Oh dear.... fish or cut bait?

[Krististeph]

First off, apologies for a not particularly feminine reference in the title, but i'm running up against a dilemma: I'm off of work for at least another 3 weeks, with nothing but a few small contracting type chores to finish up- actually i've been like this few a couple of weeks prior.

My supportive wife has me assisting her more now- she is going e-school- an on-line deal via the corporation she works with, and i'm basically her full time assistant at home. No problem, but i'm going to the gym with her, and I am starting to put on a little weight- muscle thankfully, but i am also starting to fill out into my wardrobe. Mostly size 14, some 16's, but i'm snugging up against the non-stretch areas.

Not that i have the nicest collection or anything, But i'm worrying about growing out of my clothes again.

Over the last year or two i have dropped about 15 pounds- mostly flab a little upper body muscle... mostly by dieting and exercising with light weights and many reps... eating better... etc. But going to the gym more, i'm getting bored with high reps and low weights, especially on upper body stuff, but i don't really want to build muscle.

Okay, maybe it's not the worst dilemma, but does anyone have any experience with this? Any suggestions, words of wisdom, or ideas would be wonderful... I am fairly lucky to fit into a 14 to begin with, but i do like the feeling of strength with a little more muscle, but it is really at odds with off the rack female fashion...

My wife is fine with either, but does not want me (nor do i want to be) spending $$ on larger clothes I will eventually stop wearing when I have less time to work out when working more.

Again, any thoughts of advice is welcome, Thanks!

[Marcelle]

Hi Krisisteph,

Unfortunately as guys muscle is something we can pack on quite easily and unless you are going to stay with high reps/low weights and cardio . . . genetically you are going to bulk (depending on your body type that is). I am in the same boat having dropped about 15 pounds of mass over the past year which can build up quite quickly if I fall back into a heavy weight/low reps workout . . . so I continue with light weight / high reps. The good thing is that while my weight is down, my strength is actually up and my physique while not massive is very lean and athletic (my wife likes that).

Hugs

Isha

[Terrylynn]

Since I can't change my basic shape, and look much better as a guy than a girl, I look for clothes that minimize my masculine shape. I would love to wear little strappy tops or sleeveless dresses but with my shoulders and arms I look ridiculous. I try to stay with long or 3/4 length sleeve tops that are fuller at the hip. Since it's so difficult to create a feminine image I have accepted the fact that I'll never look like anything other than a large man in women's clothes. I would rather exercise to improve my masculine appearance than gain some dubious improvement in how I look enfemme.

[Erica Marie]

If you havent tried Tabata read up on it. A great way to mix cardio and resistance training into one. It will break up the boredom and it if done correctly it is one heck of a work out. One like you never tried before. If you think you are in shape try an hour of this and you will think again. Basically it is an hour of 4 min work outs. For each 4 min you pick 2 exercises and you do them as hard and fast as you can for 20 sec with a 10 sec break between alternating between the two exercises. Give it a shot after a few weeks you will see a real difference. Also you dont have to do it every day but at least a few times a week to mix things up.

[Jaylyn]

I also have the problem of bulking up. I've cut my workout time in half by just merely walking and then doing the lighter weights at the end. I'm 64 and 65 is approaching very fast. I feel I need more flexing type exercises now instead of the bulk. The walking seems to keep the legs in shape or a more girly shape and the lighter weights keep me thinner with some definition to my arms. I do lift a few heavier weights about once a week for the boobs. I do curls for this. I've found my forms fit better if I also have a good base for them to rest on.

[Dana3]

Retired United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant here.

Brave up and go to a Marine Corps Recruiting station. Ask them to let you to let you see the palm size spiral bound book they give to potential recruits that want to enlist into the Marine Corps. Its set up on a 365 day plan from the least active, over-weight, candidate to the moderate candidate, to the top high school football star,.........................You pick your starting level. Follow the plan, it'll tell you what you need to do in and with a gym or in and without a gym membership.

More than likely they'll be more than glad to give you a copy but it not you can get the ISBN No. and order a copy from the Superintendent of the US Printing Office (or some such name) At most it shouldn't cost you more than $5 or $10 plus postage and handling.

The Marine Corps Physical Fitness Program is set up to be conducted in "Any Clime or Place" (No pun intended) with a minimum of equipment, gym membership etc.

[Krisi]

Look for skirts with an elastic waistband. These are usually sized as small, medium, large, etc. There is enough give in the waistband to accomodate changes of a couple inches or more in waist size. Select blouses that are not tight and they will do the same, accomodate changes in weight.

[Connie.Marie]

Kristi,
I'm not big into gym life but I have 2 thoughts that have not been mentioned. Swimming & yoga.
Both stretch out & thin the long muscles, make you more flexible, help your balance and don't tend to cause you to have the "Muscle Man" look.

Hugs, Connie Marie

[Eringirl]

Hi Kristi: I have the same problem as I have to maintain a certain level of fitness for one of my jobs. So i am at the gym 5 days a week. I run three days, usually on a treadmill (easier on my knees) for minimum of 40 minutes. Great for cardio and really helps keep my weight in check. The other two days are light weights just to maintain tone, not build bulk. At age 55, so far, so good.

I think Connie Marie's suggestion of swimming and yoga is a good one. I have been thinking of starting yoga to increase my flexibility, and swimming is always good. I get enough of that in one of my jobs though.

Let us know how this all "works out" for you (ohhh, really bad pun, sorry) :)

Erin

[NicoleScott]

There is a CDer, Jake, whose feminine identity is Edith.
Jake wants a masculine build.
Edith wants a feminine figure.
You can't have your Jake and Edith too.

[Christen]

You can't have your Jake and Edith too.

OK Nicole, you've just won a huge prize! That's the biggest grin I've had all week.
And Kristi, I'd drop the weights and take the advice of Connie, swimming is really good, yoga is supreme, running's not bad, if your knees are OK and you don't mind being bored to death :)

Christen x

[celeste26]

What several people have hinted at without actually saying it is Aerobic exercise is the key. Cardio/Aerobic does not build muscle mass to the same extent as "anaerobic."

Cardio/aerobic is all the swimming, jogging, light weights/high reps it requires you to breathe harder as the heart rate increases.
Anaerobic is when you take a deep breath and hold to to lift some heavy weight. (technically it means without oxygen)

[Allison Chaynes]

There is a CDer, Jake, whose feminine identity is Edith.
Jake wants a masculine build.
Edith wants a feminine figure.
You can't have your Jake and Edith too.

I'll have you know you made me spit out good coffee while laughing!

[Beverley Sims]

For me minimal aerobic exercise works.

[CynthiaD]

I went from a size 22 to a size 18. I still wear the size 22 stuff from time to time. A little tuck here, and a little tuck there, and it looks OK. You can buy the larger stuff without fear of obsolescence.

[charlenesomeone]

Thats sooo funny, good one.