[krampus]

Congrats, one down and the rest of your life to go!

You're one of my main inspirations from 3FC who convinced me to stop talking about starting and start.

[Kahokkuri]

Such an awesome post! I've been lifting "heavy" for a month or two now, but reading your post has convinced me that I can certainly be challenging myself with more weight and different exercises. You rock.

[alitorry]

You are inspiring! I take a weight lifting class too, and I think I'll up my weight now thanks!

[TRom81]

Wow, I had no idea that weight lifting could make one smaller like that. I really need to think about strength training as well as cardio. I've had such a hard, hard time getting into running. It might be a lot better for me if I try something totally different.

Btw, your results are amazing, as are your pictures! Thank you for sharing!

[DietVet]

Yup, that is the joyous wonder of weight lifting! You get smaller but your scale number is higher. That means that you get to eat to support the higher number while LOOKING ever tinier! It's the best!

And lifting weights really is a totally different approach to exercise than running or steady state cardio. Check out one of the New Rules of Lifting books. Lots of info and fabulous work out plans.

[evilwomaniamshe]

Woo hoo, rock on @sskicker, rock on!

[Thistleberry]

Originally Posted by sontaikle

Lifting heavy has changed my life, and I hope that I can inspire at least one woman to look past the wrong information she's been fed and pick up a set of heavy weights. As it is I've managed to get other women at my gym picking up slightly heavier weights...now to get them to lift even heavier!

You inspired me to do it! At the beginning of this year I spent a long time kicking the idea around to try lifting heavy. I had so many questions and reservations about it, some of them were the typical others were less so. I wasn't convinced it was something that I could do, do regularly, and enjoy. I read up and educated myself about it, but I still just wasn't ready to pull the trigger.

Well, your enthusiasm and results prompted me to jump in with both feet this May. Turns out, I LOVE it! All of my hemming and hawing, all of my fears were for naught. I love how I feel and I love how I'm looking. And this is the perfect opportunity to thank you for being an inspiration and getting me started. Thank you!!

[LockItUp]

Love this! You rock so freaking hard! You always inspire me when I start falling off the workout wagon. I SO needed to read this today. Thank you!

[rainydays]

Sontaikle, what is your max weight? And may we have a sample routine--a typical day at the gym? Better yet, if you only have half an hour to lift, three times a week--what would you focus on? I have to start incorporating more lifting!! Advice is much appreciated!

[LisaTcan]

Congrats sontaikle you are so motivating!

I'm sure you've said this somewhere before, but what plan did you use when you were starting out? Are there are specific exercises you'd recommend?

I'm trying to go from lifting relatively light (squats 50lbs - most arm stuff around 12lbs) to lifting heavy. Thanks!

[GardenBurglar]

I just keep re-reading this! LOVE LOVE LOVE!

I don't know how someone could read this post and not want to immediately go out and lift like a hot beast!