I'm totally lost on building muscle vs bulking up.
I've always had big thighs and upper arms. When I was younger I said I was just very muscular, buuuuuut I never had definition in either. On my thighs, I'm almost certain it is mostly fat because I can easily grab a handful of skin/fat on the inside AND outside of my leg at the same time while sitting.
I know that building muscle helps burn fat, but I suppose my totally irrational fear is that by building up the muscle in my legs, that it'll make them even bigger. Same with arms.
I want to be strong without looking beefy. I know that's totally possible, likely even, with certain workouts. I just don't know what moves to do.
I'm starting running again. I've done mostly elliptical workouts for the past few months but it's so boring, and I love running.
I've been told to do squats to tone/slim my thighs, but then had others tell me NOT to do it because I'll get bulkier muscles.
I want to be strong, first and foremost. I want to be lean, but not so lean that I lose my curves, secondly. Thirdly, I know I'll never be long and lithe looking, but I do have a smaller body frame, so I definitely don't wear my weight well. It hangs off me, which is why I want to slim down and build muscle.
Help?