i need some help, very petite girl

vir2cool

Hey everyone,

since October I've been trying to get rid of my love handles and muffin top. I lost 8 pounds the first couple of months but then I hit a plateau. The thing is, I'm an extremely petite girl. I'm 25 years old, my height is 4' 10'', I weight 88 pounds, and I'm VERY small framed (my wrist measurement is 4,7'').

I lost a lot of fat from my thighs and some from my stomach, but the muffin and the handles are still there. It's a little frustrating. I cleaned up my diet (I used to eat a lot of junk), now I eat a lot of lean protein, veggies and fruit, and only high fibre carbs, I limit fats to a minimum, especially saturated.

I tried everything, low-carb, low-fat, different macronutrient ratios, but I still can't get rid of the muffin top and love handles. They are probably 6 or 7 pounds of fat (or at least that's what it looks like). Maybe it just takes A LOT of time? I've been the same weight for like 2 months without seeing a difference. I've trying changing my macros ratios, adding up cardio, etc, I can't get rid of the fat. I don't wanna have surgery AT ALL.

I lift weights 4-5 times a week, I do cardio everyday, 1 or 2 hours on weekdays, and 30-45 minutes on weekends. I don't mind doing a lot of exercise. I used to be very lazy before I decided to lose the muffin, and I'm really happy with my results, especially because I feel fit and strong now, but I wanna look hot at the beach I wanna have a flat tummy like the other girls.

I restrict treat to once every two weeks. I used to go out on weekends and hace a few drinks with my friends, now I don't do that anymore. I've never been much of a drinker, but I enjoyed having a couple of beers with the girls. I miss all that. Having ice cream with my boyfriend, going out to dinner.

My diet is really clean, the only thing that I could maybe cut back is the carbs. I don't eat a lot of them, and they are all veggies, fruits, and whole grains, but they are at an average of 95-100 grams a day. I eat a lot of protein. On heavy training days I have a whey protein shake. I eat around 1000 calories a day.

I would really like to hear your advice, guys, I really don't know what to do here. What do you think? I'm open to all kinds of suggestions

Thanks!!

rml_16

Even at your height and frame, 88 pounds is a VERY small amount of weight. I'm wondering if you're seeing something that isn't really there.

vir2cool

rml_16 Thanks for your reply! I uploaded my embarrasing picture in a bikini so you can see what I'm talking about lol

rml_16

Nothing embarrassing about that picture!

One thing you need to keep in mind is that it's not always about being overweight or having excess fat. I think maybe you ought to find a more flattering bathing suit. That doesn't mean a one-piece, just a bikini that's cut differently. Based on that photo, I'd say your problem is more about trying to make your body fit into something that it just isn't built for. Try something that sits a little higher on the hips.

You have a natural curve (not fat, just a curve). Bathing suits with that low cut (I have the same curve, so I know this!) do not flatter a small waist/larger hip type of body shape.

mzenzer

You can't isolate fat loss, but you can affect muscle tone in a certain area. You mentioned weights and cardio, I'd maybe focus on a lot of core work.

cramernh

Im actually curious about what you are eating but you have your diary locked up..

Could you open your food diary so we could take a look at the last 6 weeks worth of logging? I have a hunch...

amelielizabeth

Hi! Maybe try mixing up what you are eating on a day to day basis? Or try a 6-8-10 diet? Which is basically where you eat 600 calories one day, 800 calories the next, then 100 calories the last, and see how that goes for a while. It tricks your body a bit and you start to lose weight I hear!
Also maybe start doing yoga or Pilates for toning? Less weights and more floor work may help! Poppilates on youtube is really great!

NYCDutchess

You can't isolate fat loss, but you can affect muscle tone in a certain area. You mentioned weights and cardio, I'd maybe focus on a lot of core work.

This was my thought too. Tightening your core may work.
Cutting out white carbs too (I find white carbs keep me fluffy in the middle)

katrinaross85

You have an hour glass figure which loads would love!

I think what you are talking about is what Jillian Michaels calls 'Vanity Pounds'. These are pounds you don't 'need' to loose so your body will hang on to them as hard as possible!

Also everyone has a place on their body where they store fat the most - mine too is my 'muffin top' - so these will naturally be the last place to see results. I finally got rid of mine before my wedding but it was the very last place to go and I was being extremely strict! I've got to get rid of them again now though - crept back on after honeymoon!

Keep going though you are doing great, it will just take a lot longer to see results on this area.

Neliel

You have fantastic curves. But I totally get you with the flat tummy thing! I think you're doing all the right things. Maybe increase the protein a little and drop the carbs down a little bit further? Like replace some carbs with protein (It can't hurt to try). Your weight is very little so I think if you work long enough you can replace the remaining fat with muscle. Those last few pounds are always the most stubborn!

AlwaysWanderer

Eat 1000 cal and exercise 1-2 hrs? You've got your answer there. You are starving your body. Up it by 100 cal every week until you get to 1200. I know you are very pettite (I'm only 5'), but you have to eat more. Also try calorie cycling.
I do 1 hr cardio 4 times a week and 1hr weights 3 times a week. Heavy weights. I eat 1500 cal, for 3 days, then 2000 for one day and so on. And its coming of, inches more than weight mind you. Good luck :laugh:

snookumss

Seriously you hit the same plateau I did. Most of my fat is stored in exactly the same spots. There are two things I've learned since I gave up for the summer and gained three pounds back...

1. Give it time.
2. Make sure you are taking accurate measurements... in the right spots!
3. Make sure you are eating as close as possible to your calorie limit, make your weekly number as close as possible as well.
4. Try to use a HRM if you can, and always be realistic about exact calorie amounts. Measuring cups and spoons.
5. If you weigh daily, watch your sodium and drink your water even more
6. Get enough protein.

I was stuck in a "plateau" for 3 months. I was taking my measurements wrong so had no idea I was probably losing inches around my waist and all I knew is my scale wasn't moving. I looked at my total weekly calories and I was about 1k lower than my 3,500 calorie deficit already! I then upped my protein level and made sure that I ate within 50 calories (either direction) of my calorie goal. AS SOON AS I DID THIS... the pounds just started falling off. I dropped like 6 pounds in two days. I was stunned, so were my MFP friends

Stick it through and make sure you are accurately measuring everything. You can do it

vir2cool

Thanks all for your replies! You have been extremely helpful. I think I'll watch my carbs and add variety to my workouts, especially cardio, and probably do more core work. I don't eat refined carbs or sugar, but I eat around 100 grams of carbs a day, maybe if I take a couple of "low carb days" a week I'll see some improvement.
I haven't logged my food in this site, I was logging in a different one, I just started this one, but on a typical day I eat:
oatmeal with skim milk, a couple of fruits (my favorites are bananas and cantaloupes), a slice or two of high fiber no sugar added bread, nonfat yogurt, chicken, one or two eggs, lots of veggies, a couple of days a week I eat brown rice, maybe some tuna, and that's about it. I cut all junk food and fatty dressings. I also eat no sugar, only Splenda. I like baking, so once or twice a week I eat something like a small piece of homemade carrot cake or something like that, but I use no fat or sugar to bake it, and no white flour.
Thank again everyone!

littlelol

im 4ft 11 and also confused as to how many calories I should have and if i eat exercise calories as im petite?

Cait_Sidhe

Even at your height and frame, 88 pounds is a VERY small amount of weight. I'm wondering if you're seeing something that isn't really there.

I agree. I'm 4' 10 1/2" and I weigh a lot more than the OP, and I no longer have love handles/muffin top. Unfortunately it seems she's deleted her picture.

I've been lifting heavy for a number of months now and I'm just starting to see the results. I'm not sure how long you've been lifting, what your routine is, or how much you are lifting. But to get the results you want, I'd suggest compound lifts with free weights, lifting heavy as you can while still maintaining form. I don't think I'd look very good at 88 lb.

JesterMFP

This is a very old thread. littlelol - you'd be better off starting a new thread and asking your question because people are going to be confused and respond to the original poster's question instead of yours.