11 Things Weightlifting Has Given Me (Spoiler Alert: one of the things is muscles…)

I realize that for vast majority of the world (maybe not the ones in my particular social media circle) weightlifting is still associated with giving you bulky man muscles. I know there are women who look at me (and probably some men, too) and think I look manly, and that’s completely fine. The world would be a boring place if everyone looked the same and we all liked the same things. Contrast, dichotomy afford us our individuality in the wide world. So on the one hand, I’m thankful for the weakness that allows me to better conceptualize and define my strength.

But weightlifting gives me sooooo much more than muscles.

Weightlifting has given me…

Muscles. Yep, I have muscles. So many muscles, we’ll just day “MUSCLE.”  A LOT of it. And I’m proud of every bit of
it.
Confidence. When one is capable, there’s a discernible difference in the way one feels about and carries oneself.

Empowerment. The physical strength becomes a reflection, a manifestation of the internal empowerment I feel. I
am woman!

Self-Sufficiency. I can very capably perform most laborious physical tasks without the need for assistance.

Metabolism. The ability to consume more fuel to meet the energetic demands of my high-performance tissues.

Energy. Have muscles… will work for food. LOL

Presence. Related to empowerment and confidence but more of an external benefit. Having a sinewy frame alone
will not make you a force to be reckoned with, but it sure doesn’t hurt. You are in essence, wearing your strength.
Those around you take notice and will often behave differently towards you.

Sanity. This one is personal. The barbell is my sanctuary. It’s very difficult to stay twisted up in your thoughts when
you need every bit of focus to go towards the very physical task before you. It’s moving, active meditation. Some
women get it from yoga. Just, girl, give me a barbell and bumpers.

Flexibility and agility. Everyone knows weightlifting makes you strong, but few realize the mobility and speed
necessary to best gravity and snatch 60 kilos, or punch under your body-weight in a split jerk. It’s exhilarating. (Yes, I really mean that and yes, I know I’m a weightlifting nerd!)

Humility. “Grip it and rip it” is not a viable strategy for making progress in the Olympic lifts. The barbell never lies and if you don’t put your ego on check, you’ll quickly find yourself flat on your backside wondering what just hit you.

Patience. I love that this technical sport takes years to master and is infinitely perfectible. Just when you think you have it, some other nuance is brought to your awareness. It takes finesse and fine-tuning to become a master and the reward is worth the wait.

Appreciation. Weightlifting has brought me to a place of profound gratitude for what my body is able to do. For years, when I thought about my body, all of the thoughts tended towards what was wrong and how I could fix it. Now my thoughts go towards how lucky I am to be able to participate in, what *I* believe to be the sexiest sport in existence.

What did I leave out? Share in the comments what weightlifting has done for you.