Lifting weights didn't fix skinny fat-need help (WOMEN ONLY PLS)

2»

Replies

  • Okay, so let me make sure I have this right...

    I need to:
    1) not do any cardio
    2) do more cardio
    3) eat more
    4) eat a little less
    5) eat moderately less
    6) eat at maintenance
    7) lift heavy (which is what I've been doing)

    because I am:

    1) body dysmorphic
    2) underweight
    3) overweight

    Got it. Thanks.
  • Carlos_421
    Carlos_421 Posts: 5,132 Member
    edited January 2016
    Okay, so let me make sure I have this right...

    I need to:
    1) not do any cardio
    2) do more cardio
    3) eat more
    4) eat a little less
    5) eat moderately less
    6) eat at maintenance
    7) lift heavy (which is what I've been doing)

    because I am:

    1) body dysmorphic
    2) underweight
    3) overweight

    Got it. Thanks.

    No, what you need to do is answer the question:
    What are your stats???
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    Carlos_421 wrote: »
    Okay, so let me make sure I have this right...

    I need to:
    1) not do any cardio
    2) do more cardio
    3) eat more
    4) eat a little less
    5) eat moderately less
    6) eat at maintenance
    7) lift heavy (which is what I've been doing)

    because I am:

    1) body dysmorphic
    2) underweight
    3) overweight

    Got it. Thanks.

    No, what you need to do is answer the question:
    What are your stats???

    Yup.

    Stats not snark
  • SunnyPacheco
    SunnyPacheco Posts: 142 Member
    Carlos_421 wrote: »
    Okay, so let me make sure I have this right...

    I need to:
    1) not do any cardio
    2) do more cardio
    3) eat more
    4) eat a little less
    5) eat moderately less
    6) eat at maintenance
    7) lift heavy (which is what I've been doing)

    because I am:

    1) body dysmorphic
    2) underweight
    3) overweight

    Got it. Thanks.

    No, what you need to do is answer the question:
    What are your stats???

    This. If you post a question on a forum you're going to get many different answers and they're going to be pretty wide-ranging since you haven't been very specific or given much information. Rather than get snippy or sarcastic why not answer some of the questions that have been asked in this thread so others can give more informed answers.

    What is your height/weight/calorie intake/BF% if known? What are your goals? What do you do for weight lifting? What do you mean by lifting heavy? Having you been progressively upping the weight you lift? How often do you lift? What do you mean by moderate cardio? How often do you do that? Do you track your food intake? If so, do you weigh your food?
  • PAV8888
    PAV8888 Posts: 14,227 Member
    Okay, so let me make sure I have this right...

    I need to:
    1) not do any cardio
    2) do more cardio
    3) eat more
    4) eat a little less
    5) eat moderately less
    6) eat at maintenance
    7) lift heavy (which is what I've been doing)

    because I am:

    1) body dysmorphic
    2) underweight
    3) overweight

    Got it. Thanks.

    Or you can give people some stats and information that would allow them to offer you real answers.

    Because if you're 5ft 8" and 165lbs the solution to removing a layer of fat from above your new muscles may be quite different as compared to if you're 122lbs. And if you happen to be 115lbs the right answer may be different yet again.

    Ooops. Testosterone influenced answer, please ignore.
  • MelodyandBarbells
    MelodyandBarbells Posts: 7,724 Member
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    Carlos_421 wrote: »
    Okay, so let me make sure I have this right...

    I need to:
    1) not do any cardio
    2) do more cardio
    3) eat more
    4) eat a little less
    5) eat moderately less
    6) eat at maintenance
    7) lift heavy (which is what I've been doing)

    because I am:

    1) body dysmorphic
    2) underweight
    3) overweight

    Got it. Thanks.

    No, what you need to do is answer the question:
    What are your stats???

    Yup.

    Stats not snark

    Yep. I also liked the question about which lifting program was followed and how heavy she was lifting. Plus while we're asking for info, I might as well throw one more in, in case the OP feels comfortable sharing: pics of problem area(s)
  • kiara1066
    kiara1066 Posts: 119 Member
    The best way to truly help you is knowing your stats. You want advice when you provide this information it will give us a better idea until then it's pure speculation. And honestly skinny fat happens to both genders as others called out. I think a guys opinion is just as helpful as a girls. Best of luck with enjoying the guesswork until we understand your stats.
  • GsKiki
    GsKiki Posts: 392 Member
    Lean body starts in the kitchen. You say you eat healthy diet, but see if you're maybe eating too much fats (even if they're healthy fats), sugar, carbs...every body is differently so you have to find diet that works for you.
    As far as exercise goes you need to combine cardio and weights. One does not work without another.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    OP since you've given no solid details, I'm making the following profile for you:

    5'4"
    130 lbs
    You've been doing planks, sit ups, curls, tricep kickbacks, and "some machine that works your legs, not the one where you lie down but the other one."
    You also do elliptical 20 minutes 3x/wk

    I suggest eating at maintenance and getting on a solid heavy lifting or bodyweight training program. Your cardio level is fine.
  • Carlos_421
    Carlos_421 Posts: 5,132 Member
    GsKiki wrote: »
    Lean body starts in the kitchen. You say you eat healthy diet, but see if you're maybe eating too much fats (even if they're healthy fats), sugar, carbs...every body is differently so you have to find diet that works for you.
    As far as exercise goes you need to combine cardio and weights. One does not work without another.

    This isn't necessarily so. It all depends on your goals.
    Weights are for strength and body composition. Cardio is for cardiovascular health and maybe for an extra calorie burn.
  • stephernorris
    stephernorris Posts: 8 Member
    jemhh wrote: »
    OP since you've given no solid details, I'm making the following profile for you:

    5'4"
    130 lbs
    You've been doing planks, sit ups, curls, tricep kickbacks, and "some machine that works your legs, not the one where you lie down but the other one."
    You also do elliptical 20 minutes 3x/wk

    I suggest eating at maintenance and getting on a solid heavy lifting or bodyweight training program. Your cardio level is fine.

    Maybe you can help me, I have the same problem with getting rid of the extra fat. About 5 years ago I had my body fat tested and it was at 39%!!! Almost obese! I weighed 145 and didn't look overweight, just had way more fat than muscle. After I revived myself from shock/depression I started lifting more, last year I started the les Mills program but tapered off last summer and now my pants are getting tight so I'm back at the gym.
    I'm 5'4"
    140 lbs
    Size 10 pants
    Cardio 60 min a day 4/5 days a week (usually a class, circuit training/pump)
    Lifting for 30 min after, arms & back every other day and legs and butt every other day on weight machines
    1300 calories a day, 100 grams protein, healthy fats, I eat a small amount of healthy carbs, oatmeal, fruit usually for breakfast - for some reason my body just really likes to hold on to fat and won't let it go!
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    edited January 2016
    jemhh wrote: »
    OP since you've given no solid details, I'm making the following profile for you:

    5'4"
    130 lbs
    You've been doing planks, sit ups, curls, tricep kickbacks, and "some machine that works your legs, not the one where you lie down but the other one."
    You also do elliptical 20 minutes 3x/wk

    I suggest eating at maintenance and getting on a solid heavy lifting or bodyweight training program. Your cardio level is fine.

    Maybe you can help me, I have the same problem with getting rid of the extra fat. About 5 years ago I had my body fat tested and it was at 39%!!! Almost obese! I weighed 145 and didn't look overweight, just had way more fat than muscle. After I revived myself from shock/depression I started lifting more, last year I started the les Mills program but tapered off last summer and now my pants are getting tight so I'm back at the gym.
    I'm 5'4"
    140 lbs
    Size 10 pants
    Cardio 60 min a day 4/5 days a week (usually a class, circuit training/pump)
    Lifting for 30 min after, arms & back every other day and legs and butt every other day on weight machines
    1300 calories a day, 100 grams protein, healthy fats, I eat a small amount of healthy carbs, oatmeal, fruit usually for breakfast - for some reason my body just really likes to hold on to fat and won't let it go!

    My question would be how did you have your BF tested? What method ..if DEXA scan then it is probably a fairly reliable method (within a percentage point or two) ..if Bodpod slightly less but still ok ..anything else is open to question really

    In terms of recomposition, assuming you are happy at your current weight you will need to

    Eat at maintenance ..log carefully

    I would say your minimum cardio requirement is 2x 20-30 minutes per week ...if you love it more but that is really sufficient for cariovascular health

    Your lifting is not the ideal for recomposition ..you should be looking at progressive compound work with free weights IMO and your key words are progressive resistance ..machine weights have their place of course

    There are a lot of decent beginner's programmes out there though ...generally 3 times a week

    Books
    Strong Curves
    New Rules of Lifting for Women or the new one Stronger

    Structured online programmes
    http://stronglifts.com/5x5/
    https://www.muscleandstrength.com/workouts/jason-blaha-ice-cream-fitness-5x5-novice-workout
    http://www.muscleandfitness.com/workouts/workout-routines/4-week-guide-starting-strength
  • middlehaitch
    middlehaitch Posts: 8,486 Member
    @stephernorris it would be best if you started your own thread with this question instead of maybe derailing this one. You will get better, more specific advice too.

    Cheers, h.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    @stephernorris it would be best if you started your own thread with this question instead of maybe derailing this one. You will get better, more specific advice too.

    Cheers, h.

    Unspecific eh @middlehaitch :bigsmile:
  • middlehaitch
    middlehaitch Posts: 8,486 Member
  • WalkingAlong
    WalkingAlong Posts: 4,926 Member
    All women have some fat and some loose skin, even those air brushed Shape cover models and celebs who go to extremes to lose water weight before a photo shoot to look more cut, until they eat lunch. I think you need to have realistic goals and recognize that what you see is not 'flab'. Every young woman I've ever known, even the underweight ones, thinks they're flabby at some point in their life (if not most of it). You typically learn your body isn't the problem, it's your perception. Though getting help if you're really convinced it's a problem can be a good thing.
  • stephernorris
    stephernorris Posts: 8 Member
    edited January 2016
    Good idea- thank you! I appreciate the advice @rabbitjb and it was bodpod- sorry for derailing this one!