Well, at least my cross-addiction isn't drugs
I'm SO obsessed with weight training. I just LOVE it!!
I have always been a believer in "find an exercise you love" but no matter which cardio I tried, cardio is just not something I can fall in love with. It's not my thang, as they say.
But weight training makes me feel strong, goal oriented, it challenges the mind as well as the body, and I love that I can visually see the results.
I'd encourage every female here who is already interested in lifting weights to learn all they can, be brave, and hit the gym. Don't be afraid of the free weights (ie. "men's") section. Don't be afraid of looking "silly." Don't be afraid of starting with smaller weights and working up. Don't be afraid of "bodybuilding" or getting too bulky. Don't be afraid of being "butch" or "manly."
For me it started with wanting to fill in some space to minimize my batwings. But now it's not even about that anymore. It's about regularly achieving my goals and the sense of accomplishment that goes along with it. It's an awesome feeling. I love it and you might too!!
some older pics - post op pics but maybe 50 lbs ago or so
I have always been a believer in "find an exercise you love" but no matter which cardio I tried, cardio is just not something I can fall in love with. It's not my thang, as they say.
But weight training makes me feel strong, goal oriented, it challenges the mind as well as the body, and I love that I can visually see the results.
I'd encourage every female here who is already interested in lifting weights to learn all they can, be brave, and hit the gym. Don't be afraid of the free weights (ie. "men's") section. Don't be afraid of looking "silly." Don't be afraid of starting with smaller weights and working up. Don't be afraid of "bodybuilding" or getting too bulky. Don't be afraid of being "butch" or "manly."
For me it started with wanting to fill in some space to minimize my batwings. But now it's not even about that anymore. It's about regularly achieving my goals and the sense of accomplishment that goes along with it. It's an awesome feeling. I love it and you might too!!
some older pics - post op pics but maybe 50 lbs ago or so
5'8" - 40 years old
Hey Mandy!
I have a question?
Before your surgery did you feel weak and have trouble opening things? and now with the weight training do you find you have more strength in your hands?
I just feel so weak! I can't open hardly anything and lifting and moving stuff just leaves my legs and arms trembling.
I'm hoping when I start weights it will help with these problems.
I am 6 days away from surgery.
God Bless!
Angela
I have a question?
Before your surgery did you feel weak and have trouble opening things? and now with the weight training do you find you have more strength in your hands?
I just feel so weak! I can't open hardly anything and lifting and moving stuff just leaves my legs and arms trembling.
I'm hoping when I start weights it will help with these problems.
I am 6 days away from surgery.
God Bless!
Angela
The tragedy in life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach. Benjamin Mays
I was a hair dresser for many years and got carpel tunnel as a result. I wouldn't say my hands have gotten stronger necessarily, but the strength in my arms (forearms, biceps) is a lot better.
As far as lifting and moving stuff, a lot of that will be helped with overall weight loss. I didn't even have the energy to clean my house as a pre-op, but that became my outlet for a while once I lost a lot of weight. Now my outlet is strength training. = )
As far as lifting and moving stuff, a lot of that will be helped with overall weight loss. I didn't even have the energy to clean my house as a pre-op, but that became my outlet for a while once I lost a lot of weight. Now my outlet is strength training. = )
5'8" - 40 years old
Mandy - your arms look amazing!!!
I can't afford a gym...but would love to try some weight training on my own. Did you hire a personal trainer or ???? how did you learn which moves/weight/reps, etc.?
Can you share your (starting) routine or is it too hard to describe?
WTG!
You look great!
I can't afford a gym...but would love to try some weight training on my own. Did you hire a personal trainer or ???? how did you learn which moves/weight/reps, etc.?
Can you share your (starting) routine or is it too hard to describe?
WTG!
You look great!
S.xo
HW: 296/SW:275/TW:174/GW:135
HW: 296/SW:275/TW:174/GW:135
Well, I used to lift weights with my husband about 12 years ago. But I never got below 210 so I couldn't really see the results due to the fat still on my body, and I wasn't *really* doing it as seriously as I do it now. I believed back then that lighter weights with more reps was better for women (the misnomer that that will somehow "tone" us). Now I work each body part twice a week, one of those times I lift HEAVY (maybe 3 sets of 5-6 reps), and the other time that week I lift moderate weight and about 10 reps.
My husband trains with me. He's been lifting for years and has great muscles, but as I'm educating myself on body building, I'm realizing that I will probably benefit more from a professionally designed routine. There is a book that is highly regarded called "new rules of lifting for women: lift like a man, look like a goddess" that I'm going to try to find at the bookstore today. I also belong to a body building message board where some experts have designed some plans and I may choose from one of those.
One thing I've done that has helped me overall is to add exercises to my routine that work several muscle groups at once, such as pull ups/chin ups, push ups, bench press, squats, rows, dips, etc. I still do some isolation exercises, but I've learned that doing the biggies plus several sets of isolations can lead to over training and hinder muscle growth. The thing with weight training is that you don't need to spend tons of time doing it, and you only need to do it 3-4 times a week to see great results. Rest is important - it's during rest time that you actually build muscle.
Maybe Brandilynn will chime in. She's way more experienced than I am. I'm still learning tons every day.
Oh, and you can do lots of exercises at home with only a little equipment. Hmm maybe try googling something like "strength training from home" and see what you get?
eta: The wonderful thing about strength training is that there is tons and tons and tons to learn. You can keep learning and keep tweaking and keep evolving. You really have to use your head and train SMART to get results. I like that challenge. = )
My husband trains with me. He's been lifting for years and has great muscles, but as I'm educating myself on body building, I'm realizing that I will probably benefit more from a professionally designed routine. There is a book that is highly regarded called "new rules of lifting for women: lift like a man, look like a goddess" that I'm going to try to find at the bookstore today. I also belong to a body building message board where some experts have designed some plans and I may choose from one of those.
One thing I've done that has helped me overall is to add exercises to my routine that work several muscle groups at once, such as pull ups/chin ups, push ups, bench press, squats, rows, dips, etc. I still do some isolation exercises, but I've learned that doing the biggies plus several sets of isolations can lead to over training and hinder muscle growth. The thing with weight training is that you don't need to spend tons of time doing it, and you only need to do it 3-4 times a week to see great results. Rest is important - it's during rest time that you actually build muscle.
Maybe Brandilynn will chime in. She's way more experienced than I am. I'm still learning tons every day.
Oh, and you can do lots of exercises at home with only a little equipment. Hmm maybe try googling something like "strength training from home" and see what you get?
eta: The wonderful thing about strength training is that there is tons and tons and tons to learn. You can keep learning and keep tweaking and keep evolving. You really have to use your head and train SMART to get results. I like that challenge. = )
5'8" - 40 years old
As usual girl, you look fantastic!! Shoot, I'd settle for looking like you did 50 pounds ago! lol Way to go!!
One question, did you have a lot of weight in your stomach? If so, how did you get rid of that? How well did it go down? Most my weight is in the middle and I'm so scared it won't ever leave!
One question, did you have a lot of weight in your stomach? If so, how did you get rid of that? How well did it go down? Most my weight is in the middle and I'm so scared it won't ever leave!
-Amie
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