If you've been lifting weights and feel you're only getting bulky and not slimming down, this is likely because you're successfully gaining muscle — congratulations! Gaining muscle is most effectively accomplished by eating more than you're burning, which means you won't shed body fat during this time.
All you have to do is perform some kind of resistance training, whether it is machines, bodyweight exercises, kettlebells, free-weights, etc. Try to workout at least 3--4 days per week and add in about 20--30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise at the end of your training sessions. This will help keep you lean.
Yes, it's not uncommon to experience initial weight gain before seeing weight loss results. Factors like muscle gain, water retention, or changes in diet can influence weight. Focus on long-term trends rather than short-term fluctuations.
Exercises like push-ups, squats, lunges, and planks can help tone muscles without adding bulk. These movements engage multiple muscle groups and improve overall strength. Engage in regular cardio workouts (running, cycling, swimming) to help reduce body fat and enhance muscle definition.
But for most people, when they get ``bulky'' due to exercise, it's due to muscle growth. You're working your muscles and as a result, they grow larger. And as they grow, there's tissue, and fat that sit on top them.
Key takeaways: Working out can cause short-term weight gain as your muscle mass increases. Post-workout inflammation may cause temporary weight fluctuations. Workout plateaus, supplement use, and dietary changes can also stall your weight-loss efforts.
Exercise Regularly: Focus on exercises like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses. Gradually lift heavier weights to build muscle. Eat Healthy Foods: Fill your meals with protein, carbs, and good fats. Choose foods like chicken, eggs, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Muscle is denser (meaning a lot less fluffy) than fat, says Dr. Calabrese. Put another way, 10 pounds of muscle takes up a lot less space than 10 pounds of fat. So, as you start working out regularly and building strength, the new muscle you build may eventually weigh more than the fat you've burnt off.
Lean muscle is all about that shredded, sculpted look, while muscle bulk is more about sheer size and power. It's like the difference between a sleek race car and a hulking tank. Both have their advantages, so it all comes down to personal preference.
One way to avoid getting too muscular is to focus on compound exercises that work for multiple muscle groups at the same time. These exercises include moves like squats, lunges, and pushups. Another way to avoid getting bulky is to use lighter weights and do more repetitions.
There are other terms for this, such as build mode, but bulking is a common term for this caloric surplus. Dirty bulking is when an individual is in a caloric surplus to build muscle (build mode). However, the individual is eating foods that are carb dense, unhealthy, and ultra-processed out of convenience.
Most beginners will see noticeable muscle growth within eight weeks, while more experienced lifters will see changes in three to four weeks. Most individuals gain one to two pounds of lean muscle per month with the right strength training and nutrition plan.
Exercising your arms will build muscle, but that can remain hidden under fat, explains Kinder. "For toned arms, you have to lose weight all over," she says. Yep, that means cutting calories and eating smarter (our 21-day clean-eating challenge can help!). You're not pushing yourself hard enough.
Here's some good news. Even if you have arms that are out of shape with flabby underarms, you can get them back into shape. However, you first need to do targeted arm exercises to build muscle. Adding more muscle is essential, and it can help your arms get nice and toned.
Your body composition influences how you approach both your workout and diet. For bulking, the focus is on increasing lean mass, often with an accompanying increase in body weight. For toning, the focus is on reducing body fat to reveal the underlying lean muscle, leading to a more defined and sculpted appearance.