Feeling Fat.

Jen800
Jen800 Posts: 548 Member
in Motivation and Support
I know a lot of us struggle with seeing someone new in the mirror. I kind of have that problem. The trouble is, I also have a BF% of 26, and I'm 10 pounds from my goal weight. It's been stressful lately, thinking that I'm not doing enough exercise (even though I increased it to an hour of strength (bodyweight) per day) I feel almost GUILTY for not heavy lifting. I don't have that option right now, but I feel as though I'll look "skinny fat" forever. I do have muscle tone in my arms, and I do all over body strength work, but my mind keeps telling me I'm not ever going to get anywhere doing that even though it's TOUGH.

I suppose I'm just looking for reassurance that heavy lifting isn't the only way, and that BF% CAN be lowered and I'll look great without it. Ultimately this is for health and results or not I'll never quit, but it's discouraging sometimes. I know we can all relate. Even if nobody replies or reads this, it was nice to get it off my chest after stressing :)

Replies

  • TimeForMe99
    TimeForMe99 Posts: 309
    Many people have used bodyweight exercises to obtain fitness. Have you read "You are Your Own Gym" by Mark Lauren? He has a fabulous body. The new book for women is "Body by You: The You Are Your Own Gym Guide to Total Women's Fitness". I haven't gotten my hands on this one yet, but I've heard it's great. There are also apps that go with both books.

    Don't feel guilty about what you do or don't do. Yes, there is a small contingent here who believe that heavy lifting is the only way but they are looking for different results. Your BF% is on the low end of average, which is good, but it's just another number. Don't stress over it; learn to see yourself as you truly are. If you can't get there, consider whether some professional help is in order. It's not unusual for a formally overweight person to have body image issues.
  • Jen800
    Jen800 Posts: 548 Member
    Many people have used bodyweight exercises to obtain fitness. Have you read "You are Your Own Gym" by Mark Lauren? He has a fabulous body. The new book for women is "Body by You: The You Are Your Own Gym Guide to Total Women's Fitness". I haven't gotten my hands on this one yet, but I've heard it's great. There are also apps that go with both books.

    Don't feel guilty about what you do or don't do. Yes, there is a small contingent here who believe that heavy lifting is the only way but they are looking for different results. Your BF% is on the low end of average, which is good, but it's just another number. Don't stress over it; learn to see yourself as you truly are. If you can't get there, consider whether some professional help is in order. It's not unusual for a formally overweight person to have body image issues.

    thanks for replying. I probably should read that book, I've heard good things about it. I really like the exercise I do now, and it sucks when I feel like I'm "wasting valuable time" even though I'm busting my bum! I probably should try seeing a professional too :P A lifetime of bullying and poor self image probably hasn't done me any favors in being able to recognize and appreciate myself. I've come a long way in those departments, but I'm still not quite there. Thanks again.
  • tessaeve
    tessaeve Posts: 75 Member
    I spent all summer lifting heavy. I then moved indoors for winter and did only body weight exercises because my weights are outside under a carport. When the weather got warmer, I went right back to lifting heavy where I had left off and had to increase my weights as it was too easy. I take this as a little proof in my instance that the body weight exercises not only maintained my fitness level but gradually increased it just as well as lifting heavy. This is only my personal experience, absolutely no science to back it up at all.
  • beverlybw
    beverlybw Posts: 17 Member
    1st- Don't ever forget you've lost over 40 MOTHER-DUCKING pounds!!! 2nd- Sometimes the hardest pounds to loose are your last 10 (I've been trying for what seems like forever). But if you keep at it, it WILL come off. 3rd- Have you tried youtube.com? I do my Jillian Micheal's 30 shred workouts on there and there are a bunch of really helpful videos by Befit. Right now I'm doing a 30 Butt lift challenge through them and already on day 9 my butt is looking firmer and more lifted! You should try it. It's just a series of videos but sometimes they have body weight exercises on there that you might not've heard about (like Bulgarian split squats) and it helps having some one talk you through it and push you, even if it's just a recording of a hatefully skinny, toned lady. You'll get there!!!
  • Yooperm35
    Yooperm35 Posts: 787 Member
    when I look in the mirror, I still see the 'fat me'. But I took before and after pictures and they look so different than what I see in the mirror. My arms, when I look at them, look big and fat - but looikng at my pictures they are much smaller and more toned than what I am seeing. WHY?

    I orignially lost 30# using MFP - only 1-2# from my goal weight and I just got busy and didn't pay much attention to what I was doing. 20# later, and I am back here in full force. I'll be happy to lose 10# - 15# is my ultimate goal, but it's something to strive for and if I never get there, I'll definitely be healthier trying.

    With that being said, These last 10 # are much harder this time around to get off! I have been working out 4-5 hours a week for 8 weeks and have lost a mere 7#. In the scheme of things, that's more than ½ a week, but it's just n ot as fast as I had hoped, especially with how much harder I am working this time around. Stick with it - maybe if you took picutres, you'd be happier with your results. As I stated, my pictures an my mirror are 2 totally different images!

    Edited to add - I never thought that at 162# I was 'fat' either. All of my mirrors in my house were neck up. When I saw myself in store mirrors, I just figured I looked fat because of the angle of the mirror. IT wasn't until I saw a picture of myself at a family reunion that I saw what I looked like and that day, I made the change!
  • Jen800
    Jen800 Posts: 548 Member
    Thanks you guys :) and beverlybw, yes I've done Jillian DVDs! Proud to say I've finished all of 30DS, RI30, and almost have about a month and a half of Youtube's Blogilates Cassie Ho calenders under my belt so far.

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