Vegan looking to tone up not bulk up

Lift weights.

absolutely

Yes, lift weights. Heavy ones.

Lift weights.

Yes

Cut: losing weight while trying to make as much of it from fat as possible to make muscles more visible

Bulk: gaining weight while trying to make as much of it from muscle as possible to increase overall mass

Tone: [does not exist]

So what do you want? Lifting and eating a deficit will cause a very slight increase in muscle mass (maybe a pound) but mainly fat loss and muscle retention.

Lots of women are having good results with
New Rules of Lifting 4 Women.

^^ YES. lift heavy objects, set down, repeat! you will not bulk, you will tone. there's tons of threads on that too, check out my pics! low rep, heavy lifting! :bigsmile:

Cut: losing weight while trying to make as much of it from fat as possible to make muscles more visible

Bulk: gaining weight while trying to make as much of it from muscle as possible to increase overall mass

Tone: [does not exist]

So what do you want? Lifting and eating a deficit will cause a very slight increase in muscle mass (maybe a pound) but mainly fat loss and muscle retention.

I want less of the flabby layer over my muscles and more muscle definition.

To remove the flabby layer you just need to lose body fat. This will also make the muscles more defined. If you diet without lifting you will lose muscle. If you diet while lifting you can slightly gain/or maintain your current muscle mass.

Go check out all the pic threads of the non-bulky heavy lifting women that are here.

Go lift some heavy weights. You won't bulk up.

You seem fairly lean if that picture is current. It may be a good idea to continue eating at a very slight deficit below actual TDEE to procure "newbie" gains in lean body mass while slowly reducing body fat percentage as you introduce strength training. After doing this for about two months, you can then go back up to maintenance for a few weeks before doing a 2 to 3 month short bulk to specifically increase lean body mass. If you do these short cycles of bulks-to-cuts, you can tweak your body composition to a favorable spot.

I suggest reading articles such as these by Lyle McDonald:

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/setting-the-deficit-small-moderate-or-large.html

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/muscle-gain/general-philosophies-of-muscle-mass-gain.html

You seem fairly lean if that picture is current. It may be a good idea to continue eating at a very slight deficit below actual TDEE to procure "newbie" gains in lean body mass while slowly reducing body fat percentage as you introduce strength training. After doing this for about two months, you can then go back up to maintenance for a few weeks before doing a 2 to 3 month short bulk to specifically increase lean body mass. If you do these short cycles of bulks-to-cuts, you can tweak your body composition to a favorable spot.

I suggest reading articles such as these by Lyle McDonald:

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/setting-the-deficit-small-moderate-or-large.html

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/muscle-gain/general-philosophies-of-muscle-mass-gain.html

^^this is a good approach.

I'm not trying to lose much more in the line of weight, maybe 5 lbs tops, but I'm really looking to tone and define. I go to the gym (fully equipped) about 3 - 4 times a week, some times more. I mainly do the elliptical, bike, treadmill and calisthenics.

I don't want to get bulky, I just want to tighten up, especially around my thighs/buns/lower abs.

Is there anything I can do to speed the process along/get better results?

I take green tea extract in the morning along with a raw vegan meal replacer. After gym time I use hemp protein.

Any particular exercises or *raw* health snacks?

Don't worry about getting bulky - there are some very heavy lifters here, and they all look hot. .

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/884447-do-you-lift-heavy-are-you-bulky