last few pounds and body fat % help

ugmf12

Posted this in the Fitness and Exercise MB without seeing this MB. I'm an idiot. I apologize.

Hey everyone. I hit my weight loss goal recently by basically watching my intake of food and walking A LOT. (SN: I haven't logged in two weeks but I have stayed on track). I decreased my sugar intake by quite a lot from when I started MFP and that seemed to help tremendously on my inches lost. My only problem is toning. I know that I have to strength train in order to accomplish this BUT I'm really nervous about losing anymore weight. I have the mom tummy, jiggle and all, and it WILL NOT budge or maybe I need to do MORE. I try to do planks at night and a few ab exercises but honestly, I don't see much change...

Stats: 5'0, 117-118, BF 23%, 33.5, 26, 34. I wanted to get down to 21%... not sure about it though.

I have the shape I want. I do NOT want to lose my figure or my curves and I'm terrified of doing too much that will do either.

Can someone help. I don't want ripped abs just a nice toned tummy. Thanks so much!

bigpinch

Here is a great post by another MFP member, that I believe will help you out. It's alittle long but very infirmative. Good luck
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

IveLanded

Your statement that you're "trying to do planks and a few ab exercises" indicates to me that you probably aren't really working enough or hard enough.

Building some muscle is essential to burning fat. Especially when it come to those last few pounds.

I'm not sure what you mean about being scared to lose more weight.....but I think if you committed to 3 or 4 days a week of a good strength routine that included some good ab work, you might start seeing the results you want. The Ab Ripper video is a pretty solid one to use at home..

ugmf12

Your statement that you're "trying to do planks and a few ab exercises" indicates to me that you probably aren't really working enough or hard enough.

Building some muscle is essential to burning fat. Especially when it come to those last few pounds.

I'm not sure what you mean about being scared to lose more weight.....but I think if you committed to 3 or 4 days a week of a good strength routine that included some good ab work, you might start seeing the results you want. The Ab Ripper video is a pretty solid one to use at home..

Let me expand on this... I don't do planks or ab exercises every day. I'll be the first to admit, doing core is not my strong point. I know there's PLENTY of room for improvement in this area which happens to be my weakest area.

When I say I'm scared to lose more weight, I essentially mean 5 more lbs. I'm 117-118 now, I do not want to be 113 or a stick. I have a small curvy frame and I don't mean curvy by being fat. I walk daily whether its a few blocks or a few miles and its not typically at a 2.0 speed either. I do not live a sedatary lifestyle but I have struggled with my stomach after having my son, which most women do. I have the AB Ripper video and while I think its a great video, it hurts my back. I tried Jillian's 30DS, which I liked A LOT. Maybe I need to do that again?

I guess I need to get it in my head that I have to do strength training in order to tone. I have 2-3% to lose and from what I just read in the previous posts' link, only puts me at 115 lbs, which isn't terribly low.

astrampe

If you eat enough (not 1200 calories!) and do strengh training - be it with heavy dumbells or using your body (planks, push ups etc) your core strengh will get better, and you will not get skinny - just "toned" if you don't like the word building muscle...
Jillian is good - work up to level three of the 30d shred, and then get "no more trouble zones after that....

ugmf12

Thank you

I'll give this a go for the next month and see if it helps. I don't expect immediate results but maybe less squishy would be great ha!

qtiekiki

Do HIIT and weight training. Make sure you eat enough calories and proteins.

ugmf12

I love doing intervals and do them with my son when we walk (he likes to race).

I try to eat at least 1200 if I'm doing any exercises. Is this ok? If I'm not working out, I try to stick to 1200 max or a little under. Doesn't always happen but I'm human. As for protein, I've upped my intake since I was told it helps with building muscle and muscle recovery...

qtiekiki

It's up to you if you are ok with 1200 calories. Most people would say you need to eat at least 1200 calories without exercises, and there are some who say that shorter girl need less. Personally, I think it's something that you need to play around with. Initially, I did 1200 net, so I eat the exercise calories back. Then I upped it to maintenance on MFP, which 1460 net. And my weight was getting a little low; it could've been just normal fluctuation but the number was too low for me. So I upped it to 1600 net, and maintaining. I am 5'3" and 110lbs, btw.

ugmf12

Its seems so strange to me to eat more than 1200 calories without working out. If I cook at home, its hard for me as is to get 1200 calories and I'm by no means starving myself. Now if I eat out... thats a different story altogether. I'll play with it to see.

Btw, you have a rocking body! You're super fit! I wouldn't mind having just half the abs you have hehe. I'm a southern gal; I want a little meat on my bones.