Toning

"Toning" isn't a thing. Are you trying to gain muscle or lose fat?

Muscle tone is a real thing and it is affected by the exercises that you do. I don't know who decided to tell the MFP community that muscle tone is a myth but it was wrong then and it is wrong now. Muscle tone is a real thing. There is no ambiguity here.
They are completely wrong.

to·nic·i·ty
[toh-nis-i-tee] Show IPA
noun
1. tonic quality or condition.
2. the state of bodily tone.
3. Physiology . the normal elastic tension of living muscles, arteries, etc., by which the tone of the system is maintained.


tone[tohn] Show IPA noun, verb, toned, ton·ing.
noun
12.
Physiology .
a.the normal state of tension or responsiveness of the organs or tissues of the body.
b.that state of the body or of an organ in which all its functions are performed with healthy vigor.


hy·per·to·ni·a
[hahy-per-toh-nee-uh] Show IPA
noun Pathology .
increased rigidity, tension, and spasticity of the muscles.

Not necessarily. If you are eating at a deficit and doing no exercise or cardio only, you are losing a combination of fat and muscle. If you add in resistance training (and I'm not talking 30 Day Shred here, I mean actual, lifting with a decent amount o weights) you hang on to muscle. You won't build much, but since muscle is denser than fat, if you're holding onto muscle and mostly losing fat, you'll see the jiggle start to go (in theory) and possibly get smaller, size-wise, but the scale won't move as much.

And, you might not want to lose more weight, but if you want to "tone up" you MUST lose the fat. You can't make fat less jiggly or "tighter". You just have to get it gone. So, the scale might go down. If you don't like the way you look, go on a bulk, eat at a surplus, cut back on cardio, lift HEAVY. A little fat will come with that, but mostly muscle, if you do it right, and the added muscle/weight will look better, even with a bit of added fat, then being jiggly/high body fat, if that makes sense.

In your case, if you're under weight, a bulk is something I'd encourage you to consider. It can be of a mindf@ck to intentionally gain weight and eat over your maintenance, but you'll gain some muscle, and if you decide you need to cut fat, you will hopefully hold on to your muscle, so the scale number won't drop drastically.

It looks like I was on the right track anyway, since lifting heavy was my original intent. Just that it's going to take me a helluva long time to get to the "heavy" part as I'm seriously struggling with 20 and 30 lbs after several weeks and it doesn't look like I'll be able to increase that any time soon.

So I think I'll leave the "bulk" part until I can actually lift a decent amount of weight.

I'm stuck with at least some daily cardio for heart health (doctor's orders) as I have idiopathic hypertension.

"Toning" isn't a thing. Are you trying to gain muscle or lose fat?

Muscle tone is a real thing and it is affected by the exercises that you do. I don't know who decided to tell the MFP community that muscle tone is a myth but it was wrong then and it is wrong now. Muscle tone is a real thing. There is no ambiguity here.
They are completely wrong.

to·nic·i·ty
[toh-nis-i-tee] Show IPA
noun
1. tonic quality or condition.
2. the state of bodily tone.
3. Physiology . the normal elastic tension of living muscles, arteries, etc., by which the tone of the system is maintained.


tone[tohn] Show IPA noun, verb, toned, ton·ing.
noun
12.
Physiology .
a.the normal state of tension or responsiveness of the organs or tissues of the body.
b.that state of the body or of an organ in which all its functions are performed with healthy vigor.


hy·per·to·ni·a
[hahy-per-toh-nee-uh] Show IPA
noun Pathology .
increased rigidity, tension, and spasticity of the muscles.

You have no idea what you are talking about.

Here, I'll prove it. Please list some exercises and how the will differently impact muscle tone... I'm not holding my breath.

I am a bit torn. On the one hand I do like getting in to detail about nerdy topics but on the other hand I strongly suspect that you are just trolling me and you really don't actually care about what I have to say. It could be that you already have your conclusion in your mind.

You are actually asking if I can list exercises and explain how they differently impact muscle tone. This is a question which you are assuming has no actual answer.

As much as I hate using wikipedia as a source I do not have the luxury of getting your more scholarly sources at the moment it is put decently well here.

"If a sudden pull or stretch occurs, the body responds by automatically increasing the muscle's tension, a reflex which helps guard against danger as well as helping to maintain balance. Such near-continuous innervation can be thought of as a "default" or "steady state" condition for muscles. There is, for the most part, no actual "rest state" insofar as activation is concerned. Both the extensor and flexor muscles are involved in the maintenance of a constant tone while "at rest". In skeletal muscles, this helps maintain a normal posture." ~ O’Sullivan, S. B. (2007). Examination of motor function: Motor control and motor learning. In S. B. O’Sullivan, & T. J. Schmitz (Eds), Physical rehabilitation (5th ed.) (pp. 233-234). Philadelphia, PA: F. A. Davis Company.

So you see any exercise that causes you to pull or stretch the muscle will cause the body to increase the muscle's tension. I interpret that to mean that in some respect all exercises will have some sort of affect on your muscle tone as tension and rigidity are factors of muscle tone. As you do more exercises over the course of more time the muscles become train to respond better to the repeated stress they are being subjected to.

My major was actually in IT so I am not nearly as well verse as my friends who's majors were in more closely related fields. I can still remember enough from my classes that muscle tone is a real thing and it is studied every single day by people across multiple disciplines.

I can understand taking issue with a connotation especially if its purpose is to scam money out of women like one of the other posters was talking about but that doesn't eliminate the actual reality that muscle tone itself does exist. Since it is pretty much indisputable that muscle tone does exist and it has a definition (see above). It is easy enough to understand that toning a muscle is basically the act of improving muscle tone.

I have given you way more here than most people would give you on a chat forum such as this and I don't even know if you care what my answer is or if you will even read all of this. I think my position is logical and it is supported by observable evidence. If you disagree with it please offer me your well thought out answer and if I find that I am in error anywhere I will twist my position to become more consistent with the facts. I will not twist facts to become consistent with my position I assure you.

"Toning" isn't a thing. Are you trying to gain muscle or lose fat?

Muscle tone is a real thing and it is affected by the exercises that you do. I don't know who decided to tell the MFP community that muscle tone is a myth but it was wrong then and it is wrong now. Muscle tone is a real thing. There is no ambiguity here.
They are completely wrong.

to·nic·i·ty
[toh-nis-i-tee] Show IPA
noun
1. tonic quality or condition.
2. the state of bodily tone.
3. Physiology . the normal elastic tension of living muscles, arteries, etc., by which the tone of the system is maintained.


tone[tohn] Show IPA noun, verb, toned, ton·ing.
noun
12.
Physiology .
a.the normal state of tension or responsiveness of the organs or tissues of the body.
b.that state of the body or of an organ in which all its functions are performed with healthy vigor.


hy·per·to·ni·a
[hahy-per-toh-nee-uh] Show IPA
noun Pathology .
increased rigidity, tension, and spasticity of the muscles.

Tonicity has almost nothing to do with the exercises you do, it is mainly neurological. Both hypertonia and hypotonia are primarily symptoms of underlying neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis or TBI such as from head injury. Muscle tonicity is essentially what you have in the absence of any underlying neurological condition. You don't affect it. Think of it this way, tonicity is like homeostasis, and going in either direction results in a disorder.

"Toning" isn't a thing. Are you trying to gain muscle or lose fat?

It's only "not a thing" for people looking split hairs over semantics.

We all know what the OP was essentially asking.

I think the point of her post wasn't to split hairs but rather to educate the OP that muscles cannot be 'toned'.

Oh really?

I'd say you can tone muscles from a strength training programme combined with a calorie controlled diet.

"Tone" is just a word.

This is correct. Tone is just a word which begs the question why you have such an attachment to it.

The people here are trying to tell you something maybe I'll shout so you can hear it.

YOU CAN'T TONE A MUSCLE!!!

Saying you can tone a muscle is like saying 'I want to lose weight and gain muscle.'

It's an incorrect statement. Get over it unless you like getting hassled about it.

Wait are you kidding me? It's incorrect to say "tone" but "tone up" is perfectly fine with you? Where are you, Australia? I have never in my entire long life heard anyone speak of "toning UP" muscles in my part of the word. Maybe these fine points are just a distraction when MFP has members from all over the world.

Time you learn correct terminology then. I've explained why the word was devised. You don't "lean and lengthen" (a term used for pilates and yoga alot) a muscle. You can lose fat and not build muscle though, but that doesn't sound as appealing. Use whatever floats your boat, but like many inaccuracies about weight loss, information that's incorrect that gets passed on, doesn't make it correct.

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

"Toning" isn't a thing. Are you trying to gain muscle or lose fat?

Muscle tone is a real thing and it is affected by the exercises that you do. I don't know who decided to tell the MFP community that muscle tone is a myth but it was wrong then and it is wrong now. Muscle tone is a real thing. There is no ambiguity here.
They are completely wrong.

to·nic·i·ty
[toh-nis-i-tee] Show IPA
noun
1. tonic quality or condition.
2. the state of bodily tone.
3. Physiology . the normal elastic tension of living muscles, arteries, etc., by which the tone of the system is maintained.


tone[tohn] Show IPA noun, verb, toned, ton·ing.
noun
12.
Physiology .
a.the normal state of tension or responsiveness of the organs or tissues of the body.
b.that state of the body or of an organ in which all its functions are performed with healthy vigor.


hy·per·to·ni·a
[hahy-per-toh-nee-uh] Show IPA
noun Pathology .
increased rigidity, tension, and spasticity of the muscles.

One can have muscle tone. But if we go by just the definitions mentioned above, "toning" (in other words lifting weights)
ISN'T a normal state of tension nor do you hear people speaking of hypertoning their muscles.
If you're sticking to definitions, then "tone" is a descriptive state. It by no means defines "toning" as a form of exercising muscle tissue.

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

I liked the Jamie Eason LiveFit Trainer because it had the whole plan for 12 weeks, eating and exercise and all of the workouts could be completed in an hour and I think most of time it was 4-5 days per week.
It's free on bodybuilding.com and they have videos on that site to show you how to do exercises.
Diet is most important to drop body fat as I am sure everyone has pointed out!

.

http://stronglifts.com/

Monday, Friday do workout A, Wednesday do workout B. Rinse, repeat.

StrongLifts 5×5 Workout A
Squat 5×5
Bench Press 5×5
Barbell Rows 5×5

StrongLifts 5×5 Workout B
Squat 5×5
Overhead Press 5×5
Deadlift 1×5

This, to which I would add, Youtube videos for proper form. Start with just the bar for each thing, add 5 pounds everytime you go into the gym, and make sure that you're eating enough, and get plenty of rest for repair.

Sorry to butt in! :P What is the rest time between each set? Do you finish all five sets before moving on to the next? Or do you rotate? Gracias!

Muffin tops are hard. You could sit ups all day long and still have it.....sorry. With that said here is my 2 cents.

Order of exercises: Start with large muscles and multi joint exercises
1. Squat or lunges: if you do not know proper form you should learn it; Biggest mistake ppl make they bend more at the knee and do not use their hips. You need a level of flexibility in your hamstrings to do squats (can you touch your toes?). Please make sure your knee does extend over your toe(s) for either squats or lunges. For lunges also make sure the shoulder and hip are in alignment....in other words the movement is vertical.....can't stand it when ppl lean forward doing lunges (puts stress on your back)


2. Modified push ups (either on your knees or on a set of stairs): Key here is not to retract the scapular, which could lead to shoulder damage. Look two feet in front of you not to stress vertebrae and if you can't get a full range of motion bend at the hip for push ups on your knees or go further up on the stairs (go more vertical).

Form is everything! Both there exercise are considered multi joint exercises. You will need to add about 6 more exercises, but these are the ones ppl have the most problems doing correctly. However, they are very good exercises because you work a number of muscles at once. Good luck and if you need any help let us know,

Hi,

I have been going to the gym but I feel as if I dont know what I am doing. I want to tone up all areas, especially my stomach, inner thighs, streamline my waist and "muffin top", my inner thighs. Can anyone please help me develop a workout plan to stick to so when Im in the gym I can follow it? Im reasonably fit but not strong, weight 110 pounds so not overweight just looking to tone up!

Thanks in advance!

I knew this girl once who "over-toned" herself... and the doctors said it was actually dangerous for her and there was nothing she could do because she had "inner-toning" already at which point it's irreversible. Be careful with the toning!!!!

I like OP told everyone to **** themselves 3 pages back yet everyone is still arguing over tone.

At least MFP is never boring.

"Toning" isn't a thing. Are you trying to gain muscle or lose fat?

Muscle tone is a real thing and it is affected by the exercises that you do. I don't know who decided to tell the MFP community that muscle tone is a myth but it was wrong then and it is wrong now. Muscle tone is a real thing. There is no ambiguity here.
They are completely wrong.

to·nic·i·ty
[toh-nis-i-tee] Show IPA
noun
1. tonic quality or condition.
2. the state of bodily tone.
3. Physiology . the normal elastic tension of living muscles, arteries, etc., by which the tone of the system is maintained.


tone[tohn] Show IPA noun, verb, toned, ton·ing.
noun
12.
Physiology .
a.the normal state of tension or responsiveness of the organs or tissues of the body.
b.that state of the body or of an organ in which all its functions are performed with healthy vigor.


hy·per·to·ni·a
[hahy-per-toh-nee-uh] Show IPA
noun Pathology .
increased rigidity, tension, and spasticity of the muscles.

One can have muscle tone. But if we go by just the definitions mentioned above, "toning" (in other words lifting weights)
ISN'T a normal state of tension nor do you hear people speaking of hypertoning their muscles.
If you're sticking to definitions, then "tone" is a descriptive state. It by no means defines "toning" as a form of exercising muscle tissue.

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

Well we do derive new words from our daily use of them. Our language does grow and change over time as a result. In a colloquial sense "toning" is an acceptable way of saying that you are wanting your muscles to appear more defined or "cut". The word "cut" has more than one definition as does the word "definition" some of these definitions don't have anything to do with fitness. So I think it is almost axiomatic that toning is a very real word which will become more cemented over time.

I applaud your efforts to ensure that proper terminology is used and I fully endorse and agree with the sentiment. I simply disagree with this one particular point. If I were working with you in a professional capacity I would do my best to refrain from using the word toning since their are other words that can be used to convey the same meaning.

I also agree that word games should not be used as a means of scamming people out of their money. I simply feel that it was the fault of the con artists and not the words themselves. I have read other posts of yours and you have a lot of good information to share with the world. Don't waste your mind fighting this fight. The march of progress will continue and this word is already recognized by many.

Using big words and complete sentences doesn't mean you know what you're talking about...

it's a real word. But it means nothing. Saying you want to tone is the SAME THING as saying you want to lose body fat. THAT is why the word is so wrong and phoney, because it's used as a way to scam and fool people. most people know by now that you cannot spot reduce. So to avoid saying 'This ab machine will reduce fat in your stomach' you instead get 'this machine will tone your stomach'. It's saying the same thing, except the latter doesn't sound 100% BS. But it's still 100% BS. Thats the problem.

And again so this point sticks home, what you're talking about with toniciy has NOTHING to do with this conversation. Congrats, you just discovered what a homonym is.

Using big words and complete sentences does not mean I know what I am talking about. I could be completely lost with regard to a subject and still do that. While we are at it a person could be well versed on a subject and still use small words and incomplete sentences. We have to examine the actual content of what the writer is trying to say. So score one for you!. :drinker:

You then say it is a real word but it means nothing. So we should not expect your next sentence to imply that it has a meaning. What was your next sentence?

"Saying you want to tone is the SAME THING as saying you want to lose body fat."

There is a logical inconsistency in your arguments. You can't say that something means the "SAME THING" as something else while at the same time claiming that it has no meaning whatsoever.

I have already agreed that word games should not be used to scam people out of their money. However, marketers will always look for ways to word things so that their products end up sounding better than they are. They misuse other words as well. For example best, scientific and miracle are incorrectly used by advertisers all the time. I would even go so far as to say that those transgressions are worse.

You said "again so this point sticks home" and I am not sure why. I haven't been harping about tonicity as though it were the keystone of my argument. All I did was list its definition. I listed the definition of the several words. I was illustrating that muscle tone is a real thing and I went back to some of my old text books to get definitions that show that point. Because let's face it if there was no such thing as muscle tone there wouldn't even be a point in trying to discuss anything further. I think that we are all in agreement that muscle tone is a real thing. So if it will help us get this conversation to a place of civility I will withdraw the citation. I feel the point I was trying to support stands up regardless.