|
Well, it is well known in the weight-lifting and fitness world that there are two distinct and separate phases in personal fitness:
1) Cutting - losing fat, slimming down
2) Bulking - increasing muscle mass
What most people do is do their bulking phase in the winter months, and their cutting phases in the spring months (before summer warm weather, etc.)
The reason for this is that cutting (i.e. getting "tone", decreasing body fat %) must happen at a caloric deficit (i.e. burning more calories than you consume). Bulking requires you to eat at a caloric surplus (more calories than you metabolize). That doesn't mean eat a McDonald's meal for calories, however. Most people do gain a small amount of fat during their bulking phase, but nothing compared to the muscle gain. The fat is easily lost during the cutting phase as well.
So, if you want to improve "tone", you have to lose body fat. Drop the weights, hit the treadmill and bike, and eat healthy. You can continue to lift lightly, but not too much. In just a few weeks (if you are true to your diet/exercise), you'll notice results.
__________________
Brian Griffin: Ah, if my memory serves me, this is the physics department.
Chris Griffin: That would explain all the gravity.
|