Hmilner

I can identify a little with this myself. Being small and female it can be a little intimidating walking into a gym full of big guys. Fortunately I am gaining the trait of not giving a fuck that comes with age! But the other day a guy at the gym said something to me that I wanted to share. I worked up the courage to ask one guy I'd spoken to a couple of times to show me how to squat. He introduced me to this other guy who was more experienced, who was SUPER nice and helpful. But the thing he said to me was always to remember that the only person I am competing with is myself. Everyone there is doing their own thing and doesn't know your goals or training journey. He said that a few minutes earlier he had been doing warm up reps with like 5lb. People might look at him and think wtf is that big guy (and he is seriously huge - built like the proverbial house - has clearly competed etc) doing with a silly little weight like that, but he knows exactly what he's doing and why, and they don't. So just do your thing in your time with confidence! Plus I've found that most people are actually really supportive of newbies getting started. They're not taking the piss out of where you are, they're thinking way to go for giving it a go and getting in there. Many of them were just where you are when they started too. Don't automatically put judgement in their heads :-) Sorry for the essay and keep it up! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks, some really useful stuff there! Tracking it is then I guess! I was thinking of doing some cardio too on my rest days. I've got a x-trainer at home so can get 30m in whilst I watch TV without too much effort. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi - thanks for asking! I've not been good at keeping up with this thread - but not doing too badly! I've been good with my gym visits 3x a week - wasn't very happy with my program so just started SL 5x5, feeling really good about that! Not doing so well on the press ups or cardio though, need to pick those up again. And no weightloss even though my diet has been pretty clean. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks I guess you're right. I just need to consistently eat less. Cutting fat would be a reasonable place to start actually. I've actually been more worried about not eating enough, most people I see eating this way and training seem to eat loads :-/ I took measurements before I started 2 weeks ago, I'll check them again after a month or so. Like you say, 2 weeks isn't long enough to see much difference there. There certainly haven't been any dramatic changes yet. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for the reply. I don't enjoy tracking but I've tried on and off. My intake is quite variable, day to day, I struggle with consistency. I've experimented with different carb levels, which don't seem to make much difference except I feel hungrier on higher carbs. I've been trying to eat carbs after working out. I eat plenty of protein and quite high fat.

Hi! I'm a 5'2" 150lb female. I've recently started lifting again after 10 years of having babies and not doing much exercise. Before that I played rugby and lifted and was in pretty good shape - maybe 18/19% bf. I'd love to get back to where I used to be bf% wise, but I'm really struggling to shift the weight. I've been eating paleo, probably averaging around 1500 /1600 calories, for about 4 months now and haven't lost anything at all. I've noticed a bit of body composition improvement since I started lifting (about 2 weeks) but still no sign of weight loss. I've just started SL 5x5 hoping to increase weight and strength quite fast, is this the best way to jump start fat loss do you think? I'm not that bothered about the scale weight, just want to lose the fat and get some definition. Any suggestions gratefully received! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've just started SL - I'm a 5'2" 150lb female. I love doing proper lifts :-) I actually worked up the courage to ask some of the regular guys at the gym to show me how to squat. They were really friendly and helpful! I just did my first workout today so still on the bars only, but it wasn't particularly challenging, so I'm looking forward to increasing weights pretty fast! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I thought of you today when I parked my car really badly across 2 spaces and left it there while I went in to pick something up from the drs lol! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yesterday I was too sore to do much, but managed a bit of stretching and my push-ups / squats. Today I didn't pack lunch so had to make do with cold salmon and fruit. Made me feel a bit crappy. Really need to get myself more organised with food :-/ But just did 25m on my cross trainer, so that's one cardio session done :-) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey - I love your social rules goal! Following to see what other rules you break! :-) You're doing great on the pull-ups too. They're on my longer term goal list - maybe for my next challenge! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That could work CourtnieMarie - at least until I start building some more serious strength! Thanks! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks. I work full time so weekday afternoons are out. Weekend mornings might be a good option though :-) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi - I'm new here and I've just started a challenge thread in the rebels group while I try and figure out all this guild stuff! You warriors seem to be all about lifting right? I've just started back lifting (I did a bit ages ago) and at the moment I'm just doing the standard routine my gym instructor set up for me. Dumbells and leg machines, 3x12 mostly. I'd love to start doing some Olympic lifting but haven't a clue where to start. Plus I never seem to be able to get near the bars at my gym, it's always full of big men! Any suggestions for a newbie? My main goal at the moment is fat loss and strength. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Or what about a lat pull down machine? That's a fairly similar movement? I'm thinking when I can pull down close to my body weight I might have a shot? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Day 1 - mixed success. Push ups and squats this morning - check! Leg workout at the gym - check! Food - all over the shop ending with a takeaway curry :-/ Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk