Catabolic Exercise? (:

thelittlecharacter
thelittlecharacter Posts: 69 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Does anyone have any experience with decreasing muscle mass and body fat for an overall slimmer/toned look. Im just trying to teach myself how to elongate my muscles while keeping a fit look. Over the past couple days I've been practicing fasted cardio, macronutrient tracking, and more body weight exercises so my muscles aren't under so much tension all the time (I've been lifting heavily for 3 years). So I do have lots of experience on me. I'm just wondering if I should maintain lifting but only with much lighter loads and a faster tempo? Or should I focus my training on building up power, endurance, flexibility, and body weight strength to shed extra fat and muscle? This is such a loaded and tough question I'm sorryyyy xx
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Replies

  • clabq0914
    clabq0914 Posts: 16 Member
    But.....why?

    "You actually want to lose muscle mass AND lose fat?!?!" (Said no one ever!)

    If you tried to keep the muscle mass and lose fat, you will inevitably lose some mass along with that fat, but to say you are intentionally trying to lose the mass would be mind boggling. I suppose if you really wanted to, just lower your protein intake and make sure you stay in a caloric deficit will put you in catabolism.

    But I would strongly encourage you to try to keep muscle mass, lose fat, and embrace it - muscles are sexy!
  • jennifershoo
    jennifershoo Posts: 3,198 Member
    grumpy-cat-no-2.jpg
  • Springfield1970
    Springfield1970 Posts: 1,945 Member
    edited March 2015
    You can't elongate muscles! Get longer bones? You want to be slim, go on a slow cut, aim to lose half a pound a week. Or you can eat at maintenance and heavy lift. Follow a proper program.

    Bret Contraras wrote a really good article about slim built celebs and what regime they are following. They were doing a lot of lifting but really watching the calories.

    http://bretcontreras.com/how-to-attain-a-slender-look-like-jessica-alba-zoe-saldana/
  • ROBOTFOOD
    ROBOTFOOD Posts: 5,527 Member
    Eat at a deficit, lay in bed for a couple mo. Muscle mass will decrease. Happened to me last April after my spinal fusion (scoliosis). My upper body was/is always tiny, but my legs from distance running definitely got a hell of a lot smaller.


    Just trim the fat OP. Muscle is good.
  • thelittlecharacter
    thelittlecharacter Posts: 69 Member
    edited March 2015
    @ROBOTFOOD‌ @springfield1970 Thanks for the thoughts! (: Much appreciated. I've never known what eating at a deficit felt like until the last couple days. The feeling is the worst...straight up! When I said elongate the muscles, I meant breaking the bulk down through foam rolling, stretching, and mid distance running (Basically doing anything that'll avoid creating a pump or building up too much fluid) @clabq0914‌ you would understand if you had my leg muscles... (:
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    You can't "elongate" your muscles. Your muscles have fixed origin and insertion points that determine how long your muscles are. Springfield posted a link that should help you. A bigger thing that will help is for you to learn to love your shape, because it's genetics and there's not a whole lot you can do to change it.
  • ROBOTFOOD
    ROBOTFOOD Posts: 5,527 Member
    edited March 2015
    I see.

    Well eating at a slight deficit (so you don't go mad) while distance running, could slim them a bit. Will take a while though. Hike big mtns on you're off days.
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    Umm.
    Foam rolling isn't going to elongate anything.

    And this thread will go places...
  • FitnessTrainer69
    FitnessTrainer69 Posts: 283 Member
    edited March 2015
    Weird question. My opinion would be to intake a low amount of protein each day while dropping calories. Your going to feel poopy while doing it though. for elongating your muscles you should only use the left handed weights. lol
  • Iron_Feline
    Iron_Feline Posts: 10,750 Member
    In to see the pictures of the ops bulky leg muscles.

    One day it will happen.
  • eric_sg61
    eric_sg61 Posts: 2,925 Member
    You want to decrease muscle and lose body fat? Basically, you'll just be a smaller version of what you are now without any change in appearance. That won't make you look 'toned'
  • _Waffle_
    _Waffle_ Posts: 13,049 Member
    edited March 2015
    thelittlecharacter wrote: »
    Does anyone have any experience with decreasing muscle mass and body fat for an overall slimmer/toned look. Im just trying to teach myself how to elongate my muscles while keeping a fit look. Over the past couple days I've been practicing fasted cardio, macronutrient tracking, and more body weight exercises so my muscles aren't under so much tension all the time (I've been lifting heavily for 3 years). So I do have lots of experience on me. I'm just wondering if I should maintain lifting but only with much lighter loads and a faster tempo? Or should I focus my training on building up power, endurance, flexibility, and body weight strength to shed extra fat and muscle? This is such a loaded and tough question I'm sorryyyy xx

    Astronaut Scott Kelly is going to be in space for a year. The zero gravity helps reduce muscle mass. That's really the only true way to keep tension off your muscles.

    11955036-large.jpg
    http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2015/03/nj_astronaut_to_spend_1_year_living_on_internation.html
  • AllanMisner
    AllanMisner Posts: 4,140 Member
    Oh to be 20 years old and carefree...

    Losing muscle mass is almost never a good idea. You’re at a prime age to build a good foundation to carry you through the rest of adulthood.

    My advice, pick an activity that gives you the fitness improvements you want, but don’t entirely drop weight lifting. For example, mix in yoga and Pilates, and do one or two strength training sessions (heavy weights at low reps (less than 6)).
  • thelittlecharacter
    thelittlecharacter Posts: 69 Member
    clabq0914 wrote: »
    But.....why?

    "You actually want to lose muscle mass AND lose fat?!?!" (Said no one ever!)

    If you tried to keep the muscle mass and lose fat, you will inevitably lose some mass along with that fat, but to say you are intentionally trying to lose the mass would be mind boggling. I suppose if you really wanted to, just lower your protein intake and make sure you stay in a caloric deficit will put you in catabolism.

    But I would strongly encourage you to try to keep muscle mass, lose fat, and embrace it - muscles are sexy!

  • thelittlecharacter
    thelittlecharacter Posts: 69 Member
    eric_sg61 wrote: »
    You want to decrease muscle and lose body fat? Basically, you'll just be a smaller version of what you are now without any change in appearance. That won't make you look 'toned'

    It will actually as I don't have much fat to lose. You all are making it sound like I'm out to get weak and pathetic. I'm more focused on improving upon athleticism. My fitness and performance levels are already advanced. I'm working down to turn back into a more balanced athlete, not a bodybuilder. Bodybuilding is too easy for my liking although I do maintain the quality of my muscles so my fitness levels are always high. So there won't be a "smaller" version of me. Just trying to figure out how to get a more balanced look through the same workouts. Quality>Strength always
  • Iron_Feline
    Iron_Feline Posts: 10,750 Member
    Unless you post pics not a single person will believe that you are overly muscular.

    Not one person that claims this has ever backed it up with pictures. Esp when you claim bodybuilding is too easy.
  • jennifershoo
    jennifershoo Posts: 3,198 Member
    Iron_Feline wrote: »
    In to see the pictures of the ops bulky leg muscles.

    One day it will happen.

    In too!
  • clabq0914
    clabq0914 Posts: 16 Member
    thelittlecharacter wrote: »
    @clabq0914‌ you would understand if you had my leg muscles... (:

    Without seeing pics, I would take a wild guess that your genetics just happens to make your legs where your body wants to store fat. Sadly, we don't get to pick where it's stored or where to make it come off. Be thankful it's not your stomach.

    Otherwise, if you have a skinny waist and strong, muscular legs - similar to a gymnast, then don't worry, you are doing perfectly well!

    And yes, eating at a deficit can be very difficult and make you feel so much different throughout the day. I use my weekly weigh-ins to keep me motivated to continue eating at a deficit, because it is very difficult for me too.
    Springfield1970 wrote: »
    @Springfield1970‌

    OMGHi2u :)
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    thelittlecharacter wrote: »
    eric_sg61 wrote: »
    You want to decrease muscle and lose body fat? Basically, you'll just be a smaller version of what you are now without any change in appearance. That won't make you look 'toned'

    It will actually as I don't have much fat to lose. You all are making it sound like I'm out to get weak and pathetic. I'm more focused on improving upon athleticism. My fitness and performance levels are already advanced. I'm working down to turn back into a more balanced athlete, not a bodybuilder. Bodybuilding is too easy for my liking although I do maintain the quality of my muscles so my fitness levels are always high. So there won't be a "smaller" version of me. Just trying to figure out how to get a more balanced look through the same workouts. Quality>Strength always

    Pics or no proof and no one believes anything said online. Quality>Strength what are you talking about?
  • 4legsRbetterthan2
    4legsRbetterthan2 Posts: 19,590 MFP Moderator
    instead of making your legs smaller you could make your arms bigger?
  • thelittlecharacter
    thelittlecharacter Posts: 69 Member
    @clabq0914‌ You're so nice. One of the only few respectful people on this discussion actually (: Good luck with your goals too! x You've already helped me out more than you know. @yopeeps025‌ I haven't figured out how to post photos since I'm new to this app...I also don't wanna get judged for being trashy for showing extra skin. Especially with everyone here who is trolling and out to prove themselves by trying to prove me wrong. I just don't feel the need to show anything tbh. Lastly, quality as in one can have a huge amount of muscular strength, but their muscular endurance is just garbage. That's why I'm not a fan of sticking to weights and machines all day. People who train like that often lose their athleticism, get slower, etc.
  • thelittlecharacter
    thelittlecharacter Posts: 69 Member
    @4legsRbetterthan2‌ loll that's gross
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    edited March 2015
    thelittlecharacter wrote: »
    @clabq0914‌ You're so nice. One of the only few respectful people on this discussion actually (: Good luck with your goals too! x You've already helped me out more than you know. @yopeeps025‌ I haven't figured out how to post photos since I'm new to this app...I also don't wanna get judged for being trashy for showing extra skin. Especially with everyone here who is trolling and out to prove themselves by trying to prove me wrong. I just don't feel the need to show anything tbh. Lastly, quality as in one can have a huge amount of muscular strength, but their muscular endurance is just garbage. That's why I'm not a fan of sticking to weights and machines all day. People who train like that often lose their athleticism, get slower, etc.

    Muscular strength and muscular endurance hmm. You are slowing losing credibility since you claim body building is so easy. There are some pretty big NFL player who are running some fast 40 yard dash and bench pressing a lot more than most people.

    Also that is on the person because people know how you do both. You can't do both in the same program for gains but you can do both in the same year. I'm talking about rep ranges. You do know you can lift for muscular endurance right? You should right body building is too easy. LOL actually its a slow process for men and hard/slow process for women. Something tells me that you and everyone else me including are defining body building differently.
  • eric_sg61
    eric_sg61 Posts: 2,925 Member
    thelittlecharacter wrote: »
    @clabq0914‌ You're so nice. One of the only few respectful people on this discussion actually (: Good luck with your goals too! x You've already helped me out more than you know. @yopeeps025‌ I haven't figured out how to post photos since I'm new to this app...I also don't wanna get judged for being trashy for showing extra skin. Especially with everyone here who is trolling and out to prove themselves by trying to prove me wrong. I just don't feel the need to show anything tbh. Lastly, quality as in one can have a huge amount of muscular strength, but their muscular endurance is just garbage. That's why I'm not a fan of sticking to weights and machines all day. People who train like that often lose their athleticism, get slower, etc.

    You might want to get out in the world a little more before you make a statement like that. This is starting to sound like a roll bread
  • DjinnMarie
    DjinnMarie Posts: 1,297 Member
    edited March 2015
    I went threw something similar in my late teens. I hated my thick and muscular gymnastics legs. I wanted a "softer" look.

    But sometimes you just have to embrace what you have. Whether it's from gymnastics or genetics, I have muscular legs and always will. Instead of wishing my legs were different, I decided to improve on the type of legs I do have.
  • DjinnMarie
    DjinnMarie Posts: 1,297 Member
    thelittlecharacter wrote: »
    @4legsRbetterthan2‌ loll that's gross

    What is gross exactly?

  • AllanMisner
    AllanMisner Posts: 4,140 Member
    OP, you should realize that each week a young lady posts on here how she looks like the she-hulk and wants to change her body to look like Charlees Theron. Women who complain that they just gain too much muscle too fast and want it to stop. So, forgive us who think that muscle is a great thing.

    http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140314095102.htm

  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    thelittlecharacter wrote: »
    Im just trying to teach myself how to elongate my muscles while keeping a fit look.

    How do you do that without literally making your bones longer?

    Am I missing something...?
  • ew_david
    ew_david Posts: 3,473 Member
    thelittlecharacter wrote: »
    eric_sg61 wrote: »
    You want to decrease muscle and lose body fat? Basically, you'll just be a smaller version of what you are now without any change in appearance. That won't make you look 'toned'

    It will actually as I don't have much fat to lose. You all are making it sound like I'm out to get weak and pathetic. I'm more focused on improving upon athleticism. My fitness and performance levels are already advanced. I'm working down to turn back into a more balanced athlete, not a bodybuilder. Bodybuilding is too easy for my liking although I do maintain the quality of my muscles so my fitness levels are always high. So there won't be a "smaller" version of me. Just trying to figure out how to get a more balanced look through the same workouts. Quality>Strength always

    said no one ever.
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    edited March 2015
    thelittlecharacter wrote: »
    @clabq0914‌ You're so nice. One of the only few respectful people on this discussion actually (: Good luck with your goals too! x You've already helped me out more than you know. @yopeeps025‌ I haven't figured out how to post photos since I'm new to this app...I also don't wanna get judged for being trashy for showing extra skin. Especially with everyone here who is trolling and out to prove themselves by trying to prove me wrong. I just don't feel the need to show anything tbh. Lastly, quality as in one can have a huge amount of muscular strength, but their muscular endurance is just garbage. That's why I'm not a fan of sticking to weights and machines all day. People who train like that often lose their athleticism, get slower, etc.

    Oh so photos of a bikini on a fitness site are trashy now. Is going to the beach wearing a bikini trashy?

    YOU make claims that you are so muscular. Of course people want to see hell I want to see how someone feels that body building is so easy to them.
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