Beginner in search of toning workout plan

MissCrabette · Mar 13, 2005

Hi everyone!

I'm in need of a workout plan suitable for a beginner who's not interested in building up muscle. My main concern at the moment is losing a little belly fat and toning up all over.

I'm a 22 year old female, 5'2", 110 lbs (ideally that would be 105 lbs but I'm not complaining). I have little control over my diet as I am currently attending college and eating in a cafeteria. The food selection is not bad and I can eat healthily but I cannot follow a personalized meal plan. I fortunately have access to a fully equipped gym. All I need to know is what to do in there.

Any help? Thanks!

aevans410 · Mar 13, 2005

I posted a good beginning weight training routine here in this thread

http://training.fitness.com/showthread.php?t=3970&page=4

Aim for moderate weights ranging from 10-15 reps per set. You will put on a little muscle, but thats necessary. You can't "tone" you either gain muscle, or lose fat. Gaining a little muscle will help you shed the excess body fat giving a "toned" look.

MissCrabette · Mar 13, 2005

Thanks Allen!

I'd been using FitDay for a while and I find it to be very useful. It does get frustrating at times when I just can't find a close match for a certain food but it's still very impressive for a free tool.

crazcarl · Mar 24, 2005

Aim for moderate weights ranging from 10-15 reps per set. You will put on a little muscle, but thats necessary. You can't "tone" you either gain muscle, or lose fat. Gaining a little muscle will help you shed the excess body fat giving a "toned" look.

With all the fitness misconceptions going around these days, these statements couldn't be truer.

jasondragon · Apr 1, 2005

Will the misconceptions ever end!?! AAAAH. It kills me that the 'toning' idea or that lifting weights will make you into a huge muscular machine. If only this were true!!!

I'd love to lift heavy weights and get huge overnight!!

.

crazcarl · Apr 4, 2005

Yeah it also undermines the HARD work bodybuilders have to do to get that look.

fas · Apr 6, 2005

I have been liftting weights for the past 3 months, and I only see a minimum change

spockafina · Apr 6, 2005

fas said:
I have been liftting weights for the past 3 months, and I only see a minimum change

well, what does your diet look like?

fas · Apr 6, 2005

I have a super super clean diet and I walk at least an hour a day.

I am 5'5, 125lbs. I gained 10 lbs over the holidays and can't seem to take it off. I am very frustrated.

Hoss · Apr 7, 2005

jasondragon said:
Will the misconceptions ever end!?! AAAAH. It kills me that the 'toning' idea or that lifting weights will make you into a huge muscular machine. If only this were true!!! I'd love to lift heavy weights and get huge overnight!! .

lol i always hear people saying that.. "i want to work out but i don't want to get huge", and everytime i shake my head lol

BodylasticsBK · Apr 7, 2005

Hi. We have some great routines posted here Fitness Equipment, Workout, Fitness Program, Fitness Articles, Beauty Fitness, Weight Loss, Weight Training I used to use many of these for toning up my female clients when I used to train. As someone said earlier keep the reps high - I actually prefer 15 to 18. Also remember to use a resistance amount so that you are struggling on your last rep.

Blake

jasondragon · Apr 9, 2005

Again, the high repetitions is a misconception. This continuum that more repetitions equals only minimal gains in muscle mass just isn't true.

A simple counter to this would mean that lifting 1RM weights continually would allow for HUGE increases in muscle size. And if this were true, then we could go into any gym and see all the guys lifting extremely heavy weights to gain muscle size.

I don't know if this myth will ever die.