(READ THIS BOOK) The New Rules of Lifting for Women: my journey
I have been lifting for a couple of years now and got pretty comfortable in my routine. RED FLAG! I read about this book The New Rules of Lifting for Women both here and on another site and decided to pick it up.
IF YOU ARE NOT READING THIS YOU SHOULD BE. It explains everything in painful detail that many on this site try to bang into your heads, such as:
- Pick up those heavy weights, ladies. Pick them up NOW
- Why you can't crunch your way into a flat stomach
- Why "what are some good lower ab exercises" is NOT a good question, as is "tell me about core exercises" (hint: everything is a core exercise!)
- You need to eat more despite what you think (talking to you, 900-1200 calorie a day eater)
- CARDIO IS NOT WHAT MAKES YOU LOSE WEIGHT
- YOGA AND PILATES ARE NOT WEIGHT ROUTINES. There are definitely places for them but they are not substitutes
Ok what you came to read, more about ME. Like I said I have been a heavy lifter for a bit. I looked at the first set of workouts and scoffed. 15 reps of squats? Something on a Swiss ball? Disgusting.
Well boys and girls, I have been crawling out of the gym this week. My ass cheeks hurt, my stomach muscles are sore and there is some evil thing called "step ups" I did on the weight bench that made me cry. Yes, I got very good at lifting heavy things but I guess I have more to learn about my body.
WEEK ONE: agony
OK, will do, if the mighty spirochete gives it a thumbs up, it's gotta be good. I've got some familiarity with step ups, but haven't considered them evil thus far, so I must not be doing them hard enough.
Heh, the mighty spirochete.
Step ups on the weight bench are evil when you are not used to doing them, which is definitely what I needed. I needed something different! If they are not challenging to you, you need to be doing them with more weight
Thanks for the review! I've been eyeing this book; guess I'll have to bite the bullet and get it.
Love this book!! I am in stage 3 of the program and it's nothing but great! I didn't realize how bad I was at balancing until starting this program, lol. Glad others are reading and following the book!
Just wanted to add how addicting the information in the book is. I read it over three months ago and to THIS day when someone asks a fitness related question I feel like what I read in the book was the information everyone needs! I think all females do need to at least pick up the book from a local library and read it to lay some myths to rest.
yeah! i bought the book and started reading it last night, i am so exciting i can't wait to get to the end to get started!! thanks for info to get it. if more ladies would do some research they would be so much happier!
Woohoo, good job!! Im going to buy my own copy right now!!
FYI: After reading many of your post I decided to get my ass into weight lifting. I lift as heavy as I can and Im IN LOVE!!! Thanks much!!
There is an ache deep within my buttcheeks from the lunges. Just thought I'd give you guys that update
kristinedaqueen, that's awesome!
Spirochete, thanks for the tip--I'm going to look for that book at the library.
By the way, (this is totally off topic)--do you happen to be a microbiologist by chance? Every time I read your posts, I wonder about the inspiration behind your user name...
Woo, I'm so glad I saw this post! In a few weeks I'm letting go of my trainer's apron strings (but not before I master the clean and jerk!) and I'm nervous of doing it on my own. I definately want this book! *grabby hands*
Original Post by mindalynn:
By the way, (this is totally off topic)--do you happen to be a microbiologist by chance? Every time I read your posts, I wonder about the inspiration behind your user name...
Heh well here's the story. I have my degree in bio with an emphasis in microbiology. I didn't think things totally through with that seeing it's just about the most unmarketable degree ever, trailing my friend's art history degree. I am now a corporate recruiter.
Original Post by spirochete:well here's the story. I have my degree in bio with an emphasis in microbiology. I didn't think things totally through with that seeing it's just about the most unmarketable degree ever, trailing my friend's art history degree. I am now a corporate recruiter.
Ah, I see. :) I'm in biophysics myself--possibly slightly more marketable, but we'll see!
Spirochete,
Why do you say "CARDIO IS NOT WHAT MAKES YOU LOSE WEIGHT"?
Well spiro, I have a sweet degree in psychology and criminal justice. I am a perfectly content machinist. I guess we are just like 80% of college grads that do nothing related to their degree! lol
Damn I have been resisting switching up my routine as well. Mayhap I will try it out. Thanks lady.
Original Post by melwright10:
Spirochete,
Why do you say "CARDIO IS NOT WHAT MAKES YOU LOSE WEIGHT"?
Read the book! If you don't want to read the book, read this article that gets posted a lot around here. The guy who wrote this is a collaborator on the book
One of the studies cited in the article shows dieting plus cardio doesn't yield any more appreciable fat loss than dieting alone. The dieting plus weights group had a good deal of fat loss. Fat loss is about the diet then about the muscle building. There's a place for cardio of course, but it's NOT the panacea of fat loss. Far from it.
Started week 2 today. Guess what? Spirochete can't do lunges >:o
I can squat and deadlift all day long but DAMN those lunges. That coupled with I grabbed dumbbells 5lbs heavier than I wanted to without noticing should mean I'll be limping for the next two days
I know that he reccommends eating maintenance calories for the first four weeks, and if you feel the need to cut calories you should cut a maximum of 300. However, I have been eating around 1500 a day for the past three weeks (since I started my healthy lifestyle change). Do you think that jumping up to around 2000 a day would cause me to gain back the weight that I have lost? Should I increase it slowly? Or eat what he recommends for my maintenance but subtract 300 calories? Hmm.. I'm confused.
If it matters, I'm 17 years old. I am 5'6" and I currently weigh 137 lbs.
WEEK THREE:
ok well these "jackknife" things on the Swiss ball (gross, I still can't believe I'm using one) are challenging me. My buttockal region still hurts from lunges. Good news: clothes are fitting a little differently and I mean in a good way
Also, I have found it's possible to make your stomach muscles sore doing push ups. My new goal is to melt all the so called "ab machines" down and make a statue dedicated to the authors of this book
Hey, I'm using this book now too! I'm in stage 1, and I have to say it's nice to actually have structure to my workouts rather than going to the gym and thinking "ok, now what's free".
And Swiss balls = humiliation. Can't balance on them if my life depended on it.
This book is kicking my ass. I used to do lunges all the time, but not like this. My butt, my stomach, my back, my shoulders, everything hurts. I think that's good, it feels like progress!
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New journal post First day over by southernknitter 06:43 |