Things you notice after weight/strength training

Psysix
Psysix Posts: 53 Member
edited February 2016 in Fitness and Exercise
I've been weight training for a couple months now and I've noticed my balence has improved quite a bit. Also, I have more energy. What are some of the things you've noticed after strength training? How long have you been training? What is your routine?
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Replies

  • mrp56839
    mrp56839 Posts: 159 Member
    Definately more confidence. I feel pretty badass some days.
    How my body moves...everything turns into a squat!
    Imbalances between my right and left sides are more noticeable.
    Yes, to more energy and better overall balance as well.
    I chase the burn now. It's like a craving and the best stress relief.

    Twice a week since mid Oct. My routine is whatever my PT tells me to do that day. He writes it in my book and I have no desire to run my own show right now. Lol given my progress in such a short time, I think he knows what he's doing.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    What I notice is that I can do things I used to not be able to do: get into the truck, climb the steps, climb hills, bend over, lift things over my head, etc etc. And yes, I love to squat because when I started I could only do a wall squat half way down. Now I can do a full squat with a good amount of weight, (but not an amount that would impress anyone here).
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    I'm stronger. I look better. I have NICE arms. I weigh more than what I look like I do.

    I train in the power/strength range twice per week and the hypertrophy range twice per week, split into a 4 day upper and lower program
  • CarlydogsMom
    CarlydogsMom Posts: 645 Member
    Many of the above, but one of the most enlightening, freeing things that happened when I started lifting is the lack of concern about the fluctuations in my scale weight. I watch trends, but now know that fluctuations within a 5-pound range ARE OK and I don't need to FREAK OUT. I watch trends, but now I have moved from having a goal of a certain weight to having goals of strength, flexibility, stamina, and balance. It's been a delight to give up the obsession with staying at the same scale weight.

    I also quit obsessing about eating low(er) carb. Used to really try to minimize carbs, but now I know how important they are for anaerobic exercises like weight lifting, and for energy for things like bike riding. I continue to focus on getting my protein, but now don't obsess about the whole carb thing.

    So...two things that changed my approach to my health, my nutrition, and my overall emotional/mental quality of life that weight training/lifting did for me.

    To say nothing of being able to deadlift, squat, bench, and press weights I never dreamed of being able to do!
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    I no longer have back pain. This is so amazing to me, as I suffered with terrible pain, rx meds, muscle spasms, etc. for years.
  • RoseTheWarrior
    RoseTheWarrior Posts: 2,035 Member
    Confidence and the ability to do a lot more. Lifting is so great because you can really see differences every time - adding reps, adding weight. Nothing makes me feel as good as lifting does! I also have a little over 50 lbs left to lose, and as I lose it, my body won't be all squishy. By the time I'm at goal weight I'll have some nice body form :smiley:
  • kimiuzzell
    kimiuzzell Posts: 611 Member
    CarlydogsMom wrote: »
    Many of the above, but one of the most enlightening, freeing things that happened when I started lifting is the lack of concern about the fluctuations in my scale weight. I watch trends, but now know that fluctuations within a 5-pound range ARE OK and I don't need to FREAK OUT. I watch trends, but now I have moved from having a goal of a certain weight to having goals of strength, flexibility, stamina, and balance. It's been a delight to give up the obsession with staying at the same scale weight.

    I also quit obsessing about eating low(er) carb. Used to really try to minimize carbs, but now I know how important they are for anaerobic exercises like weight lifting, and for energy for things like bike riding. I continue to focus on getting my protein, but now don't obsess about the whole carb thing.

    So...two things that changed my approach to my health, my nutrition, and my overall emotional/mental quality of life that weight training/lifting did for me.

    To say nothing of being able to deadlift, squat, bench, and press weights I never dreamed of being able to do!

    ^^^all of this - I could have written this one myself!

    Keep on lifting :)
  • middlehaitch
    middlehaitch Posts: 8,486 Member
    My tummy doesn't jiggle as much when I laugh.

    Cheers, h.
    Ok and all the feeling stronger, being fitter and looking better too. But the tummy jiggle is great- I can collapse laughing in public again. h
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    All of this

    plus the spring in my step when I walk

    plus no more asthma meds (that's the cardio as well as the strength)

    and the fact I'm no longer invisible to other people .. which at my age says something :)
  • cafeaulait7
    cafeaulait7 Posts: 2,459 Member
    The 'new' muscles are always the most exciting part for me :) That's just fun, lol.

    I have an important new goal for one aspect of my lifting: getting my scapulas closer together after a chronic pain problem has them moved apart. I've been doing a new strength regime for those muscles for 3+ weeks now (physio really doesn't work well the way they always have me do it), and I have little baby 'new' muscles already! I'm thrilled, and it's no more painful than the physio I have every year for months.

    I haven't gotten someone to measure the distance like my physio does, but I'm doing that this week. And taking pictures! I always love it when you can see changes, but this is especially exciting because it could really help my pain. Low reps, heavier weight FTW.
  • lisalsd1
    lisalsd1 Posts: 1,519 Member
    I look better and can eat more.
  • SingingSingleTracker
    SingingSingleTracker Posts: 1,866 Member
    edited February 2016
    Psysix wrote: »
    I've been weight training for a couple months now and I've noticed my balence has improved quite a bit. Also, I have more energy. What are some of the things you've noticed after strength training? How long have you been training? What is your routine?

    That's great to hear your balance and energy have both improved!

    I would echo the energy improvement. Especially when it comes to applying one's fitness from lifting to yard work, household chores, moving things around (furniture, groceries, bags of dirt for the garden, etc.), and as a parent with little ones (It's been about 15-20 years since I had "little ones around the house" - all the lifting of them, strollers, car seats, kids bikes, toys and on and on is simply easier.

    Been at it with lifting (and cardio) for 25+ years, so these days the energy benefits and stamina to do things I want to do compared to others I see my age who do not remain in good fitness keeps me motivated to just keep - keeping at it.
  • DeadsAndDoritos
    DeadsAndDoritos Posts: 267 Member
    The biggest change is that I love working out! I never thought I'd be that person. I'm actually becoming a bit of a bore who can't talk about anything else. :lol:

    I've been doing it properly and regularly since late August.
  • Willbenchforcupcakes
    Willbenchforcupcakes Posts: 4,955 Member
    Almost all of my daily pain is gone. My nerve pain in my neck and upper back stays away as long as I lift. My knee is stronger and more stable.

    Lifting, and specifically powerlifting, has also given me the mental strength to get through the hardest two and a half years of my life with my head up and looking forwards to the future.
  • sgthaggard
    sgthaggard Posts: 581 Member
    I've noticed that it's harder to shave my legs - too many corners and dips.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    HappyCampr1 wrote: »
    I notice other women's arms and shoulders. I can tell who does strength training and who doesn't and that's cool.

    As for myself...everything everyone else has mentioned and more.

    I notice the same thing. There was a woman looking at yogurt at the grocery one time and my first thought was whoa, she has great arms. I wanted to say "you have great arms" but thought I'd come off as creepy so I didn't say anything. There's also a woman who works on the grounds crew where I work and she has great arms but especially visibly strong forearms, from all of the physical labor that she does.
  • lkpducky
    lkpducky Posts: 17,644 Member
    DancingMoosie wrote: »
    I no longer have back pain. This is so amazing to me, as I suffered with terrible pain, rx meds, muscle spasms, etc. for years.

    Same here! Lifting greatly reduced my neck and upper back pain.
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    Just generally feeling like an overall bad *kitten*...
  • Sumiblue
    Sumiblue Posts: 1,597 Member
    Yup, I feel like a bada$$ & love it. I no longer hate clothes shopping or what I see in the mirror. My mental state (anxiety/depression) has improved exponentially.
  • G33K_G1RL
    G33K_G1RL Posts: 283 Member
    In addition to what has already been said :smile:

    Much better control during kickboxing, especially for kicks. I used to throw those around to get my high kicks, now I have the strength to hold them up statically.

    Now if I could get those last few inches of flexibility to actually get my splits ;)
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    I am clumsy and I find that I have better balance and can stop myself from falling a lot more especially on ice.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,990 Member
    That I can still reasonably do lots of physical activities that I could do 25 years ago. Staying "young" IMO is still being able to physically do what you've always like to do.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
    9285851.png
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    Also it has given me so much confidence to try things i didn't think I was able to do or I was scared of such as waterskiing.
  • hellonew2015
    hellonew2015 Posts: 327 Member
    I started you are your own gym yesterday and could not last more than 3 minutes / mountain climbers wow it is so hard and I could not touch my knees to elbows, can't wait to feel like all of you :)
  • lyndseybellz
    lyndseybellz Posts: 62 Member
    eatttinggg all. the time!!!!
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  • clairethorne1980
    clairethorne1980 Posts: 3 Member
    I've started weight training around 5 weeks ago and love it. My body is still getting used to being made to do things it's never done and this week I have had an energy crash. Looking forward to losing 6st and looking good
  • steph2strong
    steph2strong Posts: 426 Member
    Doing more strength and less cardio has improved my core and posture, and improved my running- it's easier and i'm faster. Also improved balance and overall improved physique.
  • ElizabethOakes2
    ElizabethOakes2 Posts: 1,038 Member

    I accidentally broke the big casserole dish making dinner because it was a lot lighter than I expected when i picked it up. I yanked it like I would have two months ago and it flew up and hit the cabinet and broke in half. ... "Guess what? We're having single-pan cook up instead of casserole, honey!".
    oooops...
  • aerochic42
    aerochic42 Posts: 843 Member
    Your clothes can fit even worse as your body changes shape.

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