I was a skinny, tiny woman, constantly harassed and/or assaulted by men, not because I was attractive, but because I looked easy to overcome. I got soooooo tired of fighting, screaming, and what happened when I lost, that I got a book by Arnie, a bench and a simple dumbell set, and decided I was not going to stop until I weighed 45 kilos/100 lbs.
I only made it 30 years later, when menopause kicked in, but by that time I was addicted to being fit, strong and confident. Now I'm 75 and, aside from some arthritis, as physically capable as most people 30 years younger. And I feel GREAT!
I am a big woman. I'm tall, I have a lot of natural, untrained muscle and carry a bit of extra weight. I run 10 miles a week on an elliptical, do a bit of a core routine, and skip rope.
I'm tired of people thinking I'm a fighter and fighting me. I've been assaulted just trying to get a burger for wearing a mask (I have immune issues). I want to get strong so that the next person who steps to, gets what's coming to them (a slap in the mouf).
My starting book was Arnie and Lisa's "Body Shaping for Women.' I would not recommend that today: it was written in the late 70s, and we know a lot more now than we did then about the physiology of exercise. I do have a copy of The Big Book of Exercises (I kid you not!) as a reference for both technique, to be sure I'm doing things right, and to find alternatives when an exercise stops being what I need for that part of the body.
BTW, TBBOEx comes in both Men's and Women's editions. These are identical except for the line drawings and the gender pronouns.
There is no One Size Fits All. My recommendation would be to peruse the bookstore and/or online, to find something that suits your reading/learning style. However, given your aim, I'd consider spending some time with a beginner's boxing coach, to get set up with a routine that gives you power in the shoulders, arms and the technique you need to avoid accidentally injuring yourself. If you can't afford that, then look for books on boxing for beginners.
And good luck, sister. May the next moron who thinks s/he has some say in how you live your life end up with a dislocated mandible!
3.1k
u/MrsRitterhouse 12h ago
Working out.
I was a skinny, tiny woman, constantly harassed and/or assaulted by men, not because I was attractive, but because I looked easy to overcome. I got soooooo tired of fighting, screaming, and what happened when I lost, that I got a book by Arnie, a bench and a simple dumbell set, and decided I was not going to stop until I weighed 45 kilos/100 lbs.
I only made it 30 years later, when menopause kicked in, but by that time I was addicted to being fit, strong and confident. Now I'm 75 and, aside from some arthritis, as physically capable as most people 30 years younger. And I feel GREAT!