That arm flab and other questions

[ConfusedMichelle]

So, I'm gaining some arm muscles super fast.  My biceps have grown a lot, however, it made my arms look fat.  I realized it was because of the small bit of fat on the back of my arm that all FTMs have to fight.  I was wondering how to get rid of this.  I do many tricep exercises with 8 pound weights.  I build hardcore muscle with this but I can't get rid of that tiny bit of jiggle.  Help?

Also, I've started eating lots and lots of protein.  Does anyone drink MuscleMilk (protein shake)?  Does it help?  Also, should I drink this before or after my work outs?  Anyone tried MuscleMilk Light?

[Nero]

Don't know what area you're talking about. You look too skinny to have arm flab.

[Andrew]

I realized it was because of the small bit of fat on the back of my arm that all FTMs have to fight. 

I know what you're talking about. That's how you spot an FTM. A tiny bit of arm fat. The other day, I was walking down the street, and someone shouted: "Transsexual! Transsexual on the loose!" He was pointing to my arm fat. I was immediately picked up by the police and escorted to the station, where I was charged with three counts of transsexuality. And all because of that arm fat.

No, but seriously, you don't sound like you need to fight fat. Especially not tiny arm fat. If your biceps are growing, your arms shouldn't look fat - I'm sure they're starting to look nice and toned. But you should get your protein - muscle milk is manky-tasting but good for you.

[Nero]

I realized it was because of the small bit of fat on the back of my arm that all FTMs have to fight. 

I know what you're talking about. That's how you spot an FTM. A tiny bit of arm fat. The other day, I was walking down the street, and someone shouted: "Transsexual! Transsexual on the loose!" He was pointing to my arm fat. I was immediately picked up by the police and escorted to the station, where I was charged with three counts of transsexuality. And all because of that arm fat.

ROLLING!

[jet3]

Hey Brady, I dont know if you work out at home or at a gym, but if you work out at a gym do tricep pushdowns, really any type of pulling the weight with your arms will help your triceps as long as you do the lift correctly. When you start out, i would suggest doing light weight and a lot of reps. You're small so it shouldn't take that part of your arms very long to get toned up. Once you're happy with the shape of your arms you can switch to heavier weight and a lower amount of reps and that will bulk you up. good luck man.
Jet

[Jamie-o]

I can't comment on muscle milk in particular, but I was just reading an article this morning that said that if you want to build muscle you should consume 1-1.5 grams of protein per pound that you weigh, preferably split out into about 5 meals a day. (A protein shake can count a couple of those meals.) So if you weigh 120 pounds, you should consume 120g to 180g of protein.  The 5 meals a day apparently is because when you go for several hours without food, your body can start burning muscle for energy.

It also said that you should consume slow-burning carbs right before your workout, and fast-burning carbs right afterwards.

I got this out of an issue of Muscle and Fitness.  They've got some recipes in there I  want to try, too.    It's funny.  I'd never really looked through the muscle mags before, and all these years it never occurred to me they'd be a good source for recipes.  lol

[sneakersjay]

OMG Andrew that was the funniest thing I read in a long time!!! My dogs were wondering what the heck I was laughing at!!

I know I've mentioned this before (here? or elsewhere): try www.bodyforlife.com  It's a 12 week program and easy to follow with all the diet and workout tips you need, as well as an online community.

I just need to get off my arse...

Jay

Posted on: May 28, 2008, 03:23:27 PMUm, Okay, where did my post go??

Very odd.

Anyway, what I said was:  Andrew made me laugh!

Try www.bodyforlife.com for nutrition and exercise tips and their 12-week program.

It's what I plan to do when I get off my arse.

Jay

Posted on: May 28, 2008, 03:25:13 PMThere must be a gremlin in my computer!!

Jay

[Andrew]

Um, Okay, where did my post go??

Very odd.

Anyway, what I said was:  Andrew made me laugh!

Try www.bodyforlife.com for nutrition and exercise tips and their 12-week program.

It's what I plan to do when I get off my arse.

No, I think your arm flab must have accidentally hit the keyboard and caused your post to implode. I know some good exercises for that.

[sneakersjay]

Really.

Note to self: wear long sleeves to avoid the ftm police...


Jay

[Nero]

No, I think your arm flab must have accidentally hit the keyboard and caused your post to implode. I know some good exercises for that.

You're killing me dude! 

[Keira]

If your on T (and even if your not), losing weight is the solution.

If your on T, all the typical female fat deposit areas will be burned
through diet and exercise if you reduce your overall weight enough
(say in the middle of the BMI normal bodyweight range).

[Scratchy Wilson]

The 5 meals a day apparently is because when you go for several hours without food, your body can start burning muscle for energy.

Your body doesn't burn muscle for energy, only fats calories and carbs. You're supposed to eat multiple small meals a day so your body has time to burn off all the calories, fats and carbs it consumes. Muscle also can't turn into fat, or visa-versa. They are completely different

Brady, you should use muscle milk after lifting. Consuming protein after working out hepls muscle fibers grow and re-attach faster.

[Keira]

Its possible to burn muscles for energy,
that's the problem with most diets actually.
If the body runs out of carbs stored in the muscles
and the energy expediture is too high for fats to be used,
say running or doing aerobics, then muscles is catabolised.

That's why its better not to dot a low carb diet and low
protein diet if you do intense exercises.

[Elwood]

That's tough. I'm a runner and I work out, so I have only fat really on my butt (which is so naaaai [nice], lol). It's tough, because I don't have the fats hips, the round arms, and of that. So I just build muscle and no fat...

All I know is that you ought to try running, swimming, biking. Everyone looses fat the same way; cardio work out.

I drink protein shakes to help gain muscle. But that will turn into fat if you don't consistently work out AND drink the shakes. It takes a >-bleeped-<load of dedication and consistency (especially if you're not on T!).

Hmm... I do see this arm fat you speak of. I'm very thin, but I do have a small membrane of it. I'd say toning that area is the best any of us could do until we're on T. Mine doesn't flap around because it's toned. But my legs are pretty... ugh. Cisguys are so lucky, they get muscles just from eating and doing everyday work.

[ConfusedMichelle]

That's tough. I'm a runner and I work out, so I have only fat really on my butt (which is so naaaai [nice], lol). It's tough, because I don't have the fats hips, the round arms, and of that. So I just build muscle and no fat...

All I know is that you ought to try running, swimming, biking. Everyone looses fat the same way; cardio work out.

I drink protein shakes to help gain muscle. But that will turn into fat if you don't consistently work out AND drink the shakes. It takes a >-bleeped-<load of dedication and consistency (especially if you're not on T!).

Hmm... I do see this arm fat you speak of. I'm very thin, but I do have a small membrane of it. I'd say toning that area is the best any of us could do until we're on T. Mine doesn't flap around because it's toned. But my legs are pretty... ugh. Cisguys are so lucky, they get muscles just from eating and doing everyday work.

What work outs do you do prior to the protein shake? I just do lots of curls and tricep exercises.

[Elwood]

That's tough. I'm a runner and I work out, so I have only fat really on my butt (which is so naaaai [nice], lol). It's tough, because I don't have the fats hips, the round arms, and of that. So I just build muscle and no fat...

All I know is that you ought to try running, swimming, biking. Everyone looses fat the same way; cardio work out.

I drink protein shakes to help gain muscle. But that will turn into fat if you don't consistently work out AND drink the shakes. It takes a >-bleeped-<load of dedication and consistency (especially if you're not on T!).

Hmm... I do see this arm fat you speak of. I'm very thin, but I do have a small membrane of it. I'd say toning that area is the best any of us could do until we're on T. Mine doesn't flap around because it's toned. But my legs are pretty... ugh. Cisguys are so lucky, they get muscles just from eating and doing everyday work.

What work outs do you do prior to the protein shake? I just do lots of curls and tricep exercises.

First I run for 5-30 minutes, depending on how much energy I have. After that warm up I do a little stretching. Then I do bench press, lap pull down, curls with the free weights, push ups, as many pull ups as I can (right now that's about 2!)... I often do old fashioned exercises as well such as holding the weights out to the side making a 180 degree line with my arms (I think this works on the shoulders and back more than anything but also throughout the arm...) and I'll also get on a bench and bring the weights up together in front of me...

I really have been neglecting my legs because working on them will only make them more feminine... But I run, sometimes do squats and sometimes use the leg press.

I really do over exert myself, but I make sure to address just about every muscle group in my upper body.

[colin]

So, I'm gaining some arm muscles super fast.  My biceps have grown a lot, however, it made my arms look fat.  I realized it was because of the small bit of fat on the back of my arm that all FTMs have to fight.  I was wondering how to get rid of this.  I do many tricep exercises with 8 pound weights.  I build hardcore muscle with this but I can't get rid of that tiny bit of jiggle.  Help?

Also, I've started eating lots and lots of protein.  Does anyone drink MuscleMilk (protein shake)?  Does it help?  Also, should I drink this before or after my work outs?  Anyone tried MuscleMilk Light?

I'm no expert, but have been into lifting for 20+ years. Triceps are tough to beat into submission and you need to do your reps to failure to get them to catch up. Also, 8lbs is pretty light for tris (I usually work with at least 30lbs for each arm); you'd probably have to do a bunch of reps to get to exhaustion. Maybe up the weight. Oh yeah, and eat clean, but eat a LOT.

[Nero]

Hey Colin. Eat clean? Like healthy >-bleeped-<?

I'm trying to do this too. But it's tough without T to really see much change I think. Or am I wrong? What would you recommend for the testosteronally challenged?
I have noticed toning and tightening on my arms but that's it so far.

[colin]

Hey Colin. Eat clean? Like healthy >-bleeped-<?

I'm trying to do this too. But it's tough without T to really see much change I think. Or am I wrong? What would you recommend for the testosteronally challenged?
I have noticed toning and tightening on my arms but that's it so far.

Yeah, the less sugar the better. Don't cut out all the fat either, you need some for energy and to build muscle mass. You are definitely limited by your body's structure, but you can maximize its potential by keeping away from junk food and working the muscles to exhaustion. Clean foods= chicken, nothing fried, fruits, veggies, salads, smoothies (these are great, just put protein powder in with ice, frozen fruit and a bit of juice and blend it).

[Nero]

Cool. Thanks for the tips. Can't do the chicken but I can do the other stuff. Smoothies are good.