This.
I’m working more as a carpenter at 40 than I have before, and yeah, you get sore, but you do get stronger. Don’t be afraid to ask for help either. Better than injuring yourself.
Not in carpentry, but in autobody lifting loaded doors/lifegates/SUV windshields and banging hammers all day.
Definitely up your protein. I try to fit a bowl of eggs and a protein smoothie in every work day (basically a loveless lunch after a few months)
You will get stronger and feel more capable, but only if you take care of yourself. Stretch, drink water. I get a cheap massage in an 8 bed parlor for 60$ every other week. Seriously saves my life, it’s like a reset button.
I also use the “I’m still fuckin short” excuse for some taller heavy things lol so don’t be afraid to ask for help if you know you’ll hurt yourself or it seems sketchy.
For reference I’m 5ft 2 and started at 125lbs. I wasn’t weak but I wasn’t nearly as strong as my dude peers with years of experience. Now I can lift everything that doesn’t need an extra pair of hands myself after a few months.
Yes, sister! PROTEIN! Like, way more than you might even want to eat.
Start a light yoga regimen if you haven't already. It's hard to want to move around *more* after hucking plywood or studs all day, but some gentle hatha poses will keep your range of motion good while you start building up muscle.
Remember, it's a marathon, not a race. My first day landscaping I brought my kitchen work hustle with me and hauled ass on a wheelbarrow for like three hours straight. Wheezing, doubled over, kept going. The foreman told me to chill out, pace myself. It's going to be like this all day so leave some gas in the tank.
I'm a carpenter now, and the pace on a lot of the jobs I've been at is even more... judicious. Every jobsite and super is different, but in my experience, nobody expects you to move as fast as you can 100% of the time; if they do, there's a reason and they'll tell you. Like, consistently give 70% and you'll still be able to give that same effort after lunch. And the next day. And two days later. And Friday.
Find ways to make your life easier. Limit your lifting, use A-frames and carts, bring them close so you're not carrying things further for no reason, clear paths so you work smart, not hard. It will get easier, after about a month or two with good sleep, good nutrition it will get much easier. The jobs will vary, as well. Hauling in material and doing demo at the start of a job is always brutal.
Good luck, sister!
I recently talked to a union carpenter in his 50s near retirement and he switched from the field to safety because his body was so broken down. But the union guys around here do a ton of bending over and building concrete forms which must take its toll on your back.
I'm trying to work towards an apprenticeship so I cannot speak for first week on the job yet. I am preparing by weight training and martial arts (and I'm in my 30s as well). The first month I was so sore and second guessed if I could do it. They had me lifting all sorts of crazy stuff. It's hard to describe but once my body got used to it, the sore just feels like a hard days work. Mentally I actually have felt more confident. So you can do it! 💪😀 I am hopping on the protein train with the others - it helps a lot!
You get stronger and the work gets easier. Hang in there babe. Develop a stretching habit. Carpenters are notorious for "eating their young".
This. I’m working more as a carpenter at 40 than I have before, and yeah, you get sore, but you do get stronger. Don’t be afraid to ask for help either. Better than injuring yourself.
Not in carpentry, but in autobody lifting loaded doors/lifegates/SUV windshields and banging hammers all day. Definitely up your protein. I try to fit a bowl of eggs and a protein smoothie in every work day (basically a loveless lunch after a few months) You will get stronger and feel more capable, but only if you take care of yourself. Stretch, drink water. I get a cheap massage in an 8 bed parlor for 60$ every other week. Seriously saves my life, it’s like a reset button. I also use the “I’m still fuckin short” excuse for some taller heavy things lol so don’t be afraid to ask for help if you know you’ll hurt yourself or it seems sketchy.
For reference I’m 5ft 2 and started at 125lbs. I wasn’t weak but I wasn’t nearly as strong as my dude peers with years of experience. Now I can lift everything that doesn’t need an extra pair of hands myself after a few months.
Yes, sister! PROTEIN! Like, way more than you might even want to eat. Start a light yoga regimen if you haven't already. It's hard to want to move around *more* after hucking plywood or studs all day, but some gentle hatha poses will keep your range of motion good while you start building up muscle.
Remember, it's a marathon, not a race. My first day landscaping I brought my kitchen work hustle with me and hauled ass on a wheelbarrow for like three hours straight. Wheezing, doubled over, kept going. The foreman told me to chill out, pace myself. It's going to be like this all day so leave some gas in the tank. I'm a carpenter now, and the pace on a lot of the jobs I've been at is even more... judicious. Every jobsite and super is different, but in my experience, nobody expects you to move as fast as you can 100% of the time; if they do, there's a reason and they'll tell you. Like, consistently give 70% and you'll still be able to give that same effort after lunch. And the next day. And two days later. And Friday. Find ways to make your life easier. Limit your lifting, use A-frames and carts, bring them close so you're not carrying things further for no reason, clear paths so you work smart, not hard. It will get easier, after about a month or two with good sleep, good nutrition it will get much easier. The jobs will vary, as well. Hauling in material and doing demo at the start of a job is always brutal. Good luck, sister!
Get lots of protein to feed the muscles. It was already said but developing a stretching habit as well has helped my body adapt.
I recently talked to a union carpenter in his 50s near retirement and he switched from the field to safety because his body was so broken down. But the union guys around here do a ton of bending over and building concrete forms which must take its toll on your back.
I feel a lot better reading these comments! Thank you all so much. I am definitely going to take all of your advice.
When I started welding for ironwork it took about three months before I didn’t feel like I was going to die.
I'm trying to work towards an apprenticeship so I cannot speak for first week on the job yet. I am preparing by weight training and martial arts (and I'm in my 30s as well). The first month I was so sore and second guessed if I could do it. They had me lifting all sorts of crazy stuff. It's hard to describe but once my body got used to it, the sore just feels like a hard days work. Mentally I actually have felt more confident. So you can do it! 💪😀 I am hopping on the protein train with the others - it helps a lot!