How do I tone my body without losing weight?

[ISpeakJive]

Not sure where I should put this post but I could do with some advice please.

Never really exercised much. Was always too busy, bringing up children, cleaning etc.

Anyway, I am finally going to have a bit more time for myself and I’m desperate to tone myself up (especially my thighs, bum and tum). I’m not overweight and don’t want to lose weight.

What should I be doing and what should I be eating?

If anyone can help or can send me any links that would be great. Thanks.

The toned look comes from having a good amount of muscle. There are loads of different types of exercise that can help you with it so it’s a matter of finding a style that you really enjoy. I’d recommend trying out a few different things to get a feel for what you enjoy. I’ve had the best results for toning from getting into powerlifting personally and I absolutely love doing it! I don’t worry too much about what I’m eating. I don’t do anything restrictive or cut out any foods/food groups and don’t count calories or macros or anything like that. I try to make my meals fairly balanced by including protein, carbs and fats and plenty of veg but I don’t worry if I have less balanced meals on occasion.

As a starter to find out what you enjoy then I’d recommend trying some at home workouts (there’s loads of free ones out there) and see if you can manage to take part in any classes nearby. That should help you to get a good idea of the type of workouts that you enjoy most.

Lie on floor and use light weights, sit ups and stretching and twisting from waist when stood up will gone you up.

Pilates! I have done 30 mins 5 x a week since March and am so much more toned. People keep complimenting me on my weight loss...I haven’t lost any weight!

Ohh me too!! I so need to do this (sorry op) can I ask @bettybyebye do you follow YouTube videos ? And if so, do u have any recommendations for a complete beginner please?

Lift weights.

I took up powerlifting. Love my body now, I feel like a solid little tank and have muscle definition. Your gym should be able to offer PT sessions that can show you the basics.

Weights and Pilates I think

Wow, thanks so much everyone!

@PoxyPixie thanks for your detailed post. You’re absolutely right. I need to work out what I enjoy doing and take it from there. I just don’t know what it is yet!

If you build muscle, you'll actually probably put on weight. I've started running in lockdown, and I've put weight on. I'm small and slim, and haven't upped my intake, but I've put on about six pounds. (I never exercised at all before that sedentary job too). I have abs now, and my shoulders are rock hard, my leg muscles are also turning solid.
Lifting weights will also build muscle if running is a step too far! Kettlebells etc.

Get the FitOn app. Totally free and a brilliant variety of workouts - HIIT, strength, yoga, Pilates etc. Different intensities and durations. I'm far more toned than I was a few months ago.

Thanks @haba and @OrangeGinLemonFanta. I am planning on running at first. I don’t mind putting on some muscle. Just need to get in to the right mindset.

Just bear in mind that you can’t tone fat.

Better to work on maintaining your weight whilst bulking so the muscle shows through!

Unless you’re underweight, in which case, crack on!

We are all different and react to both food and exercise differently but for me a rower is the best all over toning exercise - every muscle group used - every limb and core. To not lose weight whilst rowing I’d need to up my protein and carbs. Tbh o do t lose that much weight but do tone up and become slimmer (not lighter necessarily) as a result.
Good luck finding what suits you

Couch25k is brilliant for getting started with running - this FAQ post is really helpful and the community is really supportive too - healthunlocked.com/couchto5k/posts/136972053/faq-posts

I do a quick yoga video to stretch after my runs and a longer yoga session plus some strength work on the non-running days (Adrienne is popular for a reason -she has a real knack for describing how to move over a video!)

Squats with weights.

Slight thread hijack but how does one get into powerlifting? I often see people talking about it, but isn't it where you lift massive barbells of weight? I am guessing you have to do it at a gym, but do you start with a personal trainer or something, it doesn't seem like the sort of thing you can just start without guidance?

I would be interested to know the Pilates 30 min 5 x a week, do you follow someone / YouTube etc?
I do an hour a week through my zoom class and would like to do more. Unfortunately her other classes with work and kids bedtime so not really able to commit but can later in the evening.

You don’t hear much about them these days but kettle bells are supposed to be very good at toning.

Or if you fancy trying something old school try Callanetics.

The problem I have found with kettlebells is that you need different sizes for different exercises, one kettlebells doesn't necessarily work for an all over workout. I have been looking at body pump style barbells for use at home but they are sold out everywhere still!!!

I tried Callanetics a couple of years ago after reading about it on here, I bought an old book off ebay! It was quite funny, they certainly weren't bothered about 'fat shaming' in the 80s but the exercises were absolutely solid and I was really worried I was going to hurt myself! I might dig the book out again though...

I would recommend something like body pump which combines lower weights that you can easily lift but with many many more reps in time to music. Lots of gyms do something similar or if you invest in a set of weights you can do their on demand service at home

@SoManyActivities I recently bought this set for body pump and find it great www.amazon.co.uk/Gallant-Adjustable-Excellent-Dumbbells-Equipment/dp/B0842V2PHP/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=barbell+weights+set&sprefix=barbell+w&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1598286044&sr=8-3

You do also need some hand weights though

SoManyActivities I’m reasonably new to powerlifting so I’m not at the point of lifting anything massive yet! I do go to the gym and you wouldn’t be able to do it at home unless you have a squat rack, bench, barbell and weight plates in different sizes at a bare minimum. I say that I’m doing powerlifting but technically it’s actually a power building programme that I follow. I follow Stephanie Sanzo’s Build programme and she walks you through it all really well but a personal trainer would be a good place to start to get the moves down properly. I spent ages watching various clips online of how to perform the lifts as well. Nerd Fitness and Squat University all have really good demonstration videos for the main three lifts. I promise it’s not anywhere near as scary as it looks!

To look toned you need a low body fat percentage, otherwise the muscle you have will remain covered in a layer of fat which is of course a bit wobbly. Mine are nicely tucked away under some fat at the moment, the lockdown bod is slowly on its way out.

Its very easy to injure yourself when doing muscle building exercise, make sure you have a couple of PT sessions to make sure you have correct form.

Muscle is built during recovery, make sure your body has sufficient nutrition to build this. The general rule when gaining rather than maintaining muscle mass in men is to consume protein every four hours (apart from during sleep) so I imagine it is the same/very similar for women.

Thank you all so much for the great input and advice. I am a normal size 10 but I feel that my skin is sagging around my bum and tum but especially my thighs. Dimples and cellulite everywhere. I just want to tighten it and harden it

Callanetics and kettlebells

Swimming is a good exercise for overall toning if you can swim properly, especially if you can swim at least two strokes.