Any tips of a tighter, fitter figure?

paulahope2
paulahope2 Posts: 57
edited November 13 in Getting Started
hey everyone.. I've lost weight but I've noticed I've lost size but never gain muscle tone.. Has anybody got any tips and/or tricks to help achieve an athletic figure?

Any input would be GREATLY appreciated!!
Thanks :)

Replies

  • SonofNorthernDarkness
    SonofNorthernDarkness Posts: 64 Member
    lift weights
  • paulahope2
    paulahope2 Posts: 57
    Any particular regimes or programs you recommend for a beginner?
  • Fitforevermore
    Fitforevermore Posts: 399 Member
    do they do body pump classes near you? body pump is great for beginners to weights, and if you combine it with a higher protein intake you will develop muscle tone. I used to do the weights classes but skip lunch or not eat enough protein, this was a mistake, you need to protein to build the muscle, and then the muscle burns more calories generally so it becomes a virtuous cycle!
  • paulahope2
    paulahope2 Posts: 57
    I'm not too sure.. Could be gyms in the area that have it.. But as I'm a student I tend to do what I can at home in between studying.. Do you know if "pump" can be found online or not?
    Also what equipment is used.. At home I have a small weight set (barbell and Dumbbells) a few yoga bits and pieces aswell.. But pretty unco when it comes to this stuff hahaha!
  • CaffeinatedConfectionist
    CaffeinatedConfectionist Posts: 1,046 Member
    edited February 2015
    You can purchase Bodypump for the home, I believe, which involves a barbell and sometimes dumbbells. But bodypump is high rep, low weight.

    A more effective way to retain your muscle while eating in a deficit would be to look into a program like New Rules of Lifting for Women (you may be able to get the book at your library), StrongLifts, or Strong Curves, which have you lifting heavy (for you) weights with lower reps. TBH, I don't know much about NRLFW or SC, but there are many groups here on MFP for people using those programs. There are also several women strength-training groups that you may want to look into.
  • krknobbe10
    krknobbe10 Posts: 110 Member
    lift heavy. I lost 5lbs for my sister wedding but now what to be toned and am lifting heavy. It has shown results and I love it. Eat a lot of protein.
  • paulahope2
    paulahope2 Posts: 57
    Thankyou so much for your input! I'll look into the DVDs.. :)
    You look like you're doing great!! Look at your back, great muscle tone!! (If you don't mind me saying) :)
  • paulahope2
    paulahope2 Posts: 57
    Congrats on your weight loss!! I'll try to lift heavy, it's always a challenge at the start :P how long has it taken you progression wise? I'm one of these people who gets frustrated easy and give up always need that extra bit of support to get me over the line!! You're doing great sticking to the plan!!
    And I'll also up my protein intake.. I don't eat much protein that's probably half the battle!
  • CaffeinatedConfectionist
    CaffeinatedConfectionist Posts: 1,046 Member
    edited February 2015
    paulahope2 wrote: »
    Thankyou so much for your input! I'll look into the DVDs.. :)
    You look like you're doing great!! Look at your back, great muscle tone!! (If you don't mind me saying) :)

    Thank you! When I first got started with weights, I started with bodypump, actually, going to the gym with my sister. If you start out lifting at home, I would really recommend starting with very light weight, or just bodyweight, and recording yourself performing the exercises so that you can check your form to make sure you're not putting yourself at risk of getting hurt before you start loading up to a challenging weight. I lift at home, and not having a trainer or an instructor to check my form is the thing I dislike most about it (although I've also had some terrible pump instructors who never corrected anyone's form even if they're just asking for an injury).

    Bodybuilding.com has videos of just about every single exercise ever, so it would be worth watching them if you're not familiar with an exercise (or sometimes even if you are, as a refresher). I obsessively watched people squat, deadlift, bench, what have you, to make sure I was performing the moves properly, and still record myself with my ipod regularly to review my form.

    ET include: http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/
  • awesomejdad
    awesomejdad Posts: 493 Member
    Lifting weights is your answer. Period! Just get on youtube and research proper form and go to the gym and lift weights. Worry about a perfect routine later, just make a habit of going right now and you will learn as you go. Seriously, GO.....why you still reading this. You have your answer.
  • paulahope2
    paulahope2 Posts: 57
    CaffeinatedConfectionist wrote: »
    paulahope2 wrote: »
    Thankyou so much for your input! I'll look into the DVDs.. :)
    You look like you're doing great!! Look at your back, great muscle tone!! (If you don't mind me saying) :)

    Thank you! When I first got started with weights, I started with bodypump, actually, going to the gym with my sister. If you start out lifting at home, I would really recommend starting with very light weight, or just bodyweight, really, and recording yourself performing the exercises so that you can check your form to make sure you're not putting yourself at risk of getting hurt, before you start loading up to a challenging weight. I lift at home, and not having a trainer or an instructor to check my form is the thing I dislike most about it (although I've also had some terrible pump instructors who never corrected anyone's form even if they're just asking for an injury).

    Bodybuilding.com has videos of just about every single exercise ever, so it would be worth watching them if you're not familiar with an exercise (or sometimes even if you are, as a refresher). I obsessively watched people squat, deadlift, bench, what have you, to make sure I was performing the moves properly, and still record myself with my ipod to review my form regularly.

    ET include: http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/

    Oh true last thing I want is an injury!! I'll have a search on that site! Thanks for all the help! Do you mind if I add you?
  • paulahope2
    paulahope2 Posts: 57
    awesomejdad wrote: »
    Lifting weights is your answer. Period! Just get on youtube and research proper form and go to the gym and lift weights. Worry about a perfect routine later, just make a habit of going right now and you will learn as you go. Seriously, GO.....why you still reading this. You have your answer.

    Hahaha true!! Why am I still sitting here reading this!! Thanks for the motivation :)
  • CaffeinatedConfectionist
    CaffeinatedConfectionist Posts: 1,046 Member
    paulahope2 wrote: »
    Oh true last thing I want is an injury!! I'll have a search on that site! Thanks for all the help! Do you mind if I add you?

    Of course - I always like having new friends! I'm not an expert by any means, but I'm pretty active on MFP and have a bit of an obsessive tendency to read journal articles about fitness or diet related questions.

  • Feelgood97
    Feelgood97 Posts: 89 Member
    Have fun dancing! :D
  • paulahope2
    paulahope2 Posts: 57
    Feelgood97 wrote: »
    Have fun dancing! :D

    Hahaha!! Dancing is what I resort to when the frustration kicks in haha!!

    It's not even good dancing, it's daggy dancing!! :p
  • KrunchyMama
    KrunchyMama Posts: 420 Member
    I believe that Fitness Blender (YouTube videos) has some weight workouts too
  • paulahope2
    paulahope2 Posts: 57
    KrunchyMama wrote: »
    I believe that Fitness Blender (YouTube videos) has some weight workouts too

    Never realised how much there was out there!! I've been stuck in my bubble thinking I was alone!! Thanks so much :)
  • wyattj99
    wyattj99 Posts: 454 Member
    Fitness Blender free on You tube!
  • sarbear112084
    sarbear112084 Posts: 19 Member
    for home workout, I def recommend Beach Body's Les Mills Pump. It comes with weights and the bar and focuses on some upper body stuff but lots of squats and lunges. It's awesome and has great music.
  • LuckyMunky
    LuckyMunky Posts: 200 Member
    Lift! Lift! Lift! I actually just started New Rules of Lifting for Women and it's a good program. It's about 6 months long and starts you out slow so your body has time to adjust. Eat a lot of protein to help your muscles repair and get stronger. You might not lose weight, but you'll lose a lot of inches and you'll feel healthier. It also has a meal plan and a detailed section on specific exercises. You can get it off amazon for about $15. If you're in college, you're probably already paying a rec fee as part of your student fees and can get free access to the school gym. That's what I do!
  • jstout365
    jstout365 Posts: 1,686 Member
    paulahope2 wrote: »
    Has anybody got any tips and/or tricks to help achieve an athletic figure?

    Become an athlete.....seriously.

    Strength training (with progressive load barbell routines like Starting Strength or StrongLifts 5x5, or even some body weight routines like NerdFitness or You Are Your Own Gym) paired with some level of cardio conditioning will help.

    If you can find a group sport club on campus you can use that as a motivating factor to get out and get fit. My local university has a powerlifting club, boxing club, rugby club and a boat load of other groups. That would also be a great place to learn what others do and potentially let you meet a workout buddy or two.

    There are no "tricks" to achieving an athletic figure. It comes down to hard work in the gym, making sure your diet is up to par in relation to your weight and fitness goals, and consistency in both.
  • paulahope2
    paulahope2 Posts: 57
    wyattj99 wrote: »
    Fitness Blender free on You tube!
    Really have to check this program out!!
  • paulahope2
    paulahope2 Posts: 57
    sarbear112084 wrote: »
    for home workout, I def recommend Beach Body's Les Mills Pump. It comes with weights and the bar and focuses on some upper body stuff but lots of squats and lunges. It's awesome and has great music.

    Anywhere in particular to get it? Do they have a website or is it something I can find on eBay etc?
  • paulahope2
    paulahope2 Posts: 57
    LuckyMunky wrote: »
    Lift! Lift! Lift! I actually just started New Rules of Lifting for Women and it's a good program. It's about 6 months long and starts you out slow so your body has time to adjust. Eat a lot of protein to help your muscles repair and get stronger. You might not lose weight, but you'll lose a lot of inches and you'll feel healthier. It also has a meal plan and a detailed section on specific exercises. You can get it off amazon for about $15. If you're in college, you're probably already paying a rec fee as part of your student fees and can get free access to the school gym. That's what I do!

    Oh seriously?? I'll have to look into that!!
  • paulahope2
    paulahope2 Posts: 57
    jstout365 wrote: »
    paulahope2 wrote: »
    Has anybody got any tips and/or tricks to help achieve an athletic figure?

    Become an athlete.....seriously.

    Strength training (with progressive load barbell routines like Starting Strength or StrongLifts 5x5, or even some body weight routines like NerdFitness or You Are Your Own Gym) paired with some level of cardio conditioning will help.

    If you can find a group sport club on campus you can use that as a motivating factor to get out and get fit. My local university has a powerlifting club, boxing club, rugby club and a boat load of other groups. That would also be a great place to learn what others do and potentially let you meet a workout buddy or two.

    There are no "tricks" to achieving an athletic figure. It comes down to hard work in the gym, making sure your diet is up to par in relation to your weight and fitness goals, and consistency in both.

    Wow!! What uni do you go to? I wish my uni had all of that!!
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    There are a lot of body weight exercises you can do at home. I made a free weight routine and added pushups, squats and situps. I'm limited due to a knee injury, but there's a large variety out there.
  • paulahope2
    paulahope2 Posts: 57
    SoDamnHungry wrote: »
    There are a lot of body weight exercises you can do at home. I made a free weight routine and added pushups, squats and situps. I'm limited due to a knee injury, but there's a large variety out there.

    Firstly, your name is amazing I can totally relate!! I'm so hangry it's ridiculous!!!! Oh no!! I hope you're knee is alright!! Good on you for not quitting!! It was a hamstring injury that got me out of my first attempt!! Was only doing cardio then and even that hurt my leg! I'm a sook haha!!
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