What do I need to do to tone up?

[lovelylondonsky]

So I've lost 2 stone this year through calorie counting which has taken me from a BMI of 28.5 to 23.5. I'd like to lose another half stone but I now want to focus on exercise and toning up.

I'm so wobbly. Flabby upper arms, an overhanging belly which although not as big as it was is still there, wobbly thighs.

I don't do any proper exercise at the moment but am quite active - I walk a lot and usually hit my 10,000 steps.

What should I start doing? Weights? Something like pilates? Cardio? I've never been to a gym as find the idea intimidating but will do if I need to. I have some 2kg weights. Help!

Following this if you don't mind op, sounds like you've done great! I really want to tone up too, especially my belly which my third child absolutely ruined and left me with seperated stomach muscles!

I started body pump classes a few weeks ago and have definitely noticed a difference for toning especially arms and thighs. I don’t normally like gym classes but am loving this one.

Bailey Brown youtube videos are fantastic for toning

Reformer Pilates if you can afford it. Changes your whole body shape. Bikram yoga also good.

Lift heavy weights. Look up Stronglifts 5x5 and google Nerd Fitness Stacy for inspiration.

Pilates is great for toning.
I also do a grit and core class and a body combat class. The grit and core are high intensity 30/45 min sessions they are brilliant but may need to work up to them by doing the body combat or body pump sessions.

Lifting weights.

I use the leg press regularly & other leg machines & have now got really toned legs!

Definitely heavy weights. A gym trainer once told me that if you can do 12 reps of a movement without struggling then the weight is too light! Bodypump as mentioned above is also good and fun and will teach you lots of movements.

Pilates, preferably reformer.
Weights will give you more bulk. Pilates gives you long , lean muscle and overall toning.

I've recently started doing dance classes again (I danced a lot until the age of 13) and it's definitely toning me up.

Firstly congratulations on the weight loss Op! My advice would be that you need to bite the bullet and join a local gym. When you join ask one of the instructors to walk you round all the free weights/weight machines/battle ropes etc and devise a programme for you. If done regularly, this I promise will tone you up 🙂.

As an aside, I’ve had gym equipment at home in the past but never use it, I find it only works if I’m paying to go to a gym and will then make myself go.

Weights. Lift as heavy as you can manage for a couple of sets, preferably free weights. If you can’t make it to the gym, look up body weight workouts on YouTube; squats, pushups, lunges, calf lifts, leg lifts.

It’s a myth that you can tone a muscle. It either gets bigger or it doesn’t. Women don’t have enough testosterone to build really big muscles unless they are absolutely dedicated to lifting, have an incredibly low percentage of body fat and possibly take, um, supplements.

If you look up @meghancallaway on Instagram, she is extraordinarily strong, but lean and shapely.

Lifting weights is good for your brain, your bones and your metabolism.

Yep, weights. Heavy as you can go. Suggest that you find someone to teach you how to lift correctly though, at least initially. Your body will thank you as you get older too, as the weightlifting builds the muscles around your joints.

Thanks everybody. There's a gym next to work which offers us a discount so I guess I just need to be brave!

There’s an excellent book called Lift Like a Girl by Nia Shanks, she also has a blog and podcast. Lots of good reasons to lift and programs to help. I’d recommend it.

Look up Kayla Istines - she has programmes suitable for at home or the gym and it's brilliant . A mixture of some cardio and resistance excercises.