Losing muscle?

mayhsgirl93

Heyy I've been dieting and losing weight, but I can't say that I've been exercising as much as I'd like (Swimming, sports, other day camp activities). Is it possible that the weight I've been losing is muscle and the fat is still there because I read that if you just lose weight with only diet you lose the wrong kind of weight and your body fat % will go up even if your BMI is low. Also, my "belly" is still there, I'm still not seeing results.

Any help would be appreciated!!

margaretthedevil

Have you measured yourself? The more inches you lose the more fat you lose.

margaretthedevil

I believe the best way to lose fat is to lose weight SLOWLY (not one pound per week esp. if you already have a healthy BMI). This can be achieved through a low calorie deficit + exercise (strength and cardio; eating all of those exercise calories back). If you're only dieting, yes you will be losing muscle (you could also be losing water weight; the first few pounds tend to be water). You're also probably losing fat, but most likely a combination of muscle and fat. The more you starve your body the more muscle you will lose. Do not try to starve yourself into losing fat.

It's not too late if you've been losing muscle. Strength training will help keep your muscle. Lift weights (regular weights + body weight) and other strength training exercises. If you want a flat stomach, you're going to NEED to exercise a lot (unless of course you were blessed with superior genetics :laugh:!

firedragon064

Belly is the last place you will lose weight. When you are on diet, of course you will lose muscle and fat at the same time. But if you do weigh lifting and eat enough protein for your body, you don't lose much muscle mass

margaretthedevil

Belly is the last place you will lose weight. When you are on diet, of course you will lose muscle and fat at the same time. But if you do weigh lifting and eat enough protein for your body, you don't lose much muscle mass

I don't believe that to be true (first statement). Everyone loses in different areas as no one's body is the same. I know I lost in my stomach area, thighs, and hips almost instantaneously, but have lost almost nothing in my arms. :sick:

firedragon064

Belly is the last place you will lose weight. When you are on diet, of course you will lose muscle and fat at the same time. But if you do weigh lifting and eat enough protein for your body, you don't lose much muscle mass

I don't believe that to be true (first statement). Everyone loses in different areas as no one's body is the same. I know I lost in my stomach area, thighs, and hips almost instantaneously, but have lost almost nothing in my arms. :sick:

I meant in OP case, belly is the last place and in my case also.

mrsyac2

There is a such thing as skinny fat- low weight high fat percentage-

Azdak

Weight loss through diet, even when exercise is included, usually results in a loss of fat free mass (FFM) as well as fat. The FFM does not necessarily consist of all muscle, but that can be included. The extent and % of FFM lost depends on the severity of the diet and the amount of exercise.

The studies I have read suggest that some loss of FFM is pretty much a given. In most cases, the overall benefits of weight loss outweigh any less-than desireable side effects. In the long term, strength training and exercise can help improve FFM .

RecliningFigure

That's what I have: skinny fat. Low weight, high fat percentage, and it's mostly in my belly. That's why one of my hubby's nick name for me is "jelly belly" (he means it affectionately, and I don't mind).

mayhsgirl93

Thanks for your help guys. My BMI is 25.9, so I am technically overweight. I Haven't been "starving myself," I'm only a few dozen calories under my intake each day, sometimes I even go over. And I'm pretty active in camp, I watch the 6 year olds so I'm constantly giving them rides and taking them to the bathroom and whatnot. I also go swimming at least once a day, so I'm hoping that will keep me from losing muscle.