Help! I have been on the treadmill every day for at least an hour. While I am pleased with the results from the scale, my legs are beginning to look big and bulky. Particularly the calf muscle. This is not at all the shape that I was hoping for!!! Yet, I am not willing to give up the treadmill. This is the one exercise that I have actually been able to stick to. What can I do to eliminate this bulk???
Somebody said something about my arms at rehearsal last night...
I looked in the mirror, and when I'm holding my trombone... my left forearm... (especially in 6th position)...
OMGosh! I have arms like a longshoreman! It looks like I spend all day on the docks unloading ships or something. All I see is sinewy arms with various muscles bulging and popping. Oh man, I’m going to look like Popeye, the Sailor Man, in an island print sleeveless dress tomorrow .
Guess, I’ll go practice and work those muscles some more… Getting a craving for spinach salad…
Denise
Posts: 8744 | Location: Silicon Valley, CA | Registered: March 17, 2004
Originally posted by windycityattorney: I have been doing a dvd workout by the NY City Ballet Company, specifically workout I, in addition to my cardio. I rarely do the whole tape, but have incorporated many of the movements into my everyday stretch routine. My calves are shrinking. This may be due to weightloss, but regardless, my muscles feel long and lean now.
You know, it's interesting that you say that because I HAD been doing a 10-minute ballet barre workout (one of the five workouts on the 10-Minute Solution DVD) once a week and stopped doing it for a month or two and just rediscovered it last week. I will try to work that back into my rotation at least once every other week. Thanks for the tip.
Posts: 7356 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
Quote by SheriaVa: "For me, some of it IS that I'm seeing more muscle come through as I lose fat, but some of it is actual gain of muscle girth in those areas (like you, I have measurements?"
I may have found a solution that works for me. Might be worth a try for you as well. I have been doing a dvd workout by the NY City Ballet Company, specifically workout I, in addition to my cardio. I rarely do the whole tape, but have incorporated many of the movements into my everyday stretch routine. My calves are shrinking. This may be due to weightloss, but regardless, my muscles feel long and lean now. Quite a change from the bulky stiff feeling prior. But the most exciting benefit is my posture. I don't know what it is about these movements, but it has changed the way I carry myself. Three friends have noticed.
I read in one of my fitness magazines that five pounds of muscle looks like 2 tangerines and five pounds of fat looks like 3 grapefruits. So if you stick with it, you will lose the fat in addition to gaining the muscle and will be smaller in the long run. That's what has always happened to me.
Right after exercise, you may find that your muscles are puffy and retain some fluid. This is part of the healing/strengthening process. Right after lifting I feel like Ah-nold, but it is temporary.
----------- Jen
Posts: 2868 | Location: Ohio | Registered: March 11, 2004
Originally posted by windycityattorney: Oh Bee, I wish that were the case. I have measurements of my calves from when I started this journey. My calves are actually larger now. Yuck.
I second getting rid of the incline then and just going for speed to make it more challenging.
BTW, I'm looking fairly muscluar now too and have the same problem with the arms of my short sleeve shirts being tight. While this wouldn't be my first choice, I have an athletic build and know that I will never look like Kate Moss no matter what I do. I've made peace that I would rather look athletic and strong than how I looked before.
Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who is feeling that way, Windy. My calves have gotten a little large for my taste lately too. Mine have always been muscular (even when the rest of me was just fat) from walking, but they are now even larger. Unlike you, I'm not sure where mine is coming from because I switch off my cardio a lot...the bike, elliptical and treadmill at the gym, walking outside and cardio to DVDs at home.
I bought a smaller size shirt last month with a fitted short sleeve and it fit everywhere but it was tight through the bicep and that was my first sign that that area is getting too bulky as well. I used to have to really do the muscleman arm flex to see my bicep and now, even at rest, the bicep is noticeable. I LOVE the look of a toned/defined muscle but don't want mine to be large.
For me, some of it IS that I'm seeing more muscle come through as I lose fat, but some of it is actual gain of muscle girth in those areas (like you, I have measurements).
Posts: 7356 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
If you are running on too high an incline or too heavy a resistance, you will build the muscle. Your calves and hamstrings and quads shouls all firm up naturally from running, but if your incline is set high you can cause the muscle to get bigger.
Posts: 1384 | Location: West Florida | Registered: March 12, 2004
I also like the treadmill. What helps me is, changing the incline alot, so I am working different parts of my legs, and streaching really well before hand, and after.
.
