Muffin Top-Less

Every single day, I get asked by girls how to “tone” certain areas of their body. What most don’t realize, is that being “toned” comes from building MUSCLE tone and losing the soft body fat on top of the muscle. Fat cannot turn into muscle, just as muscle cannot turn into fat… they are two entirely different tissues within the body.

The only way to become “toned” is to put in the hard work. There is no easy way to get toned. There is no magical pill, supplement or workout that will give you “tone” on its own. If you starve yourself or exercise excessively, it will result in skinny fat. In order to lose the fat and maintain/build muscle, you have to eat clean, incorporate CHALLENGING resistance training and have PATIENCE. 

Programs that promise “toned in 30 days” or less are scams. (If you’re already in great shape, this might be possible, but for average people, it’s not). 30 days is definitely sufficient time to make noticeable progress though.. but not enough to drop a ton of bodyfat, build a ton of muscle and look lean, tight and toned. Have realistic expectations based on your current fitness level. 

My tips for getting “toned”:

• Eat CLEAN to be lean - Your diet will determine 80% of your results… this means minimal sugar and no processed foods (check out my grocery list for examples of these foods)
• Incorporate resistance training - The weights are your friends ladies. They won’t make you bulky or manly.. women do not have the hormonal profile necessary to bulk up the way men do without the help of steroids. 
• Do some cardio - Not a lot, but enough to put you into a mild caloric deficit. HIIT cardio is great for fat loss. Skip the long marathon cardio if your goal is fat loss.
• Stay hydrated - Drink plenty of water and plain green tea (again, no honey, agave or other sugar.. Stevia is an acceptable substitute.)