at goal weight but still unhappy

jardimgirl
jardimgirl Posts: 522 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I reached 115 pounds which was my goal. ( I am 5'0) ao noe my qustion is should I continue on a deficit? I still don't like my body so I have started lifting and have been for about a.month and a half. What should I do I sTill.a.bit of fat on my belly ( underneath feels hard and strong)
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Replies

  • jenmom2myboys
    jenmom2myboys Posts: 311 Member
    I am the same height as you and I am shooting for 110. I have a small frame. What exactly dont you like?
  • jardimgirl
    jardimgirl Posts: 522 Member
    http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj560/malucamenina88/image_zps037ebeab.jpg

    This is what I'm working with
  • PennyVonDread
    PennyVonDread Posts: 432 Member
    You should spend some time in some body positive spaces and work on your mental health.

    There's a common misconception that people with low self-esteem can just reach a "good enough" stage, but for some, they will always be their own worst critic. Lost weight? Not enough weight. Still don't think you're pretty? Teeth whitening, plastic surgery, tattoos, body modifications, spa treatments, etc etc etc, won't necessarily make you feel successful.

    Remember that there are entire industries churning profit off of people with perpetually low self-worth and poor body image.

    It's not that you are unsuccessful, that you aren't thin enough. Of course, that doesn't mean you can't work on changing how you look if you are genuinely unhappy with it, but also try to see the good in yourself more often. It's a mental process that can be taxing, but is worth the payoff.
  • jenmom2myboys
    jenmom2myboys Posts: 311 Member
    I look very similar in the midsection. I plan on toning once I hot 110 and hoping to lose a little more weight there also.
  • johngratian
    johngratian Posts: 5
    Didn't look at the picture link, but agree with others that this is probably a mind thing.

    I am still way over my target weight. Have worked hard on losing weight. But the biggest thing I have worked on is how I feel about myself. Can look at myself in the mirror and say, "I'm a great person".

    Regardless of your over-all weight. Or how a particular area of your body is 'Hollyweird Perfect', Enjoy yourself for the great person you are.

    :D
  • BreatheAshley
    BreatheAshley Posts: 130 Member
    I think you look beautiful nonetheless but if you are unhappy, I would try for 110 to see if that makes a difference in the midsection. If you end up losing too much, you can always gain it back but if you are still not happy after all of this then maybe you need to get help. Maybe you are seeing yourself bigger than you really are.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    There is no such thing as toning.

    If you are unhappy with how you look at 115 chances are you will just look the same at 110 but smaller...

    Either continue to lift for at least 10 weeks and evaluate again.
  • spirit095
    spirit095 Posts: 1,017 Member
    I agree with the others that you need to work for a healthier body image. Also, I think you just need to be patient and keep up with the weight training that you're doing. It will take time, but progress will come.
  • lin7604
    lin7604 Posts: 2,951 Member
    i agree, even 5 or 10 more lbs won't change it. it will still be there. You do just need to focus on working on a very small deficit and strength training. My goal was 120 and i got to 113 and still hated the way i looked as it was just body composition and body fat that i needed to lose... I have been working on that for just over a year now, yes it's taking me a lot longer but it is coming off slowly.... I like how i look a whole lot better now at 118 then i did at 113. still trying to get 2% off and then maintain completely.
  • Otterluv
    Otterluv Posts: 9,083 Member
    Try eating at maintenance while you continue lifting for a few more months, then re-evaluate. I suspect that a bit of a nice, slow recomp will probably take care of that bit of belly you have left.
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    Try eating at maintenance while you continue lifting for a few more months, then re-evaluate. I suspect that a bit of a nice, slow recomp will probably take care of that bit of belly you have left.

    This.

    Another benefit is that it will give your brain time to adjust. It takes a bit for your head to catch up with the changes to your body.
  • jardimgirl
    jardimgirl Posts: 522 Member
    Thx everyone, kinda sounds like ppl are saying it may never get flat :( Not really what I wanted to hear but oh well. Its not a mind thing though for those who had mentioned it. Maybe lipo will get rid of it and that will be the end of it.
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    Thx everyone, kinda sounds like ppl are saying it may never get flat :( Not really what I wanted to hear but oh well. Its not a mind thing though for those who had mentioned it. Maybe lipo will get rid of it and that will be the end of it.

    Recomping will slowly lower your body fat percentage, which will make it go away at least mostly, if not completely. The problem with just losing more weight is that you may end up skinnier than you like in other places before your body fat gets low enough for it to go away.

    For me, my problem area is my thighs. For awhile there I was slowly losing weight and it was helping with my thighs, but in the meantime I was getting really visible ribs, sternum, etc, and I was feeling pretty badly about the fact that I was too lean some places and not lean enough in others. Recomping, and now beginning to bulk, is helping-- I've built some muscle on my upper body so I don't look so skinny and I've lost some fat on my thighs-- I'm getting a more balance look overall.
  • jardimgirl
    jardimgirl Posts: 522 Member
    Thx everyone, kinda sounds like ppl are saying it may never get flat :( Not really what I wanted to hear but oh well. Its not a mind thing though for those who had mentioned it. Maybe lipo will get rid of it and that will be the end of it.

    Recomping will slowly lower your body fat percentage, which will make it go away at least mostly, if not completely. The problem with just losing more weight is that you may end up skinnier than you like in other places before your body fat gets low enough for it to go away.

    For me, my problem area is my thighs. For awhile there I was slowly losing weight and it was helping with my thighs, but in the meantime I was getting really visible ribs, sternum, etc, and I was feeling pretty badly about the fact that I was too lean some places and not lean enough in others. Recomping, and now beginning to bulk, is helping-- I've built some muscle on my upper body so I don't look so skinny and I've lost some fat on my thighs-- I'm getting a more balance look overall.

    But if I bulk, won't I just add more fat to the belly?
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    Thx everyone, kinda sounds like ppl are saying it may never get flat :( Not really what I wanted to hear but oh well. Its not a mind thing though for those who had mentioned it. Maybe lipo will get rid of it and that will be the end of it.

    Recomping will slowly lower your body fat percentage, which will make it go away at least mostly, if not completely. The problem with just losing more weight is that you may end up skinnier than you like in other places before your body fat gets low enough for it to go away.

    For me, my problem area is my thighs. For awhile there I was slowly losing weight and it was helping with my thighs, but in the meantime I was getting really visible ribs, sternum, etc, and I was feeling pretty badly about the fact that I was too lean some places and not lean enough in others. Recomping, and now beginning to bulk, is helping-- I've built some muscle on my upper body so I don't look so skinny and I've lost some fat on my thighs-- I'm getting a more balance look overall.

    But if I bulk, won't I just add more fat to the belly?

    Yes, I wouldn't recommend a bulk. I'd recommend a recomp.
  • jardimgirl
    jardimgirl Posts: 522 Member
    Thx everyone, kinda sounds like ppl are saying it may never get flat :( Not really what I wanted to hear but oh well. Its not a mind thing though for those who had mentioned it. Maybe lipo will get rid of it and that will be the end of it.
    [/quot
    Recomping will slowly lower your body fat percentage, which will make it go away at least mostly, if not completely. The problem with just losing more weight is that you may end up skinnier than you like in other places before your body fat gets low enough for it to go away.

    For me, my problem area is my thighs. For awhile there I was slowly losing weight and it was helping with my thighs, but in the meantime I was getting really visible ribs, sternum, etc, and I was feeling pretty badly about the fact that I was too lean some places and not lean enough in others. Recomping, and now beginning to bulk, is helping-- I've built some muscle on my upper body so I don't look so skinny and I've lost some fat on my thighs-- I'm getting a more balance look overall.

    But if I bulk, won't I just add more fat to the belly?

    Yes, I wouldn't recommend a bulk. I'd recommend a recomp.

    What is recomp if I may ask?
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    Recomposition is where you eat at maintenance, get 1 gram of protein per pound of LBM, and lift. It will very slowly add muscle while still losing some fat. You stay pretty much the same weight while lowering your body fat percentage. This is a good time to do it too because you should still be able to make some newbie gains.

    It's a slow process, but it does work and it'll have the bonus of allowing you to adjust to your new body.
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    I feel like I'm spamming the boards with this and that's not my intention, but this is the result of 1 year of recomp for me.

    3adc875e-c415-41b0-992d-6430c1d58507_zps849ede27.png
  • jardimgirl
    jardimgirl Posts: 522 Member
    Recomposition is where you eat at maintenance, get 1 gram of protein per pound of LBM, and lift. It will very slowly add muscle while still losing some fat. You stay pretty much the same weight while lowering your body fat percentage. This is a good time to do it too because you should still be able to make some newbie gains.

    It's a slow process, but it does work and it'll have the bonus of allowing you to adjust to your new body.

    Thanks, that sounds like a good plan. Should I set my calories sedentary-maintain or lightly active-maintain? I lift 2-3 times a week ( stronglifts) and work at dunkin donuts 5 hours a day 5 days a week?
  • jardimgirl
    jardimgirl Posts: 522 Member
    I feel like I'm spamming the boards with this and that's not my intention, but this is the result of 1 year of recomp for me.

    3adc875e-c415-41b0-992d-6430c1d58507_zps849ede27.png

    Wow!!!!! Awesomeness!!! Id be freaked out thoigh seeing the scale go up yet be confused on how much leaner id look lol u look great!
  • PJPrimrose
    PJPrimrose Posts: 916 Member
    Recomp sounds so much better than losing weight IMHO. I will have to the same to stay in my fighting weight class while gaining muscle for strength. Skinnier isn't always better.
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    Recomposition is where you eat at maintenance, get 1 gram of protein per pound of LBM, and lift. It will very slowly add muscle while still losing some fat. You stay pretty much the same weight while lowering your body fat percentage. This is a good time to do it too because you should still be able to make some newbie gains.

    It's a slow process, but it does work and it'll have the bonus of allowing you to adjust to your new body.

    Thanks, that sounds like a good plan. Should I set my calories sedentary-maintain or lightly active-maintain? I lift 2-3 times a week ( stronglifts) and work at dunkin donuts 5 hours a day 5 days a week?

    Probably lightly active minimum. You may still lose a pound or two or you may seem to put on 3-4 lbs at once. Either is normal. So just set yourself a maintenance range. Mine is 123-129 lbs. Anywhere in there was normal while eating at maintenance. If you see yourself creeping up (over a month or so), lower calories a bit. But don't sweat it if you see swings up or down based on salt, exercise, time of month, etc. If you continue to lose then gradually increase your calories until it stops. Maintenance can take a little trial and error.
  • lin7604
    lin7604 Posts: 2,951 Member
    Recomposition is where you eat at maintenance, get 1 gram of protein per pound of LBM, and lift. It will very slowly add muscle while still losing some fat. You stay pretty much the same weight while lowering your body fat percentage. This is a good time to do it too because you should still be able to make some newbie gains.

    It's a slow process, but it does work and it'll have the bonus of allowing you to adjust to your new body.

    that is what i did all of last year and it worked! yes it's a SLOW process but it does work! i loved the changes in my body composition after it. made visible changes in pictures even though i didn't see them myself in the beginning.. That is why pics are so important....
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    Thx everyone, kinda sounds like ppl are saying it may never get flat :( Not really what I wanted to hear but oh well. Its not a mind thing though for those who had mentioned it. Maybe lipo will get rid of it and that will be the end of it.

    Nope that isn't what people are saying at all...

    http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

    This link has a tonne of pics of a women who did a recomp and lifted as well...
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Thx everyone, kinda sounds like ppl are saying it may never get flat :( Not really what I wanted to hear but oh well. Its not a mind thing though for those who had mentioned it. Maybe lipo will get rid of it and that will be the end of it.

    No one said that at all....
  • dwbotti
    dwbotti Posts: 29
    Abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym. I didn't look at the picture itself, but I know that I've got my own load of laundry on top of my washboard abs and it's because I cannot out work out a bad diet. Are you making the right strides to clean up your eating?
  • spoiledpuppies
    spoiledpuppies Posts: 675 Member
    Just keep doing what you're doing. I started working with a trainer for heavy lifting a couple of months ago. I've already seen some results, but he said that it could be the end of summer before I really see a transformation. So more patience is in order...
  • Iknowsaur
    Iknowsaur Posts: 777 Member
    Losing weight isn't going to change the shape of your body, just the size.
    Start lifting, or lift more, or lift heavier weights. That's probably the only thing that is going to give you what you want at this point.
  • mycupyourcake
    mycupyourcake Posts: 279 Member
    Thx everyone, kinda sounds like ppl are saying it may never get flat :( Not really what I wanted to hear but oh well. Its not a mind thing though for those who had mentioned it. Maybe lipo will get rid of it and that will be the end of it.

    Your stomach will flatten out if you continue to lose more fat. I would continue on with your weight loss efforts. That is fat on your tummy and you can lose it.
  • jackielou867
    jackielou867 Posts: 422 Member
    I am going for the recomp too. Thought I would look as good at 47 as I did at 17 if I got to the same weight, but it doesn't work like that. I too hold onto fat In the belly area. I have resigned myself to 1-2 years work. 6 months in so far. On the plus side I love the lifting and have gotten so much stronger. Good luck. Maybe we should compare progress pics in 12 months time. Also glad to hear from some people who have leaned out by eating at maintenance and lifting. This is what I am doing for the next couple of months.

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