Please leave my pink dumb bells alone! =) mini rant

I know there are many here who love their deadlifts, seriously weighted squats and all the rest of their routine and I am really glad that they are being so successful but PLEASE stop putting down those of us who prefer dumb bells, even the pink ones.

I don't have a degree in anything fitness related but I can tell you that the best exercises are the ones you'll actually do. I may one day get up to the heavy weights and a different way of training but until I do please stop telling me I'm not getting the best results.

I have lost 34lbs and a ton of inches. I love using my firm videos, adjustable step, weighted bar and dumb bells. When I see posts where people, no matter how good their intentions tell someone to stop using "the pink dumb bells" and "get serious" it makes me a little sad and angry and grateful that I wasn't using CC when I first started to try and be more healthy. The first weights I could use while doing my workouts were green and weighed 2lbs. My heaviest weights were 6lbs and I couldn't finish the reps in my videos.

Now my lightest weights are 6lbs and my heaviest 10lbs. I can complete the reps, although it's hard at the end, do pushups and bench press 115lbs on occasion (working with my teenaged son is fun and motivational).

Please remember that some of us are facing major lifestyle changes and having found something that works for us it's discouraging to be told that what we're doing has little value or is not the "best" way. You can encourage us to try different things but don't belittle our current efforts.

To everyone who loves their pink dumb bells, or any other color, I say lift them high and be proud. If you can lift your dumb bell and are making healthier choices then more power to you! I personally will continue with my multi-colored weights and hold my head up high because 10lbs is a long way from 2lbs.

bigmommah - I get what you are saying, but I think you are missing what often goes unstated:

Lifting heavy is relative. People are not telling you to squat 100 pounds or even 20 pounds (in fact, people rarely, and should never, be giving you any pound recommnedation on what poundage to lift). They are encouraging you to lift as much as you can. If you are completing the reps, but it's hard at the end, then you are doing exactly what they suggest, as long as once you can consistently reach the end, you up the weight again, by however much you feel comfortable.

In general, women tend to lift light weights (or cans of soup or shampoo bottles) because they fear getting bulky, and these are the people that get told over and over to ditch the light weights - because they can lift more. If you are lifting as much as you can, nobody should dare tell you that you aren't doing enough.

Original Post by amethystgirl:

bigmommah - I get what you are saying, but I think you are missing what often goes unstated:

Lifting heavy is relative. People are not telling you to squat 100 pounds or even 20 pounds (in fact, people rarely, and should never, be giving you any pound recommnedation on what poundage to lift). They are encouraging you to lift as much as you can. If you are completing the reps, but it's hard at the end, then you are doing exactly what they suggest, as long as once you can consistently reach the end, you up the weight again, by however much you feel comfortable.

In general, women tend to lift light weights (or cans of soup or shampoo bottles) because they fear getting bulky, and these are the people that get told over and over to ditch the light weights - because they can lift more. If you are lifting as much as you can, nobody should dare tell you that you aren't doing enough.

Amethystgirl, I appreciate your reply however in a cyber forum such as this I can't glean nuances from people by expression or body language I can only respond to what they actually type.

There is a second class citizen paradigm in many messages for those who choose to use lighter weights or even soup cans as a means of resistance training. I'm sorry but if I've never lifted anything heavier than my arm and I start trying to get healthier by curling a can of peas as a way to do more, then I would hope that people would realize that while I will in no way build muscle definition or noticeable strength I am at least putting in the effort to try and make healthy change.

I know that most people who post are trying to be helpful, I just want to speak up for myself and others who prefer doing things differently.

Do whatever you want. Your time is yours to waste. People are only trying to explain to you a more efficient way to train.

Amethystgirl is correct in saying "heavy lifting" is relative. The trick is to lift what is heavy for your current ability. If you can do more than 20 reps of something, then it is too light to be the most efficient exercise.

You can bench press 115lbs and want to hold on to your pink dumbbells? Well ok I guess

Thirding what has already said. If you are lifting heavy for you, then that's all you can do. If a toilet paper roll is what is heavy for you, then go for it. If someone posts a thread saying they are doing 50 reps of 3lbs and wondering why it's not working, you bet your @ss I'm gonna say something!

I thought this was a forum to get the best possible information, not coddle and hand hold someone when they are doing something completely inefficiently. There's no reason to make anyone feel bad, but there's also no reason to not correct a false notion because someone's feelings might get hurt, either.

Let's try to turn this thread into something productive instead of an argument.

If some people are lifting weights that are too light for them, maybe some one could post a way to determine how much you should be lifting. Is there some kind of simple way to know if the weight is too heavy or too light?

Wow... just chew her up and spit her out why don't you....?

Bravo bigmommah! What works for one may not work for another! Go on and lift your pretty pink weights. I have red ones and blue ones... and a band that's hot pink. HA!

Original Post by flgirl:

Wow... just chew her up and spit her out why don't you....?

 How do people make it in the real world when they feel no one can have an opinion that's different than theirs?

ccrun4fun, if you can do more than 8-12 reps with a weight; it's too light.

Well, she was specifically asking people not to chew her out and then what do you know, she gets chewed up.

Sometimes people just want to ask a question and not get beat up... that's all. Like it USED to be on CC as compared to how it is today!

Please point out where someone "chewed her up" because all I see are comments on effective lifting.

One other thing - you used the phrase "if I've never lifted anything heavier than my arm."

But you have... I mean, you carry things, right? You probably carry a purse (which if you are like most women, is probably too heavy and bad for your back). You go to the grocery store, and probably not only pick up 10 cans of beans from the shelf in a row, but go on to lift 2L of soda or a gallon of milk or a 10 lb bag of flour.  You then put all of those things in a grocery bag, move it into your car, and carry it into your house. If you have kids, you lift them, carry them, maybe even swing them around. You carry books. Even if your suitcase has wheels, at some point you lift it into the car or up the stairs or onto the bed.

Everyone does at least some of those things, without thinking twice. But call it "weight lifting" and put it in dumbbell shape, and suddenly it's too heavy? [edit to add - I'm not addressing this to you - from what you said, you are lifting a good amount - please don't infer that I'm saying what you do isn't heavy enough.]

The best exercise is the one that you are actually going to do - anyone will tell you that. But if you are going to spend the time weight training, don't you want to learn how to make that time more effective, even if you don't do that right away - at least you know it's a possibility? Maybe people can be a little dismissive at times, but this site is about sharing knowledge, and helping people find the most effective and healthiest ways to do things. Baby steps are good, but if you that's all you do, it's going to take a lot longer to get somewhere.

Feanor, I could reply to your post in kind but I'd like to think I have more class than that.

Having lost 34lbs already I know that I am not "wasting" my time and that I will lead a healthier lifestyle in spite of people like you.

Original Post by spirochete:

Original Post by flgirl:

Wow... just chew her up and spit her out why don't you....?

How do people make it in the real world when they feel no one can have an opinion that's different than theirs?

ccrun4fun, if you can do more than 8-12 reps with a weight; it's too light.

If people weren't threatened by ideas outside of their comfort zone I don't think I would have been told I was "wasting" my time.

And to answer you, yes, I can bench 115 but it is not the way that I choose to work my muscles. I use my time on the weight bench to encourage my son in exercise that interests him, not me.

 

Original Post by amethystgirl:

One other thing - you used the phrase "if I've never lifted anything heavier than my arm."

But you have... I mean, you carry things, right? You probably carry a purse (which if you are like most women, is probably too heavy and bad for your back). You go to the grocery store, and probably not only pick up 10 cans of beans from the shelf in a row, but go on to lift 2L of soda or a gallon of milk or a 10 lb bag of flour. You then put all of those things in a grocery bag, move it into your car, and carry it into your house. If you have kids, you lift them, carry them, maybe even swing them around. You carry books. Even if your suitcase has wheels, at some point you lift it into the car or up the stairs or onto the bed.

Everyone does at least some of those things, without thinking twice. But call it "weight lifting" and put it in dumbbell shape, and suddenly it's too heavy? [edit to add - I'm not addressing this to you - from what you said, you are lifting a good amount - please don't infer that I'm saying what you do isn't heavy enough.]

The best exercise is the one that you are actually going to do - anyone will tell you that. But if you are going to spend the time weight training, don't you want to learn how to make that time more effective, even if you don't do that right away - at least you know it's a possibility? Maybe people can be a little dismissive at times, but this site is about sharing knowledge, and helping people find the most effective and healthiest ways to do things. Baby steps are good, but if you that's all you do, it's going to take a lot longer to get somewhere.

Am, I really appreciate your sharing your viewpoint in a positive manner. I may one day train differently, but I think it's a shame that those of us who may choose a different style of working out should be belittled by those whose narrow minds don't allow for the possibility that there are other ways to enjoy good health and physical fitness.

Original Post by ccrun4fun:

Let's try to turn this thread into something productive instead of an argument.

If some people are lifting weights that are too light for them, maybe some one could post a way to determine how much you should be lifting. Is there some kind of simple way to know if the weight is too heavy or too light?

CC, I knew when I posted this thread that there would be those who didn't agree with me and I'm ok with that. My hopes were that others who feel slighted and disparaged by those who are into heavy lifting and think less of those who aren't would feel less alone in this community.

Original Post by flgirl:

Wow... just chew her up and spit her out why don't you....?

Bravo bigmommah! What works for one may not work for another! Go on and lift your pretty pink weights. I have red ones and blue ones... and a band that's hot pink. HA!

Thank you very much for your kindness. I have every intention of continuing with my dumb bells that inspire me to work out. =)

As long as what I'm doing shows positive movement towards my long term goals I won't stop. I am open to new ways of doing things and I hope that others are as well.

*sigh*

bigmommah you are way oversensitve. feanor wasn't slamming you. The point was if you're flinging around weights that are too light, you are NOT using your work out time to your best advantage.

Accusing someone of belittling you and having a narrow mind because they try to course correct someone in the right direction is silly. You can enjoy your fitness however you'd like. You don't need somewhat anonymous posters on a website to validate you.

You obviously know how to lose weight since you successfully lost a great deal of weight, which isn't easy. If I were to say "I want to lose weight by eating 15 pizzas a day" what would you say to me? Would you gently stroke my hair and say "yes that's awesome. We're all beautiful, individual little snowflakes and you should definitely try that 15 pizza a day weight loss plan"

Original Post by bigmommah:

Having lost 34lbs already I know that I am not "wasting" my time and that I will lead a healthier lifestyle in spite of people like you.

 If you could have gotten the same results in less time then you kind of are "wasting" your time.  That's the point everyone is trying to make.

If I could drive to work in 20 minutes but decide to take a route that takes an hour then I still would get to the same place, but I would have wasted time doing it.

Original Post by spirochete:

*sigh*

bigmommah you are way oversensitve. feanor wasn't slamming you. The point was if you're flinging around weights that are too light, you are NOT using your work out time to your best advantage.

Accusing someone of belittling you and having a narrow mind because they try to course correct someone in the right direction is silly. You can enjoy your fitness however you'd like. You don't need somewhat anonymous posters on a website to validate you.

You obviously know how to lose weight since you successfully lost a great deal of weight, which isn't easy. If I were to say "I want to lose weight by eating 15 pizzas a day" what would you say to me? Would you gently stroke my hair and say "yes that's awesome. We're all beautiful, individual little snowflakes and you should definitely try that 15 pizza a day weight loss plan"

Please tell me how the word "wasting" could be construed in a positive manner. If Feanor was trying to be encouraging perhaps a short visit with a thesaurus would be advisable.

As for being oversensitive, I would have to disagree with you. Finding someone's wording offensive based on the actual meaning of the words used is fairly consistent for someone with a basic grasp of the English language.

As for gently stroking your hair if you wanted to lose weight by eating 15 pizza's a day, no I wouldn't. However, I also would strive to not come across as a pompous, sanctimonious and narrow minded individual who only believes that their ideas on what is correct is acceptable.

Bigmommah, I think you are misunderstanding the point of the don't use the  "pink dumbbells" thing.  You are losing weight (by the way congrats on that) right? But, do you want to end up w/ a skinny, flabby body or a skinny, fit and non-jiggly body?  If you continue to lift for endurance (light weights/high reps 15+) then you will end up w/ the former. If you lift as heavy as you can for no more than 10-12 reps, you will end up w/ the latter. There is a myth perpetuated by magazines etc.. that women will get big and bulky like a man if they lift too heavy. This is false and that is why women are encouraged to put down the "pink dumbbells" and pick up the heavy ones. It is not that anyone is trying to put someone down because they are unable to lift heavier weights.  You should lift as heavy as you can w/ good form...period. The poundage of the weight doesn't matter as long as it is heavy enough for you.  All we are trying to tell women is how to do the proper type of exercise to get the results they want. If you prefer to have a skinny, flabby body...by all means continue to lift for endurance but if you want a hard, fit look then you need to change your training.  It's not an insult it's just the way the body responds to weight training...you can't change it.

Original Post by floggingsully:

Original Post by bigmommah:

Having lost 34lbs already I know that I am not "wasting" my time and that I will lead a healthier lifestyle in spite of people like you.

If you could have gotten the same results in less time then you kind of are "wasting" your time. That's the point everyone is trying to make.

If I could drive to work in 20 minutes but decide to take a route that takes an hour then I still would get to the same place, but I would have wasted time doing it.

Floggingsully,

If I decide to drive to work in an hour versus 20 minutes, and I still arrived at work on time but did it while enjoying a book on tape or my favorite talk radio program as "me" time then how is my time being wasted?

If I am satisfied with where I'm going and how I get there, why the hue and outcry?

I am not saying that heavier lifting is not a viable option. What I am saying is that if I choose to work with dumb bells, regardless of their color, shape and size, I am still seeing results. I don't have to "arrive" at a particular place with my weight loss and toning that pleases anyone but me.

I find it interesting that if my post had been "Tell me how to lift seriously" I would have received a great deal of support from those who find heavy lifting enjoyable, but because I'm saying I like my dumb bell workouts and I'm being successful I'm being insulted or denigrated more often than not which really underlines what my original post was about.