muffintop-less:

I get this question often… It’s a common myth among women…. to be honest, I’m not even sure how it started.. but let’s lay it to rest! <3

I want to lift weights to tone up, but I don’t want to get bulky. So should I use lighter weights and do higher reps?

NO. Women do not have the levels of testosterone necessary to get “bulky” or manly from lifting weights (even if they are HEAVY!). It takes a lot more effort than most people think to gain muscle… especially for women. (Trust me, I have been TRYING to gain muscle because I’m not at all afraid of getting “bulky”… but it just doesn’t happen easily). Those female bodybuilders you see? They take steroids and have been working HARD to gain that muscle over many years. Cardio and playing with light weights will not “tone up” your body. Heavy weight lifting WILL. Extreme muscle gains will not happen magically over night so don’t worry about it. 
In order for your body to change… you have to give it a DARN GOOD REASON to… otherwise it would be quite “content” remaining the same shape and size. Lifting light weight is something you do everyday… (your blow dryer, laundry, purse, etc.) and your body doesn’t change drastically from that… so why would it change from you lifting some little beauty bells an extra hundred times or so? 

Lift heavy weights, eat clean and you will be shocked at how amazing the results are. Promise =)