Come on girls!!! (and I said GIRLS!)

[Philia2]

Let's talk a little bit about ourself.

I'm Nina, 28 years old, living in France. I have always been extremely active (it's in my blood, I cannot help keep jumping!) Professional fencer for years, but now I'm the lucky owner of a small cosy gym in South Western France (you're all welcome!!).
Been weight training for now 9 years (on and off next to the other sports) but now only (almost) doing weight training since I'm competing.

What else? Oh yes, I don't do a lot else than sitting in a gym training or having fun with my customers all day long..... I actually live there (and I got a bed and a microwave here as well!! lol)

I love what I'm doing. Haven't had a holiday for long but still I wake up every morning with a big smile.

I'm married, no kids (but a terrible mother in law!!) a big African dog and one old but "still going strong" car!! /forum/images/icons/laugh.gif /forum/images/icons/smirk.gif /forum/images/icons/grin.gif /forum/images/icons/tongue.gif /forum/images/icons/wink.gif

[sicily1962]

Hello...I'm Margie

I'm 40 and single. I have two grown..(well nearly) children.
My son 20 and a daughter, 17 in November.

I've been in the jewelry biz for 18yrs and work part time as a trainer at my gym.

I'm an Air Force brat. My dad was in 26yrs and we travelled all over the world. I joined the Corps after high school and spend a few years in uniform myself!

I workout for myself and am currently preparing for an October BB show.
My life is consumed w/ training and work and making sure my daughter is getting lots of hugs and support...she's on a college hunt right now! So she'll be leaving me for a big future in forensic science here in about 2yrs!
What will i do?? lol!! /forum/images/icons/smirk.gif

I'm constantly looking for ways to improve my life and my training...thank God i have a great support system!
And oh~ i love this site!!
Logging in is the first thing i do w/ my java in the morning and again before i go to bed!
Is the co-dependent? lol!
/forum/images/icons/grin.gif

[dixiepixie]

Hi, there! I'm Judy. I'm 43, single, with two children, a soon-to-be 20-year-old daughter who is going to make me a grandmother in December, and a 15-year-old son. Neither of them live with me at the moment. I've been lurking off and on for a while, but think a women's forum is definitely great! I'm in the beginning stages of some major lifestyle changes (you know -- the thinking stage still), and need somewhere to go for inspiration, guidance and friendship). I'm a smoker who is setting a date to quit. I've had a Weider Pro home gym that I've packed around through moves in boxes for a year and it is FINALLY set up and ready to use, having recently purchased my first home. I'm a neophyte, though. I used to work out at the gym on the machines quite a few years back, and I miss the way I felt when doing so. I refused to even attempt to quit smoking this time until my gym was set up. (I once quit for 8 months.) I'm in the process of working out my routine, so will be looking at this site alot! Looking forward to learning all I can, becoming the best I can be (and feeling good again)!

[karienk]

Hi,
My name is Karien, I'm 34 years old, a single mom with a girl 11 years and a boy 9 years old. We all compete in Judo and I also love doing weight training. I've just been told by my coach that my expectations of myself are too high and if I don't reach them I,m devastated. That is so true. I've been feeling depressed and started browsing this forum. Hope I can find lots of inspiration here!

Hi there
My name is Linda. I am a 31 years old married and the mother of 2. A boy 4 and a girl 2. I started my weight trainning program in January, before that I had never involved myself in any type of fitness program. But after topping the scale a 200lbs and wearing a size 22 I decided to do something about it. Both my husband and I started with Body for Life and finished that 12 weeks with great results, since then we have focused more on the body building aspects of trainning and are still seeing fantastic results. My goal is to be in competion shape by next summer.

This is such a great idea for a forum

[Krukker]

Wow isn't this fun!

I'm Kate, 25 yo IT consultant.

I started really getting into weight training about 8 months ago doing a BFL challenge then after modified to my own needs. I think I have the SLOWEST body on Earth to change but I'm plugging away, trying new and different things, switching up and I"ll figure my body out one day!

Glad we have this forum - I think our bodies react differently in many situations regarding nutrition and training!

Ta ta for now!

[TheAnimal]

Hi my names Animal and I'm a lesbian TRAPPED in a mans body /forum/images/icons/grin.gif /forum/images/icons/grin.gif /forum/images/icons/grin.gif

Animal

[The Azn Oak]

<blockquote><font class="small">posted by TheAnimal:</font><hr /> Hi my names Animal and I'm a lesbian TRAPPED in a mans body /forum/images/icons/grin.gif /forum/images/icons/grin.gif /forum/images/icons/grin.gif

Animal <hr /></blockquote>

&amp; I thought I was the only one

Oh boy, guess I'll go ahead and type my biography too, very interesting meeting all you ladies! Anyway, now get ready for a novel, LMAO! http://www.plauder-smilies.de/tongue3.gif

I'm 29, about to turn 30, ugg! I've always been very active, I have a father who has encouraged and challenged me in athletics since I was very small. Basically I was a tomboy growing up, did things like ride bike, jumping ramps with the boys, climbing trees, mountains, etc, played any and every sport, loved swimming, rollerskating, etc etc.

Went into the AF at the age of 17 and that's when I started getting serious about staying fit. I really didn't know anything though so I pretty much ate like a horse, whatever I wanted and just kept active. I was involved in sports, swam, kept skating regularly, did aerobics classes and aerobics machines, and started doing some resistance training on machines.

At the age of 24 I got involved in some roller hockey and also a speed skating team just for fun. I had also bought a Nordic Track and started using it regularly along with speed skating and skating outdoors. Once I started speed skating and had my nordic track, I quit the resistance training for a while feeling like I wasn't getting any results, which was because I had no clue how to train.

In 1999 I joined a serious, competive speed skating team, started getting the proper training so then I started competing seriously. In late 1999 I started going back to the gym just to work my legs in hopes of improving my speed skating. I ended up getting into serious lifting when I started dating my then future husband in March of 2000. He trained me on how to use the free weights and ever since then I've been into bodybuilding. I lifted for about a year before I found Abc (actually BPB did) which is when I started learning about my diet and that I needed to start cleaning it up to get leaner! So then by August of 2001, having learned how to eat right, I started a serious diet to reduce my body fat. I've been on a serious diet ever since then and what I did along with my progress can be found on my diet and training journal. My continuing mission is just to keep improving, getting my physique as close to perfect as I can. /forum/images/icons/grin.gif

[Big Pappa B]

And a word of warning to all women that don't know of Krypto and her posts/replies: If you ask her a question, be prepared to get out your reading glasses cause she doesn't EVER type a small reply http://www.plauder-smilies.de/yellows/a_smil17.gifhttp://www.plauder-smilies.de/yellows/a_smil17.gifhttp://www.plauder-smilies.de/yellows/a_smil17.gifhttp://www.plauder-smilies.de/yellows/a_smil17.gifhttp://www.plauder-smilies.de/yellows/a_smil17.gifhttp://www.plauder-smilies.de/yellows/a_smil17.gifhttp://www.plauder-smilies.de/yellows/a_smil17.gifhttp://www.plauder-smilies.de/yellows/a_smil17.gif....hahahahahaha

<blockquote><font class="small">posted by Big Pappa B:</font><hr /> And a word of warning to all women that don't know of Krypto and her posts/replies: If you ask her a question, be prepared to get out your reading glasses cause she doesn't EVER type a small reply http://www.plauder-smilies.de/yellows/a_smil17.gifhttp://www.plauder-smilies.de/yellows/a_smil17.gifhttp://www.plauder-smilies.de/yellows/a_smil17.gifhttp://www.plauder-smilies.de/yellows/a_smil17.gifhttp://www.plauder-smilies.de/yellows/a_smil17.gifhttp://www.plauder-smilies.de/yellows/a_smil17.gifhttp://www.plauder-smilies.de/yellows/a_smil17.gifhttp://www.plauder-smilies.de/yellows/a_smil17.gif....hahahahahaha <hr /></blockquote>

http://www.plauder-smilies.de/eviltongue.gifhttp://www.plauder-smilies.de/eviltongue.gifhttp://www.plauder-smilies.de/eviltongue.gif

[wujuan]

my name is sarah, i'm 26 and a born loser. i've given up my bulimic life for one of weight lifting. in 43 days of lifting, i've lost 3% body fat! man! i love this life style! so much better for my body that purging. /forum/images/icons/laugh.gif my family totally supports me, and i'm the happiest i've been in forever. okay, enuff for now. nice to meet all of you! <font color="purple"> </font color>

[Miss Louise]

Wooohooo! I am so happy we have this forum. I have been lurking on this site for Months.

My real name is Amanda though I go by Louise online. That is actually my cat's name. I am 25 (soon to be 26), married, no kids, 4 cats. DH and I started BFL on 12/31/01. I am now doing a 4 day split and he is still doing BFL.

My life is pretty boring, I am an accountant. I do have a lot of spare time at work however, and try to research bodybuilding and nutrition as much as I can. DH is a computer geek. We have been married for almost 2 years.

It is nice to meet all of you! Hi Kate!

Louise

[luvmypt]

Greetings and a big female bonding hug to all!

I am a 45 yr old Director of Information Services. No human children but 3 furbabies. (1 dog, 2 cats) I started lifting weights about 2 years ago (rather haphazardly might I say). I finally wised up and hired a personal trainer to show me what to do. I've been lifting on my own for about a year now.

I'm sooo glad to have a place to chat with you all. Sometimes I get a little confused with all the man talk regarding bulking/cutting. I need to have it translated into meaningful information to help me achieve my goals which does not include having 39 " thighs. (that I can do without lifting! LOL)

This is such a great idea!

[sicily1962]

I just wanted to say hello to all of you!
I have already chatted a bit with a few of you and didn't realize there were so many more to meet! /forum/images/icons/grin.gif

I think this is a good thing and i will enjoy posting here just as much as i have enjoyed adding to the many posts seen here daily!

I love bodybuilding and all the hard training and dedication to my nutrition that comes with it, so if you ever wanna chat about that.....i'm all ears!! (And of course, anything else! lol!)

Margie

[Js_Lilady]

Hi, my name is Lauren and I just recently moved to SOuth Carolina. I am probably the woman's forum very own baby girl, having 17 years behind me. I am no bodybuilder, but actually know tons about it! I have been the proud girlfriend of Yu Yevon for over 7 months and can only be happier if I was living back in California, instead of moving here. But I do enjoy working out and I do enjoy talking with him as much as possible. this website being one of the many ways we communicate and keep up with Fitness information. Well, he knows most of it, but I am still learning! It's great to meet all of you and I hope to hear from you as often as possible! I am here for anything, support, or chattering! Again, great to meet you!

[sicily1962]

Lauren, hello!!
Nice to meet you.
I myself was born in Sumter...a Carolina girl!
I love it on that side of the world...but now i'm stuck somewhere in the middle, for now anyway.

I look forward to seeing you around! /forum/images/icons/smile.gif
Margie

[President Wilson]

Great post! In a few months this forum will be huge /forum/images/icons/shocked.gif

Just think you are the pioneers to the beginning of a great
thing!

[ste]

<blockquote><font class="small">posted by JWilson:</font><hr /> Great post! In a few months this forum will be huge /forum/images/icons/shocked.gif

Just think you are the pioneers to the beginning of a great
thing! <hr /></blockquote>

Thank you JW, i like to do my bit. /forum/images/icons/grin.gif

Hi, i'm Steveo, if i ever do steroids and end up with gyno breasts, i know where to come to find out about bra sizes.

[Nony]

<blockquote><font class="small">posted by Js_Lilady:</font><hr /> Hi, my name is Lauren and I just recently moved to SOuth Carolina. <hr /></blockquote>

Hey Lauren -

Welcome to SC! What part of SC are you in? I'm near the middle of the state in Sumter County. I know you are probably missing Cali's weather about as much as you miss Joe. 100 degrees and high humidity - ugh. Hang in there, girl!

[boomba-hey]

Hi my name is Gina and I am 43 years young. Not married but have two wonderful puppies ( ****er spaniel and a dachsund ). I've been checking out this web site for a long time and finally have had the guts to post. I currently am a elementary physical education teacher (21 years) and love the youth that my students give me. I've been lifting for 17 years and love every minute that I'm in the gym. Was very active in high school and went on to play collegiate volleyball and softball. Have had some knee surgries (6) for various reasons ( acl reconstruction, mcl attachment, lateral releases, and on and on ). My biggest turn around has been cutting out soda completely and eating healthy. This has been my biggest challenge because I was the junk food queen. I was lucky that I received my dad's ability to keep weight off. Since this change I feel and look better. Wish I could of figured this out years ago.
Things are on the up swing and keep this web site going.

Tootles from Bommba-hey
/forum/images/icons/grin.gif

[Reebok03]

hahaha animal is tyte

[tattoodmom]

Hi!
I am a 35 yr old single mom of an 8 yr old boy in Minnesota.
I have been working in the construction field for years but decided to quit &amp; go to college full time(which I will start the end of aug.) I hope to become a dental hygienist.

I started working out the end of Feb. &amp; have lost 30 lbs so far..I am starting to see my muscle under those layers of fat.
I have invested my money in a bench, about 300 lbs of weights, a treadmill &amp; I also have an eliptical machine..oh &amp; I also have a lat machine..so no excuses about not working out for me!! I started with BFL &amp; have modified my whole routine both nutrition &amp; lifting to work for me!!
Thanks for all the info everyone has givin me even though I hardly ever post!!

Jackie

[Jolie]

Alright...well first of all, Krypto and I have one thing in common...we don't post short replies...lol /forum/images/icons/wink.gif

I'll start with welcoming all the new ladies to the boards. You're gonna love it here and I applaud any and all of you for making weight training a regular part of your healthy lifestyle! /forum/images/icons/grin.gif

Philia and Sicily, you girls ROCK!! You are definitely awesome inspirations to the women of the boards. (Ladies, check out their pics in the members pictures forum.) Keep on training hard and Sicily, all the best in the October competition, although I'm sure I'll talk to ya by then! /forum/images/icons/tongue.gif

dixipixie, I support you all the way in your efforts to stop smoking. I was once a smoker a myself. Smoked for 3years then one day, out of nowhere, threw my pack of cigarettes which was still half full right in the garbage can! Haven't touched one since...not even just once! Will power girl...YOU CAN DO IT!!

KRUKKER!!!! How the heck are ya girl?? I haven't talked to you in such a long time!! Glad to hear your workouts are still going great!!

Animal huney, you're so funny...but what about our summer beach wedding?? /forum/images/icons/confused.gif Guess Jolie's gonna have to cross over...

Big Pappa B...whu ew kallen dumm?? lol

Lauren, it's so great to finally have you come on the boards!! We have heard soooo much about you!!

tatoodmom...awesome tattoos!!

Now for me, well I'm a 20yr-old University student studying Nutrition in South-Western Ontario, Canada. Not married, no kids (thank goodness!) but I do have a 2yr old female cat named Pecan. I love her sooooo much. Some people call me Jolie because apparently I look exactly like her...sometimes I see the resemblance...actually I have to admit that the picture under my name looks exactly like me...but it's her! Regardless of that I am absolutely obsessed with her!! Have almost all her movies, have seen all of them, have posters of her, tons of articles...bla bla bla...She's awesome. Been weight training for about 2yrs now and I'm planning on training for a bodybuilding competition sometime in the next five years. For now, my studies are priority and working out is for general overall health and fitness benefits. My favourite colour is purple and I am addicted to lipgloss...as bubble-gum-blue-eyed-blonde-haired-bimbo as that makes me seem, I looooove lipgloss!! (Uh oh...to be honest, I do have blue eyes and blonde hair...eek!!) I'm not a bimbo but am totally a strong charactered kind of person in the sense that I don't take crap from anyone.

Whew!! I'm sure if I forgot anything, Animal or Big_Dally will be here filling you all in! /forum/images/icons/wink.gif Again, I applaud all the new ladies and I'm in love with the idea of having a forum just for us...although the boys are still lurking in here...~Jolie shakes her head~

So ladies, GO BIG OR GO HOME!! /forum/images/icons/grin.gif

[sicily1962]

Jolie,
thank you girl for all the compliments, not only to myself but to all the ladies here on the board!

Obviously, this is more of a lifestyle for us than a hobbie...

gee, i can't imagine this being a hobbie! lol! /forum/images/icons/confused.gif

I wanted to take this opportunity to say hello and let you all know that i truly enjoy reading all of your posts and am constantly on here! (Geez...i need to get a life!!) LOL!

Back and Bi's today...i'll post later.
Margie

[TheAnimal]

<blockquote><font class="small">posted by Jolie:</font><hr />Animal huney, you're so funny...but what about our summer beach wedding?? /forum/images/icons/confused.gif Guess Jolie's gonna have to cross over...<hr /></blockquote>~Animla tries to think of a funny respone~

~fails dismally due to it being early and a lack of sleep~

Animal

[talred66]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum and wanted to introduce myself. I'm a 36 year old single mom of 2 boys (18/13). I became interested in weight training after going on a crash diet about 4 years ago which dropped from me 165 to 130lbs. Unfortunately, I lost body fat and muscle in the process. I joined the gym to put some muscle and shape back on my body. I gained 20 lbs the first year. I'm 5'11 and currently holding steady between 145 - 150. I've had a couple major setbacks: emergency abdominal surgery which kept me from lifting for 8 weeks - great opportunity to hit the cardio though and a jet ski accident a year ago which landed me with a broken arm and cracked pelvic bone. (gotta watch those sudden stops!) I'm back at almost 100% now and working on gaining what I lost during my recovery time.

[President Wilson]

Welcome to the boards talred66 /forum/images/icons/cool.gif

[Loriann]

<blockquote><font class="small">posted by dixiepixie:</font><hr />...I'm a smoker who is setting a date to quit...<hr /></blockquote>

just quit 3 weeks ago myself! talk to me anytime, lady!! /forum/images/icons/smile.gif

[brandy3369]

Hi everyone. My name is Marlene (Brandy's a nickname), I'm a 33 yo divorced mother of 2 boys ages 4 and 5. I've been in the Navy for the last 10.5 years and have taken part in both the Kosovo and Afganistan Operations aboard the USS Roosevelt and Enterprise respectively. I recently transferred to shore duty (ie more normal working hours for a few years and no deployments) so I have the time and energy to focus more on myself.

After getting off cruise last November I began indulging myself in things I had had to go without for so long and working out wasn't my idea of how to spend my well earned "time off". In four months I gained 20lbs of fat by not working as much, not working out at all and eating whatever I wanted. I realized my last job was hard, but it was the only reason I had stayed slender, without it I would have to work at being in and staying in shape.

I hit the web to find out what what programs would suit someone like me best and found abcBodybuilding to have some of the best boards. What was confusing though was that it was a mostly male site and a 1,700 calorie smoothie isn't the kind of recipe I'm looking for, also the numbers the guys lift are a bit higher than I'd ever be able to accomplish. Still, the nutritional and training advice was great and useful. In the two months I've been lurking and floundering around on my own with various diet and workout tips I've lost 14 pounds and dropped 2 dress sizes.

I am 5'3", 156lbs and built like a gymnast. I am a mesomorph I've read somewhere. My back is naturally v-shaped and very muscular. My legs are short with strong square calves and my shoulders and arms are defined simply through the military calisthenics I do four times a week. My muscles seem to respond quickly to training but it is the fat that I wrestle with to reveal the large muscles I have underneath. Having two kids has left me with a larger waistline. My abs are hard from many (MANY) situps, but proportionally my stomach still protrudes more than it should and I'm hoping to find advice to widdle my middle.

I've been printing the daily diets and workouts that women like Sicily post to try to develop my own program, I've spent the last two months focusing on getting to the gym, learning to look foward to it, learning how to eat and enjoy eating clean - now I'm ready to to take it up a notch and put a program to healthy habits I've been developing.

Glad to be here.

Brandy
p.s. And you thought Krypto was long winded.... HA!

[flats31]

Welcome Brandy, glad you joined us /forum/images/icons/smile.gif

Hi Brandy! http://www.plauder-smilies.de/wave.gif Sounds like you'll fit in just fine here, another long-winded mesomorph, lol, works for me, welcome! http://www.plauder-smilies.de/biggthumpup.gif

[AHM]

Okay, my turn (better late than never...been a busy week!)

I'm Heather, 30 yo Museum Educator in Massachusetts. I have a boyfriend of almost 11 years and a 7 year old cat named Mosi. Started my little journey towards a better body back in 2000 and lost 30 pounds low carbing (protein power) and started exercising for the first time ever at that point - never sports inclined (boy, has that changed!). Oh, I am a blabber mouth too so get ready! /forum/images/icons/wink.gif

After 1 year on PP I did a BFL challenge - ok results but not much fat loss. That's sort of the story of my life. The pounds are gone but the fat is still there, so I continue my quest. The further I go towards losing the fat, the more I get into the weights! Took last summer "off" and got serious in the fall of '01. I thrive on change and like to try different nutrition/workout plans to find my niche. I am definitely making progress, but nutrition is always my biggest challenge. I am a total foodie!

That's about it for me! Love the new forum!

<blockquote><font class="small">posted by AHM:</font><hr /> Oh, I am a blabber mouth too so get ready! /forum/images/icons/wink.gif <hr /></blockquote>

http://www.plauder-smilies.de/biggthumpup.gif
Welcome Heather! Glad ta have ya! http://www.plauder-smilies.de/wavey.gif

[MissMargaret]

<font color="blue"> Wow! Am I ever glad to see all these beauties gathered together in a very positive situation. I know many of you already from other boards, Krukker, Louise, my pal H (smooch). I've posted on this board before, but mostly lurk and well, now that their's a fembot crew, I will for sure check in more often.

I'm another usually long winded type - but there have been so many before me that I will try to keep this brief ....

I'm 36, 5'6", currently in the 130 pound range. I'm a Canadian of blended vintage, having a mother of native indian heritage and sire who was Swedish.

I've been married to my sweetheart of 19 years for just over 16 years now. We have no children and no plans on any either.

The Mister and I own our own business and when not working at that I'm either at the gym, redorating my home and garden or taking part in social butterfly activties. If I could do anything else for a career, I'd be a professional world traveller. I love to travel any time, any place.

I've been body building since April 2001 when my friend AHM here and who I lovingly refer to as simply H turned me onto BFL and after a few challenges and with the help of this board I've gone beyond BFL to achieve a body to be proud of. It's of course still a work in progress. (are we ever really finished ... I hope not. I'm having too much fun!)

That's about it for now. I'm glad to be here and hope to get to know more of you as the years go by.

Miss M

</font color>

[RedheadHardBody]

I'm Michaellyn. I'm 25 years old. I'm from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. I've involved in weightlifting since I was 14. I just got into fitness and swimwear modeling recently. I'm trying to get out of dancing because I hate it.

[emjsw]

Hello everyone, I hope you are all well, my name is Emma!.

I have been a member of this site for a couple of months but until now have been a bit too shy to add any posts!
I am 26 years old I live near Oxford (England). I live with my boyfriend and have no kids! I work as a clinical research assistant for Oxford Uni, it is a very rewarding job and I love it!! (sad I know!!)
I have always tried to keep active but only discovered body building for my self about a year ago and have not looked back! I am no where near my goals yet but really enjoy it and feel alot better about myself (so far I have dropped from 33%BF to 22% and want to go down to 15% - I weigh 154 pounds and am 5'7"). I have just started to take my diet alot more seriously (which was how I actually found this site - which is fantastic!) and want to do the 13 week plan. I want to build a whole new me!!
I think that the support and infomation that everyone shares here is great as well as inspiring.
Anyway I am really glad to be a member of this site and to meet all of you guys,
Take care,
EmmaX

[mybell]

Hi, I'm Michelle I'm 31, married, mom of 2 and work full time. I have been working out with weights on and off since I was a teenager. I have good tone but I'm looking to really change my body for the better now that I'm done with having kids. I've been lurking for a month or so, trying to get up the courage to post. I thought this would be a good start. I have a good basic knowledge of lifting but I'm looking for some dramtic changes this year and hoping that I can come here for advice and support and encourgement. I don't know any other women who lift weights, mostly the women I know are scared of getting huge. I really like lifting but I've always put it aside for more cardio to lose those last 10 pounds, it's not working and I'm getting frustrated.

I'm looking to get lean, stronger with some good definition. I've really enjoyed reading everyones introductions and advice.
Thanks.

<blockquote><font class="small">posted by mybell:</font><hr /> ...I really like lifting but I've always put it aside for more cardio to lose those last 10 pounds, it's not working and I'm getting frustrated...<hr /></blockquote>

http://pages.prodigy.net/rogerlori1/emoticons/nono5.gif Diet and weight training are the keys to fat loss.

Anyway, welcome Michelle. Hey, wanna know something interesting? My middle name is Michelle and my dad says he gave me that name after "Michelle, My Bell" sung by the Beatles, lol. (He's a major Beatles fan).

Also welcome to Miss Margaret, Michaellyn, and Emma! http://www.plauder-smilies.de/wavey.gif

Oooh, isn't this fun?! http://www.plauder-smilies.de/biglaugh.gif

[mybell]

***********, Even though I wasn't named after that song, certain people sure like to remind me of it, my parents generation mostly. My husband use to call me My Michelle (Gn'R song)

I like your pictures and would like any advice you can give. I'll ask questions in another post though.

[schless]

Hello everyone! I'm new to this group - as of today in fact! Stumbled across it by accident and am glad I did!

My name's Martha, I'm 45, have 5 kids (son - 23; twin step-daughters - 20; son - 17; step-daughter - 16) and live in the Chicago area. I've been lifting (again) for a year and half. Got a trainer in January of this year which really beefed up my routine. Though I only had her for a month, I am constantly tweaking my routine, and try to change it completely once a month. While I feel pretty confident with my routine, I'm always looking for ways to improve. Have always wanted to develop muscle (never been one just looking for "tone"), and am pretty happy with my upper body, but know it could be better.

I'm 5'6", 130, but still carrying around too much body fat. Especially in the midsection. Am quite confused about what to eat, how much to eat and how much cardio to do to get this last bit of fat off. Lost 20 lbs in Weight Watchers 2.5 yrs ago, but gained 8 back. Am now trying to just get rid of this fat and develop some more muscle. Don't much care what the number on the scale says as long as I am happy with the way I look. Well, not quite there yet!

So that's me in a nutshell. Looking forward to getting to know you guys, and vice versa!

[RedheadHardBody]

I'm single. No boyfriend as of yet.

<blockquote><font class="small">posted by RedheadHardBody:</font><hr /> I'm single. No boyfriend as of yet. <hr /></blockquote>

I take it that's an advertisment to all the guys on this site, "hey, here I am"? Interesting approach.

[tiger1]

Hi to everyone out there. It's nice to have a place where other people have the same goal as me.
My name is Debbie and I'm 42 years old. I have been weightlifting for about 2 years. I started with a personal trainer to lose 45 pounds and managed to do that in a year. Then i decieded I wanted some muscle definition. Well i got that so now at the suggestion of my trainer and the owner of the gym I work out at I am going to go for my first Bodybuilding Show next spring. I am married to a wonderful man for 23 years and have a 22 year old daughter and a 2 1/2 year old grandson and I can't forget my 16 year old cat.
I am hoping after I do the show next year to try and get my Personal Trainer Certification. I would love to be able to help people with their goals the way my trainer has helped me /forum/images/icons/grin.gif

Cool beans! http://www.plauder-smilies.de/happy/xyxthumbs.gif Welcome tiger1, glad to have ya! http://www.plauder-smilies.de/wavey.gif

[Shae]

My name is Shannon, I go by Shae. I am 25years old and a fire fighter. This place is pretty cool, I am glad I found it. Nice to meet you all. I have been very active as a fire fighter and I used to kick box. After being hurt in the line of duty I had to have 4 knee surgeries! I fell off the wagon temporarily but I am back on track! I am married to a fire fighter with no children and I look forward to learning a lot from all of you!

[President Wilson]

<blockquote><font class="small">posted by Shae:</font><hr /> My name is Shannon, I go by Shae. I am 25years old and a fire fighter. This place is pretty cool, I am glad I found it. Nice to meet you all. I have been very active as a fire fighter and I used to kick box. After being hurt in the line of duty I had to have 4 knee surgeries! I fell off the wagon temporarily but I am back on track! I am married to a fire fighter with no children and I look forward to learning a lot from all of you! <hr /></blockquote>

What a coincidence, my father is a Captain in the fire department. Welcome to abc /forum/images/icons/cool.gif !

[Lesli]

Hey everyone! I'm Leslie and I've been here for quite a while, just don't post much. I'm 25 and I've been into working out for most of my life but only got serious about bodybuilding about a year ago.
I was going through some rough times with my job and my personal life and got down to 84lbs. (I'm barely 5'2) Finally, after realizing that I had developed an eating disorder (it's still hard to admit) and being tired of hearing everybody beg me to gain weight, I deceided to take control back of my life and get help. But, I was going to do it my way, by gaining muscle. I started reading everything I could find about bodybuilding (this site has been my biggest help of all) and started applying what I learned. I started training with heavy weights and my body responed very well. In about a year I gained over 20lbs., mostly muscle but a little bodyfat along with it.
Now, I'm completely addicted. I love everything about it. I really believe bodybuilding saved my life. I'd like to compete someday, I'm thinking in about a year or two.

This has to be the best bodybuilding site there is, everyone here is awesome, and I'm truely glad I found this place.

Leslie

[TheRealButterfly]

Hey /forum/images/icons/grin.gif

I'm Ann, 33, married, 2 boys. I am an IT Specialist in the Export Control world.

My husband has been BB for 13 years and last Dec. I decided to join him. I was doing great until March when I found out I was pregnant and then in April I miscarried. Then low and behold... I got pregnant again, but miscarried yet again in July. So now I'm determined NOT to get pregnant for another year or so and just concentrate on the BB and my family!

Best wishes to all!!!

[Cece]

Hi there,
I'm Cece and have also been lurking around this site for about 8 months - my husband loves it. I'm 29, been married for almost 5 years, and work with homeless and mentally ill persons on the streets. After being diagnosed in Dec. 2000 with a potentially life-threatening liver disorder (they're still not sure what it is) which blew my cholesterol and risk of cardiac arrest through the roof, my husband signed us up at the local gym. I wasn't overweight (but also not very fit or active) or sick or anything, just my innards were rebelling! Now, after about 13 months, I am totally addicted to going to the gym and lifting. Need work on sticking to a diet but otherwise, my cholesterol is almost normal and I feel way fitter! YAY!

Welcome ladies! Welcome to our ever growing family of "addicted to lifting" women! Glad ta have ya! http://www.plauder-smilies.de/party/luxhello.gif Getting in shape and feeling great is wonderful, isn't it! http://www.plauder-smilies.de/party/dance.gif

[Philia2]

<blockquote><font class="small">posted by Cece:</font><hr /> Hi there,
I'm Cece and have also been lurking around this site for about 8 months - my husband loves it. I'm 29, been married for almost 5 years, and work with homeless and mentally ill persons on the streets. After being diagnosed in Dec. 2000 with a potentially life-threatening liver disorder (they're still not sure what it is) which blew my cholesterol and risk of cardiac arrest through the roof, my husband signed us up at the local gym. I wasn't overweight (but also not very fit or active) or sick or anything, just my innards were rebelling! Now, after about 13 months, I am totally addicted to going to the gym and lifting. Need work on sticking to a diet but otherwise, my cholesterol is almost normal and I feel way fitter! YAY! <hr /></blockquote>

Great choice of yours!!!!
It's great to know that weight training and living a healthy life style can help fighting illness!
All the very best luck to you!!!

[Destinado]

Hi, my name is Susie, I'm an accountant [no it's not boring, plenty of laughs from clients - you'd never BELIEVE some of the things they try to get away with...], I have a 10 year old son [going on 20], 3 horses [1 Andalucian stallion, similar to Spanish Riding School Horses], am single, 5' 4" and 40.

Got into BB about 18 months ago, purely by accident and now I just can't stop doing it - it's VERY addictive, isn't it?

<font color="red">Krypto </font color> - been reading your journal, brilliant reading

<font color="blue">Sicily </font color> - saw your pic's, they are great, what was your BF% in those pics, can you post/email me your diet sheet?

[MissVmax]

I am Debbie. I am 5'4, 108 lbs and 34 years old. I am at 16.5% bf, lift 4 days a week and do cardio 4-5 days a week. I am also thinking about starting some Yoga for more flexibility.

I have 2 kids, 8 and 10. I started working out (mostly cardio) when my oldest child was a year old. My weight was down but I was flabby. I got really skinny, 99lbs, then got pregnant again. After my second child I started working 1 day a week with a trainer and learned about incoroprating more lifting into my workouts. He also gave me lots of info on eating right to gain muscle.

I got pretty serious about lifting about 2 years ago and am thinking about training for a Figures competition. It's nice to meet other women who are into fitness.

[Destinado]

<blockquote><font class="small">posted by MissVmax:</font><hr />
He also gave me lots of info on eating right to gain muscle. <hr /></blockquote>

Don't suppose you'd like to share that info, cos I seem to be in a pretty big rut at the moment!

[MissVmax]

This is what works for me as far as my diet is concerned. I will preface by saying that I have never been overweight and have been trying to gain weight and mass.

I try to take in between 1 to 1.5 grams of protien per pound of body weight (108-150 grams/day). I eat 6 meals a day and that includes 2 shakes. I don't pay a whole lot of attention to the amount of fat and carbs I take in but I try to keep my calorie intake at about 1900 cal/day. I also take between 8-9 grams of Glutamine, 1 gram each of Flax and Fish Oil and a multi vitamin every day. Oh and water, water, water.

Let me know if you want a sample menu of what and when I eat and I will be happy to jot it down. Hope this helps!