r/femalebodybuilding

Another moderate low day today and can't to fill out! Battling sickness and some life stressors but doing everything we can to stay locked in!
25F, 5'3", 111.8 lbs.

Left is 2024. Post back injury in 2020/2021 I had gained alot of weight. I had been beating my body for years overtraining: crossfit, triathlons of increasing intensity and ignoring signs of injury. Eventually my back was so bad post covid I spent several years trapped in chronic pain and still eating like I was active. I used medical marijuana tinctures to help me slowly getting back to mobility through yoga, Pilates, water aerobics ANYTHING I could do. I learned how to decompress my lumbar, do myofascial & trigger point release on myself until I could do kettlebells & scaled crossfit style workouts again and eventually 5x5’s of barbell strength building. I still had alot of extra weight as you can see from the pictures and imbalances of strength and mobility in my shoulders and hips.
Right is 2026. BODYBUILDING! No more stress inducing, redlining workouts. No more wasted movement or unsatisfying empty calories. No more drinking to dull back pain. I do a 6 day split with 30mins of liss daily. Recovery includes precious sleep, yoga, dancing, swimming and self massage/trigger point/myofascial release. Exercise is a joy and I am kinder to myself. I am stronger than I ever was in my 20’s & 30’s and preparing to gain mass over the next year and after with an eye on physique competition and a fantastic coach to help. I am currently 45yo 174# @5’8” with 144# lean weight.

Bi and tri day 💪

Cooking dinner for friends last night at our vacation rental, and this pic just was so great! Not posed, not perfect lighting, just me living my life having a good time.

I lift heavy, I eat a very disciplined diet, I rarely drink, I'm incredibly consistent with everything over many years. And fick yeah I'm proud of my body!

Biting the bullet and aiming for a December OCB show. I started my first little mini cut phase in April since starting bodybuilding in December 2024; otherwise have been in a surplus or at maintenance the entire time.

We just wanted to see what would happen and my coach thinks as long as I feel good with the weight loss, we can make it happen. Most nervous about posing and getting overwhelmed with being seen this way, but working on it!

Pics attached of current physique and around same weight in 2025!

I want to maximise my physique, particularly gain more muscle mass. Any critiques? I love training so much.

Learning how to grow them, show them and 😁 thanks!

Hello, I started weightlifting in 2021 but fell off around 2024ish to finish college because classes got harder. I recently started getting back into the gym and working out but I’ve always been able to grow my upper body way easier than my lower body. That being said, my shoulders are the only muscle group in my upper body that remains stagnant. I know it’s there because it’s there when I flex, but I never got the capped shoulders so it always made my arms look fat instead of muscular.

I’m pretty satisfied with my chest and triceps, so I completely replaced my push day with just isolated shoulder workouts to stimulate muscle growth there and to also keep my arms from growing even more disproportionately.

My main question is how long do you guys think it take to see my shoulders grow and cap off to give itself a more muscular appearance if I continue with the isolated shoulder workouts? Also when looking at my shoulders, which delt do you think needs the most work? Thank you!

Hello! I’m 45 174lbs , 5’7.5” 144lbs lean mass considering a figure or physique division for a go at it. I am currently eating at maintenance and working on increasing lat width and rear delt development. I just started trying to pose barefoot and in heels recently. I have never been stage lean before. Going to spectate my first show this week to cheer on a friend and see what it’s like. I’m not in a rush and understand the value of a great coach. I love lifting! Going on a stage all cut would be a privilege and a pleasure I think after all the hard work. Constructive feedback welcome! Ty

Hey everyone! Just wanted to share my journey in this sub after being inspired by everyone’s transformations :) I started weightlifting consistently 3.5 years ago, and that’s when I started to take my nutrition more seriously.

Before weightlifting, I did calisthenics for around 6 years, but I wasn’t super consistent with it. Now I have aspirations to compete in a show one day, but I know I still have a really long way to go. I see myself pursuing this journey long-term and I want to take my time to put on more tissue, and to enjoy the journey.

I fell in love with bodybuilding because of the confidence I have gained in myself, the structure, and the fact that I’m able to push myself to my limits.

I hope everyone is having an amazing day <3

Bodyweight on the left: 128.8 lbs
Bodyweight on the right: 126.4 lbs