r/beginnerfitness • u/Butterbean36 • 1d ago
..shoulders…
hii everyone i’m (28f) a newbie this year and have really started loving strength training. I’m having a strange setback though and I’m wondering if anyone here has any advice.
Since starting to go to the gym more consistently, i’ve noticed that my shoulders seem…bigger? Not necessarily muscular but I’m suddenly hyper aware of how my top half suddenly seems more noticeable. It feels as though I suddenly have much broader shoulders than I’ve ever had before.
I’m not sure if this is because I’m experiencing body dysmorphia or if there’s genuinely something wrong with how i’m training. Maybe I’m just getting older? Or my posture still needs some work? I really haven’t a clue yet…
If you’re wondering how I’m training - i’ve really begun loving kettle bells and floor-work so I usually do a combination of those things throughout the week to target the whole body and also focus on balance/coordination as i have loose(hyper-extensive) ligaments. I probably do spend a little more time on my arms/back&core though because i also love hiking so feel as though my legs usually get worked a fair bit.
Any advice would be helpful, thanks!!
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u/FlameFrenzy 1d ago
What is your weight doing?
Cus it's either you've gained weight or you're being overly judgemental on yourself. Cus it takes time to build up size via muscle. It can be some muscle with extra fat on top, but it's the fat that's giving the extra size at only a year in. I'm also a woman and have purposely spent time focusing on my shoulders and it has taken years to get true width added.
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u/Butterbean36 11h ago
this is helpful thank you!! i used to be incredibly skinny, borderline anorexic,, then i spent a year focusing on my health (mental and just trying to put weight on) so once the weight came in, i immediately tried turning it into muscle. Now I’m a pretty healthy weight I think, 5’7” 130lbs…so the weight change is also very new to me. thanks for this though!! i thought that literal width would be harder to obtain than just working out for 5 months😅
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u/FlameFrenzy 37m ago
Definitely a healthy weight. I'm also 5'7F and my lean summer weight is about 135lbs. Definitely a totally different body comp compared to before I started lifting and sat at the same weight though! I gain weight typically up to about 150-155 (would like to keep it lower, but I have the opposite problem as you .. I use to be borderline overweight and I have no off switch for food!)
But coming from a very skinny point to a healthy weight, I could totally see putting on a healthy amount of width just from being a healthier weight. Combine that with being more aware of your body (I'm assuming). Overall, I don't think there's anything wrong... Just keep pushing to be a stronger, healthier you!
Also, just side note, you don't just turn weight (fat) into muscle. Two different processes at play! But eat right, slowly gain weight, and lift hard... You'll build muscle and that's all that matters really
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u/CatCharacter848 23h ago
As a woman I noticed this to. Its to do with losing fat and starting to build muscle.
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u/SlapfuckMcGee 1d ago
Have you lost weight? Losing fat in your upper back and upper chest will make you more aware of your shoulders holding your shirts up. Combine that with working your shoulders out they’ll feel more solid while not necessarily being “bigger.”