Toning...What Does It Really Mean?

At some point, everyone has said or heard this phrase, “I want to tone.”  I’m guilty of saying it to my trainer when I first began training with him.  After I heard myself say it, I couldn’t help but wonder, what did I mean when I said that?  At the time, I really wasn’t sure what I wanted to do.  I knew I wanted to exercise on a consistent basis and have someone there to push me along.  But where did the toning part come from?  What was I wanting to “tone” and what does that word even mean? 
I had to do some research because it didn’t sit well with me, saying this and not really knowing what it really meant and what I really wanted to do with my body.  I figured because I was already lean and semi-satisfied with my look, all I needed was some tightening in a few areas—stomach, legs.  I wanted some definition in those areas, but I did not want to be overly muscular.  In fact, that wasn’t even a factor--of course, all of this changed when I began competing. 

After reading a few articles and seeing how my own fitness regime was being conducted, I concluded there is no such thing as toning.  Toning is, what I like to call, a filler word for people who want definition and shape to specific areas of their bodies without gaining excessive muscle.  They want the “painted on” look rather than putting in all the work to actually get the definition they want.  Low weight/high reps does not get you the gains.  You’re just moving dust particles around at that point.  You have to actually grind in order to gain muscle.  Fat is replaced with muscle when they are worked.  It doesn’t happen overnight either.  Consistent training will do this, and over time, the muscles and the tightening of them are achieved. 

So, now the cat is out of the bag.  There is no such thing as toning.  Period.  At least in my opinion. I don't allow people to say it in my presence, and if they do, I either politely correct them or ask what do they mean when they say they "tone"?  It’s a word that developed and remained in the gray area between getting lean and gaining muscle.  There is no in between in fitness.  Either you want to lean out (cardio, cardio, cardio) or pack on the muscle (lift, lift, lift).  The choice is yours.  

How did I get myself into this?

I was never much for working out.  I did it here and there, different types of workouts (kick boxing, yoga, pole-dancing, pilates, aerobics, you name it).  I never thought I needed to workout.  As I stated in my first post, I thought my body was fine.  It had gotten to a point where I really needed to get in shape, so, I hired a trainer.  From the beginning, he always said he saw something in me, wasn't sure what, but there was potential there for something.  I shrugged it off and kept on doing my workouts.  I didn't care that about the technique, I was just proud I was getting through them.  Even though I have a somewhat boyish, awkward looking body, I have an athletic build and an endurance for pain, most of the time, and vigorous workouts, I just never tested my limits.

One day as I was beginning my workout, I was approached by my trainer who asked me if I would be interested in fitness modeling.  "Fitness modeling?!" I screeched.  I had never heard of fitness modeling.  I was in the process of working off my gut full of Hawaiian rolls, white wine, and pasta so I wasn't trying to hear anything about fitness modeling.  However, my curiosity got the best of me so I had to ask, "what is that anyway?" He said it involved posing in a bikini and...stop right there.  He had me at pose and bikini.  I loved posing, especially in bikinis, so I said "let me do my research first and I'll let you know.  I did extensive research for roughly two weeks and read articles that talked about the process to becoming a fitness model, workouts, meal plans/dieting, and what it took to win competitions.  My trainer failed to mention this part to me because he knew I had given up my competitive edge some years back.  I had another trainer from our gym, a professional figure fitness model, talk to me about the process and if I would be on board.  She was willing to help me and my trainer, of course, would too.  I agreed to it.

One thing I can say about myself, I don't mind trying some new things.  I can be fearless at times and dive head first into things without really knowing what the outcome is, but isn't that half the fun?  When I was told I would have to "bulk up" I thought, out of sheer ignorance, I would have to be body builder buff.  That was quickly dismissed by my trainer.  He kindly explained to me that with my body type (i'm an ectomorph) it would be very hard for me to gain muscle, even harder maintaining it, and there was no way in HELL I was using performance enhancing drugs.  I would lift heavy and regularly, diet properly and get as much rest as I possibly could.  The rest part I can do all day, hands down.  That lifting heavy and dieting business was the challenge.  All in a fitness models days work, I guess.

I was ready for it though, bring it on baby!  I was just hoping I wouldn't severely hurt myself in the process....