Since starting training I've changed... did you?

**Voland** · 03-19-2009, 07:20 AM

Originally Posted by hardc0rehardy5

So why the hell do you still do it? Take up pilates or swiss ball exercises instead...lol

Doc, told me. I have anxiety and lifting is a way of releaseing that anxiety and anger.
Its addictive, that doesn't mean its good. Same reason for people to smoke, its a poison but at the time they think they feel good, although they know its harmfull.
But yeah, most probably i'll end up quitting and going back to swimming.

**DAVIDHARDY** · 03-19-2009, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by Voland

Doc, told me. I have anxiety and lifting is a way of releaseing that anxiety and anger.
Its addictive, that doesn't mean its good. Same reason for people to smoke, its a poison but at the time they think they feel good, although they know its harmfull.
But yeah, most probably i'll end up quitting and going back to swimming.

But, if it makes you miserable, isn't it doing more harm than good? If I was doing something I couldn't stand, but it was good for me, I would stop doing it and find something else. That, or stop being so damn critical of yourself. You'll never be perfect, so don't be so damn hard on yourself for no reason. If you stop being over critical, I can almost guarantee that you'll like it. You can swim and bodybuild too, so that might be a way to enjoy it as well. Swim a few days, hit the weights a few days. Balance it out you know.

**Theobeselifter** · 03-19-2009, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by DaveV

Not just physically but mentally. I used to really care about how people saw me and what I looked like. Now I really don't give a shit. I wanna look good (in my eyes) but I don't care what anyone else thinks about my looks. Take for example I used to never be caught dead in sweat pants. It's all I've worn for the last few days because I just don't give a shit to wear uncomfortable jeans. I just throw on my sweats and go where I gotta go.

My main goal of body transformation was to get attention of girls. Now I wanna do it for myself and doing it for attention is an afterthought. Have lost 18lbs so far.

I guess this would be the self confidence that comes with training?

Somehow I think I clicked a link for Drphil.com

**gymrat9929** · 03-19-2009, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by GirlyMuscle

So true. I know what I did to get here. No one did it for me or with me. So when some asshole on the internet calls me weak because I haven't stepped on stage yet it makes me LAUGH. They have NO idea what I've done so far or what I'm capable of doing in the future. But I know...

I really like you GirlyMuscle ... every post you put up has a sweet ... yet hardcore tone to it.

I've found that being married has the same effect on me ... I literally have to force myself to shave and wear decent clothes when we go out in public together. I often think to myself "Life would be much easier if it was socially accecptable to walk around with my shrit off" ... this is how I spend most of my days at home ... in sweats and flops.

**Allifit** · 03-19-2009, 09:38 AM

I'm a better person for my lifting. I started training seriously when I was 19. I'm 24 and still going strong. I don't forsee myself ever leaving the gym, even if at some point I do cease to compete.

I understand that weightlifting is not for everyone, and especially when speaking in terms of women who weightlift, I know it's not a look that sits well with everyone. I get some strange looks, espcially in my offseason when I'm really pulling some weight and looking beefy. Being a woman who lifts, you're espcially prey to scrutiny, and I notice it the most when I'm doing some of my more unorthodox training like tire flips and sled drags.

But despite the strange looks and sometimes negative commentary, I feel more confident now then I ever did at the 110lbs I was prior to my training. And I think that's because I DO WHAT I DO FOR ME. Living your life for you, looking the way you look for you, and truly loving what you do are what makes for a confident, strong, healthy individual. I have never been this confident nor this content with myself and my physique. Ironic because I'm bigger now then I've ever been, its harder to find clothes that fit (lol), and I receive just a many deragatory comments at times as I do positive ones- but my self esteem is soaring. And it's because my contentment is coming from within. I'm not looking for others to validate me- I validate myself every day through my hard work in the gym.

Inside and out I'm a stronger, better woman for my weight training.

**GirlyMuscle** · 03-19-2009, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by gymrat9929

I really like you GirlyMuscle ... every post you put up has a sweet ... yet hardcore tone to it.

I've found that being married has the same effect on me ... I literally have to force myself to shave and wear decent clothes when we go out in public together. I often think to myself "Life would be much easier if it was socially accecptable to walk around with my shrit off" ... this is how I spend most of my days at home ... in sweats and flops.

Awww...thank you! You made me smile.

**DAVIDHARDY** · 03-19-2009, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by Allifit

I'm a better person for my lifting. I started training seriously when I was 19. I'm 24 and still going strong. I don't forsee myself ever leaving the gym, even if at some point I do cease to compete.

I understand that weightlifting is not for everyone, and especially when speaking in terms of women who weightlift, I know it's not a look that sits well with everyone. I get some strange looks, espcially in my offseason when I'm really pulling some weight and looking beefy. Being a woman who lifts, you're espcially prey to scrutiny, and I notice it the most when I'm doing some of my more unorthodox training like tire flips and sled drags.

But despite the strange looks and sometimes negative commentary, I feel more confident now then I ever did at the 110lbs I was prior to my training. And I think that's because I DO WHAT I DO FOR ME. Living your life for you, looking the way you look for you, and truly loving what you do are what makes for a confident, strong, healthy individual. I have never been this confident nor this content with myself and my physique. Ironic because I'm bigger now then I've ever been, its harder to find clothes that fit (lol), and I receive just a many deragatory comments at times as I do positive ones- but my self esteem is soaring. And it's because my contentment is coming from within. I'm not looking for others to validate me- I validate myself every day through my hard work in the gym.

Inside and out I'm a stronger, better woman for my weight training.

There's nothing wrong with a woman with muscle. Brush off those comments and keep on keepin on, because you look great!