(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

My school's gym is a complete sausage-fest and I don't feel comfortable weight training there (I know, I can run in front of tons of people but I can't go into the weight room and sweat it out), and I was wondering if there are modifications for home use. Is there one?

If you have a weight set at home complete with the bench, bars,plates etc, then yes, but if you don't have the equipment, it simply won't be effective for you.

My gym is the same way, before i started this program though, i worked on doing just one exercise over there and then two and then i was like "hey this is great!" and i felt like i ran the place in no time at all.

The guys probably won't even notice you are there, they are too busy talking to each other figuring out who can bench press more :)

Give it a try at least! The weights are totally liberating!

No, I don't. I live in a very small apartment in the city, so that's out of the question. That really bums me out! :(

I'm halfway through it and am starting a routine this week.  I can't wait to finally get toned so that I can attack next season lighter, stronger and lookin' good in spandex!

My copy is in the mail and I really hope it arrives today. Thank you all for your contagious enthusiasm!

I've been lifting on and off since the start of the year, often showing committment and working for about 2 months and then getting lazy and going to body pump.

The real push for me is having 34% body fat at 68 kilos with reduced bone density. It's something I'm determined to change; although, having seen no quanitfiable or visible result in other attempts has left me a bit defeated. I'm definitely stronger than I was when I started, but I can't say my % or my pants size has budged.

So, after doing BP for the last two months, I'm back to give it another go. While I realize I am likely a hard gainer, being an ectomorph, I'm hoping that if this book has helped so many people see results, that it will help me as well. I definitely ate enough in the past; although, I definitely eat (and back then, ate too much sugar). Mostly, I'm hoping the book will provide a very clear set of rules to follow. :)

Does anyone have any before and after pics they would like to share? That really motivates me.

I still didn't get my book, but this week it's on :-)

I did however start my routine last week and boy are my arms sore, unfortunately I did have the motivation to go to the gym yesterday, and today I have a class project I need to meet for. I may still try to squeeze in my lower body exercise tonight some time, we'll see.

Original Post by magnumgirl:

Yes- there are suggested modifications, for example, if you don't have the equip to do lat pull downs, etc.   Only prob I'm having now is that getting the weights on and off the shoulders for  squats, without a squat rack,  can be dangerous!!     Going to have to come up with something there or the kids may get up in the morning to find me trapped under my weights and bent up in a baaaaaad way!   

 I don't have a squat rack either.  Sometimes I wait for husband to come home so he can spot me, and sometimes I do the partial single leg squats listed on the next page.  They are not as challenging, but I hold the heaviest dumbells I can manage while doing them. I just bought some heavier ones today so maybe that will help.

Original Post by amayou82:

Does anyone have any before and after pics they would like to share? That really motivates me.

I still didn't get my book, but this week it's on :-)

I did however start my routine last week and boy are my arms sore, unfortunately I did have the motivation to go to the gym yesterday, and today I have a class project I need to meet for. I may still try to squeeze in my lower body exercise tonight some time, we'll see.

 I have been doing the program for three weeks now.  I have days where all the eating is making me nervous and I feel a little discouraged. I would like to see more noticable results at this point, but I think the changes are subtle.  I don't have a lot of weight to lose, maybe that's why.   I just want to be ripped like Jillian Michaels. ;)  Unrealistic, I know. The good news is, I am happier eating more and I definately have not gained weight, so I am going to keep at it.  If anyone is willing to share pics, that would be great.

Keep going and you will be ripped!  I have been in for 3 weeks too.  Today I start week 4.  I notice alot of change in my forearms - they look ripped already!  My shoulders have also changed alot.  My upper arms have changed and my calves & legs, but alot more subtle.  I am sure as we do this longer, the more differences we will see.  3 weeks is really not that long.

Talk about falling off the wagon, I still haven't picked up my book and I haven't seen the gym consistently in what feels like forever. Once I get my book I think I'm gonna start a group for those who read the weight lifting book and want to keep tabs on eachother, we'll see how that goes. 

Original Post by amayou82:

Talk about falling off the wagon, I still haven't picked up my book and I haven't seen the gym consistently in what feels like forever. Once I get my book I think I'm gonna start a group for those who read the weight lifting book and want to keep tabs on eachother, we'll see how that goes. 

 There is a group already.    We're at http://caloriecount.about.com/new-rules-lifti ng-women-g489