fast or steady exercise to lose fat and not build bigger muscles?

[SatinRed]

i'm getting contradictory information about the right way to exercise for female adults... what is the best method to lose fat and not gain bigger mucles during weight exercises and cardio??  does steady paced weight exercises build bigger muslces or that is untrue?  how about high intensity cardio? does it build bigger muscles or focuses on fat burning or slimming down? what about duration of exercise in one sitting, what affect does that do in regards to bulking up?

[postnasalzulu]

This makes me so angry! I want to be toned but without muscle. That my dear is impossible, and ridiculous. Get a grip please. I know this is an old post but this does my head in. Get it off  women every day.

[SatinRed]

it was my co worker who asked. she's in her early 20s. she is mainly concern about the fat in her thighs but lately she has been getting muscles in her calves from cardio (the eliptical) which she is trying not to gain.
thanks for your help!

[JainMD]

Hi Satin,
How old are you?
I would like to talk about cardio first. When you are doing cardio exercise, it is important to do mild cardio first and then slowly build up to go on to do high intensity cardio at a later stage.
Cardio will help you in burning fat and also losing fat from wrong places fast.
Steady paced weight exercise with more repetition would help you in toning muscle and not increasing bulk of muscle.
Duration of exercise will depend on your stamina.
Hope this helps you.
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.