Advice for "Skinny" Body Type

[KathyL]

I am joining a health club, and they want me to have a fitness "goal" and now I'm not sure about mine!

I am 5'8", 115 lbs, low body fat, eat well and exercise 5 hours per week (3 hours cardio kickboxing, 2 hours strength). I am very comfortable with my "endomorph" body type (it's very toned and has a fair amount of definition), but get discouraged because it seems like the ultimate fitness goal is to continue to lift more weight with good form, and I don't think I will ever be able to lift much more weight than I am now (same weight as Cathe on P/S legs, biceps and triceps, but 1/2 for chest and shoulders).

I'm starting to wonder if I should give up pursuing a dream of a bench press of 75 lbs (like my petite coworker)as unreasonable for my body type, but I don't want to make excuses for myself either.

Anyone else struggled with this?

 

[KarenO]

Key words..."I am comfortable with my body type..."

If you are happy with what you have, don't fight to change it. I have a completely opposite body type...bulky and strong. I can lift more than any woman I know. I can out lift my husband on lower body work. Even the guys at karate are shocked at how strong I am. I am happy with my fitness level and strength, but wish I were "thinner" often. It is good that you strengthtrain, because as you age you will decrease your risk for weak bones etc. Don't compare yourself with others. Set your own goals based on what you want for yourself. So what if you can't bench press 75 lbs?

I think we should be happy with the positive qualities and realize that every up has a down!

 

[KarenO]

I forgot to add...If the fitness clubs can't make you feel bad about yourself, then they will not be able to keep you for a customer! Instead of investing tons of money in them, have you considered a home gym?

Furthermore...Have you considered joining Karate? I train in Shotokan. It teaches you how to make lots of power with your body--muscle bulk not necessary! Your body sounds like a perfect match-strong legs, but gracefully built!

 

[Reina]

Impressive

I love to hear people celebrate their success in strength. KarenO, you must be a regular in the weight room. How much weight are you lifting? Is your upper body as strong as you lower body?

 

[KarenO]

RE: Impressive

Reina

I have my own free weights at home. The weight I can lift varies, depending on what type of workout I am doing, etc. I find lately that my goal is not to lift the maximum I can, but to stick to a plan that will allow me to do enough reps and sets that I cannot possibly lift anymore. I start out with a weight that feels heavy enough that I can only do about 16 reps. Then I do 8 then 4. Then I take a light weight, and do 16 again. I know I have worked hard if 4lbs feels heavy! If I stick to Cathe's workouts, I can usually match her without tiring myself too much-but I try to pre-exhuast myself with cardio prior to weights. I learned from Karate that strength is not always the amount lifted, but the stamina to continue even though your muscles are screaming! I just love that feeling...that every fiber of muscle in my body is exhuasted!