Would anyone mind giving me advice on how to get in shape without gaining much muscle

Elizabeth · 21-Oct-04, 03:43 AM

Hello, I accidentally came upon this site and I'm so glad that I did! I've been needing advice for awhile now...

Well, this summer I decided I wanted to try to get in shape and I lost weight using the Toning for Teens book. After about 2 months I realized that my stomach arms, and legs were getting more muscle than I'd like them to have, so I stopped.

I'm 16 years old, 5ft 2 and I weigh 110 lbs. I'd like to have a flat stomach and leaner legs, but I stopped doing the Toning workout, because I'm afraid of getting muscles intead of just being in better shape.

If anyone has any advice they can offer me about getting in shape without getting too much muscle, I would appreciate it so much.

Klinger · 21-Oct-04, 06:12 AM

My recommedation would be to do 2 or 3 full-body weight workouts each week with light dumbbells to maintain what you have now. Do your favorite type of cardio the other days.

Lots of gyms have organized classes, too, some of which incorporate light weights. You should be able to stay toned w/o gaining too much mass.

Elizabeth · 21-Oct-04, 12:46 PM

Thanks for replying so fast!

I was using 2, 3 and 5 pound weights (which I know must make me sound incredibly weak), but should I go down to 1, 2 and 3 pound weights? The other thing about the book I use(d) is that the stomach part of it is just doing a lot of different kinds of crunches and for the thighs it's a bunch of lunges and squats, so should I just do less of the amount the book says in order to get a flat stomach and lean legs without too much muscle?

The other question I wanted to ask was whether or not working out like you recommended would help me lose more weight, or would I just maintain my current weight?

**Lady C** · 21-Oct-04, 01:28 PM

At 5'-2" and 110 you do NOT need to lose body weight maybe reduce some body fat but not body weight.

I personally don't understand why you would not want to gain muscle. Muscle is your friend. It keeps your metabolism high and your body in good shape. Your diet is 90% of not gaining fat. Muscle just makes sure that you burn more calories and keep the body fat lower. I lift HEAVY weights and if you think this looks like I have too much muscle then so be it. I would increase those weights to 5, 10 & 15 lbs. and gain more muscle.

**cursor** · 21-Oct-04, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elizabeth

... but should I go down to 1, 2 and 3 pound weights?

No. I'm sure that you can (and definitely should) increase that weight by quite a margin. If you don't work [more] seriously at muscle development (and that's done by taxing them with adequate weights), then your body with tend to hold on to that fat that you so dearly want to lose. A properly "toned" body cannot be achieved by taking it easy.

In addition to proper muscle stimulation, you'll want to pay some serious attention to how you eat and on what schedule you supply your body with nutrition.

Oh, by the way, welcome to DiscussFitness.com.

FatBastard · 21-Oct-04, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady C

At 5'-2" and 110 you do NOT need to lose body weight maybe reduce some body fat but not body weight.

I 2nd that, at 110 lbs, I cood just poke u and it'll be enuf to break something

The lady who played the terminator in T3(she is super hot btw), benches 135.

Muscles are hot!!!

Elizabeth · 21-Oct-04, 09:34 PM

Thank you all for your replies! I really am glad that I found people that can answer my questions.

Well, the main reason that I don't want muscle is because when I came back to school and my arms were more defined, my friend and her boyfriend said that it doesn't look good for girls to have any muscle and that if I kept it up it probably wouldn't look very good. So, I figured it would just be best to try and lose weight instead.

Oh, and I have been eating a lot healthier than I did a couple of months ago:

Breakfast: nutri-grain bar
Lunch: turkey sandwich & grapes
After School: pretzels
Dinner: Chicken and vegetables

FatBastard · 21-Oct-04, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elizabeth

, my friend and her boyfriend said that it doesn't look good for girls to have any muscle

Sick perverts

Girls with a bit of muscle look HOT. Girls with a lot of muscles have to take steroids.
Do u think the T3 lady looked "too muscly"??
Ot take "bendy" Yoga women

, yoga involves working with bodyweight -thats 110lbs for ya, they aint working with no sissy weights

pbody · 21-Oct-04, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elizabeth

Well, the main reason that I don't want muscle is because when I came back to school and my arms were more defined, my friend and her boyfriend said that it doesn't look good for girls to have any muscle and that if I kept it up it probably wouldn't look very good.

Your friend and her boyfriend are on crack. A strong, fit, girl is a beautiful girl. Added muscles will only go towards your overall health, and healthy is sexy.

ps. A nutri-grain bar does not a breakfast make.

Elizabeth · 22-Oct-04, 04:17 AM

FatB- No the T3 lady didn't seem to have to much muscle to me

But, my friends' opinons of me do mean a lot (to me), so I'd feel really embarassed if they thought I had too much muscle or anything like that.

**cursor** · 22-Oct-04, 06:17 AM

Generally speaking, to gain what many migh consider "too much muscle", you really need to have an aggressive attitude and a structured fitness regimen. Just start working at it in a structured way. You can taper off whenever you want.

Take a peek at Laura817 and tell me what you think:

5'-3" tall, 112-lbs
One of Laura's journals

FatBastard · 22-Oct-04, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elizabeth

FatB- No the T3 lady didn't seem to have to much muscle to me

But, my friends' opinons of me do mean a lot (to me), so I'd feel really embarassed if they thought I had too much muscle or anything like that.

Nah, they dont think that. Take female gymnast/cheerleaders, guys have the hots for them. And I'm sure they can crank out tons of pushups.
When guys do the same routine(male gymnists) - they bulk up.
Unless u take steroids, theres not any chance u'll gain "too much muscle", u'r a girl.
As u u'rslef said, the hot T3 lady did not look muscly - and this was a girl who did her best to GAIN as much muscle as she cood.
Gaining muscle is HARD.
I mentioned Yoga, I've taken classes - it requires significant strenghth - there are poses I cannot do because I lack the strength. And the women who do it, I doubt they are curling 3lb dumbbells in the gym.

Most likely u'r friends are just jealous!!!

FatBastard · 22-Oct-04, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cursor

Generally speaking, to gain what many migh consider "too much muscle", you really need to have an aggressive attitude and a structured fitness regimen. Just start working at it in a structured way. You can taper off whenever you want.

Take a peek at Laura817 and tell me what you think:

5'-3" tall, 112-lbs
One of Laura's journals

Even an agressive attitude doesnt mean "much muscle". Laura does dips with an extra 45lb plate, and she still looks like a weakass girl, no offense

pbody · 22-Oct-04, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elizabeth

But, my friends' opinons of me do mean a lot (to me), so I'd feel really embarassed if they thought I had too much muscle or anything like that.

Your opinion of yourself is more important than what your friends think. If they knock your self-improvements, to hell with 'em. Your true friends shouldn't care if you are ms.universe or a fatbastard (apart from health issues).

Did you like the way you were heading (both looks and overall health) before your friends said you might end up looking too muscular? Their advice sounded like a bad turning point in your fitness regime, and not something you were worried about beforehand.

Lift2Live · 22-Oct-04, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbody

Your opinion of yourself is more important than what your friends think. If they knock your self-improvements, to hell with 'em. Your true friends shouldn't care if you are ms.universe or a fatbastard (apart from health issues).

Did you like the way you were heading (both looks and overall health) before your friends said you might end up looking too muscular? Their advice sounded like a bad turning point in your fitness regime, and not something you were worried about beforehand.

Can't agree more! You CANNOT care about what someone else thinks! You are working out for YOUR health so it shouldn't matter what they say. If you were to go through life strictly based on the opinions of others, whether right or wrong, you won't be a very happy person. What do YOU want to look like? For every one person that may not like a muscled woman, there are more that LOVE it, I am one of them. Don't hang your life on someone's off hand comments.