How can I get toned with strength training without looking bulky?
sunnydays851
Posts: 116 Member
5'1", and last time I checked I weighed 115.8 lbs. I have a couple more pounds to go before I'm done cutting, but I don't want to end up skinny fat and still have my arms jiggle when I walk. I certainly don't want to look bulky. I just want a flat stomach and legs that don't sag or rub together. I don't have any equipment except for two three pounds weights that I found in my closet. I don't have a big enough budget for any more than that. Any advice?
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Replies
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Women don't get bulky from lifting weights unless they're on steroids. Especially if they're on a calorie deficit.0
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First you're not going to look bulky with 2-3 lb weights. Second you're not going to look bulky lifting really heavy weights. Third, you may want to look into a body weight progression program since you don't have any really heavy weights.0
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Get yourself to the gym and lift something heavy. Examples of good programs are strongcurves and stronglifts. If you eat at miantenance, you will not get bulky. The only way to get bulky would be to eat at a surplus and gain weight.0
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Mycophilia wrote: »Women don't get bulky from lifting weights unless they're on steroids. Especially if they're on a calorie deficit.
Oh, thanks! I was getting a bit worried there. I am not the type to look good when bulky!
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Thanks everybody! I will try your suggestions! As you can tell, I really didn't know what I was doing (or, more accurately, what I was thinking about doing.) I never tried to lose weight or get toned before this.0
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You're definitely safe from bulking up with 3 # weights, (and 5, ...)
I get nice tone using weights up to 15 #.
If you strike out on yard sales, thrift shops, craigslist and freecyle for higher weights, you can use half gallon and gallon jugs with handles of water. 1 gallon weighs 8.35 pounds.
Here's more on making a weight set from things you have around the house: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Homemade-Weight-Set0 -
LOL..0
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DancingMoosie wrote: »Get yourself to the gym and lift something heavy. Examples of good programs are strongcurves and stronglifts. If you eat at miantenance, you will not get bulky. The only way to get bulky would be to eat at a surplus and gain weight.
you don't have to lift heavy to get the results the OP is looking for.
OP try bodyweight programs such as I am my own gym or Jillian Michael's DVDs...I personally know those who use them and they are very lean visible abs etc.
If you like the idea of heavy lifting (I heavy lift and love it) the above programs are great along with new rules of lifting for women or starting strength.0 -
Yoga will also give you a slim toned body. It also have other benefits.0
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DancingMoosie wrote: »Get yourself to the gym and lift something heavy. Examples of good programs are strongcurves and stronglifts. If you eat at miantenance, you will not get bulky. The only way to get bulky would be to eat at a surplus and gain weight.
you don't have to lift heavy to get the results the OP is looking for.
OP try bodyweight programs such as I am my own gym or Jillian Michael's DVDs...I personally know those who use them and they are very lean visible abs etc.
If you like the idea of heavy lifting (I heavy lift and love it) the above programs are great along with new rules of lifting for women or starting strength.
Great ideas! I've been looking to try yoga. :-)wanttobefit300 wrote: »Yoga will also give you a slim toned body. It also have other benefits.
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I'm a yoga teacher and I recommend Rodney Yee's AM Stretch DVD for beginners or those looking for a gentle stretch before or after a workout:
There's a cheaper DVD of updated sequences with Colleen instead of Patricia for the PM Stretch, but I haven't seen this one and see there were a lot of reviews saying it wasn't actually suitable for beginners.0 -
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You could try bodyweight exercises (you can find demos on Youtube), and also find exercises to try with the weights you currently have, although to progress in the future you will possibly want to invest in more if you can (try Gumtree or local Facebook groups where you can pick up stuff cheap or perhaps swap items you want to get rid of for things you want). I don't have much experience with yoga, but Pilates is great for developing a stronger core.0
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Take a look at this thread. ALL of it
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/977538/halp-heavy-lifting-made-me-supah-bulky0 -
You won't get bulky from lifting weights, it's nothing to worry about. Since you said you don't have any weights to lift right now, look up convict conditioning. It's better then nothing until you can get yourself some heavier weights.0
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Hey sunny!
You don't need any weights for training, actually all you need is a couple of books, a backpack, a chair, a table or whatever you can find at home. In the words of my mentor Mark Lauren "You are your own gym", I'd highly recommend buying "Body by you" by Mark Lauren, which is aimed especially at women, or get the App from Mark Lauren on your iOS or Android, of course just in case you have a smartphone. Do not check it out, do not consider buying it, buy it and use it, throw away your weights cause you don't need them! I can only talk from experience, I'm very toned and not bulky at all and I work out everyday with his exercises at home. You will love it and ask yourself why you ever used weights. Good luck!-1 -
Hey sunny!
You don't need any weights for training, actually all you need is a couple of books, a backpack, a chair, a table or whatever you can find at home. In the words of my mentor Mark Lauren "You are your own gym", I'd highly recommend buying "Body by you" by Mark Lauren, which is aimed especially at women, or get the App from Mark Lauren on your iOS or Android, of course just in case you have a smartphone. Do not check it out, do not consider buying it, buy it and use it, throw away your weights cause you don't need them! I can only talk from experience, I'm very toned and not bulky at all and I work out everyday with his exercises at home. You will love it and ask yourself why you ever used weights. Good luck!
Until you injury yourself...
weights were designed to be lifted etc...a back pack with books is fine but not long term.
But no weights are not required resistance training, body weight workouts etc.
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Hey sunny!
You don't need any weights for training, actually all you need is a couple of books, a backpack, a chair, a table or whatever you can find at home. In the words of my mentor Mark Lauren "You are your own gym", I'd highly recommend buying "Body by you" by Mark Lauren, which is aimed especially at women, or get the App from Mark Lauren on your iOS or Android, of course just in case you have a smartphone. Do not check it out, do not consider buying it, buy it and use it, throw away your weights cause you don't need them! I can only talk from experience, I'm very toned and not bulky at all and I work out everyday with his exercises at home. You will love it and ask yourself why you ever used weights. Good luck!
Until you injury yourself...
weights were designed to be lifted etc...a back pack with books is fine but not long term.
But no weights are not required resistance training, body weight workouts etc.
Injury yourself? I mean if you're clumsy enough that might happen but then that's not the fault of your equipment, I wasn't talking about lifting chairs, tables and books with your hands, in case you maybe thought that's what I meant lol. You're right of course, I'm using real weights that I put in my backpack because I can't put enough books in mine to be heavy enough, I also got a chin up bar for my doors but I've worked out with only what I had at home for months and nothing ever happened to me. I understand, you don't know the exercises I mean or haven't seen them yet but I can guarantee and promise you that every single one of them is injury free, if of course you execute them correctly.
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If you want to try yoga or lifting, please sign up for a session with a trainer/yoga teacher to learn proper form. It's essential for safety and getting the results you want.0
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Hey sunny!
You don't need any weights for training, actually all you need is a couple of books, a backpack, a chair, a table or whatever you can find at home. In the words of my mentor Mark Lauren "You are your own gym", I'd highly recommend buying "Body by you" by Mark Lauren, which is aimed especially at women, or get the App from Mark Lauren on your iOS or Android, of course just in case you have a smartphone. Do not check it out, do not consider buying it, buy it and use it, throw away your weights cause you don't need them! I can only talk from experience, I'm very toned and not bulky at all and I work out everyday with his exercises at home. You will love it and ask yourself why you ever used weights. Good luck!
Until you injury yourself...
weights were designed to be lifted etc...a back pack with books is fine but not long term.
But no weights are not required resistance training, body weight workouts etc.
Injury yourself? I mean if you're clumsy enough that might happen but then that's not the fault of your equipment, I wasn't talking about lifting chairs, tables and books with your hands, in case you maybe thought that's what I meant lol. You're right of course, I'm using real weights that I put in my backpack because I can't put enough books in mine to be heavy enough, I also got a chin up bar for my doors but I've worked out with only what I had at home for months and nothing ever happened to me. I understand, you don't know the exercises I mean or haven't seen them yet but I can guarantee and promise you that every single one of them is injury free, if of course you execute them correctly.
carrying a book bag/back pack around with weights/books is going to injure a person.
there will be constant pressure on your shoulders and back.
this coming from someone who did it for years in the military...it puts undo pressure on a lot of areas on your body that can and eventually will cause issues.0 -
I heavy weight lift and love it, it really gets me feeling better afterwards and I like to do it most days - I've kept tone and built up a little on my thighs but I'm not 'bulky' at all, but I'm not a typical 'skinny' looking girl, by lifting weights you'll find you'll be a good middle 0
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Hey sunny!
You don't need any weights for training, actually all you need is a couple of books, a backpack, a chair, a table or whatever you can find at home. In the words of my mentor Mark Lauren "You are your own gym", I'd highly recommend buying "Body by you" by Mark Lauren, which is aimed especially at women, or get the App from Mark Lauren on your iOS or Android, of course just in case you have a smartphone. Do not check it out, do not consider buying it, buy it and use it, throw away your weights cause you don't need them! I can only talk from experience, I'm very toned and not bulky at all and I work out everyday with his exercises at home. You will love it and ask yourself why you ever used weights. Good luck!
Until you injury yourself...
weights were designed to be lifted etc...a back pack with books is fine but not long term.
But no weights are not required resistance training, body weight workouts etc.
Injury yourself? I mean if you're clumsy enough that might happen but then that's not the fault of your equipment, I wasn't talking about lifting chairs, tables and books with your hands, in case you maybe thought that's what I meant lol. You're right of course, I'm using real weights that I put in my backpack because I can't put enough books in mine to be heavy enough, I also got a chin up bar for my doors but I've worked out with only what I had at home for months and nothing ever happened to me. I understand, you don't know the exercises I mean or haven't seen them yet but I can guarantee and promise you that every single one of them is injury free, if of course you execute them correctly.
carrying a book bag/back pack around with weights/books is going to injure a person.
there will be constant pressure on your shoulders and back.
this coming from someone who did it for years in the military...it puts undo pressure on a lot of areas on your body that can and eventually will cause issues.
+1
My backpack f'ed up my shoulders and posture in college. Im still paying for it.0 -
My cousin's wife looks very muscular from lifting weights and I don't think she takes steroids - I can't figure out how you all are adding photo attachments here (?), so Google Jessica Rinaldi, because apparently, yes, it does happen that women bulk up - especially if they have more male type hormones in their system, which I have been tested to have - too much androgen and DHEA and testosterone. So, I agree w/ you, @sunnydays851 - Cathe Friedrich is another one - I don't want to be that bulky either. My thigh muscles get bulky, so I try to avoid leg weights, which are the main things that are supposed to thin your legs - in normal women i guess. When I used to work out, my arms would get a little too muscular too, without trying very hard. People would comment I was buff or looked like I could kick their *kitten*. Now you see, in my photos with my saggy arms I have now - it's either that or a buff fest!0
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im going to suggest something here, running\cycling, my legs are super skinny and toned from running, and it also works your core. (planks and cycles are also worth looking at for your stomach)
To do your arms have a look at diamond pushup and a pull up bar might be worth investing in, but have a look online for bodyweight exercises reddit is a good source of advice0 -
Jessica Rinaldi image, I don't see "bulk".
http://www.universeweekend.com/beta/wp-content/uploads/JESSICA-RINALDI.jpg
Cathe Friedrich, not bulky.
http://cathe.com/should-you-train-your-abdominals-every-day
You have to train and diet rigorously to get that really muscled look. It's not going to happen by accident. Ok, I'll add the caveat that it won't happen to most. We are a species of rare exceptions.
I second the "Body by You" or "You are Your Own Gym" recommendations for your circumstances.0 -
My cousin's wife looks very muscular from lifting weights and I don't think she takes steroids - I can't figure out how you all are adding photo attachments here (?), so Google Jessica Rinaldi, because apparently, yes, it does happen that women bulk up - especially if they have more male type hormones in their system, which I have been tested to have - too much androgen and DHEA and testosterone. So, I agree w/ you, @sunnydays851 - Cathe Friedrich is another one - I don't want to be that bulky either. My thigh muscles get bulky, so I try to avoid leg weights, which are the main things that are supposed to thin your legs - in normal women i guess. When I used to work out, my arms would get a little too muscular too, without trying very hard. People would comment I was buff or looked like I could kick their *kitten*. Now you see, in my photos with my saggy arms I have now - it's either that or a buff fest!
And with that Google search now comes the debate over what is bulky. Sorry, but one does not just wake up one day and go "oh crap...I'm bulky ". Growing mass takes an on point surplus of a diet, and months to years of hard...hard work. Growing mass doesn't happen on accident from lifting heavy, one must actually be concously trying to grow in order for that to happen.0 -
I'm confused on why you would pick Jessica Rinaldi as a bulky pic.....yes. she has some pics that show bulk....her BODYBUILDER COMPETITION pictures....where she specifically trained and ate to change her body and bulk.......smh.0
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My cousin's wife looks very muscular from lifting weights and I don't think she takes steroids - I can't figure out how you all are adding photo attachments here (?), so Google Jessica Rinaldi, because apparently, yes, it does happen that women bulk up - especially if they have more male type hormones in their system, which I have been tested to have - too much androgen and DHEA and testosterone. So, I agree w/ you, @sunnydays851 - Cathe Friedrich is another one - I don't want to be that bulky either.
The women you mentioned aren't bulky. THIS is bulky:
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lmao^^ totally laughed hysterically at that.0
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My cousin's wife looks very muscular from lifting weights and I don't think she takes steroids - I can't figure out how you all are adding photo attachments here (?), so Google Jessica Rinaldi, because apparently, yes, it does happen that women bulk up - especially if they have more male type hormones in their system, which I have been tested to have - too much androgen and DHEA and testosterone. So, I agree w/ you, @sunnydays851 - Cathe Friedrich is another one - I don't want to be that bulky either.
The women you mentioned aren't bulky. THIS is bulky:
Co-signed. I don’t see those two women as bulky at *all*. I guess everyone’s definition of bulky really does differ. I want all the musclez, personally. All of you who don’t, just don’t lift heavy weights. Problem solved.0
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