Female trying to build muscle, burn fat...
emma155
Posts: 152 Member
Im 20, 5'4" female, CW: 127lb
Would like to know what sort or workouts I should do.
I was thinking maybe doing 4x workouts a week either at gym or at home.
What should I be doing in these workouts?
I would like to build musle all over and get rid of the fat I have.
I would like to break it up into:
- legs/bum
- abs
- chest/back
- arms
Diet: im trying my best to eat 'cleaner' and have chnaged by calorie goal from 1200 to 1400 (im 5'4", have a desk job but do horse ride 3 times a week plus walk my dog).
Would like to stress that I aim high and would like to build a fair bit of muscle expecially abs, legs, bum
Please give me any tips as new to this sort of exercise
Would like to know what sort or workouts I should do.
I was thinking maybe doing 4x workouts a week either at gym or at home.
What should I be doing in these workouts?
I would like to build musle all over and get rid of the fat I have.
I would like to break it up into:
- legs/bum
- abs
- chest/back
- arms
Diet: im trying my best to eat 'cleaner' and have chnaged by calorie goal from 1200 to 1400 (im 5'4", have a desk job but do horse ride 3 times a week plus walk my dog).
Would like to stress that I aim high and would like to build a fair bit of muscle expecially abs, legs, bum
Please give me any tips as new to this sort of exercise
0
Replies
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It is very difficult (next to impossible) to build muscle and lose fat at the same time. Much easier to choose one goal, reach it then go for the other (bulk, cut cycles).
That said as you lose weight you lose muscle and fat, to retain as much muscle as possible you should take part in a relatively heavy lifting program (look at new rules of lifting for women, starting strength, or stronglifts 5x5), get adequate daily protein intake (aim for a minimum of 1 gram per lb of lean body mass, or 0.8 grams per lb of total weight if you don't know your BF%), and have a small caloric deficit (TDEE -10% or a 0.5lb/week weight loss goal)0 -
You won't be building any muscle on 1400 calories a day, I'm afraid;
Your BMR is around 1425 a day.
Your TDEE, if you were working out 4 times a week and doing nothing else would be about 1960.
To gain weight, and thus muscle, you would have to exceed 1960 calories a day.
With the fact you ride 3 times a week and walk a dog regularly, it's going to be more like 2200 a day.
Also note that it is very very very difficult to build muscle and lose fat simultaneously, even for seasoned male bodybuilders. You are much better off pursuing a cut/bulk cycle unless you're willing to be VERY patient with seeing any real change.0 -
i agree, with the other post, you cant really build muscle and burn fat. which do you want to do first?0
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It is very difficult (next to impossible) to build muscle and lose fat at the same time. Much easier to choose one goal, reach it then go for the other (bulk, cut cycles).
That said as you lose weight you lose muscle and fat, to retain as much muscle as possible you should take part in a relatively heavy lifting program (look at new rules of lifting for women, starting strength, or stronglifts 5x5), get adequate daily protein intake (aim for a minimum of 1 gram per lb of lean body mass, or 0.8 grams per lb of total weight if you don't know your BF%), and have a small caloric deficit (TDEE -10% or a 0.5lb/week weight loss goal)
Interesting! I did not realise you had to cycle like this, looks like i need to do some research into cutting/bulking?0 -
I'm no expert, as I am new to this whole get fit thing....Here is a link to what I'm planning on starting once the bands I ordered get here:
http://scoobysworkshop.com/womens-beginning-resistance-band-workout/
It's something I can do at home, and I figure since I don't have much muscle now, it'll do for a start....
Also, if you go to this page: http://scoobysworkshop.com/weight-loss-success-stories/ and click on Yoko's weight loss success story, there is a video of what she did to lose fat and gain definition....
I hope you find whatever you feel would be right for you.0 -
i agree, with the other post, you cant really build muscle and burn fat. which do you want to do first?
I probably want lose fat first, thought i could do both at once... I am sure ive seen people talking about gain muscle and losing fat at the same time before....0 -
you could belike my twin! :laugh: I was about to create my own thread detailing pretty much what you have just stated before I read this.
I've been doing PUMP and CX (core) classes 2-3 times a week and cardio 4-5 times a week.
Im not a complete nazi with my diet (ill have the occasional cookie and a few vodkas on the weekends) but I try to eat 'clean' as much as possible and only drink water or tea. I am def doing something wrong though as I have not seen much of a change in my body and iv put on weight! :sad::brokenheart: I've been at it like this for about 5 months.
I've been reading up on the bulk/cut cycles and i'm thinking the weight gain = muscle gain but have no idea how to kick start my 'cutting' phase...0 -
i agree, with the other post, you cant really build muscle and burn fat. which do you want to do first?
I probably want lose fat first, thought i could do both at once... I am sure ive seen people talking about gain muscle and losing fat at the same time before....
In reality, nobody is going to gain 20lbs of muscle and lose all the fat!! in 4 weeks.0 -
i agree, with the other post, you cant really build muscle and burn fat. which do you want to do first?
I probably want lose fat first, thought i could do both at once... I am sure ive seen people talking about gain muscle and losing fat at the same time before....
In reality, nobody is going to gain 20lbs of muscle and lose all the fat!! in 4 weeks.
Again, I'm no expert, but this guy seems to be: http://scoobysworkshop.com/gain-muscle-lose-fat/
And so far, he hasn't tried to sell me anything!!0 -
i agree, with the other post, you cant really build muscle and burn fat. which do you want to do first?
I probably want lose fat first, thought i could do both at once... I am sure ive seen people talking about gain muscle and losing fat at the same time before....
In reality, nobody is going to gain 20lbs of muscle and lose all the fat!! in 4 weeks.
Again, I'm no expert, but this guy seems to be: http://scoobysworkshop.com/gain-muscle-lose-fat/
And so far, he hasn't tried to sell me anything!!
First of all, I said earlier it can be done but is very very very difficult.
Secondly, Scooby has been bodybuilding for years.
Thirdly, he's a dude. So it's automatically a lot easier for him than for the majority of women.0 -
Thirdly, he's a dude. So it's automatically a lot easier for him than for the majority of women.
so unfair!!!0 -
i agree, with the other post, you cant really build muscle and burn fat. which do you want to do first?
I probably want lose fat first, thought i could do both at once... I am sure ive seen people talking about gain muscle and losing fat at the same time before....
In reality, nobody is going to gain 20lbs of muscle and lose all the fat!! in 4 weeks.
Again, I'm no expert, but this guy seems to be: http://scoobysworkshop.com/gain-muscle-lose-fat/
And so far, he hasn't tried to sell me anything!!
First of all, I said earlier it can be done but is very very very difficult.
Quote from you: Sure, in ads that pop up all over the net and when people are trying to sell you something
I'm sorry if I took it wrong, it looked to me that you were telling the op it's nearly impossible, and she shouldn't even try
Secondly, Scooby has been bodybuilding for years.
Quote from Scooby(notice he says it's easier for beginners): Many beginners to fitness ask if they should lose their fat first or start lifting to gain muscle first, the answer is that they should do BOTH at the same time!!! Especially for beginners, it is very easy to lose fat and gain muscle at the same time!
Thirdly, he's a dude. So it's automatically a lot easier for him than for the majority of women.
Quote from Scooby: Now lets talk about the exceptions to this, those who can’t gain muscle and lose fat:
1.Losing fat and gaining muscle at the same time is very difficult for advanced bodybuilders. Many of them are close to their genetic limits so adding muscle is very difficult and slow for them even under the best of circumstances. Losing fat and gaining muscle at the same time is something that only beginning and intermediate bodybuilders can do. (By my somewhat arbitrary definition, an advanced bodybuilder is someone who can do 8 flawless, ultra slow-motion pullups and 20 flawless, ultra slow-motion pushups.)
2.Skinny teens who can’t gain either fat or muscle even when they eat as much as they can.
3.Advanced bodybuilders with low bodyfat (under 8%).Your body needs some fat so when you get to a certain point, your body will start choosing to burn muscle instead of fat if you have a caloric deficit. If you are 8% bodyfat and want to get down to 4-6% bodyfat you wont be able to add muscle while you do this, at best you can do is to maintain your muscle mass. With regular dieting, its tough to drop down to 4-6% without losing muscle mass but carb cycling seems to really help for this specific purpose.
He doesn't mention women.0 -
i agree, with the other post, you cant really build muscle and burn fat. which do you want to do first?
I probably want lose fat first, thought i could do both at once... I am sure ive seen people talking about gain muscle and losing fat at the same time before....
In reality, nobody is going to gain 20lbs of muscle and lose all the fat!! in 4 weeks.
Again, I'm no expert, but this guy seems to be: http://scoobysworkshop.com/gain-muscle-lose-fat/
And so far, he hasn't tried to sell me anything!!
First of all, I said earlier it can be done but is very very very difficult.
Secondly, Scooby has been bodybuilding for years.
Thirdly, he's a dude. So it's automatically a lot easier for him than for the majority of women.
So what does cutting / bulking involve?0 -
I probably want lose fat first, thought i could do both at once... I am sure ive seen people talking about gain muscle and losing fat at the same time before....
Personally, I would suggest you try it the other way.
If you gain muscle first, you will find it easier to lose weight, as you'll be able to eat more to maintain the muscle you gained.
Also if you're careful with how you gain, you'll end up with a lower BF%, through having gained muscle mass.0 -
Im 20, 5'4" female, CW: 127lb
Would like to know what sort or workouts I should do.
I was thinking maybe doing 4x workouts a week either at gym or at home.
What should I be doing in these workouts?
I would like to build musle all over and get rid of the fat I have.
I would like to break it up into:
- legs/bum
- abs
- chest/back
- arms
Diet: im trying my best to eat 'cleaner' and have chnaged by calorie goal from 1200 to 1400 (im 5'4", have a desk job but do horse ride 3 times a week plus walk my dog).
Would like to stress that I aim high and would like to build a fair bit of muscle expecially abs, legs, bum
Please give me any tips as new to this sort of exercise
We are just about twins... I'm currently 126 lbs, 5'5, and 22 yo
Find out your tdee number, and then eat 20% less to loose weight
Focus on portion size and healthy clean foods & WATER.
I started going to the gym two months, ago and have lost maybe 5-6 pounds...
Not a lot right? Well thats only because I've been gaining muscle, and it weighs more than that.
My body is slimming down, and toning up, and it feels great!
I created my own workout plan compiled of various strength training exercises for different body groups on different days and C25k! And its definitely a killer workout
C25K M, W, F
And strength training M-Sat
Also I would suggest whey protein within 45 mins after a workout.0 -
So what does cutting / bulking involve?
to bulk you want to be eating around 10-15% over your TDEE, and lots of heavy lifting
to cut you want to be eating around 10-15% under your TDEE, and lots of heavy lifting and a bit of cardio if you fancy it0 -
Cool well i will start the cut / bulk cycle.
Few things i need to know still:
1) how long should each cut or bulk period last?
2) what sort of workout should I be do during the bulk period? can you give me a example? I am worried i would not do enough...
3) on my bulk and cut periods how many calories should I eat (im 5"4' and lightly active)
Thanks guys!!0 -
You need to put in the context of what you are really after. The "odds" are you aren't really wanting to "build" a mass amount of muscle, but instead simply want to "tone" up a bit.
If you haven't done any lifting before, you'll get a small bump in muscle at the very beginning, which is probably enough for what you want. You can't gain pounds and pounds of lean muscle mass on a calorie deficit, but you can gain a little (and that doesn't continue once your body is "prepared" enough for the exercises you do). More importantly is as you strength train your current muscles will retain more water/nutrients to ensure they are prepared to do the exercises you are doing. This will cause them to swell a bit, become more "dense" so to speak. Your muscle to fat burning ratio will go way down, as the body will try to "not" consume that which it is sustaining or rebuilding, so you will burn more excess fat as a result.
Alot of people claim they can build alot of muscle while shedding fat, but the truth is they are probably only adding a very small amount of muscle (really small after their "newbie" gains) and are actually seeing a much higher level of water/nutrient retention in the muscles they currently have (cell volumization).
Bulking involves eating above your daily calorie needs in the "right" types of food to spur "new" muscle growth...it is usually also accompanied by adding some fat as well. This is what bodybuilders do, then they shed the excess fat through calorie deficits (Cut)while continuing to strength train to ensure they lose the least amount of muscle possible.
My suggestion for you specifically would be to ensure you are consuming enough protein (110-120g or more each day), and maintain a slight deficit (if you have more weight to lose), while strength training 3 days a week at the start with a day of rest between each day. You can look at Stronglifts, Starting Strength, New Rules of Lifting for Women (NROLFW), etc.. to see some exercise plans that will accomplish these goals.
Good luck in your journey and I wish you the best of luck!0 -
Cool well i will start the cut / bulk cycle.
Few things i need to know still:
1) how long should each cut or bulk period last?
2) what sort of workout should I be do during the bulk period? can you give me a example? I am worried i would not do enough...
3) on my bulk and cut periods how many calories should I eat (im 5"4' and lightly active)
Thanks guys!!
Just a few notes in addition to the post above mine... to answer your questions specifically
1) The cut period will depend on how vigilant you are with the diet and training, use mirror\measurements over the scales, you'll see it there before the scales tell you, no fixed time, it's different for everyone
As for the bulk, exact same rules apply, however you have a bit more control at this point. Later down the line too much Muscle mass added? Drop a few calories, or add in some light cardio. Too Much body fat going on? Drop a few calories, or add in some light cardio.
2) As per the post above (Craigmandu's) Stronglifts, Starting Strength, NROLFW. Basic moves, but when your new to lifting you'll want to nail them before moving on.
3) Calories when bulking - TDEE + 10/15%, Calories when Cutting TDEE - 10\15% (And as per TavistockToad's Post)
Other than that, again, as stated, protein upped to 1g per 1lb, and enjoy the "Newbie muscle gains"0
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