I'm thin but I can't shake the belly fat

Hi everyone, I've exhausted all my online resources and I'm stuck so I really hope you wonderful people can offer me some advice that will work.

Since the start of my weight loss Journey I've lost about 13 kilos (From 69kg to 57kg, I'm 5'10") which was my goal and I am really happy with it. I find it pretty easy to maintain my weight now that I understand how to eat correctly and how to excercise. But I am not happy with the appearance of my body. While I am thin all over my body, I have a flabby belly. It looks really odd on my thin body and it's just not the flat, toned stomach I had in mind when I started going to the gym. I can't work out if the problem is my diet or my exercise regime.. So here's a rundown of what I eat and do -
- Breakfast - Small bowl of natural greek yoghurt (about half to 3/4 a cup) with a teaspoon of honey, sprinkled with chia seeds, goji berries and sometimes a tiny bit of muesli.
- Lunch - two whole wheat lunch biscuits or corn thins topped with half an avacado, 2 tablespoons of low-fat cottage cheese, a small bunch of baby spinach, 2 large slices of turkey or smoked salmon, and a tiny sprinkle of sauce or dressing. I also have 2-3 sticks of celery with hommus as a snack later in the day.
- Dinner - I try to eat a serving of lean meat (chicken, pork, beef) with a salad or brown rice.
I pretty much only drink water and tea with honey and milk, sometimes juice and coffee.
On the weekends I eat pretty well but sometimes eat some pizza or thai - i try choose healthy options.

Excercise wise, I go to the gym monday, tuesday, thursday and friday. I do 10 mins of the elliptical training then for the next 30-45 minutes I do weights, resistance and abs. A breakdown:
- Monday - Upper body; dumbell bench press 3 sets, barbell bent over row 3 sets, dumbell shoulder press 3 sets, barbell lying tricep extension 3 sets, dumbell bicep curl 3 sets.
- Tuesday - Lower Body; Barbell deep squat 3 sets, barbell wide stance stiff leg lift 3 sets, leg extensions 3 sets, lying leg curls 3 sets, seated calf raise 3 sets, leg raise 3 sets, crunches 3 sets, jacknife situp 3 sets, plank for 30 seconds, 3 sets.
Wednesday - rest day
- Thursday - Upper body; Machine assisted dips 3 sets, machine assisted pullups 3 sets, dumbell seated side lateral raise 3 sets, cable rope triceps pushdowns 3 sets, cable close grip curl 3 sets.
- Friday - Lower body; dumbell lunges 3 sets, back hyperextensions 3 sets, air bike 3 sets, bent knee hip raise 3 sets, crunches 3 sets.

Occasionally I do 10 mins of HIIT running on the treadmill after working out but only once or twice a week.

My BMI is borderline underweight. I really just want to lose the flab and get some ab muscles showing but they're all hidden under this fat layer on my very slim body. Thank you!!

Replies

  • ndrec
    ndrec Posts: 31 Member
    It's your nutrition. It sounds healthy, but you don't really measure your food, do you? You have to set your deficit and macro and micronutrients and measure everything you eat, and not by cups or tablespoons, but in grams. You have to be accurate. If you are specific about your training, then you have to be specific about your nutrition. There's a saying: abs are made in the kitchen. It's the law.
    In the long run, it would probably be better if you did a slow bulk to build some muscle because you can't lean out and show your abs if you don't have any to show. Build them first :)
  • Edensienna
    Edensienna Posts: 180 Member
    I think at this point persistence will help sculpt your body.. A small deficit and working out will eventually help shed those last pockets of fat.

    I have slimmed down over the past 8 months but still have tummy and thigh fat that jiggles.. I am at my goal weight pretty much but am focusing on enjoying my workouts and hoping for very subtle changes in time.

    You look great, don't sweat it.