two questions: Push Ups and Pilates

darine

darine

Cathlete
Hi all

I've been doing weights seriously only since last February. I started with Jari Love and Cathe, but almost regret Jari Love and I am addicted to Cathe. I am finally seeing definition in my arms, they are stronger and I see my biceps. My abs and legs are stronger. I was never strong. My brother challenged me with toes push ups. I did 28... for me, I am very happy with that since as I said, I was never strong. I told that at souper proudly to friends of my boyfriend and this guy seems to not like a girl to get strong. He mentionned to me many times to not loose more weight and may be don't work out as much (well... i don't want to loose weight, I want to be fit and healthy and love some muscles.. i think it's sexy. My bf encourages me to work out). Last night he said: "you don't want to do too many push ups now". I know what he means... about the push ups making your breast smaller. Is it true? Why is that? I feel that it lifted my breast a bit but may be if i do too much, they will get smaller? let me know what you think...

then, he asked me if I like Pilates, since I guess Pilates makes your body longer and not bulky. I get so bored with Pilates. I did it a while ago, I saw a difference in my legs... but still not convinced wether it was Pilates or just my working out changed from only cardio to some tonning. I use to only do cardio, which i learned that is not effective and now I love weights. Did you see results with Pilates? Would my body looks nicer with it? I just don't like it so much, but I would try to if you guys suggest it. Would Cathe alone not be enough. I have stretch max, would that help elongate my muscles?

Thank you for your help and sorry for a long 2 questions emails?? :)
 
I don't think push-ups make your breasts smaller. I've never heard of that. They DO make your pecs more toned, which will help lift that area.

As for Pilates, you can't make muscles longer. They're the length they are, and that's that:p I haven't done Pilates, but I know some others here do and like it. Perhaps you'll get more feedback from them:)
 
may be making them longer is the wrong word. But insteade of bulking, they build in lenght. so they look slimer but tonned. I feel it did that for my legs a while back, but not sure if it was really Pilates. And about Push ups, it makes them look smaller since it's more muscles. Like the body builder women.
 
I have always heard the opposite regarding chest work (pushups) and apparent chest size. By increasing the size of your pecs, you make your breast appear larger. The breast is pretty much just fat and glands, not muscle, and it doesn't change size with weight work.

I can't help with the Pilates question. I never got the Pilates or yoga bug.
 
My post isn't about push ups or pilates. Do you think your BF is maybe feeling threated (sp) by you? Maybe he's afraid that with your new buff bod that you might find someone else? Or maybe you will get stronger than him? Just a thought since I don't know the situation.
LD
 
No no, it's not my bf, it's my bf's friend

my bf encourages me. we have strong relationship and there is no jealousy in our relationship at all. we are best friends and have been through a lot together. he know how much i am attracted to him and he is to me. it's his friend. I think his friend is the jealous one may be!
 
In regards to the push-ups, I would say that I have had the complete opposite experience. My breasts seem to look a little bit bigger since I've started doing them on a regular basis. Granted, I'm not that 'big' in that area to begin with;) I've been very pleased with my results. I thought maybe I was imagining it at first but my husband seems to agree.:) I know what you mean about professional body builders, but keep in mind they are doing a ton of upper body work--not just push-ups.
 
As for Pilates: I do pilates about 3 times a week and I think my legs looked more toned and 'lean.' I think it depends on your body type. I tend to build big muscles in my legs--think soccer players. I'm not crazy how that looks on me so I like that pilates firms up my legs without filling them out, so to speak. I just can't do lunges and squats and get the same results.
 
sounds like another jealous man who doesn't want women taking over the world of a "man's" sport LOL. j/k, but honestly to tell you to shy away from pushup!!??? does he watch WWE wrestling. those woman are REQUIRED to do pushups at every workout b/c their coaches say its the best to build STRENGTH in the upper body. it doesn't change breast size but it will change the strength and sometimes the definition of the muscles in the chest. i hate when a MAN has to comment on how a woman should workout! men and women are totally different genetic wise and sometimes men just don't know what is what with the science of a woman's body. heck we can't even figure it out most of the time LOL!!!

as for pilates(which irks me after telling you not to work,asks if you like pilates as he is suggesting this is a women's workout-when in fact invented by a man!!!)i think the "long,lean" look comes from how the muscles are worked differently with isolation and core moves without weight but just core strength which helps with posture,which may be where that long,lean thing came from. not so much lengthening but making the body stand straighter. plus with the different kind of defintion in building with pilates,the lines(i have these in the sides a bit)make the torso APPEAR longer.

but you can tell your BFs friend he can challenge any one of these catheites(my weaker self included) anytime anyplace. i am always here in lynchburg when he is ready to pylo jack and push up with me!

kassia

http://www.picturetrail.com/ldy_solana

"And do what thee wilt as long as ye harm none"

http://images.meez.com/user03/06/01/04/060104_10010099873.gif
 
As far as pushups go, I guess I'm in the minority. Last month I just completed P90X and for the three months, I did over 1600 pushups. I have lost a band size and a cup size.

Marcy
 
Breast size & muscle size aren't really related. Breast size & bodyfat are directly related. However, if your bodyfat gets really low & you work your chest muscles w/heavy weights you can get that kind of "blocky" look:

http://www.nicolebass.com/

OK that's a bit of an exaggeration, but you get the point. ;-) I've actually stopped increasing my weights during my chest routine b/c I'm small chested & I definitely want to avoid this look.

I've seen a slight increase in breast size over the years but I attribute that to sagging. Sagging (in certain areas anyway) is good for little women like me. :p
 
HAHAHAHA Kathryn! I had the same reaction to that picture. I may have gasped out loud. Not that there is anything wrong with it if that's what you are working toward....it's just not for everyone I guess.

However, in reading this thread, makes me feel better to know that my shrinking breast size is more than likely do to reduction in body fat than the increasing size of my chest muscles!:D
 
That is most definitely the case Melissa! It's certainly the first thing to go on me........x(

Personally I think there is something wrong w/that look. Mostly b/c women can't obtain it without some serious drugs. We're just not built that way naturally. I wouldn't be surprised if she had an adam's apple. Pretty gross, huh?
 
>I wouldn't be
>surprised if she had an adam's apple. Pretty gross, huh?

Even more gross: she probably has an enlarged "female part" that looks like a small "male part" (trying to keep this PG). Another side effect of 'roids. Gak!

Wonder if she's a tenor, baritone or bass?
 
>Even more gross: she probably has an enlarged "female part" that >looks like a small "male part" (trying to keep this PG). Another >side effect of 'roids. Gak!

No sir...I've never heard of that.

And now I wish I had never heard of that!! Thanks alot Kathryn!! ;-)
 
Yep, I lost a bit in the chest from P90X also, but I don't think it was all chest, it was the band (back fat!) that I lost 3" off of!!! :) And I still have some *jugs*. LOL I think pushups are an awesome exercise. I love pilates too & while I don't buy into the *lengthening* your muscles thing, it does help stretch me out & is great for the core.
 
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