looking for an experienced dieter's advice.. please! :)

muss09
muss09 Posts: 5
in Health and Weight Loss
Hello fellow dieters,

I have been eating clean for about 5-6 months now and although I am not at my preferred weight I do feel that I have changed my eating habits for the better since last year. I'm not sure of my weight when I first started as I didn't want to weigh myself, but I recently weighed myself in a pharmacy (not sure how accurate those machines are) and this is what it told me:

Weight: 8st13 (56.7kg)
Height: 5'3 (1.62m)
BMI: 21.6

Now, I know most of you are thinking 'OMG why would you want to lose weight' because based on those stats I am a perfectly healthy weight and I understand this. My problem is that my body fat % is at a very very alarming 30.9%. So my aim really is to reduce this to a healthy percentage (which I am told is between 20% and 25%). I am not really sure how to approach this situation, I have been rather lean up top but really heavy from the waist since I was about 14, I think I just gather weight in my lower half but I really need to shift this fat! Has anyone got any advice on how to do this? I don't lift weights as I can't afford a gym membership but I do run 4-5 times a week. Maybe the problem is in my diet... but I'm not sure, I'm currently consuming around 1200 cals per day. If anyone could offer me any advice I would really be greatful.

Thanks

Replies

  • 1KiwiChick
    1KiwiChick Posts: 479 Member
    My advise would be to really watch your sugar intake, eat fat but pure good fat and do weights as well as focusing on your core. Cardio is a great fat burner but will also decrease your weight which i dont think you need so up your cals if you go hard on the cardio just make sure they are healthy cals :) Good luck ( not professional advice just what has worked for me :) !!
  • muss09
    muss09 Posts: 5
    Thanks for the advice! I've been told that maybe I'm not losing weight as I am not eating enough during the day. It is usually around 1200, and I don't usually eat back calories I gain from exercise...
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    Thanks for the advice! I've been told that maybe I'm not losing weight as I am not eating enough during the day. It is usually around 1200, and I don't usually eat back calories I gain from exercise...

    So you already know the answer - why not just do this? And you don't need money to do body weight strength training exercises.
  • muss09
    muss09 Posts: 5
    Sorry, why not just do what?
  • JuiceBars
    JuiceBars Posts: 78 Member
    How did you have your body fat measured? Are you sure that it correct? Hmmmmm.....
  • yorlan
    yorlan Posts: 2
    Honestly the best advice I can give you is to keep eating clean. I bought a plan from an online coach that specifies exactly what i should eat to lower my body fat percentage. They calculate the MACROS for your body type and goals and give you a meal plan based on that. I also have to check in weekly and he will adjust the plan according to my progress.
  • RobynMWilson
    RobynMWilson Posts: 1,540 Member
    STOP DIETING and start lifting heavy weights! You don't need to lose weight, just body fat! So get out of the diet mentality and start lifting. Aim for maintaining your weight and find a well-structured program that will help you shed body fat. You will lose a size or two, as well!
  • __RANDY__
    __RANDY__ Posts: 1,036 Member
    Thanks for the advice! I've been told that maybe I'm not losing weight as I am not eating enough during the day. It is usually around 1200, and I don't usually eat back calories I gain from exercise...

    Why did you choose 1200? Why don't you eat back your calories?
  • muss09
    muss09 Posts: 5
    I chose 1200 based on the fact that at my current weight I burn around 1750 and I was under the impression that I needed to create a caloric deficit of 500cals a day to aim towards .5 -1lb weight loss per week. I'm not sure if it's correct as I've basically started from scratch and have only had the internet to help me! I don't know why I don't eat them back to be honest, due to my schedule I usually have to exercise at night time.. I know it isn't an excuse but it's just hard to fit another meal in there. I know I must be doing something wrong as I'm not losing much weight! I just don't know what it is. I lost quite a bit of weight on a low carb/high protein diet but I have come to the conclusion that I just can't do it. I need wholegrain carbs in my diet!
  • muss09
    muss09 Posts: 5
    It was one of those machines in a pharmacy and you have to put your hand on some metal bar, not really sure how it works or how accurate it is, but it was my only option as I'm really inexperienced. I think it's pretty accurate, fully clothed I look like I am a healthy weight, but even my arms I have no muscle whatsover. Would it be better for me to stop dieting then and focus on strength training? And how would I go about that, without access to a gym? I currently try to stick to a ratio of 40/30/30 - carbs/protein/fats and I do watch my sugar intake.

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