Most of us start lifting for a couple of reasons, and one of them, sure, is to get fit and healthy. But if we're completely honest with ourselves, the other reason probably comes closer to our desire to look something like this:
The weight lifting community has skyrocketed over the past year or so, but with mostly positive '#gainz' posts, there are some things you might be left not knowing.
- Your clothes will start to not fit... But not in the way you wanted...
When I first started working out, like most people, I believed that squats were the key to a round, toned butt and that lifting in general would make me thinner.
Well, this is only partly true. Although my waists did get smaller, my thighs started growing like crazy, and my butt? Not all that much. This is because although squats WILL make your butt bigger, the exercise primarily uses your quads (otherwise known as your thighs), and so your legs in general are going to grow just as fast (if not faster!) than your butt. Whilst some girls want to work towards hench thighs, if it's the butt your after then make sure you're doing the right exercises to achieve your goals. Kickbacks and hip thrusts will probably be more effective for you.
- The calluses are real. Really real.
After weightlifting for a little while, you might notice that you start to get little tough patches of skin on the parts of your hand that grip the bar. Unfortunately, this is just something that goes hand in hand with weightlifting. Some people use gloves but others believe it's better to just embrace your body changing and adapting - just don't pick them off, they'll bleed and get sore!
- Your body will feel more exhausted than you knew was possible.
So you thought your body was knackered after going for that jog? Think again. Once you've pushed your body to its limits, it's going to hurt. And it hurts bad. It will also hurt for longer than cardio fatigue, so make sure you're eating lots of protein to help rebuild those muscles and minimise the pain.
However - a silver lining is that after you've been lifting for a while, the pain goes away for many people. You just have to get through the first month or so.
- Lifting is not attractive... Unless you're doing it wrong.
Unfortunately, there is simply no way to look cute whilst lifting the maximum amount of weight your body can manage. Your face might go red, you'll sweat, shake, pull odd facial expressions... But it's worth it for the sense of achievement afterwards. We promise.
- It's addictive... No, really.
If you're yet to start lifting you may be wondering how something that's painful and difficult can be addictive. Well, it is. Seeing your body change, adapt and get stronger is addictive, and you just want to keep pushing and pushing yourself to get better! The downside of this is the awful feeling when you fail a rep and have to decrease. But try not to feel too bad, it happens to everyone and is just part of the process!
What have I missed? Is there anything you wish you'd been told before you started weight lifting?
I started doing sports and watching my diet ( more or less) again and dropping weight like crazy atm.
I dont lift I go for BJJ and Yoga but my body doesnt care for this atm and just get rids of the uneeded pounds.
It gets really addictive, I just want to do more and thinking about how I can sneak in a third session a day.
The need to grow is something we have in us and fullfilling this can make you really really happy imo.
sry for rambling
nice post you earned my vote
Yes definitely! As soon as you start taking care of your body you just want to do it more and more. Thanks for the feedback, I've followed you - hope you see some of your content on my feed soon!
I like your post up voted! Check out my latest video crocodile cage diving in Africa! an up vote would also be greatly appreciated
Thanks for the upvote! I'll do yours :)
thank you! :)
great post
Thanks! I've given you a follow, hopefully see some of your posts on my feed soon!
Nice post, addiction part is true, but I am 6 months clean now. :))
Btw I guess you forgot to increase numbers. Keep up good posts.
Hi there - thanks for your comment! Actually maybe you'll be able to help me with this. In my original, I had put number 1-5, but in the preview noticed that they'd all been changed to the number 1. I thought this might be a glitch in the preview as I double checked the original and all the numbers were correct. But you're right, they're not increasing here and I have no idea why!
I am not sure but I guess when you add photos between items or press enter to paragraph they loose connection and behaves like independent. So counts from 1 again. For that you can manually edit. Learning that html things takes some time ;) Welcome to steemit by the way @harrietbradley!
Ohhh yes that makes sense. Thank you! And thanks, I'm sure I'll get to grips with it eventually haha! Enjoying it so far :)
Hey welcome here at steemit @harrietbradley !!! 😉👍
I follow you now ...
Greetings from Cologne
Lars @@@laloelectrix
#upvoted and #resteemed
Hey :) thanks so much! I've followed you back.
Great post! I posted it on our Facebook too: https://www.facebook.com/SteemitOfficial/posts/305614583226016?notif_t=like¬if_id=1497516050635553
Keep it up!
Thanks Steve!
How interesting. A wonderful post.
Thank you! Much appreciated!
everything is true about that!! the struggle about shrinking Cloth is real haha :D
very nice post,
I follow you now :)
Love it! i love to see other girls on here who are inspired by fitness, please check out my latest post, and keep it up! i'm following, i'd love to see more :)
so about that round butt....