As I was writing my article persuading people to use weightlifting to lose weight my mind kept going back to a statement I hear from women nearly every time I even talk about going to the gym

“I don’t lift weights because I want to look famine” or “I don’t want to get bulky”

Let me be very clear. Both those statements are total and complete crap.

Ladies, if you’re looking to lose weight, get toned, look famine, you need to be lifting! As I’ve mentioned before when talking about cardio, the elliptical machine will not get you there!

Simply put, if lifting heavy weights 3 times a week could make you bulky, everyone would look like the Governator. Large muscles take large amounts of testosterone, which women don’t normally have. Even most men who do have the testosterone, who try to look like that can’t.

If you want to look like **Insert flavor of the month female sex symbol**, you NEED to follow these steps. (Take note guys this works for you all too)

• Eat a healthy, balanced diet! My eating guide is a good place to start

• Get off your butt and into the gym, diet only gets you half way. The gym will give you those toned arms and legs your craving

• At the gym? Ditch the rubber, pink 2.5 lb weights! Your body needs resistance, and those toy weights will nothing for you.

• Go back to the gym at least 3 times a week

• Cardio 3 times a week for 30 minutes

• There are no “un-feminine” lifts. Squats, bench press, and pull downs aren’t just for the boys

Finally, the gym is co-ed. This means you have every right to use every piece of equipment the boys are using. Wait your turn, but don’t feel intimidated into slinking around the ladies only corner.

A former female body builder wrote an excellent article from a women’s point of view about this very topic, it says many of the same things that I have mentioned here, but I think her words mean more than mine, considering the source.

Guys, if you’re still reading, women can be self-conscious at the gym. You may think that’s silly, weak, or not true, but it’s a fact. Please keep your eyes and your comments to yourself. Comments about her workout and/or physique no matter how nice probably aren’t helpful. Also, keep your eyes to yourself, your there to workout, not checkout… Don’t be that creepy guy that makes all the ladies awkward

Tags: Exercise, fitness, Health, women

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