Shape Training Challenge

[kayex]

Does anyone care to join me in one. I am really excited to start and think it would be a great challenge as nothing is as rewarding as seeing results.

This was of course inspired by music-bnatural-smile's post about wanting bigger hips, all of the wonderful information Nonie provided, and this thorough article http://www.tmuscle.com/readArticle.do?id=1305014 provided by tocktick.

This is the original post http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=387986&highlight=tmuscle

Here is my routine

So I am jumping rope for 10 minutes a day for my for my arms, butt and legs
Body weight squats for thighs and butt
http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-do-...Squat-23488447
Lunges for thighs and butt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1evEHDRKPGU
girly pushups until I can do a real one for overall and arms
I will be walking 30 minutes with 5 pounds weights on a hill 4 day a week
The other exercises will be done alternate days with 2-3 sets of each exercise as I am adamant about not wanting to bulk up only firm.

Now for the ugly stuff - Measurements
Arms 11 inches Goal - substantially smaller
Waist 27 inches Goal - 24 inches
Hips 42 inches Goal - 40 inches
Thighs 23 inches Goal - 21 inches
I am not trying to take off a lot but since I am really short these extra 2-3 inches REALLY show. Still contemplating posting a beginning photo but a little too scared right now but if anyone joins me I will.

[Nonie]

Good luck! I would like to join (kinda) coz I've really let myself go, but unlike you, I don't have a set program yet. I will take measurements and I do have a sort of "before" pic, but I won't be posting any until I have "after" pics that show a difference. That's just how I operate.

What I do know is I will need an aerobic workout and hope I will be able to incorporate swimming, Turbo Jam and walking up stairs at my job into my program. (As soon as my new swimwear gets here :rolleyes: , it's on. BTW, HoneyComb, I ended up getting another coz the one I wanted is backordered till September :wallbash: ) I know for shape training aka toning Callanetics Legs will be included as will squats and some of the exercises I mentioned before. I will also be looking through magazines for new flavor exercises.

[kayex]

Well I can totally understand your feelings about the photo, I am over here fretting about what to wear in one. I am going to try and get over it and take one tonight. I don't think I will stay with this program for more than a month hopefully I will have gained some strength and can tackle a bigger variety of exercises but we will see as stretching kills me right now:lachen:

[MonaRae]

Wishing you the best. I don't have the book and don't know what's involved but I'm sure you will get there.

[Nonie]

Wishing you the best. I don't have the book and don't know what's involved but I'm sure you will get there.

You don't have to have the book to shape train. I sussed out the idea before I knew such a book existed. I explain how I came about that way of thinking in the thread "I want bigger hips". My thoughts were the only thing I couldn't change was my bone structure, otherwise I can add bulk where I want it and prevent bulking where I don't want it. And in selectively picking workouts that give me those results, I turned a V-shape into more of an X shape. It really just requires that you get to know your body and what exercises hit what spots and which exercises are for slimming/toning and which are for building. It takes a bit of trial and error and some research but anyone can do it. Where there's a will, there's a way.

[kayex]

OK ladies to show how committed I am here are the photos. No laughing at my house flip flops. Also how come no one mentioned working out with a half wig on is no joke? 40222

40220

[Nonie]

^^Woman, what shape training do you need? You already look hourglass-y to me. :nuts: Got me thinking you've got your work cut out as I do. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

(ETA :poke: Hey, how are you able to add thumbnails without them being included in the "Attached" box? You have two outside the box that appear to be embedded in your message. How d'you do that?)

[Oasis]

You have a great shape! :yep: I wish I was built like that.

[kayex]

Aww thanks Nonie and Oasis. Genetically I have been blessed with the classic hourglass shape. The thing is I am very short, like I lie and say I am 5 feet tall, so extra weight really shows on me such as in my arms and thighs and my tummy. When I have a few extra inches in those places I go from needing a size 2-6 in clothing to a size 14 just because I am so curvy and obviously those sizes aren't cut for my frame. I do have real work though because it is always those few inches or pounds that are the worst to take off. Oh and did I mention I love food, won't diet and I am a baker by profession. Test Tasting buttercream and brownies all day adds up:grin:!

[kayex]

As for the thumbnails well I uploaded the first 2 and which was front and side and the third titled back would not upload so I uploaded I closed with just the 2 images uploaded and opened the attachment manager again and then added the third photo. Why it separated the photos like that I have no idea. It may be a fluke.

[BroadstreetBully]

I'm working on trying to get that thigh gap now. I have a thigh gap when I wear heels, but my thighs are still touching just a bit in the extreme upper thigh (yea, that area). I need to lose that. A gap between the thighs makes the hips look wider.

I'm also trying to get my waist down to as small as possible.

Wish me luck!

[andromeda]

I'm in! Gotta get back what little butt I had, gain some hips and lose some obliques.

OK ladies to show how committed I am here are the photos. No laughing at my house flip flops. Also how come no one mentioned working out with a half wig on is no joke?

lol I've been wearing a half wig for 3 weeks now. At first, I was just putting on a scarf over my cornrows (with bantu knots in the front, mind you) when I went for my morning run. No more! I pass through an area populated with cops and fiyah-fightas, so I cannot be looking like a bald-headed h.a.m. - I gotta look at least a lil cute! Now I put my half-wig on and put my scarf over it to hold it down. Afterall, the only thing worse than looking like a bald-headed h.a.m. off the bat is being exposed as a bald-headed h.a.m. after your wig has managed to slip off your head.:lachen:Now, when I'm working out at home, that's a whole other matter....

[kayex]

I need to lose that. A gap between the thighs makes the hips look wider.

I'm also trying to get my waist down to as small as possible.

Wish me luck!

Good Luck! What exercises will you be using for your waist and to create the gap.



lol I've been wearing a half wig for 3 weeks now. At first, I was just putting on a scarf over my cornrows (with bantu knots in the front, mind you) when I went for my morning run. No more! I pass through an area populated with cops and fiyah-fightas, so I cannot be looking like a bald-headed h.a.m. - I gotta look at least a lil cute! Now I put my half-wig on and put my scarf over it to hold it down. Afterall, the only thing worse than looking like a bald-headed h.a.m. off the bat is being exposed as a bald-headed h.a.m. after your wig has managed to slip off your head.:lachen:Now, when I'm working out at home, that's a whole other matter....

You are too funny! And welcome. Are you a regular runner or are you just getting started? This was my first time ever wearing a half-wig and I don't know how I am going to work this out but you are right about the H.A.M aspect and this transition really wants to push me towards H.A.M. land.

[kayex]

My arms refuse to recover from yesterdays walk with weights which were actually 3 pound weights 6 pounds alltogether. Yesterday when I was walking I really did not feel like it was enough weights but I guess it certainly was. And jumprope does work your tummy who knew?

I have been attempting a high protein diet, testing out the theory of one being beneficial to hair growth. I will do it for 3 months and see if there is a marked difference in my rate. I do know that this extra protein is beneficial to me actually exercising as my energy levels have been up.

[kayex]

I can now jump rope much longer Still working up to 15 minutes though. I think 30 minutes with the weights walking may be a but much for my needs so scaling back to 15 minutes walking with arm weights or just 15 minutes of arm exercises and then the rest of the walks weight free. Not loving the lunges but if I am trying to preserve the high booty I have to do them. Don't want to turn around one day and my cheeks are tickling the backs of my knees. :lachen:
Started jumping rope in my hallway, thank goodness for high ceilings. The half wig is just to hot to jump with. I have to say the endorphins I get after jumping is absolutely crazy. I feel so empowered when I have long stretches of jumping without messing up. How are you ladies doing?