FINALLY! I lost 5-6 pounds! Thank Goodness!

I started a thread not too long ago talking about my frustration with not losing any more weight from my pregnancy. I had started this new program called New Rules of Weight Lifting for Women and it called for 2000 calories or at least that's what I thought I read. I guess that was the reason I wasn't losing even though I had been working out like crazy. So I got depressed and I stopped going to the gym for about a week because it didn't seem to be working. But at the same time I decreased my calories to about 1400. I went  back to eating 5-6 small meals a day and I guess that jumped started something. I don't know what did the trick but I'm so glad because now I have a new motivation. Now that it's coming off I believe that more can come off. I also went to see a plastic surgeon about a tummy tuck because I had a c section and it made me feel good to hear him tell me I looked good and didn't need to lose weight. :) Good Luck to all trying to lose pounds. Don't give up!

That's great! I've heard a lot about the program you mentioned... New Rules of Weight Lifting for Women. I used to lift a lot but I dropped off to a ridiculous sedentary lifestyle. I lost about 6 lbs but I've stopped since then and I'm afraid the scale is going to start going in the wrong direction again... Is this program like a book you can buy at the bookstore or something? I'm definitely interested!

congrats.  Weightlifting is the bomb.  I finally was able to get my gym membership back after a long hiatus.  Deadlifts here I come!!

@ qhiggins, you can buy New Rules of Lifting for Women at bookstores or online at amazon for a pretty decent price.  There is also a group on CC.  I am really enjoying the program. 

As nenewa said, it does call for higher calories since it's a strength program and not necessarily a weight loss program, but if you want weight loss you can just lower the calories a bit (that's what I'm doing).  Do be aware that when you start / re-start strength training you may see some water weight gains for a few weeks, but stick with it and it will disappear (plus some extra!).

Congrats on your weight loss! Keep up the good work. I liked the NROLFW but I wasn't at my goal weight and I was more concerned with that at the time. Once I get back to my goal weight (for the millionth time) I'm gonna start it back up.

Original Post by awestendorf:

Do be aware that when you start / re-start strength training you may see some water weight gains for a few weeks, but stick with it and it will disappear (plus some extra!).

 awestendorf - does the book talk about that? I have the book at home, I read a lot of it but don't remember that part. I was planning to start this program, but I am a bit intimidated by the gym right now, at least the one by my house as it is always packed with meatheads and I just don't want to deal with it....anyways, I decided to do some firm videos twice a week (plus cardio) for a while and then start the program when I am feeling a bit more confident and fit. I haven't lost ANYTHING in two weeks but my clothes feel a bit better, maybe because I have re-started strength training I've got some water weight? I was thinking I needed to lower my calories a tad.....hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Hmmm...I don't think the book talks about that.  Probably something I picked up from forums and the NROLFW group on here.  I didn't see too much of a change because I had already been doing some lifting for a few months, but one of my friends gained 5+ pounds her first few weeks! 

Honestly, don't be intimidated!  Most of the guys will just ignore you anyway.  I've only had 1 person come up to me the entire time to say something besides "are you done with that?"  I'm not very familiar with the firm videos, but I was under the impression those were more cardio than real lifting (i.e. higher reps w/ lower weight).  IMO you'd be better off starting NROLFW.  You could always get a trainer for 1 session and have him/her take you through the exercises - that way you'd get some pointers on form and learn the layout and equipment better.  Or go at an off-peak time so you feel less ogled :)

I remember in NROLFW he talks about that (or even being able to see swelling) - he says something like "Women see it and say eep! I'm getting HUGE! and stop lifting; guys see it and say Yeah! I'm getting HUGE! and try to lift every day. Both of them are doing the wrong thing."

Oh yes!  Now I remember...I read the book in June, apparently my recall is not that great :P

You're right those guys suck anyways. I think the difficulty of the firm videos depends on your level of fitness...they do use light weights but for example, they do lot's of lunges and stepping (up on a 14 inch step)... now I am about 50 lbs overweight so doing those with my bodyweight is really tough, I am SUPER SORE afterwards. It is aerobic in the sense of constant movement but curcuit-like in the sense of the weight lifting....so at this point it is pretty tough for me and I've gotten results from them in the past. But if you were only a few lbs overweight and in decent shape, the videos would definitely not do much I would think. Good idea about a trainer - I will do that. I've been a 24 hr fitness member for years but never used a trainer!

Altough one time a guy wanted to alternate in (can't remember what he said) and it totally threw me off what I was doing and wierded me out! ha ha, who cares right?

Anyways good job newnewa - I am re-thinking starting this program soon!

Thanks everyone! Just like the other poster I too am more concerned with weight loss right now! Once I hit my goal weight I will go back to that program, but for now I'm just going to do the weightlifting that I was doing last year when I was at my goal weight. I'm going back to what worked for me before. :)