Toning!

charl_hcafc

So I've been cutting down calories for a while now, and have lost almost a stone. It has been gradual I'll admit, because I cook and bake a lot and don't deny myself of 'bad' foods. I just eat them in moderation, and allow myself to have treats once or twice a week.
I've recently started to up my exercise by taking combat fitness classes at my local gym and using my Wii Fit more often.
I'm fairly happy with my figure now but can't seem to shift my 'love handles' and it's bugging me! I just wondered what you guys do to tone up? And whether anyone would be so kind as to advise me on what I could do to become more trim.

Thanks :happy:

hesn92

I lost most of the flab just by losing weigh in general but have really gotten a lot more toned and firm since I've started lifting weights at the gym. I do full body workouts 3x a week with just really basic compound movements like squats, bench presses, overhead press, etc. I love my body now lol. Especially my legs! squats.

Jynus

do strength training and eat at a calorie deficit.

toning is a made up word to describe the process of losing fat so muscle mass shows. There is no such thing as an exercise to do it, or a way to shift fat.

charl_hcafc

Thanks for your replies. As I mentioned I've been taking classes at my gym but I think I'm going to actually become a member and start doing cardio and strength training, as well as eating a little more.

I've been reading a lot on here about the balance between a person's Basal Metabolic Rate and Total Daily Energy Expenditure. It seems I'm netting just above my BMR but I think that I should gradually increase my net amount as I start to exercise more often (four or five times a week rather than twice a week).

I was previously netting 1350, 45 over my BMR and I think doing this and losing nearly a stone may have caused me to lose some muscle as well as fat?

I don't bother weighing myself I just have areas I'd like to improve, and the plan I mentioned above would set me in the right direction I hope!

Bobby_Clerici

You lose inches from your waist by losing body fat overall.
Sorry, you really can't target certain body areas or spot reduce fat.

Doing ab and core work will tone muscle for sure, and toned muscles look better than flabby muscle.
That might be good for a half inch or so in your waist if that.
That's not what people like to hear, but that's just reality.

So, as is already mentioned, cardio along with solid resistance.
In other words, the same simple formula which is proper diet and exercise.

That's it.
Good Luck :flowerforyou:

meshashesha2012

if that's you in your profile pic and it's recent then i'd say you probably need to start eating closer to your TDEE and starting weight lifting. that will really help burn fat .

look up new rules of lifting for women, starting strength or stronglifts 5*5. all of those are strength training programs that emphasize compound movements

charl_hcafc

You lose inches from your waist by losing body fat overall.
Sorry, you really can't target certain body areas or spot reduce fat.

Doing ab and core work will tone muscle for sure, and toned muscles look better than flabby muscle.
That might be good for a half inch or so in your waist if that.
That's not what people like to hear, but that's just reality.

So, as is already mentioned, cardio along with solid resistance.
In other words, the same simple formula which is proper diet and exercise.

That's it.
Good Luck :flowerforyou:

My waist is quite small, it's my hips that I'd like to work on. I've done muscle exercises on my Wii (a lot of people would say that's not really 'serious' exercise), but I think I'd benefit more from a gym and the various equipment and facilities that it can offer

charl_hcafc

if that's you in your profile pic and it's recent then i'd say you probably need to start eating closer to your TDEE and starting weight lifting. that will really help burn fat .

look up new rules of lifting for women, starting strength or stronglifts 5*5. all of those are strength training programs that emphasize compound movements

The photo is of me and is almost a year old now. I'm quite a wimp when it comes to weights, but I will check that out. Thank you!

Bobby_Clerici

You lose inches from your waist by losing body fat overall.
Sorry, you really can't target certain body areas or spot reduce fat.

Doing ab and core work will tone muscle for sure, and toned muscles look better than flabby muscle.
That might be good for a half inch or so in your waist if that.
That's not what people like to hear, but that's just reality.

So, as is already mentioned, cardio along with solid resistance.
In other words, the same simple formula which is proper diet and exercise.

That's it.
Good Luck :flowerforyou:

My waist is quite small, it's my hips that I'd like to work on. I've done muscle exercises on my Wii (a lot of people would say that's not really 'serious' exercise), but I think I'd benefit more from a gym and the various equipment and facilities that it can offer

For sure - Good Luck!

magneticreikipaul

as a suggestion go get a copy of the new rules of lifting for women
apparently it's excellent for toning strength e.t.c
i have n.r.o.l for men it's wonderful