So yeah, I know that we "Oh that's GREAT!! You've gained muscle! Yay!" every time someone is frustrated about not losing weight. Somehow I don't think the same rules should apply to me.

We joined the gym about a month ago. I've been hitting the elliptical, nothing else. About 150-160-ish heart rate for 30-45 minutes. Nothing else is different in my regular routine. I've upped my calories slightly (about 100 - 150 per day) to accommodate this extra activity. End result is virtually no weight loss, but about 2% body fat decrease. This is confirmed by having to get 2" taken up last minute in the torso of my bridesmaid's dress (friend is getting married on Sunday). When I tried it on a month ago it was comfortable but not loose. Yay me, right? GRRRR, I effin hate it! I thought I would be in the 170s this month, but NOOOOOOOOO, I have to gain muscle.

To make matters worse I was watching the new Gladiators show while working out last night, and they show the stats of the women gladiators. 5'6", 155 lbs. I have more muscle on my frame now than ever before, and I just realized that if I get to my goal bf% (18-19%), I might look like those chunky monkey women. I should be close to 155 lbs at that bf%, and I'm 5'8". Yeah, I'm a bit taller, but so what, I'll still be close the same muscle mass. IMHO they don't look very feminine. I might even look worse because I doubt I'll be as tone as they are!!!!

Someone slap some sense into me.

Oh poor Angie - I know exactly what you mean - I wouldn't want to look like one of those Gladiator women either!!! I'm sure you won't though... I'd imagine they have to do a lot of weight-lifting etc. to look like that???

I'm afraid I can't offer any advice because my problem is still the opposite - too much fat, not enough muscle But my goal is also to lose body fat - I can't imagine that losing body fat could be a BAD thing!!! So well done... even though you don't think so right now

That sounds fun where do we have to que up?

Don't be so hard on yourself. Stress is one of the biggest factors that if it doesn't ruin your training it WILL ruin your life.

Just keep smiling and keep training. You are not going to look like a woman on steroids so stop tripping about it.

I feel you Angie, but you are not going to end up looking like an American Gladiator. Just remember all the good advice you gave me when I posted a similar thread a while back.

OK, I'm jealous of that muscle, because it's hard for me to put muscle on. I'd be OK with looking like a gladiator... not that it will happen, LOL!

At any rate, those woman probably don't look quite that way in their real lives. And dressing a bit more in a feminine style and you might not recognize them on the street. So don't stress over it, really. Losing bodyfat is a good thing!

For those who are interested, one of the gladiators names is actually somewhat familiar to me. Not personally, no, but because Siren (real name Val Waugaman) works with John Berardi of Precision Nutrition, I've seen various posts about her progress. (I follow Precision Nutrition habits and am a member of the PN forums.)

Even if you don't like the figure competitor/gladiator kind of look, her progress and commitment are impressive.

Now, if you really ARE worried that you might get too much muscle and look big... check this blog article out. It's about Valerie Waters, who has made a career of training for the Hollywood "red carpet" look.

Very interesting article Cynthia... Did you know anything about the 'Red Carpet Ready' e-book? I'd like to be Red Carpet (or at least 'beach') ready in 6 weeks!!!!! Kinda sounds too good to be true though...

I don't know anything about it personally, but it was recommended by Alwyn Cosgrove, who is a well-respected trainer.



I think this is pretty common, Angie. We all know the sayings, but living by them is the hard part. Maybe it helps to know that I, and obviously several others, are quite envious of your position.

Also, don't worry about looking like a beefcake-ette until you actually start looking like one. You may be predisposed to more muscle gain than the average woman, but you'd have to work crazy-hard (as in, full-time job hard) to achieve gladiator status.

Interesting... Oh, to be beach ready in six weeks :sigh: Never mind the fact that I now only have four weeks, two days lol

Thanks for the support. I got on the scale this morning and dropped over a pound since yesterday, so I feel a bit better. The LBM calculation was a bit inflated with the higher weight.

Back in college I started with about 105 LBM, at the end of my college diet I was up to 112-ish LBM, and now I'm up to about 122-125 LBM (depending on the calculator). So I have gained close to 20 lbs of muscle in the past 8 years. I guess it's just hard for me to comprehend that I might "flesh out" as I get older, and my ideal weight might be higher. It will be interesting to see what that looks like when I've trimmed down.

angie-i know its hard but try not going by the number on the scale. my friend used to be a bodybuilder and never looked masculine and she said that when she weighed the most she was her smallest size.

Honestly, I don't know anything about the e-Book or have any personal experience with it, but it's tempting to buy just to check it out. I do know that folks who have tried the exercises say they are wicked... and I've been tempted to buy a pair of ValSlides. Though I am not quite sure my body is ready for that challenge! Still, one never knows until one tries.

As for being "beach ready" in 6 weeks, I think that depends on where you are starting from. It would be ridiculous to think that my 222.4 pound body of the moment would look hot on the beach in six weeks! But I certainly could make further improvements in that time, even though they might not be noticeable to the outside world.

At the least, changing up one's routine never hurts, LOL!

Here's more reading from Skwigg Blog, she's bought the e-book and has been experimenting. So you can at least see what she thinks about the program.

Skwigg Blog - Red Carpet Ready

Skwigg Blog - Getting My Ass Kicked Down the Red Carpet

Skwigg Blog - Valerie Waters interview


Hope that helps!

And BTW, three cheers for the pound+ lost, Angie!

Yes I know what you mean - it would take a small miracle for me to be beach ready in six weeks - especially since I realised earlier I only have four weeks lol But even a bit better would be good - that plus a sarong

Thanks for the links, I'm nearly convinced - but I just bought 'Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle' last week - one e-book at a time!!!

BTFFTM is a good one! And I agree, one at a time is best, give you a chance to read, absorb, try out, etc...