catsrgods

That is great news on the weight loss but I am def stoked to see that you decreased your arthritis medication! What an amazing side effect!!! =)

For me, so far: Exercising sporadically----> Getting up at 5:45 am to go to CrossFit at least 2x a week Eating well until 2pm, then binging on sugar and bread------> 99.9% Paleo diet for over two weeks Deciding every week that "this was it" for weight loss and failing one day later-------> Making solid goals that I have stuck to (except for keeping my room clean...) Thinking I could just show up at the gym and do wimpy shit and expect results-----> Realizing that I can't expect results by just showing up at the gym and doing wimpy shit

I am trying to drink more water these days and I am currently around 70oz (including cups of green tea once or twice a day). I have a Smart Water bottle that I just fill up twice a day. I do not drink any soda or juice at all, just water, tea and coffee. I try to do all my water drinking before 6pm or I am up peeing constantly at night.....such a b***h when you are trying to wake up before 6am the next day!

That's 1) friggin awesome and 2) totally my goal to reach by the end of the year! Way to go!

I def had this happen in the past as well! I could, at one time, where a women's 9 but now I am a solid 8 and can fit into 7.5, though I couldn't wear them all day. I wonder if with more weight loss I will get into those 7.5s? They always seem to have the shoes I want in that size! =)

Oh, Lane Bryant!!! I can't wait till I don't fit into anything they have to offer. Go you!

Spezzy: Ha, let me clarify because I can see how my answers and statements may have been confusing. I have access to a gym and a membership at Crossfit. Crossfit is pretty intense for me at the level of fitness I currently have (I'm 33 and need to lose approx. 70lbs). So, I have committed to going at least once a week for the 6 week challenge and even went three times last week with no issue (hooray!) I went back to the regular gym last Saturday with a female friend and had the most inefficient experience ever!!! We just didn't know what the hell we were doing as far as which exercise to do on what day and how many reps. It also sucked because we both have totally different ideas of what we SHOULD be doing with our time. I was looking for a book that might help me 1) use my limited time at the gym efficiently and 2) give me some idea of how to progress properly to larger weights. You know, like a basic book on lifting weights that breaks down the moves without a lot of fluff. Your suggestion of Starting Strength is totally what I was looking for, actually, and I have read through most of it already. My attempt at 3 days at Crossfit plus 3 days of weights is a little lofty of a goal because my schedule is inconsistent and I dislike the atmosphere at my local gym, generally. I admit that much of this is due to my own issues with self confidence that I am working to correct. Now that I think about it, perhaps getting into lifting separate of Crossfit isn't an idea I'd like to toy with right now. I have felt good after each workout there, aside from general soreness that was certainly not unexpected after so many years as a sedentary person, and after reading through much of the Starting Strength book I feel that I am being instructed properly on form during these classes. I appreciate the info from everyone!

Yes, body weight exercises are totally doable, and being done, in my small available space =) I would like to buy a pull-up bar this week for my doorway, already on the "to-do list"! I also have a kettlebell and have used it in the past. I brushed the dust off it today and did a short workout to get back into it. So nice to be able to do things from the comfort of my own home without juggling childcare.

That is SUPER noticeable! Great job and totally impressive!

Perhaps, though not feasible for me currently. For one, I have not a single friend that is interested in going to the gym to lift real weights *sigh* though I am actively trying to change this and/or meet new friends. I can do three days a week of dedicated time spent in the gym lifting but I don't have the proper facilities for lifting at home nor the space to set something like this up either. Someday, maybe =) Til' then I can do three days a week working on just weights, 3 days at Crossfit (because it's fun!) and the rest of the week working on a master's thesis, studying Latin, other silliness for school and doing all the single mom duties that I can't shirk. Juggling other things in life is sometimes a pain but so far I have really enjoyed getting into a regular workout routine and I feel really great, even without protein shakes! Though since that's been brought up, I'm def interested in suggestions for a Paleo friendly protein shake. Thanks for all the suggestions, I really appreciate the input from everyone!

I'm not worried about turning into a bodybuilder physically, I know that as a female I don't have the genetics for that without a ton of determination and time spent in the gym. I think I meant a boo more geared towards someone who understands the concepts of weightlifting and can do squats and is interested in lifting heavy weight but isn't going to spend 5 days a week in the gym with a spotter drinking protein shakes and groaning during exercise =) I found a copy online of Starting Strength and I think it's exactly what I was looking for! I also got my hands on a copy of Convict Conditioning for some body weight stuff. Thanks for the input, folks! Now, to just start doing it....

I guess it doesn't NEED to be geared towards women. Perhaps an assumption I should get over is that things need to be geared towards women in order to be useful to women. Baby steps.

It's entirely possible that I will be in the Lancaster or Philly area near and into the summer. I'm going to creep this thread to see how the meeting is panning out. Yay for more reasons to visit PA!

I'm not completely new to weight lifting, I am familiar with some of the basics. However I do not know enough and I certainly don't know enough weight based exercises to really make a difference in strength or weight loss. I am wondering if anyone has a book suggestion geared towards women for weight lifting? I don't need something that just argues against bulking up (I know that's not true) or uses 3lb weights. Is there anything out there for ladies who want to gain functional strength and weight loss without becoming even amateur bodybuilders? Any ideas?