Weight lifting and toning

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Every once in a while I will hear people say they don't want to weightlift because they don't want all those big overbearing, ugly muscles. Granted, this is mostly out of mouths of women. I have to laugh every time I hear that statement. I weight lifted most of my life. Guess what? I certainly don't have bulging biceps. I can catch a 100 pound kid when he jumps off the bus at me though. My secret? I weightlift for strength and sometimes cardio. How? Pick a weight that is comfortable for you. I don't use free weights because I am worried about dropping them on my head or using bad form and hurting myself. Don't misunderstand, if you use machines and have bad form you can still hurt yourself. It is just not as probable as with free weights. Once you have a comfortable weight do repetitions of 10-20 a set. Choose a low enough weight so you can maintain form and do the sets quickly. This is why it is more cardio than muscular. You will gain muscle and lose fat, but it will look like you are toned, not bulking up. I only know from 20+ years of actually doing this. Unfortunately, with all exercise, when you stop you will lose the muscle and gain weight. So if you are a true die hard. Good luck. I envy you.