Blast you and your betrayal, weight training!

I looove weight training, and it has been part of my exercise routine since I started to work out regularly.  I went from being really weak to actually fairly strong, with some nice tonage in my arms and chest, and my shoulders have even gotten a little wider and toned.

The only problem?  One of my favorite strapless dresses is getting a wee tight in the chest now!  And when I saw a wee tight, I mean I have to shallow breath in it. lol.  It is way looser than it was before around my hips, waist, and butt, plus I weigh less then I did when I bought the dress, so I know for sure it's the fact I have become a little more muscular up top then before.

I'm not too concerned about it, it's not like it is unwearable now, but it was a little disappointing.  This is the first time since becoming fitter that I've actually said "...aw." in a sad way. lol

I suppose I will just have to use it as an excuse to buy a new dress?? 

We'll have to whisper about this in the corner, lest all the scaredy girlys out there interpret this as........"becoming bulky"..........but.....

I did notice the same thing. Once I started lifting weights more seriously and regularly, I noticed that my shoulders became a little wider - I could feel it in the way jackets and shirts fit. However, to look at me, I think looked smaller (and way better). I too dropped measurement in the lower body, like you.

And....I love it! I am so proud of going from flabby to muscular. And going from weak to strong. My upper body strength used to be pathetic. Now the strength of my upper and lower body is balanced. And I look so much better.

So....no disappointment! Celebrate with your new dress. And fabulous shoulders.

Congratulations!  And go out and reward yourself with a new dress :)

I'm gonna add weights today...

Pictures Glam sitting in front of a big pile of weights.  She picks one up "one", then puts it to one side and picks up another "two"...

Wait, that's counting weights, not adding weights.

Original Post by rpg_girl:

I looove weight training, and it has been part of my exercise routine since I started to work out regularly.  I went from being really weak to actually fairly strong, with some nice tonage in my arms and chest, and my shoulders have even gotten a little wider and toned.

The only problem?  One of my favorite strapless dresses is getting a wee tight in the chest now!  And when I saw a wee tight, I mean I have to shallow breath in it. lol.  It is way looser than it was before around my hips, waist, and butt, plus I weigh less then I did when I bought the dress, so I know for sure it's the fact I have become a little more muscular up top then before.

I'm not too concerned about it, it's not like it is unwearable now, but it was a little disappointing.  This is the first time since becoming fitter that I've actually said "...aw." in a sad way. lol

I suppose I will just have to use it as an excuse to buy a new dress?? 

 I may be trespassing on the meaning of this thread, but how did you use weights to make your shoulders bigger? I applaud you on how awesome you've done (Your profile picture looks amazing, and you're super pretty!). I was just wondering if you used free weights, if so then how, or machines, body weight, ect.

The reason I'm asking is because my shoulders naturally slope downward, and if they 'bulked up' (i'm not afraid ;D!) shirts/dresses would fit better (;

Please and thank you for a reply, and congratz again!

Could you maybe have it altered to let the chest out just a bit?

Thank you so much for the congrats, ladies! :)

 Furrybelly, believe it or not, what you said really registered with me, and I feel way better about it.  Much prouder for it, even if I may have to get some new clothing ;)

 Hahaha Knowan!  Good luck with the weights, Glam!

 Sharpshootin, it has crossed my mind to have it let out at the chest, but there is very little seam fabric.  I pretty well got it fitted right to me when I bought it, and I don’t know anything about clothing in that aspect.  But I think I will take it to our seamstress and see if it would be possible.  I have a matching wrap for the dress I never use, so I'm wondering if I could steal fabric from that to help if there isn't enough seam? (I don't know anything about altering clothing, so... I don't even know if this is possible).

 Wingedmonster, you’re so sweet!!!  Thank you so much, you made me blush!! :)  I use both free weights as well as certain machines, plus push-ups, in my routine.  I do 3 sets of 10-12 reps on each exercise.  I think a whole upper body workout counts towards making your shoulders wider in the end, but I suppose if I were to break it down, my main shoulder exercises would be:

 Free weights:

 The “Dumbbell Press”- hold the weights at your belt, palms facing up, lifting them to your shoulders, then turning them to have your palms face outwards as you lift them higher above your head.  Reverse it on the way down. (Love this one)

 The “Rear Delt Rise”- stand up straight holding two weights at your side, palms facing in, then lean forward until you are bent in half, straighten your arms out to the side with the weights, and lift until your arms are parallel to the floor, then bring them down again.

 Machine:

The “Cable Lat Pulldown”!!- I think this is one of the best machine exercises for building the shoulders.  If I’m ever running late or don’t have as much time at the gym as I usually do, I always make that this is the main machine exercise I do.

I hope that helps!! 

I have a question about this (I just NROLFW in the mail today). Could you just not workout the chest/shoulder area to prevent this from happening? Like, I'd imagine (if I was thin of course and could see how it looked properly), if I got my chest/shoulders to the way I'd like them, couldn't I just maintain it?

I'm not really sure how this whole thing works... I'm completely new to this. I've only been doing push ups, squats, and deadlifts while waiting for the book.

Sure, when training for aesthetics you emphasize or de-emphasize certain muscles and movement patterns in your training according to how you're developing and how that matches up to your goal body. Figure and natural body building isn't about packing on as much meat as physically possible*, it's about training for symmetry and perfection of form which often requires adjusting training to make sure your muscles stay proportionate to one another. 

 So yah, you've got the right idea - when you're satisfied with a muscle, you move to maintenance training for it.

*Unlike professional body building where the current fashion is to take up as much space as physically possible without regard to proportionality, symmetry or aesthetics to the point of complete ridiculousness ;)

I want to beat my husband in arm wrestling... then I will be the happiest girl in the world, haha.

Original Post by cptbunny:

I want to beat my husband in arm wrestling...

all this weight training for this?????? Oh bunny! can't you just do this and beat him???

Well, there are the obvious health reasons. :D

But he has challenged me to a duel! I cannot allow myself to win through cheating! I will win in pure muscley victory and my victory cry will be heard around the world!

*psychs self up*

Thanks rpg_girl! I will try those things; very appreciated! :D

God Bless!

Did anyone else read the title of this thread with Wash's voice in your head?

Ah! Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!