How many calories should I really be eating and belly fat

NYgirl1990

Hello everyone. I am pretty new here. I am 22 years old, weigh 93 pounds and I am 4'11 tall. I am in shape everywhere but my stomach is still out of shape. I've tried cardio, strength training, ab workouts, diet, and nothing has made my belly flat. It is like a hard belly but it also jiggles and you can grab a handful of the fat with your hands. I also have love handels (a muffin top). I just keep losing weight everywhere else but my stomach stays the same. People have been already questioning if I'm pregnant
I really do not like how my body looks. I think I am looking too skinny but with a belly and it makes my body look so out of proportion and makes me feel horrible. I still workout and try to eat pretty healthy (been doing this since 2008) and still have not seen huge changes. I am wondering, how many calories should I be eating? I don't want to get anymore skinner, I just want my belly to go down. I already lost my butt which I am upset about. I did like having a big butt but now it's small because I've lost so much weight around there and my legs. Here is a list of my daily foods and my workout. I am on a budget and can't afford a lot of things.

10AM: Breakfast: 1 organic apple, 1 organic orange, 3 cups of water, and a cup of Yogi green tea
11:30AM: 15 minutes of stength training, then I jog for 30 minutes straight, drink 3 cups of water
1PM:Snack: Smoothie: 2 bananas, frozen strawberries, frozen mangoes, and almond milk
3PM:Lunch: Quaker Instant Oatmeal (1 packet of the apples and cinnamon) mixed in with some Old Fashioned Quaker Oatmeal and almond milk
6PM:Dinner: Rice with chicken, fish, or steak with cooked veggies, 3 cups of water

Vitamins I take: Fish Oil (morning), Vitamin D (afternoon), Probiotics (before bed)

I can only spend 50 dollars per week on food for me. And I get free dinner from my parents. Here is my shopping list:

Bananas (3 packs of 6) - 6.00
1 bag of Frozen Strawberries- 4.99
1 bag of Frozen Mangoes- 4.99
1 box of Tea- 3.99
7 Apples - 8.00
7 Oranges- 7.00
1 box of Quaker Instant Oatmeal- 4.69
1 container of Old Fashioned Quaker Oatmeal- 2.67
2 cartons of Almond Milk- 4.19x2

7jj7

According to the calorie calculator you should get about 1782 calories to maintain your current weight. You do weigh very little so you could probably consume more calories and you would be fine. With your stomache, focus on core and ab exercises. A "V hold" is a very good ab exercise.

NYgirl1990

Around January 11 2013 I was 93 pounds. I just recently weighed myself after about a month and now I'm 100 pounds. I started doing more ab work outs and focusing more on my core. I see that doing that has been helping me more than jogging. My posture is a lot better so it's been helping me look more lean. I'm doing strength training now for about 40 minutes, and then jogging for 30 minutes. I need to measure myself soon and see if my waist is shrinking. Not really concerned about my weight, just my waist.

skylardevenney

Jillian michaels has an ab workout that's killer!!! It's called killer abs haha! Maybe you should try it?! Check on you tube to watch for free if you can't afford the DVD!!

Camille0502

I'm wondering if you are undernourished. I have a hard time believing that you have very much fat on your body if you are 93 pounds. In my mind I'm thinking of starving children in Africa and their distended bellies. And I'm not saying this to be funny.

On the other hand, maybe it is just hereditary and something you may never get rid of.

I, actually, would recommend eating an adequate number of calories and modifying your body image. I'm sure you are beautiful.

FitForLife81

Because you are so small already and not trying to lose weight I would just do strength training. That will help tighten up everything. I am 5'3" and do some cardio just because I enjoy it (running) but mostly do weights.

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

Are you currently lifting weights? How much protein are you getting?

You're in the low end of the healthy weight range for your height, so you shouldn't be eating at very much of a deficit, if at all.

lin7604

i think you are not eating nearly enough and that is putting you on a halt! i would cut out the running and just focus on the strength training....

acm2789

I'm wondering if you are undernourished. I have a hard time believing that you have very much fat on your body if you are 93 pounds. In my mind I'm thinking of starving children in Africa and their distended bellies. And I'm not saying this to be funny.

On the other hand, maybe it is just hereditary and something you may never get rid of.

I, actually, would recommend eating an adequate number of calories and modifying your body image. I'm sure you are beautiful.

I was thinking along the same lines. You seem to eat a lot of fruit (high in sugar) but barely any carbs & protein.

RobynLB

I just looked at your pictures, and your body does not look anything like you describe. You don't look too skinny in the legs, nor does you belly look out of proportion. You look really good. I think you just aren't seeing what you really look like, which is a body image issue, not a body issue.

dqgirl1

where is your protein?? maybe start buying some powders and adding them to your oatmeal and smoothies and shakes...you definately need more protein:) I say bump your inatke up and start focusing on a harder workout plan for your tummY!!

edited to add......you need to add more protein and carbs, veggies for sure!!

GoddessG

You should consider changing to a keto diet, or at least low-carb. The keto diet targets fat. Combine that with strength training as opposed to cardio or mostly cardio and your body will start transforming itself.

I suggest that you read the most excellent book "Protein Power" and customize your diet within limits based on your activity and fitness level. Your diet is the cause of your belly fat. I would balloon out if I were to take in the types of food that you do.

lin7604

I just looked at your pictures, and your body does not look anything like you describe. You don't look too skinny in the legs, nor does you belly look out of proportion. You look really good. I think you just aren't seeing what you really look like, which is a body image issue, not a body issue.

i didn't see any pics posted? where did you see these?

Momzilla2five

Your diet consists of WAY to much fruit and barely any Protein. Your eating way to much fruit, and the wrong kinds for weight loss. You can do all the ab work you want, if your not eating a proper balance of all macros, you won't see your abs. Not only are you eating to much fruit and to little protein, you hardly eat any healthy fat, which is IMPERATIVE!!! The weight you lost was probably muscle and a Little fat. There is a big difference between weight loss and fat loss. One is starving yourself, the other is nourishing your body....ALL THE TIME.

berthabunny

Hello everyone. I am pretty new here. I am 22 years old, weigh 93 pounds and I am 4'11 tall. I am in shape everywhere but my stomach is still out of shape. I've tried cardio, strength training, ab workouts, diet, and nothing has made my belly flat. It is like a hard belly but it also jiggles and you can grab a handful of the fat with your hands. I also have love handels (a muffin top). I just keep losing weight everywhere else but my stomach stays the same. People have been already questioning if I'm pregnant
I really do not like how my body looks. I think I am looking too skinny but with a belly and it makes my body look so out of proportion and makes me feel horrible. I still workout and try to eat pretty healthy (been doing this since 2008) and still have not seen huge changes. I am wondering, how many calories should I be eating? I don't want to get anymore skinner, I just want my belly to go down. I already lost my butt which I am upset about. I did like having a big butt but now it's small because I've lost so much weight around there and my legs. Here is a list of my daily foods and my workout. I am on a budget and can't afford a lot of things.

10AM: Breakfast: 1 organic apple, 1 organic orange, 3 cups of water, and a cup of Yogi green tea
11:30AM: 15 minutes of stength training, then I jog for 30 minutes straight, drink 3 cups of water
1PM:Snack: Smoothie: 2 bananas, frozen strawberries, frozen mangoes, and almond milk
3PM:Lunch: Quaker Instant Oatmeal (1 packet of the apples and cinnamon) mixed in with some Old Fashioned Quaker Oatmeal and almond milk
6PM:Dinner: Rice with chicken, fish, or steak with cooked veggies, 3 cups of water

Vitamins I take: Fish Oil (morning), Vitamin D (afternoon), Probiotics (before bed)

I can only spend 50 dollars per week on food for me. And I get free dinner from my parents. Here is my shopping list:

Bananas (3 packs of 6) - 6.00
1 bag of Frozen Strawberries- 4.99
1 bag of Frozen Mangoes- 4.99
1 box of Tea- 3.99
7 Apples - 8.00
7 Oranges- 7.00
1 box of Quaker Instant Oatmeal- 4.69
1 container of Old Fashioned Quaker Oatmeal- 2.67
2 cartons of Almond Milk- 4.19x2

From looking at your diary:
1- Change your calorie goal to maintain
2- Change your fitness goals (I think you can only change minutes, not type, but you now know you should be doing mainly strength training)
3- You said your bugdet is tight, but I bet you can find some more protein in some source in exchange for the oranges. Look for meat that is on sale (don't go straight for processed meat, it can have way too much sodium). And why get the instant oatmeal as well as the normal? You can add flavorings of your own for less money, and normal oatmeal is cheaper, especially if bought in bulk (check the price per weight). Also, normal oatmeal microwaves just fine, so cooking it with or without a stove shouldn't be a problem. And to vary your foods a bit, you can try to replace something with an equivalent that is on sale that week, you should enjoy the variety.

Let us know how it goes

barebon

More sleep. No
Processed foods or refined sugars, and I constantly keep my abs flexed no matter what I'm doing I've realized and I think my abs are my best feature!

alanlmarshall

Don't waste your time and energy doing ab only workouts.

Heavy barbell training, no machines, low reps, heavy weights. Mostly squats, deadlifts, overhead presses, bench press, and weighted chin-ups.

Increase calories accordingly, high protein, normal carbs.

SandraNancy

Others have said it well-- you're eating a lot of the wrong foods to help with belly fat. Bananas, grains, other fruits, etc are high in sugar, carbs, and things that generally lead to that bloated look/feeling. I'm not saying all carbs are bad (after all, there are carbs in veggies, and we all know how good veggies are for you!), but moderation would likely help you a lot.

As an example, I try to eat about 50-60 grams of carbs per day, with most of that coming from veggies, a little fruit, etc. I'm 5'7 and 135 lbs. You being 4'11 and 93 lbs eating 160-300+ grams of carbs per day seems crazy-high. If you really want to try and tighten your belly, core exercises are excellent, but you won't be able to see those great muscles if they're hidden under wheat bloat. Why not eat more protein/veggies, cut out all the oatmeal, bananas (for the first while) and see how you feel? You might be surprised!

NYgirl1990

I'm wondering if you are undernourished. I have a hard time believing that you have very much fat on your body if you are 93 pounds. In my mind I'm thinking of starving children in Africa and their distended bellies. And I'm not saying this to be funny.

On the other hand, maybe it is just hereditary and something you may never get rid of.

I, actually, would recommend eating an adequate number of calories and modifying your body image. I'm sure you are beautiful.

I measured around my waist yesterday and I am 32 inches around my waist (when I'm not bloated).

NYgirl1990

Are you currently lifting weights? How much protein are you getting?

You're in the low end of the healthy weight range for your height, so you shouldn't be eating at very much of a deficit, if at all.

I weighed myself again after about a month, and now I'm 100 pounds. I eat protein for dinner. Sometimes for both lunch and dinner. (chicken, steak, fish). I also take fish oil pills and vitamin d pills.

NYgirl1990

I just looked at your pictures, and your body does not look anything like you describe. You don't look too skinny in the legs, nor does you belly look out of proportion. You look really good. I think you just aren't seeing what you really look like, which is a body image issue, not a body issue.

I never posted a picture on here of how my stomach looks...

I'm 32 inches around my waist when I'm not bloated.

NYgirl1990

where is your protein?? maybe start buying some powders and adding them to your oatmeal and smoothies and shakes...you definately need more protein:) I say bump your inatke up and start focusing on a harder workout plan for your tummY!!

edited to add......you need to add more protein and carbs, veggies for sure!!

Does this diet sound better?

Breakfast:
Day 1-3: Salad (spinach, grape tomatoes, cucumber, and olive oil), green tea
Day 4-6: 1 apple, 1 orange, and green tea

Snack:
Day 1-3: Sauteed onion, carrot and brocolli (using olive oil and dill)
Day 4-6: Sauteed onion, carrot and chicken (using olive oil and dill)

Lunch:
1 packet of Quaker Oatmeal (apples and cinnamon) mixed with old fashioned oatmeal and almond milk

Dinner:
Usually just rice with chicken, steak or fish and some veggies. Sometimes I have homemade chicken soup with veggies. And sometimes it's just spaghetti with chicken and some veggies. It basically changes everyday.

Snack: 15 almonds

NYgirl1990

I just looked at your pictures, and your body does not look anything like you describe. You don't look too skinny in the legs, nor does you belly look out of proportion. You look really good. I think you just aren't seeing what you really look like, which is a body image issue, not a body issue.

i didn't see any pics posted? where did you see these?

I never posted any pictures on here. I don't know what that person is talking about...

But I'm 32 inches around my waist when I'm not bloated.

moormuscles

Wow this diet you just posted is really really bad.

There is no way near enough carbs in there. Also when you are finally having some proper carbs you are having them at night. Im no expert but the diet looks like it is a total mess to me

anyone else??

Jezreel12

I know exactly what's going on with your metabolism!
There are food intolerances in your body to some foods that are not letting you achieve your goal. I know because I have been there like you.

moormuscles

have you put the above diet into this site and calculated your calories? It looks anywhere between 700-1100 depending on your portion sizes and if thats the case then you are not eating enough food and that is the problem. eating a bit more might actually make your belly flatter believe it or not

and the biggest issue with your diet is that more than 50% is all fruit and veg which is actually over the top

NYgirl1990

I know exactly what's going on with your metabolism!
There are food intolerances in your body to some foods that are not letting you achieve your goal. I know because I have been there like you.

Can you please tell me more. I think I do way better without dairy, wheat, sugar, and white flour.

NYgirl1990

I just looked at your pictures, and your body does not look anything like you describe. You don't look too skinny in the legs, nor does you belly look out of proportion. You look really good. I think you just aren't seeing what you really look like, which is a body image issue, not a body issue.

i didn't see any pics posted? where did you see these?

Ok, I just posted pictures.

LaurenVamp

Eat a steak. And some greek yogurt. And some protein powder. And then another steak. Girl you're starving!

SoozeE512

Try drinking more water?

chels0722

Make sure you are always changing up your ab workouts. If your body gets used to the same things all the time it isn't going to do you any good. And as you get more in shape you need to increase the difficulty with which you are pushing yourself.

On another note, keep in mind that women are made to carry babies. The woman's body is made to stretch and grow in that particular area. There is more skin there. The smaller you are, the more exaggerated that area looks. It takes tightening up, but it is possible. Unfortunately, genetics can also make tightening this area difficult. If the women in your family tend to be more fertile, it is likely that you are as well. It is possible that because of this, your body keeps extra skin/fat in this area to make carrying a baby easier. I am telling you this to help, not give women an excuse for their "pooch". It is proven cause of extra in your belly. But it is also fixable. It takes hard work.

Remember, vary your exercises and increase your difficulty (probably on a weekly basis since the body can adapt quickly).

EDIT: Also, since you're so small in stature, remember that your body has to make room for all your organs.