HELP! Lost the weight, now I need to tone!

Katenzach

Hello my fellow brides and bridesmaids!

I have lost 43 pounds (hooray) but now I am a flabby girl! Could anyone help me with a routine lifting weights, cardio, WHATEVER, to get myself looking nice and toned. For a lifestyle change, not just for the wedding! Also a diet to help with that muscle building would be fabulous! I don't mind gaining some weight back, as long as it's healthy muscle gain and not my former chub!


Love and peace!

Kate

raynes

Check out the book The New Rules of Lifting for Women (NROL4W).  It's got a 6 month workout program that will help with muscle tone and definition a LOT (and strenght too!).  It's also got a section on nutrition.

Another one to check out is The Female Body Breakthrough (FBB). 

I did NROL4W earlier this year and am working through FBB now.  Don't be afraid of heavy weights, they are the way to go!

jessienjeremy

My trainer would  have me do the following to tone:

Start at the lightest weight and do a set of 10 -15
move up to the next weight do a set of 10-15...

Continue moving up in weight till I cant do anymore.. then work my way back to the lightest weight. 

As time went on .. my arms and legs got more toned and defined.

EasleySalton

A diet high in protein will help you build muscle!

anne.azano

p90x or 30 day shred... maybe start with 30 day shred and then move up to p90x, which is more difficult.  It helped me tone up.

CaylaSummer

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_lost-weight-now-need-tone?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:49ceea63-87bd-4931-b533-33ecfefdc94dPost:5f5af5d5-9a70-49ca-9964-b2f7a8a0e76f">Re: HELP! Lost the weight, now I need to tone!</a>:
[QUOTE]A diet high in protein will help you build muscle!
Posted by EasleySalton[/QUOTE]
Actually, a diet high in protein does not help you build muscle. In order to build muscle you have to eat in a caloric surplus and adjust your weight training so that your are lifting heavy weights for you to gain the muscle that you want. As women, it is very hard to gain muscle to the point that you would look like a body builder unless you devote x amount training and eat more which in essence would actually make you put on some fat and a little bit of muscle. If you want to look more defined you would have to diet and lose the fat after. <div>
</div><div>Protein helps preserve the muscle that you have now and of course protein is important for your body to function properly. There is nothing really more to it than that. </div>

ebanezie

LOVE p90x!!!
and Brazilian Butt lift if you need help in the rear dept!!

raynes

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_lost-weight-now-need-tone?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:49ceea63-87bd-4931-b533-33ecfefdc94dPost:c2e76e97-902a-424c-bc34-367534c97c27">Re: HELP! Lost the weight, now I need to tone!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: HELP! Lost the weight, now I need to tone! : Actually, a diet high in protein does not help you build muscle. In order to build muscle you have to eat in a caloric surplus and adjust your weight training so that your are lifting heavy weights for you to gain the muscle that you want. As women, it is very hard to gain muscle to the point that you would look like a body builder unless you devote x amount training and eat more which in essence would actually make you put on some fat and a little bit of muscle. If you want to look more defined you would have to diet and lose the fat after.  Protein helps preserve the muscle that you have now and of course protein is important for your body to function properly. There is nothing really more to it than that. 
Posted by CaylaSummer[/QUOTE]

Well, you need protein as part of workout recovery in order to help build muscle.  While protein alone won't give you a "toned" look, protein is essential.

And I whole heartedly agree that lifing heavy is the way to go. 

JoMega

I agree with PPs, protein and lifting heavy.  Many women are afraid to lift heavy but in all reality, you cannot gain that much muscle in a years time.  I had never lifted heavy in my life until I decided to start competing in figure shows.  I have been lifting heavy for 3 years now & I have never been more toned in my life without having big muscles.  Clean eating is the way to go too!  All the hard work in the gym, won't pay off if you aren't eating healthy.  So foods like, egg whites, oatmeal (dry oats), almonds, peanuts, lean meats, fruit, vegetables, and healthy carbs (brown rice, sweet potato, etc).  Make sure you have protein drinks after your workouts too...when you lift you are tearing your muscle fibers, so the protein helps restore those fibers   Good luck & congratulations with your results so far

Katenzach

Thank you ladies for all of the great suggestions! I am very excited to put them into action and get started!!!!

XOXOXO