Anybody else feel "bulkier" when doing weights?

B

beanqueen

Cathlete
hi,

i've been a cathe fan for many years, and recently, due to illness have been unable to do vigorous workouts. i have been doing, a food combining type of eating plan (due to severe stomach/digestive problems) and have found i've lost alot of weights/inches/sizes.

prior to this new way of eating, and minimal workouts. i did cathe's videos...BFL etc...but i was so frustrated because i felt i was getting bulkier when doing weights vs. now just doing yoga or less intense workouts. i do feel, i need to tone up more, but am hesitant to go back into weight workouts, for fear i'll bulk up again.

anybody else have this type of situation as an issue? and what do you do? do you avoid heavy/intense weight workouts? modify with lighter weights? or is it something you just have to 'work through' to get the desired lean results?

thanks so much.
 
RE: Anybody else feel

I think you'll get answers from people for whom all of those alternatives you listed are true. I like bulk, so I don't worry about it, but some people avoid the heavy stuff, like Slow and Heavy, and just do ME and PH and that sort of endurance style weight work. Some just use lighter weight, and some find that as they continue to lose body fat, the muscle leans out, with less fat covering it, it looks "leaner". You really have to just experiment and see what works for you.
 
RE: Anybody else feel

thank you... i appreciate your response. i guess maybe i should stick with more endurance type workouts. do you happen to know if any of cathe's new hardcore dvd's would fall in that category? i've only preordered kick max...so far.

thanks so much!
 
RE: Anybody else feel

I am not a big fan of weights. I don't know that I am bulky but I struggle with trying to stay lean (prob something to do with being 50+!!). I like the endurance weights like ME, or the shorter circuit weights that are combined with cardio (cardio/weights, step/pump/jump). The ones I reach for the most are push/pull and supersets because they touch everything in a shorter amount of time. I am hoping that in combination the new dvds will over cardio/weight endurance. For what it is worth...
 
RE: Anybody else feel

I pretty much stick to the high rep, somewhat lower weight workouts (ME is my favorite). Also, make sure once you are able, get the cardio workouts in. Cardio burns tissue, fat and muscle tissue. Enough cardio may help keep you from bulking up. I think a lot of body builders neglect cardio deliberately to bulk up and instead focus on heavy lifting.
 
RE: Anybody else feel

Well....I don't really have the body type to ever "bulk up", but I noticed that after 2 years of heavy weight training when I suddenly stopped for several months I lost 6 lbs. I found my clothes fit better, although I know that is not what the conventional wisdom says should happen. Nonetheless, I think I was healthier when I was working out more. Lately, I've been sticking to just endurance workouts because of a time crunch, but my goal is to go back to heavy lifting again.

Sounds like maybe you have an endomorph body type? You may want to do some research on that.
 
RE: Anybody else feel

I think this really depends on your body type--I'm petite & lift as heavy as I can but never bulk up (although I do feel pumped after lifting, which I love). But if you tend toward "thickness," for lack of a better word, you might feel bulkier.

For the most part women are not physiologically designed to "bulk up" like, say, the Miss Olympians. I do think you can add size by lifting heavy weights, but I don't necessarily think that's unattractive.

A little side note: I always laugh at the term "lean muscle mass." Is there such a thing as "fat muscle mass?" :)
 
RE: Anybody else feel

You may want to consider adding yoga or Pilates to your routine! I don't consider it a substitute for lifting weights - which I think is integral to a complete fitness program... but I know from experience that at least with me, Pilates really stretches stuff out, and you feel longer and leaner (and your core will really get strong!). You might find it to be a nice compliment to your current routine. Just my 2 cents.:)
 
RE: Anybody else feel

Maxi - same here with the "lean muscle mass" thing. That's kind of like "wet water", yes? And the one that I get a kick out of is "mind-body" - as if the mind isn't part of the body. I liken that one to "nostril-nose".

In answer to the "bulk" question - if you're lifting consistently and in manner that challenges your muscles - as you SHOULD be doing - then yes, you are going to develop some muscle mass, and that's what you want and need for general health AND for the ability to work out more powerfully. I agree to a certain extent with Maximus that women, and men for that matter, are not designed physiologically to "bulk up" (a phrase, by the way, that I'm achingly tired of) to competitive body-building dimesntions without a LOT of time put into weight lifting and a LOT of freak supplements.

However, a little, or even a lot, of muscle mass is healthy. It is living, metabolically active tissue. It, along with the activity of weight-lifting (heavier weight lifting that challenges each muscle group to fatigue or near-failure after 12-15 reps), also energizes you, and upkicks the metabolism for hours after a session, to a far greater degree than does low-resistance-high-rep work. And, the heavier you lift, the more good you're doing your bones for density in the short- and long-term.

Far too many women eschew true strength training and its many short- and long-term health benefits on the altar of the fear of "bulking up".

A-Jock
 
RE: Anybody else feel

I am one of the Cathe-ites that tends to go lighter on weight, especially upper body. I respect all kinds of looks, but I prefer a less bulky look for my body type (my arms can build bigger if I want them to). I go light on bicep and tricep exercizes (5 lb. dumbells), medium on shoulders (7-8 lbs), and I do try to do heavier on flyes and chest presses (10 lb -- but planning to increase -- dumbells). My biceps stay on the smaller side. I have always had very developed quads, and I go between 24 and 30 lbs on the barbell squat exercizes. I find this keeps my quads at their natural size but tones them. I would say that I am strong, fit, but not bulky. I do have to say, again, I think larger muscles look great on many women. I used to workout to Rachel McLish, and I admired her look. But, being on the short side (5-3) with sturdy legs, they don't look as good on me.
 
RE: Anybody else feel

Hi,

I have a medium to large frame and am pear shaped. Having always done heavy wts and struggling to fit my thick (though muscular) thighs into a pair of jeans, have decided to go lighter on the lower body weights. I've started incorporting more circuits, intervals, and muscle endurance type workouts and that seems to help me. Although sometimes I really want to lift heavy, it does not produce the results I'm looking for.

Diana
 
RE: Anybody else feel

I do not bulk up. I lift heavy and push myself to my limits using a spotter at the gym.

My muscle definition and tone has improved but absolutely no bulk.

From what I have seen at the gym, including what I have read most women (of course with exceptions) do not tend to bulk up because of our genetic make-up.
 
RE: Anybody else feel

Hi
I am envious of anyone that puts on muscle so easily. I always try to lift as heavy as I can w/ good form b/c w/o weights, I pretty much have no shape, just a stick straight figure. Now that I'm 41, it takes me alot longer to put on muscle too. I'm just getting back into my workout routine after an illness. I was sad today that I could only do MIS biceps at 25 lbs. As long as my eating is "clean" (I know, another overused term), I don't "bulk up". I want my (bigger) biceps back!!! karenx( x(
 
RE: Anybody else feel

thank you, everybody. your responses were so informative and helpful! (yep, definitely an "educated crowd" ;-)

i am an endomorph, and although what i perceive as 'bulking' may not be bulk in the sense of a bodybuilder type..it's just not what i'm looking for. hence, i have done pilates/yoga to try and elongate more.

i think the idea of lighter weights, more reps, endurance type workouts with cardio...will probably be a happy medium. i'm still trying to build up my endurance from this past illness, so will have to take it slowly ...

i'm just wondering if i should get any of cathe's new hardcore weight workouts, or if they'll be too strenuous and too much for what i'm looking for in terms of a workout. i have all of cathe's videos except the last body fusion group..and the current hardcores. would appreciate any recs regarding which , if any, hardcores i should get.

thanks again, so much!
 
RE: Anybody else feel

I honestly don't think you need to order any of the Hardcore strength workouts at this time if you're planning on sticking with endurance. Cathe has done so many wonderful endurance workouts to date, and many of us asked her for more of a slow and heavy strength workout this time. From the descriptions, it sounds like she has responded to our requests with these "gym style" workouts.

There are SO many others you can use if you want to stick to endurance-type workouts. You have everything except the Body Blast series is it? So you've got Power Hour and Muscle Endurance, which are both great. I can't think of the others, but I know there are many of them.

Enjoy!
 
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