Time to get out of Skinnyfat!

LilyBentley2013
LilyBentley2013 Posts: 25 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Okay, so I'm at the point where eating less calories would be an unwise choice. Often left to my own devices I will eat about 800-1000 calories a day, and I realize this is a poor choice. I take a daily multivitamin but as someone who wants to be a nurse I realize this is not the same thing.

That being said I would also still like to slim down. (Am 5'5", 127 lbs)
I keep forgetting that as a college student I have access to a gym, so I was thinking of trying to get a general routine started.
For now it would just be basic run on the treadmill and a swim on days I can ( Hours are limited at pool :(http://www.monroecc.edu/depts/pe/hpl.htm)

I was thinking ~10 minutes to warm up/stretch, then spend the 30 mins in the pool, then an hour on the treadmill.
Obviously I probably don't have the endurance for a full run but maybe run 10, walk 50?
I have the pacer app and can easily put in 5 miles of walking on a daily basis but I don't run them; usually walk or 30-ish percent chance I biked those five miles.

I am a size three (!! I was 16 all of high school!) but am largely still fat based rather than muscle. Trying to get out of that. :)
Hopefully exercise will work up some appetite too.

Any thoughts/suggestions? Pool hours are only 3 hours a day and I am at school MWF until 1 so I can only use pool for an hour (I could come in Sundays for an open swim). Non-pool is open later and thus much more available. Does what I suggested seem like too much for a start?

Replies

  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    Lift weights.
  • LilyBentley2013
    LilyBentley2013 Posts: 25 Member
    Any suggestion of what weight/how many reps to start with?
  • upsaluki
    upsaluki Posts: 553 Member
    If you have a smartphone I would suggest trying couch to 5k. You would be surprised at how fast you can start running. It builds you up over 9 weeks with run/walk intervals until you're running 30 minutes straight. It's aimed at non runners who want to start, so it's paced to let your body adjust. I use the run double app and it enters my calories into the myfitnesspal app automatically.

    http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/47-couch-to-5k-running-program-c25k-
  • wyattj99
    wyattj99 Posts: 454 Member
    and with all of that....EAT more!
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    Any suggestion of what weight/how many reps to start with?

    Not possible for me to tell you that as it's largely individual.

    Check out All Pros beginner routine, Starting Strength, Stronglifts as example programs. Also consider New Rules of Lifting for Women (book).

    Now this doesn't mean you have to do these programs as there are plenty of other options, but this is a starting place to learn about lifting.

    Making very, very vague generalizations I would choose a program that has you using primarily compound (multi joint) exercises such that you are training your entire body multiple times per week (so for example full body 3xweek rather than a bunch of body-part movements that collectively exercise your entire body once per week). I would select a program that has you increasing the weights you lift gradually (so that you're getting stronger).
  • wyattj99
    wyattj99 Posts: 454 Member
    Any suggestion of what weight/how many reps to start with?

    Less weights/more reps...google some ideas. PopSugar Fitness has some good ones.
  • LilyBentley2013
    LilyBentley2013 Posts: 25 Member
    If you have a smartphone I would suggest trying couch to 5k. You would be surprised at how fast you can start running. It builds you up over 9 weeks with run/walk intervals until you're running 30 minutes straight. It's aimed at non runners who want to start, so it's paced to let your body adjust. I use the run double app and it enters my calories into the myfitnesspal app automatically.

    http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/47-couch-to-5k-running-program-c25k-
    So I tried running yesterday just a bit after post... Turns out I can still almost entirely run a mile and have taken off a minute from high school (was 40 lbs heavier then.) yay! Will get on those apps.
  • LilyBentley2013
    LilyBentley2013 Posts: 25 Member
    and with all of that....EAT more!
    I know but I lack the hungry feeling as much as I used to DX
    Mister male has taken it upon himself to make sure I get to at least 1000 every day.
  • Chieflrg
    Chieflrg Posts: 9,097 Member
    Any suggestion of what weight/how many reps to start with?

    Not possible for me to tell you that as it's largely individual.

    Check out All Pros beginner routine, Starting Strength, Stronglifts as example programs. Also consider New Rules of Lifting for Women (book).

    Now this doesn't mean you have to do these programs as there are plenty of other options, but this is a starting place to learn about lifting.

    Making very, very vague generalizations I would choose a program that has you using primarily compound (multi joint) exercises such that you are training your entire body multiple times per week (so for example full body 3xweek rather than a bunch of body-part movements that collectively exercise your entire body once per week). I would select a program that has you increasing the weights you lift gradually (so that you're getting stronger).

    ^^THIS^^

    This will help you appetite along with the skinny fat you want to get out of. Win/win.
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    You're not going to have a huge impact on body composition (being "skinnyfat," although I'm not a fan of that term) doing mostly cardio. You need to do some kind of progressive loading strength training. You don't need to lose weight, so I'd recommend starting a beginner strength training program like Starting Strength while eating at maintenance and making sure to get enough protein (aim for .8 grams per pound of weight). This is called recomposition-- you'll very slowly add muscle while losing fat. You should stay about the same weight but you'll see positive changes to your body.
  • Rays_Wife
    Rays_Wife Posts: 1,173 Member
    Any suggestion of what weight/how many reps to start with?

    Less weights/more reps...google some ideas. PopSugar Fitness has some good ones.

    NO
  • Rays_Wife
    Rays_Wife Posts: 1,173 Member
    5'5 and 127 pounds? You're already slimmed down!!! Geez...a size 3? Eat at maintenance or a tiny cut to change body comp and lift weights like SideSteel said. Seriously you girls thinking you're fat when you're not....LOL
  • lillyrose2020
    lillyrose2020 Posts: 178 Member
    So you're 127 pounds and 5'5. As I am your height and a lot heavier, I would guess you are skinny and not skinnyfat. If you lose too much more you'll be underweight. You are already under eating, even 1000 calories is too low. I am sure these two factors may set off alarm bells.
    As others have said strength training, eating healthier and more would be a better and safer goal that weight loss.
  • lillyrose2020
    lillyrose2020 Posts: 178 Member
    5'5 and 127 pounds? You're already slimmed down!!! Geez...a size 3? Eat at maintenance or a tiny cut to change body comp and lift weights like SideSteel said. Seriously you girls thinking you're fat when you're not....LOL
    Ah you got in before me! I am glad someone else said it though! :)
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    and with all of that....EAT more!
    I know but I lack the hungry feeling as much as I used to DX
    Mister male has taken it upon himself to make sure I get to at least 1000 every day.

    a tablespoon of peanut butter and a tablespoon of nutella... extra 400 cals...
  • kmorgan221
    kmorgan221 Posts: 206 Member
    Definitely check out Stronglifts 5x5 or one of the other beginning lifting programs mentioned here.
  • xmissbehaved56x
    xmissbehaved56x Posts: 12
    I am 5'6 and 126 pounds and I look smaller and better than I did when I was 113 pounds. I stopped doing cardio and focused on weight lifting and I can eat more than I used to. Start using the weight machines and also the rowing machine is a good option also. The weight machines should have a little picture that demonstrates how to use them. I focus on legs and arms at the gym and just do abs at home. The rowing machine has really helped me with gaining muscle and there is some cardio included in that too which is nice. Make sure you increase your calories and pay more attention to measurements than the scale at this point.

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