Eating right, exercising...but not getting any results.
Mikkun
Posts: 7
Hey, I'm kinda new here so let me start off by saying.. I'm a 20 year old female, I weigh 127 pounds and I'm between 5'5'' and 5'6''. According to some online tools, my body fat percentage is 27%. Basically, I look of average weight - but I'm very...squishy, if you know what I mean.
I don't think I eat all that unhealthy. I try to portion my food reasonably. Chicken breast and other lean meats, steamed veggies...I like to eat a banana daily when I have them (or other fruits). I try to get a good amount of fiber and eat a fiber bar every day. I've been cutting back massively on eating fast food (actually, I was 120 pounds not too long ago, but eating fast food constantly had me gaining!) I only drink water - sodas are a rare treat for me, because they make me sick. I rarely drink juices, as well. Sometimes I drink tomato juice though.
As for exercise, I exercise three times a week for about an hour and forty-five minutes at my college's fitness center. I walk on the treadmill for 45 minutes - I set it so that the incline changes between 5% - 7%, and I keep a stead pace of 3.5 mph. Then I proceed on to some weight training. I lift small weights for my arms and use machines for my legs. I used to use this machine that you would twist the seat to work out your stomach, but it actually hurt my lower back (maybe I wasn't doing it right..) but anyway, I stopped using that. I finish up by using a stationary bike or elliptical for the last 30 (or sometimes 20) minutes. I usually take a 5 minute break somewhere in between everything, as well.
Okay, now. Having that all out of the way...let me explain my problem.
I've never worked out before in my life. Ever. I'm the type of person who spends 14 hours in front of a computer, no lie. I decided to begin working out because I was constantly feeling like crap, and I was gaining weight from the fast food. (Fast food isn't the ordinary thing for me. I usually eat healthy but there was just a depressing period of time where no one felt like cooking and it seemed easier). Also, I'm going to Japan to study abroad, and I'm concerned about my body. I'm very self conscious and being around tons of incredibly trim Japanese people will make me feel very bad, I fear. I've been working out now for a bit over a month.
And here's my problem....I'm not noticing ANY improvements. My weight is exactly the same as it was when I first began. My fluffy body fat isn't going anywhere, either. I'm starting to get discouraged! What am I doing wrong? I thought, since I've NEVER worked out before, my body would take very well to it and I'd lose weight pretty easily, but this hasn't been the case. When I look up tips that I can use to help lose weight, I find things like "cut the sodas and drink only water", which I already do! I'm definitely not eating unhealthy, either. I've been snacking on veggies during the day when I'm hungry - and it's not easy to resist the devil dogs in the cabinet that other people in the house buy, I'll tell you! But I manage! D;
It's hard, and I would come home sooo sore every single day. I've had six blisters on my feet at one time, sore thighs and ankles. My arms would hurt so much, that trying to sit up and get out of bed using them was painful. But I still went to exercise. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, without fail! It's just really disappointing to not see any of the results that I was hoping for. I know it takes time, but I thought I'd see at least a LITTLE progress..going from being ENTIRELY sedentary and eating fast food, to eating healthy and exercising regularly. But I'm still toward the 127 weight mark and my body still jiggles.
Why?! Can someone please help me? Tell me what I'm doing wrong?
Today I tried doing HIIT on the treadmill. I walked at 3.0mph and then jogged at 5.1mph for 45 seconds to a minute, before returning to walking again for 2 minutes. I used an exercise ball and did some crunches on that, and I did some hanging leg rises (I think it's called? Well, I was hanging and lifted my legs anyway...I could only do ten of these though.) I'm wondering if these are better alternatives to anything I've been doing already.
Sorry for the long post! And thank you for your time and help.
Sorry if it's not in the right section, also.
I don't think I eat all that unhealthy. I try to portion my food reasonably. Chicken breast and other lean meats, steamed veggies...I like to eat a banana daily when I have them (or other fruits). I try to get a good amount of fiber and eat a fiber bar every day. I've been cutting back massively on eating fast food (actually, I was 120 pounds not too long ago, but eating fast food constantly had me gaining!) I only drink water - sodas are a rare treat for me, because they make me sick. I rarely drink juices, as well. Sometimes I drink tomato juice though.
As for exercise, I exercise three times a week for about an hour and forty-five minutes at my college's fitness center. I walk on the treadmill for 45 minutes - I set it so that the incline changes between 5% - 7%, and I keep a stead pace of 3.5 mph. Then I proceed on to some weight training. I lift small weights for my arms and use machines for my legs. I used to use this machine that you would twist the seat to work out your stomach, but it actually hurt my lower back (maybe I wasn't doing it right..) but anyway, I stopped using that. I finish up by using a stationary bike or elliptical for the last 30 (or sometimes 20) minutes. I usually take a 5 minute break somewhere in between everything, as well.
Okay, now. Having that all out of the way...let me explain my problem.
I've never worked out before in my life. Ever. I'm the type of person who spends 14 hours in front of a computer, no lie. I decided to begin working out because I was constantly feeling like crap, and I was gaining weight from the fast food. (Fast food isn't the ordinary thing for me. I usually eat healthy but there was just a depressing period of time where no one felt like cooking and it seemed easier). Also, I'm going to Japan to study abroad, and I'm concerned about my body. I'm very self conscious and being around tons of incredibly trim Japanese people will make me feel very bad, I fear. I've been working out now for a bit over a month.
And here's my problem....I'm not noticing ANY improvements. My weight is exactly the same as it was when I first began. My fluffy body fat isn't going anywhere, either. I'm starting to get discouraged! What am I doing wrong? I thought, since I've NEVER worked out before, my body would take very well to it and I'd lose weight pretty easily, but this hasn't been the case. When I look up tips that I can use to help lose weight, I find things like "cut the sodas and drink only water", which I already do! I'm definitely not eating unhealthy, either. I've been snacking on veggies during the day when I'm hungry - and it's not easy to resist the devil dogs in the cabinet that other people in the house buy, I'll tell you! But I manage! D;
It's hard, and I would come home sooo sore every single day. I've had six blisters on my feet at one time, sore thighs and ankles. My arms would hurt so much, that trying to sit up and get out of bed using them was painful. But I still went to exercise. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, without fail! It's just really disappointing to not see any of the results that I was hoping for. I know it takes time, but I thought I'd see at least a LITTLE progress..going from being ENTIRELY sedentary and eating fast food, to eating healthy and exercising regularly. But I'm still toward the 127 weight mark and my body still jiggles.
Why?! Can someone please help me? Tell me what I'm doing wrong?
Today I tried doing HIIT on the treadmill. I walked at 3.0mph and then jogged at 5.1mph for 45 seconds to a minute, before returning to walking again for 2 minutes. I used an exercise ball and did some crunches on that, and I did some hanging leg rises (I think it's called? Well, I was hanging and lifted my legs anyway...I could only do ten of these though.) I'm wondering if these are better alternatives to anything I've been doing already.
Sorry for the long post! And thank you for your time and help.
Sorry if it's not in the right section, also.
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Replies
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Some things you didn't tell us - how long have you been exercising? Your diary is closed so we can't look either - how many calories are you eating per day? What are your macros set at? 7lbs isn't a lot to use at all and it sounds like what you really want isn't weight loss but body recomposition, which will likely take a different strategy than what you're doing.0
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Sounds like you dont have alot to loose, mostly just tone.
They say muscle weighs for then fat thus your exercise is likely trimming fat and gaining muscle. Be patient.
First, concentrate on FEELING better. It will come with time!0 -
Suggestion - less cardio, more resistance (weight training). It's building muscle that powers your metabolism.0
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I agree. You do not have much fat to lose but if you want that squishy to go away instead of doing so much cardio for almost 2 hrs 3x a week do cardio for 1 hr 3 x a week and then start lifting weights 2-3 times a week on your non-cardio work days.Suggestion - less cardio, more resistance (weight training). It's building muscle that powers your metabolism.
**edit--oh and since you are at a student gym you should have no trouble with getting the student workers to show you what to do. Key here...the earlier you go the likelier you are not to have any issues waiting for equipment to come open.0 -
You are between 5'5 and 5'6" and you currently weigh 127? Is that correct? Perhaps you are not losing weight because your body doesn't want to be underweight?
Likely, the jiggly parts can be improved with weight training, which is the best kind of exercise imo.
When asking for advice, opening your food diary is most helpful; at least if you really want advice on how to improve.0 -
@hbarnstein: I've been exercising for a little over a month (I did say that somewhere in my post..) and I try to consume about 1200 calories a day. Sometimes I may go a bit over that, but definitely nothing more than 1400 a day - and I don't go over very often. (I also drink 6 glasses of water or more a day). Macros....this is a term that I, as a person who has never worked out before, do not know.
Sorry!
@dahkneeka: I don't have a lot to lose, my target weight is only 115 lbs, so I need to lose about 12 pounds. I guess that makes sense, that I'd be getting muscles. I was so weak before that I'd cry at lifting just 5 pound weights for 10 reps once! I can do it much easier now.. So maybe you're right! But my stomach is my main concern and it's not changing.
@kenazfehu: I'd say toning is definitely more my goal, but I guess I don't know how to go about it. I want to get rid of the fat, since it's my fat percentage that's high! I've heard cardio is best for that, but I'm not sure what I should do. I DO do weight training as well, but I'm very weak so it's hard for me. 0 -
You are between 5'5 and 5'6" and you currently weigh 127? Is that correct? Perhaps you are not losing weight because your body doesn't want to be underweight?
Likely, the jiggly parts can be improved with weight training, which is the best kind of exercise imo.
When asking for advice, opening your food diary is most helpful; at least if you really want advice on how to improve.
She wouldn't be underweight.
Anyway, I'm 5'6" at 118 (I was at 113 a couple of months ago but have been increasing my cals to add muscle). If you want to sneak a peek at my diary or PM me any questions, feel free.0 -
Pick up New Lifting Rules for Women....it'll change your life, body included.0
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Hmm, it sounds like everyone seems to agree. Cardio is not the way to go for me. Shame, since I found it really fun! But okay, more weight training. Can anyone suggest some good exercises I can do, perhaps? (You can suggest machines even, and if my fitness center has it, I'll look into it). Please keep in mind that I'm incredibly weak! ;___; I also never crawled as a baby, so I never developed upper body strength like most people do. And since I never exercised to correct that, I remain very weak with a terrible core and balance issues, as well. So anything that may help those aspects would be great!
@rhinesb: Thanks, I'll try doing that!
@Akimajuktuq: That's exactly correct. I'm definitely of a healthy weight, but I don't think my body should 'not want to lose weight', because I've been 120 pounds since I was 14 years old. I've only gained these 7 extra pounds sometime in late summer. I thought 120 was the weight my body had decided on....(Although I'd like to be 115, but I'd be happy at 120 if I wasn't so jiggly). But I dont think 115 would be underweight. (110 would be, according to a BMI chart).
I'll look more into weight training!
As for the food diary, I don't keep track of it online which is why it's closed off. I use a Richard Simmons diet as my basis and I keep track of everything through cards and hand written information. I could potentially try keeping track of it here, though.
Anyway, thanks everyone!0 -
You are between 5'5 and 5'6" and you currently weigh 127? Is that correct? Perhaps you are not losing weight because your body doesn't want to be underweight?
Likely, the jiggly parts can be improved with weight training, which is the best kind of exercise imo.
When asking for advice, opening your food diary is most helpful; at least if you really want advice on how to improve.
She wouldn't be underweight.
Anyway, I'm 5'6" at 118 (I was at 113 a couple of months ago but have been increasing my cals to add muscle). If you want to sneak a peek at my diary or PM me any questions, feel free.
Yeah, I didn't think so either..I think 115 would still be fine for me, but more likely I'll end up at 120 since my body seems to love that weight.
Thanks, I'll take a peek at your diary and PM you if I have any questions. (:
@hottottie11: That's a book or something? I'll look into it! Thanks ~0 -
Oh I missed the month, sorry. Well, a couple things. First, I think 1200 is probably too low for what you want to be doing - the closer you are to your weightloss goal the slower weightloss goes and the smaller the deficit you need. I think this post will help you a lot in figuring out a better calorie goal:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12
Second, a month isn't really a long time. Especially with not a lot to lose - because your body is going to hang onto that weight more the closer you are to the finishline - it is going to take more time and require very very accurate food logging. (It is very easy to estimate food incorrectly - a scale is your best friend). I have a lot more to lose than you did and my first month I barely lost because I was still figuring things out.
THIRD - and especially because you are sore - it is entirely possible you actually /are/ losing. When you first start a workout routine or when you first start a new routine (or up the intensity) your muscles are going to retain water to heal themselves. It's a healing mechanism our body uses to prevent damage - but it also means you are going to be retaining water weight. My first month, I actually gained - but it was water weight. One day it literally just fell off. It takes time to see results - it's not an instant process. Once you're confident you're doing things right, patience is the name of the game
Good luck!
(I also agree with a shift to weights instead of cardio - you don't have to eliminate cardio but for the recomposition you want, because it sounds like the weight is secondary to the "squishiness" - weights are going to give you a lot more bang for your buck. Machines aren't the way to go though, get someone to teach you how to use free weights.)0 -
Since you've never worked out before I'd guess you don't know how to do it properly. Hell, most people who've been working out for years don't know how to do it properly. Get yourself a trainer, at least for a while so that you can get a sense of the level of effort that is required to promote positive change in your body.0
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Oh I missed the month, sorry. Well, a couple things. First, I think 1200 is probably too low for what you want to be doing - the closer you are to your weightloss goal the slower weightloss goes and the smaller the deficit you need. I think this post will help you a lot in figuring out a better calorie goal:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12
Second, a month isn't really a long time. Especially with not a lot to lose - because your body is going to hang onto that weight more the closer you are to the finishline - it is going to take more time and require very very accurate food logging. (It is very easy to estimate food incorrectly - a scale is your best friend). I have a lot more to lose than you did and my first month I barely lost because I was still figuring things out.
THIRD - and especially because you are sore - it is entirely possible you actually /are/ losing. When you first start a workout routine or when you first start a new routine (or up the intensity) your muscles are going to retain water to heal themselves. It's a healing mechanism our body uses to prevent damage - but it also means you are going to be retaining water weight. My first month, I actually gained - but it was water weight. One day it literally just fell off. It takes time to see results - it's not an instant process. Once you're confident you're doing things right, patience is the name of the game Good luck!
(I also agree with a shift to weights instead of cardio - you don't have to eliminate cardio but for the recomposition you want, because it sounds like the weight is secondary to the "squishiness" - weights are going to give you a lot more bang for your buck. Machines aren't the way to go though, get someone to teach you how to use free weights.)
Thanks a lot! I guess that I was hoping for it to only take a few months (maybe 3 or 4) so I was expecting more results by this point in time. (or at least SOME results)
As for the calories...I guess I'm a bit scared to increase it. I'm worried about gaining weight, and not in a good way. I think it'll take some time before I can comfortably eat more than 1200 calories.. Although I've heard if you're exercising regularly, you can eat more so I haven't stressed so much when I go over by a couple hundred.
I guess it could be water weight! That'd be really nice if that were the case. Haha. Wishful thinking though, I believe..
You say to learn to use free weights. Do you mean like those weights you hold in your hands? I use those, though I don't know how efficiently... I hold one in each hand and do "butterflies" (as my friend called them..) where I lift my arms from my sides, straight out (still to my sides) and back down for 10 reps. Then I do the same again, but in front of me rather than at my sides. And the last set involves lifting them over my head or...something like that. Anyway, I only use 5 pounds currently since I'm so weak. But it's getting a little easier.
But how can I fix up my belly? My midsection is the worst. Sure, I've got some jiggle in my upper arms and thighs but I could live with that. It's my jiggly tummy that I want gone the most. What kind of weight training can I possibly do for that? Maybe I'm missing something here, but I dont think lifting weights with my arms will help with my tummy...so I'm sure I should do something different. >___<0 -
Since you've never worked out before I'd guess you don't know how to do it properly. Hell, most people who've been working out for years don't know how to do it properly. Get yourself a trainer, at least for a while so that you can get a sense of the level of effort that is required to promote positive change in your body.
Likely.. I've thought about that a lot. I always think that I'm doing something incorrectly. But a trainer sounds really expensive...And I don't have a job currently since my mother needs me to babysit my younger siblings a lot so I don't really have time for it..
I wonder if the guys who work at the fitness center at my college would be of any help. I'm quite shy so I always tell them "no thank you" when they offer to help me. Maybe I should let them..0 -
At this stage you need more strength training and less cardio. If you main goal is to look less squishy, rather than to lose a lot of weight, you need to strength train to build and/or keep muscle, depending on if you have a deficit and how much muscle you already have.
Don't stop the cardio altogether though. Just do less of it and more strength.0 -
I'm just here to encourage you. It takes time, that's the only thing you don't have down yet. Everything you're doing is right. You can always add more cardio or strength training, but at 1200 calories and 45 min exercise, you're on the right path.
Some people are lucky and will drop 10 pounds right off the bat...the rest of us struggle and work for every 1/2 pound week by week. Don't be discouraged!
Remember, it took you years to get where you are (and gaining weight is the easy part) and so you can't expect it to be fixed in a month or two (since losing weight is the hard part). Keep the lifestyle and you'll get there.0 -
But how can I fix up my belly? My midsection is the worst. Sure, I've got some jiggle in my upper arms and thighs but I could live with that. It's my jiggly tummy that I want gone the most. What kind of weight training can I possibly do for that? Maybe I'm missing something here, but I dont think lifting weights with my arms will help with my tummy...so I'm sure I should do something different. >___<
Actually a lot of arm strength training also works your core (midsection). Pushups, pullups and planks are great body weight exercises for your core. Shoulder presses and chest flies with weights do too. I'm sure there are others some of the lifters could suggest but I mostly do body weight.0 -
Oh I missed the month, sorry. Well, a couple things. First, I think 1200 is probably too low for what you want to be doing - the closer you are to your weightloss goal the slower weightloss goes and the smaller the deficit you need. I think this post will help you a lot in figuring out a better calorie goal:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12
Second, a month isn't really a long time. Especially with not a lot to lose - because your body is going to hang onto that weight more the closer you are to the finishline - it is going to take more time and require very very accurate food logging. (It is very easy to estimate food incorrectly - a scale is your best friend). I have a lot more to lose than you did and my first month I barely lost because I was still figuring things out.
THIRD - and especially because you are sore - it is entirely possible you actually /are/ losing. When you first start a workout routine or when you first start a new routine (or up the intensity) your muscles are going to retain water to heal themselves. It's a healing mechanism our body uses to prevent damage - but it also means you are going to be retaining water weight. My first month, I actually gained - but it was water weight. One day it literally just fell off. It takes time to see results - it's not an instant process. Once you're confident you're doing things right, patience is the name of the game Good luck!
(I also agree with a shift to weights instead of cardio - you don't have to eliminate cardio but for the recomposition you want, because it sounds like the weight is secondary to the "squishiness" - weights are going to give you a lot more bang for your buck. Machines aren't the way to go though, get someone to teach you how to use free weights.)
Thanks a lot! I guess that I was hoping for it to only take a few months (maybe 3 or 4) so I was expecting more results by this point in time. (or at least SOME results)
As for the calories...I guess I'm a bit scared to increase it. I'm worried about gaining weight, and not in a good way. I think it'll take some time before I can comfortably eat more than 1200 calories.. Although I've heard if you're exercising regularly, you can eat more so I haven't stressed so much when I go over by a couple hundred.
I guess it could be water weight! That'd be really nice if that were the case. Haha. Wishful thinking though, I believe..
You say to learn to use free weights. Do you mean like those weights you hold in your hands? I use those, though I don't know how efficiently... I hold one in each hand and do "butterflies" (as my friend called them..) where I lift my arms from my sides, straight out (still to my sides) and back down for 10 reps. Then I do the same again, but in front of me rather than at my sides. And the last set involves lifting them over my head or...something like that. Anyway, I only use 5 pounds currently since I'm so weak. But it's getting a little easier.
But how can I fix up my belly? My midsection is the worst. Sure, I've got some jiggle in my upper arms and thighs but I could live with that. It's my jiggly tummy that I want gone the most. What kind of weight training can I possibly do for that? Maybe I'm missing something here, but I dont think lifting weights with my arms will help with my tummy...so I'm sure I should do something different. >___<
Not fueling your body enough can depress your metabolism - short term eating too low won't harm you but long term it can do some damage. According to your numbers (127lbs, 20 years old, female, 5'6") your bmr is 1417. That means if you didn't get out of bed at all (to use the bathroom, or go to your car, or go for groceries, etc) you would burn 1417 calories. Your TDEE or the energy you actually use to get through the day, assuming you don't work out at all and are sedentary, is 1700. That means at 1200 you're already operating below BMR and at a 500 cal deficit which is enough to lose a pound a week on its own - plus you're exercising. I can understand the fear, but your body is a machine - if you don't feed it, it won't work well.
RE: your tummy, unfortunately you can't spot reduce. Better abs will come with a lower body fat percentage. Yes, free weights are dumbbels - the New Rule of Lifting for Women someone mentioned will explain more about how to use them but a trainer or a weight lifer would help you learn form. 0 -
Yes you should DEFINITELY let them help you. At my student gym if you want help then you have to pay for help. All the workers there are usually people enrolled at the university for sports/physical education/fitness/etc... They are paid to work there and the University makes up its money by having people pay for training. So if it is offered to you free take them up on that.Since you've never worked out before I'd guess you don't know how to do it properly. Hell, most people who've been working out for years don't know how to do it properly. Get yourself a trainer, at least for a while so that you can get a sense of the level of effort that is required to promote positive change in your body.
Likely.. I've thought about that a lot. I always think that I'm doing something incorrectly. But a trainer sounds really expensive...And I don't have a job currently since my mother needs me to babysit my younger siblings a lot so I don't really have time for it..
I wonder if the guys who work at the fitness center at my college would be of any help. I'm quite shy so I always tell them "no thank you" when they offer to help me. Maybe I should let them..
Also remember when you start weight training you WILL gain weight. And you must try not to think of the scale as going higher but to noticing the changes in your body. I have seen many people gain 10 lbs or more strength training and they were skinnier with those additional ten pounds than when they were ten pounds lighter but little muscle mass.0 -
diet is the key to what you want to achieve.0
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.....Except if you read the post, I DID do workouts and exercises; though apparently not the right ones for my needs - but this post makes it sound like I did nothing at all and hoped for results.. But thanks. That's totally encouraging and makes me feel great. :I
Anyway, to everyone else - thanks! I didn't realize that weight training was so important. I don't really have a desire for big, defined muscles so I skimmed over it a bit. I was mainly only doing a little weight training so that I wouldn't be such a weakling. But, I'll try to add more of it to my schedule and I'll put cardio on the back seat. I think I'll just cut out the second round of cardio (the 30 mins at the end) and just keep on with the weight training instead.0 -
You should probably cut back the cardio a little and make sure you're lifting heavy weights. How long are you lifting weights? I normally take 30 or so minutes to lift weights. Make sure the weights are heavy enough that you can barely do 12-15 reps per set. Your muscles should be toast when you're done. Alternate doing upper body one day, and lower body the next time. Make sure you are getting LOTS of protein.
The New Rules of Lifting for Women is a good book. Do you have a set list of exercises you're going to do, or are you kind of doing what you feel like? For me, it helps to have a list of exercises, weights, and reps (usually three sets of 15). You can do 10 min. of cardio to warm up, then lift for 30 min. and finish up with another 30 min. cardio.0 -
.....Except if you read the post, I DID do workouts and exercises; though apparently not the right ones for my needs - but this post makes it sound like I did nothing at all and hoped for results.. But thanks. That's totally encouraging and makes me feel great. :I
Anyway, to everyone else - thanks! I didn't realize that weight training was so important. I don't really have a desire for big, defined muscles so I skimmed over it a bit. I was mainly only doing a little weight training so that I wouldn't be such a weakling. But, I'll try to add more of it to my schedule and I'll put cardio on the back seat. I think I'll just cut out the second round of cardio (the 30 mins at the end) and just keep on with the weight training instead.
Except if you arent doing the right kind of exercises or the right amount to get the results you want, then you DO actually need to change it up - which is what the lifting is about - and I did read it - which is why I pointed this out :flowerforyou:0 -
I'm going to put a slightly different spin on this. Hopefully it's valuable.
You're 20. You're transitioning from being a teenager to a woman. The bodies of a 16 year old girl and 25 year old woman are different. The Freshman 15 are just as much about achieving physiological maturity as they are about eating cocoa puffs, pizza and french fries while downing a 12 pack of beer.
Forget about what's on the scale, and establish a goal. For you, it's firming up. At your age, I think your calories are a bit low to sustain muscle development. At my age (35), that level of calorie consumption is probably fine, but errs on the low side depending on body composition. I eat around 1800/day in maintenance to sustain a size 6.
I agree with most of the posters here - cut back on the cardio and add some strength training; however, I think you're considerably younger than many of us here, and can stand a bit more food.
Getting ripped abs will take much longer than losing 7 pounds, but you'll get there. Don't compare yourself to Japanese women. In general, they are simply smaller people. Unless you're a first generation Japanese-American, you're going to look American, regardless of what you do. Be proud and focus on being fit! :happy:0
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