For all women afraid of gaining muscles!

uLinx

Dear ladies,

I would like to share this with you because women sometimes think they could gain too much muscle and look masculine if they exercise a lot. (It also happened to me.) Well, I am now exercising a lot and I am gaining muscle... and IT LOOKS GREAT!!! My arms and legs (that's where I'm losing fat more quickly and muscles can be seen better) are not getting masculine, they're TONING UP and getting firm!

This morning I was getting dressed when my boyfriend looked at me and told me that my shoulder blades and arms look sexy now that they are getting more defined. :blushing:

So ladies, my advice is: do strength training and don't worry about gaining muscles! They make us look healthier and sexier and we will not become body builders over night for lifting one handle weight.

HealthyBodySickMind

I'm not worried about looking too toned; it's my husband that's worried about it. He's actually gets worried about me starting something new (like the crossfit Sharee and I just signed up for) because he's worried about me looking "manly." Seriously, my scrawny *kitten* he's worried about bulking up too much; I think it's a bit silly. I tell him the same thing: I'm not going look like a body builder overnight.

uLinx

Really?! He's worried? Well, then the only thing you can do is doing your exercise to show him how sexy a toned up wife can be! :glasses: Go for it! He won't believe his eyes... and hands.

MaraDiaz

All the ladies upset about gaining too much muscle are free to pass some my way. I'd love to have a six pack and some guns!

jillybeanruns

I agree, but I think that women that Crossfit do not look good. My boss (who owns/runs a Crossfit gym) has even admitted that women who Crossfit tend to look more masculine. Watch the Crossfit Games on ESPN (or ESPN2) if you need some proof...

Muscle is good, I don't worry about bulking up, but I have seen some women (a very small minority mind you) that are just too thin with too much muscle and I think they look awful. It's all personal opinion though!

Rae6503

I agree, but I think that women that Crossfit do not look good. My boss (who owns/runs a Crossfit gym) has even admitted that women who Crossfit tend to look more masculine. Watch the Crossfit Games on ESPN (or ESPN2) if you need some proof...

Muscle is good, I don't worry about bulking up, but I have seen some women (a very small minority mind you) that are just too thin with too much muscle and I think they look awful. It's all personal opinion though!

The trick is, don't get that thin. Has little to do with muscle and more to do with body fat percentage.

AZTrailRunner

You realize that those ladies who compete at the high levels for the Crossfit games aren't your average woman trying to lose a few pounds and "tone up", right? It take years of dedication and nutritional perfection to get to that level of fitness and physique, not to mention genetics. That would be like telling me I shouldn't lift weights because I'll look like Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Please don't confuse elite athletes and their elite results with the average Joe(anne).

Fatbuster205

Thank you and I think it is so important to know that to get the muscle bound look is seriously hard work. I prefer the toned and lean look! Thanks for highlighting it!

jillybeanruns

You realize that those ladies who compete at the high levels for the Crossfit games aren't your average woman trying to lose a few pounds and "tone up", right? It take years of dedication and nutritional perfection to get to that level of fitness and physique, not to mention genetics. That would be like telling me I shouldn't lift weights because I'll look like Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Please don't confuse elite athletes and their elite results with the average Joe(anne).

I was using the Games as an example if some people don't know what CF'ing is. And yes, I am aware of the work that goes into being able to compete in the CF Games. The body type of a woman who Crossfits (and yes I know some non-elite CF'ing women) is not one I want. Just my .02, I am agreeing that women shouldn't be afraid of muscle, I just think there's a line where sexy/bulky meet...and that's the CF world. And if you're too skinny and have a lot of muscle...it just isn't a good look. All my opinion. Don't be looking for an argument where there isn't one to be had!

AZTrailRunner

You realize that those ladies who compete at the high levels for the Crossfit games aren't your average woman trying to lose a few pounds and "tone up", right? It take years of dedication and nutritional perfection to get to that level of fitness and physique, not to mention genetics. That would be like telling me I shouldn't lift weights because I'll look like Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Please don't confuse elite athletes and their elite results with the average Joe(anne).

I was using the Games as an example if some people don't know what CF'ing is. And yes, I am aware of the work that goes into being able to compete in the CF Games. The body type of a woman who Crossfits (and yes I know some non-elite CF'ing women) is not one I want. Just my .02, I am agreeing that women shouldn't be afraid of muscle, I just think there's a line where sexy/bulky meet...and that's the CF world. And if you're too skinny and have a lot of muscle...it just isn't a good look. All my opinion. Don't be looking for an argument where there isn't one to be had!

I wasn't looking for an argument, but clearly you were!!!! <-- I can use exclamation points as well.

The OPs purpose here is to relieve fear of gaining muscles, and you use an example of extreme athletes and how "women that Crossfit do not look good" and are "masculine". I merely pointed out that the average person won't look that way, which supports the OPs original purpose here. I would never say "women that Crossfit do not look good", because I know plenty that look great!

purpledollstar

Does muscle really burn more calories?

MyCoachNYLA

ho, hum...

trelm249

Does muscle really burn more calories?

Yes. Though how much is debated.
1 lb of fat burns 2 to 3 calories a day just sitting on your body contributing to insulin resistance.
1 lb of muscle on the other hand burns anywhere from as little as 6 calories according one recent study to as much as 50 calories according to other studies, just sitting on your body looking firm and fit. So even the most skeptical and conservative estimate is twice as much as the equivalent weight in fat.

Other benefits of lifting: You retain the muscle mass as you lose weight as long as you get enough protein and keep caloric deficits relatively modest. You get stronger. You look better sooner as you drop the fat. More muscle means better blood sugar management. The weight training places a load on the bones, delaying osteoporosis.

AZTrailRunner

ho, hum...

My thoughts exactly! :laugh:

NightOwl1

I've seen a lot of misinformation circling around on this thread. Lifting weights or doing crossfit or any other sort of strength training does not cause women to bulk up. It is extraordinarily hard for adult women to put on muscle weight, since you need testosterone to do it. The women you see who look like the bulked up women look that way because they are getting assistance (steroids). If you're not using steroids, all strength training will do is help prevent muscle loss during weight loss (which everyone who is losing weight experiences some of), and increase definition. It won't make you look manly.

lesliemk

I LOVE lifting and I've been at it (along with eating clean) for almost a year now and I'm no where near bulky. It definitely takes time, work & a good diet to even begin to add size if you're a woman. Muscles are hot and if anything it's taught me that my body fat percentage is more important than the # on the scale. I think that's an amazing thing for a woman to realize!

And for the guys who don't think muscles are sexy... Jamie Eason??? Seriously?!?! I think she's SO hot!

catshark209

I'm not afraid of bulking up or gaining muscle at all....and nor do I care if men find me attractive or not:happy:
It's what I want.
Either way, my partner (he's a man lol) is behind me no matter what I want to do.

Shanphichloe

ho, hum...

My thoughts exactly! :laugh:

I second that!

Classalete

Muscular women are gorgeous.

Abs like a cheese grater, back like a road-map, quads like Christmas hams...I love it!

Vein poppin', spit flyin', with enthusiasm like a coat of paint...coverin' up all the mistakes! My kind of woman.

/end rant

laughingdani

I've not had any complaints about my muscular build. If anything, I'm hoping to get more muscular in the next year.

I think some women use the "I don't want to get bulky" excuse so they don't have to work hard. No one said it was easy.

Muscles are beautiful.

thecrossfitter

To each their own but I personally would LOVE to look like one of the women of the crossfit games:





But more importantly than looking like them, is I want to be strong like them. I love being part of a community that values physically strong women.

I do know a lot of women who aspire to look like this:


If that's your thing, that's fine... but for me, this isn't only unrealistic, but it also wouldn't allow me to do what I love - run and lift! (I'm not saying I think the poster who wrote they don't like the bodies of the CF women wants to look like the image above! I'm just thinking back to a lot of girls I knew in college, and the women they looked to for inspiration for bodies)

CakeFit21

I've not had any complaints about my muscular build. If anything, I'm hoping to get more muscular in the next year.

I think some women use the "I don't want to get bulky" excuse so they don't have to work hard. No one said it was easy.

Muscles are beautiful.

Dani, I think you nailed it on the head!

I'm looking for more muscle too and I know that no matter what, there is no way I am EVER going to look masculine!

ETA: but I will do my best to look like those CF girls above!

dad106

I lift because I don't want to look saggy and skinny fat.

I could care less about improving my lift amounts, 6 pack abs, and the list goes on.

I just do it so that I look good.. period.

jetscreaminagain

I'm so glad those crossfit pics were posted. They look awesome. And the waify model below them looking so unhappy must be sad she can't do as much or eat as much or look as good as the crossfitters above her. But she could probably have the one dude who came on this positive and encouraging thread to denegrate strong women. What a catch. I bet it makes up for the rest.

uLinx

i dont like when women that do weights bc it makes them big and bulky. My friends and i dont find women with muscles attractive at all.

my 2 cents

You sure have to do lots of weight training to get bulky. Body builders have a body fat percentage of maybe 12 % and have really big muscles. I don't like most of those women, too. It's too much.

What I was talking about are normal women and girls trying to lose fat. While losing fat, it's also a good thing to gain muscle. Despite of the fact that some women are afraid of it, I can say: it looks good.

uLinx

To each their own but I personally would LOVE to look like one of the women of the crossfit games:





But more importantly than looking like them, is I want to be strong like them. I love being part of a community that values physically strong women.

I do know a lot of women who aspire to look like this:


If that's your thing, that's fine... but for me, this isn't only unrealistic, but it also wouldn't allow me to do what I love - run and lift! (I'm not saying I think the poster who wrote they don't like the bodies of the CF women wants to look like the image above! I'm just thinking back to a lot of girls I knew in college, and the women they looked to for inspiration for bodies)

They look awsome!!! Thanks for sharing!
And that skinny fat should start eating at least a couple of times a week.

ninerbuff

Dear ladies,

I would like to share this with you because women sometimes think they could gain too much muscle and look masculine if they exercise a lot. (It also happened to me.) Well, I am now exercising a lot and I am gaining muscle... and IT LOOKS GREAT!!! My arms and legs (that's where I'm losing fat more quickly and muscles can be seen better) are not getting masculine, they're TONING UP and getting firm!

This morning I was getting dressed when my boyfriend looked at me and told me that my shoulder blades and arms look sexy now that they are getting more defined. :blushing:

So ladies, my advice is: do strength training and don't worry about gaining muscles! They make us look healthier and sexier and we will not become body builders over night for lifting one handle weight.

Great for you! Just a quick correction: you can't gain muscle on calorie deficit. You can REVEAL it though from fat loss.

A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

katcena

Love those pics! Thanks for posting! Might have to copy them so I have something to strive for....would love to look like those Crossfit gals someday.
And now I am going to google those stats on how many calories muscle burns compares to fat....my Challenge group was just talking about that today. Thanks for posting that too!
Great thread.

uLinx

Dear ladies,

I would like to share this with you because women sometimes think they could gain too much muscle and look masculine if they exercise a lot. (It also happened to me.) Well, I am now exercising a lot and I am gaining muscle... and IT LOOKS GREAT!!! My arms and legs (that's where I'm losing fat more quickly and muscles can be seen better) are not getting masculine, they're TONING UP and getting firm!

This morning I was getting dressed when my boyfriend looked at me and told me that my shoulder blades and arms look sexy now that they are getting more defined. :blushing:

So ladies, my advice is: do strength training and don't worry about gaining muscles! They make us look healthier and sexier and we will not become body builders over night for lifting one handle weight.

Just a quick correction: you can't gain muscle on calorie deficit. You can REVEAL it though from fat loss.

I don't agree with that. Sorry. I am on a calorie deficit diet AND I am gaining muscle. Maybe you mean that you can't gain muscle on a starvation mode. That would make sense: if you aren't even covering your metabolic needs you will actually break down the muscle mass for energy. On an healthy lowcal diet, you CAN (and should - my opinion) build up muscle.

HeidiMightyRawr

Dear ladies,

I would like to share this with you because women sometimes think they could gain too much muscle and look masculine if they exercise a lot. (It also happened to me.) Well, I am now exercising a lot and I am gaining muscle... and IT LOOKS GREAT!!! My arms and legs (that's where I'm losing fat more quickly and muscles can be seen better) are not getting masculine, they're TONING UP and getting firm!

This morning I was getting dressed when my boyfriend looked at me and told me that my shoulder blades and arms look sexy now that they are getting more defined. :blushing:

So ladies, my advice is: do strength training and don't worry about gaining muscles! They make us look healthier and sexier and we will not become body builders over night for lifting one handle weight.

Just a quick correction: you can't gain muscle on calorie deficit. You can REVEAL it though from fat loss.

I don't agree with that. Sorry. I am on a calorie deficit diet AND I am gaining muscle. Maybe you mean that you can't gain muscle on a starvation mode. That would make sense: if you aren't even covering your metabolic needs you will actually break down the muscle mass for energy. On an healthy lowcal diet, you CAN (and should - my opinion) build up muscle.

I love you're post btw! I have to agree though that you can't generally gain muscle mass on a calorie deficit. If you are new to strength training it is possible but it won't last forever.

The average non strength training person would generally lose muscle mass on a deficit, regardless of if it was a healthy, (not starvation mode) deficit. When people strength train and get enough protein they can maintain and only lose fat (which is great!) but the actual building of muscle is very unlikely to happen unless you're obese and/or new to lifting. You can however, gain lots of strength and if may certainly look like your building muscle as when you shed the fat as you become more defined.

thecrossfitter

I love you're post btw! I have to agree though that you can't generally gain muscle mass on a calorie deficit. If you are new to strength training it is possible but it won't last forever.

The average non strength training person would generally lose muscle mass on a deficit, regardless of if it was a healthy, (not starvation mode) deficit. When people strength train and get enough protein they can maintain and only lose fat (which is great!) but the actual building of muscle is very unlikely to happen unless you're obese and/or new to lifting. You can however, gain lots of strength and if may certainly look like your building muscle as when you shed the fat as you become more defined.

I'm an example of one of these women Heidi speaks of. I started serious weight training for the first time in my life in August 2011.
The photos below show me in:

August (146.4lbs) - September (?lbs) - November (150lbs)

(I recently looked up my weight from August. I had thought my weight was 140 in August, but I was totally off! I think I may have posted in one thread that I weighed 140 when I started. My apologies!)

I weighed at the same time everyday (after waking up, before eating and after bathroom) on the same scale. Now I can't PROVE that this weight gain was muscle rather than fat. But I can make an educated inference that it is very unlikely this weight gain was not fat.

I actually think that my weight is now going down (I weighed this morning at 148.9). Only time will tell if this weigh in was just a natural fluctuation, or my weight truly going down. I do still have some fat I can lose and be healthy!

Happy lifting ladies (And men, for that matter!)
(Edit: Sorry the photo sort of cut off on the right. It's just a larger version of my profile photo though)