Wow. That is something that I think women need to learn; real muscle comes from lifting real weights. All this “I don’t want to get bulky” whining is ridiculous. I mean, look at how much your friend had to lift to get this fabulous body! If we don’t push ourselves to lift more and be better every day, we’ll never get the body that we want, we’ll always be wannabees.
Ok I guess I will brag a little here because I am super stoked about my lift today. First of all, some background… I’m a former distance runner who pretty much ran herself into the ground overtraining. I’m bulking now and trying to pack on a ton of weight on my small frame. currently sitting at 91 pounds, which is up 10 pounds from my start so I am super excited.
Aiming for at least another 20 or so though so have a long ways to go! I’m eating like crazy for someone my size- close to 3,000 calories a day but its working and I’m lovin’ the strength gains in the gym so not complaining too much. Anyways, got my rack deadlift (no straps, just a bit of chalk) up to 210 pounds today for 8 reps from just below knee level! Yea I know it is nothing compared to most of you, but I was super excited! I’m thinking I could probably do 250 for 1 rep at least, but am kinda scared to max out.
Anyways, you strong ladies are awesome and totally inspiring for me!
Oh wow, a person who makes me feel like a moose :)!! Awright! I don’t mean to imply that you are tooo tiny; as you mentioned, you’re gaining some weight, and obviously muscle. As a former sub-100 pounder who also was a runner (not incredibly talented, tho’!), it’s interesting to feel yourself getting stronger, huh? I’ve sure liked it a LOT more than I thought I would.
And, as a former eating disorder poster girl, I still have the odd EEK! vision of me doubling my present body weight, but building fat-burning muscles sure seems like the way to go. In my app. 6 mos. of lifting so far, my weight hasn’t really changed, but my stick-ish wiry bod now has bigger and more distinct muscles i.e. lats, traps, quads, hamstrings etc.
(My eating has been pretty normal for quite a few years now; I’m just about always munching on stuff-not ALL healthy!-but just not to excess. I’m also on a bit of a protein shake regimen. I’d rather just have a chocolate milkshake, but I need the ‘superfuel’!)
I was also one of those “must do lots of cardio” types, but have found my pulse/blood pressure have dropped due to powerlifting training, and I still have decent endurance for a bit of a run, or anything of that sort required. So, count me in as a definite convert…and I’ve played quite a few sports at a very competitive level; not a star, just a solid plodder!
Regarding the ‘psychological’ benefits that go along with physical strength/fitness, I was a bit skeptical about that aspect, but really have found myself changing in a positive way i.e. general sense of confidence. Just have to watch I don’t morph that improvement into clinical megalomania ;)!!
Sooo, congrats on your work so far-continue to grow that strength and enjoy it; soon I will be seething with jealousy at a fellow ‘microstrong’s’ accomplishments…but my newfound calmer/stronger self will be cool with that!
1
p.s. and just 'cuz you’re lifting, doesn’t mean you can’t go for the odd run just for fun if you’re inclined; as for me, I’m NOT giving up my PONY ways…just combining riding with lifting, although I must admit my enthusiasm for flinging my mount and I over higher jumps has faded a bit (wanna be in one piece to lift!).
[quote]sic wrote:
Wow. That is something that I think women need to learn; real muscle comes from lifting real weights. All this “I don’t want to get bulky” whining is ridiculous. I mean, look at how much your friend had to lift to get this fabulous body! If we don’t push ourselves to lift more and be better every day, we’ll never get the body that we want, we’ll always be wannabees. [/quote]
Agree Sic! It wasn’t PILATES that “lengthened her muscles” and gave her that body… it was RAW IRON! (not knocking pilates… it has it’s place, and if your muscles are shortened from poor posture or other stresses, then it can help stretch them out… but WILL NOT stretch them beyond their genetically pre-determined length!!! Sorry… had to get that rant out there)
She is 5’6" and 118 in that pic… and she ALWAYS lifts heavy… ALWAYS! She is closer to 130 now (and when she did that incredible close grip press) and still looks awesome! No pink dumbbells for her =P
[quote]k8thegr8 wrote:
Ok I guess I will brag a little here because I am super stoked about my lift today. First of all, some background… I’m a former distance runner who pretty much ran herself into the ground overtraining. I’m bulking now and trying to pack on a ton of weight on my small frame. currently sitting at 91 pounds, which is up 10 pounds from my start so I am super excited.
Aiming for at least another 20 or so though so have a long ways to go! I’m eating like crazy for someone my size- close to 3,000 calories a day but its working and I’m lovin’ the strength gains in the gym so not complaining too much. Anyways, got my rack deadlift (no straps, just a bit of chalk) up to 210 pounds today for 8 reps from just below knee level! Yea I know it is nothing compared to most of you, but I was super excited! I’m thinking I could probably do 250 for 1 rep at least, but am kinda scared to max out.
Anyways, you strong ladies are awesome and totally inspiring for me![/quote]
Amazing pull Kate (I assume thats your name! =D)
How fun is it to feel strong and powerful? Can’t wait to hear about more of your great lifts! Video next time maybe?
and BTW, this is THE THREAD to brag about yourself!!! If you don’t tell us about it, who will? =D
Well said, sic and 727; since coming over to the ‘heavy’ [iron] side, I’ve gotten more muscular and gained strength…but I don’t look any different in my street (better make that BARN!) clothes!
I used to be a bit of a cardio addict, and sort of clung to my short! stringbean-ish-ness (aside from ye olde horse chores and riding related mini-muscles).
I’ll never give up my equine addiction, but now when I shove a horse/pony over-some like to play “I’M in YOUR space!”-they go “Oh CRAP, she’s not a wimp!” HA.
I’ve gone from Body by Pony, to Body by PL, and I REALLY like the change. Whodda thunk it?! I only wish I’d tried the iron sooner…
Hey thanks for the replies and support! Yes, giving up running was quite hard at first but now I get the same “high” I got from running with my lifting. And I am not doing much cardio at all (just walking on a treadmill a few times a week as a cool-down- never over 20 minutes though!)
As much as I love running, I don’t want to sacrifice any size gains right now… I am 100% devoted to putting on some serious muscle. I am so loving the heavy lifting that I hardly miss running at all anymore!
Man you gals are freakin’ strong! It’s easy for guys to get out of their comfort zones because the male ego will always get us goin’. But man… you gals are making me feel like I better move them weights before you surpass me (And you probably will!)
MMG, I did great on the deads. That Kate and her “little” frame pushing them numbers… ACK! I feel weak. I need to go in the woods and scream or something…
Keep on keepin on ladies.
I think I’ll love the heavy lifting even more once I start SEEING some real changes in my body because of it…
I’m the opposite, I loath cardio, but it’s a must for me at this stage…
[quote]The Savage wrote:
Man you gals are freakin’ strong! It’s easy for guys to get out of their comfort zones because the male ego will always get us goin’. But man… you gals are making me feel like I better move them weights before you surpass me (And you probably will!)
MMG, I did great on the deads. That Kate and her “little” frame pushing them numbers… ACK! I feel weak. I need to go in the woods and scream or something…
Keep on keepin on ladies.[/quote]
Hey thanks Savage!.. I can’t wait till I can post some more pictures and people start calling me “big Kate” haha!
Just posted this in the Figure Athlete section… thought you might want to read about it here too! =D
Ok… time to brag on another one of my girlfriends!! My friend Susie did a RAW powerlifting meet today (BELT ONLY). She did the meet on a whim (she decided just last week to do it. Her bf is a powerlifter and she lifts VERY heavy and competes in figure, so she thought it would be fun)…
She is 4’10-4’11" weighs 111 lbs and she deadlifted 243, squatted 230 and benched 116!!!
Here is a pic of her rockin’ body too…
“big and bulky” is nowhere to be found! Just lean and sculpted! =D
shut-up!
That is awesome!
I wish I could just say, ‘hmm, I think Ill do a PL comp. next week.’ lol…
[quote]mom-in-MD wrote:
shut-up!
That is awesome!
I wish I could just say, ‘hmm, I think Ill do a PL comp. next week.’ lol…[/quote]
I know, right??? she asked if I wanted to do it with her, but I knew she would embarrass me in terms of body weight:lifts… =D
I mean sometimes we use the same weight in the gym (I usually use a little bit more) but I weigh like 45% more than she does, I should be out-lifting her like crazy, but I’M NOT!!!
Plus, I had to work a bunch last week and I knew that I would be too worn out to do a meet… =P
I DL’d 235 today (225, 235, missed 240) and pressed 80lbs for 2x3. New PRs for me!
WOW! Looks awesome! 225 went up FAST and so did 235! I know you had 240 in you!!! The thing that I have been taught with DL is… NEVER GIVE UP! If you can get it off the ground… keep pulling NO MATTER what! Even if you feel like you are never going to get it… keep pulling!
Those are awesome videos Jillybop! =D
Can’t wait to see more!
Nice lifts. Put an ice cube on the small of your back just before you lift and keep you butt down and head up.
TNT
Thanks! Watching it back it looks like I should have kept going, but my hands were giving out 
[quote]Jillybop wrote:
I DL’d 235 today (225, 235, missed 240) and pressed 80lbs for 2x3. New PRs for me!
[/quote]
Jillybop,verrry impressive, congrats on hard work and keep up the great work!!!
Hey Molls! Taken your advice & joinin’ in. I built up to a heavy triple for me at 135 flat bench followed by 3x5 lockouts up to 225 lbs. Heard you were doing Tricky, this true?
Hey Autumn! Those lifts are awesome! I am so glad you joined! (as you can see I was already bragging on you! =D)
I’ll PM you about Tricky =D