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Where am I going wrong with my exercise please?

nads1012
nads1012 Posts: 55
edited January 30 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi, I'm a girl, tall and if you look at me you'd call me slim (yea I know what's my problem then).
Started gym about a year ago, initially started looking trimmer, but also bulging really quickly with the weights, which I don't want.
I go to the gym 2x a week 2hrs each time. Until recently 80% of my time I spent on cardio, and the rest on weights, mainly on the female problem areas. I'm suddenly really stuck. I look slim, but quite wobbly, as if I wasn't working out at all.
I go on the cross trainer quite a bit and still have bingo wings!

I've now started increasing my weights again in the hope the wobbly bits tone up, however I'm worried that I'll bulge up.
I have a normal diet of protein and carbs, don't go hungry, don't suff myself, odd treats.

How do I get my body to look really slim but toned and healthy? Think Victoria's Secret hehe ;)

Replies

  • refinedredbird
    refinedredbird Posts: 208 Member
    One of the biggest misconceptions is that women will "bulk up" with heavy lifting which really isn't the case unless a woman lifts and uses hormone supplements. Strength training is one of the best ways to lose overall body fat and to improve your body's shape. In my opinion, strength training should be the largest part of your fitness regimen and if you love to do cardio or want to improve heart function, do cardio on the off days. You cannot spot reduce certain areas of your body to make them less "wobbly" so the best plan of action is to keep reducing your body fat percentage overall. Personally I focus on my protein first, then fats and lower carb intake.
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    I'd like to know your definition of buldge/bulk.

    It's really, really hard for women to bulk due to lower testosterone. What you were seeing was probably some noob gains along with water retention that can give your muscles a "pumped" look.

    Wobbly comes from giving up the weights. Weight training helps maintain your muscle mass while losing fat (weight) to give you your "toned" look.
  • nads1012
    nads1012 Posts: 55
    If I did 10-15 kg of lifting twice a week in an area I'd instantly feel 'bigger' a week later?
  • GetSoda
    GetSoda Posts: 1,267 Member
    If I did 10-15 kg of lifting twice a week in an area I'd instantly feel 'bigger' a week later?

    water retention.
  • nads1012
    nads1012 Posts: 55
    If I did 10-15 kg of lifting twice a week in an area I'd instantly feel 'bigger' a week later?

    water retention.

    Can someone explain that to me, please? I feel like I'm wasting all my time when I'm in the gym. I might as well not go!
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    If I did 10-15 kg of lifting twice a week in an area I'd instantly feel 'bigger' a week later?

    What's your secret? I'm a male with pretty good genetics and pretty athletic and I can't even do that in a week..hell, my LBM is exactly the same as it was 9 months ago even though I'm lifting way heavier for all of my lifts. Oh wait...I was at a deficit of calories and now I'm at maintenance so it's pretty much impossible for me to bulk anything...'cuz science.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    If I did 10-15 kg of lifting twice a week in an area I'd instantly feel 'bigger' a week later?

    water retention.

    Can someone explain that to me, please? I feel like I'm wasting all my time when I'm in the gym. I might as well not go!

    When you work out, and in particular when you lift, you tear little muscle fibers. Those fibers need to be repaired...your muscles require water and glycogen for repair...your body being smart as it is, retains these things for said repair. When someone looks "pumped" right after a workout...that's water in the muscle going to work.
This discussion has been closed.

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