On Training, Weightlifting, Feminism, and Stuff

[silk_noir]

This is going to be a long and rambling post, so hold on.

I met baronalejandro at Lilies War and we hit it off reasonably well. As most of us do, we connected later on LJ. On one particular post about fighting over at my SCA blog (baronnemelisend if you wanna see), he replied something to the effect of "If I can help, let me know."

One of the benefits of reaching my age is

Comments

[evil_fionn]

You know... interesting side note but related:
I don't have a problem with women and weights, but I saw a picture today of Madonna that just had me, well, grossed out.
http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/06_03/MadonnaDM2606_468x737.jpg

Okay, truth is, I never found Madonna that appealing anyway (except maybe during the "Vogue" days, but I have a soft spot for period fashion).
I guess the difference is that the women you posted seem to have muscle and HEFT behind them... whereas, in my opinion, M. just looks dessicated. Stringy, even.
I think it's a matter of "What fits your body type best?"
Me, I don't know. Sometimes I think it would be cool, sometimes I think I'd look like a freak.

[tedeisenstein]

The one quote I can remember from Guy Ritchie, her ex, was something he said about "Having sex with her was like [bleeping] tendons and gristle"....

As for the original post, How could I not want to look like these women?
You shouldn't look like them. You should look like yourself. Well-muscled, fit, in good shape - but like yourself. Why would anyone want to look like that, when they could be a buff versions of themselves?

...but, then, I've always been of the persuasion that people should look normal. Not maxed out on steroids and 10-hour days of lifting weights; nor maxed out on food! food! food!; nor in the throes of serious addiction. Just normal is beautiful enough. Life needs balance, and the most beautiful people are those who have that balance.

[noveldevice]

I think if she wants to look like these women, she should do it. :)

[silk_noir]

See, that's what I'm talking about. Never mind that Madonna is a woman of incredible energy and business savvy. (Fan or not, I thik we can agree on this.) Nope, all her ex could say was that he didn't like her in the sack. Gah.

[silk_noir]

You are so sweet!

*grin* Actually, the best quote I've heard in that vein is "Pain is Taco Bell leaving the body." I'm waiting for that shirt!

In all honesty, there is a shirt I've got my eye on from Zazzle-- "Valkyrie in Training."

[baronalejandro]

It's a huge kick in the pants to train you. I dig it the mostest. Every time I give you something, you come back for more. It fires me up, and I thank you for that. It's a privilege to work with you. I still mean it about the breaking arms thing. I'm still pondering the next phase in our plans. MUHAHAHA

Keep up the hard work. The results of this blood, sweat, and passion will be breathtaking to behold. And painful, for some.

Every day I become more & more a fan of orbitalmechanic. I hope to emulate her in a lot of ways.

The female bodybuilder thing; it's not me - I don't appreciate the aesthetic, but I do appreciate the hard work & drive it takes to get there. Especially for those who choose not to cut corners and go the chemical route. BTW, it is possible to look like Blanchette without ever seen a pill or a needle; I know the training plan to do it. But it is effing HEROIC. You'd be working out (seriously) about 8 hours a day

[silk_noir]

I can't wait for the next phase! If I may gush, this is one of the most exciting things that's ever happened to me.

It's hard to believe it's only been a month.

8 hours a day, huh? Well, we may be talking about that later on....

orbitalmechanic is an extremely cool lady. You should meet her. *grin*

I understand about not caring for the aesthetic of the female bodybuilder--one person whom you might be more in tune with is Kat Ricker, who is 7 shades of multi-awesome. I'd kinda like to be her when I grow up.

http://www.mightykat.net/fitness_bio.html

And yeah, it's all about choice, isn't it? I don't have a problem with sex work--as long as it is not a role that people have turned to because there were no other viable alternatives.

[baronalejandro]

It's not necessarily the 'female bodybuilder' aesthetic I object to. It's 'you have too much muscle and you look like a mutant'. I don't like it when boys look like that either. There is such a thing as going too far.

The male-model aesthetic I aspire to is The Doryphoros.

[silk_noir]

Thanks, Eric!

[orbitalmechanic]

Were you the one who mentioned the article complaining about how Dara Torres was excessively muscled? Blew up my brain.

[orbitalmechanic]

Oh DUDE Dina Al-Sabah has a B.S. in electrical engineering! Okay, now I'm swooning.

[baronalejandro]

Me too.

[silk_noir]

Actually, that may've been Haddayr....