...losing weight - but now flabbier!

overshadows
overshadows Posts: 58 Member
in Motivation and Support
I'm looking for a little bit of explanation and encouragement in my time of flabbiness.

Me:

SW: 132
CW: 121.5
GW: 115

Female
5'3"
Age 26

So I've lost a little over 10lbs in the past 3 months or so and I've noticed a difference in my measurements and appearance. My face looks thinner and I feel great. Most of my loss is due to diet (calorie deficit) but I have also been dipping my toe into exercise. I've been doing mostly cardio, with a big of circuit and strength training mixed in. I'm not lifting heavy, because I don't go to a gym.

But here is the kicker; I look so flabby. The skin on my stomach is really loose and hangs grossly. My flesh is ripple-y and I can see cellulite. Its not like I've lost tons of weight.. any explanation? I know at least some of it is just paying close attention, but I know there has to be more than that. Will everything tighten up if I continue to diet?

Replies

  • I_Will_End_You
    I_Will_End_You Posts: 4,397 Member
    Strength training. If you can't go to a gym, look up body weight exercises on the forum. Diet and lots of cardio won't do anything for that.
  • JenMc14
    JenMc14 Posts: 2,389 Member
    That's basically what happened to me. I was lifting, but not that heavy, mostly light weight stuff. You're losing muscle along with the fat. Definitely get a good strength program going.
  • nicoleashley_24
    nicoleashley_24 Posts: 144 Member
    Ditto. I have always tracked my weight and measurements and when I stopped doing strength training, I lost weight but my body fat percentage went up... and up :(
  • meredith1123
    meredith1123 Posts: 843 Member
    two words: Strength training.
  • megsi474
    megsi474 Posts: 370 Member
    I don't go to a gym but just started strength training at home with hand weights. It does make a big difference for me over just doing cardio.
  • firstsip
    firstsip Posts: 8,399 Member
    Will everything tighten up if I continue to diet?

    If you throw in more than just a "bit" of strength training, yes. With just diet alone, you'll probably never be completely happy with your body composition, even at lower weights (I was chronically low to underweight for years from starvation, and I was definitely flabby the whole time--super soft, even with a concave stomach).

    Lifting, be it body weight or heavy (if you don't have a gym, look into going to one, buying weights like barball/dumbbells/kettle bells off Craig's list or second hand sporting good stores, or creating weights by hefting things in the house like filled bags, milk jugs, etc.) will do a body good. I'm amazed at how lifting has helped with cellulite.
  • twinketta
    twinketta Posts: 2,130 Member
    As other posters have said, you need to do some weight/resistance training.

    I wish I would have started with it all earlier on, I am like you now doing catch up to get rid of the loose skin.

    Lift heavy is the advice I have been given.
  • overshadows
    overshadows Posts: 58 Member
    This probably is a stupid question - how long is a normal strength training session?

    If I am doing body weight exercises, do I do them for 30 mins? An hour? Until I'm sore?
  • Serah87
    Serah87 Posts: 5,481 Member
    strength training like everyone said, but you need to eat more, you do less than 1200 calories.
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    if you have selected 2 lb weekly loss, stop the muscle loss you are currently getting by backing off to 1 lb weekly, then 1/2 lb when down to last 10 lbs.

    No strength training, steep deficit, and MFP's protein recommendations - all are a recipe for muscle loss.
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    This probably is a stupid question - how long is a normal strength training session?

    If I am doing body weight exercises, do I do them for 30 mins? An hour? Until I'm sore?

    Find a routine and follow it. Most will take you between 30-90 minutes. A lot depends on your rest periods.

    If you don't want to do a prescribed routine, just play it by ear and do something in the time period that I mentioned. An hour of work is pretty typical but it varies.
  • lambchristie
    lambchristie Posts: 552 Member
    This probably is a stupid question - how long is a normal strength training session?

    If I am doing body weight exercises, do I do them for 30 mins? An hour? Until I'm sore?

    You do what you can; but 60 min, 3xs a week is not that much. Once you get into the 'groove' of exercising/weight or strength training you are going to find you really enjoy it.

    Stop tip-toeing into this and dive into it with your whole heart, mind, and body and you will change your body.
  • toutmonpossible
    toutmonpossible Posts: 1,580 Member
    This probably is a stupid question - how long is a normal strength training session?

    If I am doing body weight exercises, do I do them for 30 mins? An hour? Until I'm sore?

    For body weight, you usually do as many reps or sets as you can while maintaining proper form. It will vary with the exercise. For example, you may not be able to do even one standard push up at the start. With some exercises, you look at the time you can hold the posture., for example, holding a plank for 30 seconds and then increasing the time.

    If you're using light weights, you don't need long rest periods. How many sets you do depends on your program. Again, you never want to sacrifice form for weight or quantity of reps.
  • overshadows
    overshadows Posts: 58 Member
    I've changed my macros to 40/30/30 and have been pretty good about eating a lot of protein. I know I will need to eat more to gain muscle, but I'm nervous about suddenly eating more until I figure out what strength training means for me.

    Do you log strength training into MFP?
  • dym123
    dym123 Posts: 1,670 Member
    Check out Fitness Blender on You Tube, they have loads of strength workouts with and without weights
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    I've changed my macros to 40/30/30 and have been pretty good about eating a lot of protein. I know I will need to eat more to gain muscle, but I'm nervous about suddenly eating more until I figure out what strength training means for me.

    Do you log strength training into MFP?

    Yes, that is exactly it's description in the normal exercise section.

    it will seem like low calorie burn compared to equal time in cardio (probably better than walking though), but that is correct and realistic actually.

    And sadly at this point, you'll be gaining strength, but with so little left to lose in healthy range, you won't be gaining muscle until you get to point you are willing to bulk and eat in surplus.

    You just had demonstrated how bad it is to lose muscle mass, especially for women that will have such a hard time putting it back. So much easier to yo-yo diet if you lose some each time you diet.
  • MMulder68
    MMulder68 Posts: 139 Member
    strength training like everyone said, but you need to eat more, you do less than 1200 calories.

    Agree! Eat more calories and get a personal trainer to teach you how to lift weights correctly. You could hurt yourself if you aren't careful. I also eat 40/30/30.

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