Female Concerns

Hi there,

I just join gym recently. I hope some of you can give me some pointers. Well, you see I have been doing alot of cardio exercises (like cycling, aerobics) and also some weight lifting.I was told that the cardio exercises can help to burn the fat while by lifting some weights, I can tone my body (thigh, butt, arms)

I started doing the cardio exercises because I am trying to get a flat tummy. Well, not exactly flat but at least I don't get a bulging tummy! And I was told that I have to do cardio exercises to burn the fat around the tummy and some weight exercises to tone the muscles. That is why I started joining classes in the gym like weight exercises and aerobics.

To my horror, I find that my tummy is still pretty much the same but my breasts are actually smaller! I've been doing weight exercises like chest press, squats and etcs. Can anyone tell me whether it is true that chest exercises can really make the breasts smaller? I have been working out with a pair of 2 kgs (4 kgs in total) for the chest exercise. Any suggestions of reps and sets that I should do so that my breasts get firmer but not smaller?

Furthermore, I am not sure whether I am doing too much cardio - which cause the fat loss from my breasts. Will too much cardio burn fat from the breasts when there are still fat reserve in the tummy?

OOOh boy!! If I had a nickel for every time I've heard this one!!! But seriously....
Female breast tissue is made up mostly of....fat. So, that being said, if fat loss is occurring in your body, and it sounds as though it is...the breasts WILL lose as well. there is NOOOO such thing as spot reducing...you cannot exercise to lose fat in just one area. Unfrotunately, breasts may get smaller...ah but here's the good news...chest exercises help to firm up the muscle underneath the breast tissue...so this aids in support of breasts overall (physically).

And not to scare you, but too much cardio can actually make you fatter....IF your diet isn't correct....please post diet, so we can see if that needs tweeking.

Also....we ALL have our problem areas...some folks have a harder time losing b.f from upper body, some from around the waist, some from below the waist(me)....it all just takes time, patience, understanding and dedication. Trust and KNOW that what you have started to do ** WILL ** pay off!! It's all good, be patient with yourself and take the time to get to know your body and how it reacts...it's all a process!
So all that being said.....keep up the good work!

Good post Shera!

Yes, you CANNOT spot reduce (tummy.) Too much cardio can be bad as well. Unfortunately, diet is the main key in whether or not you will have a flat tummy.

As for your chest, well.....your boobs are fat, so diet will make them shrink if you are one of the unlucky ones. I don't believe 4kg of chest training will shrink your breasts. If you are that worried about it, do mostly incline bench and fly movements. This will build up your inner chest, creating the appearance of cleavage:)

Why don't you post what yor diet looks like. I am sure we can help ya. Oh and welcome!

THANK YOU so much for the pointers given! I really wish I can post my daily diet, but you see I am from MALAYSIA (in Asia) ... so, it might be a bit difficult for you girls to know what kind of food my body consumes everyday!