Stressing out over getting biceps??

rotay60 · 07-16-2012, 05:58 PM

Everybody says that women don't bulk up, but I think that I am. I am 4'11" and considered large boned via the wrist test. I do a power class at golds gym 2 -3 times a week, my question....could this be happening, and if so, what can I do to stop it? I do want to tone. And, I'm not lifting excessive amounts of weight.

DiamondDeb · 07-16-2012, 06:10 PM

Your stated goal is what you say you fear. "Tone" is what happens when you gain muscle & lose fat. It shows & gives a nice shape. Don't worry about bulking up. That is not what you are seeing.

Biceps are wonderful & beautiful! You're just not used to looking good! Embrace them & the healthier you that is emerging.

svenskamae · 07-16-2012, 06:55 PM

I am NOT an expert on anything like this, but you might consider doing pilates as your form of exercise. That is supposed to build long, lean muscles, like a dancer's body, and might fit your goals.

Deb · 07-16-2012, 08:16 PM

I love my Bow-flex..tone tone tone

alligatorpie · 07-16-2012, 08:19 PM

Lighter weight more reps to "lean it out"

TigerlilyCA · 07-16-2012, 08:51 PM

Did you just start your exercise program? It could be that yes, you have added some muscle, but since you haven't yet lost the fat, you're getting a "bulky" look. Do not be afraid of the muscles. After the initial newbie golden period, it's very difficult to put on muscle BUT it's going to be what makes your body look awesome once you lean out and have lost the fat.

Another possibility is that your muscles are simply retaining water, which could also give you a bulky look.

Bottom line, don't worry about it right now if this is a new program. Give it about 6-8 weeks and THEN see where you are.

Abby · 07-16-2012, 09:02 PM

What's wrong with biceps????? I DON'T want to be one of those skinny girls with skinny arms

. Just look at the shoulders and arms of the US Female Swim Team members..........those women look GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!

steady · 07-16-2012, 10:55 PM

It is not that you are bulking up, it more that you are not leaning out...so you just look "big" because you have the muscle and the fat. Forgive me for saying that, I am 5'2 I went through that phase...unfortunately the only way around it for me was a lean out diet...yet (virtually low everything...including fat!!!) If you don't want to look bulky but strong you got to lean out... I guarantee the bulk is because of excess fat not excess muscle.

twilight · 07-17-2012, 04:11 AM

I agree with lighter weights, more reps and pilates. Now - what is the "wrist test"?

Remykins · 07-17-2012, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TigerlilyCA

Did you just start your exercise program? It could be that yes, you have added some muscle, but since you haven't yet lost the fat, you're getting a "bulky" look. Do not be afraid of the muscles. After the initial newbie golden period, it's very difficult to put on muscle BUT it's going to be what makes your body look awesome once you lean out and have lost the fat.

Another possibility is that your muscles are simply retaining water, which could also give you a bulky look.

Bottom line, don't worry about it right now if this is a new program. Give it about 6-8 weeks and THEN see where you are.

THIS. Fat over the muscle- you will want the muscle when you lose more fat. Try also drinking more water 90oz a day or so because your muscles are storing water- and take up yoga/Pilates- Good stretching is key.

I 'bulk' quickly- i had to basically go on stillmans for a few days after goal- to actually go below what i thought was my goal, and then I saw the beauty in the muscle.

rotay60 · 07-17-2012, 12:14 PM

Well, I'm in the middle of reading the article noted above "Lies in the gym" - very interesting. I will definitely have to look more into it. Just like "diet", there are so many differing ways/opinions/ideas of getting the results you would like. Boy, I sure wish that it were easier to know automatically which diet and which workout routine would be best for me.

Anyway...Tiger, I have been doing my weight class since sometime in May, apprx 2 - 3 times per week - and I don't lift heavy.

Abby - nothing is wrong with biceps, but my arms are already big (thick) with the flab underneath, so when I was drying my hair and saw the little bump, I kinda panicked thinking that my arms looked huge. However, I would like long, willowy arm, but it ain't gonna happen!

"so you just look "big" because you have the muscle and the fat - yep, I think that this is pretty much it. Scary!

Twilight, I think that the link was somewhere on this forum, but couldn't tell you where - sorry. If I remember, you enter your height, weight, other things ??, wrist size, etc. and it pretty much declares you small/normal/large boned. If I happen across it, I'll pm you.

Thank you all for your responses. I so wish this were easier. Why oh why did I ever let myself get so out of shape. geeezzzz

07-16-2012, 05:58 PM	#1
rotay60 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Georgia Posts: 556 Gallery: rotay60 Stats: 142/139.2/115 for now, 4'11" WOE: changes weekly :(	Stressing out over getting biceps?? Everybody says that women don't bulk up, but I think that I am. I am 4'11" and considered large boned via the wrist test. I do a power class at golds gym 2 -3 times a week, my question....could this be happening, and if so, what can I do to stop it? I do want to tone. And, I'm not lifting excessive amounts of weight.

07-16-2012, 08:51 PM	#6
TigerlilyCA Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: CA girl in DC Posts: 2,855 Gallery: TigerlilyCA WOE: Primal-esque	Did you just start your exercise program? It could be that yes, you have added some muscle, but since you haven't yet lost the fat, you're getting a "bulky" look. Do not be afraid of the muscles. After the initial newbie golden period, it's very difficult to put on muscle BUT it's going to be what makes your body look awesome once you lean out and have lost the fat. Another possibility is that your muscles are simply retaining water, which could also give you a bulky look. Bottom line, don't worry about it right now if this is a new program. Give it about 6-8 weeks and THEN see where you are. __________________ Ashley

07-16-2012, 09:02 PM	#7
Abby Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Boston Posts: 402 Gallery: Abby Stats: 5'7";197_'09;167/139/132_'12 WOE: LC/VLC	What's wrong with biceps????? I DON'T want to be one of those skinny girls with skinny arms. Just look at the shoulders and arms of the US Female Swim Team members..........those women look GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!

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07-16-2012, 06:10 PM	#2
DiamondDeb Fat Burning Machine Extraordinaire! Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 69,998 Gallery: DiamondDeb	Your stated goal is what you say you fear. "Tone" is what happens when you gain muscle & lose fat. It shows & gives a nice shape. Don't worry about bulking up. That is not what you are seeing. Biceps are wonderful & beautiful! You're just not used to looking good! Embrace them & the healthier you that is emerging.

07-16-2012, 06:55 PM	#3
svenskamae Major LCF Poster! Join Date: May 2012 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 2,926 Gallery: svenskamae Stats: 235/178/135 5'3" WOE: Nutritional Ketosis/Primal/JUDDD Start Date: January 15, 2012	I am NOT an expert on anything like this, but you might consider doing pilates as your form of exercise. That is supposed to build long, lean muscles, like a dancer's body, and might fit your goals.

07-16-2012, 08:16 PM	#4
Deb Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Okanagan BC Posts: 19,342 Gallery: Deb Stats: lost 60 lbs and kept it off	I love my Bow-flex..tone tone tone

07-16-2012, 08:19 PM	#5
alligatorpie Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Louisville Posts: 1,778 Gallery: alligatorpie Stats: 6'4" 304/189/<195 WOE: One high carb meal a day Start Date: July 15 2010	Lighter weight more reps to "lean it out"

07-16-2012, 10:55 PM	#8
steady Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 3,423 Gallery: steady Stats: 110/95 5'2 WOE: ATKINS Start Date: Feb 2007	It is not that you are bulking up, it more that you are not leaning out...so you just look "big" because you have the muscle and the fat. Forgive me for saying that, I am 5'2 I went through that phase...unfortunately the only way around it for me was a lean out diet...yet (virtually low everything...including fat!!!) If you don't want to look bulky but strong you got to lean out... I guarantee the bulk is because of excess fat not excess muscle.

07-17-2012, 04:11 AM	#9
twilight Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2,202 Gallery: twilight Stats: 225/186.5/130 WOE: VLC/Atkins	I agree with lighter weights, more reps and pilates. Now - what is the "wrist test"?

07-17-2012, 12:14 PM	#11
rotay60 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Georgia Posts: 556 Gallery: rotay60 Stats: 142/139.2/115 for now, 4'11" WOE: changes weekly :(	Well, I'm in the middle of reading the article noted above "Lies in the gym" - very interesting. I will definitely have to look more into it. Just like "diet", there are so many differing ways/opinions/ideas of getting the results you would like. Boy, I sure wish that it were easier to know automatically which diet and which workout routine would be best for me. Anyway...Tiger, I have been doing my weight class since sometime in May, apprx 2 - 3 times per week - and I don't lift heavy. Abby - nothing is wrong with biceps, but my arms are already big (thick) with the flab underneath, so when I was drying my hair and saw the little bump, I kinda panicked thinking that my arms looked huge. However, I would like long, willowy arm, but it ain't gonna happen! "so you just look "big" because you have the muscle and the fat - yep, I think that this is pretty much it. Scary! Twilight, I think that the link was somewhere on this forum, but couldn't tell you where - sorry. If I remember, you enter your height, weight, other things ??, wrist size, etc. and it pretty much declares you small/normal/large boned. If I happen across it, I'll pm you. Thank you all for your responses. I so wish this were easier. Why oh why did I ever let myself get so out of shape. geeezzzz