5'3" ladies: at what weight could you begin to see muscle de

mmocarr

Hello!

I know this a pretty specific question but I am hoping someone can relate. I am 5'3" and currently weigh around 121 lbs. My goal weight is 115. I'm hoping once I get to that goal weight I can form a new goal of becoming more toned. From what I've read you need to have very little fat in order to really see muscle definition i.e. appear toned. My question is; if you are around or close to this height as what weight were you able to really see results from strength training? I do think strength training is important no matter what my weight is, I am just curious and want to have realistic expectations for what I can make my body look like.

Thanks for any thoughts
meagan

tkb1985

Bump - I'd be interested to know this too. I'm 5'1" about 11lb away from goal now, and although I've lost a fair amount of weight, i'm not finding i'm toning up that well yet.

hottottie11

Well I'm 5'2.5 (close enough right lol)...I think it depends on your body fat percentage. I'm 154 and I'm seeing definition in my arms, legs and abs.

Reducing your body fat is key...which means you need to reduce your caloric deficit to about 0.5 lb per week, begin to lift heavy (Check out New Rules of Lifting for Women), increase your protein and eat back your exercise cals...when I did this I started to see definition in about 2 to 3 months.

i forgot what BF percentage you start to see this definition. I think I'm about 23-24% right now...with a goal of 19-20.

sixpacking

you don't need to have MINIMUM Bodyfat % to achieve muscle tone, you just need to hit the weights in a way that challeges your body in order to develop muscles (toning). Muscles are developed over time by training them. Everyone has muscles, some just have better toning than others because they train them. You are at a great weight to already incorporate resistance (weight training)., if you do 9-12 weeks religiously you should see changes within that time and that's because of your current bodyweight and height (you will see it fairly soon). Remember to see it, you must do it right, lifting weights isn't just lifting, it is about proper form in order to see results. BTW, I'm 5' 3" and 125lbs with 14% bodyfat. GOOD LUCK!

AveryWays

It depends on how much body fat you still have on your current frame and which muscle definitions you are seeking. If you're looking for abs definition, your body fat should definitely be on the lower side around 14%. I'm only an inch shorter than you but I've been working with strength training now for 5 months and have started noticing definition on my shoulder, arms, glutes, legs, and calves. There's still belly fat on my midsection but I can definitely feel muscle under all the flab :laugh: I managed to cut 7% body fat with the help of lifting weights in 3 months time. I started with about 37% body fat and within 90 days had my body fat measured at 30.2%. It also depends on how heavy you lift and how many times you do your circuit for.