Girl Gains: Clean Eating Alice Champions The Rise In Women Lifting

She’s recently been featured in Marie Clare and has amassed a six figure Instagram following, and attributes positive spirit and happiness to a decision made twelve months ago to embrace ‘clean eating’. Alice Liveing, or Clean Eating Alice as we now know her, emphasises that clean eating is something you have to define for yourself. We caught up with London’s queen of the six pack, to ask her about the rise in women lifting and why getting fit has truly changed her life.

WHY DO YOU THINK THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE IN WOMEN WANTING TO LIFT?

With social media now finding itself with an abundance of female fitspo’s and many celebrities opting for the strong over skinny look, it’s now difficult to avoid the phenomenon that is sweeping Instagram and various other sites. I think that this has been one of the main reasons why girls have started to explore so many different ways of getting active and exercising, and lifting weights has clearly become a popular choice. Building lean muscle and gaining strength is a much more realistic goal than drastic weight loss and a lot of women are now waking up to this.

Clean Eating Alice Champions The Rise In Women Lifting
Image: Clean Eating Alice

WHAT DO YOU THINK PREVENTS WOMEN FROM LIFTING WEIGHTS?

I think there are still myths surrounding women lifting weights. A lot of these centre around the idea that lifting weights will make you bulky or have a more masculine physique. Slowly but surely however I think these myths are being dispelled and I hope the trend continues to grow.

HOW COULD SOMEONE GET STARTED IF THEY WANTED TO LIFT?

I would suggest someone first familiarising themselves with all the basic lifts, and ensuring that they focus initially on form and technique. From this starting foundation they can then introduce more advanced exercises and integrate different training protocols. Although I’m of course slightly bias, the Bikini Guide is the perfect tool kit that will take you through each and every element of lifting from form to tempo with both visual and written guidance alongside 24/7 support, so it’s a great place to start and progress forwards.

SO WHAT IS LDN MUSCLE AND HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH THE TEAM?

LDN Muscle (LDNM) provide comprehensive E-Guides, covering both your dietary and training needs for both men and women. LDNM also provides a 24/7 support network on twitter (@LDN_Muscle) and via email. They offer a variety of guides, all aimed at helping people achieve their desired goals and can be viewed on your phone or tablet so are perfect for looking at whilst in the gym, or on the move. I got involved with the company last October after being contacted by the boys, and since then we have developed an extremely good working relationship. What I bring to the party is a shared ethos, female face, my passion and love for nutrition and fitness, and my knowledge gained from my own journey with building my desired physique.

WHAT IS YOUR TYPICAL FITNESS SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK?

I usually try and do some form of walking every day, and rarely take public transport, so I find keeping intentionally mobile was an important change that I initially made. In terms of going to the gym I aim to train between four and six times a week depending on my schedule and will train different muscle groups on different days such as legs or back. This ensures that I’m able to isolate each muscle group and focus solely on those within that session.

HOW HAS YOUR FITNESS REGIME CHANGED YOU MENTALLY?

I find that despite the obvious changes to my physique, it has been my mentality that has changed the most throughout my journey. I have an extremely positive energy that I never used to have, and find that I am so much more comfortable and confident within myself. I feel that although it does sound cliché, my journey involved a complete change of lifestyle and that meant developing a healthier relationship with food but also with myself.

WHAT ARE THE PRIMARY BENEFITS OTHERWISE?

The primary benefit is as a calorie burn, as with any other form of exercise. But as you become more proficient and lift heavier weights you can burn calories for up to 48 hours after your workout as your body works to repair your muscles, and this far exceeds the burn achieved through cardio. Building muscle through lifting weights can also help to improve posture and help build an athletic  and functional physique.

CAN YOU SHARE YOUR THREE FAVOURITE LIFTS?

My three favourite lifts would be firstly, the squat, which I incorporate into almost all of my leg sessions. Secondly it would have to be deadlifts, and finally dumbbell hammer curls.

Follow Alice on Instagram for food and fitness inspiration.

www.ldnmuscle.com