Don't care if I lose or gain weight, so what now?

beachgod

I'm 53, 5'9" and 156 lbs. and I really don't care what I weigh; I just want what I do weigh to be beachgod material. I picked 150 lbs. as a goal weight because I was in pretty good shape at that weight a long time ago but truthfully the number really is insignificant to me. I have no idea what my TDEE is or anything like that, which is why I use the guided goals. I lost 27 pounds last year, so I was doing something right but I was way too restrictive and I'm sure that had a lot to do my stopping in August, as well as some personal life stressors but I'm ready to go again with a more realistic outlook. I've regained 7 pounds since August and it sure wasn't muscle. Dude muffin tops are gross and that is what I have again.

I recently started tracking again and looked at the Setting Your Calorie And Macro Targets and Stronglifts 5x5 Summary threads and I currently have my settings per MFP's guided ones at lose 1 lb/week and lightly active. I ignore the protein goal because I know it is set way too low.

I'm on my feet at work and jogging 1 mile 2-3 times a week is a major achievement for me. Other than that I'm pretty lazy about moving weights.

I guess my questions are:

1. Should I change my goal to maintain instead of lose since I'm unconcerend about my weight (within reason)?

2. If I rejoin a gym, would the stronglifts 5x5 be a good place to start? Going to the gym isn't the biggest thrill for me. What about just doing exercises at home, like pushups, pull ups etc instead of driving to the gym, paying membership fees and all that?

3. In other words, should I focus on body recomposition instead of fat loss? Will the fat loss basically take of itself if I follow MFP's guidelines and get back into lifting?

4. Should I customize my goal settings on MFP or just keep using their guided ones? What should I change them to if I should change them?


short version: help. please. thanks.

970Mikaela1

Im the same height as you and my wife said at 156 I was too skinny. So now I have my goal at 165-175. The way hard part for me is to keep lean at the higher goal much more work involved. This cutting and bulking will take years, to be leaner at a heavier weight.

shazbox1

1. Changing to maintenance is fine. Your current weight seems good enough to me and as you said, it is more a question of body composition.

2. I haven't done stronglift stuff, but people seem to feel it is a good starting place. If you don't like the gym though, working out at home will also get you results. You can find a good body weight workout and do that. I bought a bench and a pair of adjustable dumbbells that I used to get a pretty good workout. I based it off of the 'best dumbbell workout' article I read on bodybuilding.com (http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/wotw3.htm)

3. Yes, as you put on more muscle you will burn more calories, which in turn will probably lower your fat. Also, the increased muscle will make you look like you have less fat.

4. Not sure what the goal settings available are really, as I'm fairly new. Find out how many calories you need to maintain your weight, considering your exercise routine. Stay around that number each day and keep working out. You should see results.

beachgod

Thanks for the BB.com link. I bookmarked it and will check it out since I have some dumbbells. I also have a chin up bar (great for hanging wet towels over!) and a jump rope, so I should be able to get something going at home. I'll probably change my weight goal to maintenance as well.

edit: "unconcerend" in OP. lol. Other typos and missing words, too, even after proof reading.

shazbox1

I also have a chin up bar (great for hanging wet towels over!)

Oh man, and my chin up bar has just been sitting in the closet this whole time! Should have been putting it to use.