Muscle

ladydee225
ladydee225 Posts: 2 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I have been working out like crazy. I can feel a difference in my endurance (yay!), but i feel like I'm gaining more muscle, and not really losing the weight that i want. I go to fitness boot-camp on Monday and Wednesday evenings (and Saturdays, if i can get up early). The other days are spent at either the gym or running the track. What exercises can I do to tone and slim down? Should I even change my routine? i feel as though the my "bulky" feeling will eventually go away and I will slim down with toned muscles. Not sure what to do... Please help...

Dee

Replies

  • LabRat529
    LabRat529 Posts: 1,323 Member
    Perhaps a better approach would be to change your perspective. Is WEIGHT important? Or is over-all physical health important? Is the number on your scale what matters most to you? Or is how you look in the mirror?

    Sometimes exercise will slow down WEIGHT loss, but it improves physical health and it can take inches off your waist even though you're not dropping a pound.

    My advice is to stick with your routine. Do you like it? Does it make you feel good? Are other measures of physical health improving? If the answer is yes... ignore the scale.

    Best wishes.
  • simplytorri
    simplytorri Posts: 2
    I have been told by Personal Trainers that to lose FAT & INCHES you must do mederate cardio (ie: medium speed on an elliptical, brisk walking, light jogging, etc. for about 30-45 minutes, 3-4 days a week) and a little bit of strength training two - three times a week.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,998 Member
    I have been told by Personal Trainers that to lose FAT & INCHES you must do mederate cardio (ie: medium speed on an elliptical, brisk walking, light jogging, etc. for about 30-45 minutes, 3-4 days a week) and a little bit of strength training two - three times a week.
    I would tell you different. More strength and less cardio with correct calorie deficit. Now if cardio fitness is important to you, then keep the cardio the same.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    I have been told by Personal Trainers that to lose FAT & INCHES you must do mederate cardio (ie: medium speed on an elliptical, brisk walking, light jogging, etc. for about 30-45 minutes, 3-4 days a week) and a little bit of strength training two - three times a week.

    Your personal trainer is outdated. Heavy weight training has been proven to be the most effective tool for cutting fat. Also, HIIT training has also been more effective at cutting fat than moderate cardio.


    http://www.metaboliceffect.com/topic/38-nutrition-lifestyle.aspx


    OP, you aren't gaining muscle on 1200 calories a day. You can't gain muscle on a caloric deficit unless we are talking noob gains (a person that has never worked out or severely obese). And in reality, you will increase the chances of muscle loss if you only eat 1200 calories a day, and will hurt strength. Gotta fuel the body in order to increase strength and muscle.
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    Have you just started this regime? Do your muscles feel sore? I'm thinking that the "bulky" feeling may be because your muscles are retaining water as they repair themselves and so feel big. My muscles always feel noticeably bigger right after a workout, but go down again. Are you eating at a calorie deficit? If so you don't need to worry about gaining muscle weight because you'd (generally) need to be eating over your TDEE for that. So, to "tone" - strength training. To get slimmer - strength training and a moderate calorie deficit through diet (and cardio if you like). I do feel your frustration as I too am waiting to lose the fat and reveal my lovely muscles!
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    I have been told by Personal Trainers that to lose FAT & INCHES you must do mederate cardio (ie: medium speed on an elliptical, brisk walking, light jogging, etc. for about 30-45 minutes, 3-4 days a week) and a little bit of strength training two - three times a week.

    Your personal trainer is outdated. Heavy weight training has been proven to be the most effective tool for cutting fat. Also, HIIT training has also been more effective at cutting fat than moderate cardio.


    http://www.metaboliceffect.com/topic/38-nutrition-lifestyle.aspx


    OP, you aren't gaining muscle on 1200 calories a day. You can't gain muscle on a caloric deficit unless we are talking noob gains (a person that has never worked out or severely obese). And in reality, you will increase the chances of muscle loss if you only eat 1200 calories a day, and will hurt strength. Gotta fuel the body in order to increase strength and muscle.

    Both this and what Niner said!

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