Well, at least my cross-addiction isn't drugs

Gosh Mandy, you look awesome! I'm really worried about my arms and your look great! I always thought we had to lift lighter weights and more repetitions too! I wanna learn more! I'm going to get that book you suggested. You also mentioned a forum, which forum is it? I'd like ot get some program ideas too. Thanks for this great post, weight lifting is kinda intimidating so its nice to have more info.

Thanks,

Jen

It's the bodybuilding.com forums.

I spend a lot of time reading the stickies in each sections and just absorbing information. I find the stickies in the men's/general sections highly informational. There is not much training difference between men and women besides the amount of weight we can lift and the rate at which we get bigger (much slower and smaller in general because we lack testosterone). My husband and I basically do the same routine...except he does shrugs which I don't do because I already have a short neck, and he does calves but my calves are mega-meaty so I don't bother with those yet.

Good luck - it's really fun!!

Sister, you are already a goddess.  Your arms look rock solid! I hope training becomes my new addiction.  Way better than food (or shopping $$$$)!!

 

I wish I could find something I love!!
I wish I could be hypnotized to love exercise! lol
One of these days something will motivate me I hope.
You look great...your arms are awesome. I'm so happy for you.

damn girl! You look great!

AMAZING!  You look fabulous and strong.  I love your arms.

Your arms and shoulders look amaizing Mandy. I would never have guessed that you were ever heavy before. I, as so many others on this board, am truly inspired by your posts.KEEP ON A ROCKIN IT GIRL!!!!!!

You look awesome! Even your pic from 50 pounds ago looks better than I ever will!

For those who can't afford a gym (or are intimidated by that atmosphere), you can buy a set of adjustable hand weights at places like Target. Also check sites like Craigslist for free or very cheap sets of weights or other workout equipment (that's where I got my elliptical).
Hop online (we obviously all have the internet!) and Google yourself some simple exercises. They don't have to be complicated to be effective. Some cable "on demand" features also have free workouts you can watch. AND, if you have Netflix, you can watch workouts there on demand as well.

I joined 24 hour fitness about 4 years ago and promptly quit.   I guess there was some class action suit.  The day before I left for my surgery I got 3 months free and there is one in the building I work in!!!  I plan on joining up again in November once I am all healed up and ready for a real workout!  In the meantime, I'm just walking.  I'll probably get on my elliptical this weekend and see how far I can go...

Yea, I lifted before when I was heavy, but it was not like this at all, where you could see exercise change you. 

And what's cool about losing the weight fastish - I hike the dogs up some heartbreaking hills, and I remember wanting to turn around and go home on those hills.  Ya know? And then now I can sprint up them? Hells to the yea.

I went and got dunked in a fat dunker tank truck at the gym for my body fat!  I thought that I wished I had gotten to do it last year when they were here. 

I will also say you gotta juice to look like a man.  I know muscles are not for everybody, but man they help me feel strong - and I do not have that weird vulnerable feeling that I have had before when I lost weight down to X weight for 3 seconds and gained it all and friends back.  So yaay for that!

And Mandy, you definitely can just lift and maintain after you get where you wanna be, you have done so great!

And have always been so beauty!  :}