extreme makeover

[renodebbie3]

I watched an episode of extreme makeover last night involving an aerobic instructor who got lipo and went from a size 12 to a size 4. Some of the comments made by her trainer after her lipo surgery peeked my curiosity so I thought I would ask the experts on this forum. He made a comment about how all of the step aerobics that this women did actually made her legs bigger. He also got more definition in her arms by doing very short range of motion exercises. She was already lifting weights but he seemed to get dramatic results with these short range exercises. What do you guys think?

Debbie

 

[pace1987]

I don't believe it one bit about your legs getting bigger from doing steps. I do steps all the time and it actually got more toner IMO. I think everyone is different.

 

[clareMc]

I agree with Barbara. All the guy is trying to do is promote some new method for reducing body size down to the smallest possible dimensions, which is not always good and healthy either, so he has to trash some already well established method to make room for his own. Least that's what it sounds like.

My legs never got bigger from doing years of step, they got bigger recently when I didn't exercise for 8 months!!! There's the truth. Any form of intense exercise that gets your heart rate up is going to burn calories and body fat eventually, while building muscle so your legs will lean out. It has to happen.

Clare

 

[valdavis]

I saw this episode also when it first came on, and it caused a lot of discussion on other sites. Can stepping make your legs bigger? I am sure it could for some people depending on their genes and also if they aren't doing a lot of other exercises for their legs. But what they don't say quite as clearly in that episode is that not only did she have lipo ( that will make a big difference), but she also was working out two times a day and I am sure eating Thurmond's pre-packaged meals. You put all that together, and he could work miracles for a lot of people.

Extreme Makeover had a episode on recently where he once again said that step and spinning will make your legs big and lunges are a waste of time. So I say take is info with a grain of salt....unless that isn't in your clean diet.
Val

 

[Jcrew3082]

Debbie,

I saw the episode also and was a little angry with that Michael Thurmond guy. The woman looked fabulous after surgery, but I definitely think her six-pack and great physique were more a result of the tummy-tuck and having 2 months to focus entirely on looking better. She seemed to have great muscle tone already, and the tummy-tuck uncovered it. As far as lunges and stepping making your butt and thighs bigger, I doubt it. When people watch the show, they'll see that woman and think, "Wow, I should try what she's doing." I better order Thurmond's program. On his website, there are pictures of transformations and incredible weight loss/body sculpting, in sometimes just six weeks.

You, I, and everyone else on these boards knows that you have to work your a** of to make changes like that! Not as simple as he makes it seem.

Gina

 

[brenda21]

Debbie, I agree w/everyone here. Muscle and fat are two separate entities and cannot turn into one another. There is a layer of fat on top of muscle but if you workout to build the muscle and eat cleanly to decrease the fat layer you will inevitably have a leaner physique. The myth of getting larger or "bulkier" from weights/excercise is from increasing muscle mass but not taking care of the other part of the equation- the fat through dieting.

Anyone who says you can only have a leaner body by getting plastic surgery is trying to sell plastic surgery. I'm 100% for having work done if it makes you happier but I prefer the cheaper route by working out.

Any professional saying working out(i.e. lunges) is a waste of time is full of hot air and should know better.

 

[Carol_is_fit]

I don't have much to add that hasn't already been said, Debbie. I think any trainer that makes statements that hints plastic surgery will give you muscles should be avoided, or at least listened to with a discerning ear. Strength training builds muscles. Plastic surgery does not. Liposuction is only a temporary fix anyway. It doesn't prevent the person who is suctioned from gaining the fat again. And, if not done under the right conditions, you can get a nasty case of cellulitis from it. Also, we store vitamins and minerals in our fat cells. Sucking out a lot of those at once can cause some problems. There have also been cases of peoples' electrolytes being way off balance from doing too much lipo at once. It's not without risks, that's for sure.

I still think the key to being fit and healthy is to exercise and eat right.

Carol

 

[cathemade]

Liposuction is
>only a temporary fix anyway.
It doesn't prevent the person
>who is suctioned from gaining the fat again.

I personally know someone who had lipo. on her butt, about 11 years ago. She was working on being able to compete in fitness competitions. Even though she exercised hard daily, she could not loose fat in that one spot. She has not gained it back, there or anywhere else on her body. And no, she has no cellulite at all. Maybe since she was in very good shape prior to the surgery.

 

[samIam11]

Am I wrong-

I thought we are all born with a certain # of fat cells...if you eat poorly etc...they all hold "fat"...if you eat clean , workout, they shrink-but they don't go away....unless you have lipo. so if you gain weight after lipo, it is in the fat cells that are left making a more lumpy appearance than when you started, cuz certain areas are not as cell dense as others.

at least that's what I thought I read..