The 'skinny fat' issue and maintaining..

balancedbrunette

Hey guys,

So just looking for some advice/opinions from others on here that might be or were in a similar position to me

I weigh 112 pounds right now, height 5ft3...i'm at my desired weight, from various calculations and tracking over time i've worked out my bf to be around 23%, right now i'm overall quite happy with my body apart from the fat remaining on my upper tummy moreso.
I'm not naive I knew by loosing weight alone this fat would just not dissapear but it has dropped so much since I joined on here, I know i should have been doing strength training all along but it has been a learning process. Doing JM's 3/2/1 system has really improved my physique.

Now i've started actual strength training classes so i'm just looking for some advice where to go from here, i've been eating at maintenance days i train and cutting a bit on other days so as to lower my body fat a bit more but maintain as much muscle as i can, i'm not to pushed for gaining further muscle just to keep what i have. Am i doing this the right way, here is a sitting pic side view of my tummy taken last july..measurements have gone down a bit since then but just to give an idea...



and when standing



Sorry may seem like such a large post but would really appreciate some input/advice.

Chief_Rocka

You are correct that you should be strength training. You don't want a cardio-focused routine with some strength training thrown in, you want to make lifting your foundation.

Jillian Micheals videos or "strength training classes" are ok for a starting point, but you'll get better results with a real strength training program.

Yanicka1

I know that I must sound like a broken record but I recommend reading the book, the new rules of lifting for women. Even if you do not do the program, the informations are great.

harleygroomer

Up your protein and do more ab exercises. BUT depending on how much you WERE before the journey--some girls have stretched their skin out and need to have some removed IF THEY CHOOSE.. But I would certainly work on my ad exercises DAILY.

mcflat29

Sure, all the above but

PS: You look fabulous!

chubby_checkers

Up your protein and do more ab exercises. BUT depending on how much you WERE before the journey--some girls have stretched their skin out and need to have some removed IF THEY CHOOSE.. But I would certainly work on my ad exercises DAILY.

No.

Select a weight training program. Strong Lifts, Starting Strength, New Rules, whichever one works for you.

LuckyLeprechaun

Up your protein and do more ab exercises. BUT depending on how much you WERE before the journey--some girls have stretched their skin out and need to have some removed IF THEY CHOOSE.. But I would certainly work on my ad exercises DAILY.

:noway: :huh:

The OP is NOT a candidate for skin removal surgery. Did this person even look at the pictures!!?!?

OP, you look fantastic. Keep lifting and eating at or just under maintenance and you will LOVE the strength you gain and the way you look.

odusgolp

Ummmm.... She doesn't have a lick of loose skin. She looks fabulous.

As other's stated, NROLFW or similar would take you from already fabulous to "holy crap rockstar" status.

Alex_is_Hawks

Up your protein and do more ab exercises. BUT depending on how much you WERE before the journey--some girls have stretched their skin out and need to have some removed IF THEY CHOOSE.. But I would certainly work on my ad exercises DAILY.

no just no...she's not a candidate...

a simple strength program will provide all the help she needs.

skullshank

Up your protein and do more ab exercises. BUT depending on how much you WERE before the journey--some girls have stretched their skin out and need to have some removed IF THEY CHOOSE.. But I would certainly work on my ad exercises DAILY.

really? did you look at her pics?

skin removal?!

tracieangeletti

I'm in the same boat as you. Weight, bmi, even bf is in the good range but I still have that tummy. :-/ I have just finished my third month of my heavy lifting routine and I can't tell you enough about the changes it is making to my body. Some areas are getting leaner faster than others but I am getting leaner. I can't see my abs yet, although I am seeing some lines of definition which is letting me know they are there!! More importantly I feel them when I move now when I rarely ever felt them before. I'm getting stronger and that is awesome! :-)

There are quite a few good programs out there to choose from so read up and decide which one fits you best. New Rules of Lifting for Women, Stronglifts 5x5, Starting Strength, Thinner Leaner Stronger, just to name a few. The problem I'm having is with patience. The approach we're taking takes a little while but it does work and I think in the end we will be thrilled with the results!! Good luck to you!!!

TheEffort

You look great.

I agree with the comments regarding strength training /lifting.

perfect_storm

Strength training is your best bet, building muscle is a good thing muscle mass helps burn fat New Rules of Lifting for Women is a great book to follow.

nxd10

Up your protein and do more ab exercises. BUT depending on how much you WERE before the journey--some girls have stretched their skin out and need to have some removed IF THEY CHOOSE.. But I would certainly work on my ad exercises DAILY.

no just no...she's not a candidate...

a simple strength program will provide all the help she needs.

I agree with everyone. A bit more exericse and you'll convert that tiny bit of extra flab to muscle and look even more wonderful. It's just transitional - it will go.

laineybz

I have the same issue also. Time to strength train i think!

WendyTerry420

Up your protein and do more ab exercises. BUT depending on how much you WERE before the journey--some girls have stretched their skin out and need to have some removed IF THEY CHOOSE.. But I would certainly work on my ad exercises DAILY.

sophayz

oh no no no no need for skin removal ( look at my progress pic) just light heavy weight multiple times 3 -4 times a week eat your protein and enough cals to fuel you up and voila

lin7604

i am in the same boat as you. I am 5.2 ft and 114 something lbs... it bounces all over,lol but in general 114 lbs. I too had the exact same thing as in your pic and for me i really wanted to lower my body fat, i did clx ( chalean extreme) and built some muscle and lowered my body fat a bit but i still fund i needed to burn that fat layer off to see the muscle more so i am doing focus t25 right now and it's doing the trick...I am not really losing inches with the program as i think i am at my body shape measurement wise but i am losing body fat. in the 1st 5 weeks i lost a good 1% body fat. I was around 23-24 % before and now between 22-23%, my goal is to be 20-21%. I am starting to get the look i want. when i am done this i will pick up the weights again and re do clx and get some more definition going.

Mslmesq

I love pilates and swear by it for a flatter stomach and stronger core.

You look great by the way. Congratulations! :-)

SStruthers13

You look wonderful!

Zaniejane

You look fabulous! My body fat percentage is about the same as yours but I have a long upper body so it appears to be lean. When I feel plump in that area I find that focusing on upper body and lower body ( quads and hamstrings) helps reveal stomach muscles. I think you are on the right track already and you will have results (contingent on diet also of course)