Ladies, if you’ve got some curves that you love, getting healthier doesn’t mean getting rid of them! You're under no obligation to be "thin" at all. A good exercise routine might firm up, or smooth them out a little, but you’ll still be the 100% real woman that you are now. Here are a couple of points to remember:
You don’t need to slim down before going to the gym.
Going into a gym for the first time can be intimidating, especially if you happen to walk by regularly, and peer in only to see an endless sea of fit, toned bodies without an errant bump or lump in sight. You may feel like you would not belong, but this could not be further from the truth.
You know who gym goers
will comment about? People that don’t put in the effort. Those that want results, they want to
burn fat but not the sweat. You see them turn up, usually with a latte (skinny decaf though, they’re watching their weight) chat for a bit, maybe complain to their trainer about how unfit they are before hitting the showers early, then posting on Facebook about how they just smashed a workout (including a pouting selfie in the post).
If you’re turning up, getting your heart pumping and sweat going, most gym goers won’t care if you’re a size zero or a size fifty – you’ve got a goal and you’re working towards it, just like they are, and that's something that everyone admires.
I’m not saying you won’t feel awkward, that’s pretty common when you’re doing something new, but for every person at the gym that smirks or stares, there will be a hundred knowing nods, mental thumbs-ups and other acknowledgements of your efforts.
After all, no one is born toned and fit, everyone has to earn it, and you’re on your way. Congratulations.
How to work out as a curvy woman.
There are a few little differences that curvies need to keep in mind when exercising, especially if you're just starting out. It's going to be difficult, uncomfortable and sometimes fairly disheartening, but keep these ideas in mind and you will have the best chance of getting through it.
Get some personal advice
Even if you have a friend who has been a long time gym goer, or a friend of your cousin who was a personal trainer to Kylie Minogue in the 80's, go and get some personalised advice once you start. You need to take into account your particular needs and goals when coming up with a training program, and you won't do that by just copying what someone else has done.
Find a good personal trainer that you're comfortable with, and get them to help you come up with a routine that suits you.
Listen to your body
Your body will tell you when it needs a rest, but it'll be long after your mind tells you to stop. If your muscles are screaming in protest or your joints are aching, you should probably stop to avoid injuring yourself. In addition to this, taking
post workout supplements can help your body to recover.
On the other hand, if you're just tired, sore and worn down, pushing through it will be necessary to make your goals happen. Your mind will fool you, your body won't.
Don't neglect your diet
What you eat is the most important thing for your health. A good diet will have you feeling stronger, more energetic and focused than a bad one will, but it doesn't have to be boring! There are thousands of ways to eat healthy, just try to find one that you know you can stick to, and make sure you're getting a good amount of carbohydrates,
protein and fats.
Lift heavy
One thing we hear from a lot of women is “I don’t want to get too bulky, so I don’t lift heavy weights”. Let me tell you that this is not going to happen. Those very few women you see with serious muscle mass had to lift heavy several times a day for years on end to earn that physique. You’re not going to get it lifting moderately heavy weights for 45 minutes every day or so.
Lifting heavy will help you keep your curves, but tighten them a bit. Your hips will still look “womanly” but your silhouette will flow from one curve to another like a downhill skier on a slalom run.
Exercises like squats will help build that taught backside, thighs and calves. Add more weight to give the muscles firmness and grace. Weighted sit-ups will help you tighten that core, and free weight exercises are great for firming up those arms.
Just don’t be afraid to lift heavy. I promise you that you will not resemble a cold-war era East German swimmer by lifting heavy weights. The women that have that physique lift much, much heavier than you will, and have done it for much longer. All lifting heavy will do is tighten up your body so that you can show off your curves with even more pride than you already have.
Good luck!
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