How many women on here are lifting weights????????
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bump for later0
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*raising hand*
On top o what everyone else said it is also very very hard to get bulky withou eating at a calorie surplus anyway. Which I'm guessing you wouldn't do because you are looking at the number on the scale.
Lifting weights WORKS and is totally a body recomposition transformation. I used to be 117.... I am now 127-130 and fit into exactly the same clothes. Went from "skinny fat" to lean with muscles. This is due to lifting ~4 days a week, very little cardio if any (lately) and eating correctly.
Good luck and go pick up some weights!!
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I love to lift and lift heavy !!0
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I love lifting! It makes me feel strong. I don't think I've ever had more satisfaction then when I lifted 200 + on a sumo deadlift, or leg pressed over 310lbs for sets of 8.0
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The testosterone increase is still minimal compared to a male though. While I don't disagree that some females do have higher test levels than others (just like males do too), I haven't seen it significant enough to keep a female from staying feminine looking by lifting heavy weights to assist with weight loss or body recompostition.Or if you have a hormone imbalance, like me. I have PCOS, so I have more testosterone than most women. I do have to be careful about how I do my strength training. I usually lift a moderate amount of weight (too heavy and I'll bulk up, too light and I don't feel like I'm lifting anything), and I do two sets of fifteen reps and I do strength training twice per week...cardio four times per week.
A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition[/b0 -
I do 2-3 times a week but I use light weights to tone vs. heavy so I do not bulk up0
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LIFT- weights are a good thing0
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ME! Love lifting heavy 0
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Ok so, as many women i am one of those that is scared to be lifting weights due to i'm afraid of bulking up. I have however been giving it a go for the past two weeks but even though i have been i'm still freaking myself out about it. I'm so worried about the whole "muscle weighs more than fat" deal! I want to see the number on the scale DROP not increase!! Anyways, i'd love to hear different things about lifting weights and if possible see pictures of women who have used strength training to help them to achieve their goals. I'm so... confused when it comes to strength training. Confused and very nervous about getting big instead of skinny and toned. HELP ME PLEASE UNDERSTAND!!! Thanks to all who respond ahead of time
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I love it. When i first started working out, i thought the same thing as well..."no, i don't wanna bulk up".....but my 2nd round around, i met with a personal trainer who showed me what to do and how to do it......and i finally understand. DON'T LIFT HEAVY.....Lift light with more reps. And i know you wanna see #s dropping on the scale, but remember, if you're also lifting weights and doing cardio as well, you could be dropping fat and building muscles at the same time..and MUSCLE weighs more THAN fat...so don't get discouraged...keep doing what you're doing, and if you're lifting heavy right now, try to go lighter with more reps0 -
I'm lifting.. along with my P90X2 program... I also run.0
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I have been lifting weights for almost 4 years (yes, I lift heavy); you're welcome to click through my profile photos and see the difference between before/after. I can honestly say that I LOVE my arms and back; something that wasn't the case in high school when I was the same weight but predominately a runner. I wish you could see more in my legs, but that's where all my body fat resides so....maybe eventually
You have AMAZING thighs!!! Love it!0 -
The testosterone increase is still minimal compared to a male though. While I don't disagree that some females do have higher test levels than others (just like males do too), I haven't seen it significant enough to keep a female from staying feminine looking by lifting heavy weights to assist with weight loss or body recompostition.Or if you have a hormone imbalance, like me. I have PCOS, so I have more testosterone than most women. I do have to be careful about how I do my strength training. I usually lift a moderate amount of weight (too heavy and I'll bulk up, too light and I don't feel like I'm lifting anything), and I do two sets of fifteen reps and I do strength training twice per week...cardio four times per week.
A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition[/b
I was told a few years ago that I have PCOS and I lift two/three times a week as heavy as I can. Not quite at hulk-like proportions yet ;-)
(edited as my typing is atrocious!)0 -
I started about a month ago. I've upped my calories and told my scale to go to hell.
*LIKE*----"go to hell scale"0 -
I agree with Alex that this should be posted in fitness. That being said. - a pound is a pound. Muscle doesn't weigh more than fat it just settles in the body differently - in a good way. Working out is healthy and if done in moderation will speed up you weight loss. You will be expanding energy and burning calories while making your metablosim work harder. Good luck!0
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I've been doing Ripped in 30 as well and I'm tightening up, NOT getting bulkier. Women naturally do not bulk up when strength training. They icky body builder types that you are worried about resembling are not simply using weights. They are using weights you'll never be able to lift, drinking weird powdered drinks that make muscles bulkier and likely taking steroids or testosterone supplements. You're in the clear! Weights will help you look FIT in addition to being smaller. The number you need to focus on is your clothing size and a reflection in the mirror that makes you happy - the scale means nothing!
Good luck with your workouts!0 -
I do with my trainer, he is very careful to keep me from bulking up 0
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This gives a great explanation!
http://www.newellness.com/physfitn/strntrng.htm0 -
i am and it feels great!!!0
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I can understand your concerns. Many women have that same fear. I do have a couple things I have to explain first:
Muscle doesn't weigh more than fat. A pound of muscle and a pound of fat both=a pound. Fat doesn't turn into muscle either, you burn fat, and gain muscle. However, muscle looks a lot different that fat does, obviously. So a person who weighs say 150 pounds with 30% body fat verses a person who weighs 150 with 20% body fat--the person with 20% body fat will look thinner.
In regards to 'bulking up." I wouldn't worry too much about it. I would continue strength training...it builds muscle and muscle is a GOOD thing. The more muscle you have, the more calories your body burns, which in turns, helps you lose weight. Unless you're lifting for hours on end and eating an over abundance of protein and doing protein shakes and all that jazz, I wouldn't worry about it. Change is gradual, and if you feel you start to see yourself getting a little more muscular than you'd like (which will take time, as anything does) you can always taper back.
I hope that was useful....0 -
Unless you have a genetic anomoloy, it is IMPOSSIBLE for you (a female) to bulk up.
Or if you have a hormone imbalance, like me. I have PCOS, so I have more testosterone than most women. I do have to be careful about how I do my strength training. I usually lift a moderate amount of weight (too heavy and I'll bulk up, too light and I don't feel like I'm lifting anything), and I do two sets of fifteen reps and I do strength training twice per week...cardio four times per week.
I also have PCOS and frankly, while I can get a bit more muscles than most women....it is not significant enought and even less true when at a calories deficite. What was making my bulky, is the fat on top of my muscles.0 -
Heres some pictures that may help you. (not of me)
My results have been similar, I am 10-15 pounds heavier then my "rough goal weight" but am already AT my goal clothing size, and physically I am about 1-2 times smaller clothing wise, then last time I was at my goal weight (when I had less muscle) -
So I look tighter leaner and smaller, then before at my "small" weight. No jiggles.
So to everyone else I look like I am already at my goal weight. But I am heavier, which is fine Ignore the scale.
Less weight - yep you look good dressed and may fit the smaller clothing size - but, add more muscle and a bit more scale weight - you also fit the smaller clothing size, look good dressed AND look good nakkid.
I lift heavy weights, low reps - that has given me the fastest results in fat loss, and lean muscle improvement, tightening and body changes.
5 lbs heavier in after pic, but tighter and leaner
Not same girl, but cute example
Same weight, after was when she started lifting heavy
Different girls but both size 4
Same girl, before and after lifting heavy weights, she lost 5 lbs
Stacy, read her story here: She is 14 lbs heavier in after
http://nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/
10 lbs heavier in after
10 lbs heavier in after
Different girl, but both size 2
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Women do not and cannot bulk up because we don't have the testosterone for it. So lift weights, go heavy, and enjoy the results. Remember muscle takes up less space than fat on your body. You'll be smaller, and that's a good thing! And that's especially important if your weight loss stalls.
Muscle takes more calories to maintain than fat. Therefore, the more muscle you have on your body, the higher your calorie burn, and the bigger the deficit you can create by eating the same amount of food!
This, this, this!!! I don't have any pics to post but just my experience with it. I lost my first 20 lbs just counting cals and walking. I decided to take it up and added kickboxing and weight lifting, heavy weights. The changes in my body are phenominal. I didn't look this good even in high school. I constantly get compliments, I have way more confidence then I ever have had. Not bragging, just saying. lol I've always had a flat *kitten* but not any more and it's all due to the weighted squats, lunges and deadlifts. I love that I'm strong enough to not have to ask for help lifting most anything. Anytime I go to lift something heavy and a guy is around they come to "save" me and I politely say "No thanks I got it" they are always impressed and that in itself is a great feeling.0 -
I DO!!!!! Im just starting to get some definition in my arms and back.... And let me tell ya the compliments are great. Muscles on a girl are sexy!0
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bump for later0
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Ok so, as many women i am one of those that is scared to be lifting weights due to i'm afraid of bulking up. I have however been giving it a go for the past two weeks but even though i have been i'm still freaking myself out about it. I'm so worried about the whole "muscle weighs more than fat" deal! I want to see the number on the scale DROP not increase!! Anyways, i'd love to hear different things about lifting weights and if possible see pictures of women who have used strength training to help them to achieve their goals. I'm so... confused when it comes to strength training. Confused and very nervous about getting big instead of skinny and toned. HELP ME PLEASE UNDERSTAND!!! Thanks to all who respond ahead of time
My sister used to be a personal trainer, and unless you are taking testosterone supplements or are pumping 200lbs 50 times on every weight, you will not BULK UP. The reason we look and feel so jiggly when we are heavy is because fat has a gelantenous feel and look. It is not dense. It's make up is different than muscle. So five lbs of fat looks different and more than 5 lbs of muscle. Here's some evidence, below is a photo comparing 5 lbs of fat to 5 lbs of muscle:
Strength training will help you build up muscle, which it turn burns fat. Muscle burns more calories than fat. This is why when you start a program like this you need to increase your protein and decrease your carbs to bare minimum and to healthy whole grains. No processed crap LOL.
Hope this helps.0 -
Heres some pictures that may help you.
My results have been similar, I am 10-15 pounds heavier then my "rough goal weight" but am already AT my goal clothing size, and physically I am about 1-2 times smaller clothing wise, then last time I was at my goal weight (when I had less muscle) - So I look tighter leaner and smaller, then before at my "small" weight.
So to everyone else I look like I am already at my goal weight. But I am heavier, which is fine Ignore the scale.
Less weight - yep you look good dressed and may fit the smaller clothing size - but, add more muscle and a bit more scale weight - you also fit the smaller clothing size, look good dressed AND look good nakkid.
5 lbs heavier in after pic, but tighter and leaner
Not same girl, but cute example
Same weight, after was when she started lifting heavy
Different girls but both size 4
Same girl, before and after lifting heavy weights, she lost 5 lbs
Stacy, read her story here: She is 14 lbs heavier in after
http://nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/
10 lbs heavier in after
10 lbs heavier in after
Different girl, but both size 2
Now that I'm not on my phone anymore. I'll be an attention *kitten* and add my pictures to this collection, the first two were with little weight training. The last was with weight training AND eating above my maintenance calories for 4 months.
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I lift weights 5 days a week now. To bulk up, you'd have to eat ALOT of calories and lift HEAVY weights. That is a huge misconception that keeps alot of women from lifting. Weight lifting helps you to burn more fat, tone muscle, and as you lose weight you won't have to deal w/ flabby excess skin. Starting w/ light weights (3-8lbs) 3 days a week is a great place to start. Women who are aiming to bulk eat upwards of 2000-2400 cals per day and lift heavily. If you stick to a sensible eating plan and use a combination of cardio and strength you will be fine and you will have good lean results. If you are concerned about what the scale says, your weight loss may be slower, but you will look smaller at a higher weight. I weigh 191 and I wear a size 10/12.0
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I have been and its been great... take a look thru my pics and see the progress... I've been able to lose fat in areas I originally found hard to lose in.. I'm not bulky, I'm getting firm and the strength I feel to do the simplest things are motivating and worth it.0
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I never used to lift because I didn't know what to lift or how to lift it. But I got a simple workout from a new friend at the gym and I have been doing it once or twice a week just to add to my regular workout. I posted it in my blog if you want to have a look. Ten simple exercises, including one for abs. It takes me about a half hour and I do it to tone after my half hour run. I'm not trying to get to the Olympics or anything, just trying to keep a firm, tight and healthy body. My weight has gone up but the look of my body is much better.0
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Rae that amazing - you look awesome!0
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