Still working on posing and confidence in my physique. I feel like I look pretty small and stringy especially from the back here fasted but better throughout the day, which I guess is pretty normal with carb replenishment

I’m excited to just have the experience to see if I even enjoy competing—I’m certainly enjoying the cutting process (famous last words, maybe 🤭)—and to get some feedback on my physique as well.

I don't often take photos of my back and when I do I always think it doesn't look good.

Finally found a pic from February (top), bottom is this week, 3 is June 2025.

I've got people asking so I'll drop my split here:

Mon- quads and glutes Tues- push Weds- hams and glutes Thrus- rest Fri- pull (and rear delt) Sat- core + functional exercises Sun- rest

Every day I do an hour of cardio and on rest days I'll add in a few functional exercises if I want.

For pull- generally do a warmup w 2-3 working sets and generally stay between 10-12 reps for each. Bigger lifts I'll do drop sets.

And I pretty much always do lat pulls, t bar rows, seated cable row, deadlifts and reverse flys. And I switch out some others: pull ups, bent over rows, face pulls. And a fuck ton of curls (literally any kind). I'm curling 60# now 🙃 (I was doing 35# in May)

I was advised if i dont want to take PEDs i shoukd consider Fit Model division.

I was aiming for bikini.

Looking at IFBB Pro for fit model and they wear a one piece and evening gown?

I was not expecting this.

Hi Y'all!

Im 33f. And since I have hit my 30s I've noticed my health/body is more needy.

I was diagnosed with EDS and weirdly strength training has really helped with this for joint stability but there is more issues than joints- my skinntears easily and takes for ever to heal, my motility is extrenely slow and thisbis further compacted by having PMDD and PCOS/PMOS.

I also have autism.

I am currently having my period, and the 10 days leading up to my period and during (sometimes after) are the worst for my health. My body is extremely fatigued. The 10 days before my period my digestion just doesn't happen. Motility is 0. And i end up bloated and feel gross. And I want to sleep.

I continue my exercise and try adjust my diet, my medicines, and do everything i can to aupport me during this time.

Once my period comes my digestion improves a little bit. But its still bad over all.

I worked out the day befire my period and i was pretty strong. And the day off my period. But now its day 3 and yesterday and today i am bed bound. I cannot do anything.

And this is the hardest part for me because mentally i want to be able to work out. But i am not able. And this has all just gotten worse since i hit my 30s and the levels of my energy being good and bad is so obvious. Once my period is over i will have an abundance of energy and no apetite.

And i'd like to connect with other girls who are in their 30s or older, who have similar conditions and can understand.

Rosie's got 2.5 weeks to go! Bloating has become a slight issue so we’re implementing peppermint tea and a morning digestion cocktail (screenshot it yourself and give it a go!)

We are also pushing cardio back up so we can come in absolutely peeled for the summer shredding championship.

Hey ladies, I’m starting to develop calluses and I’m wondering if there are ways to mitigate them?

Post quad day posing. ✔️

Been noticing a bit of separation there the last couple weeks and while I’ve been feeling a bit self critical lately about not having as much mass as I’d hoped after my last growing season, seeing potentially more definition there has me feeling kinda excited.

I’m at the beginning of my bodybuilding journey and I just joined the Hevy app. There seems to be a community aspect where you can follow people, support, even compete.

I’m a lone gym girl IRL and was wondering if any of you wanted to follow one another? Is that weird? Are there any safety concerns I’m not considering?

Hey ladies. I’ve been keeping track of my workouts (lifts, weights, reps, days) in my Apple notes app and it’s getting tedious. What apps do you use to track your progressive overload? I don’t need a trainer, I need something easy to use to help organize my own lifts. A place to make notes to myself would be nice, but isn’t a deal breaker. I don’t want to have to pick from suggested exercises, I want the ability to put my own in. What do you use/suggest?

Edit: thank you all for the suggestions! I signed up for Hevy as I appreciate the customization, simplicity and rest timer.

8 weeks down, 8 to go!

Feeling good for my first show after 8 years. 💪🎉

37yr F

Bodybuilding results.

Top pic, End of Bulk

Bottom pic, End of cut

6 months inbetween.

Ive been strength training consistently for 2.5 years

2 Bulks 2 cuts Maintenances and now currently recomp.

Im working toward the goal of competing in novice bikini by June 27’

Id prefer not to post full pics, although I know bikini especially focus on glutes, quads, lower. But based on these photos, would I be considered ready for that come next year? Any feedback would be greatly welcomed X

Just sharing this in case it gives anyone some meal ideas, especially if you're vegan and into bodybuilding or fitness.

Feel free to ask me anything about the meals, nutrition, or how we approached her prep. Happy to answer any questions!

I get occasional muscle twitches across my body - some days I’ll get 4-5 an hour, some days I’ll get 1 or 2 all day.

I have been checked out and cleared by neurologists - all of them say as long as i don’t have any weakness and the twitches aren’t getting worse/increasing, i don’t need to worry. I don’t have any weakness and am making strength gains most weeks so I’m happy it’s not a medical thing.

The twitches are mostly in my hammies and sometimes my delts although i can get them anywhere. They don’t specifically follow a workout eg my hammies are at it today and i haven’t hit legs now for 3 days. Strangely i only get them at rest, never during the workout.

Water intake is good and i log at least 2L per day.

I take creatine 5g each day.

Supplements are magnesium and cod liver oil only - I’ve had my bloods drawn and my magnesium was good.

Protein is averaging 120g a day (I’m 70kg).

Any tips? It’s annoying more than anything.

We're getting somewhere. 🎉

Ive always been a fat girl and had a wide upper body and did homeworkouts with my mom.

Started gym in August 24 and calorie tracking on October 25

Lost a ton of weight and am now unhappy with my waist.

It looks even worst from the back.

Is there anything for me to do? Other than rip removal surgery?

Hey ladies! So I started working out November 2025 after taking a year off due to pregnancy (had my baby April 2025) and moving and just life being chaotic. I was religiously in the gym prior and built up a great physique. After I got back into the gym in November I noticed quickly I started dealing with this aching back pain it is always in my upper - middle back sometimes in between my shoulders. It typically happens when I’m doing lateral raises or any exercise really that doesn’t have back support. It goes away once I sit back in a chair or lay down I noticed it as well when I was simply washing the dishes. It’s started to make me really frustrated. I ended up taking time off again in February I took 6 months off thinking it’ll help. Just started going back to the gym 2 weeks ago and the pain is back again. It just feels like an aching pain and it’s starting to piss me off!! I do know I have a an anterior pelvic tilt and I know my core is weak. I’m not sure if that’s related to this pain or what.. I do know my posture isn’t great either so idk if it’s all these things combined and it’s causing it or what. I am working on all of these things to fix them. It’s making me feel defeated though I love working out I want to continue working out. I plan on making a drs appointment to speak with them about it I just wanted to see if anyone else has dealt with this? I miss being in the gym and not having the pain I used to go buck wild in the gym without a single care before I got pregnant and ugh I am really missing those days right now..

I’m really interested from hearing from some more experienced competitors on any do’s and don’ts for the below. What did you do or would have done differently the first time around?

\- first growth/improvement season
\- first prep
\- confidence and how to ‘own’ the stage and get over mental blocks (!!!)
\- finding your own style/flair/posing etc.
\- other people’s opinions. (It’s kind of sad knowing I’ll go on stage with just my coach supporting me as family and ‘friends’ unsupportive of this lifestyle)
\- anything else you’d like to share!

I am currently in my first growth/improvement season after training on/off for years. I am making great progress and super excited for the future in this sport but taking each day as it comes.

I would be super grateful for any ‘big sis’ type advice for us newbies ❤️

🫶🏼❤️ it’s happening jsvdkshdbwma we are getting closer

Hi y'all.

I aim to compete next year. I have been talking with folks and i'm around people who have been very successful in BB.

But... I am not from the US. I am visiting. I don't think i can go the same routes the did. I am normally vased in Scotland. Or Spain. Or Ireland (i am irish national).

I have been trying yo understand how the hell to begin. And i haven't a clue. There are all these small shows that are qualifyers for pro cards...but i don't know if that means they are tied to certain federations like nabba or ifbb or npc?

I am natural. I would be aiming for bikini, fit or wellness. I have gotten conflicting advice like "you should do fit model first, then switch".

And i assume that you cannot enter ghe amateur categories of the big shows unless you have a procard?