Any natties?

[JJFigure]

Well, I wouldn't give up on your goals, just be patient. Slinky and I have both been training for a long time - I've been seriously lifting for 11 years, and I know Slinky has more years on me. You might also want to check out MS's gallery - she has a very impressive physique, and has been training for 20+ years. You can do it; you just might have to set longer range goals.

 

[Bellina]

Ladies you ALL look fantabulous!! It's great to be amongst such strong women. Here's my thread over at extreme-athlete. You can just scroll through all the crapola in there. There's a bunch of pics. Obviouslly last page is the most recent.

my pics at extreme-athlete

 

[bigguns15]

I'm all natural too, although I'm not a bodybuilder or fitness competitor. I've been powerlifting for the last 7 years.

I've always liked with the idea of trying bodybuilding, but never have. Maybe next year

 

[Cheetarah]

Ladies you ALL look fantabulous!! It's great to be amongst such strong women. Here's my thread over at extreme-athlete. You can just scroll through all the crapola in there. There's a bunch of pics. Obviouslly last page is the most recent.

my pics at extreme-athlete

Don't cut yourself short Bellina, you look great! There is certainly more than ONE beautiful body type, keep that in mind!

 

[JJFigure]

What do you compete in? Figure? Fitness? BB?

You've got nice proportions; if you're looking to add more muscle, it's just going to be a matter of patience.

 

[FitFossil]

Not sure how I'd be classified Six months ago I started prescription testosterone creme as treatment for low testosterone. Now my levels are in the low-normal range for a woman my age (39), and I feel like a completely different person.

I haven't noticed increased muscle size, but my strength and endurance are vastly improved. I now have a libido (nothing out of control - but used to be in the negative range though). Best of all, I no longer fall asleep at inappropriate times (was almost diagnosed with narcolepsy but the test creme amazingly cured all symptoms).

Women's bodies need some testosterone for many functions other than muscle building, including bone building and brain function, so that's why I'm taking it. If I wanted to build more muscle, then I'd be using something stronger/more anabolic. The creme I use is so mild it hasn't even given me a pimple.

So, am I natural or not? I don't know and don't really care, and since I don't compete, it's really a non-issue. I don't think supplementing to get my test levels in the low-normal range gives me any kind of unfair advantange though. On that same token, I don't feel that someone with low thyroid taking T3 has any advantage over me in the dieting department. Besides, I'd rather not need the stuff - it's a pain to fill prescriptions and get periodic blood tests.

 

[slinky]

Bellina:

Definitely realize that all this is for the long term. You have the rest of your life. You've got a wonderful start and as Cheetarah said: "There is certainly more than ONE beautiful body type"

 

[b fold the truth]

There sure are some beautiful women on this board...

B True

 

[Bellina]

Ladies you are absolutely right and you've said exactly what I wanted to hear. I've been a bit disillusioned with the fitness industry in that most of the people I come across have fantastic bodies and say they've only been bbing for 2 or 3 years. I am going for a fitness physique which I believe with time may be attainable. There aren't any women around here that are doing what I'm doing in the gym so I have no comparison. The vast majority is doing cardio and the ever popular light weight high reps So anyway, thanks ladies. I'm in this for the long haul. I think I just may need to reevaluate where I think I should be and maybe I'm exactly where I should be. Thanks again. You all rock!

 

[JJFigure]

"I've always liked with the idea of trying bodybuilding, but never have. Maybe next year "

The dieting is the worst part; however, being forced to diet down for a competition helps you appreciate how resilient your body is. I cut at a lower level of kcals than I ever thought possible, but still manage to hold onto my muscle and make strength gains in the gym. The human body is an amazing thing.

I've also learned that a clean diet only benefits me as a lifter - sure, it may suck sometimes at social events to bypass the dessert tray, but I'm always thankful the next day during my lift. I have more strength and energy on a clean, higher protein based diet; I wouldn't have learned this lesson as well if I never embarked on competition dieting.