Not happy with Weight Goal
chrissyhy
Posts: 32
Hi! I'm new here and hopefully this is in the right place 
. First off, I want to say that I'm not trying to "fish for compliments" or receive sympathy from you. I just need to vent a little, and hopefully get some advice:) I'm currently 5'5 and 120 pounds. I used to be more in the thirties and forties, but I currently lost weight and am now at my "goal or ideal body weight". But I still look fat:(. Don't get me wrong, I do look somewhat better, and I am proud of myself. But my belly is still here, my thighs are two times what there supposed to be. It's pretty much from my armpits and down, since my arms really are flabby lol. And please don't say that this is just in my head, especially from being over weight. It ISN'T, I promise! I know I am too chubby. I understand that while you need to be lean, you also need some curves;) As far as my eating and exercise, I say their decent...I exercise at least five times a week, and I try to eat as healthy as possible, not starving myself but portioning it to the sufficient amount. So what's the deal? How can I get rid of fat without going into anorexia! Also is there anyone out there feeling my pain, or what have you done to overcome this? Please help me! I have almost no confidence. Thanks!! 
. First off, I want to say that I'm not trying to "fish for compliments" or receive sympathy from you. I just need to vent a little, and hopefully get some advice:) I'm currently 5'5 and 120 pounds. I used to be more in the thirties and forties, but I currently lost weight and am now at my "goal or ideal body weight". But I still look fat:(. Don't get me wrong, I do look somewhat better, and I am proud of myself. But my belly is still here, my thighs are two times what there supposed to be. It's pretty much from my armpits and down, since my arms really are flabby lol. And please don't say that this is just in my head, especially from being over weight. It ISN'T, I promise! I know I am too chubby. I understand that while you need to be lean, you also need some curves;) As far as my eating and exercise, I say their decent...I exercise at least five times a week, and I try to eat as healthy as possible, not starving myself but portioning it to the sufficient amount. So what's the deal? How can I get rid of fat without going into anorexia! Also is there anyone out there feeling my pain, or what have you done to overcome this? Please help me! I have almost no confidence. Thanks!! 0
Replies
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Lift heavy weights....0
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^^ Yea, you got to lift the weights, dear.0
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Will I bulk up though? I don't mind having muscles, but I really don't want them to be seen If that makes since. Also, what about my tummy and thighs? Thanks for answering!0
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It sounds like you are a lot like my mom, she is around your weight and even a little taller but she feels overweight and flabby. The main thing you need is to work on being more fit and toned and your overall appearance will improve.
You probably won't lose any weight and you may gain a pound or two but lifting weights and toning up will make you appear thinner and you may even lose a size or or more!
Just for example, I weigh around twenty lbs. more right now than I did in high school but because I work out regularly and lift heavy I fit in two sizes smaller jeans than I wore back then! Make your goal to get more fit and you will see results!0 -
I agree. Lift weights. I've only been lifting for about a month, but the changes I've already seen are encouraging. I can't wait to see what the future will bring.
Also, if you really want to know if your arms are really 2x bigger than they should be or if your diet needs altering, you need to share pics and diary. J/S0 -
Women generally don't have the hormones to bulk up in the way you mean. Women who have really defined, apparent muscle tone work EXTREMELY hard for that physique and unless you plan on going hardcore with your fitness and diet and supplement the way they do, you won't ever see that type of muscle tone on your body.0
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strength training is pretty much the way... and actually you could be a higher weight and look better than at a lower weight if you strength train consistently and with proper form.0
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^^^Alyanya: Thanks for the advice! I'm glad I'm not the only one....
^^1258936: Thanks and I agree! But like I said the problems aren't really my arms (although I'm definitely willing to try weight lifting), it's just my thighs and stomach that are flabby. My thighs are the "part" that is two times bigger than it needs to be.....Thanks everyone, so basically any thigh exerciseS and Stomach work out plans?0 -
Will I bulk up though? I don't mind having muscles, but I really don't want them to be seen If that makes since. Also, what about my tummy and thighs? Thanks for answering!
As women, we don't have a lot of testosterone - we can't get super bulky even if we want to. And we are healthy at a higher body fat percentage than men, so your thighs are probably not twice the size they should be even if you do have some padding. Lifting weights means you will slow the muscle loss and bone loss that occurs as we age - you'll lose less bone density, and make it less likely you'll break a hip or be inactive in your sixties and seventies. Heavy is defined by what is heavy for you - as in, what lift can you do 8 repetitions/set max of(moderate-heavy) vs what can you do 20 repetitions max of(light). It varies a lot by gender, age, or health restrictions, but it is still "lifting heavy".0 -
You won't "bulk up" unless you eat at a very significant caloric surplus, eat tons of protein, lift like crazy and take anabolic steroids. Gaining muscle is a laborious process - it's not easy and it doesn't happen "accidentally" just because you lift weights. Strength training (along with adequate protein intake) will help you lose the fat and keep the muscle, which is what people refer to as being "toned".
Read through this thread and look at the photos of the women who've lifted heavy - you'll see good results, but none of them turned into hulking monsters:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/812464-show-me-ur-heavy-lifting-results-please
[ETA:] Thigh and stomach exercises won't help you accomplish your goal - you can't selectively "spot reduce" from certain areas of your body. The fat comes off according to your genetics, and it's not always in the order we'd like it to be. Lift right, eat right , be patient and consistent, and you'll see the results you're looking for.0 -
Thanks everyone for answering....I guess what I'm trying to say is I want to know if there are any exercises to tone my thighs and stomach without losing to much weight? *And will lifting weights tone the rest of my body really??*
Anvil Head: Thanks for the article!!! You see Yanicka1's before/after pic? The before is sorta what I look like right now. I'm healthy just slightly flabby and not so petite like I'd like to be.
EDIT: Okay here is what I'm trying to get to. She is 5'5 and 120 and really toned and petite with slight curves. http://www.mybodygallery.com/photos-24141-body-shape.htm#img (from mybodygallery.com)0 -
trust me, you won't get bulky.
have you heard about staci?? http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/
on the left she is 131lbs, on the right she is actually heavier at 142lbs.
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Lift heavy weights....
Umm, why is that the only advice I see on this website? You know there are many other things people can do besides lift weights right...?
@OP: I suggest you try and just get more active in terms of workouts. Pick something you enjoy. If you enjoy lifting weight, go for it. It is awesome! But its not your only option. Do some boxing or dance classes or just go outside and run. The main thing is that you are trying to gain some muscle or keep it where it is at currently while reducing the fat percentage0 -
You're probably not happy because you're still "skinny fat"...lift to change your body composition and develop lean muscle.0
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Lift heavy weights....
Umm, why is that the only advice I see on this website? You know there are many other things people can do besides lift weights right...?
@OP: I suggest you try and just get more active in terms of workouts. Pick something you enjoy. If you enjoy lifting weight, go for it. It is awesome! But its not your only option. Do some boxing or dance classes or just go outside and run. The main thing is that you are trying to gain some muscle or keep it where it is at currently while reducing the fat percentage
You're right in the sense that it doesn't necessarily have to be "heavy"...but resistance training is really the only way to alter body composition...it's the only way to build/develop muscle which replaces the fat and makes you look good naked.0 -
You see Yanicka1's before/after pic? The before is sorta what I look like right now.
and she got to the after by lifting heavy weights....0 -
If you have a Pinterest account they have some really good exercise charts that you can use to work all those problems areas. It will work the muscles and help tone them. More muscle equals more calories burned.0
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http://www.mybodygallery.com/photos-23163-body-shape.htm#img
another example of body I'm trying to aim for....
Marina_Love: Thanks! I'm not afraid of lifting weights our anything but my arms really aren't the problem! It's my thighs and stomach/chest-bust area!
cwolfman13: I have heard of skinny fat as well.0 -
I can completely understand from where you are coming from. I lost close to 30 lbs & feel I do not look as good as I could. I now have a trainer where we are focusing on strength training & weights. I was so naive to think cardio & calorie counting was all I needed. I am not officially at goal (12lbs to go) but, I care more about how I look rather than the number on the scale now. My focus now is body composition .It is a classic "wish I knew then what I know now."0
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Lift heavy weights....
Umm, why is that the only advice I see on this website? You know there are many other things people can do besides lift weights right...?
@OP: I suggest you try and just get more active in terms of workouts. Pick something you enjoy. If you enjoy lifting weight, go for it. It is awesome! But its not your only option. Do some boxing or dance classes or just go outside and run. The main thing is that you are trying to gain some muscle or keep it where it is at currently while reducing the fat percentage
You're right in the sense that it doesn't necessarily have to be "heavy"...but resistance training is really the only way to alter body composition...it's the only way to build/develop muscle which replaces the fat and makes you look good naked.
So what your guys are saying is that if I lift weights with my arms, my thighs are going to tone up along with my tummy? Or do I just need to stick with Marina_Love's advice and continue with running, my dance classes and other aerobic exercises?0 -
I think you should also try eating more green vegetable & try dancing as a form of cardio it helped me out...0
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To tone your stomach is primarily a function of reducing body fat, and not total weight.Lift heavy weights....
Umm, why is that the only advice I see on this website? You know there are many other things people can do besides lift weights right...?
@OP: I suggest you try and just get more active in terms of workouts. Pick something you enjoy. If you enjoy lifting weight, go for it. It is awesome! But its not your only option. Do some boxing or dance classes or just go outside and run. The main thing is that you are trying to gain some muscle or keep it where it is at currently while reducing the fat percentage
You're right in the sense that it doesn't necessarily have to be "heavy"...but resistance training is really the only way to alter body composition...it's the only way to build/develop muscle which replaces the fat and makes you look good naked.
So what your guys are saying is that if I lift weights with my arms, my thighs are going to tone up along with my tummy? Or do I just need to stick with Marina_Love's advice and continue with running, my dance classes and other aerobic exercises?0 -
I can completely understand from where you are coming from. I lost close to 30 lbs & feel I do not look as good as I could. I now have a trainer where we are focusing on strength training & weights. I was so naive to think cardio & calorie counting was all I needed. I not officially at goal (12lbs to go) but, I care more about how I look rather than the number on the scale now. It is a classic "wish I knew then what I know now."
Thank you so much! I feel the exact same way! All I've heard is cardio cardio cardio, so now I'm confused as to if weight lifting will tone my WHOLE ENTIRE bodY. Also, what exactly is resistance training? Does it include weight lifting? What are some examples? Thanks everyone, so for so many questions but I really need to figure this out!0 -
Lift heavy weights....
Umm, why is that the only advice I see on this website? You know there are many other things people can do besides lift weights right...?
@OP: I suggest you try and just get more active in terms of workouts. Pick something you enjoy. If you enjoy lifting weight, go for it. It is awesome! But its not your only option. Do some boxing or dance classes or just go outside and run. The main thing is that you are trying to gain some muscle or keep it where it is at currently while reducing the fat percentage
You're right in the sense that it doesn't necessarily have to be "heavy"...but resistance training is really the only way to alter body composition...it's the only way to build/develop muscle which replaces the fat and makes you look good naked.
You "build" muscle on a calorie surplus. You reduce fat when you're eating a reasonable amount under deficit. You can still have your abs showing without much resistance outside of calisthenics. Case and point, MMA, boxers, hikers etc.
You donot NEED weight lifting to "replace" the fat. Start running (if thats your thing), eat properly and you will get rid of that fat. Resistance training is awesome, I love doing it but it is NOT the only way to do it0 -
lifting weights will help all areas. Squats, lunges, dead lifts are great for the core/legs/butt. Look at New Rules of Lifting for Women. I've been doing lifting properly since July and I can see a definite difference in ALL areas of my body - back, arms, torso, butt, legs since lifting. And since strengthening my core, I can run for longer. Lift.0
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To "tone" (I hate that word) those areas you need to work those areas. Squats, lunges, and core focused workouts are needed. You can't work one area and expect improvement in another.0
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It will work whatever parts of the body you choose to work. Resistance training is things like weight lifting, bodyweight exercise, yoga and to a lesser degree, swimming.I can completely understand from where you are coming from. I lost close to 30 lbs & feel I do not look as good as I could. I now have a trainer where we are focusing on strength training & weights. I was so naive to think cardio & calorie counting was all I needed. I not officially at goal (12lbs to go) but, I care more about how I look rather than the number on the scale now. It is a classic "wish I knew then what I know now."
Thank you so much! I feel the exact same way! All I've heard is cardio cardio cardio, so now I'm confused as to if weight lifting will tone my WHOLE ENTIRE bodY. Also, what exactly is resistance training? Does it include weight lifting? What are some examples? Thanks everyone, so for so many questions but I really need to figure this out!0 -
Definitely weights0
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And you really believe that boxers and MMA fighters don't weight train?...You can still have your abs showing without much resistance outside of calisthenics. Case and point, MMA, boxers...0 -
http://www.mybodygallery.com/photos-23163-body-shape.htm#img
another example of body I'm trying to aim for....
Marina_Love: Thanks! I'm not afraid of lifting weights our anything but my arms really aren't the problem! It's my thighs and stomach/chest-bust area!
cwolfman13: I have heard of skinny fat as well.
You cannot spot reduce fat or anything. What you can do is help build particular muscles. Which is why when you weight lift, you try to hit as many muscle groups as possible (have you seen guys with huge upper body and chicken legs? They forgot leg days).
If you like weight training, I would suggest getting a trainer for a few sessions and see if they can teach you some good forms and deadlifts, squats etc and go from there. Weight lifting is awesome and you will love it. But it is not the only way to get there 0
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