Question for those of you into intense or high impact workou

Phatmomma

O.k. so I have been keeping the food journal, but what I refuse to do is obsess over calories etc everytime I do it. (Long story lol) so I have basically eaten healthy all my life. My parents, my family, my extended family. The few overweight people in our family each have serious thyroid disorders, so I can't blame it on genetics. Here is my thing-in the past I have eaten multiple small meals when I was in shape at least 5-8. I'm not that crazy workout junky now or at least I'm trying so hard not to be. Well my body is doing this weird thing, I'm getting very muscular with slow weight loss. I have trained for fitness pageants etc in the past but I had a lean muscular look then. Now since I don't run ( I am working towards that for when the weather warms FINALLY) it seems I'm getting more hmm think Venus Williams during the season and less Jessica Biel (as far as body type). Any tips on what to do to keep the lean look? Do I have to cut my calories because I really don't want to be lanky skinny.

Phatmomma

O.k. so I have been keeping the food journal, but what I refuse to do is obsess over calories etc everytime I do it. (Long story lol) so I have basically eaten healthy all my life. My parents, my family, my extended family. The few overweight people in our family each have serious thyroid disorders, so I can't blame it on genetics. Here is my thing-in the past I have eaten multiple small meals when I was in shape at least 5-8. I'm not that crazy workout junky now or at least I'm trying so hard not to be. Well my body is doing this weird thing, I'm getting very muscular with slow weight loss. I have trained for fitness pageants etc in the past but I had a lean muscular look then. Now since I don't run ( I am working towards that for when the weather warms FINALLY) it seems I'm getting more hmm think Venus Williams during the season and less Jessica Biel (as far as body type). Any tips on what to do to keep the lean look? Do I have to cut my calories because I really don't want to be lanky skinny.

banks1850

are you gaining weight Phat? Or just noticing more definition in the muscles?

kerrilucko

ummmmmm cut back on strength training and focus on cardio... unless you already are. I don't think it's about cutting more calories......

Phatmomma

My weight loss is about a pound a week. I'm bulking up. Since I'm still consuming about 1800-2000 calories a day (this includes the extra cals I'm supposed to eat), the weight loss isn't massive and quick as it would be normally. But then I would be very thin and no girl curves. So I was trying slower weight loss (post baby) to try to reserve well the chest and glutes. Now I'm getting definition in my arms and abs, but my thighs are getting really cut but not slimmer. Does that make any sense? I want leaner muscles but do I need too cut the calories? The one thing different is I no longer run. That is the major difference in my pre children workout and I no longer teach step-so I wonder if this accounts for the bulking affect?

Phatmomma

ummmmmm cut back on strength training and focus on cardio... unless you already are. I don't think it's about cutting more calories......

I"m doing 2 hours of cardio a day. Hi Impact and weight training 3 days a week. The odd thing is I used to lift and my arms took about a year to get really defined. Now I have only been using moderate weights-barbells etc and they are getting huge. I don't want to look like the Hulk's sister.

banks1850

ummmmmm cut back on strength training and focus on cardio... unless you already are. I don't think it's about cutting more calories......

I"m doing 2 hours of cardio a day. Hi Impact and weight training 3 days a week. The odd thing is I used to lift and my arms took about a year to get really defined. Now I have only been using moderate weights-barbells etc and they are getting huge. I don't want to look like the Hulk's sister.

Oh, one thing I DO know PM, (my wife drills this into my head weekly), is that your muscles will remember their former shape much faster the second time around. So you could be just experienceing muscle memory. It might just look worse (worse isn't the right word, but I can't think of something better so...) this time around because it's happening so much faster then it did the first time. Dunno, that's one theory, could be completely wrong, but it's plausable at least. :ohwell:

MontanaGirl

Maybe you should have some blood work done, if this is really concerning you. Maybe your hormones are out of balance? More testosterone = more muscle gain. Maybe your estrogen levels are low or something like that?? Other than that or it just being a perception issue on your part (ie - just looks different because happening faster, etc.) I'm clueless. Good luck!!

alyfin

Try doing more reps at a lower weight. If you increase the weight you will build out. More reps at a low weight builds strength and tone without bulking.

Phatmomma

Try doing more reps at a lower weight. If you increase the weight you will build out. More reps at a low weight builds strength and tone without bulking.

You know what that could be it! I did start with more weight than I would have suggested back in my pt days. I know it was rather stupid but I just couldn't seriously start out with 3 lbs, even though that was exactly what I should have done.
I've been doing reps of 10 and 3 sets. Then I increased the weight in week two and the reps to 20 unless I was having a sore day then I decreased the reps but not the weight. Plus I do think there is something to that muscle memory theory banks as I noticed the first week of serious ab work my abs started coming back surprisingly fast. I didn't expect to notice a difference for at least 3 months.
I really need to find a night time certification program because a lot of what I know is outdated as far as effective training. I'm from the 90's school of no pain no gain (and the joints to prove it) so I appreciate the current input. I hope I will be able to start running again (bum knee and ankle) cause I need the lower calf workout, maybe that is why my thighs look off balance to me. I don't have the weight bench to do calf raises (hubby got that:laugh: ) so any tips on defining calfs without running or lifts?

Nich0le

I would say, after looking at your profile, with the amount of weight you have to loose you are going to go through body shaping stages. I do this as well.

You should get some additional cardio in and try some stretching classes, IE yoga, pilates etc. These two forms of exercise are designed to help elongate the muscles. I have found that adding just one day a week of yoga has helped with the look of my muscles, from a bit bulky to longer and leaner, like I want in the end.

Rodney Yee is excellent, you can find a lot of his workouts at target. You can do it at home if you don't want to go to a class!

Phatmomma

I would say, after looking at your profile, with the amount of weight you have to loose you are going to go through body shaping stages. I do this as well.

You should get some additional cardio in and try some stretching classes, IE yoga, pilates etc. These two forms of exercise are designed to help elongate the muscles. I have found that adding just one day a week of yoga has helped with the look of my muscles, from a bit bulky to longer and leaner, like I want in the end.

Rodney Yee is excellent, you can find a lot of his workouts at target. You can do it at home if you don't want to go to a class!

Thanks. I really think I might try a Yoga class. There is a cool sutdio in the artsy district that even has a class for tots and parents which might work out.
I should probably add that I am quite tall. The pic of me and my little girl is my current shape but a flatter tummy. My weight loss GOAL is my personal preference of what size I prefer myself at which is about a 4. The less weight I have on my joints, the better I feel and the less aches and swelling I have.
I think what you posted re: the bulk & body shaping change is on the money as well. Like my body is just trying to figure out how it should look now lol.
I've morphed into curves, but I do prefer the lean muscular look where you know the woman works out religiously, but she doesn't look like a wrestler either.