I've been doing weight training at home for about 45 minutes 3-4x a week for about a month now, trying to get toned in time for my May wedding. I'm using low weights and lots of reps, focusing mainly on my upper body and abs since my wedding dress is sleeveless and has a very fitted bodice. In the beginning, I was consistently sore for at least a day and a half afterwards, but in the last week or so, I've stopped being sore the next morning.

As I've gained strength, I have increased the reps so that I'm still working to muscle failure -- I try to add at least two reps (or one of each kind of pushup I do) each session. I've still got the same after-workout burn when I go to bed (I work out in the late evening, about an hour before bedtime). I'm just recovering much more quickly, is all -- I feel just the tiniest bit sore the next morning, and it's gone by lunchtime. I'm concerned that this means I'm not actually doing myself much good. Isn't soreness -- not pain, but lactic acid soreness -- the sign that you're working your muscles the right intensity? A power-lifter friend suggested that this may have to do with the fact that I drink 3 or so liters of water every day, says I'm just washing the lactic acid right out of my system, but I'm not sure how plausible this is.

Is this faster recovery just the sign that I'm in better shape, or does it mean that I need to step up the workout intensity? If so, should I be upping my weights and lowering my reps a bit? I'm actually considering that anyway, since it's taking me longer and longer to reach muscle failure. I just don't want to bulk up, is all, and I have always tended toward having muscular arms and shoulders for a woman. I don't want to look like Helga the Happy Valkyrie Bride! I can really see a difference in the last month, but as my arms have actually gotten almost half an inch bigger, I'm concerned.