I get bulky from weights...

anemoneprose

bc it's not like the bodyweight resistance and other stuff she did before was toxic, exactly.

dbmata

Ancient Chinese secret:

Eat less.

AnvilHead

...i don't agree with insisting someone adopt those same ideals, though. if OP prefers herself one way and is healthy, why push it?

I'm not sure exactly who your response was directed toward, but since you quoted me I'll respond.

I don't insist that anybody adopt any ideals. I couldn't care less what anybody else wants their body to look like. Get muscular. Get skinny. Get small and soft. Get lean and "toned". Or just stay fat. Doesn't make any difference to me. It's not my body - I don't have to live in it and I don't have to look at it in the mirror every day, so what anybody else chooses to do matters nothing to me.

My comments were directed toward the misconception (in this thread and countless others) that women can inadvertently put on a bunch of muscle and get hyooge while eating at a caloric deficit and doing what amounts to cardio exercise. It doesn't happen. Ain't gonna happen. You may get leaner as a result of losing bodyfat and your muscles may appear more defined; they may appear fuller/harder because of the water/glycogen filling them in response to the stimulus placed upon them by workouts. There may even be slight (very slight) "newbie gains" from a targeted strength training program - but you don't put on significant new muscle and get "bulky" as the result of strength training while in a caloric deficit. It's like buying enough bricks for a 20-foot long wall, then trying to build a 50-foot long wall out of them.

LiftAllThePizzas

WE NEED MORE CALGON!

dbmata

My comments were directed toward the misconception (in this thread and countless others) that women can inadvertently put on a bunch of muscle and get hyooge while eating at a caloric deficit and doing what amounts to cardio exercise. It doesn't happen. Ain't gonna happen.

While true, what you have to take in to consideration is the prevalence of body dysmorphia paired with a preoccupation with being muscular.

They don't get big, but they believe that they do.

AnvilHead

While true, what you have to take in to consideration is the prevalence of body dysmorphia paired with a preoccupation with being muscular.

They don't get big, but they believe that they do.

Probably the only logical explanation. Same thing as a 90-pound anorexic looking in the mirror and seeing a fat person, but different.

anemoneprose

...i don't agree with insisting someone adopt those same ideals, though. if OP prefers herself one way and is healthy, why push it?

I'm not sure exactly who your response was directed toward, but since you quoted me I'll respond.

I don't insist that anybody adopt any ideals. I couldn't care less what anybody else wants their body to look like. Get muscular. Get skinny. Get small and soft. Get lean and "toned". Or just stay fat. Doesn't make any difference to me. It's not my body - I don't have to live in it and I don't have to look at it in the mirror every day, so what anybody else chooses to do matters nothing to me.

My comments were directed toward the misconception (in this thread and countless others) that women can inadvertently put on a bunch of muscle and get hyooge while eating at a caloric deficit and doing what amounts to cardio exercise. It doesn't happen. Ain't gonna happen. You may get leaner as a result of losing bodyfat and your muscles may appear more defined; they may appear fuller/harder because of the water/glycogen filling them in response to the stimulus placed upon them by workouts. There may even be slight (very slight) "newbie gains" from a targeted strength training program - but you don't put on significant new muscle and get "bulky" as the result of strength training while in a caloric deficit. It's like buying enough bricks for a 20-foot long wall, then trying to build a 50-foot long wall out of them.

Ah sorry - maybe I meant to quote someone else, my apologies. Yes, you're right to clear the misconception. Though maybe I was responding to part of what you were saying, or maybe, the general attitude that women are idiots for falling for long/lean/cardio. I think I was trying to explain part of that.

Like, for a woman sort of still new to the idea, even a little post-workout 'pump' directly threatens a lifelong idea of self and beauty. And it takes a lot of reading and experience and learning to change your understanding of what that is (the 'pump', beauty, the self). Even when you do - maybe, the pump is still not a preferred (or possible) outcome.

This op sounded to me like she'd given her previous efforts a fairish shot, and just preferred one look over another.

edit: and I imagine your frustration is more just with the level of ignorance about certain facts; not saying that you specifically want to say that women are idiots, but it's a vibe that's strong on this board.

jenilla1

I lift weights.. I make sure I do more reps and lighter weight so I don't end up bulky. So my arms are solid yet slimmer than they have ever been.

I do fewer reps and heavy weights and I'm not bulky AT ALL. My arms are solid yet slim as well, but they are much stronger and better defined than they were when I did light weight and high reps. That worked alright for awhile, but I've seen much better results from lifting heavy.

jenilla1

I'm so glad you posted this. I have only heard/seen one side of the story so it's nice to hear the other side. :flowerforyou:

There's really only one side to a "bulking" story. If she's bulking, she's eating at surplus.

Achrya

...i don't agree with insisting someone adopt those same ideals, though. if OP prefers herself one way and is healthy, why push it?

I'm not sure exactly who your response was directed toward, but since you quoted me I'll respond.

I don't insist that anybody adopt any ideals. I couldn't care less what anybody else wants their body to look like. Get muscular. Get skinny. Get small and soft. Get lean and "toned". Or just stay fat. Doesn't make any difference to me. It's not my body - I don't have to live in it and I don't have to look at it in the mirror every day, so what anybody else chooses to do matters nothing to me.

My comments were directed toward the misconception (in this thread and countless others) that women can inadvertently put on a bunch of muscle and get hyooge while eating at a caloric deficit and doing what amounts to cardio exercise. It doesn't happen. Ain't gonna happen. You may get leaner as a result of losing bodyfat and your muscles may appear more defined; they may appear fuller/harder because of the water/glycogen filling them in response to the stimulus placed upon them by workouts. There may even be slight (very slight) "newbie gains" from a targeted strength training program - but you don't put on significant new muscle and get "bulky" as the result of strength training while in a caloric deficit. It's like buying enough bricks for a 20-foot long wall, then trying to build a 50-foot long wall out of them.

Ah sorry - maybe I meant to quote someone else, my apologies. Yes, you're right to clear the misconception. Though maybe I was responding to part of what you were saying, or maybe, the general attitude that women are idiots for falling for long/lean/cardio. I think I was trying to explain part of that.

Like, for a woman sort of still new to the idea, even a little post-workout 'pump' directly threatens a lifelong idea of self and beauty. And it takes a lot of reading and experience and learning to change your understanding of what that is (the 'pump', beauty, the self). Even when you do - maybe, the pump is still not a preferred (or possible) outcome.

This op sounded to me like she'd given her previous efforts a fairish shot, and just preferred one look over another.

edit: and I imagine your frustration is more just with the level of ignorance about certain facts; not saying that you specifically want to say that women are idiots, but it's a vibe that's strong on this board.

The OP sounds to me like she's confused, or a freak of nature. She said she got bulky, which is to say larger or more muscular, doing crossfit and eating at a deficit. This simply isn't possible. Bulking for a woman, from my understanding, is far from an easy process and takes serious work and FOOD, a surplus of food. Women do not accidentally get bulky.

If the OP got 'bulky' it wasn't lifting it was too much darn food. If she had an issue with the way her body looked it wasn't the crossfit, it was her diet.

Vailara

The same thing happened to me many years ago. I gained muscle bulk in my lower body through doing ballet as an adult. It was strange, because it's certainly not an exercise that you would expect to bulk you up! I put on a little weight, but only got bigger in the legs. It makes me think that some of us just have a natural tendency to put on a little muscle bulk when we first start doing strength-building exercise. Ballet is purely bodyweight exercises, if you're a woman, so it wasn't to do with lifting heavy weights at all. (However, ballet does involve quite a lot of strength). I don't believe I was eating at a deficit then (I didn't want to or need to lose weight at the time).

However, what happened was that the "bulking" seemed to reach a certain level, then stop. I didn't continue to grow and grow. I didn't continue to put on weight. I did work at trying to reduce the bulking, or "overdevelopment" as my teacher called it - back then, that meant wearing crotch-height legwarmers, although I can't remember why. So it's possible that some of that worked and stopped the muscle gain, but I think it's more likely that I just naturally stopped gaining after the first few pounds.

So maybe some of us do gain a little bulk, despite what people say, but in my experience, it's not linear - you don't keep gaining if you keep doing the exercise.

VeganCoco

The only thing that I can think of that would suggest that it isn't your food (which it probably is) is that after an intense lifting session women more so than men are prone to muscle inflammation due to repair and that can make you FEEL bulky and bigger.

I also go to Crossfit and for about 2 days after a WOD I weigh up to 5lbs more which goes away as soon as my aches do.

If you overall want a fit healthy body you just need to work through that and keep going 3 times a week, it won't always happen to the same degree (you make more micro-tears in the muscle fiber at the start of your training as you put more strain on your body as a beginner - usually!) but it will always happen to some degree.

If you really don't like it then stop going, but your body will not thank you.

Lupercalia

You didn't get "bulky" from the weight lifting you did at CrossFit. Most likely it was from eating more, like everyone else is saying, or it could be due to fluid retention, etc. as others have mentioned. Adding to the personal anecdotes--I've been lifting increasingly heavier weights in the lower rep ranges 3x a week since October and have greatly reduced in size all over.

If you prefer your all women's bodyweight strength training and boxing gym, go back to it. Surely there's no reason you must do CF, is there?

Measure/track all your food and eat at at a moderate deficit to lose whatever weight you've put on. Say goodbye to your "bulk".

glovepuppet

i use weights to bulk up... i kinda like the way that works.

Fozzi43

I'm just gonna leave this here...

Left - 155lbs. Size 12. Calorie deficit and moderate cardio.

Right - 155lbs. Size 6. Eating Maintenance, minimal cardio, and lifting heavy.

kimbtaylor1

Does this happen to anyone else? I love class/group style workouts. I used to belong to a women's only studio where all we did was body weight (lunges, squats, push ups, boxing) and I looked amazing. Then I bought into this heavy lifting craze and decided to join CrossFit. I loved it! But I got bulky and stalky looking. My clothes fit tighter and I just didn't look as lean or thin. Has this happened to anyone else? I think I may just dump weights and go back to body weight/resistance. Now I'm in between and have no idea what the best workouts are.

I'm short and curvy...maybe that's why?

I'm the same way. I know everyone says women have a hard time bulking up but I can and I have proven it. Granted when I say bulking up it is by no means weight lifter competition bulking. But more like a high school foot ball player...especially my legs. The way I am built I have always been very muscular and for the most part loosing my "fat padding" has reviled those muscles. In an attempt to tone up I started trying to lift heavy and my already man legs turned into something not appropriate for a woman in my opinion. Just as a reference I was Maid of Honor in my BFF's wedding. When she took me to try on the dress she wanted me to wear which was short she had to change the entire bridal party attire because of the fact that "from the thigh down you look like a beefed up man."
I have done some research on this and from what I have read my issue isn't that uncommon. I recently was told not to do any heavy lifting due to a heart condition and have been laying off of the weights. The legs are still manly in my opinion but not like they were the day I tried on the dress. If cross fit is making you do this and you don't like it don't do it anymore....But as far as everyone saying that weights don't buff women up maybe not most women but I assure you that some women do.

glovepuppet

if a dude said that he wanted to bulk up, everyone would tell him lifting was the way.
just because the vast majority of women don't bulk up naturally, doesn't mean that this one hasn't.

she may have put on fat, water or muscle weight. they're all possible.

kimbtaylor1

if a dude said that he wanted to bulk up, everyone would tell him lifting was the way.
just because the vast majority of women don't bulk up naturally, doesn't mean that this one hasn't.

she may have put on fat, water or muscle weight. they're all possible.

Thank you for that....some of the comments were starting to irk me a little. I know from personal experience that it can happen. I just wish people would remember that everyone is different.

HeidiMightyRawr

I'd say it's most likely that you're eating too much. This is why people "bulk" when they want to add muscle - it's not the training that is the main cause, it's the calorie intake. Record everything you eat/drink and you'll soon see for sure.

Either that who you have a very different view of what bulky is, in comparison to most others on here.

kimbtaylor1

Like I said I'm not talking about competitive weight lifting bulky but bulky for a woman. I'm all for seeing that you are toned by I prefer not to have to up my dress size due to my arms or my pants size due to my legs (this is something I struggle with all the time). When I over eat I add fat not muscle...on my body those look very different I couldn't get those confused. It is just something I know that happens with me.

As far as logging...when I had the experience of my legs bulking up I was eating 1200 cals a day, no carbs, no sugars and I was very strict on that. I lost a lot of fat but in return I gained alot of bulk in my legs. Its just me, maybe its not norm but thats how it is.

BeachIron

if a dude said that he wanted to bulk up, everyone would tell him lifting was the way.
just because the vast majority of women don't bulk up naturally, doesn't mean that this one hasn't.

she may have put on fat, water or muscle weight. they're all possible.

Men don't bulk from lifting weights. We bulk from eating over our TDEE. Lifting is the stimulus for muscle development but it can't happen if the body doesn't have enough fuel. That is why many a man's training regime is the same for cutting and bulking cycles. Yes, there are natural variations among people but it is best to understand the process by which this happens so the OP can better control what happens.

0OneTwo3

That is curious OP: You describe yourself as "short and curvy" usually building muscle with such genetics leads to something like this: does this look like a bad "bulky" to you?

there are women who have a more masculine bone structure that tends to get exaggerated with more muscle mass. for reference:



(both of these women have been training for years btw and don't seem to be on anabolic steroids so its not possible to look either way by accident.)

so are you sure it was muscle you gained?

glovepuppet

if a dude said that he wanted to bulk up, everyone would tell him lifting was the way.
just because the vast majority of women don't bulk up naturally, doesn't mean that this one hasn't.

she may have put on fat, water or muscle weight. they're all possible.

Thank you for that....some of the comments were starting to irk me a little. I know from personal experience that it can happen. I just wish people would remember that everyone is different.

I like my arms bulky. I got them, proportionally, big without changing my diet.

Matt_Wild

So for now, I'm doing less work with ab machines than the others and focusing more pilates attention on that region to help lengthen those muscles.

FYI pilates does not lengthen muscles.

Pilates DOES claim to strengthen AND lengthen muscles.

So it alters insertion points, muscle length, ligaments and tendon placing? Most interesting.

Tell me, how biomechanically does that work?

Answer? It doesn't. Genetically you are stuck with what you have. Otherwise bodybuilders like me would be all over it! Think about it, if you lengthen a muscle you NEED a long limb :laugh:

As for the OP, can't be arsed to join in. You've decided it all even tho you are talking twaddle. You are eating too much if you are gaining. Simple as that, you can't extend something without calories. Impossible.

toutmonpossible

I'm pear-shaped and don't use direct weight resistance on the lower part of my body except for my calves. When I use weights I do get bigger.

Just because you're pear shaped doesn't mean your body is unique.

If you're new to weight lifting, you will gain a very small amount of muscle mass, roughly 5lbs at best, even while eating at a deficit. Past that, you will not gain more muscle mass unless you are eating a surplus.

I know what's worked for me over many years. I also know the kind of programs that are appropriate for a woman with my goals, which are similar to the OP's. I am not new to weight training.

This forum is filled with people who haven't strength trained for all that long, who are, or who have had long stretches of being overweight or obese, who have very different body types and goals yet somehow feel qualified to spread their "wisdom" to one and all.

When I answer a question I focus on the OPs concerns and I qualify my answer based on what I know from experience with my body type. The idea that weight training makes everyone look slimmer regardless of how their weight is distributed is nonsense. If you are already at or near your goal weight and your body distributes fat in certain ways and you don't want those areas to look bigger you should not use weight on those areas. Not everyone wants to look bigger. it's a choice.

sdpeklo

This whole thing is silly and we forget as MFP people that some people are newer and use the wrong terms for their individual scenario. This is long and many eyes will glaze but....
The people on here with the muscular profile pics.....generally know what they are talking about as they have put years into looking like that. Many of them are die hard cross-fitters or intense fitness professionals and do very intense workouts and watch their nutrition. It is down to an exact for them. They have learned through trial and error and have trained many people so these types of questions become redundant and comical.
Many of them also have backgrounds and have studied fitness and nutrition for years.

For those of us still trying to learn, OP, things get outta control when you post something like this and all these people answer this question 20xs a week. Go to community type in bulk on search. Type in nutrition. Also look at what these people are eating and consuming to get slimmer. Friend the people who your find are your ideal. Educate yourself then hit your look and educate others in a kind way on what worked for you.

Here are the take aways from this post. You want to get thinner not look "stocky" so when everyone says it is your diet and nutrition....... look at it. To the poster with the food scale....YEA!!! GO invest in a food scale. Mine is from walfart and cheap and not digital....but when my meat intake is three ounces. I know it and weigh it. Everytime. Don't guess.

I am short 5.3 1/2 and when I TRX'd prior to losing my fat...padding...or fluff....I quote looked as OP put "bulky" . I retained water over my fat . I GOT FATTER..... I ate healthy and clean but my portions were outta control. Plain and simple. I needed to lose then focus on the frame I wanted/ still want for my body.
I needed to focus on nutrition hard prior to everything else otherwise yep the water from weights and lifting and a salty meal...my hormones...my medication......it all adds up. I think if I am understanding you.... this is your struggle.

Lift/ Cardio/Crossfit/ JM/ kayak \ for fitness ....or to achieve your desired look........nutrition and diet for weight management and look at all the posts .....read in entirety. Find your nutrition and weight loss goals.....calories in vs. calories out PERIOD. How and what you choose to get there is up to you. As a shorty still getting to UGW....I focus on calories then fitness. For some it is a crossfit completion or competition for others it is a 5k or marathon or fit model look. For others it is getting down to a weight to have surgery. Find people like minded.

Asking a blank question gets you the same 10 fitness pros on here and their answers....look for specific community ....your ideals.....look for people like you with your goals....I think you will find what you are looking for and all your answers plus an amazing support system.

Also I saw my medical Doctor and registered dietician to get advice I knew and trusted prior to jumping into MFP . Not sure anyone does that before starting a nutrition program or diet or new fitness program. All I know is I was running half marathons and getting bigger everyone I did...so I needed to educate myself on nutrition and see what I was doing wrong. Pretty sure most insurance companies provide an annual physical for women once yearly that is covered or a nomial fee. My 2 cents not just to you OP but everyone who doesn't take the time to educate themselves prior to joining this community. ( Not being harsh ...keeping it real).

Best wishes on all your goal OP ! : ) Feel free to friend me.

gigglybeth

I'm pear-shaped and don't use direct weight resistance on the lower part of my body except for my calves. When I use weights I do get bigger.

I'm pear shaped and in just over a month of using weights I've lost over an inch off my hips and off my waist. So yeah, there's that.

toutmonpossible

Just because you're pear shaped doesn't mean your body is unique.

The fact that we all have the same basic physiology does not mean we are identical. The key is to find what works for the individual. I know that when I did training on my lower body with weights my hips and rear got bigger. As I was under 100 pounds and already at a fairly low body fat percentage it's not like I could lose a lot of fat to offset that. My arms, which are very thin, got bigger, but I didn't have a problem with that and I was willing to pay the price of snug jackets or going up a extra size. Many women don't want to go up an extra trouser or skirt size if they're training for basic health and to look good.

Iron_Lotus

Please, please stop perpetuating this nonsense. PLEASE!


ETA: Directed at OP

toutmonpossible

I'm pear-shaped and don't use direct weight resistance on the lower part of my body except for my calves. When I use weights I do get bigger.

I'm pear shaped and in just over a month of using weights I've lost over an inch off my hips and off my waist. So yeah, there's that.

I'm sure that many of the people in the photos that always get posted have lost a lot of fat in addition to putting on muscle. When I used weights and got bigger I had no weight to lose. My body naturally deposits more fat in my lower body. If I added muscle I looked bigger because it wasn't displacing fat. So yeah, there's that, too.