high school reunion in June, help me tone my arms and abs

[Anonymous]

I am in reasonably good shape. About 3 years ago I got a peloton. I ride 4-5 times a week. I lost 30lbs using that and IF in the first year. Since then I have plateau'd at about 140 lbs. (I am 5'8")Would LOVE to lose another 10 lbs before this reunion but I am realistic about how much starvation that would entail.

What I would really like is to lose some belly and tone my arms. I am 48 and have had three children so again, I am realistic here but what is the biggest bang for my buck between now and June? I've been doing 10 minute abs and arms things from peloton but not seeing anything. Do I need to do these every day? or add heavier weights? Starve more?

please help a vain middle aged mom LOL

[Anonymous]

That's great work!

I started weight training about 9 months ago with bodypump, but have since migrated to the weight area. I got some definition with bodypump, but would like to actually get stronger.

To build muscle, you actually need to eat more. You need to to eat a lot of protein and lift much heavier weights. I strength train 4x a week and spend about an hour each time focused on an area (ie, back/biceps, chest/triceps/shoulders, etc).

I still look like a mom, but am definitely stronger now. My arms look more toned at least. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

5'8 and 140lb is terrific!

[Anonymous]

Planks and push-ups, buy a good bra and shaping garment

[Anonymous]

Lift heavy weights for your muscles, but much of looking "toned" is having a low enough percent body fat to see the muscle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Planks and push-ups, buy a good bra and shaping garment

+1 exactly what I was going to suggest

also maybe botox, fillers, hair extensions and lifts in your shoes

[Anonymous]

Your current weight is already really good! If you went to your reunion today you’d probably be one of the fittest people there. 70% of the country right now is overweight or obese.

I’ve been focusing on weights. I just started Jordan Syatt’s 90 day program. This might give you some good structure like it did for me.

I only IF for 12 hours. I follow Dr Stacy Simms advice in her books that are women specific - I am female

Good luck

[Anonymous]

Arms by Tunde, and eat low carb. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I'm just starting my exercise journey again after a rough 2022 and start to this year. I've become so flabby! I've committed to exercising on a climber I have at home, lifting weights and doing body weight exercises, but I know, from having done this in the past, that the only way I will see muscle definition is by meaningful calorie restriction. It doesn't matter how much I train my muscles; if they're hidden by a nice layer of blubber, no one will ever see them! So for your reunion, where visible tone is what you want... you really need to "starve", as you said. You can do it!!!

[Anonymous]

Hammer curls, incline dumbbell curls, dips, chinups, shoulder presses

You can use the assisted machines and bands if you don't have the raw strength for dips and chinups

[Anonymous]

Push ups, burpees, shoulder flys, shoulder press, upright rows

Yoga vinyassas (chaturanga) also great. I was sore earlier this week so decided to do some yoga which I haven't done in ages. My arms are already pretty strong, but I was surprisingly sore the next day. So its seems like it hits the muscles in a different way than other upper body exercises.

[Anonymous]

pushups/planks and/or yoga sun salutes.

I also do a bunch of core exercises recommended by my PT -- things like "bird dog" and "dead bug." you can look them up! I do them every day.

[Anonymous]

Just keep in mind:

You Can't Spot Reduce Fat

All the exercises listed above are great for building strength. But unless you lock in the diet, it'll just get the muscle bigger. And sometimes, the bigger muscle can give the illusion of being fat. For example, a PP suggested Hammer Curls. That's probably a bad suggestion for toning arms. They focus on the long head and are a great way to add size.

Also: abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym. Getting big and strong abs will just make your stomach look bigger.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just keep in mind:

You Can't Spot Reduce Fat

All the exercises listed above are great for building strength. But unless you lock in the diet, it'll just get the muscle bigger. And sometimes, the bigger muscle can give the illusion of being fat. For example, a PP suggested Hammer Curls. That's probably a bad suggestion for toning arms. They focus on the long head and are a great way to add size.

Also: abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym. Getting big and strong abs will just make your stomach look bigger.

+1 Also I work out every day, 3 days in the gym, 2 days barre, 1 day 5 mile walk. I'm also careful with my diet. I'm not sure I could achieve what you're trying to achieve in 2 months time. Not saying you won't make progress and that you won't notice a difference, just not sure it would be noticeable to others. You will however feel more confident, you'll walk taller and have a different energy about you.

PS - OP you're not vain. We all want to look good! Be proud of what you've achieved thus far, and just keep going.

[Anonymous]

I lost the flab on my arms by losing overall weight. Nothing else worked.