toning and not bulking up... and AB's

jeyoung03
jeyoung03 Posts: 83
edited September 25 in Fitness and Exercise
I had four years of strength training and conditioning, and after being done in high school I stopped training. I think I know the answer to my own question, but I'm wondering how I can just tone my arms and not bulk up like crazy, because apparently the muscles in my arms grow big and fast. I'm looking for more tone, which I'm pretty sure the answer is to do less weight more reps, but I love the burn of doing more weight.

Also my other question is about ab's, I have never been able to loose the weight around my mid section, and I'm guessing that's just my rough spot when it comes to loosing the fat in that area, but I'm wondering if there is a way to ease into doing some abdominal work outs, and/or any recommendations.

I would appreciate any thoughts/comments/help. :)

Replies

  • amwells82
    amwells82 Posts: 12
    RE: your arms... you are right!! Just do more reps at a lower weight. As far as the abs go I don't know if you've heard of Jackie Warner? She says on her website that you could do all the situps, crunchies in the world and you won't tone that area. It's a matter of diet mostly. You'll have to check out her website she is awesome!!!:)
  • xraychick77
    xraychick77 Posts: 1,775 Member
    what do you mean ease into? you seem to know what it takes to lose fat.

    you cant spot reduce fat, but you can firm up your abs. i like using the captians chair and doing leg lifts and knee to chest lifts. also the bicycle is a good ab workout and dont forget that plank.

    as far as toning.. toning is building muscle and losing fat. toning doesnt mean anything, its a term people use and have a misunderstanding of what it really means.

    if you want to look firmer you need to build muscles. and to see those muscles and look 'toned' you need to lose fat. if your arms get to big for what you like, then when you get to the size you like, just stay at that same weight and dont increase. when you lift heavy you build muscle. but remember to build muscle you need to eat a calorie surplus. so you have to chose one or the other..to cut fat or build muscle. people usually go in phases. they use the terms bulking and cutting.

    this whole lift light with many reps thing doesnt 'tone'..all it is for is muscle endurance. if you want to 'tone' you need to lift heavy.

    i lift and have been in my 'bulking' phase for a few months now.
  • B2BB
    B2BB Posts: 222 Member
    Do enough weight to where u will go to failure within 20 reps. Weight train basic principle it that of overload, its simple, push your muscle to fatigue in order to make them change. If you don't feel like u can't do anymore at the end of the last set u need to increase your weights. Women don't have the testosterone to get bulky like men, we first tone, if it does look a little thick its because of the layer of fat over the new muscle under. Hope this helps, oh wait abs. Get into a push up position (plank) and just hold that pose, work your way up to one minute holds. When u do let me know:)
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    please read this

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/194124-interesting-article-re-women-s-fitness-goals?show=search
  • jeyoung03
    jeyoung03 Posts: 83
    RE: your arms... you are right!! Just do more reps at a lower weight. As far as the abs go I don't know if you've heard of Jackie Warner? She says on her website that you could do all the situps, crunchies in the world and you won't tone that area. It's a matter of diet mostly. You'll have to check out her website she is awesome!!!:)

    I will have to check her out thanks!
  • jeyoung03
    jeyoung03 Posts: 83
    what do you mean ease into? you seem to know what it takes to lose fat.

    you cant spot reduce fat, but you can firm up your abs. i like using the captians chair and doing leg lifts and knee to chest lifts. also the bicycle is a good ab workout and dont forget that plank.

    as far as toning.. toning is building muscle and losing fat. toning doesnt mean anything, its a term people use and have a misunderstanding of what it really means.

    if you want to look firmer you need to build muscles. and to see those muscles and look 'toned' you need to lose fat. if your arms get to big for what you like, then when you get to the size you like, just stay at that same weight and dont increase. when you lift heavy you build muscle. but remember to build muscle you need to eat a calorie surplus. so you have to chose one or the other..to cut fat or build muscle. people usually go in phases. they use the terms bulking and cutting.

    this whole lift light with many reps thing doesnt 'tone'..all it is for is muscle endurance. if you want to 'tone' you need to lift heavy.

    i lift and have been in my 'bulking' phase for a few months now.

    I guess ease into, since I had a hard time just busing out a bunch of crunches. And maybe some different varies to how to do some crunches, I already have back problems, and I'm thinking its because of my core not being strong enough!

    thanks for the helpful advice! I will have to try to switching bad and forth from bulking and cutting.
  • jeyoung03
    jeyoung03 Posts: 83
    Do enough weight to where u will go to failure within 20 reps. Weight train basic principle it that of overload, its simple, push your muscle to fatigue in order to make them change. If you don't feel like u can't do anymore at the end of the last set u need to increase your weights. Women don't have the testosterone to get bulky like men, we first tone, if it does look a little thick its because of the layer of fat over the new muscle under. Hope this helps, oh wait abs. Get into a push up position (plank) and just hold that pose, work your way up to one minute holds. When u do let me know:)

    Okay thanks for the helpful advice. Its probably the fat layer that is really bugging me. I just feel that it looks like my arms are manly.
    ah yes I know this 'plank' position all to well. the key is to tighten your midsection instead of relying on your arms and legs?
  • jeyoung03
    jeyoung03 Posts: 83
    please read this

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/194124-interesting-article-re-women-s-fitness-goals?show=search


    for some reason it won't let me go to the site
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