I am a relatively thin girl but still have a belly pooch??

AshleyMichaels
AshleyMichaels Posts: 1
edited March 1 in Fitness and Exercise
I am 5'4 and currently weigh about 115lbs. I just want to know what you all think I should do in terms of diet and exercise changes. Starting this week, I have been eating either an omelet+some fruit or oatmeal+a fruit for breakfast, a salad with vinaigrette dressing for lunch, and some sort of meat with a small side salad along with some vegetables, and then don't eat anything else after about 6-7pm. I jog every other day for at least 30 minutes and the days in between, I have been doing a 30 minute ab workout. I need to lose the belly fat though so the muscle tone underneath will show. Any tips are welcome. Thanks!

Replies

  • DeeVanderbles
    DeeVanderbles Posts: 589 Member
    In order to reduce fat you have to eat at a calorie deficit. Unfortunately, you can't pick and choose where the fat comes from and the "pooch" is typically the last to go. Have you heard of the quote "Abs are made in the kitchen"? I'd suggest adding some protein to your lunch with either hard boiled eggs, grilled chicken or tuna (all of which go great on a salad!) and switching the ab workout to a 30 minute weight lifting workout. You can start with body weight exercises if you don't have a gym membership but eventually you're either going to have to get one or buy weights. Lift heavy. Read that as heavy for you. You want to choose a weight that makes reps 8, 9 and 10 difficult but doable.

    Edited to add - feel free to message me or add me!
  • hill8570
    hill8570 Posts: 1,466 Member
    Your BMI is already under 20, so I wouldn't recommend dropping any more weight unless you're planning on competitive bodybuilding, so calories at maintenance based on your activity level. The ab workout is a good start, maybe some additional overall weightlifting if you can fit it in. Keep the macros biased toward the protein side so your body has something to build muscle with.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    Start lifting. You're weight is fine.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    You can't spot reduce ....unfortunately. When I get to my goal weight I will have fat thighs.....that's life.

    When you lose weight (it will likely be a combination of water, fat, and lean muscle)......you lose it wherever it's predetermined for you. Some people lose upper body first, others lose lower body first (not me) ....genetics play a role too.

    To get the best body YOU can have.....choose moderate weight loss (or no weight loss.....look for body re-composition threads).....and strength train, strength train, and oh yeah.... strength train.

    Strength training helps to shape your body. Cardio is great for endurance & burning calories....but if you want to re-shape or re-composition your body ....it's strength training.
  • rand486
    rand486 Posts: 270 Member
    You're "skinny fat", very common. To get a more "toned" look, you need to build muscle. Weight lifting is the most efficient path, but there's lots of other forms of strength training out there if you aren't interested in free weights.

    A few pointers:

    * It is impossible to spot-reduce bodyfat. ie: Crunches (or any other exercise) will not reduce belly fat specifically.
    * No, you will not accidentally get bulky by lifting weights. There are many, many, MANY examples of "soft" feminine looking strength lifters.
  • laineybz
    laineybz Posts: 704 Member
    I am 5'4 and currently weigh about 115lbs. I just want to know what you all think I should do in terms of diet and exercise changes. Starting this week, I have been eating either an omelet+some fruit or oatmeal+a fruit for breakfast, a salad with vinaigrette dressing for lunch, and some sort of meat with a small side salad along with some vegetables, and then don't eat anything else after about 6-7pm. I jog every other day for at least 30 minutes and the days in between, I have been doing a 30 minute ab workout. I need to lose the belly fat though so the muscle tone underneath will show. Any tips are welcome. Thanks!

    I'm in a similar position to you. 5"2, 105lbs ish. I can't afford to/don't want to lose anymore weight. My stomach is where i'd like to lose/tone up. I've recently started lifting weights and i think that's the way forward for me. Now i just need to up my protein etc.
  • essjay76
    essjay76 Posts: 465 Member
    Crunches are great for strengthening the core, but won't necessarily reduce your belly pouch. A lot of people have said it - you'll need to reduce overall body fat and gain muscle. Continue to watch what you eat and strength train.
  • kdiamond
    kdiamond Posts: 3,329 Member
    Agreed with the others, don't concern yourself over losing any more weight, start lifting and changing your body composition. Muscle looks better than flab.
  • benchsquad65
    benchsquad65 Posts: 147 Member
    Saw your pic you don't have a "belly pooch" just hit abs directly until you build muscle.
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