Size + Tone at the same time??

[Wildfire]

Ok, so can one gain muscle mass and retain muscle tone, or do I have to bulk up (so to speak) and then tone up afterwards?

At the moment I'm generally ok tone wise (as in I can see my abs and muscles), having dropped a lot of fat (got down to a low body fat %).

But, obviously, I have gone down in weight and I'd like to increase my muscle size. But I'm not too keen to put fat back on, as it takes so much effort to lose it.

I don't was to go up much, maybe 0.5 stone or so.

Currently I'm 5'7" and fluctuate between 10-10.5 stone. Waist (proper waist, not trouser size) is about 26.5".

Any suggestions?

Cheers

[Dale19]

You dont tone muscle.

Think of a muscle as a ballon, if inflates, and deflates. Reducing bodyfat is what people call toning. So you want to grow, with minimal fat gain. Unless you know your body very wellm and are well practiced in manipulating your diet, you wont gain muscle, and loose fat at the same time.

Just slowly integrate more calories into your diet, keep check of your weight, same day and time once a fortnight or so, if your gaining to fast, drop calories. At your weight you should gain easily.

Whats your chest measurement btw? With a 26.5inch waist, you must have a fairly good v taper?

[Wildfire]

Can't remember the exact measurements, I think it's around 36-37, but I'm kinda built like that anyway.

Hmm.... looks like I'll have to give the eating more a go.

[The Ben]

get yourself on a proper body building forum like muscletalk, invaluble advise on there.

being so small as it were(i was in the same boat as you, but im now 12 stone) your going to be having to do a lot of hard work. High weights, low reps, eat well - very well, good lean foods which will promote muscle growth and repair.

Check out say Brad pitts fight club training routine or even his troy training routine. he used to be slight and then bulked up for both, but maintained his leanness.