Bulking up v.s leaning out

L

lorihart

Cathlete
Who better to ask then you gals????:) :) :)

Heres the deal.Would love to look muscular but know I have to get rid of the little bit of fat covering my muscles (don't we all;) ) but at the same time, I would settle for a leaner toned body.I am pretty muscular and I add muscle very easily.
So I have been using S&H in my new rotation and I have to say, I don't like what I am seeing. I feel to bulky! I don't like that.I feel like the is 7 feet from shoulder to shoulderx(
Soooooooooooooo, I am asking you gals, would I lean out more if I did more circuit based or endurance based workouts? Right now I am 132 lbs and would like to be 125 lbs (5'4").Not alot I know but my middle is really slimmed down when I am at 125 lbs and I may even need to get to 120 lbs in order to slim out my thighs and arms a bit more.I was at 124 lbs a couple of years ago and that was pretty much with not even trying...but I think my metobolism is changing and it is going to take a lot of effort to get to 125 lbs.
Anyway I was thinking, 1 day legs, 2 days circuit (or 3) and 3 days just cardio and abs (or 2 days) So basically 5 days of cardio and one day of just weights. I have discovered S&H is not for this girl and it will be going back on the shelf...HELP ME!@!!!!!!!
Lori:)

Edited to Add:

MOn- Circuit
Tues- Cardio/abs
Wed- Legs/abs
Thurs- Curcuit
Fri- Cardio/abs
Sat- CArdio and ME (or anything else endurance like)
Sun- off
How does this look?
 
Lori,

What exactly are you seeing from using the S&H workouts? There does come a time where if you want that muscular look that you have to hit the weights hard to build the muscle and then you move to another phase where you lean out to show your definition. Your body will look different in these two phases because your focus will be different. I generally like to build muscle during the winter months and lean out during the summer. That's just my preference.

The workout you outline above will definitely lean you out. It will not do much for strength or muscle building and if that is not your goal at this time then it should work.

You could always do a one body-part/day rotation (CTX) or even 2-3 body parts/day (Pure Strength). S&H is not the only strength building workouts that you can do. You can also lighten the weights you are using with the S&H series.

So I guess I'm saying that you will definitely have to experiment with different types of workouts and rotations and find out which ones will yield you the results you are after. But remember, that if you want muscle you have to build it and if you want leaness, you have to work towards that as well, but they entirely different from each other.

Just my opinion...I'm sure that others will have different points of view to share.

Take care,


~Marietta
FITXME
http://www.picturetrail.com/fitxme
 
Yes!! Cardio, Cardio, cardio!!! Have you thought about DRASTICALLY reducing the weights in S&H?? The same thought process with 3-5 lbs will give lean, sleek muscles vs. bulking them up, don't you think???

MJ
 
Lori, my next rotation is going to be a circuit rotation because heavy weights tend to bulk me up, too. Here is what my rotation will look like:

Mon Circuit
Tues Cardio and abs
Wed legs and compound upper bod work (push ups and tri dips, etc)
Thurs cardio and abs or rest
Fri cardio and abs
Sat a Terminator or HCX

So my routine will look a lot like yours. I have had a lot of luck with these kids of rotations. When were you planning on starting it?

Missy
 
Hi Lori,

I have been doing this exact rotation for almost 3 weeks now. At first I dropped a couple of pounds, but then I stalled again. So I looked carefully at my diet and am trying to be really clean (I follow BFL). The pounds are moving (1/2-1 a week) but it is slow, especially when you are trying to lose the last 10 or so. My sister has lost 19 pounds in 2 1/2 months following this routine and the weight is still falling off for her. So I'm sticking with it a bit longer.

When I was stalled, I considered working out twice a day, but then I think you get into overtraining. And it seems to me, a solid once-a-day workout should be sufficient. The diet is key to removing that fat layer. I can see the shape of the muscle underneath it is just going to take some time to lose the jiggle.

Hang tough. There are a lot of us in the same boat.

Shopgirl

:)
 
Marietta,
I don't really want to look muscular.This is how I would explain it.If I wear a tank top or say if I am holding a drink...I want people to tell that I workout.I don't need bulging muscles.But I think I already have this look b/c sometimes people will make comments. Right now, I think I might be at the stage where I need to lean out. I just feel blocky, if that makes sense but I have read that on this forum alot of times when it comes to S&H.
I think I am going to try the rotation I have above and maybe I will goa little heavier with my leg work just to make sure I get the benefits.
Thanks,
Lori:)
 
Missy, NOW!:7 :7 :7 Its only circuit so I will go ahead.I am just getting ready to do HSC and a run, just like yesterday.
Lori:)
 
Shopgirl, thats great! I would settle for that amount of weight loss.In 2 monthes I would be where I want to be and that would be fine for me....looking hot for santa:7
 
I got you Lori...I know you don't want to look muscular, but to have a "defined" look you would have to build some muscle underneath.

Give you new rotation a shot and see what happens. If you don't see what you want, then make a few adjustments...


~Marietta
FITXME
http://www.picturetrail.com/fitxme
 
I have experienced this as well!! Frustrating! I build muscle WAY easier than I thought. I knew it came easy...but not that easy. DH would disagree...he says I had been kicking it pretty hard this year.

ANYWAYS, I would go lower in your weights, do more reps and try to keep your heart rate up while doing your circuits. I would also do less weights for lower body.

I have stopped using weights all together 2 weeks ago and will continue for a few more and it seems to be helping, especially in the abs...I haven't worked abs in a few weeks and they are looking much more defined and leaner. I know many will disagree with this approach but it is helping me. After a few more weeks, I will pick up with a few circuits or total body endurance workouts using much lighter weights.
 
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