Just cardio?

VintageFeline

Holy wow is there some epic misinformation going on, not least that Strong Curves is about not being bulky and Bret developed it because he thinks women shouldn't lift heavy. It's BS. Strong Curves has plenty lifting it's just that it's butt focused, he's known as the butt guy. Guess who has used his program? Sardelsa, the woman you were basically insulting. Nobody, not even men, get accidentally bulky even when lifting heavy.

You know who strength train, or at least a lot of them? Victoria Secret models. You know who else does as a UK frame of reference? Millie Mackintosh. She gets under a barbell and squats heavy. But they're all so bulky and unfeminine.

I can't even.

BishopWankapin

cwolfman13 wrote: »

LyssaRonnell wrote: »

My goal is to look toned, not bulky. I still don't know exactly what I'm doing, so hopefully I get good results.

Getting "bulky" doesn't happen by accident...it's a very deliberate act that involves a program designed to put on mass along with eating a surplus of calories...as well as a genetic predisposition to putting on muscle mass. It is even more difficult for women because they don't have the testosterone that men have...and it's hard as hell for me.

Hitting the weight room with regularity isn't going to result in getting "bulky"...I've been lifting consistently for 5 years and I'm far from what one would consider bulky or overly muscular.

For the OP and any lurkers, please understand that regular progressive strength training, in and of itself will NOT result in that physique, and if in the course of doing regular, progressive strength training, you feel like you're starting to look too muscular, you can absolutely adapt your routine to lose muscle mass until you look the way you want, and then adjust your training and diet to maintain that rather than gain more.

I guarantee it will make you feel stronger and more confident to focus on your overall health and performance than just focusing on being a certain weight, and strength training in some form or fashion has got to be a part of that. Even if you just want to do cardio as a primary exercise, guess what, additional strength training can help improve your cardiovascular health and your performance at whatever form of cardio you choose. Why wouldn't you?

Also, @sardelsa not only looks out of this world, but she's one of the most positive, knowledgeable people on this site with regards to physical fitness and I'm proud to count her among my friends.

jjpptt2

TicoCortez wrote: »

cwolfman13 wrote: »

LyssaRonnell wrote: »

My goal is to look toned, not bulky. I still don't know exactly what I'm doing, so hopefully I get good results.

Getting "bulky" doesn't happen by accident...it's a very deliberate act that involves a program designed to put on mass along with eating a surplus of calories...as well as a genetic predisposition to putting on muscle mass. It is even more difficult for women because they don't have the testosterone that men have...and it's hard as hell for me.

Hitting the weight room with regularity isn't going to result in getting "bulky"...I've been lifting consistently for 5 years and I'm far from what one would consider bulky or overly muscular.

For the OP and any lurkers, please understand that regular progressive strength training, in and of itself will NOT result in that physique, and if in the course of doing regular, progressive strength training, you feel like you're starting to look too muscular, you can absolutely adapt your routine to lose muscle mass until you look the way you want, and then adjust your training and diet to maintain that rather than gain more.

I guarantee it will make you feel stronger and more confident to focus on your overall health and performance than just focusing on being a certain weight, and strength training in some form or fashion has got to be a part of that. Even if you just want to do cardio as a primary exercise, guess what, additional strength training can help improve your cardiovascular health and your performance at whatever form of cardio you choose. Why wouldn't you?

Also, @sardelsa not only looks out of this world, but she's one of the most positive, knowledgeable people on this site with regards to physical fitness and I'm proud to count her among my friends.

Quoting and bolding for emphasis. The bolded part, especially about adjusting training as you go to meet needs/goals, often times gets glossed over.

valcandothis

I loathe strength training. It's boring. I know I should do it. But I find it extremely intimidating to do at the gym. I think a lot of women feel that way, frankly. This is especially true when the weigh training side of the gym is exclusively men- at least it is at my gym. I'm generally not intimidated very often either.

BishopWankapin

valcandothis wrote: »

I loathe strength training. It's boring. I know I should do it. But I find it extremely intimidating to do at the gym. I think a lot of women feel that way, frankly. This is especially true when the weigh training side of the gym is exclusively men- at least it is at my gym. I'm generally not intimidated very often either.

If it's gym specific, you can always look up progressive body weight programs you can do at home. I generally prefer weights, but my wife and I both enjoyed going through You Are Your Own Gym together. Definitely a book/app worth looking into.

VintageFeline

TicoCortez wrote: »

valcandothis wrote: »

I loathe strength training. It's boring. I know I should do it. But I find it extremely intimidating to do at the gym. I think a lot of women feel that way, frankly. This is especially true when the weigh training side of the gym is exclusively men- at least it is at my gym. I'm generally not intimidated very often either.

If it's gym specific, you can always look up progressive body weight programs you can do at home. I generally prefer weights, but my wife and I both enjoyed going through You Are Your Own Gym together. Definitely a book/app worth looking into.

This. I use adjustable dumbbells at home and also do bodyweight intervals for my cardio.

And you know how I pull off an item of clothing? Wear it and don't give a *kitten* who thinks I'm attractive in it.

MeanderingMammal

valcandothis wrote: »

I loathe strength training. It's boring. I know I should do it. But I find it extremely intimidating to do at the gym. I think a lot of women feel that way, frankly. This is especially true when the weigh training side of the gym is exclusively men- at least it is at my gym. I'm generally not intimidated very often either.

You don't need to go into a gym to strength train.

I'll run out for 5K to the woods or the park with a TRX and do some training before heading home. It's about finding what works for you. Similarly simple bodyweight training gives a lot of benefit.

Some form of strength training is valuable.

4legsRbetterthan2

Dear Posters,

Please keep in mind body shaming of any type is not cool, we are all here to work on our goals and we all deserve respect and support. I appreciate the support for others that has been shown in this thread, and I apologize for removing some of it, but my intent was to try to get this thread re-focused on the OPs questions/needs, since this is her thread. If you would like to continue discussing others users results feel free to start a new discussion.

Thanks for your cooperation,
4legs
MFP moderator

LyssaRonnell

Today I tried my first day of strenght training. I think I'm going to do beginners strenght training 3x a week and my cardio 2x a week. I know it's going to take time, but I'm excited for results!

nowine4me

sardelsa wrote: »

Havanaohlala wrote: »

sardelsa, you look great, but your body can be qualified as bulky to some.

Yes I know and I mentioned that..my body is a result of deliberate muscle gain by eating in a surplus over years...ie. I don't look the way I do just from lifting alone.

Huh? That’s NOT bulky. The word I would use is Perfect.