Getting Real About Lifting With Bec Chambers

When it comes to health and fitness, Bec Chambers is all about promoting a balanced and realistic lifestyle. Her own personal struggles with food and exercise at an early age set Bec on a path to finding a more sustainable approach to fitness, one that has seen her become a champion for the cause.

Her high school years were fraught with an unhealthy relationship with food and an intense cardio routine, which produced little in the way of results. Instead, Bec found herself constantly feeling tired, deprived and unhealthy.

All this changed when Bec met her partner who introduced her to weights training and a flexible diet.  Since 2014 Bec has been documenting her fitness journey through her Instagram account @BecChambersFit.

Her honest approach to exercise and real advice has attracted a cult following, one which continues to grow.

As the digital editor of Women’s Fitness Magazine, Bec decided to diversify her content, creating her personal blog I Like To Lift Things, where women can access very real, very honest advice from Bec who has since also become a qualified personal trainer.   

We decided to get some real advice on health and wellness for real women from the Ministry of Talent's Bec... 

How would you describe your fitness philosophy?

Balanced, seeking happiness and one that cultivates self-love.

Why did you decide to start documenting your fitness journey?

I had a pretty mixed, lifestyle-focused Instagram to begin with but every time I put up anything fitness related I received lots of questions and fantastic engagement so I decided to share my workouts, recipes and fitness messages more frequently.

What has been the biggest change you have made to your fitness routine since starting your journey?

Leaving restrictive, low-carb, self-deprecating tendencies behind me. I’ve found meditation in exercise and subsequently, removing the idea that exercise is punishment.

What does your typical week of workouts look like? 

I train six days a week. I lift a lot of weights and use an upper-lower split. I train lower body three times a week, upper body twice and do one full body, circuit session focused on cardiovascular fitness.

What is the biggest misconception about women and weights?

That lifting results in huge, bulging muscles and you need to be strong to start with. Firstly, building muscle is damn hard. I start a slow clap for any woman who has managed to do it successfully. Secondly, you don’t need to be strong to start. I was once so weak I couldn’t hold my own body weight for longer than 20 seconds.

Why is it important to incorporate weights into your cardio routine?

I’m not sure it’s important but it’s certainly effective. Adding resistance to any exercise is going to recruit more muscle fibres and use more energy. If overall calorie burn is at the center of your cardio routine then adding weight makes sense.

Describe your typical food diary in a day:I tend to eat differently every day. I don’t follow a meal plan but here’s what I’ve got today.

Breakfast: Three poached eggs, feta, avocado and toast with a cappuccino.

Lunch: Chicken breast, pesto, pumpkin, feta, spinach and semi-dried tomatoes.

Dinner: Pork meatballs, creamy sweet potato salad, cauliflower rice, onion, pickles and broccoli

Snacks: Youfoodz protein blondie, chopped strawberries

Also, I eat dessert every day. A day without dessert is a day I don’t want to know.

Tell us about I Like To Lift Things and how did this come about? What can readers expect to find on there? 

I like to lift things is my blog. It came about because I love to write (and waffle on) about body positivity, fitness and feminism and I found that Instagram wasn’t the right platform for longer form content. It’s also a place for me to share recipes, opinions and weird stories.

What has been the most rewarding part of your fitness journey?

Feeling happier and being able to lift weights I never thought I would. There’s something empowering about that.

You are now also a qualified personal trainer. What is the one piece of advice you give your clients?

Make everything you do sustainable. If you can’t see yourself wanting to do what you’re doing today for the next 10 years then we need to change what you’re doing.

What is next for Bec Chambers?

I’m thinking about putting together my own ebook. Though nothing is finalised. I want to do more writing and I want to do a lot more learning.

Credit: Bec Chambers – Fitness Influencer

Instagram: @becchambersfit