starting to feel butch?!

hey so i have a very petite build so when i start to gain weight, you can tell right away, anyway, so at my lowest weight, which is 100 lbs, i was very skinny, but looking back on it now, i was actually kind of skinny fat. i had not a lot of muscle and i still had love handles but the rest of me was really, very skinny. 

but now, i've started actual strength training and trying to look more fit than skinny, but i've noticed when i do work out my arms and do resistance training and weight training, i look really.. well... bulky. my arms get bigger and more muscley fast. i really don't like this look because i look bulkier up top (not a good bulk, it's not the boobs). i feel this might be because i just naturally build muscle quicker.. and that the muscle has built faster than the fat has gone away? i do my usual 5km run, followed by arm exercises and core exercises.. 

i'm 5'2.5'' and currently weigh 110 lbs - and i look bulky! should i stop weight training/strength training?

Sorry for the joke but put butch down.  Ok, now that is out of my system.

I would suggest reducing the size of the weights and do more reps instead and actually I would really suggest focusing more on things like yoga and pilates which will stop you from bulking up and becoming butch and kept your feminine but lithe shape that you had previously.

Yoga is fantastic as a work out, its more cardio than strength so you don't end up bulky and it works your muscles in a lovely way so they are defined but not massive.

Original Post by lisajb74:

Sorry for the joke but put butch down. 

Yoga is fantastic as a work out, its more cardio than strength so you don't end up bulky and it works your muscles in a lovely way so they are defined but not massive.

teehee!!

ooh and yoga is indeed wonderful! a total body workout - especially if you do power vinyasa.  and definitely doesn't bulk you up, but still gets you looking nice and toned :)

Like the first person said, do lighter weight at more reps this will burn through the fat while toning the muscles not increasing them.

Lies in the gym

Original Post by navyboy87:

do lighter weight at more reps this will burn through the fat while toning the muscles not increasing them.

FYI, everytime someone perpetuates this type of garbage, god kills a kitten. 

Original Post by floggingsully:

Original Post by navyboy87:

do lighter weight at more reps this will burn through the fat while toning the muscles not increasing them.

FYI, everytime someone perpetuates this type of garbage, god kills a kitten. 

 LMAO- I knew you'd be around to make a hilarious (albeit, maybe true?) comment.

You're so smart.

What exactly do you consider bulky?  Sometimes people who are used to looking "skinny" don't know how to react when they work out and end up with a little bit of muscle that starts to show.  I'm betting your idea of bulky and our idea of bulky is probably too different things.

look at this chick's arms and abs.  Do you think that's bulky?  Because most men find that the ideal body type.  So unless you look like this chick, I seriously doubt anyone else is looking at you and thinking "bulky"

Original Post by peaches0405:

look at this chick's arms and abs.  Do you think that's bulky?  Because most men find that the ideal body type.  So unless you look like this chick, I seriously doubt anyone else is looking at you and thinking "bulky"

 That second chick is bulky? OMG I'm in serious trouble.

*depression slowly sets in*

I don't think the second chick looks builky.  Maybe a little plump... 

Some of these women look bulky, but they are also obviously working hard to look that way. 

Original Post by karozel:

I don't think the second chick looks builky.  Maybe a little plump... 

 PLUMP?

-Good Grief

*sinking deeper*

Meh, I think the first one looks too skinny - second picture is seriously goodlooking though.

Original Post by igloogal:

Original Post by karozel:

I don't think the second chick looks builky.  Maybe a little plump... 

 PLUMP?

-Good Grief

*sinking deeper*

I looked again, and I take back my comment.  Her face is a bit round and I think that made me say "plump".  If I just look at her body.. then yeah... I would be happpy to have that shape.  I know I'm carrying around a lot more "plump" than that. 

Oh whew... feeling better. I need to post some pictures of me.

Cover up her face and stick my head there and that's *almost* me... so plump sounds harsh, but understandable. I'm still hanging on to 10 pounds I'd like to get rid of.

Thanks karozel and Melkor.... *sigh of relief*

. . . I love free weights. . .(my new passion, believe it or not)

I'd suggest, paulinka, to consider this:  Would you rather have people see a hint of muscle in your arm, or flabby arms?  Even if your arm *might* be a bit larger because of the muscle (which usually doesn't happen in normal workouts)?  Do your shirt sleeves actually fit tighter, or are you just seeing the muscle and picturing those women who must spend the entire workweek in the gym?

Muscle takes up less room than fat, looks better than fat, and is healthier than fat.  If you are new to strength training, those muscles may be holding water and looking larger than they really are.  And they will probably be more prominent right after a workout, too.  And you aren't used to seeing those muscles on yourself.  Wait for your off day(a no weights day), put on a sleeveless shirt, and look at yourself, and see what you think.  If you still have doubts, ask some guy friends.  Understand that the models that we have pasted before us as "perfection" are really skinny, malnourished women, which a lot of men don't actually think are attractive.  In fact, if you look closely, the models chosen for women's products are different in shape than those chosen for men's products.

I would keep doing the strength training.  Keep with it for three months, and re-evaluate.  Give yourself some time to see what your body will really look like, to get used to your "more fit" look.

Original Post by igloogal:

Original Post by peaches0405:

look at this chick's arms and abs.  Do you think that's bulky?  Because most men find that the ideal body type.  So unless you look like this chick, I seriously doubt anyone else is looking at you and thinking "bulky"

 That second chick is bulky? OMG I'm in serious trouble.

*depression slowly sets in*

 Hehe!  Sorry.  I didn't mean that.  I just meant that "some" people would say "bulky" or maybe a bit more "butch".  Not saying she is, but I could at least understand (sort of) if this is what the OP looked like.   Not everyone wants to have that kind of muscle definition.   However, at 110lbs, there is no way the OP looks anything like that.  Therefore, I don't believe she would ever be mistaken as butch.

On a side note, I'd love to have the guns that the second chick has.  For my body type, it's never gonna happen though  :(

Original Post by melkor:

Meh, I think the first one looks too skinny - second picture is seriously goodlooking though.

 I know, melkor.  I was trying to put things in perspective from what the OP has said about her body type.  Apparently I failed at my attempt.

Ain't a thing wrong with looking butch!  I'd rather look like I can kick some ass than like I'd break in a strong wind, personally. 

Original Post by peaches0405:

Original Post by melkor:

Meh, I think the first one looks too skinny - second picture is seriously goodlooking though.

 I know, melkor.  I was trying to put things in perspective from what the OP has said about her body type.  Apparently I failed at my attempt.

 I know you were peaches... I get it.

I was just thinking "Hey, her shoulders look almost like mine". And then I thought, "Hey, I thought I was lookin hot", now I feel "Butch"... LOL

I'm okay now though.

....but for some reason I want to go eat a dozen cookies. . .

Original Post by apophenia:

Ain't a thing wrong with looking butch!  I'd rather look like I can kick some ass than like I'd break in a strong wind, personally. 

I read that as "break a strong wind"... I have apparently de-matured into a 8-yr old boy.

Original Post by amethystgirl:

Original Post by apophenia:

Ain't a thing wrong with looking butch!  I'd rather look like I can kick some ass than like I'd break in a strong wind, personally. 

I read that as "break a strong wind"... I have apparently de-matured into a 8-yr old boy.

Heh-heh!  I find it's good to stay in touch with my internal Beavis, myself.  Life's more funny that way.