How do you know its the right time for a body recomp?

kerensoula

Hi all, I am a 23 year old, 5'0 female currently weighing in at around 117lb. I have generally fluctuated between 116lb - 130lb over the last 3 years or so.

Since February '20 I have gone from around 125lb to my CW. I started using MFP again around September when I was at around 122lb, and got down to around 116lb by late November through consistent logging, and I was training for and completed by first 10k run in this time. A fairly steady loss of around .5lb p/w. I didn't log at all for about 4 weeks over Christmas, as I (fortunately) got to spend a month with my family for the first time in a long while (feckin' covid!), and logging/diet was the last thing on my mind.

I stayed fairly active during that month so when I Started tracking again in the second week of January I was only at around 118lb. I have just finished my third week and I'm down to my CW. My current regime involved a kcal intake of around 1,400 - 1,450 per week, and 4 x days exercise consisting of 2 x running days (1 'long' and 1 'short' run), and two days of kickboxing where in 1 session I incorporate upper and abdominal training, and the other day I focus on lower body strength. Most of this is bodyweight work although I do have some light weights that I work with, however I don't think they are heavy enough to qualify as proper 'weight training'.

I am of quite a petite build, and while I don't tend to obsess over the numerics of it all too much, the margins are fairly tight and a fluctuation of 2-3lb is very noticeable on my physique. At my CW, while i wouldn't describe myself as overweight, there are areas that I would like to work on, and I am aiming towards a GW of 113/114lb over the next 8-10 weeks to see where I am at then.

I suppose my question is, at what point should I start considering a body recomposition as opposed to losing more weight? While I suspect that the GW I have set would be ideal without going loo low, I'd like to get up to speed on body recomps and ultimately would like to maintain a sustainable GW.

Any responses welcome, thanks in advance.

sijomial

Any time is a good time to lift.

Being close to goal weight is ideal for recomp which doesn't just happen at precisely maintenance calories. It also doesn't have to be a standalone goal - it can just happen as a nice side effect of working towards your overall fitness/strength/exercise/sporting goals.

Lifting and a very small deficit would seem to fit your wishes perfectly. As you get closer to goal weight reappraisal of your weight and body composition is a great idea, you don't have to decide your end points now.

L1zardQueen

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/113609/relatively-light-people-trying-to-get-leaner/p1

ninerbuff

You sound close. Maybe now.

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

ExpressoLove11

Hey, we are similar stats but I'm 5"1 - can totally relate to your comment about a few lbs making a visible difference as I am also petite. I started recomp when I hit 112lbs back in 2019. If you are close to goal weight then now seems as good a time as any!