Weight Gain/Tone

I just started logging my calories so I can gain/tone and lose some of my stomach. Not looking for a six pack, just want the pudge to go away.

Right now I'm doing leg lifts, crunches, and working on planks for my and. I've been lifting with 5 lb dumbbells for my arms and to lift my chest. Then, I've been doing bridges to lift my butt. I start yoga on Tuesday.

Any advice as to what and what not to do? I just want to make sure I'm not doing anything that will result in me losing instead of gaining.

Thank you in advance for your advice.
I'm also looking for friends to add for motivation.

Replies

  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    You want to lose your stomach? That involves losing fat, which means being in a deficit. Toning is generally also fat loss to make the muscles you do have appear more defined....

    If you are at your goal weight, you may want to look in to recomp. This involves eating at a maintenance level, whilst doing properly programmed progressive lifting training. It'll help you lose fat (slowly) whilst building muscle (slowly). Your weight should stay steady whilst your body composition changes...

    If you just want to lose the fat, eat at a deficit, but get started on a proper progressive lifting program to maintain the muscle you do have.

  • Anjeeb23
    Anjeeb23 Posts: 13 Member
    You want to lose your stomach? That involves losing fat, which means being in a deficit. Toning is generally also fat loss to make the muscles you do have appear more defined....

    If you are at your goal weight, you may want to look in to recomp. This involves eating at a maintenance level, whilst doing properly programmed progressive lifting training. It'll help you lose fat (slowly) whilst building muscle (slowly). Your weight should stay steady whilst your body composition changes...

    If you just want to lose the fat, eat at a deficit, but get started on a proper progressive lifting program to maintain the muscle you do have.

    That's what I feared. I'm still in the process of trying to gain. Thank you for the tip.
  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    edited May 2017
    Anjeeb23 wrote: »
    You want to lose your stomach? That involves losing fat, which means being in a deficit. Toning is generally also fat loss to make the muscles you do have appear more defined....

    If you are at your goal weight, you may want to look in to recomp. This involves eating at a maintenance level, whilst doing properly programmed progressive lifting training. It'll help you lose fat (slowly) whilst building muscle (slowly). Your weight should stay steady whilst your body composition changes...

    If you just want to lose the fat, eat at a deficit, but get started on a proper progressive lifting program to maintain the muscle you do have.

    That's what I feared. I'm still in the process of trying to gain. Thank you for the tip.

    If you want to make a decent go at gaining muscle, I'd suggest getting a proper lifting program. What you're doing isn't going to get you very far. You also need to be eating in a surplus, which comes with fat gain unfortunately - you have to learn to embrace the unwanted fat you also want the muscle gains. You can minimise the fat by minimising your surplus.

    (there are many threads on the forum with info on various lifting programs people recommend)
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,426 MFP Moderator
    You cut to "tone" or lose fat. You eat in a surplus so you maximize muscle growth. After you are done gaining, you have to slowly cut weight again so you can reveal the new muscle. It's just how the body works. So you may have to do this cycle a few times. Also, 5 lbs aren't going to do much. Get on a structured lifting program that focuses on compound movements.


    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10332083/which-lifting-program-is-the-best-for-you/p1