I went from morbidly obese to 6 pack abs! Ask me Anything

kspec2001

awesome! what I find amazing isnt that you lost the weight. but that you are willing to take time out to help others in any way to reach their goals. kudos.

I have a question(s), were you able to stay completely consistent the entire time? if/when you fell off for a bit what kind of advice would you give to help people get back into it after having a hiatus?

dr_annebg

dr_annebg wrote: »

Wow, I have just started about a month ago and losing weight dramatically. I have wanted to train lifting but people are discouraging me to do it. They say I am still too heavy and I might injure myself. Why did you say you wish you started lifting at day 1? Would it make a difference as far as loose skin is concerned? That is my biggest fear now.

Don't listen to them. You are never to big to lift weights. Many of the strongest men in the world (elite strongmen and powerlifters) are obese. The reason I wish I would have started lifting earlier is that I would have retained a bit more muscle mass then I did. I'd have also had a 6 month head start on strength training. Loose skin is ganna happen if it's ganna happen. Nothing is going to prevent it. Just don't focus on it. Loose skin and healthy is WAY better then fat and unhealthy. Trust me!

[/quote]

Thanks! I have free weights at home and thought I'd start with those and work my way up.

vbenoit81

Wow! That is awesome, you look great.

MarvinGardunio

Yes this is amazing my total loss goal is 80lbs..... I have read all these post and wow.... can't wait until get to 170 (5'8"). once again great job.

justjack18

I have been reading all the pages the last few days and you are such an inspiration. You look amazing! You should be so proud of yourself congrats!!! I started reading this because I've hit a plateau and it started after I gave birth to my son who is now 2. Its Basically taken me 2 years to lose 15 pounds, but let me start from the beginning. My starting weight was 279 in 2007. I got down to about 190 in 2010 just by eating less, I was doing nothing formal, just small portions. Then in 2012 I decided I wanted to lose more so I started myfitnesspal. I was very strict and lost about 40 pounds in 3 months, so I got down to about 150 and kept it off until I got pregnant. I only gained about 30 pounds during the pregnancy and lost about 20 of it right after giving birth but since then I've been playing around with the same freaking 10 pounds for 2 years. I want to get down to 139 as my goal, and right now Iam 163. for 2 years I've been doing 1200 calories to no success really, or slow. like 1/2 pound a month. I've been weighing everything in grams and started excersizing again. I feel like I have no metabolism if that makes sense. the only way I really lose is when Iam eating like 700/900 calories a day and it's just not doable for me most days. I do have a thyroid condition but Iam on medicine for it so I see no reason why my weight is stalled so much, do you have any advice for me? Iam desperate as I would love to get this extra weight off before I have another pregnancy/ child. Also, maybe your fiancé deals with this, during my period I will gain like 4 pounds and then it takes me week to lose it, it's a never ending cycle, I thought it was just bloat, water weight but it doesn't easily come off.....thanks for any advice you could give, keep up the amazing work!!!!!!

alastria

vismal wrote: »

I starting lifting maybe 6 months into my weight loss. Originally it was just diet and running. I wish I would have started lifting from the get go though. That would be what I consider my number 1 mistake. As for the type of lifting, I did it wrong at first by doing a typical "bro split" where you do a body part a day with high reps and low weight. I later switched to 5x5 training which is what I would have started with day 1 if I had to go back and do it again. I currently do a upper/lower 4 day a week split for intermediate lifters.

I was hoping you'd tell us why you wished you started lifting from the beginning? I ask because it's something I really would like to do, but lack the confidence. I run and diet like you started with, and do a little bit of high rep, low weight to help preserve muscle.

However, I would love to know why you decided lifting heavier is a better idea.

EDITED:
Never mind, you already answered the question above.

JonasLifts

Hellllooo please replyy to me i need to get my mind right i have been doing IIFYM my weight has been going down on the scale but not much body change in visual is that normal?

kayna1225

This is so motivating! Im down 35lbs I still have 15 to go and I get so discouraged whenever I hit another 'plateau'
Your story is inspiring-thank you for sharing! Congratulations on all your success!!

Sarahsteed92

This is amazing! Congrats! I just started back on my clean eating and gym workouts! Makes you feel like a new person! Never getting lazy again:)

vismal

justjack18 wrote: »

I have been reading all the pages the last few days and you are such an inspiration. You look amazing! You should be so proud of yourself congrats!!! I started reading this because I've hit a plateau and it started after I gave birth to my son who is now 2. Its Basically taken me 2 years to lose 15 pounds, but let me start from the beginning. My starting weight was 279 in 2007. I got down to about 190 in 2010 just by eating less, I was doing nothing formal, just small portions. Then in 2012 I decided I wanted to lose more so I started myfitnesspal. I was very strict and lost about 40 pounds in 3 months, so I got down to about 150 and kept it off until I got pregnant. I only gained about 30 pounds during the pregnancy and lost about 20 of it right after giving birth but since then I've been playing around with the same freaking 10 pounds for 2 years. I want to get down to 139 as my goal, and right now Iam 163. for 2 years I've been doing 1200 calories to no success really, or slow. like 1/2 pound a month. I've been weighing everything in grams and started excersizing again. I feel like I have no metabolism if that makes sense. the only way I really lose is when Iam eating like 700/900 calories a day and it's just not doable for me most days. I do have a thyroid condition but Iam on medicine for it so I see no reason why my weight is stalled so much, do you have any advice for me? Iam desperate as I would love to get this extra weight off before I have another pregnancy/ child. Also, maybe your fiancé deals with this, during my period I will gain like 4 pounds and then it takes me week to lose it, it's a never ending cycle, I thought it was just bloat, water weight but it doesn't easily come off.....thanks for any advice you could give, keep up the amazing work!!!!!!

Normally when people aren't having good results eating what should be few enough calories to cause them, I say look to accuracy of tracking. I see you are weighing thing. This is good. How about cheat days? How often do you have them. Don't say never because we ALL have them. What about eating at restaurants of with friends and family when you don't prepare the food? As far as the thyroid goes, when was the last time your levels were checked? Were they within normal range? If not, this could be a big contributor to your problem. As far as your period goes, it's water weight. Unless you are eating more calories to gain fat during your period, it can't be anything other than water weight. Rapid weight gain is much like rapid weight loss, unless your calories are extreme, its almost always water.

JonasLifts wrote: »

Hellllooo please replyy to me i need to get my mind right i have been doing IIFYM my weight has been going down on the scale but not much body change in visual is that normal?

Need more information. How much have you lost, how long have you been tracking things? Typically it takes a least a month to notice a real difference in the mirror.

justjack18

vismal wrote: »

justjack18 wrote: »

I have been reading all the pages the last few days and you are such an inspiration. You look amazing! You should be so proud of yourself congrats!!! I started reading this because I've hit a plateau and it started after I gave birth to my son who is now 2. Its Basically taken me 2 years to lose 15 pounds, but let me start from the beginning. My starting weight was 279 in 2007. I got down to about 190 in 2010 just by eating less, I was doing nothing formal, just small portions. Then in 2012 I decided I wanted to lose more so I started myfitnesspal. I was very strict and lost about 40 pounds in 3 months, so I got down to about 150 and kept it off until I got pregnant. I only gained about 30 pounds during the pregnancy and lost about 20 of it right after giving birth but since then I've been playing around with the same freaking 10 pounds for 2 years. I want to get down to 139 as my goal, and right now Iam 163. for 2 years I've been doing 1200 calories to no success really, or slow. like 1/2 pound a month. I've been weighing everything in grams and started excersizing again. I feel like I have no metabolism if that makes sense. the only way I really lose is when Iam eating like 700/900 calories a day and it's just not doable for me most days. I do have a thyroid condition but Iam on medicine for it so I see no reason why my weight is stalled so much, do you have any advice for me? Iam desperate as I would love to get this extra weight off before I have another pregnancy/ child. Also, maybe your fiancé deals with this, during my period I will gain like 4 pounds and then it takes me week to lose it, it's a never ending cycle, I thought it was just bloat, water weight but it doesn't easily come off.....thanks for any advice you could give, keep up the amazing work!!!!!!

Normally when people aren't having good results eating what should be few enough calories to cause them, I say look to accuracy of tracking. I see you are weighing thing. This is good. How about cheat days? How often do you have them. Don't say never because we ALL have them. What about eating at restaurants of with friends and family when you don't prepare the food? As far as the thyroid goes, when was the last time your levels were checked? Were they within normal range? If not, this could be a big contributor to your problem. As far as your period goes, it's water weight. Unless you are eating more calories to gain fat during your period, it can't be anything other than water weight. Rapid weight gain is much like rapid weight loss, unless your calories are extreme, its almost always water.

JonasLifts wrote: »

Hellllooo please replyy to me i need to get my mind right i have been doing IIFYM my weight has been going down on the scale but not much body change in visual is that normal?

Need more information. How much have you lost, how long have you been tracking things? Typically it takes a least a month to notice a real difference in the mirror.

I don't have cheat days often, less than once a month maybe and I go over by maybe 200-400 calories nothing extreme. my levels were checked 2 months ago and again last week but haven't gotten results yet, so maybe that could be it. is there anyway to prevent water weight gain? oh, also restaurants maybe twice a month, I hate going cause I always gain weight the next day and everything is so many calories and it's hard to know what is what especially when not a chain and they don't have calories listed...

shabazhussain522

how did you avoid loose skin? or is it just your genetics. You've lost a whole lot of weight man, well done

mutomsfit

Hi! I have a iifym question for you. I hope you can shed light on this for me... when I entered my current weight/ht future goals, etc it automatically split my macros to 50C/20P/30F is this standard? Ive been counting macros religiously for 10 days and been under my caloric intake each day ...not by much, but never over...what gives? The scale AND measuring tape arent moving? (I do INSANITY max :30 & T25 5 days a week and build a better booty 25 min of lower strentgh workout 3 days a week.

Thanks so MUCH and you look incredible! Great job inspiring all these people! Youre a true inspiration!

vismal

justjack18 wrote: »

vismal wrote: »

justjack18 wrote: »

I have been reading all the pages the last few days and you are such an inspiration. You look amazing! You should be so proud of yourself congrats!!! I started reading this because I've hit a plateau and it started after I gave birth to my son who is now 2. Its Basically taken me 2 years to lose 15 pounds, but let me start from the beginning. My starting weight was 279 in 2007. I got down to about 190 in 2010 just by eating less, I was doing nothing formal, just small portions. Then in 2012 I decided I wanted to lose more so I started myfitnesspal. I was very strict and lost about 40 pounds in 3 months, so I got down to about 150 and kept it off until I got pregnant. I only gained about 30 pounds during the pregnancy and lost about 20 of it right after giving birth but since then I've been playing around with the same freaking 10 pounds for 2 years. I want to get down to 139 as my goal, and right now Iam 163. for 2 years I've been doing 1200 calories to no success really, or slow. like 1/2 pound a month. I've been weighing everything in grams and started excersizing again. I feel like I have no metabolism if that makes sense. the only way I really lose is when Iam eating like 700/900 calories a day and it's just not doable for me most days. I do have a thyroid condition but Iam on medicine for it so I see no reason why my weight is stalled so much, do you have any advice for me? Iam desperate as I would love to get this extra weight off before I have another pregnancy/ child. Also, maybe your fiancé deals with this, during my period I will gain like 4 pounds and then it takes me week to lose it, it's a never ending cycle, I thought it was just bloat, water weight but it doesn't easily come off.....thanks for any advice you could give, keep up the amazing work!!!!!!

Normally when people aren't having good results eating what should be few enough calories to cause them, I say look to accuracy of tracking. I see you are weighing thing. This is good. How about cheat days? How often do you have them. Don't say never because we ALL have them. What about eating at restaurants of with friends and family when you don't prepare the food? As far as the thyroid goes, when was the last time your levels were checked? Were they within normal range? If not, this could be a big contributor to your problem. As far as your period goes, it's water weight. Unless you are eating more calories to gain fat during your period, it can't be anything other than water weight. Rapid weight gain is much like rapid weight loss, unless your calories are extreme, its almost always water.

JonasLifts wrote: »

Hellllooo please replyy to me i need to get my mind right i have been doing IIFYM my weight has been going down on the scale but not much body change in visual is that normal?

Need more information. How much have you lost, how long have you been tracking things? Typically it takes a least a month to notice a real difference in the mirror.

I don't have cheat days often, less than once a month maybe and I go over by maybe 200-400 calories nothing extreme. my levels were checked 2 months ago and again last week but haven't gotten results yet, so maybe that could be it. is there anyway to prevent water weight gain? oh, also restaurants maybe twice a month, I hate going cause I always gain weight the next day and everything is so many calories and it's hard to know what is what especially when not a chain and they don't have calories listed...

I would certainly be interested in hearing your blood test results. This could be a MAJOR component of the problem. There is no way to prevent water weight. It doesn't matter either because it's just water. You shouldn't be concerned with water weight. Worry about fat gains and losses, not water. I think it would help if instead of looking at daily/weekly weight fluctuations weigh like this:
A good technique is to weigh daily at the same time each day and record the result (but don't focus on it because it's essentially meaningless). At the end of the week, average the results. At the end of the month, compare the averages. This is where things become much more meaningful. There should be a downward trend (not necessarily a linear drop). If after 4 weeks or more you are consistently maintaining or gaining, consider reducing calories or examine how accurately you are counting them

vismal

shabazhussain522 wrote: »

how did you avoid loose skin? or is it just your genetics. You've lost a whole lot of weight man, well done

This has been asked and answered many, many, times in the thread. Look back a few pages. I posted a video about this topic.

mutomsfit wrote: »

Hi! I have a iifym question for you. I hope you can shed light on this for me... when I entered my current weight/ht future goals, etc it automatically split my macros to 50C/20P/30F is this standard? Ive been counting macros religiously for 10 days and been under my caloric intake each day ...not by much, but never over...what gives? The scale AND measuring tape arent moving? (I do INSANITY max :30 & T25 5 days a week and build a better booty 25 min of lower strentgh workout 3 days a week.

Thanks so MUCH and you look incredible! Great job inspiring all these people! Youre a true inspiration!

MFP's automatic goals do not work very well if an IIFYM approach. They generally have you eating too little protein. I have a video playlist called "Intro to IIFYM". You should check out. I'd also trade insanity for a barbell/dumbbell program if that's an option. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyksDdsXhT8&list=PLbEgu0XFSZk4GwFcWQhpauajCf9ryxB5g

commotionstrange

Hi Vismal...I'd first like to say that this thread is amazing! You have clearly done an incredible job at reaching and maintaining your goals...you're truly an inspiration. On top of that, you're giving such fantastic advice just to help others, and that should really be commended!

I've recently returned to MFP after about a year or so of falling off the wagon. Prior to that I went from 195lbs to 148lbs (I'm 5'7) mostly with a mix of dance (primarily ballet), cycling (I bike to work), and a bit of Taekwondo (which I had to stop because it really messed with my body). Unfortunately I found that unsustainable and exhausting. Also, even close to the weight I wanted to be, I still felt like my muscles were weak and I didn't look how I wanted. I also was only eating around 1500cal a day, and felt hungry and energy-sapped all the time.

Moving forward, I would like to get into a grove where I can lose weight, get stronger, and maintain those habits in perpetuity. The more research I do, strength training sounds like where it's at! I'm currently back up to about 170/175 lbs. I would prefer to be somewhere around 135/140 but having strong lean muscles is what's the most important to me.

My questions though....

1) I'm a vegetarian, and getting 1gm protein/lb lean mass is VERY difficult for me. Is there a somewhat lower range that would still be acceptable for muscle retention/building? If I'm really careful I can get around 80/90 gm/day but I've never gotten any higher than that without more than one protein shake a day which I'm not convinced is healthy and is really expensive.

2) Is there an amount of cardio that will adversely affect this type of strength training or that should be compensated for etc.? I still love to dance, and want to keep going to ballet once a week. I've never considered it cardio really, it's more strength based, but is really a combination. Additionally, my primary method of commuting 7 months of the year is biking to work. Round trip is 14.5km (9 miles) 3-5 times a week (depending on weather), each round trip is about 50 min. How does this work in with the idea of strength training 2-3 times a week without burning out or doing too much cardio?

I could ask a million more questions, but I'm sure you've had enough

Thanks again for all of the work you've put into this for the rest of us, it's really appreciated!
-C

justjack18

vismal wrote: »

justjack18 wrote: »

vismal wrote: »

justjack18 wrote: »

I have been reading all the pages the last few days and you are such an inspiration. You look amazing! You should be so proud of yourself congrats!!! I started reading this because I've hit a plateau and it started after I gave birth to my son who is now 2. Its Basically taken me 2 years to lose 15 pounds, but let me start from the beginning. My starting weight was 279 in 2007. I got down to about 190 in 2010 just by eating less, I was doing nothing formal, just small portions. Then in 2012 I decided I wanted to lose more so I started myfitnesspal. I was very strict and lost about 40 pounds in 3 months, so I got down to about 150 and kept it off until I got pregnant. I only gained about 30 pounds during the pregnancy and lost about 20 of it right after giving birth but since then I've been playing around with the same freaking 10 pounds for 2 years. I want to get down to 139 as my goal, and right now Iam 163. for 2 years I've been doing 1200 calories to no success really, or slow. like 1/2 pound a month. I've been weighing everything in grams and started excersizing again. I feel like I have no metabolism if that makes sense. the only way I really lose is when Iam eating like 700/900 calories a day and it's just not doable for me most days. I do have a thyroid condition but Iam on medicine for it so I see no reason why my weight is stalled so much, do you have any advice for me? Iam desperate as I would love to get this extra weight off before I have another pregnancy/ child. Also, maybe your fiancé deals with this, during my period I will gain like 4 pounds and then it takes me week to lose it, it's a never ending cycle, I thought it was just bloat, water weight but it doesn't easily come off.....thanks for any advice you could give, keep up the amazing work!!!!!!

Normally when people aren't having good results eating what should be few enough calories to cause them, I say look to accuracy of tracking. I see you are weighing thing. This is good. How about cheat days? How often do you have them. Don't say never because we ALL have them. What about eating at restaurants of with friends and family when you don't prepare the food? As far as the thyroid goes, when was the last time your levels were checked? Were they within normal range? If not, this could be a big contributor to your problem. As far as your period goes, it's water weight. Unless you are eating more calories to gain fat during your period, it can't be anything other than water weight. Rapid weight gain is much like rapid weight loss, unless your calories are extreme, its almost always water.

JonasLifts wrote: »

Hellllooo please replyy to me i need to get my mind right i have been doing IIFYM my weight has been going down on the scale but not much body change in visual is that normal?

Need more information. How much have you lost, how long have you been tracking things? Typically it takes a least a month to notice a real difference in the mirror.

I don't have cheat days often, less than once a month maybe and I go over by maybe 200-400 calories nothing extreme. my levels were checked 2 months ago and again last week but haven't gotten results yet, so maybe that could be it. is there anyway to prevent water weight gain? oh, also restaurants maybe twice a month, I hate going cause I always gain weight the next day and everything is so many calories and it's hard to know what is what especially when not a chain and they don't have calories listed...

I would certainly be interested in hearing your blood test results. This could be a MAJOR component of the problem. There is no way to prevent water weight. It doesn't matter either because it's just water. You shouldn't be concerned with water weight. Worry about fat gains and losses, not water. I think it would help if instead of looking at daily/weekly weight fluctuations weigh like this:
A good technique is to weigh daily at the same time each day and record the result (but don't focus on it because it's essentially meaningless). At the end of the week, average the results. At the end of the month, compare the averages. This is where things become much more meaningful. There should be a downward trend (not necessarily a linear drop). If after 4 weeks or more you are consistently maintaining or gaining, consider reducing calories or examine how accurately you are counting them

Iam going to dr Friday so I will let you know! There is a downward trend monthly but it's so slow like 1/2 pound. I just started 30 day shred and Iam walking everyday again. We shall see!

fishshark

I am 5'2 130 pounds.. of fat. I was to lose the fat and gain the muscle I do not care what the scale says but my BF% is super high. Do you suggest I lose the weight first then build on muscle and how would you go about that since I am not really that far from my goal.

rakshithk

Mind blown your dedication is commendable.

vismal wrote: »

I've always wanted to do an AMA so I thought I'd set one up here. The basics about my story are that I went from 315lbs to 195 and have been making small gains in muscles/losses to fat ever since. Ask me anything, anything at all!


Add me as a friend on here too!

mowree

Like someone earlier said, I've learned a lot from reading this whole thread. I love it. I came across someone who said they were skinny fat and you advised them to do a lean bulk. I've been wondering if that is something I need to do. I would consider myself as skinny fat, since I don't weigh very much but I have what I call a fat belly for my proportions. I've struggled to get lean in the last 2-3 years. I don't have a high calorie diet, but my diet certainly needs work. I'm a sugar-addict. I'm slowly trying to change to better eating habits and trying to get my protein intake to where it needs to be (avg 90-100 grams daily) I've never done a bulk before. Right now, I'm lifting 3x per week. Cardio 3-6x per week. In reading your previous answers you said to aim for a slight surplus in calories while keeping your protein level .8 per pound. For females, you said to aim for gaining very slowly (one pound per month?). Do I have everything right? What's a good rule of thumb to gage how you're doing? Any further advise? One more question... Is it realistic to expect to lose fat in my stomach while doing a lean bulk?

vismal

commotionstrange wrote: »

Hi Vismal...I'd first like to say that this thread is amazing! You have clearly done an incredible job at reaching and maintaining your goals...you're truly an inspiration. On top of that, you're giving such fantastic advice just to help others, and that should really be commended!

I've recently returned to MFP after about a year or so of falling off the wagon. Prior to that I went from 195lbs to 148lbs (I'm 5'7) mostly with a mix of dance (primarily ballet), cycling (I bike to work), and a bit of Taekwondo (which I had to stop because it really messed with my body). Unfortunately I found that unsustainable and exhausting. Also, even close to the weight I wanted to be, I still felt like my muscles were weak and I didn't look how I wanted. I also was only eating around 1500cal a day, and felt hungry and energy-sapped all the time.

Moving forward, I would like to get into a grove where I can lose weight, get stronger, and maintain those habits in perpetuity. The more research I do, strength training sounds like where it's at! I'm currently back up to about 170/175 lbs. I would prefer to be somewhere around 135/140 but having strong lean muscles is what's the most important to me.

My questions though....

1) I'm a vegetarian, and getting 1gm protein/lb lean mass is VERY difficult for me. Is there a somewhat lower range that would still be acceptable for muscle retention/building? If I'm really careful I can get around 80/90 gm/day but I've never gotten any higher than that without more than one protein shake a day which I'm not convinced is healthy and is really expensive.

2) Is there an amount of cardio that will adversely affect this type of strength training or that should be compensated for etc.? I still love to dance, and want to keep going to ballet once a week. I've never considered it cardio really, it's more strength based, but is really a combination. Additionally, my primary method of commuting 7 months of the year is biking to work. Round trip is 14.5km (9 miles) 3-5 times a week (depending on weather), each round trip is about 50 min. How does this work in with the idea of strength training 2-3 times a week without burning out or doing too much cardio?

I could ask a million more questions, but I'm sure you've had enough

Thanks again for all of the work you've put into this for the rest of us, it's really appreciated!
-C

1 gram per lb of lean mass is the recommendation for a reason. Eating less then that won't kill you or give you terrible results, but it won't be optimal. Fortunately that recommendation is probably a bit higher then needed for a "I'd rather overshoot then undershoot" type of reason. There is nothing unhealthy about taking in 2 protein shakes a day, or 4 for that matter. Expensive? You bet! But not unhealthy. Not sure if dairy is an option for you but fat free Greek Yogurt and low/no fat cottage cheese have almost as much protein as a shake does.

You certainly can negatively impact strength training with too much cardio. If I was you, I wouldn't do anything in addition to the biking and dance you are already doing. It's not excessive but to do much more might start to impair your recovery for strength based workouts. There is no definitive amount of cardio that is right for everyone. Some people can tolerate much more then others without impairing recovery so you'll have to just gauge how you personally feel and adjust based on that.

vismal

fishshark wrote: »

I am 5'2 130 pounds.. of fat. I was to lose the fat and gain the muscle I do not care what the scale says but my BF% is super high. Do you suggest I lose the weight first then build on muscle and how would you go about that since I am not really that far from my goal.

You won't really be able to gain significant amounts of muscle while losing fat so you'll need to approach your goals 1 at a time. I generally tell people to focus on fat loss first. This does not mean that you shouldn't do strength training. You absolutely should. It will allow you to preserve what muscle you do have during that fat loss phase. Maybe try and lose 10 lbs then evaluate where you are at. I have trouble correlating weight and body composition for very petite women so you may need to lose more. Just lose 10 lbs then if you feel like another 5-10 will be necessary go for it. After you have cut the fat you can shift into slowly (SLOWLY) gaining weight in the form of lean mass. I'd say no more then 1 lb a month on average. Regardless of what phase you are in, you want to be lifting weights on a proven beginners program. The ICF 5x5 is my favorite but there are plenty of good ones.

mowree wrote: »

Like someone earlier said, I've learned a lot from reading this whole thread. I love it. I came across someone who said they were skinny fat and you advised them to do a lean bulk. I've been wondering if that is something I need to do. I would consider myself as skinny fat, since I don't weigh very much but I have what I call a fat belly for my proportions. I've struggled to get lean in the last 2-3 years. I don't have a high calorie diet, but my diet certainly needs work. I'm a sugar-addict. I'm slowly trying to change to better eating habits and trying to get my protein intake to where it needs to be (avg 90-100 grams daily) I've never done a bulk before. Right now, I'm lifting 3x per week. Cardio 3-6x per week. In reading your previous answers you said to aim for a slight surplus in calories while keeping your protein level .8 per pound. For females, you said to aim for gaining very slowly (one pound per month?). Do I have everything right? What's a good rule of thumb to gage how you're doing? Any further advise? One more question... Is it realistic to expect to lose fat in my stomach while doing a lean bulk?

You pretty much have the general idea of a lean bulk. I will warn you though, I feel like at least half the people I encounter that think they are "skinny fat" are actually are not. Skinny fat is a spot you get into where losing any more fat would actually make you look worse. This is a good example of skinny fat:
She cannot lose any more weight in the first picture. It will not help her cause. Despite weighing 80 lbs, she has no abdominal definition. Nearly all of her body fat has landed in her midsection. She needed to build muscle before she was ever going to have abs. This picture on the other hand is not, IMO, skinny fat:

This women could first lose a bit of weight before concentrating on the lean bulk. Simply starting weight training is going to do her worlds of good. If you want to share some pictures I can give you my best opinion on what you should focus on first. But for when it is time for you to do a lean bulk, you have it down correctly!

commotionstrange

Thanks so much for your reply, I appreciate it

crosbylee

I want to thank you for sharing your story and the lessons you have learned along the way. I am just getting my own story going and I plan to share yours with my son. At 17, he is much like you were in high school. The big guy the coaches put on the line for football. I am hoping he will see that he can make the changes he wants to make, but there are no shortcuts. Many thanks, once again.

fishshark

thank you for the help! that was really great advice its hard to not want to do it all at once.

etaylor704

Started my day reading emails...this was such a better replacement lol especially when I'm getting geared up for the gym. Great job man keep up the great work (the inspiration and motivation work that is) ...add me as a friend

megganjeninngs69

Uuggghhh!!! why do i want to eat more on my off days i feel like im starving i mean like belly button touchin my backbone, should i eat or stay with my deficit i havent lost any pounds i dont understand, my body has plenty of stores (im doin 5x5 nd 1600 cals )

vismal

I would try and eat more satiating foods. Things with higher volume and lower calories. Vegetables, salads, fat free Greek yogurt/cottage cheese, fiber one cereal, certain fruits (berries for the most part), and lean meats like chicken breast, tilapia, turkey breast, etc. I wouldn't eat more if you are currently not losing weight.

megganjeninngs69

Ok thanks

robmc884

Great transformation dude.im on the same journey myself. Hope to get into the same shape as yourself at sme stage