Arms looking bulkier and big after weights help

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Replies

  • Chieflrg
    Chieflrg Posts: 9,097 Member
    Rule #1 of lifting is make goals for yourself.

    Rule #2 Don't let others, decide what you want.

    Rule #3 Reassess when goals are complete what your new goals are.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    edited October 2016
    Seth1825 wrote: »
    kanaada wrote: »
    A lot of my friends and family are commenting on how toned and "bigger" my arms looks like now and I'm feeling really discouraged because they said it in a manner that is telling me to stop lifting weights cos it's starting to look bad! What should I do now??? Should I just cardio and lose the fats on my arms or should I continue lifting?? It's so hard for me to lose weight too help

    Wait I'm confused, having bigger toned arms is a BAD THING????

    I agree personally, but different people have different body preferences/goals. Regardless, the fact remains that one doesn't get huge muscles "accidentally", nor in the short term.

    With people who are successfully losing weight, I suspect it's much more often the case that the reduction in bodyfat has created some muscular definition that wasn't visible before and they interpret it as "Omgzzzz, I'm getting HYOOGE!". The muscles aren't really "bigger" or "bulkier", they're just more defined. If one takes measurements from time to time, it's real easy to tell whether it's actual growth or not.
  • Habiteer
    Habiteer Posts: 190 Member
    Resistance training also has so many other benefits besides aesthetics. It will increase bone mineral density, prevent osteoporosis and so many other diseases, give you a sense of well-being, make everything you do easier such as carrying groceries to interacting with friends and family at social events, give you energy, relax you, etc...

    Sometimes people think they want one thing, but they really want something else.
  • lemmie177
    lemmie177 Posts: 479 Member
    AnvilHead wrote: »
    Seth1825 wrote: »
    kanaada wrote: »
    A lot of my friends and family are commenting on how toned and "bigger" my arms looks like now and I'm feeling really discouraged because they said it in a manner that is telling me to stop lifting weights cos it's starting to look bad! What should I do now??? Should I just cardio and lose the fats on my arms or should I continue lifting?? It's so hard for me to lose weight too help

    Wait I'm confused, having bigger toned arms is a BAD THING????

    I agree personally, but different people have different body preferences/goals. Regardless, the fact remains that one doesn't get huge muscles "accidentally", nor in the short term.

    With people who are successfully losing weight, I suspect it's much more often the case that the reduction in bodyfat has created some muscular definition that wasn't visible before and they interpret it as "Omgzzzz, I'm getting HYOOGE!". The muscles aren't really "bigger" or "bulkier", they're just more defined. If one takes measurements from time to time, it's real easy to tell whether it's actual growth or not.

    While I agree its more likely muscular definition rather than size, it doesn't change the fact that OP (or at least OP's family) perceive it as bulk. "Bulky" isn't exactly a scientific term and in some circles and cultures, the slightest amount of visible muscle is considered outside the norm. My family was similar. In their Asian culture, you're expected to be a willowy thing with dainty everything. Put on a little muscle and people freak out and stage an intervention to stop you from becoming a bodybuilder.

    OP, you'll have to decide what your own values and preferences are. People generally have preconceived notions about who you are and what you should look like. Just let them flap their gums and be on your way.
  • annekka
    annekka Posts: 517 Member
    edited October 2016
    lemmie177 wrote: »

    While I agree its more likely muscular definition rather than size, it doesn't change the fact that OP (or at least OP's family) perceive it as bulk. "Bulky" isn't exactly a scientific term and in some circles and cultures, the slightest amount of visible muscle is considered outside the norm. My family was similar. In their Asian culture, you're expected to be a willowy thing with dainty everything. Put on a little muscle and people freak out and stage an intervention to stop you from becoming a bodybuilder.

    OP, you'll have to decide what your own values and preferences are. People generally have preconceived notions about who you are and what you should look like. Just let them flap their gums and be on your way.

    What Lemmie177 said was my first thought. If OP comes from an Asian background, in Asia there is a lot of push against woman having muscles. Now before anyone yells at me I am currently in my 5th year of living here (4 years in China and now 1 year in a SE asian country). I have watched women here train and seen the "ideal" bodies. Especially in China I was the ONLY woman in the free weights. Other than the occasional woman there taking selfies or hanging out with her guy. It took weeks for the men to stop looking at me with suspicion about my place there. And believe me when I say it was suspicion, there were some who would come and peek in if they heard any noise from the weights b/c I obviously must have hurt myself.

    OP, if this is your background, as others have said you won't become Arnie looking from lifting weights. It will help give your body nice shape. Remember that it is YOUR body, and you are the one who has to live with it. And thank them for respecting that.

  • MichelleLea122
    MichelleLea122 Posts: 332 Member
    Honestly @kanaada a lot of your posts here suggest you have an unhealthy relationship with food and body image. I'm not saying this to call you out, but it seems like every week you're posting about things like bingeing and crash dieting. People on here have given some good advice, but it seems like you need a little more than some reassurance from strangers on the internet. You need to stop fixating on these little things, take a step back and start doing what's best for you both physically and mentally.
  • MsRuffBuffNStuff
    MsRuffBuffNStuff Posts: 363 Member
    MichelleLei1 wrote: »
    Honestly @kanaada a lot of your posts here suggest you have an unhealthy relationship with food and body image. I'm not saying this to call you out, but it seems like every week you're posting about things like bingeing and crash dieting. People on here have given some good advice, but it seems like you need a little more than some reassurance from strangers on the internet. You need to stop fixating on these little things, take a step back and start doing what's best for you both physically and mentally.

    I had the same gut feeling about this post.

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