Lady Lifters

Recently, I tied the proverbial "knot" with the literal love of my life.  I now have the "ol' ball and chain" and that is literal as well. He came equipped with slam balls and 5/8" chains. You see, I married a strength coach.  Me, the self proclaimed queen of metabolism abuse. I have never watched what I ate and have been pretty lucky in the department of self preservation on the weight scale. Then I got married and realized I'm probably not the healthiest person out there... In hindsight, pop tarts and chocolate covered granola bars with a side of cake from the night before may not have been the best breakfast choice.
For the record, I don't hide this life style from my husband.  I eat what I want to in front of him and  binge on junk food out in the open.  He is great about not scolding me, but solidly reminds me that our future children (4-5 years down the road) won't be eating the crap I eat.  So for the non-existent "them" and for my personal trainer/husband, I am declaring two new years resolutions.

1. Get healthy.
2. Compete in a powerlifting competition (I didn't say win, but who knows...).

I am coming into these resolutions with high hopes.  I want to be able to spend more time with my husband because let's face it, being married is awesome and we have a blast together. I also am just curious.  I used to "pump weights" with  my brother in high school and I about died every time. I would walk/crawl out of the gym feeling like one of those green Jello molds they have in hospital cafeterias... every day for some reason.  I never learned how to use weights correctly and I really just want to see if I can do it.

BUT, I have concerns.

Today women have this stigma about their bodies and thanks to society we are supposed to be rail thin with huge assets. Pun intended. I fall under this category. I am a size 2 and weighing in at a 125-131 range, depending on the week. Like I said, I've been lucky.
1. My first concern is that I am going to end up look like a man from the neck down.  There are some women out there who seriously intimidate me because they look like in a single swing they could end my existence. Huge arms, legs wider than my vertical measurement, and a chest that should have boobs but instead has... boobie-pecs...becs? I like my women parts and I'm scared weight lifting will take those away from me.
2. I want to maintain my femininity.  I am a woman. I like to be girly; do my nails, "get my hair did" and look like a woman. I cry at everything; movies, stress, anger, sad dog/children commercials. I don't want to be perceived as masculine just because I start lifting weights.  I want to play the role of a woman. I am a wife, sister, daughter and future mother. I love being a woman.
3. (Please note that my the previous mentioned concern is legitimate.) I hate working out. I do. There I said it. Being all sweaty and stinky. It's just gross.  Don't even get me started on running. Luckily, the this process does not require running, but anaerobic-got that word from my husband-training. 
4. I don't want to have man hands.  My hands are dainty if you must know, and I appreciate their smoothness.  However, I get calloused hands very easily and I've always had this idea that women with calloused hands are swinging for the other team.  Unrealistic, I know, but it's a concern.
5. My husband is going to go to jail.  When I get all toned and buff some guy is going to check me out and in a fit of uncontrollable rage, my husband is going to pummel him.  Unrealistic, I know, but it's a concern. :)

So, I will blog from now until April 13th, 2013, the date of the competition, about my progress, my concerns, my struggles (amen) and my results.  No there won't be any of those before and after pics of me in my tighty whities, but I'm sure my story will be one worth following. I intend to prove to the world that I can be healthy, lift weights and still be a lady.

So here's to all you lady lifters. Please accept my request to join the ranks.

For more information and some possible videos of progress check us out on our webpage or on facebook.