Ladies...Protein WON'T Make You Bulky! | Redefining Strength (2024)

by Cori Lefkowith | Blog, Diet | 20 comments

So one of my male clients told me a few of his female co-workers wanted to start losing some weight. He told them they should eat more protein.

And they said back to him, “But we don’t want to get bulky!”

WHAAAAAAAT!?!

I was a bit stunned when he told me this.

They thought that by eating protein, since they so often saw MEN consuming protein powders and higher protein to gain muscle, that eating too much protein would make them BULKY!

BULKY…It’s a word so many women fear.

It’s a word that holds many women back from even starting to weight train. And now I find out it is a word that holds women back from even eating the protein that they should!

Let me set the record straight…

PROTEIN WILL MAKE YOU BULKY.

FALSE!!

Protein absolutely, positively will NOT make you bulky, ladies. NOT AT ALL!

What protein WILL DO is:

Help you look lean and toned like you want
Help you feel energized to power through your workouts
Help you LOSE WEIGHT WITHOUT FEELING HUNGRY
Did I say look strong, sexy and LEAN!?!

Protein is the KEY…Literally the KEY to getting the results you want.

So a bit more about WHY protein so key for us LADIES and WHY it won’t make you bulky….

It’s the building blocks of muscle.Not only will you preserve your lean muscle mass while potentially dieting in a calorie deficit BUT you can also build lean muscle to help you look more toned!AND as we get older, especially us ladies, it can be harder and harder to retain and even GAIN muscle. A diet high in protein helps!Plus, when we are injured, we often think we need less protein, BUT a diet higher in protein can help us prevent muscle loss while we are out and restricted from training.
Keeps you feeling fuller for longer.Protein keeps you satisfied so that you don’t end up feeling like you are starving even if you’re trying to lose weight.
It makes weight loss EASIER!The thermogenic effect of protein makes it EASIER to lose weight and drop body fat on a protein rich diet EVEN if you “overeat.” A study 2014 study showed that even on a hypercaloric diet, people didn’t gain weight due to the high protein. Plus, because it preserves lean muscle mass, you will tend to burn more calories even at rest and your metabolism will stay healthy.
Improves recovery and muscle repair.You will provide your muscles with the building blocks they need to repair. AND the increase in protein can also help your tendons and connective tissues repair. Greater protein synthesis accelerates tissue repair and strengthens connective tissues to reduce your risk for injury.
Can improve bone density and prevent osteoporosis.It is actually a common misconception that high protein is bad for your bones and this “myth” is based on a misunderstanding of bone metabolism. Actually the amino acids in protein are used to build bone AND because protein increases muscles mass, there is an increase in bone strength! (1)
And studies of protein rich diets have even shown to improve brain functioning, quality of sleep AND even lower blood pressure!

And speaking to those ladies going through menopause and post-menopause struggling to keep the weight off…PROTEIN IS KEY TO RETAIN THAT LEAN MUSCLE MASS and keep our skin, hair and nails healthy and strong! It is the building blocks!

During and post-menopause, protein can help keep our hormones in check and help us avoid that dreaded weight gain! It can help improve our body composition as well as our overall body functioning.

In menopause your hormone levels change and even specific hormones decrease, so if you don’t get enough protein, you’re going to have a harder time maintaining hormonal balance, which is what can affect muscle retention and cause weight gain. It can also affect our digestive system, thyroid and bone health!

So really ladies I should be asking, “Why WOULDN’T you eat more protein!?!”

If you’ve been struggling to get the results you want, track your food and you’ll notice that you probably are low on protein!

Protein doesn’t lead to bulk. It leads to that strong, lean muscle that helps us move better, feel better and even LOOK BETTER!

Ready to take control of your diet and get the lean, strong body you’ve always wanted?

Join my Macro Hacks Challenge!

See Also
The Best Hormone Balancing Foods, Recipes + Cooking Tips Quit Chronic Fatigue 5 Simple Ways to Lower Cortisol to Make Your Hormones Happy - Katie Dea DIY Antiparasitic Drano - The Lost Herbs
Jill on November 29, 2018 at 6:11 am
Can I ask if it’s worth adding protein powders to smoothies, when you order in a cafe? After the gym, sometimes a smoothie is a quick hunger buster.
Cori Lefkowith on December 3, 2018 at 6:29 am
I would personally yes as it would help me hit my macros for the day and post workout your body is primed to use the protein.
Deborah Wardknott on June 14, 2020 at 9:40 pm
There are so many protein powders how do I choose the right one !
Erica Christopher on February 17, 2021 at 2:58 pm
I’d be interested to hear what form of protein powder(s) that you personally reach for after a heavy lifting workout? Do use whey, bone broth, collagen hydrolysate, or a plant based protein powder? I plant to rotate/combine all 3. And how much protein (mg) do you aim for as a recovery drink? Do you add BCAA ( or lysine) or creatine or do you get enough from your diet/protein powder choices?
malinda daniel on February 18, 2021 at 1:05 pm
always been in good shape since menopause lost muscle tone and am too skinny
Hanan on February 20, 2021 at 12:54 am
I understand we need to eat more protein but I find I quickly increase the calorie intake, then can’t be in a calorie deficit to lose weight. This is my problem. What’s an example of protein intake in every meal if I’m 51 years old, weigh 59kg and actively working out everyday. I’m scared to put weight on as I’m ageing?
Cori Lefkowith on February 23, 2021 at 4:21 pm
So I often use whey or simply eat a higher carb, lower fat whole natural foods meal. I don’t freak out about meal timing. I keep it simple and do what is easiest to hit my overall macros for the day. And I only have clients do supplements if needed.
Cori Lefkowith on February 23, 2021 at 4:23 pm
See Also
My Top 3 Tips for ending binge eating and the binge-restrict cycle | Own It Babe
Macros are key to focus on. Menopause makes adjusting our diet through our macros while including strength training key!
Cori Lefkowith on February 23, 2021 at 4:26 pm
If you eat more protein, you would then adjust the carbs and fats you’re consuming. If you just add in more of ANYTHING, of course your calories are going to go up without cutting down on something else. And especially as we get older, protein and macros are key. If you need some help hitting your macros and knowing what meals to make, check out my No Track Plan – https://rscheckout.samcart.com/products/no-track-map?sl=blog
Indu Balaji on March 7, 2022 at 1:41 am
Great write up, Cori. Presicely what I was looking for.
Can you please suggest what protein powder to choose, since I am a vegetarian. It’s madhouse house there and utterly confusing 🙂
Cori Lefkowith on March 8, 2022 at 2:48 pm
So glad it helps! Replied to your email about the protein powder 🙂 And while I know you’re not US based so this doesn’t fully help, I do have to do a shameless little plug for my personal supps hehe https://www.redefiningsupplements.com/
Dan theman on March 21, 2022 at 6:50 pm
Protein is the only food type that will make you feel that you have had enough. I don’t know if that research has been replicated on powders but normal food sources such as fish, meat, eggs, plain nuts etc., definitely do this
Jhenibeth Fabie on March 28, 2022 at 7:51 am
I’m in keto and i want to build muscles.
Cori Lefkowith on March 29, 2022 at 1:25 pm
Awesome! Are you tracking your food and doing strength training?
Ann lalor on September 7, 2022 at 1:13 pm
I live in Ireland what kind of protein do i get . I weight train 5 dsys a week. Im 70 .
Tina on September 7, 2022 at 4:16 pm
Thanks, Cori. I understand about protein. however, I can’t wrap my head around calculating what I eat. I’ve tried, but give up.
Cori Lefkowith on September 13, 2022 at 2:50 pm
Hi Ann. You can always use supplements, but you don’t need one to get enough protein. Protein can be consumed through whole natural foods – whether chicken, steak or fish or even getting it from dairy in greek yogurt or even vegan and vegetarian sources like tempeh, tofu and seitan.
Cori Lefkowith on September 13, 2022 at 2:51 pm
Hi Tina. Not to be pushy but have you considered my coaching to help you learn how to adjust to then move forward on your own? – https://redefiningstrength.com/private-coaching/
Jenny Roberts on September 13, 2023 at 6:44 am
Hi is there a protein supplement I could buy to replace a healthy snack and calorie content please thank you Jenny Roberts
Cori Lefkowith on September 17, 2023 at 4:14 pm
I’m a bit biased toward my own – https://redefiningsupps.com/product/salted-caramel-whey-protein/