you're exactly right pcb (better save this thread Karen! pcb and I are agreeing ) And honestly hon, while you and I have some very different convictions, I respect you to no end for how committed you are to yours. We'll probably keep disagreeing about some stuff, but I always think you're a strong person- or else it wouldn't be worth disagreeing!

Moving on. The truth is, very few women have enough testosterone in their bodies to ever *bulk* the way men do. It just isn't possible. That is not to say women can't get larger muscle mass, but not in the way many fear they will. It is perfectly okay for a gal to lift heavier weights. In fact, the ideal weight should be just enough to fatigue the muscle in the final rep. Therefore, you should realy be struggling by your final lift after 2 sets.
The body building women you see in, for instance, Miss Olympia, they're only popping like that because of the dehydration and diet they do in preparation for the show. If you see one in the off season, they don't really look like that at all.

I know what you mean. I hear so many women say "I don't want to lift, I'll get big." bologne. You'll get big if you sit on your duff and eat bon bons, not if you do these curls!

I've also been doing pilates also for about 6 months now and I've noticed some nice changes in my legs. I'm short and I'm a runner so anything I can do to build long muscles is helpful. If you ever have a chance to try pilates, it is awesome.

Women, more than men, need the muscle mass to help bone density. I wish they'd start making billboards about that because it is SO important.

Sorry, Richard. I'm hijacking again. (But I'm willing to bet you've got nothing against a pretty lady with a nice shape )