oh, and ps - I think we all have very different definitions for the word "bulky"!! I defnitely want strong, toned, lean arms that look sexy but I do NOT want big muscles! I've posted questions before about "heavy lifting" and getting too big, etc. and people always respond with statements like "look at so and so's pics on her profile, she doesn't look bulky and she lifts heavy" and then I promptly go to "so and so's" profile, look through her pics and am totally confused because to ME, she looks "big" or "bulky". Clearly she's not too bulky for HER own personal preference but I personally do not want big arms. I want strong, defined arms (and am getting there by the way..hehe) but I do not want to look the way some people look who say they're "not bulky". Anyway, my point is everyone has a different opinion on what is too much muslce, too bulky, etc. and it's ok to disagree.....we don't need to make each feel bad for having a certain goal or desired look in mind for our own bodies! I lift havey 3 days a week and have been for a month or so and am LOVING the new muscles and strength, I'm addicted to lifting now but that doesn't mean that my idea of "bulky" has really changed much....still want long, lean strong, defined muscles....not "bulky" ones!

I had a DEXA scan recently....when i had that done....they told me my lean muscle mass is 64.9 kilos and a female wants to aim for only 40 kilos. They basically told me as i still have another 5-7 kilos of fat to actually lose....to do cardio, cardio, cardio and they recommended eating 700-800 cals below my TDEE they actually told me if i need to lose 15 kilos to lose 5 kilos of fat and the rest lean mass it wouldnt matter cos of my high content....so cardio does seem the way to go

Wait wait wait...I thought we're supposed to back off on cardio in EM2LM??? Now I'm officially thoroughly confused.
I love cardio because I LOVE how it makes my body look but I've backed it wayyyyy down from 9 hours/week to a measly 3 hours/well and have been severely saddened by the results but figured I just had to keep the faith and keep lifting heavier....God this is the most confusing crap ever.

I had a DEXA scan recently....when i had that done....they told me my lean muscle mass is 64.9 kilos and a female wants to aim for only 40 kilos. They basically told me as i still have another 5-7 kilos of fat to actually lose....to do cardio, cardio, cardio and they recommended eating 700-800 cals below my TDEE they actually told me if i need to lose 15 kilos to lose 5 kilos of fat and the rest lean mass it wouldnt matter cos of my high content....so cardio does seem the way to go

Wait wait wait...I thought we're supposed to back off on cardio in EM2LM??? Now I'm officially thoroughly confused.
I love cardio because I LOVE how it makes my body look but I've backed it wayyyyy down from 9 hours/week to a measly 3 hours/well and have been severely saddened by the results but figured I just had to keep the faith and keep lifting heavier....God this is the most confusing crap ever.

Days, they told her to do more cardio to reduce her lean mass. Cardio is the way to go if you want to get rid of lean mass along with fat, but most of us are trying to build lean mass while reducing fat. So less cardio (shorter sessions of HIIT, or other cardio less often) along with heavy lifting will achieve this much quicker than just doing hours upon hours of cardio.