For the Gals - why do you do it?

[CF-OC_gal]

I am not conducting a research paper on weight training in modern society but would like to read what the ladies have to say about training, what kind of people are involved in weight training . In other words, who is the typical lady weight lifter and fitness buff?

Things I'd like to know are:

Your age
Your goals (do you want to gain muscle, lose weight, compete, get better for sports etc.?)
How long have you been weight training?
What is the biggest problem(s) you've had achieving your goals?

I'll go ahead and put forth my own stats -

48 y.o.
female of course
Goals (apart from what's in my siggy) :

1. To attain and maintain the ability to lift my bodyweight for working sets of bench, deadlift and squat. (bench will always be the challenge). It follows that this allows me to lead a functionally fit lifestyle.

2. To protect myself as best as possible from a predisposition to heart attacks and stroke through CV training.

3. To consume as much pleasurable food as I can get away with while staying fit.

4. NEW! - To extend my cleavage up to my collarbone. (or should I say maintain a sternum groove )

How long? With weights - on and off since 1983.

Biggest problems? Justifying them as a time priority with all my other ambitions competing for time.

[Lady C]

Your age: 40-50 yrs old
Your goals:
Good overall health. Look sexy in a bikini Lose and maintain 5-8lbs bodyfat without losing hard earned muscle.
How long have you been weight training? 6 yrs
What is the biggest problem(s) you've had achieving your goals?
Lifting heavy and not have sore joints. Heavy to me is squating, benching, deadlifting equivalent to my bodyweight or more.

Another challenge is diet. I like beer. I want to eat like I'm 20 but not do cardio until I drop to maintain low fat levels. I am predispositioned to be 250 lbs. I have a mother and 2 sisters that are 200+ lbs.

I would like to have a sternum groove too!

[gymgirl]

ok i'll play!

Your age: 27

Your goals:

1.) to feel good. which for me means looking good to myself. if my body feels/looks saggy or unfit then i don't feel good. i know that is vain, and maybe a bit crazy but it's the truth. the weird part is i dont care how others view my body it's all about how i view it.

2.) to be healthy, and functionally fit. i'd like to take as many precautions and do what i can to prevent heart disease, diabetes, and much more.

3.) to put on about 5lbs of muscle while maintaining a low body fat percentage

4.) to complete "murph" in under 45 minues.

5.) to one day compete in a figure competition

How long have you been weight training?

i've been active in sports since i was a baby. swimming at 7 months old and gymnastics not long after that. started actually lifting weights at age 17 or 18...so about 10 years now.

What is the biggest problem(s) you've had achieving your goals?

injuries!

[.V.]

Ya'll posted in our thread so I'm posting in yours.

[minime]

my age: 23 (almost 24!)

goals:

1) be happy with how I look, in and out of clothes. It is for me, not for others i guess - i know my boyfriend thinks i look great any way, and i know i look better than most of my friends/colleagues already (this sounds conceited I guess)

2) better abs

3) bench press own bw (current max about 75% BW) , squat 2xBW (current max 1.3x BW) SLDL 1.5xBW (current max is about BW), clean & jerk own BW (current max not worth mentioning)

4) get better at xfit

5) unassisted pullups

6) maybe someday help others get closer to the body they desire

How long have i been weight training:

since I was 16 so almost 8 years, but more seriously for one year

Biggest problems:

injuries! Feels like a setback around every corner sometimes

Also, I enjoy beer, and chocolate, and other yummy things. I am not sure i'd ever have the dedication needed to give up all of the things i love to eat.

[laura817]

Originally Posted by Brat

Things I'd like to know are:

Your age
Your goals (do you want to gain muscle, lose weight, compete, get better for sports etc.?)
How long have you been weight training?
What is the biggest problem(s) you've had achieving your goals?

Age: I am 28 years old (almost 29). I am no longer a spring chicken.

Goals:
1) To be leaner and healthier
2) To be at the peak level on all the sports I love to play
3) Going to Hawaii for my birthday in December and I just to look descent in a 2 piece suit

Weight training: ~3 years off and on

Biggest Problem: None now. I used to have a problem with dieting though. I tried to be strict and the day that I allowed myself to have a cheat meal I would binge. I didn't like that behavior, but I am doing things differently now. I am going to be eat 90% healthy and let myself have 10% wiggle room and not feel guilty.

[midgetcop]

Age: 25

Goals: To pass my police fitness testing, and be able to maintain a suitable level fitness for my current and future employment (I just found out that my new job requires a lot of sudden *sprinting* ).

Length of training: On and off for 4 years.

Biggest problem: Sticking to it. Being able to commit to a program and see it all the way through. I've never been a naturally athletic person, and if it wasn't for my above goals then I'd probably never even enter a gym. Don't get me wrong, I *love* what I'm doing now, but sometimes it takes a lot of motivation/determination to initially get my butt out there doing it.

[LiftGirl]

Age: 25

Goals: Well, my goals are hard to articulate but I'll try.

1) I want to always be able to move around with ease. It seems like as people get older they get less active, then lose their ability to move, then become even less active and it's a big spiral. It's use it or lose it! I'm only 25, but it's something I think about.

2) to do a pull-up

3) Bench, squat and DL my BW for 6-8 reps.

4) I'd like to be a role model to other women, to offer myself as proof that you can lift weights without getting big or bulky.

Length of training: about 2 1/2 years.

Biggest problem: trying not to feel really weak around all the guys at my gym. There are very few serious female lifters at my gym.

[tim_mcf]

3) bench press own bw (current max about 75% BW) , squat 2xBW (current max 1.3x BW) SLDL 1.5xBW (current max is about BW), clean & jerk own BW (current max not worth mentioning)

I would like to be able to do all that too!

[Sophie]

Your age - 19

Your goals:
Gain muscle
BW Bench
2xBW Squat
more definition
better body image
help maintain my weight at a normal level and not underweight
better health
reverse the osteopenia I might have and strengthen bones

How long have you been weight training?
On and off since I was 14

What is the biggest problem(s) you've had achieving your goals?
At the moment trying to balance college and lifting. Other than that, the normal problems of injury and illness. I always seem to get sick when I get really into a routine. I hate it.

[CF-OC_gal]

I love these responses!: