I’m currently on a train from Hartford to Washington, DC to spend the week with some family! Isn’t technology awesome? I love that I can use this time to finally catch up on some blog action. It’s been a busy past few weeks, but for good, productive reasons. Can’t complain about that!
In January, I started hitting the gym consistently again–not because of the new year, but because I finally had my strength and energy return after my still-undiagnosed-illness-thing started to subside. I had gained about 25 pounds from all of that, so I was psyched to get back into a healthy lifestyle and FINALLY feel like I had control over my body again. For about a year before trying it, I knew that I wanted to begin to focus on weight lifting.
However, for most of that year I felt a bit lost and intimidated by the idea of weight lifting. What if I hurt myself? What if I did things in such a horribly wrong way that some guy would have to come over and correct my form? What if the dudes at the gym were mean to me or chuckled at this girl trying use the barbell?
…total middle school girl-level low self esteem kind of stuff, right?! But then I see awesome people like Maria who are totally badass chicks that just. DO. it! Besides, one of my resolutions is to finish 2013 feeling strong. But sadly, many of the articles, websites, and blogs that I read about weight lifting for females (or anyone, really) were filled with horribly incorrect information. So I kept digging.
Being the type of person who needs research-backed methods and science-based reasons for attacking something new (read: I’m a huge nerd), I started doing some deeper reading online, and found a few things that totally changed my mindset:
- My friend Griffin retweeted a link to this fabulous article. If you are interested in weight lifting or are kind of lost at the gym, this article is a must-read.
- Starting Strength by Mark Rippetoe. I bought a copy of this after reading the above article, and have since seen it recommended by many other weight lifters online. A fantastic book about not only proper form, but the physiological reasons why the various forms are the most beneficial ways to reap the benefits of lifting.
- Nerd Fitness. A site/blog/community led by Steve Kamb that is promotes fitness in the same manner of the first article I cited. Some great articles: “How to NOT suck at working out,” and “How to Work Out Properly in a Commercial Gym.”
getting ready to tackle my favorite: deadlifts.[/caption]
I cannot even put into words how empowering it is to lift heavy–especially as a female. It means even more to me since I was so fragile while battling the mystery illness that had me so weak, I couldn’t even open a heavy door myself. I feel like I am finally in charge of my body–I get to determine how strong it is. And no one else gets a say in that. It’s completely up to me!
Since beginning this part of my journey, I have only gained weight–but in one month, I lost 6 inches off of my body! I’m learning to ignore the scale and focus more on how my body feels instead. I can feel arm muscles forming for the first time in my life–and it feels amazing. My lower body has always been strong, but my arms are the weakest part of my body…but not for long! My body is truly changing before my eyes. Lifting is transforming me both physically & mentally.
People always say that you need to find some kind of exercise that you absolutely love in order to maintain interest in healthy living. I’ve done all kinds of exercising throughout my health journey, but this is the first time that I have truly, madly, deeply (early 90s music references for the win!) loved a form of exercise. I have never been more motivated to work out, or more happy with the little victories.
I’m certainly not lifting anywhere near as heavy as many of the badass ladies out there in the world, but I every time I add an extra 5 or 10 lbs to that barbell, I feel so accomplished that I just want to go tell everyone!
So the moral of the story is this: it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. I definitely don’t look like I lift weights, and I’m far from skinny, but who cares? When I pick that bar, I prove to myself and everyone that I am a strong, healthy, motivated woman who is taking the steps to be better.
If you are curious about lifting, then just go do it! Read some helpful articles, check out youtube videos of Mark Rippetoe coaching people to use good form with barbell exercises, find women that inspire you, see if you can grab a friend to go with you to double-check your form, and then dive right in and go for it! Who cares if you’re barely able to lift the bar? Every rep changes who you are and makes you better, stronger, and more resilient.
And honestly? Most people will think you are a totally badass chick just for venturing into the squat rack.
Do you like to lift weights? Do you use only dumbbells, the barbell, or both?
What hesitations do you have about the gym/gym culture?
What form of exercise gets you excited to workout?
my name is katie and I'm a blogger based in connecticut. This is the place where I chat about the many interests I have! I love to cook & eat. I'm an aspiring fitness nut, and an occasional crafter. I hope you enjoy reading about my adventures!
i am so happy for you that you’ve found something you truly looooove! whenever i see a friend find that in fitness i get so excited for him or her. weight lifting is really so awesome! i just love taking group power at healthtrax – i did saturday morning and i am going to this monday evening. the fact that weight lifting makes me feel so kickass has really been helping me get over the guilt i feel when i do weights instead of or without cardio on some days. after all it’s hard to waste time feeling down on myself when i’ve just proved to myself how strong i am. and yes scales are for sissies :P can’t wait to watch you continue to love and lift!
Thanks girl! It really feels SO amazing to have found something I enjoy so much. I have got to try ou the group power class–maybe some Saturday or Sunday we can do it together so you can show me the ropes! :) & you are so right–you’ve just got to focus on how amazing & strong you are instead of worrying about cardio. Weight lifting is so much more enjoyable–at least in my book! :)
Great article, I love lifting, feel so powerful and it helps my running :) I hear so many women scared to start
Thank you so much, Jen! It’s so awesome that you’re a runner & you lift–I know so many runners who don’t do any sort of weight training. I’ve felt encouraged more lately as I see more women who are doing Crossfit…hopefully more & more women start to realize how awesome it is to lift, and what a great form of exercise it is!
I absolutely love this, and every one of your tweets about lifting gets me psyched. I know EXACTLY what you were feeling before starting: the intimidation against the strong desire to do it and to get strong. I also share that true love for lifting heavy…where I actually look forward to doing it. Other types of exercise were always at least somewhat extrinsically motivated by aesthetics or whatever, but for me lifting is just about lifting! What a great feeling, huh? Anyway, I am really happy that you have found something so beneficial (and so badass) that you love to do. This post is a must-read for women (and men too) with that apprehension about trying strength training. I am really looking forward to more updates along your journey. Rock on, Katie!
P.S. Thanks for the shout out! That article was indeed killer.
I love that you are like my long-distance lifting buddy! Haha. It really is a feeling like nothing else. Other workouts are okay, and sometimes even fun, but I’m ALWAYS excited to lift. Your whole healthy lifestyle is really inspiring to me–it seems like it’s such a part of who you are, and that is awesome! :)
Excellent article! All spot on and very well said. I love lifting and doing exercise, and it has helped me immensely. Proud of how far you have come! Keep up the good work Katie and kick that mystery illnesses ass.