sarahrbraun Member

I would add weights now. Yes, it might slow the scale...but what is really important, the scale, or the measuring tape? When I started at the gym 5 years ago, I was 228lbs, and wore women's size 18 pants and a men's XXL shirt. I'm currently about 197lbs, wear a size 12 or 14 pants (depending on brand and cut) and a men's…

I've trained through 3 cases of elbow tendinitis and a wonky back. My trainer is a kinesiology geek, and has my permission to consult with my PT or Chiropractor. If we're not sure if something is OK, we'll try it and I'll tell him if it hurts.

I've been lifting for 4 years, and my outside STILL doesn't match the inside, but I honestly don't care. I love doing stuff like telling the guys to go ahead and leave the 45s on the leg press because that's what I need...or watching the look on their face when I'm loading the bar up to squat.

There are several women at my gym who continued strength training up until delivery. One lady in particular, I remember watching her do rack pulls at like 8 months. A competitive power lifter I know used sled drags to induce labor....

Actually, now that I think of it, I have touched him. We've done exercises that require me to stabilize myself by grabbing his ankles. We did have a conversation about consent at the very beginning. Not only was I his first female client, but he is very religious....and, I had had a situation where an attendant had made…

I train with a male trainer. We're very comfortable with each other. He does touch me, but I've also assured him that if he ever touches me in a way that makes me uncomfortable, I will let him know. I see nothing wrong with a hand on my back or shoulders with the verbal cue "squeeze". In the 2.5 years I've trained with…

This!! The staff know me by name. Lots of other members know my face and/or name. We cheer each other on, give each other crap, etc.

Honestly, I find the pad to be unstable. I feel like I have to work harder to make sure the bar doesn't roll down my back. Suck it up for a while, and eventually your traps will toughen up.

Sometimes this stuff just happens. It's not necessarily anything you're doimg wrong. I'm 42 years old and in the last 2 years I've had elbow tendinitis 3 times. The second time was REALLY bad, and required physical therapy. Two months ago I got a chiropractic adjustment, and a few days later my back was in spasm. I could…

This!! I have chiropractic issues, including misaligned hips. My chiropractor fully supports my squatting. As a matter of fact, he TOLD me to squat. The only negative thing he's said about my lifting is that I might have to stop OHP if I keep having elbow issues (I've had tendinitis 4x)

We had an issue 2 years ago at my gym. Me and another girl would come in and find 45s left on the machines, and pretty much no one in the weight area. One day I watched a guy (while I was lifting) leave 6 45s on the row machine, go to the smith machine, then get on the back extention. I saw red, marched over and told him…

The sooner the better. I once had 100lbs to lose. I've only lost roughly 40lbs of it, but I'm currently 1 size above my goal size. The last time I wore this size, I weighed 40lbs less. I'm currently between 187-190 wearing a size 10/12. The last time I wore a 10/12 I weighed like 140-145.

I would do a few extra light sets to get a feel for what your body can handle. I have hip alignment issues which cause my one knee to have stability issues. Whenever I have issues with my knee, my trainer has me work on volume vs weight for a while. When we do start heavy again, we work up to it. My current 1 rep max is…

TRX will kick your butt!! Every time my trainer pulls out the TRX, I know I'm going to be sore the next day...and I've been lifting weights for 3+ years now.

"Lifting heavy" means heavy for YOU. You have no clue how long everyone else has been lifting, or where they started. I AM that "heavy lifter" at my gym. I'm still kind of chubby, so people don't expect to see me moving the weights I move. Monday I was shoulder pressing 20lbs dumbbells and upright rowing 15lbs…

Ditch the scale, and grab a measuring tape instead. Pick up heavy stuff, put it down. Repeat 3x per week

I was a really super bad asthmatic several years ago. My first year at the gym, I premedicated with a few puffs of my inhaler before every workout. My second year I was able to cut down to just before cardio workouts. My 3rd year I only use it if my chest is tight.

Tuesday I hit a 255lb squat. 10 more pounds til I hit the elite strength standard for my weight. A month ago I finally flipped the (550#) tractor tire on the patio at the gym. Last year I couldn't get it off the ground. My trainer asked me to participate in a bench press contest at the gym because he thinks I could win.…

At my gym, she gets respect!! I am still obese by BMI standards, but I get much respect from the boys in the free weight area. Theyve seen me squat and deadlift over body weight. They've seen me leg press more than 2x bodyweight. They've seen me do all kinds of crazy stuff.

My trainer has actually had me experimenting with this. The first time we did deadlifts and bench press. I spent 3 days afterwards feeling like I'd been hit by a bus...

I just recently got over a really bad case. 4 months ago I tweaked my left elbow lifting. I babied it for 2 months, and it progressed to the point where all movement hurt, and my grip was giving out. I went to a sports med, and she sent me to therapy. PT had me do some stretches and strengthening work (such as wrist…

I would just ask him. I have been working with a trainer for 18 months now. He's a competitive bodybuilder. I don't add weight every session, but no session is the same. We might do high reps, low weight...or high weight, low reps. He might have me use low weight, but hold the contraction for 8-10 seconds, or low weight…

Holy run on sentance!! Ok, now that I have that out of my system. This poster has some good suggestions. Try to limit the processed foods. Get exercise. If someone has the balls to touch your belly, smile and say "please don't touch me". If they insist on giving you diet advice, just nod....then do your thing. Salad…

Take pictures and measurements. It's taken me 3.5-4 YEARS to lose 40 lbs...but I've gone from a size 18/20 to a size 10/12. My goal is to go down one more size, despite the fact that BMI says I need to lose 50lb. I've gotten off asthma meds almost completely (I use an inhaler on a PRN basis maybe 6x a year). I can squat…

I love my trainer...but for the last 18 months, I have paid for training 3 weeks at a time (2 hours a week).

Central Ohio (just a bit north of 270)

I weight almost every day, take pictures and measurements every 3 weeks. I'm trying to lose fat, and maintain (or build) muscle. I'm more concerned with what clothing size I am than specific measurements or the number on a scale.

I've lost over 40lbs, and I have trouble seeing it. I have what someone called "fat goggles"--I look at myself, and my eyes go right to my trouble spots. All I see is my belly pooch and my love handles. It's taken me several years of deliberate effort to look at my body and be able to see, and celebrate, the little stuff.…

Everyone on here who has said to lift weights is 100% correct!! I am 5'2" tall, currently 186lbs. I started at 228lbs and a tight size 18. I've been lifting weights for most of 3 years now, half of that heavy weights. I'm now in a 10/12. Most people guess that I weigh about 150-160lbs. For me, there is something very…