Need some advice on toning up.

ShannonKirton
ShannonKirton Posts: 304 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So I'm about 5'9'' and 157lbs. It's been suggested to me that because I'm in the normal BMI category that I shouldn't worry too much about losing the remaining 10-15 lbs that I would like to, but rather start lifting weights etc and start toning up, which will help me to get to the size 6 which I would love to be while also looking great. As a result of toning up, I should automatically turn that remaining weight into muscle.

This all makes great sense to me and I think I'm going to give it a shot, after I figure out exactly how I'm going to get 2000 calories into my day to feed these awesome muscles I'm going to make! LOL

So now that I've said all of that, my basic question is, where do I start? I am part of a gym so I have access to all of the great machines and classes they have to offer. At the moment I do quite a few classes, some of which are cardio and other which are a mix of cardio and strength. However, I do not have the extra income to feed a trainer for PT sessions.

I've also started to focus more on building some muscles in my legs and core to tighten up by using the machines for such things. Am I already on the right path, or should I be using certain exercises with the free weights etc?? I'm pretty new to this lifting idea so I need some guidance. I'm not looking to turn into a muscle woman obviously, but rather just build on what I've got and tighten up the skin and muscles I've already worked up to this point.

Replies

  • EricCowperthwaite
    EricCowperthwaite Posts: 450
    Buy "The New Rules of Lifting for Women" - http://www.amazon.com/books/dp/1583333398
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    Buy "The New Rules of Weight Lifting for Women" - http://www.amazon.com/books/dp/1583333398

    Good Start and..... just because you start lifting doesn't mean you won't stop losing weight. If you're in a deficit, you'll continue to drop weight.
  • ShannonKirton
    ShannonKirton Posts: 304 Member
    Will check out that book for sure. Hope I can get it on Kindle. :)
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    Will check out that book for sure. Hope I can get it on Kindle. :)

    And..... Just because you start lifting doesn't mean you'll "build muscle". Diet has quite a bit to do with that too.
  • EricCowperthwaite
    EricCowperthwaite Posts: 450
    I believe it is available on Kindle ... also RGv2's remarks about the potential to keep losing weight and not to build muscle are important ones. You will need more protein in order to build muscle. There's an immense amount of good advice (and some not so good) available on MFP for women lifting weights.

    As far as what sort of weights .... well, I suggest New Rules of Lifting because I personally think you should be using free weights. In my opinion, what you want to do is weight lifting that focuses on big compound movements that resemble how you will use muscles in the real world. This builds muscle, core strength, balance and coordination. In the real world you are never going to isolate a single muscle and do something with it, so why would you train your body that way?

    Also, don't be scared about "getting bulky" .... women find it almost impossible to put on bulky, masculine looking muscles. Which doesn't mean you can't get stronger, and build great muscles. You absolutely can. Just that you aren't going to end up looking like a male athlete.
  • ucabucca
    ucabucca Posts: 606 Member
    I am working on this part too not trying to loose just tone up and I do agree Strength training is the way to go. I still do usually 4-5 days cardio and am starting to up strength training to 3 days and I do it in a circut manner going from one to another not resting so much and doing 5 exercises/machines and repeating 3-4 times. I hope that this will work well.
  • Lesley2901
    Lesley2901 Posts: 372 Member
    Stronglifts 5x5 is another program with compound movements using free weights and can be accessed online if that's easier for you. I'm currently using this program and would recommend it although I know the NROLFW gets good reviews too.
  • ShannonKirton
    ShannonKirton Posts: 304 Member
    Thanks everyone. Some great advice and great support as always :)
  • mcesira
    mcesira Posts: 36 Member
    Hello! Congrats on all you have already accomplished and for being so very healthy! I truly found variety in my workouts is what worked best for me in terms of that last 10-15 pounds... and of course monitoring my food intake and sugar here on MFP. If you are doing the cardio and strength conditioning, maybe you can ask the instructors for some advice- I found them to be a great source of information. They also love suggestions for "areas" to work on so perhaps they can even incorporate some new exercises and strength sets in their class. At the very least they can suggest particular machines and reps/weight to begin with. I found heated yoga at my gym to be life changing... toned my upper body and core immediately, I truly saw results in 30 days! I try to do it twice a week in addition to rotating with cardio strength and cycling each week. Best wishes to you on this journey. You will for sure get there!
  • ShannonKirton
    ShannonKirton Posts: 304 Member
    Thank you for your kind words mcesira :)

    I think I will definitely throw some questions at my instructors and see if they can offer me any suggestions. I only just started the "hot stretch" class but it sounds very much like the heated yoga you're talking about. I enjoy it greatly and I think it will have a great impact on my journey.

    I will definitely give everything a minimum of 30 days to see how things are turning out. :)

Categories