Sorry, but I *am* getting bulky from lifting heavy....
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A few ideas...Yoga - to stretch and thin your muscles...45+ min sessions of cardio - after 45 min. you are burning more muscle and less fat, so this could help thin out the muscle you have...change lifting routine to lifting less frequently (once a week instead of several times a week), or lifting more reps, I think 12-15 reps per set is the range for more lean muscle, so whatever weight you can lift 15 times in a row without a break.
Um definitely not. After 45 minutes you're losing muscle. Cardio increases a calorie deficit, you can not build muscle on a calorie deficit.0 -
You look like Halle Berry in your pictures. I can't see what isn't to love. I have the same problem with pants (tight in thighs, loose in waist) but I think I look damn good because of it.
If you aren't liking your results, eat less and/or stop lifting.
What a compliment, thank you! I already don't eat more than 1200-1300 calories a day, so I don't think it would be good for me to drop below that. I think I need to lift lighter for awhile & see what happens.
^^^This statement and your original post don't seem to jive in my book... How are you putting on ridiculous amounts of muscle but only eating 1200-1300 cals/day?......0 -
tell him ur a boxer to kick his a**0
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Damn..can't see the pics at work :grumble: But judging by your profile pics, I'm sure they're stunning.0
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Pics
You are not too bulky at all actually. I was expecting something massive lol You just look lean. I don't see any problem with how you look.0 -
My gosh, I'm trying but I can't reply fast enough to everyone who has given me such great advice. I think the first step, will be so lift lighter & do more reps so I can see if I slim down overall a little. I'm okay with having tone & muscle, but when my clothes stop fitting right it makes me think that I'm getting bigger than I want to be or was planning on being. Also maybe my body is changi so fast, that I'm just not used to it yet. I just need to change some things & see what happens.
Slim down overall? :noway:
Going by the usual meaning, "slim down" means to lose fat, and if you do that, you will look RIPPED. Going by what you've said so far, i don't think RIPPED is the look you're after...
You look really terrific right now. Not bulky. Just fit and toned and strong and healthy. You're living the dream.
MAYBE you can stand to put on a little more fat, which will make you look "softer". I personally wouldn't do that in your shoes.
I don't mean this with any disrespect, but you might have a slight case of body image issues (really, we all do to some extent). It's a good exercise to try and love yourself and your body regardless of what shape you are in at the moment (and I remind you again, that your case, you are in really excellent shape).0 -
I want dat dere genetics.0
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nice guns, but otherwise, I see no bulk. I also don't see too low amount of body fat....0
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Screw the pants..................just wear shorts and skirts!!!:happy:
I'd walk right behind you with a drool trail..........................
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 nutrition0 -
What rep range are you working with?
If you are working in the hypertrophy range with a lot of volume you could be experiencing "the pump" or a temporary increase in sacroplasmic fluid which makes it appear like you are "bulking up" when in fact you are not.
Stop weights for three days or so. See what happens. If you notice a clear difference then it's probably the above. You could consider working with a lower rep range and a higher weight or a higher rep range with lower weight or reduce the volume of your training.
Up to you really.
5 days a week I do half an hour fasted cardio in the morning & another half an hour in the evening. I lift weights Monday thru Friday focusing on a different area each day for example......When I do my legs I do around 200 pounds on the leg press machine, between 100-150pounds on the other machines. I do 3 sets of 15 on each machine. Saturdays I just do morning cardio & Sundays I rest.
Breakfast is Oatmeal & Coffee
I have a protein shake after my workout
Mid morning I'll have an apple & maybe 10 almonds
Lunch is fish with a green vegetable & maybe 4 ounces of sweet potato
Late afternoon snack is probably a rice cake or some popcorn, maybe baby carrots with peanut butter
Dinner is a tossed salad with some canned tuna or tilapia mixed in
Desert is greek yogurt or cottage cheese, sometimes I even mix the two together.
The weekends I allow myself a cheat meal or two. But, still try to stay within my calorie range.0 -
Pics
oh sweetie.....you have chicken legs.
and your arms arent "bulky", theyre defined because you have a low bf%. changing the weights/reps arent going to help you at all- and cardio will lower bf further on you. eat more
youll smooth out and look less "cut".
I would adore a low bf, just to get ripped- but i powerlift. i eat like a horse. therefore, i stay smooth.0 -
You should compete, just sayin.0
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My gosh, I'm trying but I can't reply fast enough to everyone who has given me such great advice. I think the first step, will be so lift lighter & do more reps so I can see if I slim down overall a little. I'm okay with having tone & muscle, but when my clothes stop fitting right it makes me think that I'm getting bigger than I want to be or was planning on being. Also maybe my body is changi so fast, that I'm just not used to it yet. I just need to change some things & see what happens.
Slim down overall? :noway:
Going by the usual meaning, "slim down" means to lose fat, and if you do that, you will look RIPPED. Going by what you've said so far, i don't think RIPPED is the look you're after...
You look really terrific right now. Not bulky. Just fit and toned and strong and healthy. You're living the dream.
MAYBE you can stand to put on a little more fat, which will make you look "softer". I personally wouldn't do that in your shoes.
I don't mean this with any disrespect, but you might have a slight case of body image issues (really, we all do to some extent). It's a good exercise to try and love yourself and your body regardless of what shape you are in at the moment (and I remind you again, that your case, you are in really excellent shape).
^ i second this. You are really really pushing yourself and you're still unhappy with yourself. The problem is not your body, the problem is how you see yourself.
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Pics
You are not too bulky at all actually. I was expecting something massive lol You just look lean. I don't see any problem with how you look.
Your morning pic from your avatar is how I would love to look! Strong, but still lean.0 -
I also think you look beautiful and would kill for the muscle definition you have.
However I understand what you're saying because I have seen first hand how women get bulky on top. When I was doing Crossfit we did a lot of upper body centralized workouts, and some of the girls have developed man shoulders/traps/biceps from doing too much of it. I personally focus more on my legs, abs, and triceps, and less on my biceps, shoulders, and back. I do more body weight stuff for those areas, and I also depend on compound lifts to "tone" (for lack of better word) those areas.
If I were you I'd just simply tone it down a bit. Without knowing your exact routine I would say incorporate more compound lifts and stay away from static exercises like bicep curls, etc.. You obviously have the genetics that assist you in developing good muscle tone so there isn't too much escaping that.0 -
My gosh, I'm trying but I can't reply fast enough to everyone who has given me such great advice. I think the first step, will be so lift lighter & do more reps so I can see if I slim down overall a little. I'm okay with having tone & muscle, but when my clothes stop fitting right it makes me think that I'm getting bigger than I want to be or was planning on being. Also maybe my body is changi so fast, that I'm just not used to it yet. I just need to change some things & see what happens.
Slim down overall? :noway:
Going by the usual meaning, "slim down" means to lose fat, and if you do that, you will look RIPPED. Going by what you've said so far, i don't think RIPPED is the look you're after...
You look really terrific right now. Not bulky. Just fit and toned and strong and healthy. You're living the dream.
MAYBE you can stand to put on a little more fat, which will make you look "softer". I personally wouldn't do that in your shoes.
I don't mean this with any disrespect, but you might have a slight case of body image issues (really, we all do to some extent). It's a good exercise to try and love yourself and your body regardless of what shape you are in at the moment (and I remind you again, that your case, you are in really excellent shape).
^ i second this. You are really really pushing yourself and you're still unhappy with yourself. The problem is not your body, the problem is how you see yourself.
I agree with both of you, I am a perfectionist & always feel that I can do better & that what I have done so far isn't good enough. I try to get past it though.0 -
Pics
You are not too bulky at all actually. I was expecting something massive lol You just look lean. I don't see any problem with how you look.
If you save the 3 mirror pics to your computer, then do the left and right arrow keys fast, then it looks like you are dancing. I feel like dancing0 -
I also think you look beautiful and would kill for the muscle definition you have.
However I understand what you're saying because I have seen first hand how women get bulky on top. When I was doing Crossfit we did a lot of upper body centralized workouts, and some of the girls have developed man shoulders/traps/biceps from doing too much of it. I personally focus more on my legs, abs, and triceps, and less on my biceps, shoulders, and back. I do more body weight stuff for those areas, and I also depend on compound lifts to "tone" (for lack of better word) those areas.
If I were you I'd just simply tone it down a bit. Without knowing your exact routine I would say incorporate more compound lifts and stay away from static exercises like bicep curls, etc.. You obviously have the genetics that assist you in developing good muscle tone so there isn't too much escaping that.
I agree, I think it really must be my genetics because I'm even more muscular than some of my friends who have worked out their whole lives.0 -
You are not too bulky at all actually. I was expecting something massive lol You just look lean. I don't see any problem with how you look.
Your morning pic from your avatar is how I would love to look! Strong, but still lean.
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Very true. OP, you look beautiful. Lots of women would kill for your body. Check my profile picture if you want to see someone who looks bulky. I have lots of bulk, aka "fat" all over.0 -
Pics
You are not too bulky at all actually. I was expecting something massive lol You just look lean. I don't see any problem with how you look.
If you save the 3 mirror pics to your computer, then do the left and right arrow keys fast, then it looks like you are dancing. I feel like dancing
LOL :laugh:0 -
I also think you look beautiful and would kill for the muscle definition you have.
However I understand what you're saying because I have seen first hand how women get bulky on top. When I was doing Crossfit we did a lot of upper body centralized workouts, and some of the girls have developed man shoulders/traps/biceps from doing too much of it. I personally focus more on my legs, abs, and triceps, and less on my biceps, shoulders, and back. I do more body weight stuff for those areas, and I also depend on compound lifts to "tone" (for lack of better word) those areas.
If I were you I'd just simply tone it down a bit. Without knowing your exact routine I would say incorporate more compound lifts and stay away from static exercises like bicep curls, etc.. You obviously have the genetics that assist you in developing good muscle tone so there isn't too much escaping that.
I agree, I think it really must be my genetics because I'm even more muscular than some of my friends who have worked out their whole lives.
Also I reread and saw your routine. I don't know if anyone else made this comment, but have you thought about incorporating a 3x a week full body lifting routine instead of 5 days with different focus each day. As women, I personally don't believe you need to lift 5 days a week...I am happy with where I am and I do a 3x a week full body.0 -
Swim it will lean your muscles0
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Pics
I stand by my earlier statement. What you look like is basically my goal body.0 -
Wow. See, I was going to say I feel the same way and have decided to change my routine. Until I saw your pictures. THAT is the kind of gain I would have loved! Instead, my muscle gain looks like flab unless I'm flexing. Then I love it. But overall, I've been miserable with my body, so I'm switching things up and no longer lifting heavy (well, starting tomorrow after a forced week of rest due to illness)0
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Everyone says don't worry about bulking up when you lift heavy you are a woman. But, honestly I am having a problem with this. My biceps are huge & show constantly without me even flexing. And my quads & calves are getting out of control since I started lifting heavier. A guy at my job was making jokes asking me what steroids I'm taking because he is a boxer & has known women who have been working out for years that don't have the amount of muscle I have. It's the the point where my pants fit loose at the waist & super tight around my thighs & I'm not pleased with it. I'm not sure what the answer to fix this is, lift lighter? I don't want to loose the tone & definition. And it's not from body fat, because my Dr. recently told me that my body fat is too low & she would like for me to put on 5-6 pounds.
My first thought - before I even got to the end and read that your body fat is low - my thought was: Your muscles are showing and are more pronounced because you have low body fat. If you had more fat, your muscles wouldn't be so pronounced. Example: Madonna. It isn't that she is bulked up and muscley - she has such low body fat, that her muscles are very pronounced.
So yes .. follow your doc's advice and gain a bit of weight. I think your muscles will look just FAB then !
Edited: I just saw the rest of your pics. NO WAY. You are not "too bulky". You look FAB0 -
Lifting heavy does not directly cause muscular hypertrophy in the manner that you think. You can build muscle lifting light or heavy weight. However lifting heavy is primarily for building strength over building muscle. Building muscles vs weight lifting are two different mechanisms that many people misconstrue. Essentially its possible for to be be very lean (not muscular) and be VERY STRONG or you can be VERY MUSCULAR with not a lot of strength. If you decide to lift dramatically lighter weight keep in mind that you will lose more strength and muscularity over time as you continue to diet. This is when people enter the zone of "skinny fat" (when body fat ratio is greater than muscularity on lean individuals). What is your goal? Are you trying to lose "weight" or are you trying to lose "fat". There is a difference. Looking at your pics, you are not what I would consider very muscular, but what matters is how you feel about yourself.
Concentrate on your diet first and foremost! You have to be honest with yourself. Are you maintaining a disciplined eating regimen every day/week? Are you falling off track frequently?
As you get leaner and reduce body fat, your physique will look much sharper, toned, and most importantly smaller (in the right places).
If you plan to reduce your weight, then go from heavy to moderate weight. and throw in some cardio 2-3 days per week if you are not currently doing so.
Hope this helps. ..Actually I know it will ;-)0 -
You look fantastic. IMO, your legs don't look all that muscular to me *shrugs*. Yes...you have a super tiny waist, so it is giving the appearance of bigger legs, I guess. I think if your thighs were any smaller, they'd look like chicken legs. And...your arms are fantastic! Your arms are my goal arms and I don't think they are anywhere NEAR "bulky". I think if you upped your cals a bit and cut back on the cardio a bit..you'd put on a bit more BF and have the "less cut" look you are apparently looking for.0
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Also, the neckline of the top you are wearing in the recent pic is probably the least flattering for girls with muscular arms/shoulders. I can't wear that style or halter tops.0
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i have the exact opposite problem, my jeans all the way around are to big but if I go down a size they are to small....... BLAH!0
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I was expecting something like the Hulk with a pink bow, but your pics don’t even compare. Your arms look bigger in your pictures that you have on your profile, then the ones you just posted. You look great. And as for your legs… I don’t see anything wrong with them at all. I say keep doing what you are doing, or lower weights a tiny bit with more reps.0
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