Losing Muscle

An event in my life caused me to bulk up litterally, and now I don't want this much muscle. Over the last few years I havent been as big, but I want to be like feminin (not that I'm butch or anything) but I want leaner muscles even if I can't bench as much. Does anyone have this problem??

Tue. May 9, 4:27pm

pilates is your friend. ballet is also good. both good for elongating muscles.

Tuesday, May 9, 2006, 4:38 PM

Yoga is excellent too (I am also a huge pilates fan). Experienced yogi are unbelievably strong and have gorgeous muscle definition. Yoga is also terrific for mental focus and stress relief as well. Pilates devotees look elegant - perfect posture and the core strength to pull off almost any motion with grace.

Either of them would be a wonderful compliment to any weight-training activities or just by themselves. As with anything, you need to do them consistently for a couple weeks before you see changes.

Tuesday, May 9, 2006, 5:59 PM

What about diet?

I know they say to eat lots of protein to build muscle. 1 gram per pound. Have you let up on the protein so you're not still building??

Tuesday, May 9, 2006, 6:35 PM

OP here... I have done yoga and pilaties and such... I think I need to do it more and more.. I actually want to LOSE the muscle.. as weird as that sounds. I have let up on the protien, I only eat chicken for my meats.. I was just wondering if there was a way to stop the growth.. I'll try more yoga and such! Anyone have any more suggestions?

Tuesday, May 9, 2006, 9:13 PM

If you continue lifting weights, use very light weights and more reps.

Cardio training will help you stay fit and lean... not sure what you do for that, but you can always drop weight training to 1x per week and do cardio workouts instead, like running or aerobics. Your body will have to burn fat and muscle to fuel itself.

Tuesday, May 9, 2006, 11:06 PM

OP again- In recent times I havent been doing weight training at all and the muslce has just stayed. Its weird. I want to get back into the weights, just light ones myabe only 5 or 10's which may help to makr them longer instead of thicker. Its mainly my thighs. They have a lot of fat of them but I know they have a lot of muscle too because I can litterally feel it. My arms too, lot of fat but also can only be so small! I really want that athletic look, but not like ripped I wonder if there is a really set of way of changing muscle composition. I very well may be over reacting because I dont know how much actual muscle is there.. but I'm trying to brace myself before I lose all the weight to get certain ideas about what I can do

Wednesday, May 10, 2006, 11:42 AM

I have always had big calves from dancing. There was a time when I was pregnant and didn't work them that they seemed to have shrunk a little. As soon as I started exercising again they grew - I asked a trainer about this and the trainer said there was really nothing that could be done - muscle has "memory" and will easily go back to its original size. I know that is probably frustrating for you to hear but you may still be able to "lengthen" your muscles by using the suggestions everyone has given you here. Good Luck and I feel your pain!

Wednesday, May 10, 2006, 12:31 PM

To the OP - sounds like you need to lose fat surrounding your muscles. It's flattering to think that you have big muscles, but unless you're taking some kind of hormone supplements or steroids, women's body can never bulk up like men. Increase your cardio and lose the flab - you'll be amazed to see how small your muscles are!

Wednesday, May 10, 2006, 1:57 PM

I agree with the above poster - I always thought my legs were all muscle, but I lost 35 pounds and discovered there was quite a bit of fat there that I didn't know about. I went from a size 8 fitting in the thigh to a size 0 being baggy in the legs, if that says anything.

I run or walk 5-6x a week, horseback ride twice a week and lift weights, using 10-20 pound weights, 2-3x a week. I use the Firm videos, they really sculpt sleek muscles.

Wednesday, May 10, 2006, 6:57 PM

I also agree as a third person here. Unless you did hardcore training for a long time and took drugs you won't be enormously muscular. Have you had your bodyfat tested? I think you probably have some excess fat that you need to get rid of. get tested and you'll have a better sense of what your body is made of - and make sure you get a trained, knowledgable person to it with a realiable method. (Bodyfat scales at home for example are usually way off)

And if you haven't been lifting recently then there's no way that the mucle won't go down. You need to be training to keep it or build it up more so if you ease up on any heavy lifting then you'll have muscle loss.

And as for feeling the muscle in your leg - that's actually normal. What are you hoping to feel?

I would suggest taking a look at your diet - are you taking in too many calories? And don't worry about your protein intake - that's nonsense. Eating excessive protein doesn't build muscle or even help you keep it there. Just move more and eat less to lose the fat - then I think you'll find your legs slim down. It's sounds like you just have too much fat over a normal amount of muscle - especially if you aren't training heavily.

Wednesday, May 10, 2006, 9:47 PM

Op here...

Okay so in my prime I was able to bench 150+ free weights and around 450-500 for legs... I know for a fact I have a very high muscle count because I have done the coposition things before and my muscle is in the 35% range.. which is pretty high for a chick says the doctor... I dont want to be muscley. I am already tall I dont need to look any "bigger". I will try all you have said. I'm hoping that after I get to 150 I'll see the real muscle. Thanks everyone for the posts!! If anyone else has any ideas.. let me know!!

Thursday, May 11, 2006, 11:13 AM

Op again

P.S.

I know I have a lot of fat around them as well, don't get me wrong I'm not being unrealistic about it or anything. I'm just looking for ways on how to cut down on the size while I'm in the fat losing process!!

Thursday, May 11, 2006, 11:16 AM

Keep the muscles - lose fat. Check out the photos on the link - don't they look beautiful? and no one ever questions the feminity of Mia Hamm...

Link

Thursday, May 11, 2006, 11:28 AM

i agree don't worry about your developed muscles . . . work on cardio and burn that excess fat off! then you will see your muscles as beautiful! not bulky!

Thursday, May 11, 2006, 1:59 PM

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