Genuinely, how can i get comfortable with my body being a bigger size since i started lifting a year and a half ago? i feel so much stronger and healthier and have a regular exercise habit now, which is great!! but!! i keep getting the urge to switch to only cardio and yoga to get small again. like my pants and shirts being tighter now makes me so uncomfortable (i feel like a bad feminist for admitting this)
I feel exactly the same. It’s hard to appreciate strength and stability when (at least for me) the messaging my whole life has been that small and willowy is the “ideal”
Would love to hear your thoughts on self-discipline versus motivation. I grew up playing highly competitive soccer and now as an adult it feels like I can’t hold any structure for myself in my workouts. It’s like I’m burnt out for good and am a little scarred from it all despite wanting to maintain my fitness.
I think a “everything you need to know about bone density” would be a huge help to many. I discovered that even after over a decade of teaching high impact aerobics and strength training, my bone density was not good, which surprised many. I’ve made up some since then but can’t totally make up for all that lost time.
Do you have anything in particular (a mindset, a habit,etc) that pushes you out of the rut of wanting to exercise but feeling top tired or unmotivated to leave the house?
So one of my biggest barriers to weight lifting is that every time I tried to do it at the gym a stranger has commented on it. People say no one is watching but for whatever reason that has not been true for me! One guy warned me that lifting would make my arms too big. One guy hit on me. One guy told me I was using the equipment wrong and that I should hire him as a personal trainor. All that happened in my teens/early 20s but it really discouraged me from trying even now years later.
Do you have advice on how to deal with this? Maybe making sure a gym has a good culture or having good comebacks or not smiling or whatever will get men to not bother you.
Oof I'm sorry, sounds like you were in some particularly annoying gyms. I really do think some are just more likely to have this kind of environment than others. I agree with Emma below on the headphones. It's the universal signal for "leave me alone" in the gym. First things I can think of to say to the above kind of comments, if someone still tries to bug you:
"Lifting will make your arms too big"
The high road response: "OK. I'm gonna get back to my workout now."
The Fuck Around and Find Out response: "Doesn't seem like that's a big problem for you, bro"
Guy hits on you & you're not interested:
"I'm all good/not interested/I'm flattered but no thanks/I'm just here to work out" etc.
"You're using the equipment wrong and you should hire me as a personal trainer"
The high road response: "I'm all set, thanks. Have a good one"
The FAFO response: "If you can deadlift 500 pounds right now I'll hire you. I assume no liability for any injuries you incur" [jk don't do this, but also if he can DL five hundo maybe hire him? lol]
I do think some of this could be from living in conservative areas where women are supposed to be dainty and men feel more comfortable commenting on women's activities than they might in other regions.
The protein question. I want the answer to the protein question: for those of us trying to build muscle and for those of us just trying to maintain our weight.
Rucking- I’m seeing so much lately about how it purportedly can help build muscle and strength. I bought a vest a few years ago mainly for a cardio challenge when I’m walking. I lift heavy weights, and it doesn’t make sense to me how walking around with just 10-15 lbs on your back will do anything too noticeable re: muscle. Would love clarity here. Thank you! (And hoping you feel better soon)
I’m 41, female, just got back into weight training proper early last year. I can only squeeze in 2 gym sessions a week and it’s been frustrating seeing my lower body PRs go up but my upper body is still stuck around the same weights, reps and volume for months!! Any advice?! :(
Thank you! Laying sooooo low. Rode the couch for 2 days and went for a walk yesterday. Eating normally but everything tastes bland lol. I never try to exercise as usual through serious sickness, I'm more of a "obsessively rest to hopefully get over it sooner" kind of gal
Cardio - do we really need to do it every week or can I just stick with my weightlifting routine and keep pretending that’s enough? Love to read more about how we’ve move towards more strength training fitness from hard, intense cardio workouts and why that shift occurred.
Post partum bodies! I have basically returned to my pre baby weight but the physical shape of my body is so different! I’m softer in some areas, rounder in some areas, thicker/meatier in some areas, the same in other areas? What’s actually happening in our post partum healing process and how does it affect our shape? How is our body shifted forever? Is anything the same? How do we treat our body with kindness and respect as we adjust into our new shape 🤍?
I’m struggling to dress my stronger body and discover my style now that I’m lifting. There are not many models with visible muscles that you see wearing anything other than athleisure. Do you have any personal style tips on how you do this, or are there any strong women whose style you recommend? Thanks!
Can I have your option regarding the trend of matching exercise with the different phases of the hormonal cycle? And after an HIIT session sometimes I feel angry and mildly aggressive? Never happens after Pilates for example
I would really like some tips and tricks about how to eat enough to grow more muscle. The amount I need to eat feels daunting and frankly exhausting to prepare, so I've been majorly slacking.
Genuinely, how can i get comfortable with my body being a bigger size since i started lifting a year and a half ago? i feel so much stronger and healthier and have a regular exercise habit now, which is great!! but!! i keep getting the urge to switch to only cardio and yoga to get small again. like my pants and shirts being tighter now makes me so uncomfortable (i feel like a bad feminist for admitting this)
Great question <3
I feel exactly the same. It’s hard to appreciate strength and stability when (at least for me) the messaging my whole life has been that small and willowy is the “ideal”
Would love to hear your thoughts on self-discipline versus motivation. I grew up playing highly competitive soccer and now as an adult it feels like I can’t hold any structure for myself in my workouts. It’s like I’m burnt out for good and am a little scarred from it all despite wanting to maintain my fitness.
Great idea, will do
I think a “everything you need to know about bone density” would be a huge help to many. I discovered that even after over a decade of teaching high impact aerobics and strength training, my bone density was not good, which surprised many. I’ve made up some since then but can’t totally make up for all that lost time.
Will look into this!
Do you have anything in particular (a mindset, a habit,etc) that pushes you out of the rut of wanting to exercise but feeling top tired or unmotivated to leave the house?
Do I ever! Stay tuned
So one of my biggest barriers to weight lifting is that every time I tried to do it at the gym a stranger has commented on it. People say no one is watching but for whatever reason that has not been true for me! One guy warned me that lifting would make my arms too big. One guy hit on me. One guy told me I was using the equipment wrong and that I should hire him as a personal trainor. All that happened in my teens/early 20s but it really discouraged me from trying even now years later.
Do you have advice on how to deal with this? Maybe making sure a gym has a good culture or having good comebacks or not smiling or whatever will get men to not bother you.
Oof I'm sorry, sounds like you were in some particularly annoying gyms. I really do think some are just more likely to have this kind of environment than others. I agree with Emma below on the headphones. It's the universal signal for "leave me alone" in the gym. First things I can think of to say to the above kind of comments, if someone still tries to bug you:
"Lifting will make your arms too big"
The high road response: "OK. I'm gonna get back to my workout now."
The Fuck Around and Find Out response: "Doesn't seem like that's a big problem for you, bro"
Guy hits on you & you're not interested:
"I'm all good/not interested/I'm flattered but no thanks/I'm just here to work out" etc.
"You're using the equipment wrong and you should hire me as a personal trainer"
The high road response: "I'm all set, thanks. Have a good one"
The FAFO response: "If you can deadlift 500 pounds right now I'll hire you. I assume no liability for any injuries you incur" [jk don't do this, but also if he can DL five hundo maybe hire him? lol]
“Doesn’t seem like that’s a big problem for you bro” lololololol 😂🫠😂🫠
Thank you! It's definitely helpful advice.
I do think some of this could be from living in conservative areas where women are supposed to be dainty and men feel more comfortable commenting on women's activities than they might in other regions.
Are you wearing headphones? You shouldn't have to but I imagine it would help
I don't think I was in those instances but that's a good idea.
The protein question. I want the answer to the protein question: for those of us trying to build muscle and for those of us just trying to maintain our weight.
Rucking- I’m seeing so much lately about how it purportedly can help build muscle and strength. I bought a vest a few years ago mainly for a cardio challenge when I’m walking. I lift heavy weights, and it doesn’t make sense to me how walking around with just 10-15 lbs on your back will do anything too noticeable re: muscle. Would love clarity here. Thank you! (And hoping you feel better soon)
Copy that. Good Q
I’d be really interested to hear about male self-image and the rise of steroid use among young men.
This could be a good place to start if you haven't seen it already.
https://bodytype.substack.com/p/the-gym-bros-all-have-eating-disorders
But I'd like to have more male voices in Body Type so I'll definitely consider this when I open up my next guest post opportunity!
I hope you feel better soon!
I’m 41, female, just got back into weight training proper early last year. I can only squeeze in 2 gym sessions a week and it’s been frustrating seeing my lower body PRs go up but my upper body is still stuck around the same weights, reps and volume for months!! Any advice?! :(
What about how you're dealing with Covid right now? Laying low or fighting through it? Nutrition? Exercise? Feel better soon!
Thank you! Laying sooooo low. Rode the couch for 2 days and went for a walk yesterday. Eating normally but everything tastes bland lol. I never try to exercise as usual through serious sickness, I'm more of a "obsessively rest to hopefully get over it sooner" kind of gal
Cardio - do we really need to do it every week or can I just stick with my weightlifting routine and keep pretending that’s enough? Love to read more about how we’ve move towards more strength training fitness from hard, intense cardio workouts and why that shift occurred.
Post partum bodies! I have basically returned to my pre baby weight but the physical shape of my body is so different! I’m softer in some areas, rounder in some areas, thicker/meatier in some areas, the same in other areas? What’s actually happening in our post partum healing process and how does it affect our shape? How is our body shifted forever? Is anything the same? How do we treat our body with kindness and respect as we adjust into our new shape 🤍?
ooh i have someone I can ask to weigh in on this :)
I’m struggling to dress my stronger body and discover my style now that I’m lifting. There are not many models with visible muscles that you see wearing anything other than athleisure. Do you have any personal style tips on how you do this, or are there any strong women whose style you recommend? Thanks!
I think this was one of your better articles. I wonder if there needs to be a follow-up and connect this to "incel culture"?
https://bodytype.substack.com/p/the-quiet-pain-of-ugly-men
Can I have your option regarding the trend of matching exercise with the different phases of the hormonal cycle? And after an HIIT session sometimes I feel angry and mildly aggressive? Never happens after Pilates for example
interesting. I don't know a lot about this but know hormones are having a moment. Idk how much is legit vs. overblown. Will look into it!
I would really like some tips and tricks about how to eat enough to grow more muscle. The amount I need to eat feels daunting and frankly exhausting to prepare, so I've been majorly slacking.
DONE AND DONE