For men- When is it time to stop losing and start gaining?

bassmanlarry

So I've lost 46 lbs since April. I'm past my original goal of 175 lbs at 5' 8" and actually had adjusted my goal down to 168 lbs a couple of months ago. If I use the military body fat calculator at fat2fit, it estimates me at 12% bf and my goal is 8 to 10%, so I'm close. I had read where someone had suggested as you got close to your goal to increase your calories so you're only losing around 1/2 lb a week. I did that a couple of weeks ago, and since I started eating more, it seems like I'm losing faster. Yesterday my morning weigh-in showed I had lost 2.2 lbs from the week before. Overall, I'm happy with where I'm at, I still have one problem area in my lower ab area, not sure if it's just stubborn fat or loose skin from dropping 46 lbs. I'm not looking to get a huge bodybuilder physique, just nice definition and maybe some ab visibility. My workouts consist of resistance training M W F at home, mainly chin ups, bench and shoulder presses using dumbbells, weighted squats and lunges, usually followed by yoga. The only cardio I do is walking and some tabata intervals with the jump rope. So I guess my dilemma is, do I stop where I'm at and start eating more to maintain and maybe build muscle, or do push it a little further and try and lose that last little bit of fat on my belly?

bassmanlarry

Anyone?

BigGuy47

I'm about 5lbs from my goal weight (190). I've switched my focus from weight loss to fitness. My routine is similar to yours; pull ups, chin ups, dumbbell exercises, walking and body weight exercises. I was also surprised losing a couple pounds in a week recently, I don't want to lose that much now. I simply ate a little more and it leveled off.

Like you, I have that "last bit of fat". I don't worry about it. I just keep plugging away at the strength training. My strength gains are slow, I'm guessing losing that last bit of fat will be slow as well. I'm fine with it. I've spent a little over a year to knock off 110 lbs. I can spend another year (and the rest of my life) working on improving my fitness.

Just keep at it and don't sweat the small stuff.