Where To Go From Here?

cglouie

So here's my story: I started my weight loss journey July 2015, so it's been nearly a year. In that time, I went from 195 lbs to 139 lbs as of this morning. My exercise routine through this past year has been full body strength training with a trainer 2x/week and 60 min cardio sessions 2x/wk. About a month ago, I changed up the cardio to 20 min HIIT sessions so I can use the rest of the time to start lifting heavier weights.

My original GW was 150 lbs so I'm ecstatic with the progress. However, as I got closer to my GW and started surpassing it, I got greedier and now i want that flat tummy I've always envied. I was hoping that 135 would be the magic number but seeing that it's only 4 lbs away, I'm not optimistic. Once I get into the 130-135 range and with the noticeable fat that's still around my middle (it's not skin), I'm not sure if I should keep eating at a deficit to lose that fat or if I should start increasing my calories to eat at maintenance so I can build muscle.

capaul42

You could look into recomposition. Eating at a slight deficit/surplus (depends on the individual) and heavy lifting, I believe. It's what I'll be doing when I hit my next goal of 135 (currently at 148).

2011rocket3touring

My guess would be build muscle, simply because it will taunt up the skin and burn more calories over the long run.

exact0ninja

I would get a nutritionist and a personal trainer if you can afford it and if you don't have one already. Cutting and bulking will be in order, and will have to be done properly and the right times to get the body you hope to have. You don't have to stay with the specialists forever, but it will be just to get you on the right track and from there on you can do your own planning.

Abby2205

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1161603/so-you-want-a-nice-stomach/p1

TavistockToad

I'd go with a small 0.5lbs deficit and lift some stuff.