Fitness, fitness, and more fitness!

Ok, I'm going to switch things up more and instead of doing split body workouts, I'm going to do full body

Also, I joined a fitness challenge at work and they gave me a little fit bit zip for free to track my activity. ...does anyone use a fitness tracker? Do you actually find it helpful if you do?

I write all my exercises in a log so I know how much to increase the next cycle.

I think it helps to track all your gains. To help you know how much and how far you can push your body. And what is not realistic.

Hey Everyone,

Quick question--have you ever been unhappy with how your body is shaping up?

I haven't worked out in several weeks due to various life issues, but hope to get back next week. I stepped on the scale for the first time in a month and did a bit of a "progress evaluation" in the mirror.

While I was surprised that I weigh a little less than I thought (a few pounds less than when I was in college, so that's definitely progress), I'm uncomfortable with the fact that my legs keep getting bigger and more muscular.

They've always been that way (I'm sometimes asked if I run, to which I always reply, "Only to the refrigerator,") and I'm dismayed that I seem to look bulkier and more... "hulk-ish"? the closer I get to my goals.

If I were a guy, this would probably be great, but it's not so good when the desired look for women is always "long and lean."

I'm not going to stop because of it, but have any of you had this happen? You're bulking up in ways you're not happy with? And, what do you do (or is there anything you CAN do) about it?

Working out??? WOT's that? I work out my jaw by chewing XD

Okay in all seriousness, yea I used to work out a lot before college then college happened and my gut got bigger (freshman lbs) now that I've been out for a while I lost a ton of weight (like 50lbs) mainly b/c I eat better and avoid sodas. But my gut needs to be ironed out so to speak now lol....it's not going as well as I want but im still eating healthy and more energetic....some things just take time seoulsearch......

hey seoul


I've been meaning to join in this thread but haven't

just read yr post though and maybe I can help? I've done all kinds of workouts over the years...even in a pro gym...

what are you doing currently? I'm asking because normally, you should not be bulking up unless you are trying to bulk up?

anyway, if you want, maybe we can see what's going on?

Hi Ultimatum and Ember ,

Thank you so much for the replies! Ult--a 50-pound weight loss!!??? Wow, that is amazing!!! What an inspiration!!!

Ember, thank you so much for offering to help!

I've always been built like a gymnast--with 20 extra pounds. But for some reason, it's fairly evenly distributed and most people think I'm a lot smaller than I actually am. I wear a size 6 in pants and currently weigh about 143, but people always think I'm 120. So what I'm trying to say is that my body type seems to be naturally compact and muscular.

I've always been a walker. I'm not really into classes or anything like that because I like to be able to just go and not think about the movements, etc. Right now my workouts are a mix of machines: treadmill, elliptical, stationary bike, and weight machines for arms and legs.

As I lose fat and tone up, it seems to bring out my natural build. In all honesty, when my legs had a little more fat on them, it kind of "evened things out" a bit into more of an even line; with all the toning and some of the fat disappearing, I think it's just revealing my natural body shape underneath, which, unfortunately, is short and bulky.

Any suggestions you'd have would be great though!! I've always wanted to try a class like Pilates just to see what it was like... And many, many kudos to you for keeping up a lifetime of fitness!! Very inspiring and it helps motivate me to keep going. Thank you so much for sharing and for your kind words!

You actually look like you're in great shape....I think if you want to "tone" the legs then do a lot of leg stretches/movement. I like p90x type workouts where they make you move your legs and lift them up to your shoulder both in stretches and exercising. This I believe kind of helps the leg muscles to "stretch" or become longer whereas weight lifting with legs would make the muscles more "compressed" and bulkier....think of it as those sprinters in the olympics they have long muscles on their legs (most of their legs are skinny) whereas soccer players have thicker/stockier muscular legs from weight lifting because they need their legs for longer endurance....

Try to do less weight lifting exercises for your legs and more stretching type exercises it may lengthen the muscle and not make it short and compact. The treadmill may be the best option to take long strides and stretch the leg muscle fibers out....

oh my...my pleasure! I really do like helping and I've had people helping me out along the way so I've learned quite a bit

ok...for the weights...the key if you don't want to bulk up, is less weight and more reps...if you have tendency to build muscle, you want to use less weight...and again, we all have diff body types...muscle is heavier than fat so if you look less and weigh more, it would be the muscle mass. The other thing is, muscle will burn more calories than the other stuff...you will also have a higher resting metabolic rate...you continue to burn more calories than if you had never exercised

I could not say enough good things about Pilates...I first got into that after injury and also because I heard it was good for balance and core muscle...at the time I was riding quite a bit and those are the things you want to better

I am currently doing Pilates...I like to follow Mari Winsor..she has a great 20 minute workout for beginners...I like the CD's..more motivation than if you work out alone...she's really good...well I think so anyway. I used to go to a gym and have a full workout and then stay for the aerobics...I was a workout fanatic LOL!...I'm not that dedicated these days...but I also do some weights and such.

You have to find what you like and what works for you. You are a smaller size than I am...but not built the same. I also like Pilates because it's good if you have had injuries and the movements, if done right, help to heal. I also like the mental concentration and the way you feel after...good blow flow and relaxed. I've had a few bad injuries gotten while having fun...skiing...riding...so I can't even do all the stuff I used to.

I would maybe take it easy on the weights...there is a tendency to add weight to your routine as your body responds to the exercise, but instead do more sets and reps. Walking is always excellent of course too...as you are already doing.


Do you exercise 3x a wk...or two, rest one, go another 2?

seems ultimatum and I agree about using less weight and more stretching..or lengthening...Pilates is the best, IMO, for that but different people like different things

Thank you guys so much for all the advice!

I do try to keep with "more reps, less weight", but I have to admit that I get tempted (and usually fall to) adding more weight because I always want to be stronger. I have to lift things all the time at my job so one of the reasons for my workouts is to try to build my strength and stamina.

My work schedule is sporadic and varied so it's typical for me to go, let's say, a month with 2-4 workouts a week... but then another month with hardly any... It's just something I've adjusted to and try to do the best I can. Last month I was going up to 5 times a week (even 6 one week), but haven't gone at all in nearly 4 weeks due to work and some other major events.

Man, now I'm really curious about Pilates!! I hope I get the chance to try it soon.

Back in the day, I bench pressed so much weight I had to have a spotter....but I don't tend to bulk up

Just one more leetle word of advice? don't lift weights every day...even Arnold didn't do that...

alternate....you can always do stuff at home...I gave up going to a gym because life got in the way and then distance...moved to the country

anyway, motivation is a key and sounds like you already have it!

I learned today that it's not easy to do planks while singing Beyonce's Love on Top.

I've started stretching before my workouts and I'm feeling so good!

Deadlift day was yesterday.

I wanted to get 5 reps on my heaviest set but only got 3.

Next week is a de-load week. Then I'll increase everything by 5-10lbs.

deadlift?

I do that with my vacuum!

Just remember, somewhere, a little chinese girl is warming up with your max. - Jim Conroy

There is no reason to be alive if you can't do the deadlift! - John Pall Sigmarsson

Today is squat day. Did you do yours?

I learned a secret today. The low bar squat feels like it is easier than the high bar squat.

But the low bar hurts my back, a little. Like the high bar did at first until I got used to it.

I think when I get used to it I will be able to squat more with the low bar versus the high bar.

Came across a pretty good article:

How fat cells work and why it’s impossible to “burn” them off — Quartz

I have hit a plateau in my fitness journey.

I swear, every time I work out, I have to give myself a pep talk before and all throughout it. I hate working out. I'm in two weddings though coming up and it's my motivation to keep being persistent (one a bridesmaid and one a maid of honor).

Anyways, today....I worked out after much pep talk. it was leg day. -.-

I did the following and my legs are weak....

WARM UP
- Jog in place
-Jumping jacks
- Windmills
- Over the top stretch
- Hamstring stretch
(repeat round up, kicking up the intensity the second time)

ROUND ONE (1 minute per exercise)
(1:00) Side-back lunge (to the right)
(1:00) Squat-knee raise
(repeat round 1 and do opposite direction)

ROUND 2
(1:00) Curtsy lunge (30 seconds on each leg)
(1:00) Calf raises
(repeat round 2)

ROUND 3
(1:00) Split Squats [Right Leg]
(1:00) Sumo Squat
(Repeat round 3 on opposite leg)

ROUND 4
(1:00) Thigh Leg Lift (30 seconds on each leg)
(1:00) Quad Rises (30 seconds on each leg)
(repeat round 4)

BONUS ROUND
(1:00) Fire hydrant
- This might sound silly but it was one of the few hardest workouts.
(repeat opposite leg)

COOL DOWN
- Child's pose
- Hamstring stretch
- Hip opener stretch
- Shoulder stretch
- Chest stretch
- Quad stretch
- Inhale with arms up, exhale with arms down

Hi. I am reposting this question I did in that other (elders\=) thread, ok. might get faster ans. here. tnx.

Can someone suggest light exercise for a senior citizen in 80s who needs to reduce waistline? I think person could breathe/move better if some lbs are lost, although person is not really overweight. With diabetes and macular degeneration.. i mention this last in case someone also has natural suggests to help deal w/ that. Thanks.