Free style my worst nightmare !

[Val THOM]

Hi everybody ! I started adding free style routine to my old one. I like to know that weight lifting stimulates my metabolism, so I don't want to get rid of it. So when I heard about free style on that site, I decided to give it a go by adding 4 kinds of lunges, 4 sets of 15. But this morning I just noticed 1 more inch on my buts, although my weight is still the same : absolute nightmare ! I would like to get leaner hips and thighs, not bulk. I thought free style would keep me away from bulking... I've been doing free-style in addition to my old routine for one week, so my question is : is that normal to bulk a little bit at the beginning ? Was it like that for you, girls ? Advices ?

[tcs1366]

well, i just got the book in the past week and have read most of it.

I've been slowly adding the leg workouts in, but not totally per the book yet, but I did do legs 5 days last week, including aerobics (elliptical or stairmaster) 5 days plus upper body 2 days, for a total of 6 days last week. (hope that wasn't too confusing)

I've done some sort of lunge the 5 days (Not Wednesday as i have a time constraint that day) and have done at least 5 different exercise, and been doing 3 sets of 15-20 reps.

BUT, it will be atleast another week or so before i fully incorporate the Free Style workout - as i meet with my trainer on the 19th of Nov. (I think)

But i don't think I have gained any inches at all... I do think i'm getting close to the almost over training point, but I seem to be doing OK with it.

I may increase up to 4 sets starting tomorrow - but sorry you may have to wait another week to see if I have any changes.

you can drop Roxie a PM as i think she's the only one who has really done this program.

OH you said in addition to your old routine - what else are you doing? and have you noticed any other changes?

[Val THOM]

My old routine is :
- 5 days in the gym, 2 hours a day
- monday and friday, I have body pump with light weights + weights routine (approx.6 exercices) + cardio (stairmaster and cross-trainer = 40 mn)
- tuesday and thursday, I have upper body with heavy weights, 6 exercices + cardio
-on wednesdays, I have cardio + lower body superset

I rest on week-ends as I can't go to the gym these days as I am a mummy (otherwise, I would probably find a good reason to go to the gym that I adore)

So I added lunging to what I just described ! And I've been doing so for 2 weeks, and gained 1 inch on my hips ! Nightmare ! I read with interest a post about Squats, and I wonder if it's not because of the squats in fact ! I performed squats on the smith, using 20 kg (sorry I'm French, must be 44 pounds ?). Maybe squats are the culprits ? What do you think ?

[tcs1366]

well, squats and lunges will *firm* the rear (glutes) definitely

but i do remember reading on one site that..... (ok, how lean are you, or do you have a bit to lose like I do?)

as we work the muscles, obviously we will be building a bit of mass (I know that is something we don't want to do) bear with me, i'm basically thinking out loud..... we should be firming those muscles which still have a bit of fat layers inside of them... so as we firm, it may seem like we are gaining... but once the fat deposits start to melt, get burned off, we will eventually thin out.

a few yrs ago when i was quite heavy, i did notice this very thing in my thighs.... It seemed they got bigger a bit, but much firmer and not as squishy... but as the fat was being eliminated, my thighs did thin out.

I hope this reassures you a bit.... granted i'm still new at this - working legs every day thing... but i'm certainly hoping I will finally for once in my life not have sprinters thighs....

I will keep you posted as i progress thru this.... today I upped to 4 sets of 15, and i will try to do that all week, though my fitness center is closed on Wed & Thurs (do to an addition)...but i'll muddle thru the week.

do keep me posted too on how you are doing with this.....