Cardio + no weights = skinny fat?

LEXIBROWN4

So, I've been running intervals and cycling a few times a week, plus hiking every Sunday for the past four months, all while eating about 1400 calories a day. I've lost about 25 pounds, but I still have a very fat stomach and I still feel heavy.. I haven't done any weight training, or body-resistance exercises, and I'm afraid this had made me skinny-fat. What's going on?

Stats:
5'3
HW: 134
CW: 110

YoBecca

You're 5'3" and 110 and have a "very fat stomach?" Srsly?

PaulHalicki

If you store your fat in your stomach, cutting back on carbs may help.

Escape_Artist

What's the question exactly? :huh:

thinklivebefree

This is a weird post? So youve been on the site for 1year and a half and this sis your 1st time writing on the message board?

Joebob8

Guys, shouldn't we be here to help?

My mom is 5'3 and 110 and looks like a stick figure in clothes but still has a belly. She lost some weight by dieting only. She recently started working out with a trainer to get muscle on her and strengthen and reshape her physique. At 5'4 and 110, I think it is easy to say that you absolutely do not need to lose any more weight. If you have done no strength training up to this point, I think you already know what you need to do

chrisdavey

If you store your fat in your stomach, cutting back on carbs may help.

no

OP: basically yes. That doesn't mean that you are skinny fat however. You could just be skinny?

darrensurrey

Time to bin the scales and start building muscle. See what you look like in 3 months' time. I mean, if you were 30% heavier than you are now but had the body you wanted, would you care about your weight?

swimbikerun2006

So..yeah. I think you've done great losing what you have lost!! Congratulations. I am 5'4 also and I'll tell you a story....

Back in the day, I once weighed 118 pound & wore size 8 pants. But I was jiggly. Long story short...I fell in love with the gym (or maybe I just didn't have a life). But anyways I found myself weighing in at 132...wearing size 8 pants. But I was solid and ripped! By 'gym' I mean that I was doing cardio AND weights- 4-5 nights a week.

Find a good trainer and explain your goals, be consistent & never give up
Good luck!

swimbikerun2006

Time to bin the scales and start building muscle. See what you look like in 3 months' time. I mean, if you were 30% heavier than you are now but had the body you wanted, would you care about your weight?

Totally ^^

Spiritwarrior3000

I will reply to the title. Regular cardio along with a healthy diet will still give you a light tone up effect on the body. Fat is just stored energy so burning enough of it will show off your muscles, not making you ripped just toned nicely.

Unknown

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MercenaryNoetic26

You sure it's just not the shape of your belly? Even when I was scrawny (100-105), I had a pot belly. I didn't think it was cool until I watched Pulp Fiction. Suddenly, pot bellies were hot.

DaniettaF

Time to bin the scales and start building muscle. See what you look like in 3 months' time. I mean, if you were 30% heavier than you are now but had the body you wanted, would you care about your weight?

This!

I totally understand what you mean about skinny-fat, like you look slim in clothes but when they come off you don't feel as slim as your figure suggests.
So I suggest toning up, as this will make me feel less fat and squidgy. I'm no expert, but this is from experience. You feel especially good when the muscles you use ache after!

cwolfman13

cardio is just weight lifting for your heart...it doesn't do a whole lot in RE to changing your body composition. To change your body composition you need to develop/maintain muscle mass...that requires resistance training. Start pumping some iron and stop dieting. You can and should still do cardio...it is great for heart health and overall fitness....but you need to do resistance work if you want a rockin' fitness body.

Unknown

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Azdak

Each person has an inherited pattern of body fat distribution. One of the "types" is one that preferentially stores fat in the abdomen. It is unlikely that you can "out lose" this pattern, and, at a certain point, trying to lose fat only becomes counterproductive.

Some people naturally have smaller frames and less muscle mass--this is the REAL meaning of "skinny fat". It is likely that your current body profile is more related to your inherited body type than it is to any effect of your weight loss.

In this case, however, the best course of action is still the same: start a resistance training program and work up to doing reasonably heavy weights. For where you are now, it is the best (only?) way to reshape your body.

MinimizingMichelle

So, I've been running intervals and cycling a few times a week, plus hiking every Sunday for the past four months, all while eating about 1400 calories a day. I've lost about 25 pounds, but I still have a very fat stomach and I still feel heavy.. I haven't done any weight training, or body-resistance exercises, and I'm afraid this had made me skinny-fat. What's going on?

Stats:
5'3
HW: 134
CW: 110

Sounds like you're pretty active. Do you intake enough water through your day? You should increase your water intake on days that you are more active. If not, this could lead to bloating, which may be why you feel heavier in the mid-section.

thesophierose

I was the same way as you and all I did was cardio for a good chunk of my weight loss!!!

I added weight lifting to the regime to see where it takes me these days