CARDIO FLAB OR SOMETHING ELSE?? Please help :)

bombshellcertification

Ive always been pretty active until last 2 years..slow decrease in activity, slow increase in stressors (sure metab is down)...Anywho joined the gym in January and have been doing Cardio Kick Box, Zumba and Belly dance, recently (last month and half) added in more pilates w weights, sculpting class with weights...about 3x a week...cardio 5 x.....Need the cardio to fight depression & anxiety and has been best medicine...BUT

Took measurements last week, took selfies this week and Im horrified! Granted I am 44, but could it be the cardio is burning up my muscle? So the cellulite in my legs & *kitten* is freaking me out, I had solid legs even with a couple extra lbs on me...clearly I need to lift more weight, more regularly etc...but Im freaked out by my body looking like its distributing more fat instead of less! I have 24.9 body fat according to BMI and my measurements are 38 30 37 and I am 5'1.5. I am lucky in that I do have tons of energy and have always been active until most recently as have been stressed care taking parents, looking for work and just moved after finishing grad school.

I need a simple plan to get back on track and prevent more midlife weight gain & distribution while slimming down & getting stronger with muscle.

Im on a tight budget too, so my eating plan could be much better trying my best on shoestring while looking for work

Any suggestions would be helpful! Thank You!

TeaBea

With 10 pounds to lose your weekly weight loss goal should be small........... 1/2 pound. Trying to lose weight too fast, does not leave you with enough calories to support existing muscle.

The way MFP is designed.....you get a deficit BEFORE exercise. That way people who can't/won't exercise, still lose weight. Are you logging exercise & eating a portion of calories back? Cardio would be contributing to muscle loss if you're not eating enough.

bombshellcertification

I think when I started logging just over a week ago, I wasn't eating enough, then I binged and have been all over the map as I analyze eating, exercise etc..while also trying to bust anxiety--I look forward to my cardio and almost MUST do it to keep my spirits up at this point...less about weight loss more about stress reduction

I still don't have a rhythm with eating, some days I eat back/binge, others days I don't. But what your saying is maintain the deficit in calories and with exercise eat some back? I have been logging in everything, but I know this last weeks I have not had enough veggies or variety...Im on such a budget...need to plan better, have been winging it...