fat vs flabby muscle

violet976

I just finished day 30 of 30 Day Shred. I was tiny to begin with, but was hoping to see more improvement that I did. However, it has been brought to my attention from a few people that perhaps I'm going about my goals the wrong way, and that perhaps I'm not fighting fat, but rather, flabby, untoned muscle.

How does one tell the difference? When I flex my butt muscles, all of the fat I can't stand is pretty much gone. Does that mean it's really flabby muscle instead?

If so, I'm assuming weight training is the only way to take care of that. Is that correct, or do regular squats, uphill/downhill walking, & circuit training dvds work on that as well? & if weight training is the best way to go about fixing this, do I just need to by myself sets of dumbbell weights, ankle weights, etc?

Sorry if this seems obvious, but this is all very new to me & I just want to make sure I'm setting the right goals for myself.

Polly758

perhaps I'm not fighting fat, but rather, flabby, untoned muscle.

I'm not sure there is such a thing as flabby untoned muscle.

If you're tiny to begin with, I'm assuming you're not trying to lose more weight. If the full-body photo in your profile is your before, I'd say trying to lose more weight would be a really tough battle if you are doing cardio alone.

Have you considered "lifting heavy", as we call it around here? Deadlifts, squats, chest press, shoulder press. That will get your body smaller and firmer. You'd need a gym to do it.

SideSteel

If it jiggles, it's fat. (Muscles are not flabby)

wellbert

There is no such thing as flabby muscle. There is only muscle and fat. If it's loose/flabby - it's fat.

Cranktastic

wha?

jackpotclown

great, now I have to worry about flabby muscle too
\m/

pastryari

TIL there is such a thing as flabby muscle.

andeey

great, now I have to worry about flabby muscle too
\m/

Rock star!!:laugh:

Sarauk2sf

As has already been said - if it's flabby, its fat, not muscle. The only way to take care of the fat is to decrease your body fat.

tigersword

It bears repeating, muscles are not flabby. If it feels flabby, it's fat over muscle.

violet976

Thanks everyone for chiming in so fast. That's what I needed to know. Sorry if I'm coming across as clueless, but a few people have mentioned the flabby muscle bit to me & I figured they must know more than I.

I'm certainly not trying to lose any weight, but I do have a much easier time losing than gaining, if it's important. & since exercising, I find I have to really make sure I'm eating enough so I don't drop down anymore.

So... How does one go about getting rid of that fat around my butt & thighs, without losing weight? Ideally, I'd love to gain at least 5-10 pounds, but I definitely want a perky butt again and I'm just not sure how to get that back.

Do I just continue with my normal circuit training dvds (mostly JM, at the moment), along with my 2.3 mile walks & now incorporate in stronger weight training & more squat oriented exercises? I'm assuming the weight training is still going to be the key for what I want to achieve, but can I get the results I'm looking for with a home setup? I really would prefer not to go to a gym if I can somehow use dumbbells, ankleweights, resistance bands, etc to get the job done.

Captain_Tightpants

If you just tense really hard, all your flabby muscles will become solid muscles. Be careful not to burst a blood vessel or poop yourself though.

surromom2010

great, now I have to worry about flabby muscle too
\m/

I teared up with this,. SO perfect

Sarauk2sf

Thanks everyone for chiming in so fast. That's what I needed to know. Sorry if I'm coming across as clueless, but a few people have mentioned the flabby muscle bit to me & I figured they must know more than I.

I'm certainly not trying to lose any weight, but I do have a much easier time losing than gaining, if it's important. & since exercising, I find I have to really make sure I'm eating enough so I don't drop down anymore.

So... How does one go about getting rid of that fat around my butt & thighs, without losing weight? Ideally, I'd love to gain at least 5-10 pounds, but I definitely want a perky butt again and I'm just not sure how to get that back.

Do I just continue with my normal circuit training dvds (mostly JM, at the moment), along with my 2.3 mile walks & now incorporate in stronger weight training & more squat oriented exercises? I'm assuming the weight training is still going to be the key for what I want to achieve, but can I get the results I'm looking for with a home setup? I really would prefer not to go to a gym if I can somehow use dumbbells, ankleweights, resistance bands, etc to get the job done.

Do you know what your BF% is?

violet976

@ Sarauk2sf: No idea.

I have to admit though, while I'm almost regretting posting this topic, I'm highly amused by many of the responses.

Matt_Wild

Muscle doesn't jiggle. Its fat. Plain and simple.

violet976

great, now I have to worry about flabby muscle too
\m/

I teared up with this,. SO perfect

Also, what movie is this from?

Dauntlessness

Ahahahahaha

Sarauk2sf

@ Sarauk2sf: No idea.

I have to admit though, while I'm almost regretting posting this topic, I'm highly amused by many of the responses.

Depending on your BF% (I am assuming it is not very high here) - eat at a small/reasonable calorie deficit and strength train (and I do not mean JM type vidoes). The lower the BF%, the smaller the deficit should be.

wellbert

What weighs more? A pound of fat or a pound of flabby muscle?

jesz124

great, now I have to worry about flabby muscle too
\m/

Oh that is the funniest thing I have seen on here, not sure I can even say why but that really tickled me. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

jesz124

But on a serious note, if you want a perky round *kitten* squat, squat and do a few more squats with as much weight as you can manage. Keep your protein intake high and drop some cardio.

violet976

But on a serious note, if you want a perky round *kitten* squat, squat and do a few more squats with as much weight as you can manage. Keep your protein intake high and drop some cardio.

Thanks so much. I'm feeling so foolish I'm amazed that there are even a few helpful comments on this thread. *hangs head in shame*. I have a feeling it will take me awhile to live this one down.

LorinaLynn

I can't recommend this enough: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/4601-stronglifts-5x5-for-women

This is what it helped do to me: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/LorinaLynn/view/no-weight-loss-no-progress-448694

Ditch the DVDs and pick up some heavy thing. It's wonderful.

I lift weights at home, but I do have a bench and barbell with about 150 pounds of weights. Since I don't have a squat rack, I do hack squats like this: http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/Quadriceps/BBHackSquat.html Not ideal, but since I don't have the money or room for a squat rack, and I'm loving my progress, it's good enough.

jesz124

But on a serious note, if you want a perky round *kitten* squat, squat and do a few more squats with as much weight as you can manage. Keep your protein intake high and drop some cardio.

Thanks so much. I'm feeling so foolish I'm amazed that there are even a few helpful comments on this thread. *hangs head in shame*. I have a feeling it will take me awhile to live this one down.

Lol don't worry about it, we are a sarcastic lot on here but we do TRY to be helpful as well. I think if people are just here to make fun of you and not offer any advice they arn't worth worrying about anyway! I would second StrongLifts as well. It's a basic beginner programme, easy to learn compound lifts, nothing daunting or complicated. It won't make the scales move much but it will help change your body shape and reduce bodyfat,

Meg_78

Thanks everyone for chiming in so fast. That's what I needed to know. Sorry if I'm coming across as clueless, but a few people have mentioned the flabby muscle bit to me & I figured they must know more than I.

I'm certainly not trying to lose any weight, but I do have a much easier time losing than gaining, if it's important. & since exercising, I find I have to really make sure I'm eating enough so I don't drop down anymore.

So... How does one go about getting rid of that fat around my butt & thighs, without losing weight? Ideally, I'd love to gain at least 5-10 pounds, but I definitely want a perky butt again and I'm just not sure how to get that back.

Do I just continue with my normal circuit training dvds (mostly JM, at the moment), along with my 2.3 mile walks & now incorporate in stronger weight training & more squat oriented exercises? I'm assuming the weight training is still going to be the key for what I want to achieve, but can I get the results I'm looking for with a home setup? I really would prefer not to go to a gym if I can somehow use dumbbells, ankleweights, resistance bands, etc to get the job done.

Weight train, and make sure you eat maintenance at least, or around 500 a day above if you want to try to gain, keep up a good amount of protein, and eat back your exercise calories....I Gained 10lbs and went from flabby but skinny to the beginnings of toned, I'm still on my journey, and not done, but they way I got there was strength training. Just basic moves 4-5 times a week. I haven't even joined a gym yet as I was lucky enough to have access to a good range of free weights, and if you have dumbbells, you can buy loose weights so that you can gradually build up your range, and at least at the start you can do an awful lot of work with just dumbbells as well as body weight and resistance band stuff. you will know when you need to move on to bigger weights, and then you may need a gym. I didn't even change sizes, I just looked and felt better.

Soooo not there yet, but getting there.

violet976

I can't recommend this enough: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/4601-stronglifts-5x5-for-women

This is what it helped do to me: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/LorinaLynn/view/no-weight-loss-no-progress-448694

Ditch the DVDs and pick up some heavy thing. It's wonderful.

I lift weights at home, but I do have a bench and barbell with about 150 pounds of weights. Since I don't have a squat rack, I do hack squats like this: http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/Quadriceps/BBHackSquat.html Not ideal, but since I don't have the money or room for a squat rack, and I'm loving my progress, it's good enough.

Thanks for that. I've actually been watching your threads closely so it's great to have a recommendation from you. I'll definitely be looking into those further. I've actually been quite daunted by weight lifting, but the results you've achieved are wonderful & very close to what I'm looking for.

@ Jes: lol. no worries, I can definitely understand the razzing on this one & can laugh at myself. Someone has to keep things light around here, and I guess today it's me.

Meg_78

I can't recommend this enough: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/4601-stronglifts-5x5-for-women

This is what it helped do to me: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/LorinaLynn/view/no-weight-loss-no-progress-448694

Ditch the DVDs and pick up some heavy thing. It's wonderful.

I lift weights at home, but I do have a bench and barbell with about 150 pounds of weights. Since I don't have a squat rack, I do hack squats like this: http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/Quadriceps/BBHackSquat.html Not ideal, but since I don't have the money or room for a squat rack, and I'm loving my progress, it's good enough.

I don't have a squat bar either (I have a husband...who helps..lol) THANKS for that hack squat link!! Something to try!!

DaughterOfTheMostHighKing

Five Muscle Myths Messing Up Our Workouts - DivineCaroline
www.divinecaroline.com/.../80447-five-muscle-myths-messing-work

...It's true that an unexercised muscle will change shape; if they're not utilized on a regular basis, they can lose their tone and make the person look flabby.

sundayl369

Epic thread xD

On a more serious note, as others have suggested, begin doing some resistance training and increase your protein intake. Squats and leg presses will get your butt perky and firm. Also theres no way you can "target" specific body fat, fat loss will reduce body fat from all over your body.

Babsvii

i stopped reading replies after your second post.... like other have said there is no such thing as flabby muscle... The best way to tighten your thighs and *kitten* is to do LOTS of squats, lunges and my fav video to do for legs and *kitten* is P90X Plyo... but i recommend getting all the DVD's and doing them... great workout! and just check out my profile pic! No flab there!