How long before you noticed changes in body tone

spraytanninghelens
spraytanninghelens Posts: 92 Member
edited November 27 in Fitness and Exercise
Just interested in others stories of when they first started noticing results and changes in body shape and tone from lifting?
I’ve been running for years, but since starting body pump and also lifting weights at home following micheal Matthews program I think “think” I have stated to notice subtle changes in my muscle tone.
I started pump once a week in may and also began lifting from home. It’s been around three months and I feel my body has started changing shape.
My arms feel more firm and slight definition is beginning to appear. My traps are looking more defined and my clothes are definately feeling a little looser and fitting better.
I feel I’m forever checking, I have taken a few pics but it’s so subtle right now to see drastic results.
Really interested in others stories on this subject.
My husband says he can notice but nobody else has said anything yet. I’m loving lifting and is so nice to finally feel the work is paying off slowly 😄

Replies

  • mom23mangos
    mom23mangos Posts: 3,069 Member
    Subtle changes around 8 weeks, more significant around 14 weeks. Progress pics will be your best friend. Most people will not notice any difference, especially clothed.
  • jls1leather
    jls1leather Posts: 68 Member
    Depends on your training. I've seen people spend YEARS in and around gyms, hardly getting anywhere. And I've seen people make HUGE gains in 3 months. Some years back, I was in Marine corps boot camp with a guy who showed up unable to do 3 chinups. 100 days later he was running 3 miles before breakfast.
  • lporter229
    lporter229 Posts: 4,907 Member
    jls1leather wrote: »
    Depends on your training. I've seen people spend YEARS in and around gyms, hardly getting anywhere. And I've seen people make HUGE gains in 3 months. Some years back, I was in Marine corps boot camp with a guy who showed up unable to do 3 chinups. 100 days later he was running 3 miles before breakfast.

    I can't do 3 chin ups, but I can run 20 miles before breakfast. Just sayin..

    But to your point, I agree that it depends on your training. Some people spend a ton of time at the gym or working out in general and don't make much progress because they do not challenge themselves. The more you push your limits (and adequately recover), the more progress you will see.

    As for people noticing, you are going to see the results long before other people start to notice. Most people start to notice changes in their body and then start wearing clothes that accentuate these changes. You may think nobody notices, then one day you will be walking around in a tank top or sun dress and someone will say "Dang girl, look at those shoulders!"
  • midlomel1971
    midlomel1971 Posts: 1,283 Member
    I think it also depends on the area. I've seen huge change in the definition in my arms after 3 months. I can also tell in my legs, but sadly, my mid-section is still pretty flabby. And my thighs, which is where I need the most improvement.
  • jls1leather
    jls1leather Posts: 68 Member
    lporter229 wrote: »
    jls1leather wrote: »
    Depends on your training. I've seen people spend YEARS in and around gyms, hardly getting anywhere. And I've seen people make HUGE gains in 3 months. Some years back, I was in Marine corps boot camp with a guy who showed up unable to do 3 chinups. 100 days later he was running 3 miles before breakfast.

    I can't do 3 chin ups, but I can run 20 miles before breakfast. Just sayin..

    But to your point, I agree that it depends on your training. Some people spend a ton of time at the gym or working out in general and don't make much progress because they do not challenge themselves. The more you push your limits (and adequately recover), the more progress you will see.

    As for people noticing, you are going to see the results long before other people start to notice. Most people start to notice changes in their body and then start wearing clothes that accentuate these changes. You may think nobody notices, then one day you will be walking around in a tank top or sun dress and someone will say "Dang girl, look at those shoulders!"

    Well, he was running three miles, doing 20 chinups (no time limit, just can't let go the bar) and 80 situps in under 2 mins.
    Haven't tried the sundress thing, actually, that's for those "others".
  • Candyspun
    Candyspun Posts: 370 Member
    It was a few days ago, for me. I was wearing pants made from a thick, fleecy fabric (pajamas). My thigh was itchy, and I can't scratch through the fabric, so (I was at home), I shoved my hand down my trouser leg to itch my leg, and scratched my quad and hamstring. I was shocked to feel my muscle poking through! Very happy, though. It's taken me quite a while to lose much fat from my thighs, so I felt that my strength training and fat loss is starting to pay off.
  • bpotts44
    bpotts44 Posts: 1,066 Member
    There are two things that will make a change in appearance. Muscle Hypertrophy and Losing Fat. Body pump once per week is probably not going to create a lot of hypertrophy for you. Not sure what you are doing at home. However, there are tons of suggestions on MFP about weightlifting for women. I suggest you research those.
  • spraytanninghelens
    spraytanninghelens Posts: 92 Member
    midlomel1971 wrote: »
    I think it also depends on the area. I've seen huge change in the definition in my arms after 3 months. I can also tell in my legs, but sadly, my mid-section is still pretty flabby. And my thighs, which is where I need the most improvement.

    This is the same for me, I’m noticing arms and legs but as for my tummy 🙄 I guess I will need to put in more Ab work
  • flippy1234
    flippy1234 Posts: 686 Member
    Once I started back this time 3 weeks ago seriously working out...now. So for me, about 3 weeks.
  • flippy1234
    flippy1234 Posts: 686 Member
    It will be different for everyone.
    I really tightened up my eating too. That will make a huge difference.
  • spraytanninghelens
    spraytanninghelens Posts: 92 Member
    Wow 3 weeks that’s amazing 🤗 I’m roughly around 1,500 Cals a day. I lift between 3-5 days a week and also do spin and body pump. I need to be better eating on the weekend and gin let’s me down 😩
  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    spraytanninghelens wrote: »
    Wow 3 weeks that’s amazing 🤗 I’m roughly around 1,500 Cals a day. I lift between 3-5 days a week and also do spin and body pump. I need to be better eating on the weekend and gin let’s me down 😩

    You'll notice more difference in your appearance and definition by paying better attention to your diet, or just being patient and keep going doing what you're doing- you're likely looking better due to losing fat.
    Doing a load of ab exercises isn't going to give you a lean stomach unfortunately
  • spraytanninghelens
    spraytanninghelens Posts: 92 Member
    livingleanlivingclean wrote: »
    spraytanninghelens wrote: »
    Wow 3 weeks that’s amazing 🤗 I’m roughly around 1,500 Cals a day. I lift between 3-5 days a week and also do spin and body pump. I need to be better eating on the weekend and gin let’s me down 😩

    You'll notice more difference in your appearance and definition by paying better attention to your diet, or just being patient and keep going doing what you're doing- you're likely looking better due to losing fat.
    Doing a load of ab exercises isn't going to give you a lean stomach unfortunately

    What would you recommend to get rid of this flabby belly @livingclean? Exercise wise? Ive been doing mostly compound movements? Also plank. Any tips very welcome 😄
  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    spraytanninghelens wrote: »
    livingleanlivingclean wrote: »
    spraytanninghelens wrote: »
    Wow 3 weeks that’s amazing 🤗 I’m roughly around 1,500 Cals a day. I lift between 3-5 days a week and also do spin and body pump. I need to be better eating on the weekend and gin let’s me down 😩

    You'll notice more difference in your appearance and definition by paying better attention to your diet, or just being patient and keep going doing what you're doing- you're likely looking better due to losing fat.
    Doing a load of ab exercises isn't going to give you a lean stomach unfortunately

    What would you recommend to get rid of this flabby belly @livingclean? Exercise wise? Ive been doing mostly compound movements? Also plank. Any tips very welcome 😄

    Be consistent with your calorie deficit.
  • mom23mangos
    mom23mangos Posts: 3,069 Member
    Since no one has linked this yet.

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1161603/so-you-want-a-nice-stomach

    If you mid-BMI range or higher, you can continue with small deficit and progressive lifting. If you are below that, you can recomp by maintaining and progressively lifting. While you need to be low enough body fat for your muscles to show, by building them up you will be able to see them at a higher BF% If you look through my profile pics, you can see my abs pop much more at a higher weight due to building them up.
  • jls1leather
    jls1leather Posts: 68 Member
    spraytanninghelens wrote: »
    livingleanlivingclean wrote: »
    spraytanninghelens wrote: »
    Wow 3 weeks that’s amazing 🤗 I’m roughly around 1,500 Cals a day. I lift between 3-5 days a week and also do spin and body pump. I need to be better eating on the weekend and gin let’s me down 😩
    Exercise wise? Ive been doing mostly compound movements? Also plank. Any tips very welcome 😄

    There ya go. More muscles worked = more calories burned in same amount of time. Even metric exercises. 😎
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