Abs...

AnnyisOK
AnnyisOK Posts: 121 Member
edited November 17 in Fitness and Exercise
Need some suggestions that isn't some sort of fad diet.
I'm a runner and I cross train. Overall I workout 5-6 days a week. Not looking for ripped abs just toned baby abs. I was getting there but new city, new job, new life has really screwed with my sleep and eating the last 1.5 month. I don't burn as much because I'm not currently in training (marathon) but I eat fairly healthy - lots of fruits, veggies, and lean meat, and drink tons of water. Where am I going wrong?

Replies

  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    It sounds like your activity has decreased. Have you decreased your calorie intake?
  • jessef593
    jessef593 Posts: 2,272 Member
    Are you in a caloric deficit?
    Do you have sufficient abdominal muscle mass to show ab definition?
  • AnnyisOK
    AnnyisOK Posts: 121 Member
    jemhh wrote: »
    It sounds like your activity has decreased. Have you decreased your calorie intake?
    jessef593 wrote: »
    Are you in a caloric deficit?
    Do you have sufficient abdominal muscle mass to show ab definition?

    It varies but for the most part I try to stay in a deficit but with my burned calories. Some days I eat more other days I'm way under cause wacky schedule. Some days I'm working 12 hours on about 4 hours of sleep.

    As for sufficient abdominal muscle mass...I have lower pooch for sure. Lol
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    AnnyisOK wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    It sounds like your activity has decreased. Have you decreased your calorie intake?
    jessef593 wrote: »
    Are you in a caloric deficit?
    Do you have sufficient abdominal muscle mass to show ab definition?

    It varies but for the most part I try to stay in a deficit but with my burned calories. Some days I eat more other days I'm way under cause wacky schedule. Some days I'm working 12 hours on about 4 hours of sleep.

    As for sufficient abdominal muscle mass...I have lower pooch for sure. Lol

    Abdominal mass= muscle

    Having a lower pooch simply means you have extra body fat. Having nice abs is a combination of low body fat and adequate muscle mass.

    The bold part is what you need to work on. To lose the lower pooch you need to keep losing weight. You're going to have to be certain that you are in a deficit consistently. A resistance training program is also a really good step to take, you don't have to run to have abs.
  • AnnyisOK
    AnnyisOK Posts: 121 Member
    usmcmp wrote: »
    AnnyisOK wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    It sounds like your activity has decreased. Have you decreased your calorie intake?
    jessef593 wrote: »
    Are you in a caloric deficit?
    Do you have sufficient abdominal muscle mass to show ab definition?

    It varies but for the most part I try to stay in a deficit but with my burned calories. Some days I eat more other days I'm way under cause wacky schedule. Some days I'm working 12 hours on about 4 hours of sleep.

    As for sufficient abdominal muscle mass...I have lower pooch for sure. Lol

    Abdominal mass= muscle

    Having a lower pooch simply means you have extra body fat. Having nice abs is a combination of low body fat and adequate muscle mass.

    The bold part is what you need to work on. To lose the lower pooch you need to keep losing weight. You're going to have to be certain that you are in a deficit consistently. A resistance training program is also a really good step to take, you don't have to run to have abs.

    That's not why I run, I run because I compete regularly. But yeah, I'm sure late night eating has something to do with it, too, which is hard since the only time I get to eat is while I'm driving or late at night. My issue with losing weight is that I'm already around 106 lbs. so how much am I supposed to lose without losing too much?
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    AnnyisOK wrote: »
    usmcmp wrote: »
    AnnyisOK wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    It sounds like your activity has decreased. Have you decreased your calorie intake?
    jessef593 wrote: »
    Are you in a caloric deficit?
    Do you have sufficient abdominal muscle mass to show ab definition?

    It varies but for the most part I try to stay in a deficit but with my burned calories. Some days I eat more other days I'm way under cause wacky schedule. Some days I'm working 12 hours on about 4 hours of sleep.

    As for sufficient abdominal muscle mass...I have lower pooch for sure. Lol

    Abdominal mass= muscle

    Having a lower pooch simply means you have extra body fat. Having nice abs is a combination of low body fat and adequate muscle mass.

    The bold part is what you need to work on. To lose the lower pooch you need to keep losing weight. You're going to have to be certain that you are in a deficit consistently. A resistance training program is also a really good step to take, you don't have to run to have abs.

    That's not why I run, I run because I compete regularly. But yeah, I'm sure late night eating has something to do with it, too, which is hard since the only time I get to eat is while I'm driving or late at night. My issue with losing weight is that I'm already around 106 lbs. so how much am I supposed to lose without losing too much?

    Body fat is not at all related to the time of day you eat, it's really all about calories. If you are already at a low body weight for your height you will want to consider recomposition. Lifting weights while maintaining body weight. You'll be working to add muscle and lose fat at the same time.

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10177803/recomposition-maintaining-weight-while-losing-fat#latest
  • AnnyisOK
    AnnyisOK Posts: 121 Member
    usmcmp wrote: »
    AnnyisOK wrote: »
    usmcmp wrote: »
    AnnyisOK wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    It sounds like your activity has decreased. Have you decreased your calorie intake?
    jessef593 wrote: »
    Are you in a caloric deficit?
    Do you have sufficient abdominal muscle mass to show ab definition?

    It varies but for the most part I try to stay in a deficit but with my burned calories. Some days I eat more other days I'm way under cause wacky schedule. Some days I'm working 12 hours on about 4 hours of sleep.

    As for sufficient abdominal muscle mass...I have lower pooch for sure. Lol

    Abdominal mass= muscle

    Having a lower pooch simply means you have extra body fat. Having nice abs is a combination of low body fat and adequate muscle mass.

    The bold part is what you need to work on. To lose the lower pooch you need to keep losing weight. You're going to have to be certain that you are in a deficit consistently. A resistance training program is also a really good step to take, you don't have to run to have abs.

    That's not why I run, I run because I compete regularly. But yeah, I'm sure late night eating has something to do with it, too, which is hard since the only time I get to eat is while I'm driving or late at night. My issue with losing weight is that I'm already around 106 lbs. so how much am I supposed to lose without losing too much?

    Body fat is not at all related to the time of day you eat, it's really all about calories. If you are already at a low body weight for your height you will want to consider recomposition. Lifting weights while maintaining body weight. You'll be working to add muscle and lose fat at the same time.

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10177803/recomposition-maintaining-weight-while-losing-fat#latest

    That's what it is! Was trying to figure out what I've been doing differently since I moved aside from poor sleep and late eating. I haven't done any heavy lifting because I left my weights behind.
This discussion has been closed.