@carolsheats It’s a powerlifting program made by redditor nsuns inspired by the 5/3/1 strength program. The focus is getting numbers up, rather than build aesthetic.
Feeling like I don't look like I workout
- Thread starter hendricks62
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- female fitness
@carolsheats It's a popular weight training program on reddit. I think it's named after the user name of the redditor who designed and shared it?
hendricks62
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@hendricks62 Greg Nuckols has a hypertrophy based program that I heard is really good! You can customize it to however many days you want to workout, too. Check out the r/AverageToSavage sub if you choose to buy it (it's a private sub). It's donation based and you can get it for like $5!
https://www.strongerbyscience.com/program-bundle/
https://www.strongerbyscience.com/program-bundle/
jesusstrong
New member
@hendricks62 I would also recommend 5/3/1 boring but big, creeping death (which is mayhem but really fun), and Natacha Oceane’s “Build”.
@hendricks62 I liked running Stephanie Buttermore’s Womens’ Specialization program. It runs for 8 weeks, first 4 weeks are 6 days, last 4 weeks are 5 days on. It incorporates 4 lower and 2 upper days with a combo of push/pull. It had SBDL and OHP but they’re 3-4 sets for 8-15 reps, so you’d probably drop down in weight. You could honestly make your own push/pull but I was lazy 
@lorune Wow, six and five days a week sounds tough. Do you know how long the workouts tend to be? Like in terms of time and/or how many exercises per day.
I'm running Gluteal Goddess just 3 days a week rn and those take me 1.25 hrs per workout, and on top of walking and yoga I feel like I barely recover between workouts. I am interested in trying other body building plans though.
I'm running Gluteal Goddess just 3 days a week rn and those take me 1.25 hrs per workout, and on top of walking and yoga I feel like I barely recover between workouts. I am interested in trying other body building plans though.
hendricks62
New member
colton1919
New member
@hendricks62 A conversation with a friend recently kind of brought me to the mindset that "looks like you workout" can sometimes be based more in societal expectations and personal insecurity than reality?
Like, I feel it on a personal level (because I really struggle not to conflate looking "fit" with a low body fat percentage for myself) but I look in a mirror on a good day and holy shit my quads/hamstrings/biceps/triceps/core look so different from 2-3 years ago.
Most of my fit female friends are super harsh on themselves about their bodies though. :-/ I have two that aren't.
Like, I feel it on a personal level (because I really struggle not to conflate looking "fit" with a low body fat percentage for myself) but I look in a mirror on a good day and holy shit my quads/hamstrings/biceps/triceps/core look so different from 2-3 years ago.
Most of my fit female friends are super harsh on themselves about their bodies though. :-/ I have two that aren't.
mariemulholland1
New member
@colton1919 I mean, if it helps, I can absolutely tell when someone moves like they’re fit versus like a typical sedentary person. They have better posture and the gracefulness that comes from muscles working smoothly together. Also, muscles show in motion that may not stand out when you’re standing still. Likely the person in the mirror may look the same to you, but has that “glow” of health to others.
hendricks62
New member
@colton1919 Yah maybe I am just being too hard on myself.. because if I compare myself to what I was when I started.. just a big difference haha
@hendricks62 You are absolutely being too hard on yourself. You work out, you're kicking ass. "Looks like she works out" is such a subjective, moving target.
colton1919
New member
@hendricks62 I mean, I don't know a ton about lifty things but it sounds like you're kicking some ass based on your numbers? There's a whole wide range of body types that reflect putting in the work!
toastylife
New member
@hendricks62 Same! Even when I was at my peak a year back I didn't really look like I worked out. But I think for me it's just genetics fat storage wise. It always stays stubborn around my waist/stomach and sides. Which makes me just have a normal body instead of that of someone who works out a lot.
@hendricks62 Well, you workout. You are what that looks like.
If you mean you don't look like one of the fitness models or Instagram fitness influencers, that's probably because they're doing things you're not doing and probably don't want to do. They're possibly unhealthy things.
If you mean you don't look like one of the fitness models or Instagram fitness influencers, that's probably because they're doing things you're not doing and probably don't want to do. They're possibly unhealthy things.
@need Don't forget genetics. There are people who work out in name kind of but don't really put in a lot of effort, but look like supermodels.
other people grind to the gym everyday at 5:30 in the morning putting in maximum effort, and still look frumpy.
I think it's important to decouple the aesthetic side from the health side when considering working out.
I guarantee you that the frumpy lady who works out hard has a zest for life and a glow and a shine in her eyes that no one else has.
other people grind to the gym everyday at 5:30 in the morning putting in maximum effort, and still look frumpy.
I think it's important to decouple the aesthetic side from the health side when considering working out.
I guarantee you that the frumpy lady who works out hard has a zest for life and a glow and a shine in her eyes that no one else has.
lillierose730
New member
@need This is the best take IMO.
I think a lot of us get unrealistic expectations from being pelted with instagram fitness influencers about what looking for or in shape looks like. To look cut and sculped like so many of them do is a combo of obvi exercise, good genetics, strict (possibly too strict and borderline disordered) dieting, often purposeful dehydration, and good lighting. The list goes on, but so much of it is unattainable for most people.
When I divorced myself from the expectation of having muscle definition/build in the "right places" all the time, I was able to appreciate my body for what it could do and treat it with respect. Normal people who work out just look like normal people
I think a lot of us get unrealistic expectations from being pelted with instagram fitness influencers about what looking for or in shape looks like. To look cut and sculped like so many of them do is a combo of obvi exercise, good genetics, strict (possibly too strict and borderline disordered) dieting, often purposeful dehydration, and good lighting. The list goes on, but so much of it is unattainable for most people.
When I divorced myself from the expectation of having muscle definition/build in the "right places" all the time, I was able to appreciate my body for what it could do and treat it with respect. Normal people who work out just look like normal people
helpinghands77
New member
@lillierose730 strong agree. getting off social media has done absolute wonders for my self-esteem because it means i can only compare my body to previous versions of my body (pre-baby, post-baby and sadly pre-thanksgiving week and post-thanksgiving week!) which is amazingly motivating without all the "i'll never look like that" noise.