm going to be such a b!tch, I might as well have a profile pic of a b!tch....
Aww she is gorgeous. Cavalier King Charles? That's going to be my next dog breed (don't tell the pugs).
But now I feel bad for derailing OP's thread.
Good call, Charlotte is, indeed, a CKC spaniel. Totally true-to-breed personality wise. In other words, expert at beseeching looks, cuddles, and extracting treats and belly rubs from total strangers.0 -
revallyson wrote: »If you want to learn female-led, female-centric weight lifting, I HIGHLY recommend going to http://www.stumptuous.com/ ... She's been lifting for years, used to be quite pudgy, has worked her *kitten* off (literally), and has a wicked sense of humor. She also has lots of exercises listed, how to do them, videos, etc... for free. There's no cost at all... it's basically just her blog. She's my inspiration when I have down moments.
Oooh, thank you! I'm really put off by a lot of the male trainers (~cough~BretContreras~cough~) and their very douchey treatment/discussion of women. I do not want to hear what he thinks makes a woman "look hot." I want to hear about women kicking *kitten* and taking names while they get strong, thank you very much.
I find him annoying for that reason too. I lift to be badass. Looking hot is a side effect.
That "Venus Factor" annoys me too.0 -
OK, TRUTH time. Some women CAN naturally put on muscle relatively easily, so I get annoyed when people make broad generalizations and say it's universally impossible to be a "bulky" female. It happens! Building muscle is not that hard for everyone. Some women's bodies are more responsive to lifting than others. It's a spectrum, everyone responds differently, easier for some than others. But you don't know until you try!
That said, this shouldn't scare you away from lifting. As everyone is saying, NO you won't look like competitive bodybuilder without considerable effort no matter what your body type, male or female. It won't happen by accident. And chances are pretty high that you are NOT the type that puts on muscle easily anyway. So lift away! If you notice muscle is building easily, consider yourself blessed! You won't have to work very hard to maintain it, and if you start to get too big in an area you want to keep small, just moderate your loads/reps a bit on any exercises that target that area. Like I said though, you probably won't even have to worry about that, I'm just throwing that out there, in case it does happen to you, so you won't feel like a freak ("I'm starting to look like Xena, but everyone on MFP says I can't get bulky! What's wrong with me?")
You can definitely start lifting before all the weight comes off, it can only serve to benefit your weight loss goals, since it will help you preserve muscle mass and BMR as your weight drops. However, keep in mind that you still need to eat in a deficit or you may end up adding some muscle under the fat that you have left to lose, which might make you feel a bit larger. That muscle-under-fat scenario can be mistaken for "bulk" as well.
No one is saying women cannot get bulky. It can happen and it takes years upon years. It takes year for men to do it as well. No one is making broad generalizations that it's a slower process for women. It's science. Free testosterone plays a big role in that. No one is going to go start lifting weight and in 3 months be bulky because they put on so much muscle.
Building muscle isn't easy. It isn't supposed to be easy. Your body wants to maintain and you are forcing it to change with proper nutrition, caloric surplus and proper training. Proper training as is tension overload.
Many times people say bulky and to them looking bulky might mean something different than it will to someone else but in this case the OP specifically said "female bodybuilders". The bodybuilders have put years into it, natural and some not natural. No one wakes up looking like the Hulk by mistake.
^Yep. No one "accidentally" gets bulky.0 -
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OP - sounds like you have already gotten great advice..
I would say yes, start lifting heavy now, and find a structured program like strong lifts, starting strength, new rules of lifting for woman, etc and stick to it.
Do you know your current body fat%? If it is above 22% then you may want to get to 18 to 22% or under when bulking, which I believe - peeps correct me if wrong here - is the rage for females to start bulking…< that would be my only addition ...0 -
Well, technically he wakes up looking like Bruce Banner. Then he goes to the gym and someone is curling in the squat and then, we'll we all know what happens next.CaffeinatedConfectionist wrote: »
Unless Bruce had a bad dream which made him angry...0 -
No one is saying women cannot get bulky. It can happen and it takes years upon years. It takes year for men to do it as well. No one is making broad generalizations that it's a slower process for women. It's science. Free testosterone plays a big role in that. No one is going to go start lifting weight and in 3 months be bulky because they put on so much muscle.
Building muscle isn't easy. It isn't supposed to be easy. Your body wants to maintain and you are forcing it to change with proper nutrition, caloric surplus and proper training. Proper training as is tension overload.
Many times people say bulky and to them looking bulky might mean something different than it will to someone else but in this case the OP specifically said "female bodybuilders". The bodybuilders have put years into it, natural and some not natural. No one wakes up looking like the Hulk by mistake.
With all due respect, I think your comments regarding testosterone may not be entirely accurate. While it's true women have less free testosterone in our bloodstreams, we are far more responsive to the testosterone that we do have. Also, it may not play the same role in the female body in terms of muscle growth as it does in the male body.
Muscle growth is unfortunately not as well studied in females as in males, but there is actually some evidence that women put on muscle just as fast as men. It's science! Here's one example:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11890579?dopt=Abstract
Our frames are generally smaller than men, so in terms of scale, we are not going to look like a dude even with a lot muscle. But it's unlikely that it's harder or slower for females to build muscle if we put in the same effort as men. But like I said, some are more responsive than others. It will take years for some, months for others to see big changes in their bodies, and it depends on your starting point as well. Genetics/diet/training all play a role in rate at which you gain muscle.
Anyway, just wanted to clear up the "science". My point was, gender does not necessarily preclude you from being able to look more muscular (aka "bulky"-if that's how she defined it) than OP would like.
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