Question for the Ladies

[Desertthorn]

But the guys can jump in also.
Just wondering how many ladies add weight training to their exercise routine and do you find it beneficial?

[Isabeau]

I do, and yes. I love how quickly you see results. My body is totally changing. I lost 39 inches in 12 weeks. I'm doing fairly vigorous lifting (following the Body for Life program). I'm addicted!

[Jake]

I'll answer not for myself but for the women I know that have started working out, alot of times I will be talking to them and they think that weight training is only for men, once they start doing it, they get addicted. Seems to tone them nicely. Just an observation.

[2big4mysize]

yep the resistance training added the new lean body mass to increase our metabolism as we lose weight and our bodies try to slow down that metabolism in responce to us dipping into the fat reserves. Plus I love it.

[loonatika]

I do it 3x a week and love it. Also love the way I'm so much stronger now with everyday things like bringing in loads of wood, or getting tops off jars.

I am woman, hear me roar

[mere150]

Well, I've just recently added small amounts of weight training to my exercise. I would say it's helped but it sure isn't making the scale move. I keep getting compliments from the same people who were noticing 3 months ago (and the scale hasn't moved much since then--only 2-3 pounds).

[ztachick]

I started weight training, mostly inspired by loonatika so i try to go mon - sat but htats never happend usually its mon- thurs, but at least i go now

[iyamamaschke]

I weight teain and it surely has helped me I ahve lost 43 pounds of Bodyfat and tons of inches all in 16 week. I don';t think I would be doing as well without it. I was taught when I was in my early 20's to lift like a man I still do to this day. I don't understand why more women don't I think it's fear but, fear of what, no woman is ever going to get man muscles unless she take a testosterone suppliment or ROIDS most women would never even think of it I would never. And I am starting to look darn fine. I could never have done it without the weights. I didn't lose in my journey actually gained 5 wehn I started lifting but the inches MAN they go down like crazy who wouldn't want that.

Sarah

[sadie147]

I find it extremely beneficial and lift 3-4 times a week (both free weights and cable machines), I'm fortunate to have a hubby who's been lifting for years..so i have a free trainer!


Here's an awesome sight for womens weightlifting advice, faq's tips etc. This girl also has an awesome sense of humour!

http://www.stumptuous.com/weights.html

[ztachick]

I also have a question reguarding this..
well we all know that you need to rest beetween days so if you lift 4-5 times a week that means that you are only doing the upper and lower body like 2 times each- thats not enough though is it????thanks

[Jake]

I also have a question reguarding this..
well we all know that you need to rest beetween days so if you lift 4-5 times a week that means that you are only doing the upper and lower body like 2 times each- thats not enough though is it????thanks

That is more than enough, if you worked much more than that you run the risk of potentially overtraining and tiring out the muscles not giving them enough time to rest. This will be even more important once you start lifting heavier weight.

[loonatika]

yup, what jake said

I'm only doing each muscle group 1x a week now, but I'm lifting heavy. When I started I was doing a fullbody workout and doing each group 3x a week. I was lifting heavy then for what I could handle, but looking back my weights were a joke

So 2x per week is more than enough. If time is an issue, then 1x a week is still beneficial.

The site sadie posted is my fave for weightlifting, lots of great hints and tips and humor.

[JoanOH]

As weird as it sounds, weight training is my exercise of choice! I do some cardio too, but I prefer weight training and the great way I feel afterwards <flexing!>...

Joan J

[Lyssie]

I started back on this WoE the middle/end of December, and started lifting the beginning of January, since I started lifting, I have lost much more weight, and more importantly, inches. Even weighing 230 lbs, I can fit into clothes that I weighed ~200 the last time i wore. Not only that, I feel better about myself, and it's always great to look at a body part (i rediscovered my calves just yesterday) and be like "Damn!! Lookit that!!". I think I do more than you guys are recommending though - I go with a guy from work who has been lifting for about 23 years... we do weights every day (Mon-Fri) alternating between Chest&Back, Legs, and Shoulders&Arms. I also top it off with cardio every day. All I can say is, I've lost 37 pounds since the middle of January, and feel *great*.

[Jake]

I go with a guy from work who has been lifting for about 23 years... we do weights every day (Mon-Fri) alternating between Chest&Back, Legs, and Shoulders&Arms. I also top it off with cardio every day. *great*.

Alot of people will use 5 day splits (Mon-Fri I use this myself but on rotating cycles), 3 day splits, lift everyday, everyones preference varies it depends what your body responds to. However doing the same routine for too long your body will get used to it and you'll hit a plateu gain wise of muscle.

When you aren't lifting that heavy of weights it isn't as much of a concern but learning how to do it right is important so that you don't run the risk of overtraining. Doesn't seem like Mon-Fri is too much to me, its about what you do on those days, not how many days you lift for.