Less is not more... more is more

[SportyShorty89]

In the last 3 years I have experimented with many different methods of weight training, fat loss, and supplements. I will post my opinions at times but rarely give advice on the forum because I don't know how my way of doing things will affect someone else. I use to be TINY, about 94-97lbs, I'm still short (nothing i can do about that ) But i have gained a large amount of mass, almost 10 lbs a year in the last 3 years, which I don't see often in women. I found that what works best for me is more, more, more. I'm always increasing weights, increasing cardio, making HIIT more challenging, and increasing cals up until the month I want to cut. My highest weight before a cut was 133lbs and I cut to 120. I'm in the middle of one now, started at 125, want to reach 115, or even better 110. I have never really looked pudgy or squishy at my high weights either lol. So would it be okay for me to give tiny girls advice when trying to bulk up? Or do you think I'm some freak of nature that would make some little girl fat by sharing my experiences? haha

[woodenshoes055]

I think for the most part it's a great idea to share experiences with others. Everyones body reacts differently, so someone might want to pull part of your workout routines, and someone else would take diet ideas from you. I like hearing others experiences to see what works for them so I can try different things:}

[Maxime1]

haha.. I love hearing success stories..Definitely share!! I'm currently trying to gain weight and am having a really hard time..

[gobbles23]

Originally Posted by Maxime1

haha.. I love hearing success stories..Definitely share!! I'm currently trying to gain weight and am having a really hard time..

I'm trying to lose weight and having a really hard time. Success stories are inspiring..It makes you realize that it can be done! You just have to keep on pushing...and learning...Other people's experiences definitely help!

[Najix]

It depends on how you present it. My experience shows that women very easily shy away from lifting (not trying to generalize, just saying). Your experience busts the myth that women only get body-builder huge when they lift, but I've said it hundreds of times and half the girls I talk to don't believe me. So when you tell other women that, just say what worked for you--and not push too aggressively to make them do what you do. Like you said, different things work for different people.

[kfisherx]

Originally Posted by SportyShorty89

...Or do you think I'm some freak of nature that would make some little girl fat by sharing my experiences? haha

You are not some freak of nature. BUT you are 21 years old. Your advise would mean squat to me for the most part. If you want to give advice based on antecdotal evidence than be very clear that is what you are doing. If you want to give advice for real then read about what works for general populations.

[kimm4]

Originally Posted by kfisherx

You are not some freak of nature. BUT you are 21 years old. Your advise would mean squat to me for the most part. If you want to give advice based on antecdotal evidence than be very clear that is what you are doing. If you want to give advice for real then read about what works for general populations.

This is true.^^

Also, anyone can gain 10 lbs in a year. You do understand that in 3 yrs time your weight gain is not all lean mass, throw in some fat, water, etc...

Does not qualify for freak of nature status...

[RaveBDK]

Originally Posted by SportyShorty89

In the last 3 years I have experimented with many different methods of weight training, fat loss, and supplements. I will post my opinions at times but rarely give advice on the forum because I don't know how my way of doing things will affect someone else. I use to be TINY, about 94-97lbs, I'm still short (nothing i can do about that ) But i have gained a large amount of mass, almost 10 lbs a year in the last 3 years, which I don't see often in women. I found that what works best for me is more, more, more. I'm always increasing weights, increasing cardio, making HIIT more challenging, and increasing cals up until the month I want to cut. My highest weight before a cut was 133lbs and I cut to 120. I'm in the middle of one now, started at 125, want to reach 115, or even better 110. I have never really looked pudgy or squishy at my high weights either lol. So would it be okay for me to give tiny girls advice when trying to bulk up? Or do you think I'm some freak of nature that would make some little girl fat by sharing my experiences? haha

strong advice! I totally agree....lots of people say "more is less"...because they are afraid of overtraining. I've gotten best results when i do more sets, more reps, more weight, longer time in gym, exercise each part 2x a week on a 3 day split instead 1x of a 5 day split. Just make my exercises much longer and cram more body parts in. More is more!

Agreed .

strong woman indeed.

Edit: yeh, it wasnt 10lbs of muscle per year...thats for sure. 10 lbs of muscle....is equivilant to about 20lbs in weight (atleast 17 assuming 0 fat gain)...and even at that...its a ****load. Check out the men who gain 30 lbs lean....they go from like...skinny twigs, to hella swole guys. 30 lbs of muscle is A LOT! 30 lbs of weight...is a bit, but 1/2-1/3 is probably muscle (assuming you include the extra few lbs from creatine.) Any person who starts lifting goes "Oh, I gained like 15 lbs in my first month! Then I lol because thats because they started drinking a gallon of water and started taking creatine. There's 10 lbs easily right there.

[Emma-Leigh]

Originally Posted by kfisherx

You are not some freak of nature. BUT you are 21 years old. Your advise would mean squat to me for the most part. If you want to give advice based on antecdotal evidence than be very clear that is what you are doing. If you want to give advice for real then read about what works for general populations.

Originally Posted by kimm4

This is true.^^

Also, anyone can gain 10 lbs in a year. You do understand that in 3 yrs time your weight gain is not all lean mass, throw in some fat, water, etc...

Does not qualify for freak of nature status...

^
agreed.

Thinking about things in light of physiology:
At 21 yrs - the last 3 years of your life = 18, 19, 20....
This = time of maturation + solidifying bone structure/ last of your growth...
This is a HIGHLY different situation to someone even 5 yrs older than you.
^
mass gains = easier.
[and as Kimm mentioned - all of this is not going to be lean mass].

As a young female I would also probably guess that you would have been fairly new to training when you started too.... which is also a time when lean gains are faster... Generally speaking, lean mass gains in trained individuals is a lot slower.

Lastly - Looking at your bodyshape in general --> you have mesomorphic features. And at only 5'3 I would say that your specific rate of lean mass growth would be far more than someone who was 5'9 => simply in the fact that shorter limbs = can create greater force across joints = can move more weight = better results.

So yes, although you have done wonderfully and it is great to see you so positive with regard your training and results.... Not sure you can take *much* and apply to others in different situations.

[Writer25]

Originally Posted by Najix

It depends on how you present it. My experience shows that women very easily shy away from lifting (not trying to generalize, just saying). Your experience busts the myth that women only get body-builder huge when they lift, but I've said it hundreds of times and half the girls I talk to don't believe me.

There's still a popular perception that free weights is for the macho men or unfeminine or not attractive. I still see a disparity and there are more men there than women in the free weights area. Sometimes when I workout, I'm the only woman there. There is a lot of ignorance about this matter.

I hate it when this happens, someone tells me I look good and look like I lost weight and ask me what I've been doing. When I tell them what worked for me, then it's the question about women weight lifting. I answer their questions but I feel that they aren't really listening and dont want to hear it. (why bother asking then?) It's better to smile nod and be fake with them.

Later, one of my friends wanted me to teach her weight lifting and working out because she said that I'm getting results much faster than her. She's been doing cardio most of the time and no weights. I got her into it and she was a good student. Yay! felt great to have a disciple What I can say is to continue with what we do and that'd inspire people.

BTW, you ladies are great. I'm so glad to know that there are other women out there who arent about "thinness" or the latest fad dieting and really serious about working out as a lifestyle.

[StarDustImages]

speak up! people always want to hear about someone who's actually done it, maybe it wont work for them but others love imput, it's what this place is for right? getting information and what better way then from the others here.

[Zenree]

Originally Posted by kfisherx

You are not some freak of nature. BUT you are 21 years old. Your advise would mean squat to me for the most part. If you want to give advice based on antecdotal evidence than be very clear that is what you are doing. If you want to give advice for real then read about what works for general populations.

^^^ I would have to agree with this

The first thing I take into consideration when reading about someone's gains, diet or workout regiment is their age -- what works for 20+ will not necessarily work for 40+.

With that said, I think if the person who is asking for you advice is around your age and has similar stats -- then go ahead and offer your advice -- but I would always put a disclaimer in there about what works for 1 person, may not work for another.

Oh, and great job on all your success

[SportyShorty89]

Holy crap, lots of feedback. Thanks guys!

I am aware that the gains can't be all lean mass, but I wasn't sure of the average gains over a year. I was happy jumping the 100lb hurdle, never mind 130, i was psyched.

And Emma-Leigh, I think that is mostly where I'm coming from, you just put it into better words for me. I figured my age was the largest factor in this situation going from 18 to 21 as most athletes peak at this time. So I just need to keep that in mind when trying to help someone out, just need to keep it in my age range.

Thanks everyone again for the great input. My avi pic is @ 125 lbs, I'm down to 117, still a tiny bit more to go, so new pics will be up soon

[freebirdmac]

I'd welcome your thoughts. All regulars here should be well aware that what works for one may not work for another. But reading how others reached their goals may give us an idea as to what to tweak. As for the age difference, I view this in two ways. First, as always what works for one may not work for another, and two, us older women may need to scale back our muscle gain expectations. But, tweaks are tweaks any way you cut it. The fundamentals are the same.

You look great! Wish I had started at your age

[peninsula]

It's true that you're young, but this forum is filled with all kinds of people, and that's a fact that you have to keep in mind when reading anything on the internet. Everyone is posting from their own anonymous little corner of the world. Obviously, what works for one person isn't going to work for everyone else. That's why I read multiple reviews of items or multiple comments on a post/idea and don't take everything at face value. Personally, I'm not as tiny as you, but I'd love to hear your advice, what works for you etc, and even if someone disagrees with what you say, forums are about the exchange of ideas. I don't think anyone would look down on you for your input.

[kimm4]

Originally Posted by SportyShorty89

Holy crap, lots of feedback. Thanks guys!

I am aware that the gains can't be all lean mass, but I wasn't sure of the average gains over a year. I was happy jumping the 100lb hurdle, never mind 130, i was psyched.

And Emma-Leigh, I think that is mostly where I'm coming from, you just put it into better words for me. I figured my age was the largest factor in this situation going from 18 to 21 as most athletes peak at this time. So I just need to keep that in mind when trying to help someone out, just need to keep it in my age range.

Thanks everyone again for the great input. My avi pic is @ 125 lbs, I'm down to 117, still a tiny bit more to go, so new pics will be up soon

Be proud of what you've accomplished because 10 lbs is great! This is the smart way to do it because fat gains are minimal.

Nothing wrong with giving advice to people your age as you can get them moving in the right direction. Keep consistent with your training and you'll be making your best gains around the age of 34 and up. This is when most women hit muscle maturity and trust me you're gonna love it!

Great job!

[ophelia53]

I say, SHARE! Especially with smaller, more petite women. 1. A lot of women believe if they eat too much/lift too much/lift heavy, they'll look all....manly. Well, we girls know that's not the case, right? So what better way to prove it than for them to hear what you've said? Sharing this story would be a great myth-debunker! and 2. A lot of women don't believe they can be this strong, so it'll be a nice inspiration for them to hear the weights your pushing and how you're kicking that iron's ass!
And GRATS on the 10lbs! That's awesome! Keep training hard and make those boys wish they could do what you do!

[DemetriaF]

Originally Posted by Emma-Leigh

And at only 5'3 I would say that your specific rate of lean mass growth would be far more than someone who was 5'9 => simply in the fact that shorter limbs = can create greater force across joints = can move more weight = better results.

Tough medicine for tall women!

Long ago, and in a galaxy far away, I once believed that tall people had a tremendous strength advantage. As a teen, I used to chuckle under my breath at shorter women attempting to be athletic, or to move large things. I'm 5'9, and now realize that the joke is actually on me.

[princessTiffany]

Originally Posted by SportyShorty89

In the last 3 years I have experimented with many different methods of weight training, fat loss, and supplements. I will post my opinions at times but rarely give advice on the forum because I don't know how my way of doing things will affect someone else. I use to be TINY, about 94-97lbs, I'm still short (nothing i can do about that ) But i have gained a large amount of mass, almost 10 lbs a year in the last 3 years, which I don't see often in women. I found that what works best for me is more, more, more. I'm always increasing weights, increasing cardio, making HIIT more challenging, and increasing cals up until the month I want to cut. My highest weight before a cut was 133lbs and I cut to 120. I'm in the middle of one now, started at 125, want to reach 115, or even better 110. I have never really looked pudgy or squishy at my high weights either lol. So would it be okay for me to give tiny girls advice when trying to bulk up? Or do you think I'm some freak of nature that would make some little girl fat by sharing my experiences? haha

I would appreciate hearing your advice, I'm small, the same age and around the same height so any tiny girl that put on any muscle is someone I'm interested in hearing from.

[triangle]

Definitely share your experiences, that's what this forum is for. Your methods may not work for everyone (I've gained over 20lbs in the last two years - currently about 135lbs - and have never felt compelled to cut. I've found that in my case, Less Is More ) but no one looking for advice should take it all from one source and no where else. So it's good to present another view.