To ask if anyone has changed their body shape with pilates or yoga?

[gardenangels]

Loosing weight and keen to find exercises that won't bulk me up

[HysteriaLane]

But doing lots of reps with a set of 5kg i.e. 10kg in total, will help me tone surely? I just want to burn a bit of fat (a handful around my stomach) and tone up that area....

[KatieKaboom]

Depends on the exercise! Shoulders, triceps etc. would likely be challenged by those weights, but you need heavier things for squats, deadlifts and so on. Chest and biceps might be somewhere in between. All the body parts need different weights to be challenging and effective. (I am embarrassed how many years it took me to figure this out, by the way! )

And you keep adding weight gradually to increase your strength

[HysteriaLane]

Ok, thanks katie, I'm trying to work out whats best. I've got two young kids not in school yet so its pretty much treadmill and dumbbell weights at home. I used to do a fab boot camp at the gym pre-kids and have been doing those exercises at home (the ones I can remember). I want to get fit and toned, only need to lose a few lbs but its all on my stomach, my legs / arms are ok.

[boscros1]

Weights and HIIT art the only way to go. Pilates is great for core strength but I don't know one single person who has that toned look from a bit of Pilates. I've had 2 kids and since taking up weights I'm a size 6/8, have a six pack and defined arms, but still look feminine.

[boscros1]

Oh and 3-5lb dumbells won't work, u need to build up and do heavy weights. I leg press over my body weight now from building up gradually.

[Theydontknowweknowtheyknow]

Body shape not changed but my flexibility has greatly improved. If I don't do yoga I get aches and pains more quickly. Doing yoga is hugely beneficial.

[LaPharisienne]

Specific exercises to reduce fat in specific areas is a myth, sadly. You can build muscle in specific areas and you can lose fat generally but that's it.

Lots of reps with light weights doesn't do nothing, but it's cardio rather than strength training. The key is to start with whatever you can manage and build up.

I'd recommend reading up - lift like a man, look like a goddess was recommended on another thread not too long ago and I had a look out of interest - looks good and sets out the basics (as well as a training programme if you want that).

[Thefitfatty]

"I disagree about "no women are able to bulk up". I bulk up very quickly.

If you are prone to acne and are good at maths, have a longer ring finger than index, and good spacial relation (IE you can parallel park on a dime) then you will bulk up, as you have sensitive testosterone receptors."

My ring finger is longer then my index, but I have ADHD so no good at maths (due to it requiring too much concentration on my part) and parallel parking always requires concentration so...

I do "bulk up" initially and gain muscle very quickly, and a lot of it. But I would never say not to lift heavy, because now that I'm burning off the fat covering the muscle and my body is starting to look f-ing amazing. I wouldn't say I'm "lean" I would say I'm curvy and muscular (still have boobs, got a great firm ass, no cellulite, no wobbles and obvious muscles in my arms and legs). I'm more a muscly, slimmer Ashley Graham then a Chloe Madley.

I LOVE being able to bench as much as some of the guys, and toss my 20kg 4 year old in the air. Lifting heavy has totally changed my outlook to exercise and my body. I love it!

[Thefitfatty]

Sorry meant to bold first bit:

I disagree about "no women are able to bulk up". I bulk up very quickly.

If you are prone to acne and are good at maths, have a longer ring finger than index, and good spacial relation (IE you can parallel park on a dime) then you will bulk up, as you have sensitive testosterone receptors."

My ring finger is longer then my index, but I have ADHD so no good at maths (due to it requiring too much concentration on my part) and parallel parking always requires concentration so...

I do "bulk up" initially and gain muscle very quickly, and a lot of it. But I would never say not to lift heavy, because now that I'm burning off the fat covering the muscle and my body is starting to look f-ing amazing. I wouldn't say I'm "lean" I would say I'm curvy and muscular (still have boobs, got a great firm ass, no cellulite, no wobbles and obvious muscles in my arms and legs). I'm more a muscly, slimmer Ashley Graham then a Chloe Madley.

I LOVE being able to bench as much as some of the guys, and toss my 20kg 4 year old in the air. Lifting heavy has totally changed my outlook to exercise and my body. I love it!

[Thefitfatty]

My bold doesn't want to work. LOL.

[CaoNiMao]

I'm similar to Hopefully - ashtanga 6 days a week, and it's definitely made me leaner and more toned.

[KatharinaRosalie]

What others said. Resistance (weight) training and forget the 'moderate intensity' that's always peddled - you want to exercise vigorously. As health benefits are concerned, Yoga is more of a social gathering than exercise.

[HysteriaLane]

And do you go to the gym to resistance train or at home? I can't get to the gym, nor can I afford membership right now(SAHM to two little ones). My brother has lifted weights for years and started at home but had to join the gym to get the heavier weights, but I wouldn't want to take it that far.

[LaPharisienne]

You can buy weights pretty cheaply if you have space at home to stash them? I'd get a book to guide you tho - you need to learn how to lift weights.

You don't need to buy an expensive membership to use a gym tho - if you have a local leisure centre they have weights and lots have a heavily subsidised creche. My local leisure centre charges £1.30 p/hour p/kid (fully qualified childcare people etc.) so it wouldn't cost loads to do 3 X weights sessions a week.

Everything else can be done at home for free - walking, running, pushing the pram. Housework, lifting babies, it all counts! Enjoy!

[HysteriaLane]

Thanks laphar, mumsnet is really inspiring on the exercise front.

[KeepitDown]

I really don't like the 'women don't bulk up' line because some of us do (I was really shocked when it happened to me after a major gym streak because I had been assured it wouldn't happen).

It's probably true for many women, but it would be nice to see more acknowledgement of the ways to control bulking (ie. calorie control) rather than just a blanket 'it won't happen'.

I actually found bodybuilding.com a really useful site for more detailed information about how the body works in general. Great beginner routines too like this one.

For me, moderate to high cardio, heavy lifting, and calorie control with good protein is what gave me the body I wanted now I just need to get it back!

[LaPharisienne]

Agreed wheatchief - a lot of women have overactive muscles on the front of their body and under active muscles on the back, randomly.

[LaPharisienne]

And HysteriaLane I love seeing people thinking and talking about exercise because it's like this big secret no-one tells you - you're going to feel amazing - so proud of yourself! And you're going to look great, too!

[TaraCarter]

Hey, I match all those criteria for testosterone receptors.



I don't think I look bulky, but I can say that after a couple of months of light resistance/strength exercise (planking, press-ups, 3kg-7kg* weights), I did start finding that sometimes sleeves are too narrow for my arms, which is never a problem I'd had before.

My arms look huge if I wear a really feminine skater-dress/tea-dress with straps, and totally normal in a short-sleeved top, or, indeed, a swimming costume, so it's difficult to assess the changes.

*In the light/heavy debate, some people are talking about 3 kg dumbells and some people are talking about 3 lb dumbells, in this thread. Anyone else notice?

[HysteriaLane]

I though that tara - I use 5kg weights, and have just bought an 8kg kettlebell. I think a 5kg in each hand isn't bad

I agree 3lb would be pointless.

[JackShit]

Those of you who have been lifting and had a really positive change in body shape, how long did it take to really notice?

I've been gyming for 3 months now with one PT session per week and I'm still a wobbler

[JackShit]

I go 3x per week including 1x PT session. I have lost 9lbs in 3 months I am working very hard when I do go to the gym (95% weights) and I have reduced my food intake to the point of being constantly hungry.

[branofthemist]

jack even body building competitors eat plenty, even when it's coming up to comp season and they are cutting body fat.

The food they eats can be fairly boring after 12 weeks of cutting but thy are still eating plenty.

But they also do some cardio as well. You shouldn't be starving yourself and doing weights. Something isn't right. What has your pt said about your food?