what i've been telling girls about exercising

[Tasha]

When people ask me how I keep in shape and I answer "weights, cardio, good diet and a LOT of effort" they look at me with an expression of bewilderment, it's funny sometimes! And if they ask how I find the time, and I say I get up at 5.30 most mornings they nearly drop dead

[midgetcop]

Originally Posted by SurfinAmy

Midget, there's some pics on this site I'm wanting to show my friend next time I get a chance, the progress. Why the aversion to lifting weights from some women? Don't get it at all!!!!!?????
-Amy

Well, I think there's a couple things at play. First off, yeah, they think they're going to get bulky like men. When they see pictures of women who are fit and have nice muscle definition, they assume that those women "tone", and don't realize that they're actually lifting just like the men. But women simply don't have the testosterone for muscle growth. That doesn't mean that you don't see or feel any progress though.

Secondly, some women are intimidated by the weight room, which is usually full of men. I know *I* was at first. They don't want to look foolish, or like they don't know what they're doing, or like they shouldn't be there in the first place (all of which are ridiculous).

These women are afraid to do a little research, or are getting their info from the wrong places. My older sister frequented the gym in the 80's and 90's, where her personal trainer gave her the whole "lift-light-and-tone" spiel. And up to recently she still believed it (until I knocked it out of her!).

Another real pet peeve of mine...have you guys ever heard of the book "Anatomy of Strength Training"? They have a separate book for men and women....in the women's edition, they show exercises for abs and legs, but totally ignore the upper body. Why? Do women not work out their arms or back? And why do they need to have separate books in the first place? We have the exact same muscles!! But this book is a good example of how the myths get reinforced.

*sigh* Look at the long-a$$ rant you've caused, Amy.

[trHawT]

Originally Posted by AnnaD - TX

I basically tell the same thing to my girlfriends! ALL the sissy girls I know are SCARED to get big muscles!! But then they turn around and tell me, "oh you are so fit" blah blah blah! I just ask them, "does it look like I have big,huge muscles???" There's their answer!!

Anyways I read somewhere's that if you want to dramatically change your body and shape it, you gotta do cardio and WEIGHT training and eat right! Sounds easy to me!
and I ALWAYS hear the same excuse, I DON'T HAVE TIME. The same people that dont have time are the ones watching MTV all night long!

ahhh, some people will come around!!

LOL. I have time for 4X weekly resistance training, 3X weekly cardio. And, I still watch MTV all night long! lol. Even when I work 13-hour weeks, I still have time for everything.

[trHawT]

Originally Posted by ewker

i'm a guy, and i only know a handful of girls personally who workout. and even the ones who workout don't do it very often nor are they dedicated. i always hear "i don't wanna get big muscles", but i honestly think this is mostly a copout to not have to exercise (am i wrong?). I think most girls who don't exercise regularly (or just don't know much about exercise) do realize that weight training will help them look better, they just don't want to do it. a lot of the hottest girls i have ever seen workout on a regular basis, but i still have a hard time convincing girls i know to go to the gym. so here's what i tell them.....

1) how much a girl weighs doesn't matter to me. i'm more than likely not going to find that out anyway, but i don't need to either because i can tell if a girl is fat or not by just looking at her. and believe me, super skinny is just as nasty as super fat. i don't understand the logic of the less a girl weighs the hotter she is?
2) girls should lift weights twice a week. upper body then lower body. do the same basic exercises that guys do, but do higher reps with lower weight for toning and a little bit of size. you're not accidentally going to turn into arnold overnight. i'm a guy, and i've tried. it's not gonna happen.
3) run and do cardio on the other days you don't lift. burning fat to girls seems to be about the equivalent of guys builiding muscle. so i tell them to work on it more than lifting. and this should also help reduce the chances of bulking from lifting.
4) eat right. stay away from the atkins and other fad diets, but just concentrate on eating a well balanced diet.

obviously, i'm no expert on women, so there are probably errors or other things i should or should not mention to them. so i'm asking you all, is what i've been telling girls good advice?

Dude, you hit it right on the nose! Girls do make up excuses. "I don't want to be built like a guy." lol

[SindyLou]

Guys, give us girls a break

Girls and guys are different as far as what is easy and what isn't. Guys and girls think differently. Some girls may think like guys and life is easier for them. I think for women it is different for men as far as food. To my husband, food is fuel. To me... food is emotionally satisfying. Food is a stress reliever. Food is an escape. Sounds silly, but eating is different for different people. I have been lifting weights with a trainer for almost two years. I feel great. But... untill I get a handle on my cravings.... my body fat will remain too high to see much difference.

Also, I lift weights for a year, he lifts for 8 weeks and gets twice the results.....

I am going for a run on the beach today.. I have been reading about HIIT High Intensity Interval Training. I am sprinting then jogging/recovering. I am hoping to raise my motabolism.

You all have modivated me to keep it simple. Lift, cardio and eat a balanced diet.... what could be easier..... )