When do you start toning exercises?

FatNurseSlim

I'm looking for some advice from all the sporty folks out there - Iv been doing cardio ( walking, aerobics, Zumba, swimming) with a view that I want to burn off fat but a friend suggested I should be doing toning as well -

My concern is I carry most of my weight around my middle so worry if I tone up that area although it will be muscle it won't be much smaller .... Do I introduce toning into my routine now or do I start when I'm closer to my weight loss target. I only want to lose 2-3stone so shouldn't be left with sagging skin...

dougpear

Toning is a non existent exercise. You get "toned" when your body fat is low enough. I assume when your friend suggest "toning" he/she ment weightlifting. I wouldn't worry about making your muscles too big, having you ever seem a person with a six pack look fat? IMO if I were you I would add weight lifting to you exercises now! CAn't go wrong! Remember lift heavy and with vigour.

Hope this helped.

BAMFMeredith

Weight lifting is your friend. Embrace it, love it, do it frequently.

As a woman, you lack the testosterone to bulk up, so don't worry about that. Additionally, the more heavy lifting you do, the less cardio you need. If you're doing real strength training with heavy weight 3-4x a week, you don't need to bust your butt doing cardio every day, since the muscle you are building will help you to burn fat more efficiently. Try a mix of 3-4x a week of strength training and 3-4x a week of cardio, you will definitely see a difference. I'm a runner, and since incorporating heavy strength training into the mix, particularly squats and lunges (with weights), I've noticed a huge difference in how my legs feel during and after a really long run. And my butt is definitely perkier

Cardio makes you look good in your clothes, strength training makes you look good naked

teenuhbean

lifting heavily with only bulk you and make you appear larger. Your friend means toning in low weight lifts 20-35lbs, it helps burn off the leftover fat and tightens your muscles instead of enlarging them. Any abdominal machine or exercise you can do heavy lifting to get cut but anywhere else i suggest LOW weight, 2 sets of 12 reps and call it a day!

BAMFMeredith

lifting heavily with only bulk you and make you appear larger. Your friend means toning in low weight lifts 20-35lbs, it helps burn off the leftover fat and tightens your muscles instead of enlarging them. Any abdominal machine or exercise you can do heavy lifting to get cut but anywhere else i suggest LOW weight, 2 sets of 12 reps and call it a day!

I don't mean to be rude, but you are just so wrong. Women can NOT bulk up unless they are supplementing, we do not have the testosterone for that. Please please please do some research on the subject.

Lift heavy, use free weights, machines only give you isolation moves that do not benefit you in the long run. PLEASE read up more on this. Check out the New Rules of Lifting for Women. It will seriously educate you on why the whole low weight/high reps thing is totally bogus.

RunHardBeStrong

lifting heavily with only bulk you and make you appear larger. Your friend means toning in low weight lifts 20-35lbs, it helps burn off the leftover fat and tightens your muscles instead of enlarging them. Any abdominal machine or exercise you can do heavy lifting to get cut but anywhere else i suggest LOW weight, 2 sets of 12 reps and call it a day!

I don't mean to be rude, but you are just so wrong. Women can NOT bulk up unless they are supplementing, we do not have the testosterone for that. Please please please do some research on the subject.

Lift heavy, use free weights, machines only give you isolation moves that do not benefit you in the long run. PLEASE read up more on this. Check out the New Rules of Lifting for Women. It will seriously educate you on why the whole low weight/high reps thing is totally bogus.

I second this! Very true and the book is my bible! Great info and dispells tons of myths out there. Also great routines that are easy to follow, keep in mind I didn't say easy to do :laugh: but it will give you great results. Do not be afraid to push yourself, get out of your comfort zone and lift heavy. It will enhance your efforts tremendously!

ATLMel

lifting heavily with only bulk you and make you appear larger. Your friend means toning in low weight lifts 20-35lbs, it helps burn off the leftover fat and tightens your muscles instead of enlarging them. Any abdominal machine or exercise you can do heavy lifting to get cut but anywhere else i suggest LOW weight, 2 sets of 12 reps and call it a day!

This isn't accurate. You won't "bulk" up. "Toning" is just a word for marketing things to ladies.

Don't be afraid to lift heavy! Most men spend months and months just trying to put on one inch of muscle. You don't have the testosterone they have. There's no way weight training will make you look larger in an unattractive way. Lifting weights like a beast is fun and amazing for your body and look.

MrsLVF

Weight lifting is your friend. Embrace it, love it, do it frequently.

As a woman, you lack the testosterone to bulk up, so don't worry about that. Additionally, the more heavy lifting you do, the less cardio you need. If you're doing real strength training with heavy weight 3-4x a week, you don't need to bust your butt doing cardio every day, since the muscle you are building will help you to burn fat more efficiently. Try a mix of 3-4x a week of strength training and 3-4x a week of cardio, you will definitely see a difference. I'm a runner, and since incorporating heavy strength training into the mix, particularly squats and lunges (with weights), I've noticed a huge difference in how my legs feel during and after a really long run. And my butt is definitely perkier

Cardio makes you look good in your clothes, strength training makes you look good naked

Exactly

sportyskylar

lifting heavily with only bulk you and make you appear larger. Your friend means toning in low weight lifts 20-35lbs, it helps burn off the leftover fat and tightens your muscles instead of enlarging them. Any abdominal machine or exercise you can do heavy lifting to get cut but anywhere else i suggest LOW weight, 2 sets of 12 reps and call it a day!

I don't mean to be rude, but you are just so wrong. Women can NOT bulk up unless they are supplementing, we do not have the testosterone for that. Please please please do some research on the subject.

Lift heavy, use free weights, machines only give you isolation moves that do not benefit you in the long run. PLEASE read up more on this. Check out the New Rules of Lifting for Women. It will seriously educate you on why the whole low weight/high reps thing is totally bogus.

so true