new to dieting..need lots of help please.

JessFallon90
JessFallon90 Posts: 4
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm 23. I weigh 155 and I'm 5'3. What I want is to be 130. Its all tummy fat. My midsection is chunky. How can I tone up fast? Hydroxycut? Maybe? I'm eating 1200 calories and light exercise. What else can I do. I want to be 130 with a flat tummy by June. Advice and tips please.

Replies

  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    Magic pills aren't going to do it for you. Eat right and lift weights.
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
    No to hydroxycut or whatever other pills....you didn't become overweight over night, so can't expect to be slim over night. If you eat at a deficit, you'll lose weight. You don't need any pills.
  • JessFallon90
    JessFallon90 Posts: 4
    What's a deficit? Like I said...very new to this. All the fat I have is in my midsection... just because I ate like crap and drank beer too much. What are some good ways to tone up? I'm dong crunches and lunges..and even cycling. But I only feel it in my legs...how can I get some abs going?
  • hannahk328
    hannahk328 Posts: 8
    A deficit is when your body burns more calories then you take in. If you are eating 1200 calories a day, you are eating at a deficit (MFP automatically gives that to you).

    As someone else said, you cannot see major results in the blink of an eye. You just need to eat healthy and exercise regularly. You can't specifically target fat loss, so you just need to stick it out. Everyone is different. Some people lose fat in the stomach first, others last. Doing cardio and strength training, working all of the muscle groups, is really important. Crunches, lunges, squats, push ups, etc are all great. Also, try getting some weights, they make all of these exercises that much more effective. I picked up a pair of 2 pound dumb bells at TJ Maxx for like $5, so you don't have to spend a ton of money. TJ Maxx actually has some stuff for pretty cheap. I also got a stability ball (which makes things like crunches a but more difficult because you have to balance, and they strengthen your core more) for about $10. With the weights, doing things like combination side lunges and bicep curls becomes a much harder exercise that works out several muscle groups.

    You said you do light exercise. That isn't going to cut it for weight loss. You really need to get your heart rate up for your body to burn off the fat. You don't want to over do it (you'd be surprised as to how much of a burn you can get from just multiple rapid repetitions with just 2 pound weights) but you do want to feel the muscles waking up. If you feel actual, sharp pain then you need cut back.

    Also, you probably won't have a completely flat tummy with hardcore ab definition by June, even if you do everything right, but it will definitely improve.
  • JessFallon90
    JessFallon90 Posts: 4
    Thanks :) yeah I know I won't look like a model by then...but I don't want my belly to poke out after I eat and look like I'm pregnant. Because that's what it does now :/

    So I shouldn't take any supplement help? I've heard pros and coins about a lot of them...and I'm debating on getting something to help...but I'm not sure. I think I'm just being impatient...
  • JessFallon90
    JessFallon90 Posts: 4
    And I'm drinking carnations with a fruit for breakfast..no soda or fast food or fried food. Today made a week without any of it. I eat smart ones by weight watchers for lunch and I have one at dinner. We special k snacks in between. I'm also drinking lemon water and eating pickles a lot. Am I over doing it?
  • David_AUS
    David_AUS Posts: 298 Member
    There is no method of spot reduction or magic pills. A calorie deficit and exercise is the best path - 1,200 cal is the lowest you really want to go. Be wary of high salt or other foods that you know make you bloat. If you want "better" results include some kind of resistance training this will help with maintaining lean muscle (if you don't use it the body will use it as an energy source IE: You will lose muscle and fat).

    Make sure you are confident with your intake - get some scales and weight your food especially nutrient dense stuff like meat and potatoes.

    My rough maths is if you can average your 1,200 cal per day (ignoring other factors such as the time of month etc...) you would reasonably expect 1,800 cal per day now which is a 600 cal deficit - Very indicatively this is around 1lb per week deficit which is half way to your target date. You would need another 600 cal deficit which would be best achieved through exercise this may help - http://healthyliving.azcentral.com/easily-burn-600-calories-day-9011.html

    Most importantly I think the target you have set is one which requires being very focused but if you can do it over the next few months and develop a few good habits to maintain it into the future then great! I expect that you may be able to do better than the 1lb per week but only you can decide how close to the 2lb per week you can get it is possible but not easy.
  • David_AUS
    David_AUS Posts: 298 Member
    What's a deficit? Like I said...very new to this. All the fat I have is in my midsection... just because I ate like crap and drank beer too much. What are some good ways to tone up? I'm dong crunches and lunges..and even cycling. But I only feel it in my legs...how can I get some abs going?

    Your Abs are used in all balance and posture, anything that requires balance will engage the Abs. I get the feeling that you think working the abs will flatten your tummy - Forget about spot reduction - think more holistically you want to work all the muscle groups maintaining posture and form will engage the abs - that is why they say "tuck that tummy in" the posture you have in exercise is the one that you will carry when you walk around. Cycling and lunges are great - I am not a fan of crunches and think they are well inefficient. At the moment focus on fat loss (not weight loss) and maintaining lean muscle - the best exercise is one you enjoy - dancing, Pilates, cross fit, boxercise, HIIT, aqua fit - something to your fitness level.

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