Weight lifting is its own sport, and with enough time it can capture anyone's heart. Like any sport, lifting gives each athlete its own confidence, peculiarities and anxieties. Women who love to lift often find themselves falling into a whole new world...
Here is a list of 6 realities of this alternate universe. If you find yourself relating to them, you may just be a female lifting fanatic:
1. You are often one of three women in the cage.
It is not uncommon for you to be the minority in the weight cage-- in fact, it is not uncommon for you to be the only woman lifting heavy! But that does not stop you. You find yourself motivated to go and besides, it's always satisfying when you lift heavier than your underestimating contemporaries.
2. Cardio days are your least favorite...
No, really, they are! This has nothing to do with how you feel about your heart; you love your heart! But unlike the majority of the other women who are on the treadmills, your heart is by the free weights—and the sooner your finish this mile, the sooner you will be reunited with your true love!
3. You love your carbs.
No low-carb diets for you. Instead, you refer to your macros. Food is fuel and you are well aware that cutting nutrients (even if it does help you to lean out quick) is not the way to go. Besides, the more muscle you have the more calories you burn... and the more food you need to eat. Pass the pizza, please!
4. You're worried your arms don't look big enough...
You train in humility and it is not about vanity! You just want to make sure all your efforts are paying off. When you finally manage to slip out of your gym sweats nothing is sweeter than being a lean, mean fighting machine.
5. ... All the while fighting off family who worry you are "big" enough.
There's always well meaning people in your life who warn you not to lift too heavy. They caution you against being too "manly" and warn you that muscles may hinder your chances at future romantic prospects. You don't let this worry you. There is a lot of scrutiny over a woman's body and weight—but you know that strong is the new skinny, so you train on.
6. Despite all your setbacks and frustrations...
...gym-day can't come fast enough. It is where you push yourself, better yourself and love yourself. It is where you belong.
