Muscular and Manly

After swimming competitively for many years I'm very large (though I think I have a small frame - based on the wrist test).  Does anyone know the best way to become more slender and feminine looking.  I've been described as husky and jacked and it just kills me to hear it.  I'm up for diet and exercise suggestions.

Thanks!

anyone?

i'm not sure that there is any way to reverse that. I know swimming generally gives that "manly" look to a womans upper body. I think speaking to a certified personal triainer would be the best bet. If anyone would know the answer they would.

Don't be absurd, swimming does not make you "manly". If you want to slender down then begin a weight training program.  Lift light to moderate weights and do higher repetitions.  For example: dumbell bicep curls 3 sets of 15 reps (3x15).  Pilates or yoga are also good ways to lean out the body, but exercise is not the only thing you need to do.  Diet may be the most important tool in your weight loss efforts.  Seek advice from a nutritionalist or dietician.  You cannot do one without the other or you will be wasting your efforts.

Actually, I can see how swimming would give you bigger shoulders, which is associated with looking manly.  The only thing you can do to reverse that is to stop or cut back on the swimming, but you can also tell the people telling you that to just shove it.  :-)

this may sound absurb and but perhaps working on your posture and the way you carry yourself may make you appear more elegant and feminie. Not sure if this relates to you but often sports women have a manly air about them but its because they walk and hold their bodies. Try on a pair of heels and walk up and down in front of the mirror see if this changes you. I do a lot of ballet and this unfortunately means spending hours looking in a mirror but you quickly realise the way you move can make you appear heavy or graceful.

eat less and do more cardio. use less strength training on the upper body.

or just eat less and do nothing.


i did option b. it took a couple years to get rid of my runner's thighs.

doing pilates off and on as well as yoga stretched out my shape from round to long and lean.

good luck!


also i suggest trying out different types of clothing looks.
structured clothing can make a muscular person look more "husky"
think flowy and soft. like blouses etc.

I understand what you're going through.  It feels like it's been years and I'm still trying to slim down legs that got very muscular from season after season of basketball and volleyball.

I like all the ideas so far!  I've never tried ballet or pilates and I'm thinking that I should.

it's so strange that being muscular and strong can feel like a negative thing.  Sometimes I think I must be crazy!

 thanks for the great advice!