Fat or Loose skin? And what to do?

winona78

Hello everyone!

Been a hidden member here for a long time and need some good advice about how I can improve my stomach flab. Long story short... I am 5'11" and four years ago or so, I weighed 248 as my absolute max.. Of course that causes issue and I do have some stretch marks on my sides/stomach due to that. Anyways, I decided I was done being overweight and I am been busting my tail getting to a good healthy weight, as well as looking my best and now I am down to right near 175. Ideally, I'd love to get some sort of ab definition, but the biggest thing I want is to get rid of this flab. It is by far my self-conscious downfall. Here are my pics...

http://imgur.com/EJdYyWZ
http://imgur.com/eixM4L8
http://imgur.com/nwXnXkJ
http://imgur.com/ff5lRHx
http://imgur.com/h64CsV9

I love to work out so that is not a problem. Trying to do cardio 2-3 days a week with hard lifting 2-3 days a week. As for eating, I use the app all the time and hit about 1800-2000 calories a day (app says 2400 cals/day to lose 1lb/week). I do not eat a low carb diet as I am a really picky eater so it makes things difficult with that diet. My ratios are right near the recommended 45% carb, 35% protein, and 20% fats.

Any tips to get this fat to go away? I know it is a slow process, but it is a bit discouraging after busting my tail for a month and see almost no change. Any tips are highly appreciated!

winona78

Bump!

Walter__

You just have to keep getting leaner that's all. You're almost there so just keep going.

radcas11

I know how you feel! I've recently lost 145lbs over the last year so I'm left with a lot of flab and excess skin. Unfortunately, when you have so much of it there's really nothing any exercise can do. I have a lot of arm flab so I've been doing tricep exercises like crazy. I can't tell a difference.

winona78

So do you think I'm at the part where diet is the most important? I am working out more than ever training for my second tough mudder, so that is definitely helping a bit. Also, is a simple caloric deficit (eating wise without exercise) over a month or two going to help or is a low carb diet a must?

@radcas, congrats on the weight loss. It takes a ton of dedication to achieve why you did. I have heard time is the biggest factor with tightening skin as well as drinking lots of water.