Feminine curves without wobble

star1407

Hi, so a lot of you know I can't do much in the way of exercise, though I am going to try some body weight exercises from nerd fitness and see how I get on

I've seemingly inspired quite a few of my friends to get fit. I've told them about the recommendations on lifting that we see on mfp a lot. All of them feel that we aren't overly keen on the body build look as it can be a little masculine looking. I have seen a mixture on here of some cracking looking lifters, who still look feminine, but also those who are the more muscular look. Is it just a case of how far you take it or pot luck whether that's the way your body will go with lifting?

Can anyone recommend the best sort of exercise to firm up the wobbly bits but keep the softness of the feminine curves please?

Just to say, I mean no offence to those who have the tanned, body build type of build. It just isn't what is preferred in this case

TavistockToad

Stop losing weight when you get to your desired look

jemhh

My guess is that the look you do not want is the leaner very defined look that is a result of lifting weights and getting to a lower body fat. To avoid that look, you just wouldn't get down to such a low body fat percentage. Here's an example of what I mean:

star1407

Won't that be what people call skinny fat?

Barbonica

The "masculine" look is probably the visibility of muscles - this is largely a function of your body fat percentage. Women have a hard time building muscle then men, and it is hard enough for them to do it. I wouldn't worry about it too much unless you get involved in a serious body building routine, which probably will involve 3-5 weekly workout sessions that last upwards of 90 minutes, lots of protein in your diet, and most importantly being at the lower end of your healthy weight. Lift - it is fun, healthy, will help manage your weight and you will look great!

Barbonica

BTW - I lift 4x/week; I am a power lifter (different than a body builder) and despite all I do, I certainly do NOT look masculine!

RoxieDawn

I have muscles and I am still skinny fat.... Its a long work in progress.. going into year 2.. Edited to add I am also 47 years old so hormones, age and where I started are a factor..

You will not get muscular build unless you eat and build like a Body Builder... The image above is perfect for body percentage looks... nice job @jemhh

star1407

jemhh wrote: »

My guess is that the look you do not want is the leaner very defined look that is a result of lifting weights and getting to a lower body fat. To avoid that look, you just wouldn't get down to such a low body fat percentage. Here's an example of what I mean:

That is soo helpful, I can't tell you! Thank you. For me between 20-30% is gorgeous
Even with my fibromyalgia and stuff, I might try and lift very low weights. My healthy friends will be happy when they see this chart and thread comments so thanks guys
Please don't laugh, but what is your opinion on sit ups or ab crunches? Helpful in toning up or waste of time?

DavPul

Don't worry, you won't accidently end up with a bodybuilding physique if it follow the heavy lifting programs on MFP. I promise

SonyaCele

it is VERY hard for women to get that masculine looking, it doesn't happen by accident or by lifting weights a few days a week. Even with low bf%, to get those masculine muscles requires years of effort and specific training programs to achieve that look.
Just go lift weights, get some cardio and eat a healthy diet, Let your body take on the shape its supposed to, and i guarantee you will love the results and you'll be feminine.

itsthehumidity

There's basically no chance you'll ever look masculine. A lot of women seem to be under the impression that if they accidentally trip over a dumbbell on the floor, that by the time they pick themselves back up they'll have more muscles than they know what to do with and look like Frank Zane.

The only women who actually look masculine are not only trying to get there by lifting heavy full time, but (and this is key) taking drugs to change their hormone profile to be more like that of a man's.

Just don't worry about it, and lift weights knowing the masculine look is pretty much not possible.

star1407

Thanks for replies, I really appreciate it. For me it would be virtually impossible to get anywhere near that, what with my illnesses and pain. One of the girls is a complete cardio freak, she throws herself into workouts with vigour and is the one that was most worried about looking masculine!
It's definitely been very helpful hearing from you guys. One of the things I used to do pre illness was sit ups with that ab pro thingy! You know the rolling thing you hold onto the bar and rest your head on the cushion? I reckon on my good days I could manage a few, but I won't bother if you guys think I'd get more out of lifting light weights

Larissa_NY

Man, how I wish it were as easy to build muscle as some women think it is. I'd have bicep definition by now.

OP, even if you were perfectly healthy you would have literally years of coaching, lifting multiple times your body weight, and fanatical nutrition control to even get remotely close to looking musclebound, and even then you probably wouldn't unless you had very good genes, because you'd have started too late in life. Tell your office mates to be a little more realistic about how the human body works. If it were possible to get ripped by accident, every teenage boy in the weight room would look like Ahnold in Conan the Barbarian.

On the other hand, if what you don't like is any visible muscle definition whatsoever, don't lift weights. They build strength and muscle. That's what they're for. You'll sacrifice health and mobility for aesthetics in the long term, but that's okay with a lot of people.

As for the ab pro, here's a general rule to follow: if it's advertised on TV, it was made for overweight housewives who will use it for two weeks and then stick it in the closet. It's not a real piece of fitness equipment.

strong_curves

Try Strong Curves (and no I'm not affiliated.)

slinke2014

star1407 wrote: »

Thanks for replies, I really appreciate it. For me it would be virtually impossible to get anywhere near that, what with my illnesses and pain. One of the girls is a complete cardio freak, she throws herself into workouts with vigour and is the one that was most worried about looking masculine!
It's definitely been very helpful hearing from you guys. One of the things I used to do pre illness was sit ups with that ab pro thingy! You know the rolling thing you hold onto the bar and rest your head on the cushion? I reckon on my good days I could manage a few, but I won't bother if you guys think I'd get more out of lifting light weights

do you ab work if you enjoy it, but if you are doing a decent lift program like Starting Strength or SL 5x5 you don't really need to. Compound lifts work everything, including your core.

jemhh

SonyaCele wrote: »

it is VERY hard for women to get that masculine looking, it doesn't happen by accident or by lifting weights a few days a week. Even with low bf%, to get those masculine muscles requires years of effort and specific training programs to achieve that look.
Just go lift weights, get some cardio and eat a healthy diet, Let your body take on the shape its supposed to, and i guarantee you will love the results and you'll be feminine.

Exactly. I say this only half in jest--There are no accidental bodybuilders, just as there are no accidental concert pianists or master plumbers. It takes purposeful time and effort to achieve that level of development and leanness. If a stage-ready physique is not your goal, there is no need to fear as you will never accidentally have one.

ETA: I'm seriously not trying to be rude or snarky by stating the above. I just want to make it clear that getting that look without wanting it is not anything that any woman (or man) needs to worry about.

RoxieDawn

jemhh wrote: »

SonyaCele wrote: »

it is VERY hard for women to get that masculine looking, it doesn't happen by accident or by lifting weights a few days a week. Even with low bf%, to get those masculine muscles requires years of effort and specific training programs to achieve that look.
Just go lift weights, get some cardio and eat a healthy diet, Let your body take on the shape its supposed to, and i guarantee you will love the results and you'll be feminine.

Exactly. I say this only half in jest--There are no accidental bodybuilders, just as there are no accidental concert pianists or master plumbers. It takes purposeful time and effort to achieve that level of development and leanness. If a stage-ready physique is not your goal, there is no need to fear as you will never accidentally have one.

Need a "like" button..

star1407

Appreciate the advice guys. I'll pass on to my friends

As for me, I'll try the body weight exercises and maybe start with some dumbells. With my illness, if I overdo it I end up in bed for a week. That is why it is scary to try something new. I've just come out of a flare where I've been bedridden for 3 weeks, pretty crap. I want to try and work on the muscle weakness so I don't need to use my wheelchair and can take walks etc. Starting with my core might be the way to go

Thanks for your input

devil_in_a_blue_dress

<--- I've done progressive weight lifting programs for a solid two years - in those 2 years I've lost 25 pounds. I'm solid and strong, but ain't nobody confusing me for a body builder.

odusgolp

I wish I could accidentally look like a body builder *sigh*

star1407

odusgolp wrote: »

I wish I could accidentally look like a body builder *sigh*

I'd like to wake up a size 12 like I used to be, but firmer

KickboxFanatic

itsthehumidity wrote: »

There's basically no chance you'll ever look masculine. A lot of women seem to be under the impression that if they accidentally trip over a dumbbell on the floor, that by the time they pick themselves back up they'll have more muscles than they know what to do with and look like Frank Zane.

The only women who actually look masculine are not only trying to get there by lifting heavy full time, but (and this is key) taking drugs to change their hormone profile to be more like that of a man's.

Just don't worry about it, and lift weights knowing the masculine look is pretty much not possible.

Just an FYI.....let's not throw all women who build muscle into the steroid wagon. There are TONS of us out here who lift heavy, eat big and put on mass without having to resort to supplements.

kshama2001

slinke2014 wrote: »

star1407 wrote: »

Thanks for replies, I really appreciate it. For me it would be virtually impossible to get anywhere near that, what with my illnesses and pain. One of the girls is a complete cardio freak, she throws herself into workouts with vigour and is the one that was most worried about looking masculine!
It's definitely been very helpful hearing from you guys. One of the things I used to do pre illness was sit ups with that ab pro thingy! You know the rolling thing you hold onto the bar and rest your head on the cushion? I reckon on my good days I could manage a few, but I won't bother if you guys think I'd get more out of lifting light weights

do you ab work if you enjoy it, but if you are doing a decent lift program like Starting Strength or SL 5x5 you don't really need to. Compound lifts work everything, including your core.

Yes, I starting lifting weights again late October, and did nothing specifically for my abs last year, yet noticed that certain yoga poses like Boat that require a lot of core strength were easier.

ew_david

KickboxFanatic wrote: »

itsthehumidity wrote: »

There's basically no chance you'll ever look masculine. A lot of women seem to be under the impression that if they accidentally trip over a dumbbell on the floor, that by the time they pick themselves back up they'll have more muscles than they know what to do with and look like Frank Zane.

The only women who actually look masculine are not only trying to get there by lifting heavy full time, but (and this is key) taking drugs to change their hormone profile to be more like that of a man's.

Just don't worry about it, and lift weights knowing the masculine look is pretty much not possible.

Just an FYI.....let's not throw all women who build muscle into the steroid wagon. There are TONS of us out here who lift heavy, eat big and put on mass without having to resort to supplements.

Comprehension fail.

devil_in_a_blue_dress

_dracarys_ wrote: »

KickboxFanatic wrote: »

itsthehumidity wrote: »

There's basically no chance you'll ever look masculine. A lot of women seem to be under the impression that if they accidentally trip over a dumbbell on the floor, that by the time they pick themselves back up they'll have more muscles than they know what to do with and look like Frank Zane.

The only women who actually look masculine are not only trying to get there by lifting heavy full time, but (and this is key) taking drugs to change their hormone profile to be more like that of a man's.

Just don't worry about it, and lift weights knowing the masculine look is pretty much not possible.

Just an FYI.....let's not throw all women who build muscle into the steroid wagon. There are TONS of us out here who lift heavy, eat big and put on mass without having to resort to supplements.

Comprehension fail.

Hold me.

I'm scared. It's dark. And I ran out of 'roids.

star1407

Lol well I don't think that the lifters are all pumped up on 'roids!
Yoga, of course. That's something I could do. I have a seated yoga dvd somewhere I can dig out. Anyone decent to look out for on YouTube? If not I can browse until I find one I like the look of, for gentle yoga.

SonyaCele

who knows, you might start working out and get a little muscle showing and like it. its kinda addicting.

itsthehumidity

KickboxFanatic wrote: »

itsthehumidity wrote: »

There's basically no chance you'll ever look masculine. A lot of women seem to be under the impression that if they accidentally trip over a dumbbell on the floor, that by the time they pick themselves back up they'll have more muscles than they know what to do with and look like Frank Zane.

The only women who actually look masculine are not only trying to get there by lifting heavy full time, but (and this is key) taking drugs to change their hormone profile to be more like that of a man's.

Just don't worry about it, and lift weights knowing the masculine look is pretty much not possible.

Just an FYI.....let's not throw all women who build muscle into the steroid wagon. There are TONS of us out here who lift heavy, eat big and put on mass without having to resort to supplements.

Ok, I hear you, but my feeling was that it's pretty hard for a woman to look like a man without drugs. Of course women are going to add muscle mass by weightlifting, but that's not the fear. The fear is that they'll lose their femininity, which I do think is a rare occurrence (if it ever happens) without drugs. Perhaps I'm wrong. Do you have any images of natty ladies who look masculine?

kshama2001

star1407 wrote: »

Lol well I don't think that the lifters are all pumped up on 'roids!
Yoga, of course. That's something I could do. I have a seated yoga dvd somewhere I can dig out. Anyone decent to look out for on YouTube? If not I can browse until I find one I like the look of, for gentle yoga.

For gentle/beginner yoga I like Rodney Yee's AM PM Yoga for Beginners. Also comes with a PM flow that is a little more challenging. IIRC, you never get off the floor in the AM flow.

star1407

kshama2001 wrote: »

star1407 wrote: »

Lol well I don't think that the lifters are all pumped up on 'roids!
Yoga, of course. That's something I could do. I have a seated yoga dvd somewhere I can dig out. Anyone decent to look out for on YouTube? If not I can browse until I find one I like the look of, for gentle yoga.

For gentle/beginner yoga I like Rodney Yee's AM PM Yoga for Beginners. Also comes with a PM flow that is a little more challenging. IIRC, you never get off the floor in the AM flow.

Thank you, I'll check it out

star1407

They don't have it on amazon uk. Shipping from America would be too much. Oh well, ooh hang on I wonder if anyone's put it on YouTube ........

Eta yes they have!!
Thanks mate, you're a star