Skip to main content

How Can I Get Toned?

I often get asked by women, “What can I do to be toned like you?” or, “How can I get my arms/legs to like yours?” I usually give them the short answer: something like, “Lift heavy weights and eat healthy”… because I’m afraid that the real answer would scare them away....

 In reality, it’s been more than 10 years of working my butt off in the gym, day in and day out, consistently, rarely skipping a workout, even when I don’t feel like going to the gym. It’s been years of lifting HEAVY weights-weights so heavy that I get sick to my stomach thinking about how hard it's going to be…. so heavy that I have to have complete focus, psych myself up and envision myself lifting it….so heavy that I have to grunt and strain and make ugly faces to get the weight to move…. so heavy that I think I’m not going to get the last 2 reps but I give it all I’ve got and somehow manage to squeeze them out….so heavy that I can barely lift my arm up after my workout to drink my protein shake.

 And THAT'S how I got toned.

Comments

  1. aheidtAugust 24, 2012 at 6:54 AM

    Thank you for the 10-year reminder! I've been following a powerlifting program for 10 months and need to keep your timeline in mind every time I get a bit antsy about my progress. It's so easy to forget that huge muscles take time!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LindsayAugust 24, 2012 at 9:02 AM

      I know, it can be frustrating! Just remember to have fun with your training and enjoy the journey :)

      Delete
  2. AnonymousAugust 24, 2012 at 7:02 AM

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS!!!!

    even more-- I love that during the process of giving it your all..besides the after effect of looking stronger..you actually become STRONGER not only physically..but mentally. That feeling of self belief and knowing you can do ANYTHING is the best feeling in the world.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LindsayAugust 24, 2012 at 9:02 AM

      Yup! You're exactly right! I LOVE that feeling.

      Delete
  3. AnonymousAugust 24, 2012 at 1:04 PM

    This is so true- it takes time to get that physique. I've been lifting heavy for about a year and a half and eating like a machine (clean foods still) and it def takes time to build muscle. I always tell girls who say they just want to tone that their must be something there to tone- so lift heavy!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LindsayAugust 24, 2012 at 1:45 PM

      Exactly! It is hard work, that's for sure. Everyone wants to "tone and shape" muscles that aren't even there yet!

      Delete
  4. UnknownAugust 24, 2012 at 2:41 PM

    Amazing post. :) Definitely sharing this. I love how you're keepin' it real!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LindsayAugust 24, 2012 at 7:00 PM

      Thanks Brittany! I just want women to know that I didn't get my "toned" muscle from lifting 5lb weights!

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

People always said That time would heal the pain But how can that be When mine still remains? The tears still fall At just the thought of you So I know that what they say Just can't be true As the years go by I miss you so much still  No matter how much time passes I know I always will How are you not here To ease my hurting heart? Never could I have imagined We would ever be apart My world has been shattered A piece of me is gone And all I can do is pray For strength to live on I know that one day soon I will see you again I just have to try to suffer through And make it until then
5 comments
Read more

Putting My Heart Out There

Hey guys. Here's where we're at right now: Matt finished his radiation treatments last week. Did they help? I don't know. He's sleeping a lot more. Having trouble chewing and swallowing. Not eating much. Not talking much, at least not in full sentences. It's just been a slow, steady decline for the last few months. I think it was really too late for radiation....But who knows, maybe it is delaying things. We went in last Tuesday for his infusion and talked with his neuro-oncologist about everything that we've been seeing with Matt, and he decided that we're at the point now where we should discontinue treatments...I feel like it's the right decision, even though it breaks my heart knowing that there is nothing else we can do. But I feel like we've done everything. All the supplements, the diet, the chemo, the radiation... Matt has fought hard. He never gave up hope. He kept the faith. He never complained through any of this. Not once did I hea...
238 comments
Read more

Why?

Why? Why do I care so much?  Why do I make sure they brush their teeth at night so that they don't get cavities? Why do I spend my own money to buy them clothes, toys and decorate their rooms, among other things?  Why do I do 5,000 loads of laundry a week to make sure they have clothes to wear to school? Why do I make sure they go to church on Sundays so that they'll be raised to know about Jesus? Why do I try to give them chores and responsibilities so that they will turn out to be decent human beings? Why do I read them a bedtime story at night, even when I'm exhausted? Why do I clean up after them constantly and cook for them and try to always have healthy snacks and food on hand? Why do I go to their sports games and practices, just to feel like the odd man out standing there awkwardly with their bio mom? Why do I give 100% of myself and make so many sacrifices for children I didn't birth? Only to be insulted and told hurtful things? To be made to feel like I'm ...
5 comments
Read more