At my gym, I can tack on sessions with a personal trainer and add the cost to my monthly membership price. I think for $15 a month, I can get 20 trainer sessions, and I believe I will call my gym now and get that set up!

When I go to the gym, I do some time on the elliptical, but I thought that since I can do some cardio at home (walking mainly for now, because of my bum knee), I figured I would spend my time at the gym strength training. Now I am even more inspired! THANKS!!

thanks for posting.... very inspiring!!!

This thread reminds me of why I need to lift weights. Does anyone have advice for someone with a shoulder injury? Could I put some plates in a backpack and walk?

This was a great thread to bump!! Very inspiring!

I can tell you that this month alone I have GAINED two pounds. But have you seen a whiny post from me about it? No, because I have dropped a shirt size. I don't know how that happened. Suddenly these shirts in my closet I have been avoiding FIT! I picked up a bunch of size small shirts at the thrift store for summer just sort of praying they'll fit in 10 pounds. They fit now! All of them! I couldn't believe it.

I recently changed up my lifting routine and though the scale isn't reflecting anything, my body is responding quite nicely. Now if only those dag-gone abs would make an appearance.

I've been using weight machines for the last year and a half and the difference is so noticeable. The thing I'm most proud of is my arms! They are a completely different shape, much less "batwing" under the arms too. When you have muscles you burn more calories even when you're doing absolutely nothing, that's the best thing. The second best thing is real life is so much easier, even vacuuming. I practically fling myself out of the tub now and the older we get the harder that gets, trust me.

I also do heavy weights. I do press sets with a 32 pound kettlebell and also swings, which is weight training and cardio. Wewt! And seriously, I love being strong. I can dead lift 80 pounds. I don't know any women personally that can do that, and I'm very out of shape (getting back in shape though!)

I LOVE lifting weights! I just started a new circuit/free weight routine last week. The guys at my gym are FINALLY getting used to me "invading their space" in the free weight room. Actually, some of them have been really nice and helpful.

Well, Friday, I actually went in the morning since I was off from work. There were two other women in there and one guy. He actually said to us that we should be doing something more "lady like, like water aerobics, like his wife". Now, I have nothing against water aerobics, but I was there to lift weights! We just ignored him and he went away..........

Feb. 3 - March 3 I lost 2.4 pounds and 3.25 inches! March 3- April 3 I lost 4.8 pounds and 2.125 inches. I wear smaller clothes than many women who are my height and weight. I do low weight high rep 3 times/week and high weight low rep 1-2 times/week.

Yuck! I can't believe he actually said that to you!

This thread is so inspiring! I started doing body pump 3-4 times a week at 5:30 am a week or two ago, At first I was discuraged by gaining after all my hard work but then I realized I felt so much better and even after just 5 classes I feel less soft and swishy! I can't wait to see my results after doing it for an extended amount of time. I am thinking of breaking up with my scale in the time being, I'd rather have an amazing figure and weigh 30 lbs more than starve myself to a less toned figure.

After all its all about looking good in your clothes (and naked) right?!!

I think he was just upset because our weights were heavier than his

On a side note, I need to start lifting... Hhm.

Oh, definitely! LOL! Just carrying in the groceries is easier, or taking out the trash or opening a jar! Or in my case...climbing out of a cave!

Interestingly, I decided last week that I wasn't working my legs hard enough, so I decided that today I'd start adding basic squats after my heavy squat with a barbell. So I did the barbell today, set it down and immediately went into a regular squat. Wow, was it easy. Apparently I HAVE been working the legs hard enough, it's just gotten way easier! I ran right over and grabbed 70 pounds worth of dumb bells to complete my set.

Haha, I imagined literally being flung out of a tub, and it made me LOL at work, hahaha.

And I enjoy the concept of not having bat-wing arms. I don't have kids yet, and were only having one (and adpoting at least one more) but I totally want to be a) hot mom and b) have an easy pregnancy.

Whew.

I would love to fling myself somewhere...