Tips for Slimming Down and Toning Up
Like everyone, personal trainers can get a bit jaded. They often come across people who say they want to tone up instead of bulking up. Sometimes personal trainers don't realize that it can be insulting when they respond by saying that bulking up shouldn’t be a problem. If this happens to you, kindly remind your trainer and yourself that your goal is to start your workout routine with toning up in mind so that you can be on the right track from the start. Then, use the advice of your trainer, your workout equipment, and the information here to help you meet your goals.
Get Creative
Some people who are constantly active still have a hard time toning up and slimming down. They assume that their constant activity should be enough. However, it isn't and there is a very good reason for it. The fact of the matter is that your body is conditioned to your level of activity, Not only that, but it is also conditioned to the details and specifics of how you use certain muscle groups. That means if you normally walk 10 miles a day at work, walking isn't going to do much to help you lose weight, but if you stop walking you could gain weight.
The key is to change up your routine or the way you go through your routine. Do you walk 10 miles a day at work? If so, then change up the way you walk. Instead of leisurely strolling through the day, speed walk and focus on specific muscles. When you do workout, jog instead of walk, or hit the incline on your treadmill.
Use the Right Workout Routine
When it comes to slimming down, you want your workout to involve light weights and lots of repetitions. You also want to use a diet that is high in protein and low in carbs. As you workout, your body has to “burn” something for energy. When you have limited carbs in your diet, your body doesn't have that sugar to burn so it burns fat and proteins instead. Therefore, the fewer carbs you consume, the more fat you will burn.
Don't forget to stretch. It's great to lift weights to build muscle and burn fat, but think in terms of stretching while you do it. Longer strides and lifts lead to longer muscles as opposed to bulky muscles. A bit of yoga can go a long way toward helping this process as well.