Why am I still fat?

dave_in_ni

I'm not over weight because I am in a normal BMI however when I look in the mirror I see fat, double chin still there, man boobs still there, I'm 6ft 180 lbs. People keep telling me I can stop my diet anytime as I have lost 50lbs and I am starting to look under weight and it doesn't suit me but I don't see it, yes may be I am under weight now compared to how I was but I was a fat mess before hand but I am still fat.

I know guys heavier than me who are not fat and they are average guys not body builders with loads of muscle. I think the term skinny fat sums me up.

singingflutelady

Do you lift bro?

dave_in_ni

singingflutelady wrote: »

Do you lift bro?

Yes, I have been lifting 5 times per week since I started my diet in January

singingflutelady

What program are you doing?

afatpersonwholikesfood

You may need time for your mind to catch up to your body. It's an adjustment. If you would feel better doing something about it, you might enjoy lifting weights and slowly building muscle.

singingflutelady

I don't know what you look like but body dysmorphia might also be a factor

ogtmama

Could also be saggy skin.

Wombat468

Can you post a picture?

Jcl81

dave_in_ni wrote: »

singingflutelady wrote: »

Do you lift bro?

Yes, I have been lifting 5 times per week since I started my diet in January

It takes a long time to make change. It's realistically years not months for natural lifters.

dave_in_ni

singingflutelady wrote: »

What program are you doing?

Program called Bigger leaner stronger http://www.muscleforlife.com/bigger-leaner-stronger/

Todays workout for example

Dumbell bench press
Shoulder press
Bench press
Barbell shrugs
Standing calf raises
Dumbell lateral raises

dave_in_ni

CiaraCatch wrote: »

Can you post a picture?

You dont really want to see it. http://imgur.com/DZcDkSn

usmcmp

dave_in_ni wrote: »

CiaraCatch wrote: »

Can you post a picture?

You dont really want to see it.

I'm sure we've all seen worse. Most of us have probably been worse.

It's likely an issue of low lean mass. That will take time to correct. I don't look ripped despite being a competitive body builder. In clothes I just look like a normal person. You don't have to aspire to look like a bodybuilder, but adding lean mass and then losing some more fat is going to fix most of what you don't like.

dave_in_ni

eveandqsmom wrote: »

Could also be saggy skin.

Yes I have some of that to.

dave_in_ni

usmcmp wrote: »

dave_in_ni wrote: »

CiaraCatch wrote: »

Can you post a picture?

You dont really want to see it.

I'm sure we've all seen worse. Most of us have probably been worse.

It's likely an issue of low lean mass. That will take time to correct. I don't look ripped despite being a competitive body builder. In clothes I just look like a normal person. You don't have to aspire to look like a bodybuilder, but adding lean mass and then losing some more fat is going to fix most of what you don't like.

Picture added

usmcmp

It's a combination of higher body fat and low lean mass. At this point you have a few options:

1. Lose another 10 pounds. It will improve things to where you are a bit more confident in how you look and at that point you can look into recomposition (eating higher protein, lifting, maintaining weight). Recomp is slow, but you don't have to re-lose the bulking weight.
2. Lose another 20 pounds. You should be close to a point where you can consider a slow bulk to add mass.
3. Recomposition. You'll have to struggle with the mental aspect more at this point since recomp is slow and your body fat is relatively high.

ETA: You're a new lifter. I personally would opt for recomposition. You can make more muscle gains at this stage without needing to bulk. You just have to decide if you want to lose a few more pounds before starting recomp. Losing a few more could help your mental state, which could translate to better adherence to eating and lifting in recomp.

cecsav1

You don't look "fat" to me. If you're looking for abs and defined pecs, etc, keep at your lifting, eat at a small deficit, and progress slowly with both your lifts and your calories until you're lifting heavy and eating at at least maintenance. Good job on coming so far! 50 pounds is an incredible achievement!

dave_in_ni

cecsav1 wrote: »

You don't look "fat" to me. If you're looking for abs and defined pecs, etc, keep at your lifting, eat at a small deficit, and progress slowly with both your lifts and your calories until you're lifting heavy and eating at at least maintenance. Good job on coming so far! 50 pounds is an incredible achievement!

I'm not really sure what I want, I guess I just want a normal slightly toned look, not the flabby look I have going on now. Its a hell of a lot better than it was that's for sure but it still doesn't look like I lost 50lbs, people will ask me "How much have you lost" and I tell them and I get the impression they think i'm talking BS

ninerbuff

Just based on what I know from experience, you just lack a lot of lean muscle. As usmcmp stated, go more to a recomp.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Wombat468

dave_in_ni wrote: »

CiaraCatch wrote: »

Can you post a picture?

You dont really want to see it. http://imgur.com/DZcDkSn

No big issue there at all - slightly soft, but absolutely grand!

loulamb7

First off you've done a great job so far. Have you calculated you body-fat %? I agree with usmcmp and ninerbuff regarding low lean mass and higher body fat, though your bmi is good. Recomp is definitely an option, but I personally found the changes to bf% too slow. I suspect you will also. Keep lifting and losing and reevaluate at 175 lbs. BTW you may end up looking too skinny to others before you start to add more mass and you will also have to deal with saggy skin until it has enough time to shrink.

ogtmama

Ok...so you're not still fat. Like at all. I think either you want to build more muscle or...and I know this is an issue with me...you are not seeing yourself accurately.

I wonder if you have a friend that could find a bunch of pictures of men's bodies of varying sizes (with no heads). See if you can line them up from smallest to biggest just to see where you truly fit.

Alternatively, you could also seek the help of a personal trainer to begin shaping your body the way you want it to look.

dlkfox

You look good to me! I think you're being too hard on yourself. Keep lifting on program, be patient, use kind eyes when you look at yourself in the mirror, and you'll slowly start getting the lean muscle you want. Just keep on going.

teetertatertango

To be on the high end of normal BMI and look lean, you are going to have to have a lot of muscle, and this may take a while (multiple bulk/cut cycles). Figuring out your body fat % and starting that process might get you closer to the look you want.