lowering Body Fat %

SToast

Okay so I'm within 5lb of my goal weight and I'd like to shift my focus from loosing weight to lowering my body fat %. What do I need to do. I kind of need a mentor here because this is all new to me. Heck before I started MFP I didn't know I was supposed to be eating back my workout calories.... The world of fitness is totally foreign to me so I need some help learning the basics. I'm 5'6" 130lb. I don't care how much I weigh in the end but I'd like to fit into a size 5/6 pant again. I've gone from and 11/12 to a 9/10 already but I'd still like to get down a few sizes. Help please, and if you think you won't get annoyed with my constant questions add me as a friend and help me figure this out.

FullOfWin

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/686963-large-collection-of-info-for-beginners

MGigs21

great thread! i'm there with you! i lost all the weight and just realized that the body fat also needs to be taken care of.

vanguardfitness

Do you know where you're at now for body fat %? I am in the same position as you. My goal is to reduce body fat while retaining my strength. I have been really anal about what I eat and my activity levels. I would highly recommend getting a food scale. I would probably also focus more on weekly calorie deficits as opposed to daily.

Here are some terms you should be searching for... you might need a new kind of diet to get to where you want to be.
Cyclic Ketogenic diet, ketogenic diet, timed ketogenic diet, intermittent fasting, calorie cycling, water fasting.

Also read up on insulin and fat oxidation.

deksgrl

Okay so I'm within 5lb of my goal weight and I'd like to shift my focus from loosing weight to lowering my body fat %. What do I need to do. I kind of need a mentor here because this is all new to me. Heck before I started MFP I didn't know I was supposed to be eating back my workout calories.... The world of fitness is totally foreign to me so I need some help learning the basics. I'm 5'6" 130lb. I don't care how much I weigh in the end but I'd like to fit into a size 5/6 pant again. I've gone from and 11/12 to a 9/10 already but I'd still like to get down a few sizes. Help please, and if you think you won't get annoyed with my constant questions add me as a friend and help me figure this out.

Eat at a small calorie deficit. Set your goal to lose half a pound a week if you haven't already. Do strength training. Free weights if you have access to a gym, but body weight resistance will help if not.

SToast

I'm at 23% right now according to online calculators. I'd like to be between 18-20% I think.

I'm heading out to buy more hand weights to do strength training at home. I don't have a gym membership since we only have one gym and the passes cost a few gold bars.

I've upped my calories and am trying to get more protein and less fat in my diet.

Thanks for the tips and links