Lifting Heavy- Should I Expect to Stop Losing?

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Replies

  • crisanderson27
    crisanderson27 Posts: 5,343 Member
    Interesting read:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/416059-more-strength-training-success-pics?error_user_id=7434194&error_username=crisanderson27
    I thought I would jump on the women strength training bandwagon and post some pictures. I lift heavy weights and I eat a lot, like 2000+ every day.

    Interesting fact: I have also never set foot on a treadmill in my life, ever.

    Just as a side note I've put on a full 10 lbs from my low weight (125) and I'm wearing smaller clothes than I ever have before. It's crazy what a little muscle can do.

    Photoon2011-12-08at14372.jpg
    Photoon2011-12-08at1443.jpg
    Photoon2011-12-08at1444.jpg
    Photoon2011-12-08at14403.jpg
  • Jeff92se
    Jeff92se Posts: 3,369 Member
    When you lift heavy, I'd still superset or triple set your lifts to keep your HR high and get a good sweat in.
  • crisanderson27
    crisanderson27 Posts: 5,343 Member
    When you lift heavy, I'd still superset or triple set your lifts to keep your HR high and get a good sweat in.

    I don't superset or triple set to keep my heart rate up. I just move to the next set/exercise when my heartrate reaches a set point...usually 130-140.
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    LMFAO @ being a sticky. All these pictures Im going to post are of me at 170. Actually the second one Im at 169

    tumblr_m3gfqojKfi1qgw1f2o1_500.jpg
    170^

    l550634370.jpg
    169^

    l683686229.jpg
    170^

    l139122513.jpg
    173^
  • strunkm4
    strunkm4 Posts: 265 Member
    I was a cardio *kitten* and lost all my weight. I then started lifting heavy, eating more, and haven't gained an ounce. My clothes fit even better, I have more definition, and my body looks great.
  • benflando
    benflando Posts: 193
    Lifting heavy will actually lead to weight loss if your calories are under control. This is because of muscle gain or just muscle density. Which will cause you to burn more calories without doing anything,(Your BMI is raised). So I would take a look at your diet before dropping the heavy weights.
  • SarahSwimmer
    SarahSwimmer Posts: 125 Member
    I was a cardio *kitten* and lost all my weight. I then started lifting heavy, eating more, and haven't gained an ounce. My clothes fit even better, I have more definition, and my body looks great.

    ^^^ that's the mindset I had when I created this post. It seems like there are SO many ways to lose, or NOT lose and look better that I was just trying to wrap my head around it. Even now that I've decided to "lift heavy" I have to figure out calories, macro per cents, frequency of lifting, how much (what is this 2/3 thing you men were talking about??) weight to lift. I have a feeling I'm in for a steep learning curve...
  • Jeff92se
    Jeff92se Posts: 3,369 Member
    I want the body I want while doing activities I enjoy. So the changes are life changes. I enjoy lifting but alter it to fit my goals. Maintain muscle, lose fat and some weight if possible.

    I don't want to be an cardio *kitten* in order to do that.
  • tangal88
    tangal88 Posts: 689
    Just adding this old post of mine - so you have more pictures to prove, the scale is not the best gage of good progress. :)




    Heres some pictures of others 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. (size 7/8)

    So to everyone else I look like I am already at my goal weight. But I am scale weight heavier, which is fine :) Ignore the scale.
    Less weight - yep you will 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, AND look good dressed AND look good nakkid. Thats a win-win :)


    5 lbs heavier in after pic, but tighter and leaner
    236227942924235826_gkkV70hE_f.jpg

    Not same girl, but cute example
    283304632779084974_6m2KFBn5_f.jpg

    Same weight, after was when she started lifting heavy
    75153887501416986_Y1GnYQpg_f.jpg

    Different girls but both size 4
    Size4Comparison-300x182.png

    Same girl, before and after lifting heavy weights, she lost 5 lbs
    tumblr_lr5tonlb3A1qgyxugo1_500.jpg

    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/
    160933386653933440_XDkHzL9R_f.jpg

    10 lbs heavier in after
    160933386653912536_Q9O5CANq_f.jpg

    10 lbs heavier in after
    160933386653912535_fBi9urCv_f.jpg

    Different girl, but both size 2
    size2.jpg?w=288&h=223

    5 pounds difference - big body change
    216243219577967315_E53yF3Co_f.jpg

    Fat vs Muscle
    160933386654082592_NvIGFFZy_f.jpg
    191473421627428288_b8i1XCl4_c.jpg
  • alibab36
    alibab36 Posts: 51 Member
    Hi don't want to start a new topic but had my weigh in today after 6 weeks . I have been doing strength the last few months but up the pace to heavy lifting six weeks ago . Anyway in that time I lost 4 percent body fat and gained 3 lbs . My clothes are loser and I feel and look better and I have lost inches most notably from my thighs which were my biggest problem area . Now I am fairly good with cals so don't keep a food diary on mfp but I will start from now on .

    My question is as I didn't see my trainer today is this good news . Should I be concerned re the 3 lb gain even tough I lost body fat . I am eating lots of protein and as I said I will start keeping a diary from now on . I know I am in a small cal deficit etc and eating well and look great . Did think as I was in a deficit I would lose body fat and stay the same weight . Not overally concerned with 3lbs but would like to know if it's sounds ok .
  • alibab36
    alibab36 Posts: 51 Member
    Ok think the last post just answered my question thanks so much for that .
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    yay stacy!!
  • SarahSwimmer
    SarahSwimmer Posts: 125 Member
    Tangal88: That has to be the most epic/awesome post on MFP! Its good to know that you can gain muscle pounds but still be losing fat. I seriously thought "bulk was bulk" till I saw some of the pictures like you posted above. I know there's a ton of "OMG muscle is heavier than fat?!" threads out there, but for some reason this thread really clicked for me. Thanks guys!
  • Awkward30
    Awkward30 Posts: 1,927 Member
    I think every woman should read this thread!
  • tangal88
    tangal88 Posts: 689
    currently I am size 7 (my goal size for a curvy girl at 5'2") - I weight 139 pounds.

    Last time I was size 7, I weighed 118-120 lbs. (less muscle higher bodyfat)

    But I "look" more fit now, and I look smaller then 139 pounds would dictate for my height.

    I have a good bit of muscle, though I do not look "muscly" until I flex. But I do look fit.

    The scale says I am overweight for my height and weight. Some say bordering on obese.

    I am not.

    I do step on the scale weekly. But its a ROUGH guide. I use tape measurements, body shape and size, clothing fit, strength gains, muscle definition to gauge my progress. :)

    So if you can wrap your head around "scale numbers are ONLY rough numbers" - NOT the goal - it will save you a lot of heartache.

    I have lost 60 pounds total, and improved, and increased muscle amount and strength.
  • SarahSwimmer
    SarahSwimmer Posts: 125 Member
    currently I am size 7 (my goal size for a curvy girl at 5'2") - I weight 139 pounds.

    Last time I was size 7, I weighed 118-120 lbs. (less muscle higher bodyfat)

    But I "look" more fit now, and I look smaller then 139 pounds would dictate for my height.

    I have a good bit of muscle, though I do not look "muscly" until I flex. But I do look fit.

    The scale says I am overweight for my height and weight. Some say bordering on obese.

    I am not.

    I do step on the scale weekly. But its a ROUGH guide. I use tape measurements, body shape and size, clothing fit, strength gains, muscle definition to gauge my progress. :)

    So if you can wrap your head around "scale numbers are ONLY rough numbers" - NOT the goal - it will save you a lot of heartache.

    I have lost 60 pounds total, and improved, and increased muscle amount and strength.

    This is definitely where I want to be going ^^
  • karensoxfan
    karensoxfan Posts: 902 Member
    This thread makes me SOOOOO happy. I'm obese with the high body fat % to go with it @ 5'5" and 190 lb., but I started lifting heavy a few weeks ago, and I can see & feel the changes in my body already, even though the scale has not budged in that time. It's so hard, but I'm slowly, but surely, learning to be patient.

    Now if I can actually get around to taking a quasi-before picture, I hope to have a before & after like some of these!
  • greenhumanclay
    greenhumanclay Posts: 402 Member
    bump
  • DanDrass123
    DanDrass123 Posts: 1
    If you are lifting heavy everyday or every other day, than you will probably stop losing weight after 2-3 weeks. This is because you will lose your fat, but it will all come back as muscle, and you may eventually weigh more because muscle weighs more than fat. That is how i stayed the same weight in wretling season but still got skinnier.
  • kdiamond
    kdiamond Posts: 3,329 Member
    I love those pictures!! The girl's butt in the lacey thong underwear is OFF THE CHAIN!

    I also fit into the "weigh more but look better" category. I was once 102 pounds, now I am 112 (just weighed myself finally after 3 months and I have gained another 2 pounds due to weight lifting) BUT I still fit into the same size 0-2 clothes I wore at 102 pounds. I am tighter, more defined, and my cellulite is GONE!! I hate the scale, it hinders progress I think. Women need to definitely get over the scale weight and look in the mirror!
  • rowdylibrarian
    rowdylibrarian Posts: 251 Member
    I know that this is an older thread, but I don't want to start another one on the same topic. So I have a lot of the same fears as the OP. I get that the scale number is not as important as the measurements, but I'm not losing either one, and I've been "lifting heavy" for almost two months. Does it just take awhile? I've moved my calories up to 1650 after the scale didn't budge for three months. It still hasn't, really, which I'd be a little better with if I was losing body fat or inches!
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    I'm 5'4 and I've pretty much stopped losing weight as of three weeks ago. Should I give up the scale, resign myself to my 140 lb, and only rely on measurements?


    I say yes! Dump the scale! you are at a healthy weight for 5'4" already. Just use the tape measure and how you look and how your clothes feel.
  • Determinednoob
    Determinednoob Posts: 2,001 Member
    Scale weight may not change, but you should be losing fat. If you can take caliper and\or tape measurements, they should be dropping.

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