Sorry, but I *am* getting bulky from lifting heavy....

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Replies

  • ironanimal
    ironanimal Posts: 5,922 Member
    Your bodyfat is too low according to your Doctor, and you can see your muscles.

    Preeetty clear link here somewhere...
  • wareagle8706
    wareagle8706 Posts: 1,090 Member
    You look great in your profile pics, legs don't look too big at all, neither do your arms. You may just feel like you're getting "bulky" but really you're just gaining more muscle than you're used to. Your back looks great in that pic but I certainly wouldn't call it "bulky." The only way to "fix" it would be to stop lifting, I mean, less weight more reps isn't going to solve your "problem." But I just don't see how you think it's a problem, you're gorgeous!!! Just embrace it, girl. You can always try to cut a lot more so any fat on your thighs will go away which will make them slightly smaller. But again, I think you're beautiful.
  • _granola
    _granola Posts: 326
    Our brains can often make us see things in the mirror that are not actually there. We are far more critical of ourselves than others are of us, because we look at ourselves and judge our bodies every day. Ask yourself if you will ever be satisfied with how your body looks to you. Even if you put on some weight/fat and stop lifting.

    Be satisfied *now*, do the kind of exercise you love, and stop being so critical of yourself.
  • mdhummel
    mdhummel Posts: 201 Member
    Try using lighter weights and increasing your reps. You will see leaner muscles and build your indurance. I took a barre fitness class and we used 2 - 4 lb. dumbells and did reps of 30. I thought the exercises were a bit of a joke until I woke up the next morning and all my muscles were stiff and sore.
  • Ge0rgiana
    Ge0rgiana Posts: 1,649 Member
    I would KILL for your musculature. And I'm a genetic freak myself. :flowerforyou: Women normally aren't as blessed like this, which is why we tell them they won't bulk. Muscles are sexy. You're GORGEOUS, lady!
  • DJ2120
    DJ2120 Posts: 407 Member
    Although, like someone else mentioned, I do think yoga is a good idea. I also did dance classes and was on the dance team years ago, and I do think my body had a leaner, more long, toned look then as compared to when I was solely doing gymnastics/weight training. Now I do lots of yoga, and it still builds muscle in the thighs, but it certainly does stretch the body out. I always measure a little taller on days I did a lot of yoga.

    I've honestly never ever done yoga, but it's not something I wouldn't mind giving a try.
  • FitBeto
    FitBeto Posts: 2,121 Member
    My sister, when she was born, had, 'both' male and female parts down there. She got the sticky out one removed but now she has a more masculine physice, she lifts and is pretty veigny. Not saying theres a connection at all.

    7nTnr.png
  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
    Suggestion:

    Cut down lifting a bit (key word here: bit, or small amount) and take up an endurance cardio sport, like running or cycling. Something where, if you were competing, you'd be going at it for well over an hour or two.
  • Cranktastic
    Cranktastic Posts: 1,517 Member
    I would like to see some pictures
  • Kelley528
    Kelley528 Posts: 319 Member
    I was a gym rat years ago and toned up really nice. No fat to pinch anywhere but by lifting weights, it did change the shape of my body. My mother told me i looked like a football player which was really insulting, and not true. I used to be very petite looking and what they call "skinny fat". I did become a little wider in my back area and my legs were very hard/firm in certain areas. The muscle made me one size larger than I am now yet I looked two sizes smaller as far as everyone else was concerned.

    Your best bet is to ask the trainers in your gym the best way to stay lean, long, and toned without looking bulky. You may actually have to stop doing weights for a few months or drstically change your routine if you are looking to decrease the bulk. Then start lifting again in the recommended weight range to achieve the healthy, toned look without the bulk. Thats what I had to do and it worked.

    I am 4 lbs away from my goal weight and at that point I will start with very light weights and gradually increase to define myself.
  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
    My sister, when she was born, had, 'both' male and female parts down there. She got the sticky out one removed but now she has a more masculine physice, she lifts and is pretty veigny. Not saying theres a connection at all.

    7nTnr.png

    If this is true, then there is a good chance she has testicles instead of ovaries. Therefore, she would be producing testosterone instead of estrogen, which will boost her muscle development.
  • fcp1234
    fcp1234 Posts: 1,098 Member
    Im confused, are you complaining or bragging?
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,023 Member
    If your legs are too big for your liking, then switch to isolated exercises like lunges, leg extensions or one legged leg press. I notice that when I train female competitors who have "big" legs to begin with, this seems to help "slim" them down without foregoing conditioning.


    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • kmumansky
    kmumansky Posts: 119
    I don't mean to be rude..I really don't but BOO HOO....

    that was rude. if you dont mean to be rude, then DON'T be rude, just keep it to yourself. You know the saying..."if you can't say anything nice, then don't say it at all..."
  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    My sister, when she was born, had, 'both' male and female parts down there. She got the sticky out one removed but now she has a more masculine physice, she lifts and is pretty veigny. Not saying theres a connection at all.

    7nTnr.png

    BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!
  • nikinyx6
    nikinyx6 Posts: 772 Member
    Have you tried incorporating callanetics or yoga?

    Theoretically it should stretch your muscles and give you a leaner appearance.


    Thumbs up for callanetics
  • briannadunn
    briannadunn Posts: 841 Member
    Lift heavy to build with less reps and light to lengthen and lean down, more reps, hope that helps
  • DontStopB_Leakin
    DontStopB_Leakin Posts: 3,863 Member
    If you've reached the max size that you want to be for right now, just stop increasing the weight. Feel free to go backwards a few pounds if you want.

    Generally, someone with your physique looks bigger because they have low BF%, not because they are actually huge. It even happens with men. The more cut I get, the more people comment on how big my arms/chest/quads are, even though I've lost several inches from them. It's illusion more than reality.

    I've seen your pictures before and I assure that I don't find you bulky in the slightest, but it's your body to do as you wish.

    I've never really thought of it that way, that does make sense though.
    ^^All of what he said is absolutely correct.


    You might find that if you pack on a bit of BF...nothing crazy, just up your percentage a tad, you'll get a bit more of a "softer" look (bad descriptive term, I know, but it's all I've got) and you're muscles won't seem near as pronounced. You will likely go up a size, however, you probably won't even notice it.
  • sharonfincher1
    sharonfincher1 Posts: 311 Member
    I just looked at your other pics... Ur back is amazing...... I say keep up the good work!!
  • jackpotclown
    jackpotclown Posts: 3,275 Member
    Im confused, are you complaining or bragging?
    yeah, I don't see what the problem is here....you lift heavy, you get results.....move it to the success stories /end thread \m/
  • Leadfoot_Lewis
    Leadfoot_Lewis Posts: 1,623 Member
    I would like to see some pictures

    Yes, bring on the "bulk" pictures.

    You have a body that most women on this forum would die to have and you start a thread complaining about it?
  • DJ2120
    DJ2120 Posts: 407 Member
    Im confused, are you complaining or bragging?

    Definitely not bragging .....
  • FightingforFit82
    FightingforFit82 Posts: 179
    I think you look AMAZING. If you're unhappy though, change things up a bit.
  • Troll
    Troll Posts: 922 Member
    Just looked at your pics-you look like a VS model. if THAT is bulky, im built like a rhino.

    ive gone up two pants sizes because of my thighs, and one in shirts/jackets because of my arms and shoulders. but i can ROCK a mini dress now.
  • DJ2120
    DJ2120 Posts: 407 Member
    I would like to see some pictures

    Yes, bring on the "bulk" pictures.

    You have a body that most women on this forum would die to have and you start a thread complaining about it?

    It's about the body that *I* want though.
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    Do YOU like how you look?

    Isnt THIS the question?

    My latissimus dorsi are starting to fan out way more than I would like, so this tells me that I have one of two situations happening.

    1. They are stronger than my other back muscles and are growing because of them compensating for my other back muscles which have not caught up yet, and it will all balance out if I am consistent

    OR

    2. They are weaker than they should be and are growing and SEEM really big because they are jumping to catch up with the level of strength in all my other muscles that are already working together.

    Either way, I know that because Im a new lifter, almost all of my muscles are out of whack. My quads and hamstrings are way off balance, my back is not as strong as my abs so my posture is off, anywhere I find myself hunching I know to work on the flexibility and stretching.

    But if my muscles are looking BIG, I take that as a compliment. the pump is only temporary anyway. Each time I work them out correctly, they are bigger for a couple days- then they unswell as they move through repair stages. Im not going to sweat it- Im just going to keep being consistent.

    I know I have the genes that would allow me to become a serious she-hulk body builder, but I dont have the desire, nor do I have the 12 hour/day dedication it would take, or the money for that kind of weekly training, or the nutrition required or the protein supplements or the blah blah blah... so it wont happen to me.
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    I would like to see some pictures

    Yes, bring on the "bulk" pictures.

    You have a body that most women on this forum would die to have and you start a thread complaining about it?

    It's about the body that *I* want though.

    applauds
  • sharonfincher1
    sharonfincher1 Posts: 311 Member
    I don't mean to be rude..I really don't but BOO HOO....

    Any time some one says this, they are about to be Rude... LOL!!!
  • florymonde
    florymonde Posts: 261 Member
    If I were in your position, I would keep lifting the same, except for the thighs. I'd substantially cut back the weights I'm using for my thighs, since you don't want bulk there. Your arms, while well-defined, don't look bulky, so I'd keep things the same. And, if you are uncomfortable with how people react to your awesomely defined muscles, add a little more bodyfat, as that is generally considered a more feminine look. Of course, the adding more bodyfat may happen naturally as you allow the muscle mass in your legs to go down a bit.
  • DJ2120
    DJ2120 Posts: 407 Member
    Just looked at your pics-you look like a VS model. if THAT is bulky, im built like a rhino.

    ive gone up two pants sizes because of my thighs, and one in shirts/jackets because of my arms and shoulders. but i can ROCK a mini dress now.

    Thanks, but I'm bigger now, than I was in those pics though.

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