Hey Poorna, great piece – thank you. What protein shake do you have? I'm struggling to get enough protein in my diet but the choice out there is baffling.
(From Twitter) What do you feel you get from the competitions? I love lifting (deadlift and bench, I kind of hate squats) and people sometimes mention competition, but it doesn't appeal to me.
I don’t think competitions are for everyone so I wouldn’t say everyone should do one - but what I get from them is the sense of being part of a community (the powerlifting community is very welcoming and friendly), you get to see much better lifters than you and learn what you might want to do, and it means that your lifts are at a competition standard. Technique is very important to me not just picking up the weight, so to know I have accomplished my heaviest lift to a standard is what I strive for. There is also something to be said for performing in a high pressure environment like that - it has enormous carry overs to confidence and dealing with other high pressure situations. I love squats but I’m in a very small minority 😂
I love this post. It’s informative and considered and I’ve really enjoyed reading it while stirring my porridge before my weights session this morning 😄 thank you Poorna 💛
About to start with a group PT after a period of bad mental health. I want to feel stronger physically and mentally. Can’t wait to lift some weights but also nervous! Any tips for a newbie?
It’s perfectly normal to feel nervous - every single one of us feels like that. I would say be kind to yourself, and compete with yourself, not others. By that, I mean don’t look at what others in the class are doing or if someone gets something right and you don’t at the first go. Focus on yourself and where you want to get to and those incremental, weekly improvements. I’ve been lifting for a number of years and it’s all about patience, and being okay with getting things wrong because there are a thousand opportunities to get it right. Above all, have fun. Many of us in the lifting world have issues with mental health as our shared experience and have found lifting is the place we pieced ourselves together. Slow and steady, and enjoy!
It will show you incontrovertible proof that you are stronger (literally) than you think you are and that you can achieve things even when you feel you don’t. It’s done that for every single one of us who stuck with it ❤️
I'll stick my nose in, but it was good for me - keep a diary of what you lift. It's amazing to look back on improvements in weight or reps or both. I forget about progress sometimes, so having a solid record helps me enjoy it.
Love this, Poorna. I started lifting weights super young - probably too young at 11/12 years old 😂 but I have always love love loved the feeling of being strong, and of understanding how much our bodies can do. Yay for the free weights section! Thanks for sharing ur love of lifting with us all. X
Great read as always.
I wish I listened to Ameesha and started lifting when she first recommended. I love it, the nicest community I ever been part of even at competitions.
Today is bench day 🫠 I don’t know how you manage two of those a week, I would rather do an other HIT class, even if it’s the same as yesterday 😂
Ha ha I don’t know how you manage the lifting and all the other stuff you do including boxing!
Hey Poorna, great piece – thank you. What protein shake do you have? I'm struggling to get enough protein in my diet but the choice out there is baffling.
I prefer vegan protein powder even though I’m not vegan - currently I’m using Sunwarrior but it might be discontinued
Thank you!
(From Twitter) What do you feel you get from the competitions? I love lifting (deadlift and bench, I kind of hate squats) and people sometimes mention competition, but it doesn't appeal to me.
I don’t think competitions are for everyone so I wouldn’t say everyone should do one - but what I get from them is the sense of being part of a community (the powerlifting community is very welcoming and friendly), you get to see much better lifters than you and learn what you might want to do, and it means that your lifts are at a competition standard. Technique is very important to me not just picking up the weight, so to know I have accomplished my heaviest lift to a standard is what I strive for. There is also something to be said for performing in a high pressure environment like that - it has enormous carry overs to confidence and dealing with other high pressure situations. I love squats but I’m in a very small minority 😂
The community and form elements do appeal, but the pressure to be at my best on one specific day is off-putting. So is the singlet.
I understand - it may be that competing is not for you in that case, but it all depends on your own comfort levels. Everyone hates the singlet btw 😂
I love this post. It’s informative and considered and I’ve really enjoyed reading it while stirring my porridge before my weights session this morning 😄 thank you Poorna 💛
Ha! Happy lifting! I wonder whether I should do more of these posts in audio but I'll have a think about it.
Thank you! 💪🏼 Personally I love reading over listening but I can imagine your audio posts would be awesome.
I just attempted an audio post and it sounded like I was underwater so....I’ll be pausing that for now 😂
😂😂
Great writing Poorna, your commitment is amazing and so inspiring, it’s making me want to get up and go for a run in the morning! Thanks.
Thank you so much Chris!! Very kind words indeed.
About to start with a group PT after a period of bad mental health. I want to feel stronger physically and mentally. Can’t wait to lift some weights but also nervous! Any tips for a newbie?
It’s perfectly normal to feel nervous - every single one of us feels like that. I would say be kind to yourself, and compete with yourself, not others. By that, I mean don’t look at what others in the class are doing or if someone gets something right and you don’t at the first go. Focus on yourself and where you want to get to and those incremental, weekly improvements. I’ve been lifting for a number of years and it’s all about patience, and being okay with getting things wrong because there are a thousand opportunities to get it right. Above all, have fun. Many of us in the lifting world have issues with mental health as our shared experience and have found lifting is the place we pieced ourselves together. Slow and steady, and enjoy!
Thank you so much Poorna. I’m hoping lifting will help me to feel more confident in myself and what I can do 💪
It will show you incontrovertible proof that you are stronger (literally) than you think you are and that you can achieve things even when you feel you don’t. It’s done that for every single one of us who stuck with it ❤️
Hope you don’t mind me asking but do you have any recommendations on protein shakes? I am a vegetarian and definitely don’t get enough protein!
I'll stick my nose in, but it was good for me - keep a diary of what you lift. It's amazing to look back on improvements in weight or reps or both. I forget about progress sometimes, so having a solid record helps me enjoy it.
Love this, Poorna. I started lifting weights super young - probably too young at 11/12 years old 😂 but I have always love love loved the feeling of being strong, and of understanding how much our bodies can do. Yay for the free weights section! Thanks for sharing ur love of lifting with us all. X
Love to hear it!! I WISH I had started younger - but I’ll get my niece into it soon enough 😂
She’s lucky to have you 🥰🥰best auntie energy ever!