Skinny fat, F 34 and looking to build some muscle
anbshilling
Posts: 9 Member
Hi,
So I've been walking an hr a day at 4mph for months and months, but I just started lifting at home with dumbbells (full body routine) and a few machines at work 3x a week. I'm working in the 8-12 rep where 12 is pretty damn difficult. I've been maintaining my weight at 1700 cals (I think). I think if I cut some cardio my weight would go up though, but I'm not entirely sure. I'm only around 101lbs at 5ft 2.5 in and look underweight in my face but feel like I have a high body fat %.
I'm ready to get serious and add muscle to my body. I want to see some definition w/o flexing. I looooove seeing triceps and quads....so sexy!
How much cardio should I cut out? I really enjoy it, so I'd like to keep at least some. Also, should I raise my calories or see how it goes keeping it at 1700 while cutting some cardio? I'll raise it to whatever you guys think would be most beneficial and try to at least hit 80-100g protein. I do want to gain weight. Of course I want to keep fat at a minimum, but totally understand it's necessary.
Thanks for any advise you can give in advance! I've been reading and reading and have a pretty good idea of what I need to to, but would feel better if you guys could validate my thoughts and give some support! Gaining weight seems a little overwhelming, but necessary one way or another. I'm really bad about instant gratification, so my biggest issue will be patience with the process. Another thing is I fear is after bulking and pushing myself lifting, finding out I didn't do much to my body at all.
Looking forward to chatting with you guys and providing updates here and there for accountability. Thanks again!
So I've been walking an hr a day at 4mph for months and months, but I just started lifting at home with dumbbells (full body routine) and a few machines at work 3x a week. I'm working in the 8-12 rep where 12 is pretty damn difficult. I've been maintaining my weight at 1700 cals (I think). I think if I cut some cardio my weight would go up though, but I'm not entirely sure. I'm only around 101lbs at 5ft 2.5 in and look underweight in my face but feel like I have a high body fat %.
I'm ready to get serious and add muscle to my body. I want to see some definition w/o flexing. I looooove seeing triceps and quads....so sexy!
How much cardio should I cut out? I really enjoy it, so I'd like to keep at least some. Also, should I raise my calories or see how it goes keeping it at 1700 while cutting some cardio? I'll raise it to whatever you guys think would be most beneficial and try to at least hit 80-100g protein. I do want to gain weight. Of course I want to keep fat at a minimum, but totally understand it's necessary.
Thanks for any advise you can give in advance! I've been reading and reading and have a pretty good idea of what I need to to, but would feel better if you guys could validate my thoughts and give some support! Gaining weight seems a little overwhelming, but necessary one way or another. I'm really bad about instant gratification, so my biggest issue will be patience with the process. Another thing is I fear is after bulking and pushing myself lifting, finding out I didn't do much to my body at all.
Looking forward to chatting with you guys and providing updates here and there for accountability. Thanks again!
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Replies
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If you are limiting your cardio to walking, you really do not need to cut any out. Moderate amounts of low intensity cardio does not cause issues with muscle growth.
How long ago did you start lifting? You say it was recently. Also, does your program have progression baked into it?
Also, how much protein are you getting each day.
Especially as you are new to lifting, there is no reason to bulk if you do not want to. You should get pretty good results from eating at maintenance.0 -
Hi! Sorry for the delay. I started lifting just a couple weeks ago (have been on/off for years, but want to get serious now). I'm using machines at work since my dumbbells at home prohibit me from progressing. I haven't been tracking my protein, only calories which average about 1700/day. Just bought some protein powder which I'll incorporate into my meals. Should I stick to 1700 or more?
I just wonder about the machines and if they are beneficial to me. There are 4 of them (leg ext that works quads and hamstrings separately, bicep/tricep, incline/shoulder press, lat pulldown/row). Those and an elliptical and treadmill is all they have. I've been progressing with the weights, but they aren't compound exercises, you know? At home I have an adjustable set of db that go up to 20 per db. I can squat with them and it's a challenge, but they will only last so long. And deadlifts are pretty easy with them. Feel kinda stuck, but can't join a gym... Any suggestions are apppreciated!0 -
There seem to be a number of youtube videos that have some intense HIIT using body weight that while it will not replace what having a gym with weights can give you, it definitely will increase your strength and stamina. I have really liked the Athlean-XX for Women series so far but there are so many women here with so much more experience to provide you. This is just my 2 cents
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So sorry for the delay here. The forum changes meant we could not get to the second page of the group threads - this has been fixed now and I just noticed this.
As its been a while, do you still want your questions answered?
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This discussion has been closed.