Proof Lifting heavy doesn't bulk up females - PICS

Me too....almost looks anorexic

Anorexia is a DISEASE not a SIZE
Someone can be a size 30, and still be anorexic.
Keep your ignorance to yourself please.

Although a disease, there are clinical criteria. At a size 30, you would NOT be diagnosed as "anorexic" even with restrictive tendencies. You might be diagnosed instead as "EDNOS [Eating Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified] with restrictive tendencies." One of the clinical criterion for anorexia is a BMI of 17.5 or below, which, by the way, the OP does not appear to be. Thus it IS possible for a body size to be classified as anorexic, even if not due to an eating disorder. This is actually what is technically correct. The reason doctors do not tend to use this term in the cases of wasting diseases is that it *indicates* that the patient is eating-disordered. But, for the sake of argument, if the OP did get to a BMI of below 17.5 due to eating/exercise she actually could be considered "anorexic," by both the technical and popular definitions. Other diagnostic criteria include amennorrhea for 3+ months, intense fear of gaining weight, or dysmorphic view of one's body.

I feel like you looked great in the black photos, very lean, and muscular, but you're defiantly a woman... This is for you to be proud of something you've worked for, don't listen to anyone who says "you looked better before". I think you look awesome now, and if someone has a rude comment, they can keep it to themselves. This is not a bashing board! But either way, you look sexy, and confident, and I love it!!!!

Aside from one or two comments, the majority of the people saying they prefer to before pictures were not "bashing" her, just giving their honest opinion in a respectful way IMO. I personally prefer the before pics, however there may be a few reasons why most people are gravitating toward them. In the first picture she is wearing a cuter swimsuit where as the second one just looks like panties and a sports bra, she's paler in the second one and despite it not being great for you most people associate tan with healthy and her hair looks more done in the first one, and in a ponytail in the second. All of these things could subconsciously guide more people into thinking the first pics look better.

I do not think the muscle tone is bad at all (good for you, that's awesome work) however I do agree the OP is slightly too thin in the second pics but again that could be more attributed to the differences in clothing, lighting, etc. Regardless, if the OP is healthy and happy, then that's all that matters.

You look great sweetie! Please ignore the negativity. You can definitely see that your body contour is much more defined. I can see the tightness in your arms, abs and thighs. All of this in 30 days??! Keep up the great work! You're doing awesome!!!

You look amazing, before AND after!
Great job, girl :flowerforyou:

I'd KILL to even have the body you have in your "before" picture... Unfortunately, it isn't as easy as offing someone. I've got to get my lifting on!

Please dont take this the wrong way, but i think you looked better before, more womanly. However i applaud your hard work :-)

Agreed

deleted

I didn't think putting pics up to show 'lifting heavy' doesn't bulk up women,as she has written in her post, actually means she's asked for our opinions and whether we think she's too thin or looks anorexic?!

I will never post pics in these forums, God forbid I would feel destroyed to hear such comments.....and so would most of you.

This.

She didn't ASK for opinions. She said lifting doesn't make women look like The Hulk. She was providing pictures to show her point. Her point was right.

You all need to think about how YOU would feel if you put in A LOT of hard work (and I mean A LOT) and then everyone went "Ewwwww you looked better BEFORE" all without prompting! It would make you feel like crap. It really would.

i think you look better in the first one too, but i know how hard it is to get as small as you are so i applaud your hard work

It's sad that when a woman puts up photos of herself, people feel that's an invitation to immediately give their opinions on how she looks and what will or wont make her look like a "proper woman".

This was a picture set to prove to other ladies that lifting heavy does not bulk up the average woman, and it illustrated that quite clearly! Well done on your strength gains!

In my honest opinion, I think the main reasons she looked "better" before is because of two things: 1, her bikini (or underwear, whichever) seemed to fit her properly and flatter her body. And two, she looked a little tan, so she had a healthy glow about her.

Let's be honest, her body shape is sexy anyway, so that's not the problem.

The problem is the white, (slightly loose in the top) bra and panties that do nothing to flatter her lovely, pale skin. Then, pair that with a very thin, but also very fit body, and the lines blur.

You look lovely, and I hope you get to your fitness goals. However, I couldn't help but notice that you're still looking to lose a few pounds on your ticker? If you're building muscle, as thin as you are now, you're probably only going to gain a few pounds. Don't let those discourage you, however. You look great, and you have some lovely muscle curves beginning to show on your tummy.

So I've been lifting as heavy as I can, short reps (started 12, now down to 8 with increased weight).

Oh, and I lowered my carbs and upped fat and protein - best change I've ever done.

It's been hard work but I LOVE lifting now.

Still got a long way to go, but here are the results in the last month:

I see many posts about you look better before. I wanted to add that 30 days of weight lifting will not give you enough progress where you see your muscle developed. You dropped weight because of exercise, but it will take few months for you to see progress. I suggest increase your weight and decrease your reps. Also, alternate between pushing and pulling routines. (one day do chest, tricepts, shoulders, then other day back and bicepts, and legs.). and by the way, you look good either way.

It's sad that when a woman puts up photos of herself, people feel that's an invitation to immediately give their opinions on how she looks and what will or wont make her look like a "proper woman".

This was a picture set to prove to other ladies that lifting heavy does not bulk up the average woman, and it illustrated that quite clearly! Well done on your strength gains!

Well said!

In my honest opinion, I think the main reasons she looked "better" before is because of two things: 1, her bikini (or underwear, whichever) seemed to fit her properly and flatter her body. And two, she looked a little tan, so she had a healthy glow about her.

Let's be honest, her body shape is sexy anyway, so that's not the problem.

The problem is the white, (slightly loose in the top) bra and panties that do nothing to flatter her lovely, pale skin. Then, pair that with a very thin, but also very fit body, and the lines blur.

You look lovely, and I hope you get to your fitness goals. However, I couldn't help but notice that you're still looking to lose a few pounds on your ticker? If you're building muscle, as thin as you are now, you're probably only going to gain a few pounds. Don't let those discourage you, however. You look great, and you have some lovely muscle curves beginning to show on your tummy.

Exactly!

She looks fantastic. She's smiling in the "before" pic, and more serious in the "after" pics. That definitely influences how you perceive her.

Her "after" body is fantastic. I love how her stomach and backside firmed up considerably. I disagree with those that say she doesn't look womanly in the "after" pics.

She said it's a work in progress. I do think she could add some calories to her diet to gain a bit more weight, but that is a personal preference. She should do whatever she is most comfortable with.

And she's absolutely right, she hasn't bulked up. She is thinner and firmer, what most women here are trying to achieve. A great example of how lifting heavy can help with weight loss.

Super work.

--P

Please dont take this the wrong way, but i think you looked better before, more womanly. However i applaud your hard work :-)

I agree

I don't agree. She looks great in both pictures, and if she's happier with the way she looks it's all that matters. Great work!!