Remediating for 140-Characters on Twitter (Follow me @theangrylifter_)

Being a powerlifter, the first hashtags that will come into mind would be the three main lifts (apparently, the only thing in my mind). They will be #powerlifting #squatbenchdeadlift and in desperation to talk to others, #squat #benchpress and #deadlift just in case other users are looking for something more “tag” specific. The hashtag #liftangryfeelhappy (much wow much creative) is my own personal tag for any tweets or posts that are self-written or that may motivate my followers the same way it did me. Below is a few of my posts:

1st Tweet (A GIF of a bear because that’s how powerlifters look like)

 

 

I haven’t received any response of re-tweets from my posts. I currently have 3 followers and 2 of them are powerlifting based accounts. One of the follower apparently had their account temporarily restricted. I even had to comment on one of my own post using hashtags like #squat #benchpress and #deadlift seperately in hopes someone will talk to me (smell the desperation).

 

Thanks to the URL shortening application, I am still able to share news articles or posts from external blogs without breaching Twitter’s 140-character limit. Twitter was a platform I hardly used but kept it around for the purpose of receiving news updates quicker.

This week, I came to the realisation that it was very convenient for the user besides it being quick and convenient but in terms of what it’s mechanics enable users to do. Some of them includes offering users 3 action buttons at the bottom when responding to posts, which are reply, re-tweet and like. One action, for example, a re-tweet can lead to a chain reaction and connect one person to another due to the similar interest they have based on the post.

It was only until I started using twitter more often this week, that I got to share articles that I get overly excited reading with my followers. The character limit keeps me in check for not going overboard. The use of the hashtags was rather helpful in a sense that a sentence can be created using hashtags instead of putting them all that the end of the post. The hashtags also enable other users to track posts with the same tags. This is much quicker than scrolling and reading through every tag on a post. With this feature, I was able to locate other users with similar interests, though I have yet to engaged with them.  I’m sure that I will be using it more often now, so feel free to follow!! (Please) Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

To all the girls out there, join me in the Powerlifting journey!

There are many individuals who are hesitant in taking up powerlifting and majority of them are women. There is this notion that girls shouldn’t lift weights otherwise they will get “big”, “muscular like a man” or that it is not “feminine”. In the current time we live in now, the media has played an ever growing part in our daily life. Honestly, I was very hesitant in the beginning. There are times where I would feel very insecure every time I step into the free weights section as there are times I am reminded of the negative comments I have read online or that there was hardly any coverage of so. This is the main issue that female powerlifters face.

This news item will act as an indication that my blog is not targeted towards one specific target audience and that I will stick to what I said when I mentioned that EVERYONE is welcome.

This news article was posted by ABC News in North Queensland titled “Powerlifting: The strength sport empowering women and boosting self-confidence” (Gordon, 2017). The author of the news article was doing a coverage of a powerlifting competition that was going on in Northern Queensland with a total of 25 women competing.

The article itself describes powerlifting as providing athletes an intangible sense of self-confidence and empowerment. Based on personal experience, I can concur so. I agree with what was mentioned in the article by the athletes regards to the attitude of other powerlifter who seem intimidating at the beginning and the reason they persist on their powerlifting journey. It is an article whereby any lifter can relate to in terms of what drives them to do better and to push themselves they best they can.

This news item will affect the future of my topic in a sense that future discussion or post with regards to, for example, lifting technique will not be indicated as being either for male or female. It will also act as an indication or eye-opener to any women and young girls that it is completely fine for them to take up powerlifting and that there is nothing wrong with lifting weights. That they have nothing to be afraid of as more and more people are becoming aware of the sport and that anyone can do it. This  is proof of that the media is starting to take notice of it in a positive light.

Why Powerlifting?

Powerlifting is something that is not common back in Brunei so I didn’t have anyone to show me the ropes. So, I decided to start here in Perth back in 2015 after enrolling into Curtin. You know, the whole notion of “new start new me” kind of mentality. Plus I wanted to make full use of the free gym membership students staying on-campus get.

 

I was afraid to ask for help at first. There’s this whole stereotype of how intimidating powerlifters are because of how big and scary they look with all the shouting, grunting, dropping of heavy weights and occasional death stares into space (I shouldn’t have judged a book by its cover).

 

But man, were these people (and I) wrong. Powerlifters are like big friendly teddy bears (once you get to know them). It’s a community of people who can lift heavy and at the same time, they are super friendly. I dare you readers to approach and converse with one. Trust me.
Powerlifting consists of 3 main lifts which are squat, bench press and deadlifts. Ever since I started powerlifting, it gave me a sense of direction, in the sense that I am not wandering aimlessly without a specific goal or plan in mind every time I step into the gym now. I always knew that I was strong ever since I was young and powerlifting provided me an opportunity to take advantage of my innate strengths and develop them.
It isn’t just about getting the weight off the ground or how heavy it is but how execute the moves.

 

It helped me develop a stronger mentality to push forward no matter how difficult the lifts may be (this also implies to life in general) and increase my focus in a sense that besides lifting the weight up, I have to think step by step which muscles have to be activated.
Once you start, it’s hard to stop because you start setting new targets after smashing the last one.
The powerlifting community is slowly growing. It was kind of scary entering the sport in the beginning, to be honest. Not everyone can suddenly bench a 100kg at their first attempt. I mean I couldn’t even bench and empty bar!
But look at me now! I’m squatting 115kg, dead lifting 145kg and benching 70kg after 2 years of hard work. Push on and never give up!!

 

WELCOME

Dear readers and fellow powerlifters, welcome to TheAngerLifter !!!! Please feel free to comment or ask any question. You guys don’t have to feel shy hence there reason for this blog. Please be patient as posts will be coming your way soon! In the mean time, feel free to follow me on Instagram and Twitter from the links below 🙂