**Samantha7806**

chrissyvcm

I was glad to see in your "Ask Me Anything" post that you advocate weight training for women. It thrills me to see a woman in the gym lifting heavy a$$ weights, but unfortunately most are too afraid to get bulky. Do you ever lift REALLY heavy? If so, what do you do and how much do you lift?

samantha7806

define really heavy!

 when i do squats, i usually have about 70 lbs on the barbell. my arms are the weakest part, so the weight always varies for me with arm exercises.

 if i use machines, i can actually use more weight - like squat about 100 lbs - but it's harder for your body to work with free weights compared to a machine.

i have clients who have a high percentage of body fat, but they are slender, and they are always shocked. i have to explain to them the importance of weight training in addition to cardio!

samantha7806

also, i don't know how many people realize this - but the more muscle mass you have in your body, the more calories you burn, even when resting.

 it would take a LOT to lift weights and get bulky. the women that train and participate in body building shows have a ridiculous diet regimen and workout routine and it takes a long time to get your body to look like that.

Leigha12

**butting in**

I kind of miss the satisfaction of heavy lifting (heavy for me, anyways). My trainer's method is more of less, which worked really well in getting me ready for my b-pics, but you don't get the same sense of satisfaction as when you see guys benching less than you. Sigh. Maybe I should go ahead and join up at the same gym as DH. He's the only one I ever really lifted with.

chrissyvcm

Thanks for posting this! I always like to see #s of what other thin ladies are doing. In my opinion, lifting weights and being strong is about one of the best things you can do for your body, but so many women are afraid of it. I have scrawny looking arms and legs, don't look "beefy" at all, and was at my absolute smallest last year when I was squatting 230 and deadlifting over 300. It just works! I burn more calories on heavy lifting days then on days when I go for a really long run.

Also, I think we should start back with the workout accountability posts come 1/1.

samantha7806

holy sh!t, that's impressive. but yes, i was built like a brick sh!thouse at the wedding...i took a break for awhile, but i'm back in it, now!

Leigha12

chrissyvcm:

Also, I think we should start back with the workout accountability posts come 1/1.

Couldn't agree more! I need it.  I don't think I've done cardio since the wedding (other than one bike ride).

samantha7806

Leigha12:

chrissyvcm:

Also, I think we should start back with the workout accountability posts come 1/1.

Couldn't agree more! I need it.  I don't think I've done cardio since the wedding (other than one bike ride).

what were the workout accountability posts? i'm all for it, whatever it is.

Leigha12

Someone would start a daily post and there were a handful of people who would regularly post whether or not they worked out that day.  Just a way of keeping each other accountable.  They stopped probably the beginning of June (go figure!).

samantha7806

Leigha12:

Someone would start a daily post and there were a handful of people who would regularly post whether or not they worked out that day.  Just a way of keeping each other accountable.  They stopped probably the beginning of June (go figure!).

that's hilarious! the stopping at june point, not the daily post. i say we start it again in january, too. i enjoy being held accountable.