How to Get Skinny & Toned

Use light weights to tone your arms.

If you want to build muscle without packing on extra weight and bulking up, employ a few tried-and-true strategies. Women in particular often want to slim down and tone up. While many women want to troubleshoot a specific area, like their stomach or arms, it's not realistic to think you can target one particular muscle group. Instead, your best bet is to work out your entire body and achieve overall results, which will include your problem areas.

Instructions

1. Combine a nutritious diet with an exercise regimen. Doing just one or the other may help you lose a few pounds and burn some calories, but you won't achieve your desired toned body. Trade in three big meals for five or six smaller meals throughout the day. Count your calories, and make sure you're taking in less than you're burning; this is the only way to effectively lose weight.

2. Be realistic. Your version of perfect and skinny may be to have a curve-less ballerina's figure, but if you have wider hips and a curvier frame, you simply won't be able to achieve that ideal. Instead, focus on what your own personal body will look like when it's at its healthiest. If you need to, find a celebrity that has your overall figure and use her as a goal.

3. Start off with basic exercise techniques. You don't need fancy equipment or a bodybuilder's routine to tone your body. Squats, lunges, pushups, crunches and traditional cardio, like power-walking or running, will do everything you seek. The key is to work out on a regular basis, and increase your intensity over time. While you don't want to strain your mind or body to a point where they'll be difficult to repair, you do want to push yourself slightly farther than your comfort zone.

4. Weight lift with lighter weights for extra repetitions. Lifting weights that are too heavy could cause you to bulk up and pack on muscle mass, instead of simply toning your muscles.

Tips & Warnings

• Thinking "skinny" could be detrimental. Skinny doesn't always equal healthy. However, you can hope to lower your body fat content, and slim down as much as your body will allow, while still taking in the proper nutrients and remaining in your healthy weight range. Also remember that your genetics will have a lot to do with your body type. You may dream about having super-skinny arms, but if it's not in your genes, you won't be able to achieve them. Make your goals match your potential.

References

• Real Women's Fitness: How to Get Thin and Toned Arms
• Super Skinny Me: How to Get Skinny
• Weight Loss HQ: Thinner Thighs