I'm a girl....with a question about lifting weights?!!!
Flutterbybutterfly07
Posts: 9
Heyy, SO I was born with naturally muscular arms.....and ever since I've gained this weight they have turned rather flabby. I was always pretty insecure about them being muscular to begin with but now that their fat I'd much prefer my muscle. lol
OKAY, question is.................If I lift 5 pound weights will this tone my arms or add more muscle? I don't want more muscle, I Just want slimmed and toned arms!!!
Thank you
OKAY, question is.................If I lift 5 pound weights will this tone my arms or add more muscle? I don't want more muscle, I Just want slimmed and toned arms!!!
Thank you
0
Replies
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honestly no...you will not add muscle lifting a 5lb weight...
Body fat is lost through a calorie deficet.0 -
What the PP said. You will lose fat through eating a deficit. You will RETAIN muscle by exercising and you can GAIN muscle by lifting AND eating a caloric surplus.
I lift heavy (SL 5x5 program) and I've lost 2 inches off my thighs and waist. That's more than I lost in 4 months of running.0 -
Interesting. So if I just do an upper body workout will I slim down my arms at all? Would you recommend I just lift heavy in order to slim them down? Any tips on getting these arms toned (But not bulky) would be helpful 0
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Interesting. So if I just do an upper body workout will I slim down my arms at all? Would you recommend I just lift heavy in order to slim them down? Any tips on getting these arms toned (But not bulky) would be helpful
"Tone" is a function of your nervous system that is used incorrectly by people who really mean "lose fat and build muscle". You cannot change the tone of your muscle tissue; it is constant. The only things you can accomplish with diet/training are lose fat, build muscle mass and increase neural drive/efficiency. You lose fat by eating less calories than you burn, build muscle by lifting heavy objects (not 5lb weights) while eating more than you burn and increase neural drive by lifting really heavy weights or by lifting moderately heavy weights really fast. Pick which one you are most interested in accomplishing (sounds like losing fat by your post) and eat/train for it specifically.0 -
Interesting. So if I just do an upper body workout will I slim down my arms at all? Would you recommend I just lift heavy in order to slim them down? Any tips on getting these arms toned (But not bulky) would be helpful
"Tone" is a function of your nervous system that is used incorrectly by people who really mean "lose fat and build muscle". You cannot change the tone of your muscle tissue; it is constant. The only things you can accomplish with diet/training are lose fat, build muscle mass and increase neural drive/efficiency. You lose fat by eating less calories than you burn, build muscle by lifting heavy objects (not 5lb weights) while eating more than you burn and increase neural drive by lifting really heavy weights or by lifting moderately heavy weights really fast. Pick which one you are most interested in accomplishing (sounds like losing fat by your post) and eat/train for it specifically.
don't lissen to this meathead!!!
Actually, do. Define what your goals really are, and train and eat appropriately.0 -
Interesting. So if I just do an upper body workout will I slim down my arms at all? Would you recommend I just lift heavy in order to slim them down? Any tips on getting these arms toned (But not bulky) would be helpful
no...your body loses fat where it wants to.
I lift heavy to gain strength and lose BF while maintaining my muscle as much as I can.
What I have found with heavy lifting (heavy is relative btw) is that I lose body fat...meaning the weight I am losing is the fat not the muscle...I lose inches everywhere....and I am stronger.
I don't find my arms bulky...they are defined for sure, my shoulders, my back and legs are getting very hard with visible muscle when I flex but not when I don't.
My abs are coming along...not as quick as i would like but they are getting there and my butt is great...0 -
thanks.0
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Interesting. So if I just do an upper body workout will I slim down my arms at all? Would you recommend I just lift heavy in order to slim them down? Any tips on getting these arms toned (But not bulky) would be helpful
"Tone" is a function of your nervous system that is used incorrectly by people who really mean "lose fat and build muscle". You cannot change the tone of your muscle tissue; it is constant. The only things you can accomplish with diet/training are lose fat, build muscle mass and increase neural drive/efficiency. You lose fat by eating less calories than you burn, build muscle by lifting heavy objects (not 5lb weights) while eating more than you burn and increase neural drive by lifting really heavy weights or by lifting moderately heavy weights really fast. Pick which one you are most interested in accomplishing (sounds like losing fat by your post) and eat/train for it specifically.
I wasn't asking for someone to correct my words. It's fairly straight foward what I was trying to ask. You trying to show that your "macho" by knowing "everything" annoys me. Please do not continue commenting if your just going to try and show off. But thank you for the portion that was actually helpful. I will continue eating right and becoming more active. Obviously becoming more active and lifting ANYTHING will make a difference, my question was if it would BULK my arms. I don't want to look like a man..... (I MEAN THIS IN THE NICEST WAY POSSIBLE. BTW) lol0 -
As a woman is it almost impossible to become bulky (without juicing) Furthermore it would require a surplus of calories.0
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As a woman is it almost impossible to become bulky (without juicing) Furthermore it would require a surplus of calories.
You won't bulk up - lift heavy.0 -
Calorie deficit, low rep high weight and you are on the path to fat loss....0
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Interesting. So if I just do an upper body workout will I slim down my arms at all? Would you recommend I just lift heavy in order to slim them down? Any tips on getting these arms toned (But not bulky) would be helpful
"Tone" is a function of your nervous system that is used incorrectly by people who really mean "lose fat and build muscle". You cannot change the tone of your muscle tissue; it is constant. The only things you can accomplish with diet/training are lose fat, build muscle mass and increase neural drive/efficiency. You lose fat by eating less calories than you burn, build muscle by lifting heavy objects (not 5lb weights) while eating more than you burn and increase neural drive by lifting really heavy weights or by lifting moderately heavy weights really fast. Pick which one you are most interested in accomplishing (sounds like losing fat by your post) and eat/train for it specifically.
I wasn't asking for someone to correct my words. It's fairly straight foward what I was trying to ask. You trying to show that your "macho" by knowing "everything" annoys me. Please do not continue commenting if your just going to try and show off. But thank you for the portion that was actually helpful. I will continue eating right and becoming more active. Obviously becoming more active and lifting ANYTHING will make a difference, my question was if it would BULK my arms. I don't want to look like a man..... (I MEAN THIS IN THE NICEST WAY POSSIBLE. BTW) lol
But you are asking for advice.. You claim to have flabby arms or whatever you said in your first post. Those who are commenting know what they are talking about so far. Your words should be corrected... The longer you say you want to tone, the more likely you will continue to have flabby body parts. Change the way you think, get bulk and tone out of your vocab0 -
Interesting. So if I just do an upper body workout will I slim down my arms at all? Would you recommend I just lift heavy in order to slim them down? Any tips on getting these arms toned (But not bulky) would be helpful
"Tone" is a function of your nervous system that is used incorrectly by people who really mean "lose fat and build muscle". You cannot change the tone of your muscle tissue; it is constant. The only things you can accomplish with diet/training are lose fat, build muscle mass and increase neural drive/efficiency. You lose fat by eating less calories than you burn, build muscle by lifting heavy objects (not 5lb weights) while eating more than you burn and increase neural drive by lifting really heavy weights or by lifting moderately heavy weights really fast. Pick which one you are most interested in accomplishing (sounds like losing fat by your post) and eat/train for it specifically.
I wasn't asking for someone to correct my words. It's fairly straight foward what I was trying to ask. You trying to show that your "macho" by knowing "everything" annoys me. Please do not continue commenting if your just going to try and show off. But thank you for the portion that was actually helpful. I will continue eating right and becoming more active. Obviously becoming more active and lifting ANYTHING will make a difference, my question was if it would BULK my arms. I don't want to look like a man..... (I MEAN THIS IN THE NICEST WAY POSSIBLE. BTW) lol
:laugh: :drinker:
First off lifting moderate weights at fast pace,,, pointless, very slow pace is the way to go!
Second don't worry about getting bulky even if you lift heavy, if your at a deficit you'll get toned not bulky, it's different for women. And most of what I've read spot reduction (ex: crunches to loose belly fat or curls to loose arm fat) doesn't work (wish it did) your body will remove fat in random places but will even out eventually.
Keep at it your on the right track!
Cheers0 -
Thanks to anyone who commented!! I take any advice into consideration!! I will just stop being scared to "BULK" (Not taking it out of my vocabulary, lol....it's MY vocabulary, after all)
. I plan on lifting heavier weights and just push myself to be the best I can be. My lower body is EXTREMELY sore today from working out yesterday due to me being so out of shape. I did a 30 minute stretch yoga to try and get rid of some of the soreness. Today will be dedicated to upper body . Start my free trial at curves tomorrow, which I'm excited to do so I can get familiar with equipment for when I have the balls to take on the gym!! 0 -
If you do notice that you're putting on more muscle than you'd like, it would be easy for you to back off lifting weights and decrease some musculature. Muscle gain isn't permanent, it's reversible. That being said, I've noticed, in my own body, that my hate of my arms has dissipated since I've started lifting heavy and simultaneously dropped body fat.0
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Interesting. So if I just do an upper body workout will I slim down my arms at all? Would you recommend I just lift heavy in order to slim them down? Any tips on getting these arms toned (But not bulky) would be helpful
"Tone" is a function of your nervous system that is used incorrectly by people who really mean "lose fat and build muscle". You cannot change the tone of your muscle tissue; it is constant. The only things you can accomplish with diet/training are lose fat, build muscle mass and increase neural drive/efficiency. You lose fat by eating less calories than you burn, build muscle by lifting heavy objects (not 5lb weights) while eating more than you burn and increase neural drive by lifting really heavy weights or by lifting moderately heavy weights really fast. Pick which one you are most interested in accomplishing (sounds like losing fat by your post) and eat/train for it specifically.
I wasn't asking for someone to correct my words. It's fairly straight foward what I was trying to ask. You trying to show that your "macho" by knowing "everything" annoys me. Please do not continue commenting if your just going to try and show off. But thank you for the portion that was actually helpful. I will continue eating right and becoming more active. Obviously becoming more active and lifting ANYTHING will make a difference, my question was if it would BULK my arms. I don't want to look like a man..... (I MEAN THIS IN THE NICEST WAY POSSIBLE. BTW) lol
His post was not showing off, nor macho. It was really basic, straight up advice, which directly answered your question of bulking. You will have a rough time in these parts if that post upset you that much. There are ton of people here with great knowledge, but you have to be willing to show that you actually care to learn. Keep an open mind, be willing to learn and adapt, and the good people around here can and will help you succeed. Best of luck0 -
Lift to the point where you feel muscle fatigue (after more than a few reps). And yes you can tone with 5lbs I did, but I also had to work up to 5 from 2, i'm at 15 now. Its a slow process but it is all relative ie: spaghetti arms + 5lb weights = toned.0
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If you do notice that you're putting on more muscle than you'd like, it would be easy for you to back off lifting weights and decrease some musculature. Muscle gain isn't permanent, it's reversible. That being said, I've noticed, in my own body, that my hate of my arms has dissipated since I've started lifting heavy and simultaneously dropped body fat.
OP isn't going to be putting on any muscle eating at a deficit. So, you know...no worries there. As body fat lowers, arms or anywhere will become more "toned" as its been popularized in terminology. I guess that's a softer term than saying you're revealing muscle. There are quite a few fashion models who lift heavy. Women get sexy from lifting, not bulky. I've been lifting heavy my entire weight loss and still doing so moving from maintenance to my first bulk (as I aim to build more muscle, which requires a surplus of calories and a good amount of protein)
OP. Don't be afraid of lifting heavy. It's one of the best ways to retain muscle, which will leave you leaner at the end of your weight loss.0 -
Interesting. So if I just do an upper body workout will I slim down my arms at all? Would you recommend I just lift heavy in order to slim them down? Any tips on getting these arms toned (But not bulky) would be helpful
Losing the fat on top of the muscle.0 -
Interesting. So if I just do an upper body workout will I slim down my arms at all? Would you recommend I just lift heavy in order to slim them down? Any tips on getting these arms toned (But not bulky) would be helpful
"Tone" is a function of your nervous system that is used incorrectly by people who really mean "lose fat and build muscle". You cannot change the tone of your muscle tissue; it is constant. The only things you can accomplish with diet/training are lose fat, build muscle mass and increase neural drive/efficiency. You lose fat by eating less calories than you burn, build muscle by lifting heavy objects (not 5lb weights) while eating more than you burn and increase neural drive by lifting really heavy weights or by lifting moderately heavy weights really fast. Pick which one you are most interested in accomplishing (sounds like losing fat by your post) and eat/train for it specifically.
Nothing more needs to be ever said on this topic0 -
Just eating at a caloric deficit will eventually expose those arms you used to have (minus some muscle, as you're bound to lose some as you lose fat). Weight training can minimize the amount of muscle you lose while losing fat.
A lot of people around here like 5x5 strength training programs (and they are probably optimal for most people), but bodyweight routines like You Are Your Own Gym are great as well, and there are plenty of other things. You might want to do a little browsing for weight routines so you can step into the gym with a plan.0 -
But thank you for the portion that was actually helpful. I will continue eating right and becoming more active. I don't want to look like a man..... (I MEAN THIS IN THE NICEST WAY POSSIBLE. BTW) lol
You lost all my support and interest with "I don't want to like like a man"... Very few females who lift look like men.... I like "bulk" in my arms...It means I can carry my grocery bags all by my feminine little self....:huh: And it means I might be able to lift myself from my bathtub 20 years from now.... But good luck with your flabbyness....0 -
Thanks to anyone who commented!! I take any advice into consideration!! I will just stop being scared to "BULK" (Not taking it out of my vocabulary, lol....it's MY vocabulary, after all). I plan on lifting heavier weights and just push myself to be the best I can be. My lower body is EXTREMELY sore today from working out yesterday due to me being so out of shape. I did a 30 minute stretch yoga to try and get rid of some of the soreness. Today will be dedicated to upper body . Start my free trial at curves tomorrow, which I'm excited to do so I can get familiar with equipment for when I have the balls to take on the gym!!
Don't be so sensitive....
And you're not going to get "bulky". Adding size in general is very hard work, especially for a female.0 -
Interesting. So if I just do an upper body workout will I slim down my arms at all? Would you recommend I just lift heavy in order to slim them down? Any tips on getting these arms toned (But not bulky) would be helpful
"Tone" is a function of your nervous system that is used incorrectly by people who really mean "lose fat and build muscle". You cannot change the tone of your muscle tissue; it is constant. The only things you can accomplish with diet/training are lose fat, build muscle mass and increase neural drive/efficiency. You lose fat by eating less calories than you burn, build muscle by lifting heavy objects (not 5lb weights) while eating more than you burn and increase neural drive by lifting really heavy weights or by lifting moderately heavy weights really fast. Pick which one you are most interested in accomplishing (sounds like losing fat by your post) and eat/train for it specifically.
I wasn't asking for someone to correct my words. It's fairly straight foward what I was trying to ask. You trying to show that your "macho" by knowing "everything" annoys me. Please do not continue commenting if your just going to try and show off. But thank you for the portion that was actually helpful. I will continue eating right and becoming more active. Obviously becoming more active and lifting ANYTHING will make a difference, my question was if it would BULK my arms. I don't want to look like a man..... (I MEAN THIS IN THE NICEST WAY POSSIBLE. BTW) lol
Guy was just trying to help. You already were advised you wouldn't get BULKY in the other thread. If you don't want to hear advice, you're not going to like it here.0 -
So much great advice. My ignorance held me back on understanding most people's comments and I do apologize for that, lol. I can admit it when I'm wrong, and I was. I have been researching all day after this post and figured out that yes, lifting heavier does not make you as muscular as I foolishly assumed (hulk size) which I really don't want for my body (Because like I said before, I was very self conscience of my muscular arms and do not want them any bigger than they normally are without my added weight gain). Thanks ya'll.
P.s. And to any women who have taken offence to my "I don't want to look like a man" comment........I'm not referring to girls who lift. I just personally find at a certain point its gone too far and the feminine features that were once there fade. (All have an opinion of what looks good and what doesn't) 0 -
Good for you on the turnaround.
Sometimes people are short on the subject because these concerns come up a LOT -- which, honestly isn't that shocking because women's media is awful.
All the best to you!0 -
So essentially, your arms would appear toned by alternative A or alternative B and most effectively by combining the two. In Alternative A, if you build muscle, your musculature will be more apparent under your fat (kind of like pulling a blanket off of pillows on the floor). In Alternative B, if you lose fat, your musculature that exists now will be more apparent. However, if you have little musculature under the blanket of fat, you will just see skinny arms. Combine the two and you should best best off. I have no idea how someone could "get big" on 5 lb weights. If you are concerned, do body weight exercises like chin ups, pull ups, handstand pushups off a box or chair, pushups, planks and tricep push ups.
I'm sick of people saying there is no such thing as "toned" or "tone." Language is used to share meaning and almost everyone on here knows what you mean. It's an issue of semantics with a signifier of "toned" denoting "appearing taut, less fat with more apparent muscle." Who cares if it's not technically true? People rarely get confused about what one means if he/she says, "I want to look toned." So in terms of semantics and pragmatics, talking about "getting toned" is an exceptionally clear way to share meaning among people, regardless of whether it is technically sound in terms of biology.0 -
And I'm sick of people making threads saying they want to get toned then become all pissy because someone is giving them the answer that they either don't want to hear or doesn't give them instant gratification.
Unless you are on an actual "bulk", it is wise to start training one's mind to change the thought pattern that woman lifting = bulkiness. It's important to debunk that "tone" stuff. But whatever, I could care less if she stays the way she is now or gets lean really.. tone away!0 -
So much great advice. My ignorance held me back on understanding most people's comments and I do apologize for that, lol. I can admit it when I'm wrong, and I was. I have been researching all day after this post and figured out that yes, lifting heavier does not make you as muscular as I foolishly assumed (hulk size) which I really don't want for my body (Because like I said before, I was very self conscience of my muscular arms and do not want them any bigger than they normally are without my added weight gain). Thanks ya'll.
P.s. And to any women who have taken offence to my "I don't want to look like a man" comment........I'm not referring to girls who lift. I just personally find at a certain point its gone too far and the feminine features that were once there fade. (All have an opinion of what looks good and what doesn't)
That was a quick turnaround! I think many of us had the same assumptions before we started to lift. I know I thought I had huge legs and was terrified that heavy squats would turn me into a she-hulk. Turns out all it did was give me a great set of strong legs.
Eating too much will make them bulky though (aka fat). My thighs are the first to gain and last to lose.0 -
So much great advice. My ignorance held me back on understanding most people's comments and I do apologize for that, lol. I can admit it when I'm wrong, and I was. I have been researching all day after this post and figured out that yes, lifting heavier does not make you as muscular as I foolishly assumed (hulk size) which I really don't want for my body (Because like I said before, I was very self conscience of my muscular arms and do not want them any bigger than they normally are without my added weight gain). Thanks ya'll.
P.s. And to any women who have taken offence to my "I don't want to look like a man" comment........I'm not referring to girls who lift. I just personally find at a certain point its gone too far and the feminine features that were once there fade. (All have an opinion of what looks good and what doesn't)
Knowledge is power and will make you better. Keep the open mind that you just implied and you will do great! All the best to you!0
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