Spiffgirl

Hey, folks, I need some advice on how I can tone up my upper arms, get rid of the jiggle, and yet not develop big hulking muscles! I've been using 8 lb dumbbells during my workouts, and while this seems to lessen the jiggle, my arms are bigger than ever.
I haven't done a lot of weight exercises with my legs yet, but I'm afraid I'll have the same problem- big muscular calves and thighs.
Any suggestions/ ideas?

maleficent

8 pounds is too much weight for firming up, you want use a lighter weight, probably 1 -2 pounds and more repitions. There are also resistance bands that also work pretty well for that.

Best exercise I've found (that I need to start doing again...

Is raise your elbow so that it's pointing straight up right by your ear...then with can of soup in your hand raise and lower your forearm... Do this on each arm...

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Sultana

The exercise mentioned above is one of the best. Another one I do with a pair of 5-lb weights is hold your arms at approximately a 45-degree angle behind your back, elbows straight back (not out to the sides like wings), but bent, so your hands are at your hips. Move your forearms (only) back to straighten the arms.
Yes, a pair of 8-lbs are likely going to bulk you out. For long, lean muscles you need light(er) weights, longer/more reps.

Good luck!

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frogza

Dribble a basketball for 15-30 minutes a day. Excellent for toning and increasing eye hand coordination as well.

thingstodo

Toning is good. Unfortunately, genetics plays a role in things. Fat collects in different areas on different people. Aging also has an impact from the standpoint of skin not being as elastic and therefore sagging a little.

The only sure way is to reduce your body fat while also trying to tone. Set of 15-20 reps work well. If you are female - and it sounds liek you are - you don't need to worry about "bulking up." that just won't happen. My 110 lbs, 5'4" wife could swuat 225 lbs 10 times several years ago and never bulked up. that, too, is genetics and drugs.

Good luck! Try some Yoga,

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shred_head

http://www.exrx.net/WeightTraining/Myths.html

You want to lose the flabbyness you just need to burn calories buy doing cardio and dieting while also doing a little bit of resistance training.

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Spiffgirl

I've started to use my 2 lb weights for this exercise. I've also begun a running program and diet for overall fat burning goodness.
Thanks, everyone, for the advice! You all are so helpful

X_FireGuy

First remember that toning and spot-reducing are myths! High reps with low weight may burn some calories, but do nothing for muscle shape or size. Weight has to be enough to force the muscle to respond: any exercise you do for more than 12 reps is fairly useless(except for abs)Try to pyramid by STARTING with 12 reps, add weight,do 10, add more ,do 8...as for females building big muscles, it takes tons of work, nutrition and steroids(unless you were born with high testosterone levels)

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John